Highly Recommended
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Our Verdict
Nextrition dry dog food is made up of three recipes each receive the Dog Food Advisor’s rating, 5 stars.
This product range is cold-pressed; cooked without high heat to retain more nutrients and flavor. The result is a more easily digestible dog food beneficial for gut health.
Pros
- Nutritionally rich food
- Single meat/fish protein source
- Wholesome natural ingredients
Cons
- Limited choice of recipes
The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Nextrition Lamb Recipe | 5 | A |
| Nextrition Chicken Recipe | 5 | A |
| Nextrition Salmon Recipe | 5 | A |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Nextrition Salmon Recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Nextrition Salmon Recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Salmon, ground grain sorghum, sweet potato, pearled barley, salmon meal, sunflower oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), New Zealand green mussels, dried pumpkin, natural flavor, dried carrots, skim milk powder, dried apples, dried kelp, salmon oil, calcium carbonate, dried blueberries, dried cranberries, dried spinach, yeast culture (postbiotics), salt, choline chloride, dried chicory root (prebiotic), vitamins (vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement), minerals (zinc sulfate, iron sulfate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, copper sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite), dried bacillus coagulans fermentation product (probiotic), rosemary extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4.5%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 28% | 10% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 33% | 12% | 48% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 30% | 26% | 44% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is salmon. Salmon is an oily marine and freshwater fish not only high in protein but also omega-3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is sorghum. Sorghum (milo) is a starchy cereal grain with a nutrient profile similar to corn.
Since it is gluten-free and boasts a smoother blood sugar behavior than other grains, sorghum may be considered an acceptable non-meat ingredient.
The third ingredient is sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates in dog food. They are naturally rich in dietary fiber and beta-carotene.
The fourth ingredient is pearled barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. However, aside from its energy content, this cereal grain is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The fifth ingredient is salmon meal. Because it is considered a meat concentrate, fish meal contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself.
Fish meal is typically obtained from the “clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings” of commercial fish operations. 1
The sixth ingredient is sunflower oil. Sunflower oil is nutritionally similar to safflower oil. Since these oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids and contain no omega-3s, they’re considered less nutritious than canola or flaxseed oils.
Sunflower oil is notable for its resistance to heat damage during cooking.
There are several different types of sunflower oil, some better than others. Without knowing more, it’s impossible to judge the quality of this ingredient.
The seventh ingredient is New Zealand green mussels. Mussels are clam-like animals notably rich in glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids, nutrients proven to support long-term joint health.
The eighth ingredient is pumpkin. Pumpkin is a nutritious addition high in complex carbohydrates, beta-carotene and dietary fiber.
The ninth ingredient is natural flavors. Natural flavors doesn’t give us much information about the particular ingredients included in this dog food for flavoring purposes.
We’re pleased that the flavorings used are natural, but more details are required to give any further information about these natural flavoring ingredients. Flavorings are used to make the foods more appealing and tasty for our dogs.
From here the list goes on to include a number of other items. But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of the product.
This recipe has five notable exceptions.
First, sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.
Next, this food includes chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
In addition, this food contains salmon oil. Salmon oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high-quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, salmon oil should be considered a commendable addition.
This recipe also contains probiotics, which are live yeasts and good bacteria that live in your body and are good for your digestive system. You can take probiotics as supplements or get them through food.
Lastly, chicory root. Chicory is rich in inulin, a starch-like compound made up of repeating units of carbohydrates and found in certain roots and tubers.
Not only is inulin a natural source of soluble dietary fiber, it’s also used to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in a dog’s digestive tract.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Nextrition Salmon Recipe looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 32.6%, a fat level of 11.6% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 47.8%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 33.3% and a mean fat level of 12.4%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 46.3% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 37%.
This means this Nextrition dry dog food contains above-average protein, below-average carbohydrate and below-average fat when compared to typical dry dog food.
Nextrition Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Nextrition through July 2024.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Nextrition Dog Food
Although Nextrition dry product range only has three recipes, it is certainly worthy of the 5-stars the brand has earned in our review. The recipes are vet-formulated and contain quality meat or fish in the first ingredient. They are suitable for dogs of all life stages.
About
Nextrition Dog Food was founded by Jim Reimann, he had worked in the kibble industry for many years before discovering the cold-pressed method of making dog food.
He established a facility at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Utah to produce his brand and has partnered with Dr. Ruth MacPete, a leading veterinarian.
Compare Nextrition Dog Food
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