By Mike Sagman
Mike Sagman is the founder of Dog Food Advisor, launched in 2008 following the heartbreaking loss of his dog Penny due to issues with commercial dog food. With years of expertise in canine nutrition, he provides impartial reviews to help pet owners make informed choices.
Updated: April 22, 2024
Nunn Better Dog Food packaging for dry formulas
Rating: 2 Stars
★★☆☆☆
Nunn Better Dog Food earns a second-lowest tier rating of 2 stars from Dog Food Advisor. This grain-heavy dry dog food line uses moderate amounts of named and unnamed meat meals for protein, but relies heavily on corn, wheat, and soybean meal, which lower its overall quality for discerning dog owners seeking premium nutrition.
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The Nunn Better Dog Food product line offers 5 dry recipes, each formulated for specific AAFCO nutrient profiles where specified: Growth, Maintenance, All Life Stages, Supplemental, or Unspecified.
- Nunn Better High Protein (All Life Stages)
- Nunn Better Mini Chunks (Maintenance)
- Nunn Better Butcher’s Best (All Life Stages)
- Nunn Better Golden Nuggets (Maintenance)
- Nunn Better Puppy Mini Morsels (2.5 stars) (Growth)
For this detailed Nunn Better Dog Food review, we selected Nunn Better Mini Chunks as the representative recipe.
Detailed Ingredient Analysis: Nunn Better Mini Chunks
Nutritional breakdown table for Nunn Better Mini Chunks dog food
Here’s the estimated dry matter nutrient content for Nunn Better Mini Chunks:
| Estimated Nutrient Content | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guaranteed Analysis | 21% | 8% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 23.9% | 9.1% | 59% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 23% | 21% | 56% |
Key Ingredients:
- Ground yellow corn
- Meat meal
- Ground wheat
- Soybean meal
- Chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols)
- Salt
- Potassium chloride
- Choline chloride
- Various vitamins and minerals (e.g., vitamin A, D3, E supplements; zinc sulfate; chelated minerals like zinc proteinate)
Fiber (estimated dry matter): 5%. Red highlights indicate controversial items.
The first ingredient is ground yellow corn, a budget-friendly cereal grain providing energy but limited nutritional value beyond calories for dogs. Corn is controversial in dog food due to its poor digestibility for many canines and potential to cause allergies or digestive upset.
Next is meat meal, a rendered concentrate from mammal tissues (excluding blood, hair, hooves, etc.). While unnamed meat meals pack nearly 300% more protein than fresh meat and supply essential amino acids, the unknown source raises concerns—it could include lower-quality materials like supermarket trimmings or euthanized animals. For optimal dog health, named meat meals (e.g., chicken meal) are preferable.
Ground wheat follows, another grain with similar drawbacks to corn: modest nutrition and allergy risks.
Soybean meal, a byproduct of soy oil extraction, boosts label protein to 48% but has lower biological value than animal proteins. It’s common in livestock feed but less ideal for dogs, potentially inflating perceived meat content.
Chicken fat is a high-quality fat source rich in linoleic acid (an essential omega-6 fatty acid), supporting skin, coat, and overall vitality.
Salt provides necessary sodium, but undisclosed quantities make it hard to assess.
Lower on the list are standard supplements, including beneficial chelated minerals (protein-bound for better absorption, a mark of higher-quality formulas). Notably absent: probiotics for gut health.
Overall Nunn Better Dog Food Rating
Ingredients alone suggest Nunn Better Dog Food is a below-average dry product. On a dry matter basis, Mini Chunks shows 24% protein, 9% fat, and 59% carbs. Across the line, averages are 27% protein, 11% fat, and 54% carbs, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 42%.
This profile indicates moderate meat content, diluted by plant proteins like soybean meal. Compared to typical dry dog foods (near-average protein, below-average fat, above-average carbs), it’s grain-inclusive and not ideal for dogs needing high-meat diets.
Bottom Line: Nunn Better Dog Food earns 2 stars. It’s formulated with unnamed meat meals and excessive grains, making it unsuitable as a top choice. Some recipes score slightly higher based on meat estimates and fat-to-protein balance, but overall, we do not recommend it for optimal canine nutrition.
For pet parents, prioritize foods with named meats first, minimal grains, and added probiotics. Consult a veterinarian for breed-specific needs.
Nunn Better Dog Food product lineup overview
Nunn Better Dog Food Recall History
No recalls reported for Nunn Better Dog Food since 2009. This is a positive note, indicating consistent manufacturing safety to date. Always check FDA updates for the latest.
Expert Tips for Choosing Dog Food
Drawing from years reviewing thousands of formulas, look beyond labels:
- Prioritize real meat as top ingredients.
- Avoid fillers like corn/wheat if your dog has sensitivities.
- Check for chelated minerals and probiotics.
- Use tools like dry matter analysis for fair comparisons.
Nunn Better may suit budget-conscious owners of grain-tolerant dogs, but upgrading to 4-5 star options can enhance energy, coat health, and longevity.
Sources and References
- Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) – Official nutrient profiles.
- Dog Food Advisor proprietary analysis methods for dry matter and calorie-weighted estimates.
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Ready to find better nutrition? Compare Nunn Better against our top-rated brands and share your dog’s experience in the comments!
