NutriSource distinguishes itself as a pet food brand deeply invested in the health and happiness of dogs. Their dedication to utilizing premium, high-caliber ingredients in every recipe guarantees that your beloved companion receives the essential nutrition needed for a vibrant life. What truly sets NutriSource apart is their unwavering commitment to sourcing fresh, local ingredients. By forging partnerships with nearby farmers and producers, they ensure the superior quality of their pet food components while simultaneously bolstering local economies. NutriSource also prides itself on offering an extensive array of food choices, thoughtfully designed to accommodate dogs with diverse dietary requirements, including grain-free and limited-ingredient options.
In essence, NutriSource dog food stands out as an exceptional choice for pet owners who prioritize their dog’s health and well-being above all else, seeking to nourish them with a diet that is both nutritious and well-balanced. Pet nutrition expert Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, a Wag! veterinary consultant, endorses NutriSource for her clients. “NutriSource provides convenient and budget-friendly kibble options for dogs at all stages of life,” she notes.
NutriSource recognizes the individuality of pets, offering a wide spectrum of recipes to satisfy every dog’s unique palate. Their product lines encompass nearly 100 distinct recipes, ensuring that whether your dog is a picky eater or has a sensitive digestive system, there’s a NutriSource formula perfectly suited for them.
NutriSource’s flagship line, simply named NutriSource Dog Food, boasts the most extensive selection, featuring 32 dry and 19 wet recipes. This vast array ensures you can pinpoint the ideal meal for your canine friend. Recipes span grain-inclusive and grain-free options in both dry and wet formats, catering to puppies, senior dogs, all life stages, and small, medium, and large breeds. They also offer small bite recipes, as well as formulas tailored for weight management and performance. A key feature across all NutriSource recipes is the inclusion of prebiotics and probiotics, promoting optimal gut health.
NutriSource dry recipes are formulated with high-quality standards, featuring real meat cuts as primary ingredients. However, it’s worth noting that many recipes include several grains or pulses and legumes among the initial ingredients. Ingredients like dried plain beet pulp and dried tomato pomace, byproducts of manufacturing, are considered lower-quality components in these formulations.
Conversely, NutriSource wet recipes showcase above-average ingredient quality compared to typical canned dog foods. The top three ingredients commonly include real meat cuts, broth, and liver, followed by fiber and carbohydrate sources such as brown rice flour or chickpeas.
NutriSource PureVita Dog Food specializes in limited-ingredient diets, making it an excellent choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies. These formulas utilize highly palatable, single-protein sources like chicken, turkey, salmon, and even kangaroo, all of which are protein-rich and easily digestible. PureVita offers both dry and wet food options, in both grain-inclusive and grain-free varieties.
The quality of PureVita dry recipes mirrors NutriSource’s main dog food line, with real meat and meat meal leading the ingredient lists. PureVita recipes also incorporate nutritious produce such as dried carrots, blueberries, and cranberries, naturally boosting your dog’s vitamin and mineral intake. PureVita wet recipes maintain a high standard, featuring multiple meat cuts within the top five ingredients. Common secondary ingredients include flaxseed, coconut glycerin, and dried brewer’s yeast.
NutriSource Choice Dog Food presents three grain-inclusive dry recipes for dogs at a more accessible price point. Reflecting their budget-conscious nature, NutriSource Choice dry recipes are of a slightly lower quality compared to other NutriSource kibbles. Each dry recipe lists meat meal as the primary ingredient, followed by four different grains.
NutriSource Choice wet recipes offer improved quality, with several meat cuts and water for processing as the main ingredients. All recipes in this line contain beef liver, making them unsuitable for dogs with beef allergies or sensitivities.
NutriSource Element Series Dog Food harnesses nature’s finest elements to deliver an advanced diet for dogs. This line features five delectable, animal protein-rich recipes, each containing at least 83% animal protein per serving. In addition to premium animal proteins, Element Series recipes include targeted probiotics as part of NutriSource’s Good 4 Life Plus system.
The NutriSource Element Series represents one of NutriSource’s highest quality offerings. Every recipe lists multiple cuts of real meat within the top five ingredients, with meat meals adding extra protein. Common secondary ingredients include chicken fat, dried egg product, and dried plain beet pulp.
