Highly Recommended
DogFoodAdvisor is reader supported See how
All reviews are 100% impartial but if you buy using links on this page, we may earn a referral fee.
Our Verdict
Nutra Complete freeze-dried raw product range consists of four recipes with ratings varying from 3 to 5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 4 stars.
Veterinarian-developed recipes packed with single-animal protein with the inclusion of blueberries, carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach and broccoli to support healthy digestion, skin and coat.
Pros
- Single animal protein
- No fillers or artificial preservatives
- Gently-freeze dried to preserve nutrients
Cons
- Expensive
The table below shows each recipe in the range including our rating. The AAFCO nutrient profile is not included on the company website. However, this food says it’s complete and balanced, but we don’t know which profile or nutritional standards it’s balanced to.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Nutra Complete Premium Chicken | 5 | U |
| Nutra Complete Premium Turkey | 5 | U |
| Nutra Complete Premium Beef | 3 | U |
| Nutra Complete Premium Pork | 3 | U |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Nutra Complete Premium Beef was selected to represent both products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Nutra Complete Premium Beef
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Beef, beef liver, beef kidney, flaxseed, dried kelp, blueberry, carrot, sweet potato, spinach, broccoli, chicory, salt, cranberry, yeast culture, pumpkin seed, ginger, potassium chloride, taurine, zinc amino acid complex, inulin, diatomaceous earth, iron amino acid complex, vitamin E supplement, yucca schidigera extract, niacin supplement, copper amino acid complex, l-carnitine, manganese amino acid complex, d-calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, sodium selenite, vitamin A supplement, riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid, vitamin D3 supplement, mixed tocopherols (preservative)
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 37% | 35% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 39% | 37% | 16% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 27% | 62% | 11% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food is beef. Beef is defined as “the clean flesh derived from slaughtered cattle” and includes skeletal muscle or the muscle tissues of the tongue, diaphragm, heart or esophagus.1
Beef is naturally rich in all 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is beef liver, an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The third ingredient is beef kidney, an organ meat low in fat and rich in protein and essential minerals.
The fourth 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.
However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
The fifth ingredient is dried kelp, a dehydrated form of seaweed also known as alginate. Kelp is most likely used here as a thickening or gelling agent.
The sixth ingredient includes blueberries. Blueberries are a good source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.
The seventh ingredient lists carrots, which are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
The eighth ingredient is sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates in dog food. They are naturally rich in dietary fiber and beta carotene.
The ninth ingredient is spinach. Spinach is rich in vitamins A, K, and C, as well as folate, iron, and magnesium. Spinach is a source of fiber. For dogs predisposed to oxalate stones spinach should be avoided, due to it’s high oxalate content.
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, chicory is rich in inulin, a starch-like compound made up of repeating units of carbohydrates and found in certain roots and tubers.
Not only is inulin a natural source of soluble dietary fiber, it’s also a prebiotic used to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in a dog’s digestive tract.
Next, we note the use of taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.
Since taurine deficiency appears to be more common in pets consuming grain-free diets, we view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.
In addition, this food 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.
Next, we find diatomaceous earth, also called fossil shell flour. This substance is derived from a fossilized form of microscopic one-celled plants known as diatoms.
Diatomaceous earth is EPA approved for mixing with cereal grains to help control mealworms, crawling insects and other pests. It’s also used as an anti-caking agent in animal feeds.
We’re not sure why it’s included here in this dog food.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Nutra Complete Premium Beef looks like an above-average raw dog food.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 41.8%, a fat level of 39.1% and estimated carbohydrates of about 8.6%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 45.1% and a mean fat level of 33.7%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 10.9% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 77%.
Near-average protein. Above-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical raw dog food.
Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the flaxseed, this still looks like the profile of a freeze-dried raw product containing a moderate amount of meat.
However, with 60% of the total calories in our example coming from fat versus just 26% from protein, some recipes may not be suitable for pets on a low-fat diet.
Nutra Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Nutra through February 2026.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Nutra Complete Dog Food
Nutra Complete is a grain-free freeze-dried, raw dog food using a moderate amount of named meats as its dominant source of animal protein.
It is worth noting that the lower ratings within this range are due to the high fat-to-protein ratio, so are only suitable for highly active dogs. With lower fat content, all of these recipes would have been 5 stars as they are appealing and worthy of consideration thanks to their nutritional profile and high-quality ingredients.
About
Nutra Complete dog food is made by Ultimate Pet Nutrition, founded by Dr. Gary Richter, who was named ‘America’s Favorite Veterinarian’ by The American Veterinary Medical Foundation.
Compare Nutra Complete Dog Food
How does Nutra Complete compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?
A Final Word
The Dog Food Advisor does not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.
However, we do receive a referral fee from online retailers (like Chewy or Amazon) and from sellers of perishable pet food when readers click over to their websites from ours. This helps cover the cost of operation of our free blog. Thanks for your support.
For more information, please visit our Disclaimer and Disclosure page.
