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Is Nature’s Recipe a good dog food?
In this review… The Dog Food Advisor takes a critical look at Nature’s Recipe Dog Food… and its most popular sub-brands.
We’ll also reveal…
- Is Nature’s Recipe made in the United States?
- Has Nature’s Recipe been recalled?
- Which flavors and recipes get our top ratings?
But first…
Which Sub-Brand Is Right for You?
Here are Nature’s Recipe’s most popular sub-brands. In the section below, we’ll share what makes each one different. So, you can choose the one that’s best for your dog.
Nature's Recipe Grain-Free
This sub-brand is the right choice for those who prefer a dry kibble that’s grain free.
- Most popular sub-brand
- Contains no corn, wheat or rice
- Six recipes (ratings vary)
Nature's Recipe Dry Dog Food
Nature’s Recipe is for those seeking a balanced dry food that’s made with grain.
- Grain-inclusive design
- Fully balanced formula
- Six recipes (ratings vary)
Nature's Recipe Wet Dog Food
An ideal option for those wanting a wet food made with wholesome cereal grains.
- Made with rice, barley or other grains
- Stews or finely chopped pates
- Eight recipes (ratings vary)
Nature's Recipe Grain-Free Trays
Best for those who prefer a pre-measured, wet dog food that contains zero cereal grains.
- No corn, wheat, rice or barley
- Nutrient rich, balanced formula
- Eight recipes (ratings vary)
Nature's Recipe Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Nature's Recipe through January 2025.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
About
Nature’s Recipe is owned by Big Heart Pet Brands… a division of The J. M. Smucker Company of Orville, Ohio.
All dry foods are made in the United States. Wet recipes are made in Thailand.1
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do Others Say About Nature's Recipe?
As of the time of this update…
Chewy customers rate Nature’s Recipe 4.7 out of 5 stars… and 99% say they would recommend it to others.
Here’s an actual user review…
Sample buyer review… “Both of my dogs absolutely love this brand and these ingredients. Daisy, a mix breed would throw up every once in a while and have stomach issues. But ever since I switched to this brand we have never had an issue. I read in the comments that a lot of people were complaining about the smell, it is salmon flavor…. so it will smell fishy ahaha also I did read that some dogs did have diarrhea. It’s probably because it contains pumpkin and sweet potato which help your dogs digestive System in the long run. Zoey, the Chihuahua would have trouble using the bathroom before switching to this brand. Both of my dogs have long hair and they’ve never had skin issues. 100% recommend. I’ve never read or experienced anything bad while using this brand. I’ve used it for more than 2 years.”
What Are Nature's Recipe's Best Flavors?
ased on the weighted average of their popularity and ratings, here are our 5 most recommended Nature’s Recipe flavors and recipes.
- Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Salmon, Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Dry Dog Food
- Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Chicken, Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Dry Dog Foodxf
- Nature’s Recipe Adult Lamb Meal and Rice Dry Dog Food
- Nature’s Recipe Small Breed Grain-Free Chicken, Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Dry Dog Food
- Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Chicken in Broth Wet Dog Food
Is Nature's Recipe a healthy dog food?
All Nature’s Recipe products meet dog food nutrient guidelines established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. Each is designed to be nutritionally complete and balanced for the specific life stage of a dog printed on the package.
Is Nature's Recipe Dog Food good for puppies?
Nature’s Recipe offers 2 nutritionally balanced puppy foods. The grain-free puppy recipe features chicken, sweet potato and pumpkin as its primary ingredients. The grain-inclusive formula is based on lamb meal, rice and barley. Each recipe meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages… and safe for large breed puppies. View all The Dog Food Advisor’s best puppy foods here.
Is Nature's Recipe dog food good for small dogs?
Nature’s Recipe produces a number of dog foods that are safe for smaller dogs. In fact, the company also offers 2 recipes specifically designed for small and toy dogs… Nature’s Recipe Small Breed Grain-Free and Nature’s Recipe Original Small Bites. Small Bites is grain-inclusive and contains rice, barley and oatmeal. Each meets AAFCO nutrient guidelines for adult maintenance… but are not suitable for puppies. View all The Advisor’s best dog foods for small dogs here.
Is Nature's Recipe dog food safe for seniors?
Many Nature’s Recipe formulas that contain quality protein levels and are below average in calorie and fat content can be considered safe for seniors… provided they meet AAFCO nutrient standards for adult maintenance. Nature’s Recipe Senior Lamb Meal and Rice Recipe can make a healthy option for older animals. View all The Advisor’s best senior dog foods here.
Compare Nature's Recipe Dog Food
How does Nature's Recipe compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?
A Final Word
The Dog Food Advisor does not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.
However, we do receive a referral fee from online retailers (like Chewy or Amazon) and from sellers of perishable pet food when readers click over to their websites from ours. This helps cover the cost of operation of our free blog. Thanks for your support.
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