Nature’s Variety Dog Food (Summary)

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Rating: ★★★★★

The Nature’s Variety Dog Food group of products receives the Advisor’s top rating of five stars.

Currently, the Nature’s Variety brand includes six canine product lines… two kibbles, two canned foods, one dehydrated recipe and one freeze dried formula.

Check out one of our six Nature’s Variety Dog Food Reviews by clicking a link below…

Nature’s Variety Prairie is primarily a grain-based kibble using a respectable amount of species-specific meat meals as its main sources of animal protein. The product line includes…

  • Nature’s Variety Prairie Beef Meal and Barley Medley
  • Nature’s Variety Prairie Lamb Meal and Oatmeal Medley
  • Nature’s Variety Prairie Salmon Meal and Brown Rice Medley
  • Nature’s Variety Prairie Chicken Meal and Brown Rice Medley
  • Nature’s Variety Prairie New Zealand Venison Meal and Millet

Nature’s Variety Prairie is primarily a meat-based canned dog food using a significant amount of assorted meats as its main sources of animal protein. The product line includes…

  • Nature’s Variety Prairie Beef Recipe
  • Nature’s Variety Prairie Lamb Recipe
  • Nature’s Variety Prairie Chicken Recipe
  • Nature’s Variety Prairie Venison Recipe
  • Nature’s Variety Prairie Homestyle Beef Stew
  • Nature’s Variety Prairie Homestyle Lamb Stew
  • Nature’s Variety Prairie Homestyle Chicken Stew
  • Nature’s Variety Prairie Homestyle Beef and Bison Stew
  • Nature’s Variety Prairie Homestyle Turkey and Duck Stew
  • Nature’s Variety Prairie Homestyle Salmon and Wild Rice Stew
  • Nature’s Variety Prairie Homestyle Pork and Sweet Potato Stew

Nature’s Variety Instinct is essentially a grain-free kibble using a generous amount of meat and poultry meals as its main sources of animal protein. The product line includes…

  • Nature’s Variety Instinct Rabbit Meal Formula
  • Nature’s Variety Instinct Chicken Meal Formula
  • Nature’s Variety Instinct Duck Meal and Turkey Meal Formula

Nature’s Variety Freeze Dried Raw is a grain-free dehydrated dog food using a generous selection of species-specific meats as its main sources of animal protein. The product line includes…

  • Nature’s Variety Raw Dehydrated Beef Formula
  • Nature’s Variety Raw Dehydrated Lamb Formula
  • Nature’s Variety Raw Dehydrated Chicken Formula
  • Nature’s Variety Raw Dehydrated Venison Formula

Nature’s Variety Raw Frozen is a meat-based wet dog food using a veritable bounty of fresh frozen meats as its main sources of animal protein. The product line includes…

  • Nature’s Variety Raw Beef Formula
  • Nature’s Variety Raw Bison Formula
  • Nature’s Variety Raw Lamb Formula
  • Nature’s Variety Raw Rabbit Formula
  • Nature’s Variety Raw Chicken Formula
  • Nature’s Variety Raw Venison Formula
  • Nature’s Variety Raw Organic Chicken Formula
Dog Food Advisor IconThe Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.


  • DogOwner

    Our puppy loves it. Wouldn’t eat pro plan’s shredded blend unless he was STARVING.

  • Jennifer

    Does anyone have any comments on Natures Variety Prairie Puppy?

  • Gordon

    Thanks, Shawna. I really like you too. Let’s pass love notes across the class tables with out the teacher’s knowledge, lol. :P

    You’re definitely fun, but be careful as I don’t want to upset other 2 regular male posters here as they think my flirting (It’s not even flirting really) is inappropriate. Is also why I’ve toned down on some of the previous flirting and complimentary comments re Karen Becker, lol.

