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Nutro Cat Food Ingredients


According to our research, Nutro manufactures 52 cat food recipes using 102 unique ingredients. To evaluate the quality of ingredients used by Nutro, we've studied all 102 ingredients. In this article, we'll share our findings on Nutro ingredients.

Cat Food Recipes52
Unique Ingredients102
Artificial Colors0
Animal By-Products0
Anonymous Meats1
Controversial3
Harmful1

First 5 Ingredients

Cat food ingredients in the United States are listed in descending order of pre-cooked weight. The first 5 ingredients typically constitute a significant portion of the recipe.

For Nutro, these are the most common ingredients found within the first 5 cat food ingredients.

  1. chicken
  2. chicken meal
  3. chicken liver
  4. chicken liver
  5. natural flavor

As you can see, the most common first ingredient in Nutro is chicken. The most common 2nd ingredient is chicken meal, followed by chicken liver, chicken liver, and natural flavor.

Artificial Food Coloring Dyes

Nutro does not use any artificial food coloring dyes. According to our records, none of the 52 Nutro cat foods contain artificial food dyes.

Artificial food coloring dyes are unnecessary and potentially harmful ingredients. In general, we not not recommend feeding any pet foods that contain artificial dyes.

In 2010, the CSPI raised serious concerns regarding the safety of many artificial dyes. Most of the studies referenced by the CSPI involved prolonged or excessive consumption. Since most cats consume the same foods throughout their lives, concerns raised by the CSPI are alarming to say the least.

To read more about Artificial Food Dyes, click here.

Animal By-Products

According to our records, Nutro does not contain any animal by-products.

Animal by-products are basically the leftover parts of the the carcass after its been processed for meat. AAFCO defines by-products as the non-rendered, clean parts, other than meat, derived from slaughtered mammals.

Although by-products are still fairly nutritious ingredients, consumers have equated them with slaughterhouse waste. Therefore, most premium brands, including Nutro have decided to remove by-products and instead use named organ meats (beef liver, chicken gizzards).

For further reading on the controversy over animal by-products, click here.

Anonymous Meat Ingredients

Anonymous meats are animal-based ingredients which do not provide the source animal's name. These ingredients are controversial because they can come from almost any animal.

In addition, anonymous animal-based ingredients are very inexpensive and often the lowest quality meats that are still allowed to be used in pet food.

In general, we do not recommend feeding any products which contain anonymous meats. When in doubt, always contact the brand's customer service desk for further clarification.

Unfortunately, we've identified 1 anonymous meat ingredient used by Nutro.

fish meal
2 Recipes

Fish meal is defined by AAFCO as "the clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish or fish cutting, either or both, with or without the extraction of part of the oil." Since the specific type of fish is not mentioned, we cannot discuss any specific qualities of this ingredient. In general, anonymous ingredients are low quality inclusions when compared to ingredients such as tuna meal, salmon meal, catfish meal, etc.

The following recipes contain fish meal:

Cereal Grains

Certain Nutro cat food recipes contain one or more grains. The specific ingredients are listed below.

For cats, we typically recommend choosing a grain-free recipe. Cats are obligate carnivores and therefore grains are not species appropriate.

The kibble production requires a binding agent. Grains are commonly used for this purpose in cat food. When purchasing grain-free cat food, grains are often replaced with another starchy source. This is also not ideal.

To avoid grains and other starchy additions, consider feeding wet or frozen recipes.

whole grain sorghum
1 Recipes

Whole grain sorghum is a gluten-free carbohydrate source. This cereal grain also provides a modest amount of B vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and manganese.

The following recipes contain whole grain sorghum:

brewers rice
7 Recipes
rice bran
2 Recipes

Rice grains can be divided into three components: bran, germ, and endosperm. The bran is the outer layer of the grain. The bran is an excellent fiber source, it also provide all three macronutrients (fat, protein, and carbohydrates) and various vitamins and minerals.

The following recipes contain rice bran:

Controversial Ingredients

In most cases, ingredients which are given the controversial classification can be substituted with higher-quality alternatives. You should evaluate each controversial ingredient independently to see if there is truly a valid cause for concern.

Keep in mind, certain sacrifices often must be made to produce cat foods at a reasonable price. In general, the more expensive the product, the fewer controversial ingredients you'll find.

