Nature's Recipe Original Puppy Lamb & Rice Recipe Review

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Review of Nature's Recipe Original Puppy Lamb & Rice Recipe

According to our data, this Nature's Recipe recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition for all life stages. In other words, this formula is AAFCO approved.

Nature's Recipe Original Puppy Lamb & Rice Recipe is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages.

Review of Ingredients

In our review of Nature's Recipe Original Puppy Lamb & Rice Recipe, we'll examine all 41 ingredients and highlight the nutritional contribution of each ingredient.

While the first few ingredients typically dominate the recipe's composition, ingredients in small quantities can still have a meaningful impact on the overall nutritional profile of the recipe.

  1. Lamb is a high-quality protein source that provides essential amino acids necessary for your dog's muscle growth, tissue repair, and overall health. It's also a good option for dogs with sensitivities to other protein sources, such as chicken or beef.

  2. Chicken meal is a highly concentrated source of protein made from dehydrated and ground chicken. It provides essential amino acids for your dog's muscle development, tissue repair, and overall growth, making it a valuable ingredient for maintaining your dog's health and well-being.

  3. Brewers rice is a highly digestible carbohydrate source that provides energy for your dog.

  4. Barley is a nutritious, fiber-rich grain that helps promote healthy digestion and provides essential nutrients for your dog's overall health. It is also a great source of energy, vitamins, and minerals.

  5. Oatmeal is a highly digestible and nutritious source of carbohydrates that provides your dog with energy, fiber, and essential nutrients for a healthy digestive system and overall well-being.

  6. Canola meal is a high-quality protein source made from the byproduct of canola oil extraction. It provides essential amino acids and is also a good source of dietary fiber. Canola meal can support your dog's muscle growth, immune system, and overall health, while the fiber content can help with digestion and weight management.

  7. Rice bran is the outer layer of the rice grain and it's a good source of dietary fiber, helping to support your dog's digestive health. It also contains essential fatty acids and antioxidants.

  8. Poultry fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols) is a concentrated source of energy for dogs, providing essential fatty acids that support skin and coat health, cognitive function, and immune system health. The preservation with mixed tocopherols, a form of vitamin E, ensures freshness and stability.

  9. Menhaden meal is a high-quality, concentrated source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids for dogs. It supports healthy skin, a shiny coat, and overall well-being, as well as providing essential nutrients for growth and development.

  10. Turkey meal is a high-quality, protein-rich ingredient that provides essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals for your dog. It supports lean muscle development, healthy organ function, and a strong immune system.

  11. Natural flavor is added to dog food to enhance its taste and make it more appealing to your pet. This can help encourage your dog to eat a balanced and nutritious diet, supporting their overall health and well-being.

  12. Flaxseed is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, and essential nutrients, which can support your dog's skin, coat, and digestive health.

  13. While salt is a necessary component of a dog's diet, providing essential minerals such as sodium and chloride for proper cellular function, it should be provided in moderation to avoid health issues like hypertension or kidney damage.

  14. Potassium chloride is an essential mineral supplement that helps maintain your dog's electrolyte balance and supports healthy nerve and muscle function.

  15. Menhaden fish oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols) is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which support healthy skin, a shiny coat, and overall heart health in dogs.

  16. Taurine is an essential amino acid that supports heart health, vision, and development and function of skeletal muscle.

  17. DL-Methionine is an essential amino acid that supports your dog's overall health by promoting proper protein synthesis, maintaining healthy skin and coat, and aiding in the detoxification process.

  18. Vitamin E supplement is an essential nutrient that helps support your dog's immune system, skin health, and overall wellness.

  19. Niacin, also known as Vitamin B3, is essential for a dog's metabolism and energy production, and supports healthy skin and coat.

  20. Ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, is an essential antioxidant that supports your dog's immune system and helps reduce inflammation.

  21. Thiamine mononitrate is a form of vitamin B1 that helps support your dog's nervous system function, energy metabolism, and overall health.

  22. Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is essential for energy production and metabolism, aiding in your dog's overall health and well-being.

  23. Vitamin A Supplement is important for supporting vision, immune function, and skin health in dogs.

  24. Riboflavin supplement is a source of Vitamin B2, which is crucial for your dog's energy production, cell function, and overall growth and development.

  25. Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a source of vitamin B6, which is essential for your dog's nervous system function, immune health, and red blood cell production.

  26. Folic acid is a crucial B-vitamin that aids in the synthesis of DNA and supports healthy cell growth. It's essential for maintaining your dog's overall health, particularly during periods of rapid growth.

  27. Biotin is a B-vitamin that's important for maintaining healthy skin, coat, and nails in dogs.

  28. Vitamin B12 Supplement is an essential vitamin that helps support brain function and the formation of red blood cells.

  29. Vitamin D3 supplement is an essential vitamin that supports bone health, immune function, and overall well-being in dogs. It helps regulate calcium and phosphorus balance in the body, promoting strong and healthy bones.

  30. Ferrous sulfate is an important source of iron for dogs, a mineral essential for red blood cell production, oxygen transportation, and overall vitality. Adequate iron intake supports your dog's immune system and energy levels.

  31. Zinc sulfate is a source of the essential mineral zinc, which supports your dog's immune system, skin and coat health, and overall growth and development.

