Nature's Recipe Grain Free Lamb, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe Review
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Review of Nature's Recipe Grain Free Lamb, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe
According to our data, this Nature's Recipe recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition for the maintenance of adult dogs. In other words, this formula is AAFCO approved.
Nature's Recipe Grain Free Lamb, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin 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 Nature's Recipe Grain Free Lamb, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe, we'll examine all 36 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.
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.
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.
Sweet potato is a highly nutritious and easily digestible source of complex carbohydrates for your dog. It provides essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, promoting a healthy digestive system and immune function.
Tapioca starch is a grain-free carbohydrate source derived from the root of the cassava plant. It is used in dog food as a binding agent and energy source. Tapioca starch is easily digestible, making it a suitable ingredient for dogs with sensitive stomachs or grain allergies.
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.
Garbanzo beans, also known as chickpeas, are a great source of protein and fiber, promoting digestive health and satiety.
Peas are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. They can contribute to your dog's overall health and provide necessary nutrients.
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.
Pumpkin is a nutritious and fiber-rich ingredient that can help support your dog's digestive health. Its high fiber content can aid in maintaining a healthy weight and promoting regular bowel movements.
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.
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.
Potassium chloride is an essential mineral supplement that helps maintain your dog's electrolyte balance and supports healthy nerve and muscle function.
Taurine is an essential amino acid that supports heart health, vision, and development and function of skeletal muscle.
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.
Vitamin E supplement is an essential nutrient that helps support your dog's immune system, skin health, and overall wellness.
Ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, is an essential antioxidant that supports your dog's immune system and helps reduce inflammation.
Niacin, also known as Vitamin B3, is essential for a dog's metabolism and energy production, and supports healthy skin and coat.
Vitamin A Supplement is important for supporting vision, immune function, and skin health in dogs.
Thiamine mononitrate is a form of vitamin B1 that helps support your dog's nervous system function, energy metabolism, and overall health.
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.
Riboflavin supplement is a source of Vitamin B2, which is crucial for your dog's energy production, cell function, and overall growth and development.
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.
Vitamin B12 Supplement is an essential vitamin that helps support brain function and the formation of red blood cells.
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.
Biotin is a B-vitamin that's important for maintaining healthy skin, coat, and nails in dogs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sodium selenite is a form of selenium, a necessary trace mineral that supports immune function and thyroid health in dogs.
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.
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.
Choline Chloride is an essential nutrient that aids in brain and liver function, muscle movement, and supports healthy metabolic processes.
Lactic acid is used in pet foods as a preservative and to enhance flavor.
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.
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 protein content in this pet food are the lamb and chicken meal. Lamb, being the first ingredient, indicates it is the most abundant by weight before cooking. Chicken meal is a concentrated form of animal protein because it has already been rendered to remove moisture and fat, making it a dense source of protein. The canola meal, garbanzo beans, and peas also contribute to the overall protein content, albeit to a lesser extent compared to the animal sources.
Crude Fat (min) of 12.00%: The crude fat content is most likely derived from the lamb, chicken fat, and to some degree from the canola meal. Chicken fat is a high-quality source of essential fatty acids and is often used in pet foods for its fat content and palatability. The inclusion of chicken fat, preserved with mixed tocopherols (a form of Vitamin E), helps to ensure that the fat content is maintained at a minimum of 12%.
Crude Fiber (max) of 5.00%: Fiber in this pet food comes from the sweet potatoes, garbanzo beans, peas, and pumpkin. These ingredients are less digestible plant-based components that contribute to the dietary fiber content. Sweet potatoes and pumpkin are often used in grain-free recipes as healthy, fibrous carbohydrate sources. The maximum crude fiber content is limited to 5%, which is suitable for ensuring the food is not too high in indigestible matter and helps maintain digestive health.
Calories of 3510.00 per kg: The caloric content is a cumulative result of all the macronutrients present in the food – proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. The lamb and chicken fat are calorie-dense ingredients, contributing significantly to the overall energy content. Carbohydrates from sweet potatoes, tapioca starch, garbanzo beans, and peas also contribute to the calorie count. The specific amount of 3510 calories per kilogram indicates the energy density of the food, which is important for determining proper feeding amounts to maintain a pet's healthy weight.
Review of Affordability
According to our data, Nature's Recipe Grain Free Lamb, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe costs approximately $2.87 per pound. The following table provides our estimate of the monthly cost to feed this recipe exclusively as your dog.
| Adult Weight | Adult |
|---|---|
| 5 lbs | $17.51 |
| 10 lbs | $29.44 |
| 15 lbs | $39.91 |
| 20 lbs | $49.52 |
| 30 lbs | $67.12 |
| 40 lbs | $83.28 |
| 50 lbs | $98.45 |
| 60 lbs | $112.87 |
| 70 lbs | $126.71 |
| 80 lbs | $140.06 |
| 90 lbs | $152.99 |
| 100 lbs | $165.57 |
Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.
Summary of Customer Reviews
Customers generally appreciate Nature's Recipe Grain Free Lamb, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe for their pets, highlighting that both small and senior dogs as well as puppies enjoy the taste. A number of pet owners have noticed improved digestion and health in their dogs, particularly those with sensitive stomachs or chronic conditions like colitis, when switching to this food. The inclusion of pumpkin is praised for its digestive benefits, and the variety of flavors within the brand is appreciated for keeping dogs interested in their meals.
While some dogs have shown a preference for other flavors, such as chicken, the lamb variety has been well-received by many, with reports of dogs eagerly consuming their meals and showing no adverse reactions during the transition from other brands. Owners of dogs with specific dietary needs have found this recipe to be a successful option, and the grain-free aspect is a selling point for those concerned about grain allergies or sensitivities.
Despite some concerns about the smell of the food and the inclusion of chicken meal in the ingredients, which a few customers are wary of, the overall consensus is that Nature's Recipe provides good value for the price, especially in comparison to other similar products on the market. The brand has been a go-to for some pet owners, who have returned to it after trying more expensive brands, and have been satisfied with their dogs' health and enjoyment of the food.