In our analysis, we've identified 3 controversial ingredients inside Nutro products. These controversial ingredients are listed below. Click on each ingredient for more information.

brewers rice
7 Recipes

Potentially Harmful Ingredients

Harmful ingredients are those which have been linked to adverse health effects. In general, we do not recommend feeding any product which contains any harmful ingredients.

There are certain situations where these ingredients may be necessary. We always recommend contacting Nutro for further clarification regarding any harmful or controversial ingredient.

We have identified 1 harmful ingredient used in certain Nutro recipes. To learn more, click on the ingredient's name.

menadione sodium bisulfite complex
30 Recipes

Menadione sodium bisulfite complex is a synthetic version of vitamin K that has been linked to many health concerns. Research has suggested possible toxic reactions in liver cells and red blood cells among other serious problems. In fact, one large chemical supplier warns, "The substance is toxic to kidneys, lungs, liver, mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage."

The following recipes contain menadione sodium bisulfite complex:

Nutro Cat Food Ingredient Lists

Nutro

Grain Free Adult
Duck & Potato Recipe
Nutro
Grain Free Adult Duck & Potato Recipe
First Five Ingredients
duck
chicken meal
pea protein
chicken fat
dried potato

Nutro

Grain Free Adult
Chicken & Potato Recipe For Adult Cats
Nutro
Grain Free Adult Chicken & Potato Recipe For Adult Cats
First Five Ingredients
chicken
chicken meal
pea protein
potato starch
chicken fat

Nutro

Wholesome Essentials
White Fish & Brown Rice Recipe For Indoor Adult Cats
Nutro
Wholesome Essentials White Fish & Brown Rice Recipe For Indoor Adult Cats
First Five Ingredients
whitefish
chicken meal
brewers rice
pea protein
whole brown rice

Nutro

Wholesome Essentials
Farm-Raised Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe For Weight Management
Nutro
Wholesome Essentials Farm-Raised Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe For Weight Management
First Five Ingredients
chicken
chicken meal
pea protein
whole brown rice
brewers rice

Nutro

Wholesome Essentials
Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe For Adult Cats
Nutro
Wholesome Essentials Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe For Adult Cats
First Five Ingredients
chicken
chicken meal
split pea
whole grain sorghum
whole brown rice

Nutro

Wholesome Essentials
Chicken, Rice & Peas Recipe For Sensitive Adult Cats
Nutro
Wholesome Essentials Chicken, Rice & Peas Recipe For Sensitive Adult Cats
First Five Ingredients
chicken
chicken meal
brewers rice
split pea
pea protein

Nutro

Wholesome Essentials
Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe For Adult Cats
Nutro
Wholesome Essentials Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe For Adult Cats
First Five Ingredients
salmon
chicken meal
brewers rice
pea protein
whole brown rice

Nutro

Wholesome Essentials
Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe For Kittens
Nutro
Wholesome Essentials Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe For Kittens
First Five Ingredients
chicken
chicken meal
pea protein
chicken fat
brewers rice

Nutro

Wholesome Essentials
Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe For Senior Cats
Nutro
Wholesome Essentials Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe For Senior Cats
First Five Ingredients
chicken
chicken meal
pea protein
whole brown rice
chicken fat

Nutro

Wholesome Essentials
Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe For Hairball Control
Nutro
Wholesome Essentials Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe For Hairball Control
First Five Ingredients
chicken
chicken meal
pea protein
whole brown rice
dried potato

Nutro

Wholesome Essentials
Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe For Indoor Adult Cats
Nutro
Wholesome Essentials Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe For Indoor Adult Cats
First Five Ingredients
chicken
chicken meal
brewers rice
pea protein
whole brown rice

Nutro

Paté
Beef Recipe For Cats
Nutro
Paté Beef Recipe For Cats
First Five Ingredients
beef
beef broth
chicken
chicken liver
dried pork broth

Nutro

Adult Minced
Chicken & Shrimp Cuisine In Tasty Gravy
Nutro
Adult Minced Chicken & Shrimp Cuisine In Tasty Gravy
First Five Ingredients
chicken broth
chicken
chicken liver
shrimp
egg product

Nutro

Adult Minced
Chicken Cuisine In Tasty Gravy
Nutro
Adult Minced Chicken Cuisine In Tasty Gravy
First Five Ingredients
chicken broth
chicken
chicken liver
egg product
pork broth

Nutro

Adult Sliced
Turkey Entree In Savory Sauce
Nutro
Adult Sliced Turkey Entree In Savory Sauce
First Five Ingredients
turkey broth
turkey
turkey liver
pork broth
egg product