    Our foods ate mostly GMO or GMF free. However, that is ever so changing, unfortunately. I think I made mention of this under one of the Becker thread on this site, some months ago, when I referred to some of Australia and New Zealand’s harvests being the best in the world. It is shame about GMO foods :(

    Toxed2loss – I currently work in a suveillance role. Due to it’s nature, I don’t usually elaborate on that. And no it does not involve internet surveillance so rest assured you’re not targeted, lol. At any rate, I’m currently seeking to change careers back to some technical role that suits my qualifications, and will see me working day shifts only like most normal people, lol. I’m really tired of my current job and night shifts.

    Anyway, nice chatting, and talk some more later. Gots to go, and have a top night to both of you, and anyone else reading.

  • Toxed2loss

    Shawna, no need to apologies! I seriously get it.

    Yes, I don’t/can’t tolerate any printed material. I also don’t do plastic or synthetics. If I sit on them or wear them my skin dies and forms a paste of decomp. I call it death sweat. I was told to go home in ’04 and die. I’m kind of stubborn… I’ve lost count of the near death experiences years ago. I’ve had some pretty freaky stuff happen. Regular doctors kept telling me “that can’t happen!” while watching it. Anyway, I need to read that book! Thanks for the info!

  • Shawna

    Gordon,

    I really like you!! :) Mean that – not being a smart —..

    I read a book called “Never Be Sick Again” by Raymond Francis. It was the one book (of many I have read) that had the most impact towards my understanding of what “holistic” really means. Not just alternative but holistic. Mr. Francis feels that disease is caused by two things — nutrient deficiency or toxins (or both). He was chemical sensitive like Toxed and was actually on his death bed (worse then Toxed). He was even reactive to the plastic in his telephone and newspaper ink (I think Toxed is reactive to book ink and therefore newspaper ink too – true Toxed?).

    How is your food compared to US foods? Do they allow GMO foods there? Do you have the same issues with nutrient depletion due to the lack of crop rotation etc? Do they use as many pesticides there? Just curious!!

    I’m seriously tired.. If it reflects in my posts I am sorry!!

  • Toxed2loss

    Gordon, I didn’t mean to imply that I disagreed with your statements about clutter, rather that I was clarifying my comment, incase I’d not communicated it clearly. Yes, regularly washing your pets bedding with borax is a great way to interrupt the flea life cycle.

    Radio-active? LOL, no not that. Thank goodness! It just looks exactly like it. The blistering, redness, massive edema, shiny skin, discolorations. Not fun. Though on bad days I get whimsical and think I should at least get some super powers like Spiderman and Bruce Banner did… (geek on).

    Mine was from pesticide poisoning. Organophosphate followed by a fungicide that uptakes allcellular glutathione, followed by heavy retalliatory spraying for asking to be notified before they spray. The Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Regiatry (ATSDR) reported that pesticide poisoning is one of the most under reported forms of injury, often misdiagnosed, as only 1-2% of physicians receive any training at all in environmental medicine. The Region 10 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) office says that people with chemical hypersensitivity are the fastest growing segment of the disabled population. This is a world wide trend. Mainstream people rarely hear about us due to the fact we can’t interact with fragranced and toxic individuals and environments. We are forced into isolation. Many become homeless due to lost ability to access work environments or their houses are toxic. Recognition is growing. Those of us with this condition don’t want therest of you to get it. We’re fighting to raise awareness. :-) thanks for reading my spiel!

    Now, you came home dizzy? *ears pricked up* I’m certified by the CDC to take Environmental histories and determine several different types of environmental poisoning. I’m curious. What do you do? GFETE

  • Gordon

    Yeah, I hear you both, but despite your elaboration on your explanation of what you meant about the environment, Toxed2loss, and not that I’m disagreeing about it, it is still a fact that clutter, dirt, dust and general untidiness definitely encourages flea and other insect harbouring, than not.

    I’m actually from Australia, Toxed2loss, and I had only half a night of work last night (my time) due some dizziness, and is why I’m unusually posting around this time (your time). Funny how I feel the need to justify that, lol.

