Rating: 
Nature’s Select Dog Food receives the Advisor’s second-highest rating of four stars.
Currently, the Nature’s Select product line includes seven kibbles… each designed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages.1
- Nature’s Select High Protein
- Nature’s Select Lamb and Rice
- Nature’s Select Ultra Lite (2 stars)
- Nature’s Select Chicken, Rice and Lamb
- Nature’s Select Chicken and Beef with Sunflower Oil
- Nature’s Select Wild Alaskan Salmon and Sweet Potato
- Nature’s Select Chicken Meal and Rice with Glucosamine
Nature’s Select Chicken, Rice and Lamb was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.
Nature's Select Chicken, Rice and Lamb
Dry Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Chicken meal, brown rice, pearled millet, lamb meal, chicken fat preserved with mixed tocopherols (a source of vitamin E), alfalfa meal, flaxseed, dicalcium phosphate, potassium chloride, yeast culture, kelp, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Aspergillus niger fermentation extract, dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract, calcium carbonate, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin supplement, niacin supplement, calcium pantothenate, choline chloride, folic acid, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, selenium yeast, biotin, rosemary extract, sage extract, manganese amino acid chelate, zinc amino acid chelate, iron amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate, ethylenediamine dihydriodide, yucca schidigera extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3.9%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
The second item is brown rice. Brown rice is a quality ingredient… a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) is fairly easy to digest.
The third ingredient is millet… gluten-free grain harvested from certain seed grasses. Millet is naturally rich in B-vitamins and fiber as well as a number of essential minerals.
Once cooked, millet can be easily digested by a dog.
The fourth ingredient includes lamb meal… another protein-rich meat concentrate.
The fifth ingredient lists chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken… a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.
Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid… an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Though it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is a quality ingredient.
The sixth ingredient mentions alfalfa meal. Although alfalfa meal is high in plant protein (about 18%) and fiber (25%), this hay-family item is more commonly associated with horse feeds.
The seventh ingredient lists flaxseed… one of the best vegetable sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. And the seeds are naturally rich in both soluble and insoluble fiber.
However, we find it strange to see flaxseed here in its whole seed form. Whole flax seeds are almost impossible to digest (at least for us humans) unless they are first ground to a usable powder before they are consumed.
The manufacturer appears to have added back some of the “good” bacteria lost during the cooking process. These special probiotics are used to enhance a dog’s digestive and immune functions.
This dog food also contains chelated minerals… minerals that have been chemically attached to amino acids. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are generally found in better dog foods.
Nature’s Select Dog Food… the Bottom Line
Judging by its ingredients, this Nature’s Select Dog Food product certainly looks like an above-average kibble.
But we still need to consult the nutrient percentages to estimate the likely meat content of the product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 24%, a fat level of 13% and an estimated carbohydrate content of 54%.
Moderate protein. Low fat. And average carbohydrates (compared to a typical dry dog food).
When you exclude the 2-star Ultra Lite product, the brand reports an average protein content of about 25%.
Overall, protein stats range from a low of about 22% for the joint health recipe (glucosamine) to a high of 27% for the High Protein formula.
Decent numbers… but not exceptional.
However, when you consider the lack of any serious Red Flag items, we are inclined to award a higher rating.
Bottom line?
Nature’s Select Dog Food is primarily a grain-based kibble using a moderate amount of various meat meals as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand a four-star rating.
Highly recommended.
Some Final Thoughts
Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt consult your veterinarian for help.
Have an opinion about this dog food brand… or maybe the review itself?
Please feel free to share your comments below.
- American Association of Feed Control Officials Nutrient Profiles per Nature’s Select, 4/16/2010 ↩
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I had tried SEVERAL regular grocery store brands like Kibbles and Bits, Gravey Train, Purina varities etc .. and my dog would only eat it IF I put something over it like a spoon of chili or beef stew etc …
I saw Nature’s Select at the farmer’s market and took a sample bag home … and my dog ate every piece ..
I ordered a 20 pound bag of the Salmon etc and he loves it … he usually waits until around 9-10 PM before he goes in and eats it ; BUT he does snack on it during the day ….
This has been the ONLY food that he will actually eat on his own …
Nature’s Select just came out with a grain free product. Would like to see a review on it when you get the time.. Thanks!
Hi Kim… Thanks for the suggestion. I’ve added it to my To Do list. Always enjoy reviewing a grain-free product.