Discovering the Quality of Rachael Ray Dog Food
In this comprehensive review, we will explore Rachael Ray Nutrish Dog Food and its collection of six popular sub-brands. We will delve into critical aspects such as the origin of production, any recalls, and the highest-rated flavors and recipes. So, let’s get started!
Which Rachael Ray Sub-Brand Is Ideal for Your Dog?
Within the following section, you’ll discover Rachael Ray’s six most favored sub-brands. We’ll highlight what distinguishes each one, allowing you to choose the perfect food for your furry friend.
A Brief Overview of Rachael Ray’s Sub-Brands
If you’re still unsure which Rachael Ray sub-brand suits your needs, you can watch a short video provided by Chewy for valuable guidance.
Who Is the Manufacturer of Rachael Ray Dog Food?
In 2018, Ainsworth Pet Nutrition sold Rachael Ray Nutrish to Big Heart Pet Brands, a division of The J. M. Smucker Company located in Orville, Ohio. All dry food products are proudly made in the United States, while the wet recipes come from Thailand.
Has Rachael Ray Dog Food Ever Been Recalled?
Please find below a comprehensive list of all recalls related to Rachael Ray dog products since 2009. We continuously provide timely updates as new recalls emerge for your convenience.
No recalls have been reported.
Stay Informed with Free Lifesaving Recall Alerts
Receive prompt recall notifications directly to your email inbox by subscribing to The Dog Food Advisor’s recall notification list, ensuring your beloved pet’s safety.
Is Rachael Ray a Reliable Dog Food Brand?
Rating:
Rachael Ray Nutrish Dog Food has received an impressive rating of 4 stars from The Advisor.
Ratings for Individual Recipes
The Rachael Ray Nutrish product line consists of 8 dry dog foods. Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile, indicating whether it is suitable for growth, maintenance, all life stages, supplemental, or unspecified. Click on the links below to check prices and available package sizes from an online retailer.
| Product | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Rachael Ray Nutrish Little Bites | 4 | A |
| Rachael Ray Nutrish Bright Puppy | 4 | A |
| Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Beef, Pea and Brown Rice | 4 | M |
| Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Chicken and Veggies | 4 | M |
| Rachael Ray Nutrish Turkey, Brown Rice and Venison | 4 | M |
| Rachael Ray Nutrish SuperMedleys Wellness Blend | 4 | M |
| Rachael Ray Nutrish SuperMedleys Vitality Blend | 4 | M |
| Rachael Ray Nutrish Large Breed | 3.5 | A |
Recipe and Label Analysis
For a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis, we have selected Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Chicken and Veggies as representative of the other products in the line. Please note that the label and nutrient data presented are calculated using a dry matter basis.
Analyzing the Ingredients
The primary ingredient in this dog food is chicken. While it is a high-quality item, raw chicken contains up to 73% water, most of which is lost during cooking. As a result, the meat content significantly reduces after processing.
The second ingredient is chicken meal, a concentrated form of meat that contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
Dried peas, the third ingredient, provide beneficial carbohydrates along with natural dietary fiber. It’s worth considering that dried peas contain approximately 27% protein, which affects the meat content evaluation of this dog food.
Soybean meal, the following ingredient, is a by-product of soybean oil production commonly found in animal feeds. Although soybean meal contains 48% protein, its nutritional value is lower than that of meat.
Corn, the fifth ingredient, is an inexpensive and debated cereal grain. While it provides energy, its nutritional value for dogs is limited.
Beet pulp, the sixth ingredient, is a fiber-rich by-product of sugar beet processing. Its inclusion is a subject of controversy.
Chicken fat, the seventh ingredient, is derived from rendering chicken and is rich in linoleic acid, an essential omega-6 fatty acid.
Pea starch, the eighth ingredient, serves as a gluten-free carbohydrate extract used as a binder for making kibble. Its nutritional value for dogs is moderate.