  32. Copper sulfate is an essential trace mineral that supports various bodily functions in dogs, including immune system health, skin and coat maintenance, and red blood cell production.

  33. Sodium selenite is a form of selenium, a necessary trace mineral that supports immune function and thyroid health in dogs.

  34. Manganese sulfate is a source of manganese, an essential trace mineral that plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy bones, joints, and metabolism in dogs. It also supports the production of collagen, which is vital for healthy skin, coat, and connective tissues.

  35. Calcium iodate is a source of iodine, an essential trace mineral that supports your dog's thyroid function and overall metabolism. It helps maintain proper hormone production and is crucial for overall health and well-being.

  36. Choline Chloride is an essential nutrient that aids in brain and liver function, muscle movement, and supports healthy metabolic processes.

  37. Lactic acid is used in pet foods as a preservative and to enhance flavor.

  38. Citric acid is a natural preservative that helps maintain the freshness and quality of dog food. It also acts as an antioxidant, which can help protect your dog's cells from damage caused by free radicals.

  39. Yucca schidigera extract is a natural ingredient known for its ability to reduce unpleasant odors in your dog's waste. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help support joint health and overall well-being.

  40. L-threonine is an essential amino acid that supports the immune system, muscle growth, and the production of collagen in dogs, contributing to a healthy skin, coat, and joints.

  41. Rosemary extract is a natural antioxidant that can help protect your dog's body from the harmful effects of free radicals. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can support your dog's overall health and well-being, particularly in regard to joint health.

Review of Guaranteed Analysis

The guaranteed analysis of the Nature's Recipe Original Puppy Lamb & Rice Recipe shows the minimum and maximum percentages of key nutrients in the product.

1. Crude Protein (min) of 26.00%: This value indicates the minimum percentage of protein in the product. The primary contributors to this value are likely the lamb, chicken meal, menhaden fish meal, and turkey meal, which are all high in protein.

2. Crude Fat (min) of 15.00%: This value indicates the minimum percentage of fat in the product. The main contributors to this value are likely the lamb, poultry fat, and menhaden fish oil, which are all high-fat ingredients.

3. Crude Fiber (max) of 4.50%: This value indicates the maximum percentage of fiber in the product. The primary contributors to this value are likely the brewers rice, barley, oatmeal, canola meal, and rice bran, which are all high in fiber.

4. Calories of 3590.00 per kg: This value indicates the number of calories in the product per kilogram. All ingredients contribute to the caloric content, but the main contributors are likely the lamb, chicken meal, brewers rice, and poultry fat, which are all high-calorie ingredients.

The vitamins and minerals listed in the ingredients are not directly reflected in the guaranteed analysis but are essential for the overall health and development of the puppy. They are added to ensure the pet food provides complete and balanced nutrition.

Review of Affordability

According to our data, Nature's Recipe Original Puppy Lamb & Rice Recipe costs approximately $1.87 per pound. The following table provides our estimate of the monthly cost to feed this recipe exclusively as your dog.

Adult WeightPuppy
5 lbs $7.15
10 lbs $12.03
15 lbs $16.31
20 lbs $20.24
30 lbs $27.43
40 lbs $34.03
50 lbs $40.23
60 lbs $46.13
70 lbs $51.78
80 lbs $57.24
90 lbs $62.53
100 lbs $67.67

Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.

Summary of Customer Reviews

Many customers have found Nature's Recipe Original Puppy Lamb & Rice Recipe to be a great choice for their dogs. A lot of puppies seem to love the taste, and it has been noted to be easy on their stomachs. The first few ingredients are of high quality, including meat and oats. Some owners have found this food beneficial for puppies with allergies, as it has caused no allergy issues.

A few customers have mentioned that their dogs didn't take to the food immediately, suggesting that it might take some time for certain puppies to adjust to the change. However, many puppies have eventually grown to enjoy the food. The kibble size has been noted as suitable for puppies, even large breed ones, and is also great for training purposes.

Several customers have praised the food for its benefits to puppies with sensitive stomachs or allergies. One owner noted that their Pitbull showed significant improvement within a week of switching to this food due to a chicken allergy. Another customer mentioned that their golden doodle thrived on this lamb and rice formula after discovering the puppy had issues with chicken.

A few customers have found the food to be a bit hard for their puppies to chew, suggesting that it might not be suitable for all puppies. However, these cases seem to be the exception rather than the norm. One customer also noted that the food caused their puppy to have bad smelling gas, but this was not a common complaint among other reviews.

Several customers have praised the food for its quality ingredients and for being grain-inclusive, which is beneficial for puppies' healthy heart development. One customer mentioned that their vet recommended this food for these reasons. Another customer appreciated that the food does not contain pea protein, which they were specifically trying to avoid.

A few customers have mentioned that their dogs were initially picky eaters but eventually took to the food. One customer mentioned that their Dalmatian puppy, who is an extremely picky eater, enjoys this food. Another customer mentioned that their lab puppy, who had lost interest in his usual food, is eating this food without any issues.

In conclusion, Nature's Recipe Original Puppy Lamb & Rice Recipe has received generally positive reviews from customers, with many noting its high-quality ingredients, suitability for puppies with allergies or sensitive stomachs, and its palatability for picky eaters. Some customers have noted that the kibble may be hard for some puppies to chew, but overall, it seems to be a well-liked and beneficial food for puppies.