Nutro Natural Choice Grain Free (Dry)

by Mike Sagman
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Rating: ★★★☆☆

Nutro Natural Choice Grain Free Limited Ingredient Diet Dog Food receives the Advisor’s mid-tier rating of 3 stars.

The Nutro Natural Choice Grain Free product line includes 4 dry dog foodseach claimed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult maintenance.

The following is a list of recipes available at the time of this review.

  • Nutro Natural Choice Grain Free Adult Lamb Meal and Potato
  • Nutro Natural Choice Grain Free Adult Turkey Meal and Potato
  • Nutro Natural Choice Grain Free Adult Venison Meal and Potato
  • Nutro Natural Choice Grain Free Large Breed Adult Lamb Meal and Potato

Nutro Natural Choice Grain Free Adult Turkey Meal and Potato was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.

Nutro Natural Choice Grain Free Adult Turkey Meal and Potato Formula

Dry Dog Food

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Protein = 23% | Fat = 13% | Carbs = 55%

Ingredients: Turkey meal, dried potatoes, potato starch, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), dried plain beet pulp, sunflower oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), natural flavors, flaxseed, potassium chloride, salt, powdered cellulose, choline chloride, zinc sulfate, taurine, vitamin E supplement, ferrous sulfate, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), potassium iodide, copper sulfate, l-carnitine, niacin supplement, calcium pantothenate, biotin, manganous oxide, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), selenium, vitamin A supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), riboflavin supplement (vitamin B2), vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid, rosemary extract

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3.3%

Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients

Estimated Nutrient Content
MethodProteinFatCarbs
Guaranteed Analysis21%12%NA
Dry Matter Basis23%13%55%
Calorie Weighted Basis21%29%50%

The first ingredient in this dog food is turkey meal. Turkey meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh turkey.

The second ingredient lists dried potatoes, a dehydrated item usually made from the by-products of potato processing. Compared to cornmeal, dried potatoes contain slightly more protein.

The third item lists potato starch. Potato starch is a gluten-free carbohydrate of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

The fourth ingredient is 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 fifth ingredient includes beet pulp. Beet pulp is a controversial ingredient, a high fiber by-product of sugar beet processing.

Some denounce beet pulp as an inexpensive filler while others cite its outstanding intestinal health and blood sugar benefits.

We only call your attention here to the controversy and believe the inclusion of beet pulp in reasonable amounts in most dog foods is entirely acceptable.

The sixth ingredient mentions sunflower oil. Sunflower oil is nutritionally similar to safflower oil. Since these oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids and contain no omega-3′s, they’re considered less nutritious than canola or flaxseed oils.

Sunflower oil is notable for its resistance to heat damage during cooking.

There are several different types of sunflower oil, some better than others. Without knowing more, it’s impossible to judge the quality of this ingredient.

After the natural flavors, we find 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.

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 three notable exceptions…

First, we note the use of powdered cellulose, a non-digestible plant fiber usually made from the by-products of vegetable processing. Cellulose is sometimes added to dilute the number of calories per serving and to give the feeling of fullness when it is eaten.

Except for the usual benefits of fiber, powdered cellulose provides no nutritional value to a dog.

Next, we find no mention of probiotics, friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing.

And lastly, the minerals listed here do not appear to be chelated. And that can make them more difficult to absorb. Non-chelated minerals are usually associated with lower quality dog foods.

Nutro Natural Choice Grain Free Limited Ingredient Dry
The Bottom Line

Judging by its ingredients alone, Nutro Natural Choice Grain Free Limited Ingredient Diets looks to be an 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 23%, a fat level of 13% and estimated carbohydrates of about 55%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 24% and a mean fat level of 13%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 55% for the overall product line.

Below-average protein. Below-average fat. And above-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.

Even with no plant-based protein boosters, this still looks like the profile of a kibble containing only a modest amount of meat.

Bottom line?

Nutro Natural Choice Grain Free is a grain-free dry dog food using only a modest amount of lamb, turkey or venison meals as its main sources of animal protein, thus earning the brand 3 stars.

Recommended.

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? Or maybe the review itself? Please know we welcome your comments.

Notes and Updates

02/27/2011 Original review
02/22/2012 Review updated (added Lamb Meal and Potato)
02/22/2012 Last Update

Dog Food Advisor IconThe Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.


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  • Thor

    We switched our Great Pyrenees to this. The “NOW” ex is on the whole paleo kick and thought it would be great to switch the dog over to no gluten also. Though she is a nut with her diet, I find the dog food a good choice for him, where before he would get diarrhea with others or just have massive dumps, now he drops more compact and dry stool, Picking one up it broke apart like Equine stool, he loves it and since they have bacon grease in their house (paleo diet says its good for you.yuk!) I mix it up in his food at times and he still does great. I am going to read other reviews here, as I was thinking this food was five star and I see you have better ones.

  • luvmybullies

    Not on their bag, I just checked. Try calling, that’s your best bet :)

  • Jan_Mom2Cavs

    Hi!  Nutro might have this information on their website if they don’t have it on the back of their bags of food.  If not, then I suggest calling their customer service to find out this info. 

  • Jdandkathy

    what is the calories count in a cup of matural choice

  • Momknowsbest

     Sorry to correct you but some of the products DO come from China. Yes they process what they purchase in their OWN facilities. Not many dog foods don’t have some sort of ingredients that come from China, mostly rice. They check the product under testing , but claiming it’s MADE  in the USA doesn’t necessarily mean  everything was grown here.

