Now Dog Food: Comprehensive Review of Now Fresh Dry Formulas

Choosing the right food for your beloved canine companion is one of the most important decisions a pet parent makes. With countless options available, navigating the world of dog nutrition can be overwhelming. Among the premium brands, Now Fresh by Petcurean stands out for its commitment to using fresh, minimally processed ingredients. If you’re searching for “Now Dog Food” to understand its quality and nutritional benefits, you’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive review delves into the Now Fresh dry dog food range, analyzing its ingredients, nutritional profile, and overall suitability, helping you determine if it’s the ideal choice for your dog.

Understanding the Now Fresh Philosophy: Quality and Transparency

Now Fresh embodies a philosophy centered on fresh, nutrient-rich ingredients. Petcurean, the family-owned Canadian company behind Now Fresh, was founded in 1999 with a clear vision: to create pet food that nourishes pets from the inside out. Their approach focuses on using de-boned meats, nutrient-rich fruits, and vegetables, prepared with minimal processing to preserve essential nutrients. This commitment to quality and transparency is a cornerstone of the brand, aiming to provide balanced and digestible meals that support a dog’s overall well-being at every life stage.

Now Fresh Product Range: Catering to Every Dog’s Needs

The Now Fresh dry product range offers a diverse selection of 11 recipes, each meticulously crafted to meet specific dietary requirements. Whether you have a playful puppy, an active adult, or a wise senior, Now Fresh provides tailored solutions. These formulas also account for breed size, offering specialized options for small and large breeds, ensuring appropriate kibble size and nutrient density. Each recipe in this acclaimed line consistently receives a 5-star rating from experts, underscoring its high standards.

The product line includes:

(AAFCO profiles: G=Growth, M=Maintenance, A=All Life Stages, S=Supplemental, U=Unspecified)

In-Depth Ingredient Analysis: What’s Inside Now Fresh?

To understand why “now dog food” consistently earns high praise, let’s dissect the ingredients of a representative formula: the Now Fresh Small Breed Adult Grain-Free Recipe with Turkey, Salmon & Duck. This particular recipe was chosen for a detailed examination of its composition and nutrient breakdown, serving as an excellent benchmark for the entire line.

Primary Protein Sources: Deboned Meats and Whole Dried Egg

The first ingredient is de-boned turkey. While a high-quality animal protein, it’s important to remember that raw turkey contains a significant amount of water (up to 73%). Once cooked and processed, much of this moisture is lost, meaning its contribution to the final product’s dry weight is less than it appears at first glance. Following turkey, we find whole dried egg, a dehydrated, shell-free powder. Eggs are renowned for their exceptional biological value, making them an easily digestible and highly beneficial protein source for dogs. The recipe also features other de-boned meats such as salmon and duck, further contributing to a rich and diverse animal protein profile.

Carbohydrates and Fiber: Peas, Potatoes, and Flaxseed

Next, the formula incorporates peas, a valuable source of carbohydrates and natural fiber. However, peas contain approximately 25% protein, which must be considered when evaluating the overall meat content of the food. Potatoes and potato flour serve as gluten-free sources of digestible carbohydrates, offering moderate nutritional value beyond caloric content. Similarly, pea flour, derived from roasted yellow peas, also contributes protein (around 25%) to the mix.

Further down the ingredient list, after natural flavor, we encounter flaxseed. This ingredient is an excellent plant-based source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, crucial for skin and coat health. When ground into a meal, flaxseed also provides soluble fiber. Like peas, flaxseed contributes protein (about 19%), a factor in assessing the actual meat content. For pet parents curious about expanding their dog’s diet, understanding what vegetables can I give my dog can provide more diverse options.

Beneficial Additions for Optimal Health

Beyond the core components, Now Fresh includes several noteworthy additions that enhance its nutritional value:

• Coconut oil: A natural oil rich in medium-chain fatty acids (MCTs). Studies have shown that MCTs can improve cognitive function in older dogs and have a proven safety profile, making coconut oil a positive addition for supporting cognitive health and potentially aiding chronic skin disorders.
• Chicory root: This ingredient is packed with inulin, a starch-like compound and a natural source of soluble dietary fiber. Inulin also acts as a prebiotic, fostering the growth of beneficial bacteria in a dog’s digestive tract, thereby supporting gut health.
• Chelated minerals: These are minerals chemically bound to protein, which significantly enhances their absorption within the dog’s body. The inclusion of chelated minerals is a hallmark of higher-quality dog foods, ensuring your dog can effectively utilize these vital nutrients.
• Dried fermentation products: Typically added as probiotics, these ingredients support healthy digestion and a balanced gut microbiome.
• Taurine: An important amino acid vital for healthy heart muscle function. While not always considered essential in canine diets, some dogs can be deficient, making its inclusion a beneficial safeguard.
• Selenium yeast: This natural yeast supplement is a safer, more bioavailable form of selenium compared to the common inorganic form (sodium selenite), acting as an important antioxidant.
• Alfalfa: An uncommon ingredient in dog food, alfalfa is a member of the pea family, rich in protein (18%) and fiber, though more frequently found in horse feeds.
• Lentils: Another quality source of carbohydrates and natural fiber, lentils also contribute protein (around 25%), which factors into the total protein assessment.