    Anyway, I understand it that the US is more allowing of certain more toxic chemicals to be used in whatever their purpose is, than what Australia permits. Here, our government are much stricter than most countries on what it legislates, and also what it allows to be imported etc. That accompanied with the fact that the US has what..309 million people?…as opposed to 21 million in Australia, hence the much greater mathematical probability in greater pollutant effects on not just pets, but humans as well, in the US, than that over Australia.

    It seems like you’ve done well, Toxed2loss, to contain your toxin poisoning ailment, and from my end, I must say, that I first kind of got the impression that you could be radio-active, the way you explained your history, as I never quite heard of your case. But then I’m not a health professional, but just another lay person, with extra interest like us all, in pet nutrition, general same, and peripherally related.

    I have heard of dust disease cases, asbestos cases, silicon cases, etc and the class actions of those cases by people contaminated and effected. But your case is interesting and it’s good that you decided to study toxicology and the very causes of what made you vulnerable and affected.

  • Toxed2loss

    Gordon, flea dirt is actually a better indicator of the presence of fleas that a sighting. The little vermin are so fast. When I say environment, I’m not talking about clutter. I’m not even talking about dirt. I’m talking about toxic substances. Many allergic reactions are manifested due to environmental factors like fragrance, solvents, pesticide, petroleum products and by-products. Many household cleaning products are extremely toxic. So, some of the “cleanest” houses can actually be the most toxic. These toxins can make a cut, or spider bite respond with an adverse (seemingly hystemic) reaction. Weed and feed products, vegetable dust, even your neighbor applying herbicides can effect how an injury heals. My Pom stumbled and skinned the top of her paw. It was during spray season. If I hadn’t have been right there and seen it happen, I would have thought it was a bite. That’s what it looked like. It’s been months and it’s still not quite healed. Anyway, many chemicals cause rashes and blistering. Even when they are detoxing out of bodies. This is common for TIs. Anywhere you sweat, you an get all kinds of nasty skin reactions. In my case even second and third hand exposures to Arm and Hammer Unscented Deoderant cause me to get a reaction in all the sweat areas that looks like a radiation burn. No exaggeration. I still have the scars. That stuff is nasty! So, when I say environment, think Volatile Organic Compounds, or toxic chemicals, or synthetic substances. Hope that sheds some light. Sorry about focusing on Mosquitos, when the more recent issue was on fleas. Took a hit last night and not functioning on all cylinders. Heh, heh :-}

  • Shawna

    I hear ya Gordan! As far as environment, fleas and my home – I will shamefully admit it has NOTHING to do with cleanliness.. The last two years I’ve been too busy. The last several months, since my daughter and grandkids moved in my house has been so cluttered its hard to walk a straight line. Top that off with a 17 month old and 10 dogs..

    Flea dirt is generally the only way I know the poms have had fleas on them. They usually have a little at the end of the season when the temps start to get cold but I haven’t had to treat them yet..

  • Gordon

    Shawna – I’m not actually claiming that flea bites won’t still occur when under Comfortis. They’ll bite before pretty much getting killed. I think no matter what treatment you use, fleas will still bite if the opportunity is present where a flea finds itself on a dog.

    I should elaborate or actually specify that I actually really don’t know whether my TT’s recent right paw skin allergy and his constant licking of it, was from flea allergy. I strongly assumed so, given what I’d read from Dr. Barbara Fougere’s book, that fleas can even get between paw toes.

