When it comes to choosing the right food for your beloved canine companion, the array of options can be overwhelming. Many pet parents turn to trusted resources like Dog Food Advisor for in-depth, impartial reviews to help make informed decisions. Today, we’re diving into a comprehensive review of Rachael Ray Nutrish dog food, a brand that has garnered significant attention in the pet food market. Originally known as Rachael Ray Nutrish, the brand rebranded in 2025 to simply Nutrish, but its core commitment to quality and natural ingredients remains. This expert analysis aims to provide a clear understanding of what Nutrish offers, its ingredients, and its overall standing in the dog food landscape, helping you decide if it’s the best choice for your furry friend. The Dog Food Advisor has conducted a thorough evaluation, examining its most popular sub-brands and specific recipes.
Exploring the Nutrish Sub-Brands: What’s Best for Your Dog?
Nutrish offers a diverse range of sub-brands, each designed to cater to different dietary needs and preferences of dogs. Understanding the distinctions between these lines is crucial for selecting the ideal food for your pet. Below, we’ll outline six of Nutrish’s most popular sub-brands, highlighting their unique features and average ratings from Dog Food Advisor.
Nutrish Dry
This is the original dry kibble line from Nutrish, featuring grain-inclusive recipes rich in animal protein sourced from fresh meat and named meat meals. Dog Food Advisor notes that these recipes avoid high-risk preservatives like BHA and BHT. Options include chicken, beef, and salmon, across nine different recipes with varying ratings, averaging 4.5 stars. These formulas are crafted to provide a balanced diet with ample protein. Choosing the right dry food can be a pivotal decision for your dog’s daily nutrition, impacting their energy levels and coat health. Selecting a formula with real meat as the primary ingredient is often a good indicator of quality, as it suggests a higher biological value of protein.
Nutrish Grain Free
For dogs with grain sensitivities or owners who prefer a grain-free diet, Nutrish offers its popular Grain Free sub-brand, formerly known as Zero. This line excludes common grains such as corn, wheat, rice, and barley, focusing on alternative carbohydrate sources. Available in chicken or salmon varieties, this sub-brand consists of two recipes, both receiving a commendable 4.5-star rating from Dog Food Advisor. This line is an excellent option for dogs requiring a specialized diet to avoid potential allergens found in grains.
Nutrish Limited Ingredient
Designed specifically for dogs suspected of having food sensitivities, the Nutrish Limited Ingredient line features a dry kibble with a simplified ingredient list. This approach minimizes exposure to potential allergens, focusing on core components. It contains only six natural ingredients, primarily lamb meal and brown rice, and is available in a single recipe, rated 3.5 stars by Dog Food Advisor. This sub-brand is a targeted solution for pet owners managing their dog’s dietary intolerances.
Nutrish dish
Nutrish dish stands out with its dry kibble blended with visible pieces of whole ingredients, such as fruits, vegetables, and real meat. These grain-inclusive recipes boast an above-average 29% dry matter protein content. With two recipes in this line, Dog Food Advisor gives it a 4-star rating. This visually appealing and nutrient-rich option combines the convenience of kibble with the appeal of whole, recognizable ingredients.
Nutrish High Protein
Formerly known as Peak, the High Protein line is Nutrish’s nutrient-dense offering. These grain-free dry recipes provide approximately 10% more protein than the brand’s basic lines, featuring a substantial 34.2% dry matter protein. This line also includes added taurine, an important amino acid for heart health. With one recipe available, it earns a perfect 5-star rating from Dog Food Advisor. This sub-brand is ideal for active dogs or those requiring a higher protein intake.
Nutrish Canned
For dogs who prefer wet food or as a flavorful topper for dry kibble, Nutrish offers a variety of canned recipes. This sub-brand includes options for digestive health and weight management. With nine different recipes, the Nutrish Canned line receives a 4-star rating. Wet food can be particularly beneficial for hydration and palatability, making mealtime more enjoyable for picky eaters.
Delving into Nutrish Dry Dog Food: An In-Depth Recipe Analysis
To provide a detailed insight into the Nutrish brand, we’ll take a closer look at a representative recipe: Nutrish Real Chicken, Pea, Carrot & Brown Rice Recipe Whole Health Blend Large Breed. This particular recipe, with a rating of 4.5 stars, showcases the typical composition and nutritional philosophy of Nutrish’s dry product range. The Dog Food Advisor’s comprehensive assessment of this formula provides valuable information regarding its estimated dry matter nutrient content, ingredient quality, and overall nutritional balance.
The estimated dry matter nutrient content for this recipe reveals 28.8% protein, 14.1% fat, and approximately 44.8% carbohydrates. These figures position Nutrish Dry Dog Food as an above-average dry dog food when considering its ingredients.
