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Buying guide for best rachael ray dog food
Finding the right food for your dog is important business. It’s essential to healthy growth, energy levels, skincare, digestive comfort, strong bones, and powerful muscles. Every part of your dog’s physical wellbeing is affected by the food he eats, so it’s vital he gets all the nutrients he needs.
Spurred by her love of cooking and strong bond with animals, chef Rachael Ray launched her brand of Nutrish dog food in 2008. Since that time, it has become a popular choice that caters to the various needs and eating habits of dogs of all sizes and ages while not breaking the bank. Nutrish uses only natural, whole ingredients, without any artificial flavors or preservatives. Most recipes contain no soy, corn, or gluten, while some are offered in grain-free varieties.
There are many choices available when it comes to dog food. Our buying guide has all the details on Rachael Ray dog food to help you decide if it’s the right brand for you and your dog. For our favorite Nutrish products, see the matrix above.
Key considerations
Formula
Rachael Ray’s Nutrish offers several different lines of dog food, each with specific types of ingredients. Most formulas do not differentiate by age and size. Instead, they are healthy picks for young, adult, and senior dogs of all sizes. However, there are a few Nutrish recipes that cater to specific ages and sizes.
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Peak: These grain-free recipes are high in nutrients and protein, catering to those dogs who love meat. The four dry options in this line satisfy the wild side of dogs, featuring nature-inspired formulas that include bison, venison, duck, and quail. There are six wet food options available. The Peak line is among the more expensive Nutrish options.
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Super Premium: This popular line features real meat, with chicken, turkey, or beef as the first ingredient in the dry varieties. The wet options boast essential nutrients and minerals, with six different recipes available. The Super Premium formulas are among the cheaper options. This line also features formulas geared toward specific dog types: one is for puppies, another is for small dogs, and a third is for large breeds.
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Dish: This line boasts whole foods, real meats, dehydrated fruits and vegetables, and a sumptuous taste. The first ingredient is always U.S. farm-raised meat, with real bits of chicken, carrots, peas, and apples. The wet food comes in four grain-free recipes. One of the dry food formulas is also grain-free.
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Just 6: This limited-ingredient line is for dogs with particular sensitivities or allergies. By limiting the number of ingredients (to only six, as the name implies), it’s less likely your sensitive dog will experience adverse reactions. These recipes do not include eggs, dairy, beef, or potato, which are some of the more common sensitivities. The two dry food options are lamb meal with brown rice or turkey meal with peas.
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Zero Grain: Primary ingredients include beef, salmon, turkey, and chicken in the Zero Grain line. Each formula also features potato or sweet potato for a tasty grain-free meal. Like most grain-free options, this line is among the most expensive from Nutrish.
Size
Most dry dog food comes in small, medium, and large bags, ranging from four to 28 pounds per bag. Some Nutrish formulas come in extra-large bags of 40 pounds. Larger bags are cheaper when it comes to price per pound, but they are also heavier to transport and take up more space. You should also make sure your dog reacts well to the food prior to purchasing a large size.
Treats
Nutrish offers a wide variety of dog treats. Treats made from real meat are meant to be enjoyed immediately, usually in a couple bites, and they include turkey, bacon, and meatball, among other popular flavors. Rachael Ray’s brand also offers chews, which last longer, requiring more time to be fully enjoyed. These include dental treats, which improve dental hygiene when chewed.
Did you know?
Most Nutrish formulas cater to dogs of all sizes and life stages. Only a few are intended for puppies or large breeds.
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Features
SuperMedleys
Some Super Premium dry food recipes feature SuperMedleys, a Nutrish innovation. SuperMedleys are composed of a variety of natural ingredients and beneficial vitamins, minerals, and taurine to boost heart function in dogs. SuperMedleys are made with superfoods, offering immense nutritional benefits for a dog’s bones, muscles, immune system, and heart.
Pet Profiles
If you enroll online with Nutrish, you can take part in the brand’s Pet Profiles. Members regularly receive coupons and other promotional materials. Provided you don’t mind regularly getting emails, it’s an opportunity to save some money on the dog food you buy over and over again. Some coupons are available on the Nutrish website without logging into your account, too.