    Now having said that, I should also make all aware (that aren’t necessarily aware), the importance of also keeping the environment clean. Toxed2loss made reference to the environment, above, and it is actually a contributor to things like where fleas hang out and live. Now, my dogs are no less healthier than yours, Shawna, if not healthier…just sayin. About 95% of fleas don’t actually live or hang out on the actual host (dog in this example), but rather the “environment”. Now remember, firstly I haven’t actually seen any fleas on my dogs and only assumed that my TT had suffered a flea bite on his right paw. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if, and from my assumption, that my dog’s current environment probably has fleas, for the mere reason that I, as a bachelor, confess that I find it hard pressed time wise to maintain my home squeaky clean….especially my dogs’ kennel and surroundings. This could also be contrary to say, your house keeping ethics/regime, Shawna where you, like many house wives/women are better caretakers of family and house keeping and have a greater sense of keeping areas in a clean state, than that of most men (me no exception, lol).

    Shameless, also swears by her all natural only flea and worm therapies, that she never has her dog ever have any flea problems or flea caused allergies. I never asked her, but could it also be that she, being a woman, and someone’s wife (hence a carer of a family and housekeeping) that she also maintains optimum home environment hygiene? Highly probable. As a bachelor, I don’t have the luxury of time nor a current wife, lol, hence woman….(their more natural drive to keep things cleaner), to maintain a more clean environment in my home. And so, that could also be a significant issue in the control or lack thereof, re fleas.

    My house and my dog’s living area, need a good cleaning up and thorough clutter removal. Yes, I do make sure, though, I clean away their stools on a daily basis, at least.

    So just saying and throwing that out there, that the environment is a huge contributing factor, irrespective of my dogs’ dietary health (Which I stand by believing is at absolute optimum health).

    I’ve also followed Dr. Fougere’s written advice on how to be sure if one’s dog has fleas on it (At least on it’s main body), by placing a wet white paper towel underneath the dog, while one brushes the fur of the dog with a comb and see if any fleas fall onto to the wet paper towel. I never did see any fleas come off and fall onto the towel. Nor have a seen any fleas on my dogs when I’ve put my eyes very close to their fur and stroked against the direction of the fur. So my TT’s current paw skin allergy may not have even had anything to do with flea bites. I said may not have?…as far as I’m aware, based on all that I have said above. It may have just been caused by something that he stepped on while on their daily walks. Just sayin…and who really knows? :)

  • Toxed2loss

    Hi Shawna,

    It took me awhile to read through all the posts. I wanted to make sure I didn’t waste anybodies time. There’s some great info here and gives plenty of alternatives for different peoples lifestyles and beliefs. I have a coupe of bits to toss out, I’ll preface a little bit so people might understand better where I’m coming from.

    I have no ability to detoxify any toxic substance. I’m severely glutathione deficient due to pesticide poisoning. Glutathione is the number one substance in the body for detoxifying. Its critical for hundreds of known bio functions. It is drawn from all other functions when there is a toxic threat, which causes systemic collapses and many of the symptoms you’ve listed.

    Many substances that are in common use today are in fact toxic. Healthy individuals, people or fur kids, can handle them. However, the old, young, sick, injured and immune system compromised can’t. Which their numbers are increasing rapidly.

    What I noticed that was missing (perhaps already known, just not presented) was any mention of the fact that many toxins bio accumulate and stay active or available for decades. Think about a body like a small boat in a large bay. As long as the water is calm, no water comes over the gunnel. Things start getting rough and water comes in. Water being the analogy for toxins. If the water comes in too fadt or the boat isn’t bailed out, eventually it capsizes. Leaving the analogy, we see that as manifesting symptoms of disease.

    So the first thing to consider in the allergic reaction to mosquito bites is what else is contributing to your dogs state of compromised health? Changing diet is huge, but so is environment. In this country we use over 80,000 consumer product and environmental toxins. (CDC) They accumulate in our bodies and our pets. In random testing for body burden of toxins, for 200 chemicals, every subject positive to the majority of toxins.

    I guess what I’m trying to say is if your doing all the “right” things and it’s not working yet, change your perspective. Keep doing the great dietary practices, but take a hard look at your environment.

