Review of NutriSource Puppy Food
Isn’t it frustrating to be looking at dozens of different brands of kibble in a pet store, unsure which one to choose?
It is likely that you have seen labels such as “complete and balanced,” “biologically appropriate,” or “preservative-free” more than once. You don’t have to worry about buying the same stuff as before if you don’t know what these labels mean!
As we begin our assessment, we would like to remind you that Alpha Paw has its own vet-approved dry dog food, Natural VitalityTM, that is fast becoming the brand of choice for pet parents. The chicken and sweet potato recipe we make is suitable for dogs of all breeds and ages. Our dog food contains a natural source of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats by following AAFCO guidelines.
The delivery service is convenient for pet parents as well as delicious for dogs. Two formulas are available, one that is for all dogs and one that is specifically designed for Dachshunds.
It is highly recommended that you feed your dog our pumpkin puree. Despite this, we want to be a resource for pet parents like you and discuss what’s available on the market.
Can Every Puppy Eat NutriSource Puppy Food?
We once again accommodated our readers’ requests and explored another canine food brand after reviewing Wellness CORE dog food and Orijen Puppy Food.
Many of our loyal readers were unable to find unbiased reviews of NutriSource pet food products even though the company has been around for decades. Rather than turn to affiliate links or sponsored brands, they turned to us for advice, knowing we don’t profit from the links we provide.
The purpose of this article is to lay out the findings of our research into NutriSource puppy food by categorizing their best products.
What Is NutriSource PuppyFood?
A family-owned pet food company based in Minnesota, NutriSource strives to create food that keeps pets healthy for a long time.
The company has been in the U.S. market since the 1960s. They remain unknown to many dog owners because they adhere to the principle of shopping and sourcing locally.
The downside of this approach is that it is difficult to reach potential customers, but it also allows dog lovers to verify that the products are responsibly sourced.
Our beloved fuzzy fellas of all shapes, sizes, and ages can enjoy NutriSource grain-free and wholesome grain brands that are carefully formulated to fit their dietary requirements.
There are a variety of puppy chow options available at NutriSource, including:
1: Dry food
2: Wet food
3: Treats
The NutriSource puppy food is made with nutrition that is most appropriate for dogs, whether grain-free or with grains. Each bag and can of NutriSource grub is filled with high-quality protein, and our furry testers agree that it’s utterly delicious!
NutriSource Puppy Food Criteria
Alpha Paw believes in setting rules and following them at all times, no matter whether we are evaluating the best dry dog food or the worst wet dog food.
When we began testing NutriSource’s vast selection of dog food, we did the same thing. Here are a few things we looked for in NutriSource before moving on to the actual reviews:
- Strong muscles require a lot of protein
- The carb content of this treat won’t affect your pup’s blood sugar levels
- Meat sources with no meat byproducts are the best sources of amino acids
- Healthy skin and shiny coats are associated with high levels of healthy fatty acids, such as linoleic, omega-6, and omega-3 fats
- Vitamins and minerals from fresh legumes and vegetables
The NutriSource Puppy Food We Sorted
The good news is that we are not alone when we review dog food. Our research is assisted by a whole army of helpers. The process of sifting through any brand’s offer would take incomparably longer without them.
We needed to determine what constitutes proper dog nutrition before we began our research. Veterinarians are the experts on everything doggy related, so what better place to begin? The veterinarians we spoke with advised us what dog chow should look like as well as what complete and balanced nutrition looks like for dogs.
Our next stop was a number of independent pet stores. Upon our inquiry about NutriSource best sellers, the staff was happy to provide us with recommendations. The review would take months without their assistance because we would have to conduct extensive market research. What a relief!
The last but not least were online reviews by fellow dog owners. After reading hundreds of comments, we culled the best recipes from NutriSource based on what people had to say.
What We Looked For When Picking Our Top Picks
The following are the NutriSource puppy foods we recommend in the following categories based on extensive listening, reading, and munching:
1: Dry food
2: Wet food
3: Puppy recipe
4: Senior recipe
5: Treats
Our investigation into dog food results will be revealed as soon as possible, so don’t wait any longer!
| Alpha Paw Picks | Recipe | Rating |
| Best dry food | Adult Chicken & Rice Recipe | 4.6 |
| Best wet food | Mediterranean Select | 4.6 |
| Best puppy recipe | Large Breed Puppy Recipe | 4.7 |
| Best senior recipe | Senior Recipe | 4.6 |
| Best treat | Grain-Free Rabbit Bites | 4.8 |
The best NutriSource dry food is NutriSource Adult Chicken & Rice
Our top pick from NutriSource’s offer is NutriSource Adult Chicken & Rice.
This recipe is highly digestible and nutrient-dense for your pet! The recipe contains low ash chicken meal, humanely raised chicken, and wholesome ingredients to promote balanced growth and improve overall health.