Expert Tip
If you like Nutrish and have other furry friends at home, Rachael Ray also makes cat food. Nutrish cat food comes in dry and wet varieties as well as grain-free options.
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Accessories
Dog bowls: AmazonBasics Stainless Steel Dog Bowl
Your dog should have her own bowl to enjoy her tasty meals. We love this AmazonBasics option that is inexpensive, easy to clean, and durable.
Dog toys: KONG Wobbler Dog Toy
Part of a healthy life for your dog is physical and mental stimulation. We recommend this KONG dog toy that slowly releases treats while bouncing around.
Slow-feed dog bowls: Outward Hound Fun Feeder
Some dogs get overly excited about meals and scarf down all the food quickly. This slow feeder from Outward Hound helps dogs eat more patiently and better enjoy their meals.
Dog food storage containers: IRIS Airtight Food Storage Container
Make sure to store your dry dog food in a cool, dry, airtight place. This option from IRIS features a large capacity and strong seal, and it also comes with a scoop.
Did you know?
Nutrish formulas are inspired by Rachael Ray’s own recipes. A dog stew, for example, boasts pork, carrots, green beans, and potatoes.
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Rachael Ray dog food prices
For under $15, you can purchase a small bag of dry food across all the Nutrish lines. Cans of wet food in cases of six, eight, or nine are also available. For under $10, you can get any type of Nutrish dog treats.
Medium bags of dry food from any Nutrish line cost $15 to $30. You can also find a handful of large bags in this price range, though not the grain-free formulas.
Most large bags of dry dog food cost over $30, with some over $40. The Nutrish grain-free options are the most expensive.
Tips
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Transition to new food. Anytime you change dog food, do it slowly so as not to upset your dog’s stomach. It’s recommended you take five to 10 days to change over to any new dog food.
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Read all the ingredients. If your dog has food sensitivities or allergies, it’s important to read through all the ingredients. If there’s an ingredient you don’t recognize, you can look it up on the Nutrish website.
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Watch for reactions. Your dog may love the food, but the food may not love her. Itching, scratching, excess shedding, or bowel issues may indicate the food isn’t ideal for your dog.
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Give treats in moderation. It’s tempting to spoil your dog, but too many treats can cause weight gain and spoil nutritious meals. Give treats sparingly and in moderation.
FAQ
Q. What are the benefits of a grain-free diet for my dog?
A. As dogs tend to naturally have a low intake of carbs, many companies offer grain-free dog food options. These are still nutritiously balanced meals, and they may be of the wet or dry variety. Some dogs have allergies or sensitivities to grains as well, particularly wheat and gluten. However, grain-free options may not be necessary or recommended if your dog does not have a sensitivity. It’s best to talk to your veterinarian about any questions or concerns.
Q. Where do the ingredients in Rachael Ray dog food come from?
A. Most Nutrish ingredients are sourced from U.S. farms, including chicken, turkey, and beef. Some ingredients, however, such as duck, quail, and pheasant, come from both American and European farms. Venison and lamb are sourced from New Zealand and Australia. Salmon is caught in the U.S. and Chile. Some vitamins and minerals in Peak dry food formulas may be sourced from China. Rachael Ray dry dog food is all safely cooked in the U.S.
Q. What is “meal,” and is it bad for dogs?
A. Meal is the term for a food that’s ground into small particles to make a powder, and it’s commonly used in dog food. It’s an easy way to get the required nutrients into recipes. Meal is only unhealthy when it is made from unhealthy ingredients. Rachael Ray dog food contains no poultry by-product meal, which tends to include less-sought-after chicken parts, like feet and intestines. Nutrish dog food may contain turkey meal or chicken meal.
Q. Should I feed my dog dry or wet food?
A. Both types have benefits as well as drawbacks. Wet food can help give dogs some needed hydration if they don’t drink enough water during the day. Wet food may also be better for ailing dogs as it’s easier on the teeth and usually has a more appetizing smell. However, wet food can be messy and odorous to owners. It also has a shorter shelf life and costs more relative to its longevity than dry food. On the other hand, dry food can improve dental hygiene, lasts a long time in storage, and is less messy. It’s always wise to consult your veterinarian and monitor your dog after switching to a new food. You can also mix wet and dry food for the best of both.