    That being said, let’s look at some safer alternatives for mosquito repellent. Because of my condition I am a human guinea pig. If its safe for me and it works, pretty much that’s the best answer. I won’t use neem oil. I tried it on my house plants when I first was diagnosed and it made me sick. Further research revealed that it is a phyto hormone. It kills by effecting the neural activity of the insects. Guys, if it kills insects its really bad stuff!!!! They are the hardest creatures on the planet to kill. Insecticides are poisons. Neem is used as an insecticide, not an insectisafe. It is used as an anti-fungal, anti-microbial and a couple of other anti-s that slip my mind… It is a poison. A safer poison, but a poison non the less.

    I use mint oil. May 2010 my family went to the Oregon coast. I took a spray bottle of Dr.Bronner’s mint oil soap and water. Used it as spray repellent as well as soap. Normally, for Mosquitos I’m the “soup of the day.” This time they didn’t even come near me. Even the people in the camp ground using conventional insecticides were slapping Mosquitos. Not me. I spritzed it over me and my sleeping bag at night, and slept undisturbed. So did the other people in my Yurt!

    I do use garlic for worms. I even use it on my sheep. Just not too frequently. Again allicin, the active ingredient is toxic, especially raw. But its toxicity is so low, that even I can handle it. I started using it on my sheep when we had a sudden rise in parasites due to a neighbor’s test plots for GMO corn being heavily sprayed and it weakening my livestock. The vet prescribed a wormer. Can’t remember which one, too sick to get up and check the records… The recipients (2 lambs and an old cow) died from the wormer, even when given sparingly and according to vets dosage. Their systems couldn’t handle it. Switching to garlic w/ molasses (for sheep) saved my flock…

    That’s probably long enough for one post! GFETE sorry I tend to over whelm.

  • Shawna

    I think Mary Lou and others can attest to the fact that dogs can still have a major reaction to flea bites EVEN while on Comfortis and other flea preventatives.

  • Shawna

    Gordon,

    “Residual toxins” and “safe with the right doses”. Is any residual toxins REALLY “safe”? Especially with all the toxins that we can’t control..

    My next statement is of a “holistic” perspective versus an “alternative” perspective. IF your pets are TRULY healthy do they NEED the flea control to begin with (any flea control — allopathic or alternative).. IMO the answer is no. We have fleas in my area (especially with ALL the MAJOR flooding, rain and humidity we had this year). No one of my dogs (all 10) are treated with any flea control products. I have them around just in case but I haven’t treated. No DE, no borax, only use the essential oils if out during dusk for mosquitos. I feed garlic but with all the commotion this year have not but a few times to battle what I believe to likely be giardia in a couple of the dogs. A LOT of people I’ve run across believe this very same thing.

    If a dog reacts to flea bites then, of course, it makes sense to treat but Comfortis even says it is to prevent “infestations” NOT bites.. No where on the website (when I was checking it out a few weeks back for Mary Lou) did I see where it said it prevents bites. Fleas still get on the dog they just die from doing so.

  • Gordon

    Hi Mary Lou – Yeah Comfortis apparently contains spinosad and is apparently very effective, but not with out some minor side effects in some cases. When I recently gave my JRT (My TT who had the flea dermatitis allergy, had no side effects) the Comfortis, she had less appetite for eating for a few days.

    It’s claimed that with Comfortis, some such side effects can occur and becomes non existent after such dog has had a few doses and their system becomes accustomed to the drug.

    Most vets including holistic ones will usually still support such treatments especially because I truly believe they know that whilst some alternative natural therapies, can work, such are not as effective as the veterinary/medical chemical counterparts. Even a Sydney holistic vet who has the alphabet of qualifications, and of who I have one of her books, suggests all of the alternative natural treatments but confesses that they are not as effective as the chemical conventional counterparts which she claims are also actually safe with the right doses. Mind you, she appears to know about many of the links and studies that Shawna sometimes refers to such as ones like from Dr.s Shultz and Goldstein to name a couple, as well as what pub med have on offer. But I guess most good scientists would be aware of international peer perspectives.

