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Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Dog Food Review (Dry)

Home Reviews Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Dog Food Review (Dry)

Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Dog Food Review (Dry)

By Mike Sagman

Updated: March 28, 2024

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Which Rachael Ray Nutrish Recipes Get Our Best Ratings?

Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Dog Food receives the Advisors second-highest tier rating of 4.5 stars.

The Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain product line includes the 2 dry dog foods listed below.

Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile when available Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Recipe and Label Analysis

Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Chicken and Sweet Potato was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.

Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Chicken and Sweet Potato

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Chicken, chicken meal, sweet potato, sunflower meal, pea starch, dried peas, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), whole flaxseed, tapioca, whole dried potato, turkey meal, salmon meal, canola meal, natural flavor, salt, dried plain beet pulp, menhaden fish meal, taurine, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, ascorbic acid (source of vitamin C), niacin, vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate, D-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin D3 supplement), minerals (ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, sodium selenite, manganese sulfate, calcium iodate), choline chloride, zinc sulfate, citric acid (preservative), rosemary extract

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 5%

Red denotes any controversial items

Ingredient Analysis

The first ingredient in this dog food 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 eleven essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.

The second ingredient is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.

The third ingredient is sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates in a cat food. They are naturally rich in dietary fiber and beta carotene.

The next ingredient includes sunflower meal, a by-product of the oil extraction process and an item more typically found in feed for livestock.

Although sunflower meal contains about 34% protein, it 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 actual meat content of this dog food.

The fifth ingredient is pea starch, a paste-like, gluten-free carbohydrate extract probably used here as a binder for making kibble. Aside from its energy content (calories), pea starch is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

The sixth ingredient lists dried peas. Dried peas are a good source of carbohydrates. Plus theyre naturally rich in dietary fiber.

However, dried peas contain about 27% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.

The seventh ingredient is chicken fat. This item is obtained from rendering chicken, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.

Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesnt sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.

The ninth ingredient is flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided theyve 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.

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 Rachael Ray product.

With 4 notable exceptions

First, beet pulp is a controversial ingredient, a high fiber by-product of sugar beet processing.

Some denounce beet pulp as an inexpensive filler while others cite its outstanding intestinal health and blood sugar benefits.

We only call your attention here to the controversy and believe the inclusion of beet pulp in reasonable amounts in most dog foods is entirely acceptable.

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, the minerals listed here do not appear to be chelated. And that can make them more difficult to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually associated with higher quality dog foods.

And lastly, this recipe contains sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Dog Food looks like an above-average dry product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 29%, a fat level of 16% and estimated carbohydrates of about 48%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 29% and a mean fat level of 16%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 48% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 54%.

Which means this Rachael Ray product line contains

Near-average protein. Near-average fat. And near-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.

Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the dried potato, sunflower meal, dried peas and flaxseed, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a notable amount of meat.

Our Rating of Rachael Ray Nutrish Dog Food

Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain is a grain-free dry dog food using a notable amount of named meat meals as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4.5 stars.

Highly recommended.

Rachael Ray Dog Food Recall History

The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Rachael Ray through March 2022.

No recalls noted.

You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.

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The following Rachael Ray dog food reviews are also posted on this website:

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A Final Word

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Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero-Grain Dog Food Review 2024: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Our Final Verdict

We give Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero-Grain Dog Food a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars:

Introduction

Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero-Grain Dog Food is a selection of dog foods from the Rachael Ray Nutrish line, a premium pet products line at an affordable price. Its designed by celebrity chef and TV personality, Rachael Ray. She started the Nutrish line for her own pet and wanted to share her dog food recipes with other dog lovers. Made in the USA, a portion of each bag sold goes to pet charities and local animal shelters in need.

Nutrish Zero-Grain Dog Food is mostly marketed towards dog owners looking for a premium dog food at an affordable price. It offers grain-free recipes geared towards dogs that have a food sensitivity to grains like oats, wheat, and rice. There are also several different flavors to offer a wider range for dogs that may have pickier palettes. Heres our breakdown of Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero-Grain Dog Food.

At a Glance: The Best Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero-Grain Dog Food Recipes:

Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero-Grain Reviewed

About Rachael Ray Pet Products

Rachael Ray for Dogs and Cats was founded in 2008 after the famous celebrity chef wanted to create a dog food for her Pit Bull, Isaboo. Rachael Ray has been involved in multiple product promotions, including Nabisco crackers. A huge animal advocate herself, Ray continues to support local shelters and charities from her pet product line. She also founded Rachaels Rescue, an adoption program to help find homes for pets in need.

The Nutrish wet food line is made in both Thailand and the United States, but the Nutrish dry food recipes for both dogs and cats are solely produced in the U.S. Theyre manufactured by Ainsworth Pet Nutrition in Pennsylvania, manufactures the Walmart-exclusive Pure Balance brand as well. Except for a dismissed lawsuit in 2017, the company has not been involved in any major controversies.

Which Types of Dogs is Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero-Grain Best Suited For?

Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero-Grain is best suited for dogs that need higher quality ingredients than the average dog food, with no grains that can cause allergic reactions or digestive issues. Although its not the best grain-free dog food, its certainly one of the better grain-free options on the market. Nutrish Zero-Grain may also work well with picky dogs since other brands tend to only carry one or two grain-free flavors.

Which Types of Dogs Might Do Better with a Different Brand?