There is enough protein in this formula to meet the needs of even the most active dogs. The main ingredients are chicken and chicken meal. A chicken or chicken meal is a quality protein-rich ingredient. Meat concentrates such as chicken meal contain 300% more protein than fresh chicken. The food is made from more real food and is free of the typical fillers you’d usually find in other dog foods.
The slow-releasing sugars in wholegrain rice are easy for dogs to digest, and they are a natural source of energy. The digestibility rating is +85%. Smaller dogs can chew it easily, but larger dogs will find it satisfying.
The nutritional value of oatmeal and barley is also high, and they are highly digestible, which is important to the digestive system of your furry friend. Barley and oatmeal are natural sources of fiber and B-vitamins, while oatmeal contains vitamin B and calcium. It contains more nutritious ingredients that help your dog maintain a healthy weight and maintain energy levels.
It is also beneficial to add Omega fatty acids to the diet. As a result of these compounds, our dogs’ fur becomes shinier and silkier, while their circulatory systems are improved.
For dogs with sensitive stomachs, this recipe is corn- and soy-free.
This formula offers excellent value for money, despite being somewhat more expensive than average supermarket dog food.
The best thing about this recipe is that it’s suitable for both small and large breeds – the recipe gives big dogs the nutrition they need, while at the same time packing in a small piece of kibble that’s preferred by smaller dogs.
Guaranteed Analysis
| Crude Protein | min. 26.0% |
| Crude Fat | min. 16% |
| Crude Fiber | max. 4.0% |
| Moisture | max. 10% |
| Eicosapentaenoic (EPA) + Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) | min. 0.5% |
| Iron | min. 125 mg/kg |
| Copper | min. 12.4 mg/kg |
| Manganese | min. 12 mg/kg |
| Zinc | min. 120 mg/kg |
| Selenium | min. 0.35 mg/kg |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids | min. 2.6% |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | min. 0.7% |
| DL Methionine | min. 0.25% |
| Choline Chloride | min. 0.2% |
| Taurine | min. 0.1% |
| Glucosamine | 300 mg/kg |
| Chondroitin Sulfate | 150 mg/kg |
| L-Carnitine | min. 20 mg/kg |
| Cobalt | min. 1.0 mg/kg |
| Total Microorganisms* | – |
| (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus faecium) | min. 100 million CFU/lb |
The ingredients
Chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, chicken fat (preserved with tocopherols and citric acid), oatmeal, menhaden fish meal (a source of fish oil), natural turkey and chicken flavor, dried plain beet pulp, flax seed, brewers dried yeast, salt, potassium chloride, DL methionine, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, cobalt proteinate, selenium yeast), choline chloride, vitamins (vitamin A acetate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin, d-calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), glucosamine hydrochloride, lactic acid, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), chondroitin sulfate, yucca schidigera extract, taurine, L-carnitine, calcium iodate, rosemary extract, yeast culture, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract.
NutriSource Mediterranean Select is the best NutriSource wet food
This Grain-Free Mediterranean Blend meal will give your good boy or girl a taste of southern European cuisine until you can take him or her to Sicily.
It contains NutriSource’s trademark Good 4 Life supplement system, which consists of four supplements that support the health of the nervous system, the gut, the skin, and the coat. Your dog’s immune system will also be boosted by the presence of bioavailable minerals and prebiotics.
The NutriSource puppy food offers your pups superb and premium nutrition. This easy-to-digest canned food is perfect for dogs with grain or gluten allergies. This dish is made with beef, lamb, and lamb liver cooked in lamb broth along with chickpeas and salmon oil. A healthy heart is supported by taurine as an extra ingredient.
This is a perfect and balanced dog food because it’s rich in meat, heavy in protein, and low in carbohydrates.
One of the things we liked about this formula is that it doesn’t contain carrageenan, which is often used to thicken canned dog food. NutriSource puppy food is also gluten- and grain-free, so sensitive stomachs won’t have any trouble digesting it. Wet food also allows your favorite pooch to remain hydrated, so he’ll stay happy and healthy!
Bloating, inflammation, and colon cancer are believed to result from this red seaweed-extracted additive. Combining this formula with the digestive supplements mentioned above, it becomes clear that it was designed with sensitive tummies in mind.
Guaranteed Analysis
| Crude Protein | min. 9.0% |
| Crude Fat | min. 5.5% |
| Crude Fiber | max. 1.5% |
| Moisture | max. 78% |
| Taurine | min. 0.03% |
The ingredients
Beef, lamb broth, lamb liver, lamb, chickpeas, agar-agar, tricalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, salt, potassium chloride, choline chloride, salmon oil, sunflower oil, kelp, betaine, taurine, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, brewers dried yeast, yucca schidigera plant extract, selenium yeast, copper proteinate, magnesium oxide, cobalt proteinate, manganese proteinate, ethylenediamine dihydroiodide, vitamin E supplement, thiamine mononitrate, niacin supplement, calcium pantothenate, biotin, vitamin A supplement, riboflavin supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid
NutriSource Large Breed Puppy Recipe is the best NutriSource puppy food
As a complete and balanced food for underage dogs, NutriSource Large Breed Puppy Recipe delivers on its promise.