Nutro

Adult Breakfast Scrambles
Chicken & Egg Skillet In Savory Sauce
Nutro
Adult Breakfast Scrambles Chicken & Egg Skillet In Savory Sauce
First Five Ingredients
chicken
chicken broth
pork broth
egg product
chicken liver

Nutro

Adult Breakfast Scrambles
Chicken, Egg & Salmon Skillet In Savory Sauce
Nutro
Adult Breakfast Scrambles Chicken, Egg & Salmon Skillet In Savory Sauce
First Five Ingredients
chicken
chicken broth
pork broth
egg product
chicken liver

Nutro

Adult Breakfast Scrambles
Salmon & Egg Skillet In Savory Sauce
Nutro
Adult Breakfast Scrambles Salmon & Egg Skillet In Savory Sauce
First Five Ingredients
salmon
chicken broth
pork broth
egg product
chicken

Nutro

Adult Breakfast Scrambles
Tuna & Egg Skillet In Savory Sauce
Nutro
Adult Breakfast Scrambles Tuna & Egg Skillet In Savory Sauce
First Five Ingredients
tuna
chicken broth
pork broth
egg product
chicken

Nutro

Adult Chunky Loaf
Chicken Dinner
Nutro
Adult Chunky Loaf Chicken Dinner
First Five Ingredients
chicken
chicken broth
chicken liver
pork broth
natural flavor

Nutro

Adult Chunky Loaf
Salmon & Duck Dinner
Nutro
Adult Chunky Loaf Salmon & Duck Dinner
First Five Ingredients
chicken
chicken broth
salmon
chicken liver
duck

Nutro

Adult Chunky Loaf
Salmon & Tuna Dinner
Nutro
Adult Chunky Loaf Salmon & Tuna Dinner
First Five Ingredients
salmon
chicken broth
chicken liver
chicken
tuna

Nutro

Adult Chunky Loaf
Turkey Dinner
Nutro
Adult Chunky Loaf Turkey Dinner
First Five Ingredients
turkey
turkey broth
turkey liver
pork broth
natural flavor

Nutro

Adult Sliced
Chicken & Tuna Entree In Savory Sauce
Nutro
Adult Sliced Chicken & Tuna Entree In Savory Sauce
First Five Ingredients
chicken broth
chicken
chicken liver
tuna
egg product

Nutro

Adult Sliced
Salmon Entree In Savory Sauce
Nutro
Adult Sliced Salmon Entree In Savory Sauce
First Five Ingredients
chicken broth
salmon
chicken
chicken liver
egg product

Nutro

Adult Sliced
Turkey & Salmon Entree In Savory Sauce
Nutro
Adult Sliced Turkey & Salmon Entree In Savory Sauce
First Five Ingredients
turkey broth
turkey
turkey liver
salmon
egg product

Nutro

Adult Soft Loaf
Cod & Catfish Recipe
Nutro
Adult Soft Loaf Cod & Catfish Recipe
First Five Ingredients
cod
catfish
chicken broth
pork broth
natural flavor

Nutro

Adult Soft Loaf
Duck Recipe
Nutro
Adult Soft Loaf Duck Recipe
First Five Ingredients
duck
chicken broth
duck liver
pork broth
natural flavor

Nutro

Adult Soft Loaf
Turkey Recipe
Nutro
Adult Soft Loaf Turkey Recipe
First Five Ingredients
turkey
turkey broth
turkey liver
pork broth
natural flavor

Nutro

Cuts In Gravy
Chicken & Catfish Recipe For Cats
Nutro
Cuts In Gravy Chicken & Catfish Recipe For Cats
First Five Ingredients
chicken broth
chicken
chicken liver
catfish
pork plasma

Nutro

Kitten Minced
Salmon Cuisine In Tasty Gravy
Nutro
Kitten Minced Salmon Cuisine In Tasty Gravy
First Five Ingredients
salmon
chicken broth
pork broth
chicken
chicken liver

Nutro

Kitten Soft Loaf
Chicken Recipe
Nutro
Kitten Soft Loaf Chicken Recipe
First Five Ingredients
chicken
chicken broth
chicken liver
pork broth
natural flavor

Nutro

Paté
Turkey Recipe For Cats
Nutro
Paté Turkey Recipe For Cats
First Five Ingredients
turkey
chicken liver
pork broth
turkey broth
natural flavor

Nutro

Cuts In Gravy
Beef Recipe For Cats
Nutro
Cuts In Gravy Beef Recipe For Cats
First Five Ingredients
chicken broth
chicken
beef
chicken liver
pork plasma

