Highly Recommended
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Our Verdict
Nextrition dry dog food consists of four recipes each receive the Dog Food Advisor’s rating, 5 stars.
This product range is cold-pressed; cooked without high heat to retain more nutrients and flavor. The result is a more easily digestible dog food beneficial for gut health.
Pros
- Nutritionally rich food
- Single meat/fish protein source
- Wholesome natural ingredients
Cons
- Limited choice of recipes
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nextrition Lamb Recipe | 5 | A |
| Nextrition Chicken Recipe | 5 | A |
| Nextrition Salmon Recipe | 5 | A |
| Nextrition Beef Recipe | 5 | A |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Nextrition Salmon Recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Nextrition Salmon Recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Salmon, millet, sweet potato, pearled barley, salmon meal, sunflower oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), ground grain sorghum, natural flavor, dried carrots, skim milk powder, dried pumpkin, new zealand green mussels, dried apples, salmon oil, dried kelp, calcium carbonate, salt, choline chloride, dried blueberries, dried cranberries, dried spinach, yeast culture (postbiotics), dried chicory root (prebiotic), vitamins (vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement), minerals (zinc sulfate, iron sulfate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, copper sulfate, manganese sulfate, manganese proteinate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite), probiotics (dried enterococcus faecium fermentation extract, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation extract, dried aspergillus niger fermentation extract, dried trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, dried bacillus subtilus fermentation extract), rosemary extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4.5%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 28% | 10% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 33% | 12% | 48% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 30% | 26% | 44% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient 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 millet, a gluten-free grain harvested from certain seed grasses. Millet is hypoallergenic and naturally rich in B-vitamins and fiber as well as other essential minerals.
The third 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 fourth ingredient is pearled barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. However, aside from its energy content, this cereal grain is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The fifth ingredient is salmon meal. 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. 1
The sixth 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-3s, 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 seventh ingredient is sorghum. Sorghum (milo) is a starchy cereal grain with a nutrient profile similar to corn.
Since it is gluten-free and boasts a smoother blood sugar behavior than other grains, sorghum may be considered an acceptable non-meat ingredient.
After natural flavors we find carrots. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary 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 the product.
This recipe has six notable exceptions.
First, New Zealand green mussels. Mussels are clam-like animals notably rich in glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids, nutrients proven to support long-term joint health.
We also find yeast culture. Although yeast culture is high in B-vitamins and protein, it can also be used as a probiotic to aid in digestion.
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.
In addition, this food contains salmon oil. Salmon oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high-quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, salmon oil should be considered a commendable addition.
This recipe also contains probiotics, which are live yeasts and good bacteria that live in your body and are good for your digestive system. You can take probiotics as supplements or get them through food.
Lastly, chicory root. 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 used to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in a dog’s digestive tract.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Nextrition Salmon Recipe looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 32.8%, a fat level of 12.2% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 41.9%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 32.9% and a mean fat level of 13%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 40.9% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 40%.
This means this Nextrition dry dog food contains above-average protein, below-average carbohydrate and below-average fat when compared to typical dry dog food.
Nextrition Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Nextrition through February 2026.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Nextrition Dog Food
Although Nextrition dry product range only has four recipes, it is certainly worthy of the 5-stars the brand has earned in our review. The recipes are vet-formulated and contain quality meat or fish in the first ingredient. They are suitable for dogs of all life stages.
About
Nextrition Dog Food was founded by Jim Reimann, he had worked in the kibble industry for many years before discovering the cold-pressed method of making dog food.
He established a facility at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Utah to produce his brand and has partnered with Dr. Ruth MacPete, a leading veterinarian.
Compare Nextrition Dog Food
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