Corn gluten meal, listed as the ninth ingredient, is the rubbery residue left after most starchy carbohydrates are washed out of corn. Although it contains protein, its nutritional value is lower than that of meat.
Other Noteworthy Ingredients
Beyond the listed ingredients, several other items are present. It is important to note that ingredients positioned lower in the list (excluding nutritional supplements) have limited impact on the overall rating of this Nutrish product.
Four notable exceptions are:
-
Alfalfa nutrient concentrate, a vitamin and mineral-rich extract made from alfalfa. Although it contains over 50% protein, its nutritional value is lower than that of meat.
-
Absence of probiotics, which are friendly bacteria promoting healthy digestion when applied to the kibble surface after processing.
-
Minerals that do not appear to be chelated, making them less absorbable. Chelated minerals are commonly associated with higher-quality dog foods.
-
Menadione, a controversial form of vitamin K linked to certain health issues. Since AAFCO does not require vitamin K in nutrient profiles, its inclusion in any canine recipe raises concerns.
Summary of Nutrients
Based on its ingredients alone, Rachael Ray Nutrish Dog Food appears to be an average dry dog food. The dry matter protein content is 29%, with 16% fat and estimated carbohydrates of approximately 48%. As a brand, Rachael Ray features an average protein content of 29% and a mean fat level of 15%, suggesting a carbohydrate content of 48% for the overall product line. The fat-to-protein ratio is approximately 52%, indicating a significant amount of meat in the kibble.
Our Rating for Rachael Ray Dog Food
The Dog Food Advisor considers Rachael Ray an above-average, grain-inclusive kibble. Notably, the recipe utilizes a substantial quantity of fresh meat and named meat meal as the primary sources of animal protein, earning the brand an impressive 4 stars. Nutrish Peak and Nutrish Dish each receive 4.5 stars. We highly recommend this product.
User Reviews of Rachael Ray
As of now, Rachael Ray receives an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from Chewy customers. An overwhelming 92% of them recommend this brand to others. Here’s an actual user review:
Sample buyer review: “When the food arrived, we immediately noticed a difference compared to other brands we’ve used. Both dogs followed me into the pantry and inspected the bag from top to bottom. They were even drooling as I placed the food in their bowls. We haven’t had to add anything extra to their meals, and they won’t leave until their bowls are completely empty. For us, the price of this brand is well worth it.”
To read more buyer reviews, visit Chewy.com.
Rachael Ray’s Best Recipes
Based on popularity and ratings, here are our seven most recommended Rachael Ray flavors and recipes:
- Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Chicken and Veggies Dry
- Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Beef, Pea, and Brown Rice Dry
- Rachael Ray Nutrish Just 6 Natural Lamb Meal and Brown Rice Dry
- Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Natural Turkey and Potato Grain-Free Dry
- Rachael Ray Nutrish Peak Grain-Free Natural Open Range Recipe Dry
- Rachael Ray Nutrish Dish Natural Chicken and Brown Rice Dry
- Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Hearty Beef Stew Wet
More Rachael Ray Reviews
For additional Rachael Ray dog food reviews by The Dog Food Advisor, please refer to the following articles on our website:
- Rachael Ray Nutrish Dish Dog Food Review (Dry)
- Rachael Ray Nutrish Dog Food Review (Trays)
- Rachael Ray Nutrish Limited Ingredient Dog Food Review (Dry)
- Rachael Ray Nutrish Peak Dog Food Review (Dry)
- Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Dog Food Review (Dry)
A Final Word
The Dog Food Advisor’s reviews are independent and not influenced by money, gifts, samples, or other incentives. However, we do receive referral fees from online retailers like Chewy or Amazon, as well as sellers of perishable pet food when readers click through to their websites from ours. These fees help cover the operating costs of our blog. Thank you for your support.
For more information, please visit our Disclaimer and Disclosure page.
References
Last Update: November 16, 2021