Rating: 
Nature’s Variety Prairie dry dog food receives the Advisor’s above-average rating of 4 stars.
The Nature’s Variety Prairie product line includes 7 kibbles, each claimed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages.
- Nature’s Variety Prairie Puppy
- Nature’s Variety Prairie Large Breed Puppy
- 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 Beef Meal and Barley Medley was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.
Nature's Variety Prairie Beef Meal and Barley Medley
Dry Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Beef meal, barley, brown rice, oatmeal, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), ground flaxseeds, montmorillonite clay, natural chicken flavor, alfalfa meal, potassium chloride, vitamins (choline chloride, vitamin E supplement, ascorbic acid, biotin, niacin supplement, vitamin A acetate, d-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, ethylenediamine dihydriodide, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin B12 supplement, beta carotene, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid), sea salt, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, sodium selenite), chicken liver, inulin, flaxseed oil, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, apples, carrots, peas, cottage cheese, chicken eggs, freeze dried beef, freeze dried beef hearts, freeze dried beef liver, pumpkinseeds, ground beef bone, butternut squash, broccoli, lettuce, spinach, dried kelp, salmon oil, apple cider vinegar, parsley, honey, blueberries, alfalfa sprouts, persimmons, olive oil, duck eggs, pheasant eggs, quail eggs, sage, clove, rosemary extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3.9%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 26% | 14% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 29% | 16% | 48% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 25% | 33% | 42% |
The first ingredient in this dog food product is beef meal. Beef meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh beef.
The second ingredient is barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. Unlike grains with a higher glycemic index, barley can help support more stable blood sugar levels.
The third ingredient is brown rice, a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) can be fairly easy to digest. However, aside from its natural energy content, rice is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The fourth ingredient is listed as oatmeal, a whole-grain product made from coarsely ground oats. Oatmeal is naturally rich in B-vitamins, dietary fiber and is also (unlike many other grains) gluten-free.
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. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.
The sixth ingredient includes ground flax seeds, one of the best vegetable sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. And the seeds are naturally rich in both soluble and insoluble fiber.
The seventh ingredient lists montmorillonite clay, a naturally occurring compound rich in many trace minerals. Montmorillonite has been approved for use in USDA Organic Certified products.
Reported benefits include the binding of certain mold-based toxins and even controlling diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.
But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this product.
With two notable exceptions…
First, the manufacturer appears to have applied friendly bacteria to the surface of the kibble after cooking. These special probiotics are used to enhance a dog’s digestive and immune functions.
And lastly, this food also contains chelated minerals… minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Nature’s Variety Prairie Dry Dog Food
The Bottom Line
Judging by the quality of its ingredients, Nature’s Variety Prairie looks like an above-average dry dog food.
However, it’s still important to consult the product’s nutrient percentages before establishing a final rating.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 29%, a fat level of 16% and an estimated carbohydrate content of 48%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 29% and a mean fat level of 15%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 48% for the overall product line.
Average protein. Average fat. And average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.
Free of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a moderate amount of meat.
Bottom line?
Nature’s Variety Prairie is a grain-based dry dog food using a moderate amount of species-specific meat meals as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand four stars.
Highly recommended.
Those looking for an excellent wet product may wish to read our review of Nature’s Variety Prairie Canned Dog Food.
You can see a recap of all the product lines made by this company by visiting our summary page… Nature’s Variety Dog Food Reviews.
A Final Word
This review is designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food. However, our rating system is not intended to suggest feeding a particular product will result in a specific health benefit for your pet.
For a better understanding of how we analyzed this product, please be sure to read our article, “The Problem with Dog Food Reviews”
Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt consult a veterinarian for help.
Have an opinion about this dog food brand… or maybe the review itself? Please know… we welcome your comments.
Notes and Updates
11/01/2009 Original review
06/07/2011 Review updated (added 2 puppy recipes)
06/07/2011 Last Update
The Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.