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Review Summary
We give Rachael Ray Nutrish puppy food a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Rachael Ray Nutrish is a dog food brand founded by celebrity chef Rachael Ray in 2008. The first recipes were developed for her own dogs as she wanted to feed them nutritious, clean meals. Today, you can find many kinds of Rachael Ray Nutrish dog food.
However, Rachael Ray Nutrish currently has just one dry dog food specially formulated for puppies. This recipe is made with chicken, and many of Rachael Ray Nutrish’s wet food also contain chicken products. So, this brand isn’t well-suited for puppies with chicken allergies.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly brand with decent ingredients, Rachael Ray Nutrish is a considerable choice. Here’s what you need to know before purchasing food for your puppy.
At a Glance: The Best Rachael Ray Nutrish Puppy Food Recipes
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Rachael Ray Nutrish Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe |
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Rachael Ray Nutrish Chicken & Veggies Recipe |
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Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Hearty Wet Dog Food |
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Rachael Ray Nutrish PEAK Variety Pack Wet Dog Food |
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Rachael Ray Nutrish Puppy Food Reviewed
Who Makes Rachael Ray Nutrish and Where Is It Produced?
Rachael Ray Nutrish was launched in 2008. The food was initially produced by Dad’s Pet Care, and The JM Smucker Company eventually acquired the brand.
The dog food is made in various locations. All the dry dog food is made in the US by Big Heart Pet Brands, which is under The JM Smucker Company. The wet food is manufactured in Thailand.
Which Type of Puppy Is Rachael Ray Nutrish Best Suited For?
Healthy puppies with no particular health concerns or food allergies are best suited for Rachael Ray Nutrish. Rachael Ray Nutrish doesn’t have an extensive puppy food line and has one recipe specifically for puppies.
Which Type of Puppy Might Do Better with a Different Brand?
Puppies with particularly sensitive stomachs or food allergies will benefit from dog food brands with a more extensive line of puppy food. Purina Pro Plan has puppy food with special formulas, such as sensitive skin and stomach recipes and formulas for small dog breeds and large dog breeds.
Discussion of the Primary Ingredients (Good and Bad)
- Chicken: Chicken is a popular protein for dog food because dogs enjoy the flavor and it’s budget friendly. Chicken is an excellent source of essential amino acids, like taurine, and other nutrients, including vitamin B12, zinc, copper, and iron.
- Chicken Meal: Since chicken meat loses a lot of mass after getting dehydrated and is incorporated into dry dog food, chicken meal is often used in dog food to add more protein. While this ingredient is a little more ambiguous, it’s a generally safe ingredient made up of clean chicken meat, skin, and bones. It doesn’t contain any meat by-products.
- Brown Rice: Brown rice is a nutritious grain commonly incorporated into dog food recipes. It’s an excellent source of fiber, calcium, iron, manganese, and magnesium. Just keep in mind that some dogs may have difficulty digesting it because of the husk. So, if you notice your puppy having frequent cases of an upset stomach, it can be due to the brown rice in the recipe.
- Dried Peas: Dried peas are a controversial ingredient because grain-free dog food with high levels of legumes is currently under investigation by the FDA for possible links to heart disease. Dogs can eat small amounts of properly cooked legumes safely. However, too much may trigger an upset stomach. Rachael Ray Nutrish’s original puppy food recipe had dried peas listed as the fourth ingredient, but the new recipe now has it listed as the seventh ingredient.
Clean Ingredient List
For the most part, Rachael Ray’s dog food recipes have clean ingredient lists. You won’t find any animal by-product meals, and the dry foods list real meat as the first ingredient. The food also doesn’t contain any artificial colors or flavors.
Affordable Prices
Rachael Ray Nutrish is relatively affordable and has recipes comparable to more premium and expensive dog food brands. The special grain-free recipes tend to be priced lower than other grain-free wet foods. These recipes are also easily accessible and can be found through many online retailers and prominent pet store chains.