  • Tigerchotu

    My dog loves the dry food , which I have been buying it for the past 9years but there has been changes in packaging, before they used to have $50 but nw its 30lb bag for the same price, kinda rip off

  • Kurt

    I did finally get a response

    “Thank you for contacting THE NUTRO COMPANY. We appreciate your feedback and the time
    you took out of your day to contact us.

    Natural Choice Large Breed Grain Free Lamb Meal & Potato has 305 kcal/cup.

    THE NUTRO COMPANY is committed to developing quality products which meet your pet’s
    nutritional needs. Your confidence in our products and continued goodwill are very
    important to us. Please give us a call at 1-800-833-5330, Monday through Friday,
    between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Central Standard time if you would like
    additional information.

  • Kurt

    it’s not on their bags, it’s not on the website, and they haven’t responded to email in over a week.

    thanks for your reviews though!

  • melissa

    Kurt-

    Additional information on the foods reviewed can usually be gotten by googling the product or checking out their own websites. It is disappointing that some foods do not have the kcals per cup listed on the bags. ugh

  • Kurt

    I may just be missing it- but do you have a calorie count for this food- especially for the large breed lamb and potato?
    thanks much!

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com/ Mike Sagman

    Hi Cherie,

    I’m getting ready to soon update this review. However, since manufacturers sometimes test market some of their products in limited locations, it could cause some confusion if I were to add these 2 products before they are listed on the company’s website.

    Because of your comment here, I’ll be sure to remain on watch for the new recipes.

    Thanks for the tip.

  • Cherie

    Mike,
    Natural Choice just came out with 2 new grain free Fish and Potato and Small Breed Fish and Potato Petsmart has it for sale but its not there website yet the Nutro Rep said they trying it Petsmart first.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1119076402 Caroline Ruppert- Hill

    My Min Pins do not do well on Gluten, one especially was getting arthritis. Now she plays like a puppy and has lost weight. They all love the taste, and love they way they feel. It is kinda expensive, but better than Vet bills for arthritis, and having fat lazy acting dogs. I use the Vinson, My dogs get Carrots for low calorie treats so they don’t need the vegetables. It is enough protein, as they are shiny and healthy and feel so good now. They are not hunting dogs who need 26% protein

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Seattlepits,

    You’re right about the cellulose ingredient. This is an earlier review. And I no longer describe this item in this way. Cellulose is usually a by-product of vegetable processing.

    However, the ingredients listed at the time I wrote this review in February, 2011, were clearly not chelated (on the list).

    Thanks for your thoughtful comments.

  • Dog Food Ninja

    Seattlepits, the turkey meal is overcome handily by the potatoes because there are two potato ingredients after the turkey, plus that is proved by the very low protein in this food. 23% protein is garbage. There is no carbs and very little fat left in a meat meal, so it’s quantity in the finshed product is can be estimated fairly accurately by looking at the protein %.

  • Seattlepits

    All of Nutros minerals are chelated by the way, call their nutrition line. Dont think they use cotton or sawdust for cellulose, but actually a certain vegtable. Glad to see you not knock beet pulp, it does encourage growth of good bacterias though making probiotics, which are a bit controversial, unnecessary. Turkey meal def adds more meat weight to the kibble than turkey so not sure if you’re correct on potato outweighing it, but for allergies that would not be a negative. Fair review though!

  • melissa

    Moneky-

    I get mine at Walmart. They are about $1 a can-

  • Mike P

    Imthemonkey you can rinse the sardines and that may help a little. I wash them down and lightly fry them with an egg ,until the egg whites start to become visable.About 15 seconds then mix it in with her kibble.After our morning hike today she will get hearts,livers,and gizzaards fried the same way with an egg and mixed with kibble.Tonight for supper it’s a cup of kibble with a little yogurt.Great doggy day…

  • Anonymous

    I saw 2 kinds on Amazon with free shipping, Monkey

  • Anonymous

    I just wish i could find sardines packed in water without salt. All i can find is Salmon like that so thats what im using instead right now.

  • melissa

    I agree with you Mike P. The toppers is one of the reasons that I have no problem feeding a food such as Pro Pac on occassion as part of my rotation, with a slightly lower protein. I recently added in Hi Tek Naturals Grain free. So far, so good and the dogs love it

  • Mike P

    It seems to me that the difference between ok kibble and the better ones is about 10 bucks.Adding real meat/sardines/eggs/yogurt/veggies and the like make any kibble better.A pretty cost effective way to go.

  • Rskuhn

    Tricia – Unless Nutro owns the farms and all their ingredient suppliers, they may not control as much as you may have been led to believe. Bulk foods and ingredients travel around the world and are often relabeled, repackaged and graded with minimal inspections or QC. When China sells bulk ingredients to a large US food company who then repackages and sells to Nutro, where is the ingredients from? US or China? How does Nutro or you know for sure?

  • Anonymous

    Whatever makes you feel comfortable Tricia. I’d just stay away from their formulas that have menadione. My brother used to feed Natural Choice to his dogs (before i knew anything about dog food) and you could see his dogs skin and hair getting worse. One of them would throw up a couple times a month. I finally started seeing what was up and they have since been switched.

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