Strengths

Nutrience uses high-quality animal proteins as the first ingredient in all of their diets, such as deboned beef, fresh chicken, or turkey. This is a strong indicator of ingredient quality, as fresh animal proteins provide essential amino acids that support muscle development, immune function, and overall vitality in dogs. Prioritizing whole, fresh meats at the top of the ingredient list also suggests that the brand values biologically appropriate nutrition and strives to create formulas that align more closely with a dog’s natural dietary needs. While fresh meats do contain moisture that cooks out during processing, their inclusion still contributes significantly to the flavor, palatability, and nutritional integrity of each recipe.

To balance nutrition with affordability, Nutrience also incorporates animal protein meals—such as salmon meal or chicken meal—into many of their formulas. This practice is common in the pet food industry and is not inherently negative; in fact, high-quality meat meals can be an excellent source of concentrated protein because they contain significantly less moisture than fresh meats. As a result, meat meals offer a dense, nutrient-rich protein source that helps maintain consistent amino acid levels throughout the final product. Their inclusion allows Nutrience to keep costs reasonable for consumers while still providing a diet that meets a dog’s protein requirements effectively.

Importantly, Nutrience does not use any by-product protein meals, such as generic “meat and bone meal,” in their diets. This is a notable positive because by-product meals are generally considered lower quality, are more variable in nutrient composition, and are often less digestible than named meat meals like chicken meal or lamb meal. By avoiding these lower-quality protein sources, Nutrience ensures better consistency, digestibility, and overall nutrient absorption in their formulas. This choice reflects a commitment to higher ingredient standards and contributes to better long-term health support for the dogs consuming their products. For more on why protein quality matters for dogs, see that post.

Considerations

Nutrience does use some processed plant-protein ingredients, such as pea protein concentrate and potato protein, in several of its recipes. While these ingredients are considered safe and nutritionally viable, they are not as high-quality or as bioavailable as animal-based proteins like chicken, turkey, or fish meals. Plant proteins tend to have lower digestibility and may lack certain essential amino acids that dogs require for optimal muscle maintenance, immune function, and overall health. Additionally, because plant protein concentrates can artificially inflate the total protein percentage on the guaranteed analysis, they don’t always reflect the same nutritional value as protein derived from animal tissue. For most healthy dogs, these ingredients are not harmful, but from a nutritionist’s perspective, diets that rely more heavily on animal-based proteins are generally preferable for supporting long-term wellness.

Strengths

Nutrience’s carbohydrate sources are generally less processed than those found in many competing brands, as they avoid using highly refined ingredients such as flours, corn meal, or other heavily milled plant products. Instead, their formulas rely on more intact carbohydrate ingredients that preserve natural fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This approach supports better digestion and helps maintain more stable energy levels throughout the day. By steering clear of overly processed carbohydrate fillers, Nutrience enhances the overall nutritional quality and bioavailability of their diets, making them a more wholesome option for dogs.

Their grain-free formulas focus on low-glycemic ingredients such as lentils, chickpeas, and sweet potatoes—carbohydrates known for their slower digestion and steadier impact on blood sugar levels. These ingredients also contribute plant-based protein, fiber, and micronutrients, helping support sustained energy and digestive health. In their grain-inclusive diets, Nutrience opts for whole grains like brown rice, barley, and oats. These grains are highly digestible for most dogs and offer soluble and insoluble fibers that promote healthy bowel movements, balanced gut flora, and overall gastrointestinal health. This thoughtful selection of carbohydrate sources makes the formulas suitable for a wide variety of dogs, including those with sensitivities to refined grains.

Nutrience further strengthens the digestive and immune-support benefits of their recipes by including functional ingredients such as pumpkin, chicory root, and kelp. Pumpkin is rich in soluble fiber, which aids digestion and helps regulate stool consistency. Chicory root provides natural prebiotics—specifically inulin—that nourish beneficial gut bacteria and support digestive efficiency. Kelp contributes valuable trace minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients that support immune function, thyroid health, and overall metabolic balance. Together, these ingredients enhance nutrient absorption and help promote long-term wellness in dogs. To understand how to read nutrient percentages accurately, see my post on as-fed vs. dry matter analysis.

Considerations

There are a number of fiber sources with relatively low digestibility in some of Nutrience’s recipes, and these ingredients contribute little to the dog’s overall nutritional profile. Components such as Miscanthus grass and alfalfa are often added primarily as bulking agents or fillers rather than meaningful nutrient contributors. While these fibrous ingredients can help increase stool volume and may play a minor role in supporting digestive regularity, they do not provide essential nutrients, amino acids, or significant health benefits. For dogs with sensitive stomachs or those requiring higher-quality, more digestible fiber sources, these ingredients may be less desirable compared to options like pumpkin, beet pulp, or oats, which offer both functional fiber and nutritional value.

Strengths

Salmon oil is a consistent feature across many formulas, providing quality omega-3 fatty acids that support skin, coat, and immune function. For a broader look at omega-3 sources, see my post on the best omega-3 sources for dogs and cats.

Considerations

Some of Nutrience’s diets include animal fats, such as chicken fat, primarily to enhance the flavor and palatability of the kibble. While these fats do contribute some energy in the form of calories, their inclusion is largely aimed at making the food more appealing and enjoyable for dogs, rather than providing significant nutritional benefits. Chicken fat is relatively low in essential fatty acids compared to sources like salmon oil or flaxseed, so it doesn’t substantially contribute to omega-3 or omega-6 intake. However, from a practical standpoint, palatability is important in ensuring that dogs consistently eat their meals, particularly for picky eaters or dogs transitioning between foods, making the inclusion of small amounts of animal fat a useful strategy from a feeding perspective.

Across the product lines, Nutrience’s macronutrient profiles are generally appropriate for adult dogs. Ranges below cover the full lineup. Note that all values are as-fed — if you want to compare formulas more accurately, use my dry matter calculator.