If your dog has protein-based allergies, Rachael Ray Zero-Grain Nutrish is not the best option. All of the Zero-Grain recipes have chicken meal in addition to different protein sources, which can cause redness and itchy skin if your dog is allergic to poultry. Except for this one potential issue, Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero-Grain is a good option for grain-free dog diets. For dogs with itchy skin caused from poultry or beef protein, we recommend trying Purina Pro Plan Focus Sensitive Skin & Stomach (Salmon & Rice Formula)

Price Range

Rachael Ray products are marketed as premium products at an affordable price. Being neither cheap nor expensive, Rachael Ray products are right in the middle of the price range. Comparable brands in price:

• Iams
• American Journey
• Natural Balance

Recall History

Although the company has been around for over a decade, there havent been many recalls. The only recall to date was in 2015 for cat products that may have contained elevated levels of Vitamin D, which can be toxic to dogs and cats in high doses. Aside from this one situation, there havent been any other Rachael Ray pet product recalls since.

A Quick Look at Rachael Ray Nutrish Pet Products

• Designed by celebrity chef Rachael Ray
• A portion of each sale of dog food goes to charity
• Above-average quality at an affordable price

• Some Rachael Ray products are made in Thailand and not the USA
• The brand was sued for false advertising over the word natural

Discussion of the Primary Ingredients

Real Meat or Fish

Real fish, beef, or poultry is always the first ingredient in the Nutrish Zero-Grain recipes. Whole meats are important to have on the top of the list, but its equally important to know that ingredient lists are done by weight (the heavier the ingredient, the higher on the list it goes.)

Whole ingredients are weighed before cooking and processing, which can be made up of 70-80% water. This means that it may not actually have as much meat as it claims once the food is fully processed and cooked, making the whole meat as the first ingredient rule somewhat misleading.

• Important Tip: Its still important to have whole meat as one of the first 3 ingredients instead of filler ingredients like corn or soy. Avoid foods that have these fillers as the first five ingredients as theyre used to cut costs and save money, while also giving your dog subpar nutrition.

Chicken Meal

The Zero-Grain selection of recipes also contains Chicken Meal as either the second, third, or fourth ingredient. Chicken meal is whole chicken meat with skin and sometimes bone particles that are crushed up and processed together. It doesnt contain feathers, feet, heads, or intestinal parts of the chicken, making it a safe ingredient to have in dog food.

Chicken meal may sound bad or controversial, but theyre much higher in protein than whole meats. Unlike whole meats, protein meals like Chicken Meal do not lose nearly as much in water during cooking and processing.

• Important Tip: Chicken meal should not be confused with chicken-byproduct, which should be avoided as much as possible in any dog food or treat. Unlike meals, byproducts contain all of the extra parts of the chicken that have little to no nutritional value.

Sweet Potatoes

All of the Zero-Grain recipes contain sweet potatoes, which can be safe and nutritious for dogs. Theyre packed with nutrients and flavor, as well as offering your dog an essential carbohydrate. Sweet potatoes are also loaded in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that may help reduce or prevent cancer and heart disease.

The problem with sweet potatoes is the chance of your dog building a sensitivity to it, which may lead to itching and yeast infections. This is due to the fact that sweet potatoes turn into sugar, which can cause these problems.

• Important Tip: If your dog has multiple allergies, stick to foods without potatoes. Rachael Ray Nutrish Just 6 Natural Dog Food is a limited ingredient dog food with no potatoes in it, while still maintaining the Nutrish brand and price.

Peas

Each variety of Zero-Grain contains dried peas, which are high in protein and carbohydrates. While those seem like great benefits, there has been a rising concern about feeding peas over a long period of time. While some studies have linked peas to an increase in heart and gastrointestinal issues, other studies have not shown the same link.

• Important Tip: Talk to your veterinarian before changing your dogs diet. If your dog shows any abnormal signs right after starting a new food, call your vet or your local animal hospital immediately.

Review of Our Favorite Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero-Grain Dog Food Recipe

Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Natural Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (3.5/5)

Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Natural Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is a premium grain-free dog food at a lower cost than other premium brands. Its made with whole salmon, chicken meal, and other natural ingredients without any grains or filler ingredients.

This kibble seems to be popular in terms of taste, so its great for dogs that may refuse other brands. However, it does contain two different sources of animal protein, which can cause itchy, dry skin. It also contains sweet potatoes, which may cause yeast infections in some dogs.

Overall, Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero-Grain Natural Salmon & Sweet Potato Dog Food is decent grain-free dog food. If your dog doesnt have protein sensitivities and youre looking for a grain-free option, Nutrish Zero-Grain can be a good option.

Guaranteed Analysis:

Calorie Breakdown:

• Premium brand that isnt too expensive
• Uses whole ingredients with no fillers
• Great taste that most dogs will eat

• Contains multiple protein sources
• Contains sweet potatoes (may cause yeast infections)

What Other Users Are Saying

Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero-Grain is a pretty popular choice for dog owners, often being compared to brands that have been around for much longer. Here are some things that others are saying about Zero-Grain:

• HerePup a successful line that can offer a lot of quality for your pet at a great price.
• Dog Food Guru Overall we think this is a good food and most dogs should do well on it

Conclusion

Overall, it seems that the Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero-Grain dog food selection is slightly above average in quality. Although its low in price, we do think there are better food options for a little more than the price of a Nutrish bag. However, this brand can work for low budgets, as well as dogs that may refuse everything else.

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