Rachael Ray Nutrish Big Life Savory Chicken, Veggies & Barley Recipe Review

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Review of Rachael Ray Nutrish Big Life Savory Chicken, Veggies & Barley Recipe

According to our data, this Rachael Ray Nutrish recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition for the maintenance of adult dogs. In other words, this formula is AAFCO approved.

Rachael Ray Nutrish Big Life Savory Chicken, Veggies & Barley Recipe is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for the maintenance of adult dogs.

Review of Ingredients

In our review of Rachael Ray Nutrish Big Life Savory Chicken, Veggies & Barley Recipe, we'll examine all 51 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. Chicken is a lean, easily digestible source of protein that provides essential nutrients for your dog's growth and maintenance. It's also a great source of vitamins and minerals to support overall health.

  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. Soybean meal is a plant-based protein source that provides essential amino acids for your dog's muscle growth and overall health, while also being highly digestible.

  4. Dried pea is a nutritious legume that provides an excellent source of plant-based protein, fiber, and essential nutrients like B vitamins, iron, and potassium for your dog's overall health.

  5. Ground whole grain corn is a good source of carbohydrates for energy, and also provides dietary fiber, which can help support your dog's digestive system.

  6. Pearled barley is a wholesome, easily digestible grain that provides dogs with a source of dietary fiber, which promotes healthy digestion and helps maintain stable blood sugar levels. It is also rich in vitamins and minerals that support overall health.

  7. Chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols) is a source of essential fatty acids like omega-6 which help to maintain a healthy skin and coat. The tocopherols act as natural preservatives.

  8. 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.

  9. Brown rice is a whole grain that provides an excellent source of carbohydrates, fiber, and essential nutrients for your dog. The fiber content can aid in digestion and help maintain a healthy weight, while the carbohydrates provide energy for an active lifestyle.

  10. Pea fiber is a natural source of dietary fiber for dogs that helps support digestive health and overall well-being. It also aids in weight management by promoting a feeling of fullness, making it a valuable addition to dog food formulas.

  11. Pea starch is a carbohydrate source derived from peas, providing an alternative to grains for dogs with sensitivities. It serves as a source of energy, supports healthy digestion, and contributes to the overall balance of your dog's diet. Pea starch also has a low glycemic index, which can help manage blood sugar levels in dogs with diabetes or weight management needs.

  12. Fish meal is a highly digestible protein source for dogs, providing essential amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutrients. It supports skin and coat health, cognitive function, and overall well-being.

  13. 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.

  14. Dried carrot is a natural source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can support your dog's immune system, vision, and overall health. This ingredient is also high in dietary fiber, which can promote healthy digestion and help maintain a healthy weight.

  15. Rice flour is a gluten-free carbohydrate source for dogs, providing energy and promoting healthy digestion. It is suitable for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies to common grains like wheat and corn.

  16. Malted barley flour provides carbohydrates for energy and fiber for digestive health.

  17. 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.

  18. Dicalcium phosphate is a calcium and phosphorus supplement that helps to support the development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth in dogs.

  19. Soybean flour is a plant-based protein source that provides essential amino acids for your dog's muscle development and maintenance, as well as various vitamins and minerals that support overall health and well-being.

  20. Glycerin is a natural ingredient used as a humectant to help maintain the moisture content of dog food, keeping it fresh and palatable.

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

  22. While sugar can be found in small amounts in some dog food recipes, it is not considered an essential ingredient for dogs. Excessive sugar consumption can contribute to weight gain, dental issues, and other health problems in dogs. It is essential to provide a balanced diet with limited added sugars.

  23. Gelatin is a natural source of collagen, which helps maintain healthy joints and promotes a shiny, healthy coat for your dog.

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

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

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

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

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

  29. D-Calcium Pantothenate is a source of pantothenic acid, a B-vitamin that helps in energy metabolism and the synthesis of important compounds in the body.

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

  31. 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.

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

  33. 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.

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

  35. 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.

  36. 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.

  37. Powdered cellulose is a natural source of dietary fiber that promotes healthy digestion and helps maintain your dog's weight by providing a feeling of fullness without adding extra calories.

  38. 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.

  39. 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.

  40. 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.

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

  42. 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.

  43. 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.

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

  45. Vinegar is a natural preservative that can help extend the shelf life of your dog's food. It also provides some health benefits, such as supporting a healthy digestive system and maintaining a balanced pH level in your dog's body.

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

  47. Mixed tocopherols are natural antioxidants used to preserve the freshness of dog food, ensuring your pet receives the highest quality nutrients possible.

  48. 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.

  49. Natural smoke flavor adds a delicious, smoky taste to your dog's food, making it more enjoyable and enticing. This ingredient encourages a healthy appetite, ensuring that your dog receives the necessary nutrients for overall health and vitality.

  50. Annatto extract is a natural food coloring derived from the seeds of the achiote tree.

  51. 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

Crude Protein (min) of 25.00%: The primary contributors to the crude protein content in this pet food are chicken, chicken meal (which is also a source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate), soybean meal, and fish meal. Chicken and chicken meal are high-quality sources of animal protein, which not only contribute to the protein percentage but also provide essential amino acids necessary for a dog's health. Soybean meal is a plant-based protein that complements the animal proteins, while fish meal contributes both protein and omega fatty acids.

Crude Fat (min) of 12.00%: The crude fat in this recipe is likely coming from the chicken fat, menhaden fish oil, and to a lesser extent, the fats naturally present in the chicken and fish meal. Chicken fat is a common ingredient in pet foods as it provides a bioavailable source of energy and helps with the taste. Menhaden fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for skin, coat, and overall health.

Crude Fiber (max) of 5.00%: The dietary fiber is provided by ingredients such as dried peas, pea fiber, ground whole corn, pearled barley, brown rice, and rice bran. These ingredients contain varying levels of soluble and insoluble fiber, which are important for digestive health. Pea fiber, in particular, is a concentrated source of fiber.

Calories of 3475.00 per kg: The caloric content is a cumulative result of all the macronutrients (protein, fat, and carbohydrates) in the food. The major calorie-contributing ingredients are the proteins (chicken, chicken meal, soybean meal, and fish meal), fats (chicken fat and menhaden fish oil), and carbohydrates (ground whole corn, pearled barley, brown rice, dried peas, and pea starch). Each of these ingredients has its caloric value which, when combined, gives the total caloric content of the pet food.

Review of Affordability

According to our data, Rachael Ray Nutrish Big Life Savory Chicken, Veggies & Barley Recipe costs approximately $1.62 per pound. The following table provides our estimate of the monthly cost to feed this recipe exclusively as your dog.

Adult WeightAdult

Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.