Young dogs’ health is NutriSource’s top priority. Turkey meat provides high-quality protein, which is further enhanced by chickpeas – which are packed with dietary fiber, amino acids, and protein – and whitefish meal – a concentrated source of protein.
In addition to providing dietary fiber and vitamin B, lentils are important sources of several essential minerals as well. Plant-based proteins are also found in these foods.
A healthy amount of calcium and phosphorus is also included in this puppy recipe, key minerals for proper growth and development of muscular system and skeletal system.
With a combination of L-Carnitine and taurine, along with Omega fatty acids, this kibble supports the health of the heart as well.
The dogs licked their bowls clean every time we served them this delicious kibble, just as they did with these best puppy food brands.
Guaranteed Analysis
| Crude Protein | min. 28.0% |
| Crude Protein | min. 10% |
| Crude Fiber | max. 7.0% |
| Moisture | max. 10% |
| Eicosapentaenoic (EPA) + Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) | min. 0.3% |
| Iron | min. 155 mg/kg |
| Copper | min. 13 mg/kg |
| Manganese | min. 15 mg/kg |
| Zinc | min. 170 mg/kg |
| Selenium | min. 0.35 mg/kg |
| Vitamin E | min. 160 IU/kg |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids | min. 1.9% |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | min. 0.7% |
| Taurine | min. 0.07% |
| Glucosamine | 300 mg/kg |
| Chondroitin Sulfate | 150 mg/kg |
| L-Carnitine | min. 100 mg/kg |
| Cobalt | min. 1.0 mg/kg |
| Total Microorganisms* | – |
| (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus faecium) | min. 100 million CFU/lb |
Ingredients
Turkey, turkey meal, green lentils, red lentils, peas, garbanzo beans, natural turkey flavor, menhaden fish meal, flax seed, pea fiber, beet pulp-dried, sunflower oil (preserved with tocopherols), dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, brewers dried yeast, salt, potassium chloride, DL methionine, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, cobalt proteinate, selenium yeast), choline chloride, vitamins (vitamin A acetate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin, d-calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), taurine, glucosamine hydrochloride, preserved with tocopherols and citric acid, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), lactic acid, chondroitin sulfate, yucca schidigera extract, calcium iodate, rosemary extract, yeast culture, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract.
The best NutriSource treat is NutriSource Grain-Free Rabbit Bites
It’s safe to say that every dog has a voracious appetite, regardless of its size. NutriSource’s Grain-Free Rabbit Bites fill hungry gaps between meals and provide additional nutrients at the same time with a powerful snack.
The real rabbit and natural ingredients in this treat make it a delicious treat for your dog to eat. Your pooch will benefit from the extra protein, vitamins, and minerals in this NutriSource puppy food without corn, wheat, soy, or artificial flavorings.
A great source of protein is rabbit, one of its main ingredients. You are guaranteed to feed your dog high-protein treats when you combine peas with their high plant-based protein content and essential vitamins and minerals. A good portion of dietary fiber and antioxidants are provided by potatoes as well. Gluten-free potatoes make this a great reward treat or snack for dogs who have sensitive stomachs.
In addition to sugar, cane molasses contains magnesium, manganese, iron, calcium, and potassium, which are essential minerals. A trusted source of L-carnitine is also used in NutriSource’s recipe!
This dog treat packs a surprising amount of protein while keeping carbs and fat low. The good news is that even if your pooch eats a lot of these, they won’t gain weight. Make sure you don’t become accustomed to it!
Guaranteed Analysis
| Crude Protein | min. 12.0% |
| Crude Fat | min. 8% |
| Crude Fiber | max. 4% |
| Moisture | max. 30% |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids | min. 1.0% |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | min. 0.2% |
| L-Carnitine | – |
Ingredients
Rabbit, peas, potatoes, garbanzo beans, glycerin, flaxseed, cane molasses, dried egg product, chicken fat (preserved with tocopherols and citric acid), tapioca starch, sweet potatoes, natural smoke flavor, salt, calcium lactate, lactic acid, palm oil, salmon oil, phosphoric acid, zinc propionate, calcium propionate (a preservative), yucca schidigera extract, natural flavor, L-carnitine, rosemary extract.
The Takeaway: NutriSource puppy food is grain-free
This brand has been around for a long time for a good reason.
NutriSource has earned the reputation it enjoys, albeit primarily among better-informed dog owners, due to its commitment to meeting dogs’ established nutritional needs.
This brand, while featuring some more expensive kibble recipes, pays off in terms of your pet’s comfort when you spend a couple of dollars more.
Our goal is to clear up any doubts you may have had about switching to or continuing to buy this brand.
That’s not all we have in store for you! Our reviews of the best dry dog food, the best dry food for small dogs or canned dog food vs dry kibbles will help you learn more about canine nutrition.
