In-Depth Nutrisource Dog Food Review: Is It Right for Your Pup?

What is Nutrisource Dog Food?

Nutrisource is a pet food company that has been producing dry dog food, wet dog food, and dog treats since 1970. They pride themselves on using only high-quality, natural ingredients and manufacturing their products in their own U.S.-based facilities.

The Nutrisource product line includes:

• Classic Natural Dog Food – Their flagship grain-inclusive kibble
• Pure Vita Dog Food – Grain-free dry dog food
• Select Entrée Dog Food – Premium canned wet dog food
• Soft & Tender Dog Treats – Soft training treats
• PureLife Dog Treats – Grain-free crunchy treats

In addition to standard puppy, adult, and senior formulas, Nutrisource offers special diets for weight management, joint health, and skin & coat care across their product ranges.

Nutrisource Dog Food Ingredients

The ingredient quality in Nutrisource dog foods is generally quite good, especially for their price point. Their dry kibbles feature high-quality protein sources like chicken, lamb, salmon, and eggs as the first few ingredients.

Some examples of the primary protein ingredients in popular Nutrisource kibbles:

• Classic Natural Lamb Meal & Rice Formula – Lamb meal, brown rice, barley, oatmeal
• Pure Vita Grain-Free Salmon & Lentils Recipe – Salmon, lentils, peas, chickpeas
• Select Entrée Cuts in Gravy Chicken & Vegetable Dinner – Chicken, chicken broth, potatoes, carrots

Nutrisource uses no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors across their product lines. They also avoid common controversial ingredients like:

• Corn
• Wheat
• Soy
• By-product meals
• Rendered fats

One area where Nutrisource cuts some corners is in using more plant-based proteins and fillers like peas, lentils, potatoes, oats, and barley. While not necessarily bad, these are lower quality protein sources compared to meat-based proteins.

Overall, Nutrisource has reasonably high-quality ingredients, especially considering the affordable price point of their products compared to premium brands.

Nutrisource Dog Food Nutrition

The nutritional profiles of Nutrisource’s dry dog foods are in line with AAFCO standards and suitable for dogs at different life stages.

Here are some typical nutritional breakdowns for Nutrisource’s dry kibbles:

You’ll notice the Pure Vita grain-free line has higher protein and fat levels, which is common for grain-free kibbles that use more meat-based proteins.

Nutrisource also includes probiotics, antioxidants, omega fatty acids, and glucosamine in many of their recipes to support:

• Healthy digestion
• Immune system function
• Skin and coat health
• Joint mobility

Their foods meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for puppies, adults, and seniors. The variety of special formulas like weight management also make it easy to find an appropriate option for your dog’s specific needs.

Nutrisource Dog Food Recall History

Over their 50+ years in business, Nutrisource has issued 2 major dog food recalls:

1. May 2012 – Potential salmonella contamination in their canned dog foods. No illnesses were reported.
2. April 2007 – Melamine contamination in a small number of canned dog food products. Melamine was an industrial contaminant that caused many widespread recalls that year.

While no major illnesses resulted from these recalls, Nutrisource responded quickly and appropriately by issuing voluntary recalls.

For context, many major dog food brands like Purina, Hill’s, Iams, and Ol’ Roy have issued 5-10+ recalls over similar timeframes for far more serious issues.

So while Nutrisource’s recall history isn’t perfect, it compares quite favorably to many competitors. The company seems to have robust quality control and safety processes in place.

Real Customer Reviews of Nutrisource Dog Food

Reading real customer reviews can provide helpful insights into a dog food’s actual performance and quality. Here are some common positives and negatives from Nutrisource customer reviews:

Positives:

“My dogs have eaten Nutrisource for years and it’s kept them healthy with shiny coats.” – Pet Food reviewer on Chewy

“We switched to Nutrisource after our dogs had some GI issues on a cheaper brand. Their stomachs have been great since.” – Pet Food reviewer on Amazon

“My dogs were getting bored with their old food but Nutrisource’s rotational diet options keep them interested.” – Pet Food reviewer on PetSmart

Negatives:

“My dog loved Nutrisource but kept getting horrible gas and loose stool.” – Pet Food reviewer on Chewy

“A lot of the kibbles were broken into dust at the bottom of the bag.” – Pet Food reviewer on PetCo

“My dogs didn’t seem very enthused about the taste or smell of this food.” – Pet Food reviewer on Wag

Looking at ratings across major pet retailers, Nutrisource averages around 3.8-4.2 stars out of 5 across their different product lines, which is reasonably positive.

Customers mainly praise the affordable price, quality ingredients, and ability to rotate protein sources. Common complaints revolve around palatability issues and inconsistent kibble size/shape.

Where to Buy Nutrisource Dog Food

Nutrisource dog foods are widely available online and at major pet retailers across the United States. Some of the top places to purchase include:

• Chewy.com – Wide selection and frequently offers discounts
• PetCo & PetSmart – Over 1,500 stores each across the U.S.
• PetSuppliesPlus – Available at over 500 locations
• Amazon.com – Convenient online option, selection can vary
• Nutrisource Website – Buy directly from manufacturer

When comparing prices, a 30 lb bag of Nutrisource Classic Natural Adult kibble averages:

• Chewy – $39.99
• PetCo – $43.99
• PetSmart – $47.99
• Amazon – $49.99

So the best prices by far can usually be found online at major retailers like Chewy compared to in-store at pet supply shops. Buying directly through Nutrisource’s website also offers decent pricing.

Is Nutrisource Dog Food Right for Your Pup?

To summarize the pros and cons of feeding Nutrisource dog food:

Pros:

• High-quality protein sources
• No artificial preservatives, colors or flavors
• Affordable pricing compared to premium brands
• Wide range of formulas and special diet options
• Probiotics and supplements for health
• Multiple protein rotation options
• No major or widespread recalls
• Positive average customer reviews

Cons:

• Uses more plant-based proteins and fillers
• A few isolated recall issues over the years
• Some complaints about palatability and consistency
• Lacks the “wow factor” of truly premium brands

So who should consider feeding their dog Nutrisource? It’s a solid mid-range option for pet owners looking for:

• Affordability but still reasonably good ingredients and nutrition
• Digestive support via probiotics and supplements
• Variety through rotational diet options
• A track record of overall food safety

Nutrisource isn’t likely the absolute best choice for dogs with severe food allergies, highly active working dogs, or owners with unlimited budgets for premium kibble.

But for the average pet owner, Nutrisource presents an affordable yet decent quality option to keep your dog healthy.

Some top comparable alternatives to consider include:

• Purina ONE – Very affordable, from a trusted brand
• Iams – Similar quality and price point
• Blue Buffalo – A bit pricier but higher ingredient quality
• Diamond Naturals – Comparable mid-tier ingredients and price

Ultimately, the decision comes down to your dog’s specific needs and sensitivities, your budget constraints, and finding a balance of quality and value that works for you both.

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