Nutro

Perfect Portions Grain Free Cuts In Gravy
Real Catfish and Tuna Recipe For Adult Cats
Nutro
Perfect Portions Grain Free Cuts In Gravy Real Catfish and Tuna Recipe For Adult Cats
First Five Ingredients
chicken broth
catfish
chicken
chicken liver
tuna

Nutro

Cuts In Gravy
Chicken & Salmon Recipe For Adult Cats
Nutro
Cuts In Gravy Chicken & Salmon Recipe For Adult Cats
First Five Ingredients
chicken broth
chicken
chicken liver
salmon
pork plasma

Nutro

Perfect Portions Grain Free Cuts In Gravy
Real Salmon and Shrimp Recipe For Adult Cats
Nutro
Perfect Portions Grain Free Cuts In Gravy Real Salmon and Shrimp Recipe For Adult Cats
First Five Ingredients
chicken broth
salmon
chicken
chicken liver
shrimp

Nutro

Cuts In Gravy
Turkey Recipe For Cats
Nutro
Cuts In Gravy Turkey Recipe For Cats
First Five Ingredients
turkey broth
turkey
chicken
chicken liver
pork plasma

Nutro

Paté
Turkey & Liver Recipe For Cats
Nutro
Paté Turkey & Liver Recipe For Cats
First Five Ingredients
turkey
chicken liver
pork broth
turkey broth
natural flavor

Nutro

Senior Minced
Chicken & Salmon Cuisine In Tasty Gravy
Nutro
Senior Minced Chicken & Salmon Cuisine In Tasty Gravy
First Five Ingredients
chicken broth
chicken
chicken liver
salmon
egg product

Nutro

Senior Minced
Cod & Tuna Cuisine In Tasty Gravy
Nutro
Senior Minced Cod & Tuna Cuisine In Tasty Gravy
First Five Ingredients
chicken broth
cod
chicken
chicken liver
tuna

Nutro

Senior Soft Loaf
Chicken Recipe
Nutro
Senior Soft Loaf Chicken Recipe
First Five Ingredients
chicken
chicken liver
chicken broth
pork broth
natural flavor

Nutro

Senior Soft Loaf
Cod Recipe
Nutro
Senior Soft Loaf Cod Recipe
First Five Ingredients
cod
catfish
chicken broth
chicken liver
chicken

Nutro

Paté
Chicken, Liver & Shrimp Recipe For Cats
Nutro
Paté Chicken, Liver & Shrimp Recipe For Cats
First Five Ingredients
chicken
chicken liver
pork broth
chicken broth
shrimp

Nutro

Cuts In Gravy
Salmon Recipe For Cats
Nutro
Cuts In Gravy Salmon Recipe For Cats
First Five Ingredients
chicken broth
salmon
chicken
chicken liver
pork plasma

Nutro

Paté
Chicken & Shrimp Recipe For Cats
Nutro
Paté Chicken & Shrimp Recipe For Cats
First Five Ingredients
chicken
chicken liver
pork broth
chicken broth
shrimp

Nutro

Cuts In Gravy
Chicken Recipe For Cats
Nutro
Cuts In Gravy Chicken Recipe For Cats
First Five Ingredients
chicken broth
chicken
chicken liver
pork plasma
tapioca starch

Nutro

Paté
Salmon & Chicken Recipe For Cats
Nutro
Paté Salmon & Chicken Recipe For Cats
First Five Ingredients
chicken broth
chicken
chicken liver
salmon
pork plasma

Nutro

Paté
Chicken & Liver Recipe For Cats
Nutro
Paté Chicken & Liver Recipe For Cats
First Five Ingredients
chicken
chicken liver
pork broth
chicken broth
natural flavor

Nutro

Paté
Salmon & Tuna Recipe For Cats
Nutro
Paté Salmon & Tuna Recipe For Cats
First Five Ingredients
salmon
chicken
chicken liver
pork broth
chicken broth

Nutro

Cuts In Gravy
Tuna Recipe For Cats
Nutro
Cuts In Gravy Tuna Recipe For Cats
First Five Ingredients
chicken broth
tuna
chicken
chicken liver
pork plasma

Nutro

Paté
Chicken Recipe For Cats
Nutro
Paté Chicken Recipe For Cats
First Five Ingredients
chicken
chicken liver
pork broth
chicken broth
natural flavor