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
Nature’s Recipe canned product range consists of three recipes, each receiving the Dog Food Advisor’s rating of 4.5 stars.
A wet, grain-free range crafted with real protein as the first ingredient, combined with essential vitamins and minerals, and featuring pumpkin and sweet potato, which are naturally rich in dietary fibre and beta-carotene.
Pros
- Real meat or fish is the first-listed ingredient
- No added grains, corn, or wheat ingredients, no poultry by-product meal, and no artificial preservatives or flavors
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Only suitable for adult dogs
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nature’s Recipe Grain Free Beef, Sweet Potato, and Pumpkin | 4.5 | M |
| Nature’s Recipe Grain Free Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Pumpkin | 4.5 | M |
| Nature’s Recipe Grain Free Salmon, Sweet Potato, and Pumpkin | 4.5 | M |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Nature’s Recipe Grain Free Salmon, Sweet Potato, and Pumpkin was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Nature’s Recipe Grain Free Salmon, Sweet Potato, and Pumpkin
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Salmon, chicken, chicken broth, turkey broth, sweet potato, pumpkin, chicken liver, apple, ground fish, pea protein, turkey, canola oil, salt, guar gum, carrageenan, calcium carbonate, potassium chloride, zinc proteinate, zinc sulfate, iron sulfate, iron proteinate, copper sulfate, copper proteinate, sodium selenite, manganese sulfate, manganese proteinate, calcium iodate, thiamine mononitrate, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate source of vitamin C, vitamin E supplement, nicotinic acid, d-calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, riboflavin supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1.5%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 8% | 5% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 36% | 23% | 33% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 29% | 44% | 26% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food is salmon. Salmon is an oily marine and freshwater fish not only high in protein but also omega 3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every dog to sustain life.
The second 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 next two ingredients are chicken and turkey 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 fifth ingredient is sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates in a dog food. They are naturally rich in dietary fiber and beta carotene.
The sixth ingredient is pumpkin. Pumpkin is a nutritious addition high in complex carbohydrates, beta-carotene and dietary fiber.
The seventh ingredient is chicken liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The eighth ingredient is apple, a nutrient-rich fruit that’s also high in fiber.
The ninth ingredient is ground fish. Because it is considered a meat concentrate, fish meal contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself.
Fish meal is typically obtained from the “clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings” of commercial fish operations.2
Unfortunately, this particular item is anonymous. Because various fish contain different types of fats, we would have preferred to have known the source species.
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 Nature’s Recipe product line.
With two notable exceptions…
First, we find pea protein, what remains of a pea after removing the starchy part of the vegetable.
Even though it contains over 80% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat.
And less costly plant-based products like this can notably boost the total protein reported on the label – a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.
Next, this food includes 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.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Nature’s Recipe Grain Free Salmon, Sweet Potato, and Pumpkin food looks like an above-average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 36.5%, a fat level of 23.1% and estimated carbohydrates of about 28.8%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 36.5% and a mean fat level of 23.1%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 28.8% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 63%.
Which means this Nature’s Recipe product line contains…
Below-average protein. Below-average fat. And above-average carbs when compared to a typical wet dog food.
Nature's Recipe Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Nature's Recipe through January 2026.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Nature's Recipe Grain Free Dog Food
Nature’s Recipe is a grain-free canned dog food using a moderate amount of named meats as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4.5 stars.
About
Nature’s Recipe was founded in 1981 by Jeffrey Bennett. In 2023, following several owners, Nature’s Recipe was among several pet food brands acquired by Post Holdings. Nature’s Recipe was founded in 1981 by Jeffrey Bennett. Following several owners in 2023, Nature’s Recipe was one of several pet food brands acquired by Post Holdings.
Compare Nature's Recipe Grain Free Dog Food
How does Nature's Recipe Grain Free 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.