    With milk thistle, and most additives including enzymes and probiotics, human ones are safe for dogs as well and the marketed ones for pets are just that…marketing, otherwise the same supplements for humans including milk thistle, are safe for pets. There are exceptions though and it’s best to always make sure with a good holistic vet. I recently inquired with that holistic vet, Dr. Barbara Fougere via email, if it was OK to issue my dogs with a human brand I bought and I asked that I took in consideration the size of my dogs compared to humans and proposed to issue them say a fifth of what dosage a human would get, and her vet nurse replied saying that one of the holistic vets on duty at the time, said that was perfectly OK, and agreed for me to issue my dogs a 5th of the human dose. So I’d suggest when you buy some milk thistle, read its daily human dosage recommendation, and just give your dog (which is about the same class size of my dogs) a 5th of what that dose states.

    I give milk thistle for up to a week after things like worming and flea tablets are given to my dogs, as also suggested by Shawna to me some weeks ago and also backed up by that Sydney holistic vet, as well as I read that Nigel somewhere way above on this thread, said he does too…for a week that is….so it’s likely to be right and effective in helping cleanse the liver from residual toxins from those vet meds. Just keep in mind as a way to ease your mind, that you can’t really overdose on milk thistle anyway. So if you inadvertently miscalculate and provide Dupree an overdose, it won’t hurt because it’s a natural substance derived from plants, and the worst it can do, is cause a little lethargy which doesn’t last long.

    Also, I thought I’d mention that I was giving my dogs a powder form of milk thistle and it would be a hit and miss whether my JRT would eat her dinner that I mixed the MT to (TT isn’t as fussy), as she could isolate the actual smell of the MT from the rest of the food (The dog’s sense of smell is that powerful), and hence she appears not to like the smell and considers the food then contaminated. So I now give a tablet from of MT and pop it down their throat just before giving them dinner. That works better.

  • Michelle

    Mary Lou, LOL. RIP vacuum! :(

  • Mary Lou

    Thanks melissa ~ after the DE fiasco, I’m not sure I want to embark on “powders” again. I am still finding DE in various spots. I think I did overkill, and I must have missed the part about not inhaling it. We have a two story house, and I put it everywhere ~ and I mean everywhere. Nuts! I guess I should be thankful we are still in seemingly good health. A lesson learned, and I may still be getting a new vacuum! : )

  • melissa

    Mary Lou-

    The borax powder does work wonders for inside the home flea issues, but remember, its a ‘witch” like anything else to get out of your carpets once its in it-it may also cause color loss on some fabrics or abrade the carpeting changing its look, texture etc. Just like DE, there can be inhalant risks etc, and the link below also discusses documented health issues and risks of ingestion etc-

    http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/fleas-ticks.html

  • Mary Lou

    Thanks for all the suggestions! I really like the spraying on the bandana idea due to his sensitive skin. I will read up on everything after my granddaughter goes home today. Thanks!

  • Shawna

    Sure Sandy — I’ll email Toxed as soon as I can. I need to catch up with her anyway..

  • Shawna

    Borax is one of the products that Toxed uses so that makes sense aimee..

  • aimee

    I heard of very good results with fleabuster.com a borate(?) powder that acts as a dessicant. They will sell the powder directly to you but I heard it is much much better if you pay to have them apply it. I beleive their machines drive it deep into the carpet pile. They guarantee it for 1 year.

    You can get the nematodes for outdoor control from them too. These I think you have to reapply throughout flea season.

  • sandy

    Mary Lou,

    Also someone mentioned that they spray the oils or other natural “stinky” stuff on a bandana instead of the dog. Not sure how effective this is, but just mentioning it.

    Shawna,

    If you have the time, I would like to get info on neem. I think the other pug lady uses it alot. I know she recommends it alot.