Rating: 
Now Grain Free Dog Food receives the Advisor’s above-average rating of 4 stars.
The Now Grain Free product line includes 7 dry dog foods.
Although we found no AAFCO nutritional adequacy statements for these foods on the Now Grain Free website, each product appears to be designed for the life stages suggested in the product names.
- Now Grain Free Adult
- Now Grain Free Puppy
- Now Grain Free Senior
- Now Grain Free Large Breed Adult
- Now Grain Free Large Breed Puppy
- Now Grain Free Large Breed Senior
- Now Grain Free Small Breed All Ages
Now Grain Free Adult Dog Food was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.
Now Grain Free Adult
Dry Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: De-boned turkey, potato flour, peas, apples, whole dried egg, pea fibre, tomato, potatoes, flaxseed, canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), natural flavour, salmon, de-boned duck, sundried alfalfa, coconut oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), carrots, pumpkin, bananas, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, blackberries, papayas, pineapple, grapefruit, lentil beans, broccoli, spinach, cottage cheese, alfalfa sprouts, dried kelp, calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, lecithin, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (a source of vitamin C), niacin, inositol, vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate, d-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, beta-carotene, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), minerals (zinc proteinate , ferrous sulphate, zinc oxide, iron proteinate, copper sulphate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, selenium yeast), taurine, DL-methionine, L-lysine, dried chicory root, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Aspergillus niger fermentation product, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation product, yeast extract, Yucca schidigera extract, marigold, L-carnitine, dried rosemary
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4.4%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 26% | 16% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 29% | 18% | 45% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 25% | 37% | 39% |
The first ingredient in this dog food lists turkey. Although it is a quality item, raw turkey contains about 80% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost, reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.
After processing, this item would probably account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product.
Which brings us to potato flour, the second and (more likely) the dominant ingredient in this dog food.
Potato flour is frequently confused with potato starch. Potato flour is made from the whole potato (even the skins)… whereas potato starch is made solely from the starch.
Potato flour actually tastes and nourishes like potatoes and yet contains only a slight amount of protein (about 7%).
The third ingredient mentions peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. Plus (like all legumes) they’re rich in natural fiber.
However, peas contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when evaluating the total protein reported in this food.
The fourth ingredient mentions apple, a nutrient-rich fruit that’s also high in fiber.
The fifth ingredient lists whole dried egg, a dehydrated product. Quality can vary greatly. Lower grade egg product can even come from commercial hatcheries — from eggs that have failed to hatch.
In any case, eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
The sixth ingredient is pea fiber, a mix of soluble and insoluble plant fiber derived from pea hulls. Except for the usual benefits of dietary fiber, pea fiber can contribute a small amount of additional protein to this food.
The seventh ingredient lists tomato. Tomatoes are rich in nutrients and contain about 72% carbohydrates.
The eighth ingredient is potato. Assuming they’re whole, potatoes are a good source of digestible carbohydrates and other healthy nutrients.
The ninth ingredient is flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.
The tenth ingredient lists canola oil. Most applaud canola for its favorable omega-3 content while a vocal minority condemn it as an unhealthy fat.
Current thinking (ours included) finds the negative stories about canola oil more the stuff of urban legend than actual science.1
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 four notable exceptions…
First, garlic can be a controversial item. Although the majority of experts favor the ingredient for its numerous health benefits, garlic (in rare cases) has been linked to Heinz body anemia in dogs.2
However, the limited professional literature we surveyed provided no definitive warnings regarding the use of garlic, especially in small amounts (as it is here).
Next, 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.
Thirdly, the yeast extract mentioned here is probably used as a flavor and immune system enhancer. Although this ingredient can be controversial, the glutamic acid found in yeast extract is a food additive generally recognized as safe by the USFDA.3
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.
Now Grain Free Dog Food
The Bottom Line
Judging by its ingredients alone, Now Grain Free looks to be an above-average dry dog food.
But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product’s meat content before determining a final rating.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 29%, a fat level of 18% and an estimated carbohydrate content of 45%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 30% and a mean fat level of 16%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 46% for the overall product line.
Above-average protein. Average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.
In addition, when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the peas, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a moderate amount of meat.
Bottom line?
Now Grain Free is a plant-based dry dog food using a fair amount of turkey as its main source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4 stars.
Highly recommended.
Those looking for another grain free kibble from the same manufacturer may wish to visit our review of Go Natural Grain Free Dog Food.
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 specific health benefits 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
05/29/2010 Original review
12/30/2010 Review updated
11/16/2011 Review updated, 3 new recipes added
11/16/2011 Last Update
- Mikkelson, B and DP, Oil of Ole, Urban Legends Reference Pages (2005) ↩
- Yamato et al, Heinz Body hemolytic anemia with eccentrocytosis from ingestion of Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum) and garlic (Allium sativum) in a dog, Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 41:68-73 (2005) ↩
- L-Glutamic Acid, FDA Select Committee on GRAS Substances ↩
The Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.
Pingback: grain Free dry food- NOW