Food for All Life Stages
Rachael Ray Nutrish’s wet food recipes are safe for dogs of all ages to eat. Some will do well with having these dishes as meal toppers while others can enjoy them as full meals. This is convenient because if your puppy can safely enjoy eating the wet food recipes, then you don’t have to worry about transitioning it to a new food as it gets older.
Limited Line of Puppy Food
As of now, Rachael Ray Nutrish only has one recipe that’s specifically formulated for puppies. It’s a chicken recipe, so if your puppy has poultry allergies, it won’t be able to eat it.
You can find some other recipes that are for all life stages. Since puppies have specific nutritional needs for healthy growth and development, it’s important to consult with your veterinarian to ensure that Rachael Ray Nutrish dog food is a good source of nutrients for your puppy.
A Quick Look at Rachael Ray Puppy Food
- Affordable
- Clean recall history
- Wet food is for all life stages
- Easily accessible
- Limited options
Recall History
At the time this was written, Rachael Ray Nutrish dog food doesn’t have any recalls.
Reviews of the 3 Best Rachael Ray Nutrish Puppy Food Recipes
1. Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food
This recipe is Rachael Ray Nutrish’s sole recipe made specifically for puppies. Chicken is the first ingredient, and it’s also fortified with EPA and DHA to support cognitive and visual development. It also has a good amount of calcium for healthy bone growth and omega-fatty acids to nourish the skin and coat.
While this food is made for all types of puppies, the kibble can be a little too big for smaller dog breeds and toy dog breeds. It can also be a little too hard and crunchy, making it difficult to chew.
- Chicken is first ingredient
- Contains EPA and DHA
- Suitable for all types of puppies
- Kibble may be too big or hard for smaller breeds
2. Rachael Ray Nutrish Little Bites Small Breed Dry Dog Food
If your puppy is too small to eat Rachael Ray Nutrish’s original puppy food, it may enjoy eating this Little Bites Small Breed recipe. The kibble is also a more appropriate size and texture for small dogs to eat more easily.
This recipe is suitable for all life stages and specially formulated to keep up with active small dogs. So, puppies can continue to eat this food through adulthood. It’s also a great source of omega-fatty acids to support the skin and coat and fiber for healthy digestion.
The only downside is that Rachael Ray Nutrish doesn’t provide any puppy-appropriate recipes containing other sources of meat. So, if your puppy has a chicken allergy, this brand won’t be a good fit.
- Easy to chew kibble
- Suitable for all life stages
- Good source of omega fatty acids and fiber
- No option for puppies with chicken allergies
3. Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Hearty Recipes Wet Dog Food
Rachael Ray Nutrish offers three different recipes in its Natural Hearty line. All recipes are grain-free and high in protein. So, they are considerable options for puppies with food allergies and sensitivities. Just keep in mind that the beef recipe contains chicken broth and won’t be suitable for puppies with chicken allergies.
Along with real meat, you’ll find a lot of other wholesome, natural ingredients, like sweet potatoes, green beans, and spinach. Since this recipe is suitable for all life stages, it’s a convenient option that you can continue to feed your puppy as it grows to adulthood.
- High-protein recipes
- Contains nutritious natural ingredients
- Suitable for all life stages
- Beef recipe also contains chicken broth
What Other Users Are Saying
Rachael Ray Nutrish generally has positive customer reviews. Here’s what real customers are saying.
- ConsumerAffairs – “We started our once little guy on the Nutrish Puppy and he loved it. Now he’s a huge fan of the variety for big dogs. He especially likes all the different shapes in the food.”
- PetSmart – “I switched back to Rachel Rays pup food and he loves the flavor. His coat is healthy and shiny and his excrement is firm and clean.”
- Amazon – You can find thousands of reviews of Rachael Ray Nutrish’s puppy food on Amazon.
Conclusion
Overall, Rachael Ray Nutrish’s puppy food is a budget-friendly option. It may not have the most high-quality ingredients, but you definitely get your money’s worth and more. So, if you have a puppy without any particular diet and nutrition needs, Rachael Ray Nutrish is a considerable choice that can help you save on pet care costs.
Featured Image Credit: Rachael Ray, Chewy