Ingredient Breakdown and Analysis
Understanding the individual ingredients is key to evaluating any dog food. Let’s break down the primary components of the Nutrish Real Chicken, Pea, Carrot & Brown Rice Recipe:
- Chicken: Listed as the first ingredient, fresh chicken is a quality protein source. However, it contains up to 73% water, meaning its contribution to the final product’s total meat content is reduced after cooking.
- Chicken Meal: This is a concentrated form of meat, providing nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken, making it a significant contributor to the recipe’s protein content.
- Dried Peas: A good source of carbohydrates and dietary fiber. It’s important to note that dried peas contain about 27% protein, which can contribute to the overall protein percentage on the label, a factor to consider when assessing actual meat content.
- Soybean Meal: A by-product of soybean oil production, it’s a plant-based protein source (48% protein). While it boosts total protein, its biological value is generally lower than meat.
- Whole Ground Corn: An inexpensive cereal grain. While it provides energy, its nutritional value for dogs is considered modest, and it’s not a preferred component in dog food by Dog Food Advisor.
- Pea Starch: A gluten-free carbohydrate extract often used as a binder in kibble, offering modest nutritional value beyond its energy content.
- Dried Plain Beet Pulp: A controversial high-fiber by-product. While some consider it a filler, others highlight its benefits for intestinal health and blood sugar regulation. Dog Food Advisor considers its inclusion in reasonable amounts acceptable.
- Chicken Fat: A quality ingredient rich in linoleic acid, an essential omega-6 fatty acid.
- Brown Rice: A complex carbohydrate that is generally easy to digest, though its nutritional value is modest outside of its energy content.
Other Notable Ingredients
Beyond the main ingredients, several other components contribute to the recipe’s nutritional profile:
- Taurine: An important amino acid for heart muscle function. Its presence is particularly positive in recipes that contain grains or are grain-free, as taurine deficiency has been observed in some dogs on these diets.
- Chelated Minerals: These minerals are chemically bound to protein, which enhances their absorption by the dog’s body. Their inclusion is typically a sign of higher-quality dog foods.
- Menhaden Fish Oil: Derived from small ocean fish, menhaden oil is rich in EPA and DHA, high-quality omega-3 fatty acids with excellent bioavailability for dogs and humans. Additionally, menhaden are less likely to be exposed to mercury contamination compared to deep-water species.
Nutrient Summary
Based on its ingredients, Nutrish Dry Dog Food, particularly the Rachael Ray Nutrish variant, is an above-average dry dog food. The average protein content across the brand is 28.8%, with a mean fat level of 15.6%. This suggests a carbohydrate content of approximately 43% for the overall product line, with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 54%. Considering the protein-boosting effects of ingredients like dried peas and soybean meal, this profile indicates a kibble that still contains a notable amount of meat protein. Choosing a dog food with a balanced macro-nutrient profile is vital for maintaining your dog’s overall health and well-being.
A close-up image showing the size and texture of Rachael Ray Nutrish dog food kibble
Nutrish Dog Food Recall History
As of November 2025, Dog Food Advisor reports no recalls noted for Nutrish dog food. This is an important consideration for pet owners, as a consistent record free of recalls suggests reliability and adherence to safety standards. You can always check the Dog Food Advisor website for the most up-to-date recall information.
Our Rating and Final Thoughts on Rachael Ray Nutrish Dog Food
The Dog Food Advisor highly recommends Nutrish, evaluating it as an above-average, grain-inclusive kibble. The brand utilizes a significant amount of fresh meat and named meat meal as its primary animal protein sources. This commitment to quality ingredients, coupled with a balanced nutritional profile, earns the brand a strong 4.5-star rating.
For pet parents looking for comprehensive insights into their dog’s diet, understanding who manufactures their food is equally important. Nutrish was acquired from Ainsworth Pet Nutrition in 2018 by Big Heart Pet Brands, a division of The J. M. Smucker Company based in Orville, Ohio. All dry foods are proudly produced in the United States, while wet recipes are manufactured in Thailand.
Customer feedback further reinforces the positive perception of Nutrish. Chewy customers, for example, rate Nutrish 4.5 out of 5 stars, with 92% indicating they would recommend it to others. This high level of satisfaction from actual users provides additional reassurance about the brand’s quality and palatability.
When considering if Rachael Ray Nutrish dog food is the right choice, it’s important to remember that all Nutrish recipes adhere to nutrient profiles established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), based on guidelines from the National Research Council of the National Academies of Science. This means each recipe is considered complete and balanced for the specific life stage indicated on its label. Nutrish offers both grain-inclusive and grain-free options, catering to a wide range of dietary needs. For puppies, Nutrish provides “all life stages” formulas and specific “Bright Puppy” recipes designed for growth, ensuring that all ages are covered.
Ultimately, the Rachael Ray Nutrish brand, as reviewed by Dog Food Advisor, presents itself as a reputable and high-quality option for dog owners seeking nutritious and reliable food for their pets. Its diverse sub-brands, commitment to quality ingredients, and strong ratings make it a worthy contender in the competitive dog food market.