While Now Fresh prioritizes high-quality, beneficial ingredients, it’s always wise for dog owners to be aware of what meat is not good for dogs when considering supplementary foods or treats.

Now Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food

Now Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food, highlighting its premium and specialized formulation.

Nutritional Profile: Dry Matter Analysis and What It Means for Your Dog

To accurately compare dog foods, it’s crucial to look at their dry matter basis, which removes water content. For the Now Fresh Small Breed Adult Grain-Free Recipe with Turkey, Salmon & Duck, the estimated dry matter nutrient content reveals:

• Protein: 31%
• Fat: 19.6%
• Carbohydrates: 36.6%

When considering the entire Now Fresh dry product line, the average protein content is approximately 29.8%, and the mean fat level is 17.1%. This suggests an average carbohydrate content of about 40.1% for the overall range, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of around 57%.

Compared to typical dry dog foods, the Now Fresh line offers:

• Above-average protein
• Near-average fat
• Below-average carbohydrates

Even after accounting for the protein contributions from plant-based ingredients like peas, flaxseed, alfalfa, and lentils, this nutritional profile indicates a kibble with a significant amount of animal-derived meat content. This balance supports lean muscle mass, sustained energy, and healthy bodily functions. For pet parents specifically looking into options for healthy weight management, understanding the nutritional breakdown is key, and some might compare it to formulas like blue buffalo life protection healthy weight.

Now Fresh Dog Food Recall History: A Track Record of Safety

An essential factor in evaluating any dog food brand is its recall history. Recalls provide insights into a company’s quality control and commitment to safety. As of October 2025, a thorough check of records indicates that there have been no recalls noted for Now Fresh dog food products. This clean record reinforces confidence in the brand’s manufacturing processes and ingredient sourcing, highlighting their consistent reliability in providing safe “now dog food” options. For a broader overview of canine food safety, you can always refer to a complete list of all dog food recalls.

Our Verdict: Is Now Fresh the Right Choice for Your Dog?

Based on our detailed analysis, Now Fresh dry dog food is a highly recommended option. Its commitment to grain-free formulas, significant use of named meats and whole dried egg as primary animal protein sources, and the inclusion of beneficial supplements like probiotics and chelated minerals collectively earn the brand an impressive 5-star rating.

Pros:

• Added probiotics: Supports digestive health and nutrient absorption.
• Exceptional ingredient standards: Focus on fresh, quality, and minimally processed ingredients.
• Created by nutrition experts: Formulated with veterinary and nutritional expertise.

Cons:

• Expensive: Positioned as a premium brand, it comes with a higher price point compared to many conventional dog foods.

For dogs with specific sensitivities or those requiring a high-quality, grain-free diet, Now Fresh offers a robust and well-rounded nutritional solution. However, it’s always beneficial to consider specific breed needs; for instance, understanding what is the one meat dogs should not eat or even specific dietary needs for breeds like French Bulldogs dietary restrictions can further guide your choice.

About Petcurean: The Innovators Behind Now Fresh

Now Fresh is a flagship brand of Petcurean, a family-owned Canadian pet food company established in 1999 by best friends Ron Mayert and Dan Vanleeuwen in Fraser Valley, British Columbia. Petcurean is dedicated to producing “Recipes for happy, healthy pets” and also manufactures other well-regarded pet food brands, including Go! Solutions, Gather, and Summit. Their consistent focus on quality and nutritional innovation has made them a respected name in the pet food industry.

Conclusion

Now Fresh dry dog food stands out as a premium, thoughtfully formulated option for dog owners seeking high-quality, grain-free nutrition. Its reliance on de-boned meats, whole dried eggs, and a blend of beneficial fruits, vegetables, and supplements provides a comprehensive and balanced diet for dogs across all life stages and sizes. While the cost may be a consideration, the investment reflects the brand’s commitment to superior ingredients and expert nutritional design.

Ultimately, the best “now dog food” choice for your pet will depend on their individual health, activity level, and specific dietary needs. We always recommend consulting with your veterinarian to ensure any new food aligns perfectly with your dog’s requirements. Explore more articles on Dog Care Story to deepen your understanding of canine nutrition and health!

References

1. Pan Y et al, Dietary supplementation with medium-chain TAG has long-lasting cognition-enhancing effects in aged dogs, British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 103, Issue 12, June 2010, pp 1746-1754.
2. Matulka RA et al, Lack of toxicity by medium chain triglycerides (MCT) in canines during a 90-day feeding study, Food Chem Toxicol, Jan 2009, 47(1) 35-9.