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
nowfresh wet product range is made up of four recipes with ratings varying from 3 to 5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 4 stars.
Featuring premium proteins and nutrient-rich superfoods, available in a variety of textures and high in moisture to promote hydration. Unfortunately, apart from the Small Breed recipe, the three others all have high fat-to-protein ratios, resulting in lower ratings.
Pros
- No by-product meals or meat meals
- Created by nutrition experts
- Exceptional ingredient standards
Cons
- Expensive
The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| nowfresh Ground Beef & Rice Dinner | 3 | A |
| nowfresh Ground Chicken & Rice Dinner | 3 | A |
| nowfresh Senior Chicken & Salmon Pate Grain-Free | 4 | M |
| nowfresh Small Breed Shredded Chicken & Broth Blend Grain-Free | 5 | A |
Recipe and Label Analysis
nowfresh Small Breed Shredded Chicken & Broth Blend Grain-Free was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
nowfresh Small Breed Shredded Chicken & Broth Blend Grain-Free
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
De-boned chicken, chicken broth, sunflower oil, tapioca, calcium sulphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, marine microalgae oil, flaxseed, choline chloride, minerals (zinc proteinate, ferrous fumarate, sodium selenite, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, potassium iodide), salt, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, thiamine mononitrate, niacin, vitamin A supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid), potassium chloride, magnesium sulphate, parsley, taurine
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 11% | 4% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 61% | 19% | 12% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 51% | 39% | 10% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.1
Chicken is naturally rich in the 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is chicken broth. Broths are of only modest nutritional value. Yet because they add both flavor and moisture to a dog food, they are a common component in many wet products.
The third ingredient is 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.
The fourth ingredient is tapioca a gluten-free, starchy carbohydrate extract made from the root of the cassava plant.
The fifth ingredient is calcium sulfate, a source of supplemental calcium.
The sixth ingredient is we note the inclusion of sodium hexametaphosphate, a man-made industrial polymer with no known nutritive value.
HMP is used in making soap, detergents, water treatment, metal finishing and most likely here to decrease tartar build-up on the teeth.
Although some might disagree, we’re of the opinion that food is not the place for tartar control chemicals or any other non-nutritive substances.
The seventh ingredient is marine microalgae oil is usually included as a plant based source of omega 3 fatty acid DHA. Studies have found DHA to be beneficial for many areas of the body, through reducing inflammation, as well as supporting brain and eye health.
The eighth 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 ninth ingredient is choline chloride, an essential B vitamin that naturally occurs in both plant and animals. It is found in meat, eggs, fish, liver, soybeans and wheat germ.
Because a dog cannot store choline chloride in its body, the nutrient must be replenished to avoid a deficiency. Choline chloride is a supplement required by both AAFCO and the FDA.
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 the product.
This recipe has one notable exception.
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.
We view the presence of taurine in this recipe as a positive addition.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, nowfresh Small Breed Shredded Chicken & Broth Blend Grain-Free looks like an above-average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 60%, a fat level of 25% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 4%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 39.7% and a mean fat level of 28.8%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 20.5% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 79%.
This means this nowfresh wet product line contains below-average protein, above-average carbohydrate, and above-average fat, when compared to typical wet dog food.
nowfresh Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to nowfresh through December 2025.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of nowfresh Dog Food
nowfresh recipes are tailored by experts, using premium ingredients that are minimally processed to preserve maximum nutritional value.
About
Family-owned Canadian pet food company Petcurean launched Now Fresh in 2007.
Best friends Ron Mayert and Dan Vanleeuwen founded Petcurean in 1999 in Fraser Valley, British Columbia, Canada. Petcurean produces several other pet food brands, including Go! Solutions, Gather, and Summit.
Compare nowfresh Dog Food
How does nowfresh 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.
