NATURE'S DIET DRY DOG FOOD Review

Nature’s Diet dry dog food line is a high risk food, with an overall score of 3.5. It has an average protein content of 30% and a high carbohydrate content of 36%. The company markets the kibble as raw coated or raw blend, to make it sound healthier, but it’s still kibble, only with some freeze-dried raw chicken added.  The average protein of this line is still only 30%. 

The ingredient quality scores low due to the high carbs and the addition of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, which reflect lower quality proteins and ingredients. When vitamins and minerals come from whole food sources, they include the full spectrum of cofactors, which makes them safe and bioavailable. While a couple of added vitamins are acceptable, five or more implies the food is of poor nutritional value.  It’s also worth noting that the line contains sodium selenite as a source of selenium. Dogs need selenium, and it’s usually added in very small amounts. However some research suggests that sodium selenite may be associated with potential toxicity, so selenium yeast is the preferred form of this mineral.  

Ingredient safety also scores low, because of high pesticide/herbicide ingredients in the top 5 that includes field peas, lentils and chickpeas. Pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers pose a significant health risk to plants, animals and soils. Foods with the largest reported amount of residue are penalized, including crops that are known to be spray-dried with glyphosate. Recipes include canola oil, which is a seed oil that is highly processed. Seed oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can cause systemic and gut inflammation.    

Glam ingredients are also included in this food. Expensive or desirable ingredients like blueberries, kale or apples are often added to appeal to consumers but may be in miniscule amounts. If these foods are below the salt or other low concentration ingredients, they contribute little or no nutritional value for your dog. In this case, cranberries, blueberries, carrots, spinach and nutritional supplements like turmeric and kelp follow salt in very small amounts.

The line does contain added probiotics but the amount of CFU (colony forming units) isn’t guaranteed.

Nature’s Diet dry food doesn’t include the omega 6:omega 3 ratio. This is a concern because AAFCO allows a very inflammatory ratio of 30:1.

Finally, there’s natural flavor in the recipes. This is often animal digest or MSG, which are low quality ingredients with limited safety studies. The recipes also includs salmon meal with no indication whether it comes from farmed or wild-caught fish. Farmed fish is less nutritious than wild caught fish and does not contain the same healthy fatty acid balance.