Nutra Nuggets Dog Food Review (Dry)

Nutra Nuggets is one of the many brands owned by Diamond Pet Foods, a major player in the pet food industry, producing for numerous brands worldwide like Taste of the wild. While conducting this review, we encountered challenges in obtaining certain key information and specific nutrient levels, making it difficult to fully assess the quality of these kibbles.

Nutra Nuggets Dog Food Ratings

Here’s our analysis of this brand recipes.

Nutra-Nuggets US Puppy

43/100

Puppies require higher levels of fats, proteins, and specific minerals like calcium for optimal growth. These nutritional needs are well-addressed in this formula. We regret the high carbohydrate content, especially considering the significant glycemic load it introduces. We also note the inclusion of corn and wheat is not ideal for dogs, as these ingredients are less digestible and can contribute to food sensitivities or allergies in some dogs.

Nutra-Nuggets US Lamb Meal & Rice Dog

39/100

This recipe offers alternatives to corn, such as peas, though wheat is still present. It is lower in protein and consequently higher in carbohydrates. However, lamb serves as a good alternative protein source, especially for dogs with allergies to chicken or beef. It’s important to note that white rice and wheat flour have very high glycemic loads. Frequent glycemic spikes can lead to insulin resistance, weight gain, and increased risk of diabetes in dogs.

Nutra-Nuggets US Performance Dog

41/100

This recipe offers no significant innovations, aside from a slight increase in fat and a minimal rise in protein. However, the protein levels may be insufficient to support and promote muscle growth. The carbohydrate content remains high, providing energy for active dogs, but the glycemic load of the ingredients is still a concern.

Nutra-Nuggets US Professional Dog

41/100

This is likely the most promising recipe from the brand, with improved nutrient levels to support energy needs and help maintain muscle mass and fat reserves of working dogs. However, the Sheriff Score remains modest due to the lack of essential information, such as calcium, phosphorus, and ash content—key factors in assessing the quality of animal proteins used.

Nutra-nuggets US Grain Free Formulation

42/100

A grain-free recipe with a solid source of animal protein like beef. The inclusion of taurine is a welcome addition, crucial for grain-free diets due to the rising concerns about cardiomyopathy in some grain-free recipes.

NUTRA-NUGGETS US BEEF & RICE DOG

34/100

A solid source of protein with “pasture-raised beef,” but this recipe is the lowest in essential macronutrients among the brand’s offerings. It shares the same shortcomings as previous recipes, such as low nutrient density and the presence of high-glycemic carbohydrates.

Our Opinion

Nutra Nuggets provides a range of formulas catering to different life stages and energy needs. However, the reliance on plant based protein, high carbohydrate content, and the presence of controversial ingredients like corn and wheat flour diminish the overall quality. The Sheriff Score reflects these concerns (And the inability to accurately assess protein quality due to the lack of nutritional information). While some formulas may meet basic nutritional needs, they may fall short of providing the right amount of proteins some dogs need, except for the US performance Professional Dog which is more interesting.

Please note that the Sheriff Score could potentially be higher if more nutritional information and details about the processing methods were available.