Which PureVita Recipes Get Our Best Ratings?

NutriSource PureVita Grain Free wet dog food receives the Advisor’s top rating of 5 stars.

The PureVita Grain Free product line includes the 4 limited ingredient dog foods listed below.

Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile when available… Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Recipe and Label Analysis

PureVita Turkey Entree was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.

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Ingredient Analysis

The first ingredient in this dog food is turkey. Turkey is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of turkey”.¹

Turkey is naturally rich in the ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.

The second ingredient is turkey broth. Broths are of only modest nutritional value. Yet because they add both flavor and moisture to a dog food, they are a common component in many wet products.

The third ingredient is agar agar, a natural vegetable gelatin derived from the cell walls of certain species of red algae. Agar is rich in fiber and is used in wet pet foods as a gelling agent.

The fourth ingredient is tricalcium phosphate, a beneficial source of calcium and phosphorus. In addition, this additive is used in wet foods as an emulsifier — an agent designed to disperse a food’s fats more evenly in water.

The fifth ingredient is monosodium phosphate, a supplemental source of both sodium and phosphorus. Sodium and phosphorus are each considered essential minerals.

The sixth ingredient is potassium chloride, a nutritional supplement sometimes used as a replacement for the sodium found in table salt.

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 this PureVita product line.

With 6 notable exceptions…

First, we find 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.

Next, this food includes canola oil. Unfortunately, canola can be a controversial item. That’s because it can sometimes (but not always) be derived from genetically modified rapeseed.

Yet others cite the fact that canola oil can be a significant source of essential omega-3 fatty acids.

In any case, plant-based oils like canola are less biologically available to a dog than fish oil as a source of quality omega-3 fats.

In addition, this recipe contains 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.

Next, we find selenium yeast in this product. Unlike the more common inorganic form of selenium (sodium selenite), this natural yeast supplement is considered a safer anti-cancer alternative.

Additionally, we note the use of taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.

Since taurine deficiency appears to be more common in pets consuming grain-free diets, we view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.

And lastly, brewers yeast can be a controversial item. Although it’s a by-product of the beer making process, this ingredient is rich in minerals and other healthy nutrients.

Fans believe yeast repels fleas and supports the immune system.

Critics argue yeast ingredients can be linked to allergies. This may be true, but (like all allergies) only if your particular dog is allergic to the yeast itself.

In addition, a vocal minority insists yeast can increase the risk of developing the life-threatening condition known as bloat. However, this is a claim we’ve not been able to scientifically verify.

In any case, unless your dog is specifically allergic to it, yeast can still be considered a nutritious additive.

What’s more noteworthy here is that brewers yeast contains about 48% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, PureVita looks like an above-average wet product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 46%, a fat level of 32% and estimated carbohydrates of about 15%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 46% and a mean fat level of 27%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 19% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 61%.

Which means this product line contains…

Above-average protein. Above-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical wet dog food.

Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the brewers yeast, this looks like the profile of a wet product containing a significant amount of meat.

However, with 56% of the total calories in our example coming from fat versus just 33% from protein, some recipes may not be suitable for dogs on a low-fat diet.

Our Rating of PureVita Grain Free Wet Dog Food

NutriSource PureVita Grain Free is a moisture-rich dog food using a generous amount of named meats as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 5 stars.

Enthusiastically recommended.

PureVita Dog Food Recall History

The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to NutriSource through November.

• NutriSource Pure Vita Dog Food Recall (10/12/2021)

You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.

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More NutriSource Brand Reviews

The following NutriSource dog food reviews are also posted on this website:

• NutriSource Dog Food Review (Dry)
• NutriSource Grain Free Dog Food Review (Canned)
• NutriSource Grain Free Dog Food Review (Dry)
• NutriSource Grain Inclusive Dog Food Review (Canned)
• NutriSource PureVita Dog Food Review (Dry)
• NutriSource PureVita Grain Free Dog Food Review (Dry)