NutriSource Freeze-Dried recipes within the Element Series provide complete and balanced nutrition, with at least 90% of protein derived from animal sources like beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, venison, duck, and organ meats. They also incorporate fruits and vegetables such as apples, butternut squash, and sweet potato, along with essential nutrients, minerals, prebiotics, and postbiotics to support gut health. Available as Raw Bites and Raw Sliders, these versatile, freeze-dried formulas preserve nutrients and flavor, serving as ideal meals, treats, or food toppers.
NutriSource Come-poocha-a Dog Food Toppers are designed to entice picky eaters and elevate mealtime. Inspired by kombucha’s digestive benefits, these toppers feature natural postbiotics from fermentation products to aid your dog’s gut health. Simply pour a bit over your dog’s regular food to enhance palatability and digestive support.
NutriSource Treats come in a variety of textures, including moist, jerky, and biscuit forms, with over 30 varieties across seven sub-ranges. These treats are rich in meat and protein, offering diverse flavors. Chicken, pork, beef, or lamb often feature as the primary ingredient. Some recipes also include real fruits and vegetables like chickpeas, peas, pumpkin, carrot, sweet potato, celery, beets, parsley, lettuce, watercress, cranberries, blueberries, apple, and banana.
NutriSource treats serve as excellent healthy rewards, with specific variants offering functional benefits through added L-carnitine, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Wag! expresses strong approval of NutriSource dog food for several compelling reasons. The brand’s commitment to high-quality ingredients is evident in their use of fresh meat, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables. Ingredients are locally sourced and meet AAFCO standards, with high-quality meats consistently leading ingredient lists. The inclusion of probiotics for digestive and immune system support is also a significant advantage. NutriSource’s extensive food variety, encompassing grain-inclusive and grain-free options and diverse protein sources, is ideal for dogs with sensitivities or allergies. Formulas tailored for puppies, seniors, and active breeds further broaden their appeal. Positive customer reviews frequently highlight improved pet health, including enhanced energy, shinier coats, and healthy digestion after switching to NutriSource.
However, some considerations exist. NutriSource is positioned at a higher price point compared to some other dog food brands. Its exclusive distribution through independent pet stores, while supporting local businesses, may limit accessibility for some pet owners. The use of starchy carbohydrates and plant-based fillers like corn gluten meal, dried beet pulp, and dried tomato pomace in dry foods is another point to consider. While providing fiber and carbohydrates, these ingredients offer limited nutritional value for dogs and function as less costly fillers.
Pet parents’ testimonials offer valuable insights. One pet owner shares, “I have the absolute pickiest eater there is. This is the only dog food that she will eat and clean her bowl. Her energy levels are back and her weight and coat condition are perfect!” Another remarks, “My 90lb Bluenose Pitbull enjoys the larger kibble and actually chews his food instead of just swallowing it whole.”
NutriSource’s brand history dates back to 1964, founded by Tuffy’s Pet Foods in Perham, Minnesota. Initially producing livestock feed, Tuffy’s Pet Foods entered the dog food market in the 1980s with the NutriSource brand. Over time, NutriSource expanded to include cat food and various formulas catering to diverse pet needs. In the early 2000s, they launched a super-premium line emphasizing high-quality ingredients and natural preservation. To this day, NutriSource remains family-owned and operated by Tuffy’s Pet Foods, rooted in community and integrity.
NutriSource has experienced only one product recall since 2009, on October 12, 2021, recalling a limited quantity of NutriSource PureVita Salmon Entree Dog Food due to potentially elevated vitamin D levels. While no illnesses were reported, the recall was precautionary. Maintaining awareness of pet food recalls is essential for pet safety, and the FDA’s pet food recall website is a valuable resource for staying informed.
In conclusion, NutriSource dog food presents itself as a high-quality option with a wide range of recipes to suit various needs and preferences. While it may come at a higher cost and with limited availability in major pet store chains, its focus on quality ingredients, positive customer feedback, and commitment to pet health position it as a commendable choice for discerning dog owners.
