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Simply Nourish Dog Food Review 2024: Recalls, Pros & Cons

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Simply Nourish Dog Food Review

Our Final Verdict

We give Simply Nourish dog food a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Simply Nourish dog food is an exclusive all-natural PetSmart brand. It features many varieties of formulas and recipes to suit all life stages and dietary needs of your pet. Launched in 2011, this private label dog food company has designed its meals to promote and support your dog’s overall well-being.

In the article below we will discuss all the important aspects of the Simply Nourish dog food brand. We will give you the details on the nutritional value, ingredients, recall history, manufacturing, and much more. We will even share a few drawbacks of the pup chow that you should be aware of before buying.

Keep reading so you can decide on what is best for your furry friend.

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At a Glance: The Best Simply Nourish Dog Food Recipes

Rating Image Product Details
Our Favorite
Winner
SIMPLY NOURISH Small Breed Adult Dry SIMPLY NOURISH Small Breed Adult Dry
  • Contains a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin
  • Made with brown rice
  • Includes real vegetables and fruits
  • Second place
    SIMPLY NOURISH Adult Dry SIMPLY NOURISH Adult Dry
  • Adult kibble
  • Real deboned lamb
  • turkey meal and lamb meal
  • Made with brown rice
  • Third place
    SIMPLY NOURISH Grain Free Chicken & Beef Stew SIMPLY NOURISH Grain Free Chicken & Beef Stew
  • Real meat is the #1 ingredient
  • Wet food
  • Comes in shreds
  • Simply Nourish Grain Free Simply Nourish Grain Free
  • Fun and delicious
  • Promotes hip and joint support
  • Comes in shreds for digestion support
  • SIMPLY NOURISH Small Breed Senior Adult Dry SIMPLY NOURISH Small Breed Senior Adult Dry
  • Small breed senior kibble
  • Promotes healthy joints
  • With flaxseed as a source of omega-3 fatty acid
  • Simply Nourish Dog Food Reviewed

    Simply Nourish dog food is a PetSmart exclusively sold brand, however, you can find it on sites such as Amazon. This is an all-natural dog food that provides your pet with the nutrition they need regardless of their health or age. One of the notable benefits of this dog food is their multiple recipes. Not only that, but this dog food contains many nutrients, supplements, vitamins, and minerals that will keep your dog healthy and happy.

    Below, we will take a look at the different options you have under this label. We will also touch base on the different flavors and pet food lines they produced, as well.

    An Overview of Products

    This dog food company offers a variety of products you can choose from. Not only do they carry the standard wet and dry meals, but they also manufacture biscuits and bakery items, chewy treats, food toppers, stews, freeze-dried raw food, and jerky treats.

    You should also note that there are two separate lines within this brand. There is the Original and Source formula which provides maximum protein and lower carbs. Outside of that, you also have a variety of formulas and dietary meals depending on your dog’s needs.

    When it comes to life stages, you can choose from either a puppy, adult, or senior meal. These three age brackets are also broken down into more categories such as limited ingredient diets, healthy weight, grain-free, and high protein options.

    Take a look at the overall sub-genres of meals you can choose from:

    Adult
    • Limited ingredient diet for large and small breeds, puppies, and seniors
    • Small breed Adult food
    • Large breed Adult food
    • Grain-free
    • Puppy
    • Healthy weight
    • Gluten-free
    • Senior
    • High protein
    • Limited ingredient diet with grain

    If those options weren’t enough, you also have different recipes to choose from, as well, depending on your dog’s taste. Take a look at the different meats, grains, and vegetables that are offered through this brand.

    Protein
    • Beef
    • Chicken
    • Duck
    • Fish
    • Lamb
    • Pork
    • Turkey
    • Salmon
    Grains and Vegetables
    • Sweet potatoes
    • Brown rice
    • Oatmeal
    • Peas
    • Potato

    Each of these formulas are made with meat, poultry, or fish as their first ingredient followed by vegetables and grains to add the remaining nutritional value. That being said, Simply Nourish produces its food without any artificial ingredients or fillers, plus you will find no corn, wheat, or soy.

    Who Makes Simply Nourish and Where Is It Produced?

    As we have mentioned, Simply Nourish pet food is a private label brand that launched in 2011. It was originally exclusively sold in PetSmart stores; however, you can now find it at online retailers such as Amazon. Simply Nourish pet food has its headquarters in Phoenix Arizona, yet it is manufactured by American Nutrition who has facilities in Washington, Utah, and Pennsylvania.

    American Nutrition has been manufacturing products since 1972, and they are a US-based company. Their facilities meet the USDA, AAFCO, and FDA standards, as well. As a well-respected and well-known company, they source their fruits and vegetables in local Midwest farms, however, other ingredients (including protein) are sourced worldwide.

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

    As you can see above, Simply Nourish dog food offers a wide variety of formulas that makes it difficult to find a pet that would not benefit from one formula or another. That being said, there are two exceptions to this rule that we wanted to touch base on.

    First, this can be a hard food to transition to especially if your pet is not used to natural ingredients and high protein. We recommend that you transition your pet slowly by adding small amounts of food into their normal diet once-daily.

    The second issue is that the raw diet and some of the dry meals can be hard to digest for some dogs. If you have a pet that already has digestive issues or a sensitive stomach, you may want to try Natures Recipe Easy To Digest Chicken Meal, Rice, and Barley Dry Dog Food instead. This brand’s formula is easy on the stomach and allows them to process the food more easily.

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    Nutritional Overview

    Although Simply Nourish offers a multitude of food items such as their treats and food toppers, we are going to concentrate on the main meals in the form of their wet and dry food.

    As you have seen, Simply Nourish dog food has a lot of nutritional value simply based on their all-natural formula that is manufactured without any artificial ingredients, fillers, or wheat, corn, and soy. That is not the end of the story, however, as there are many other additional benefits, as well. Take a look at these important supplements and vitamins that will keep your pet strong and healthy.

    • Glucosamine: This is an important ingredient for senior dog formulas as it supports joint health. It can help reduce any swelling that may be causing discomfort, plus it can also help prevent joint breakdown in younger dogs that are predisposed to arthritis.
    • Chondroitin: This is another joint supporting ingredient; however, research has shown that it is not as effective without the glucosamine support.
    • Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids: Fatty acids are essential for many parts of your pet system. First, they are very beneficial to your pet’s skin and coat. Not only that, but they can also help with your pet’s immune system and cardiovascular wellness.
    • Biotin: Although this supplement is typically lower on the list of ingredients, it is very beneficial as it helps the other nutrients and vitamins soak into your pet’s system.
    • Superfoods: Superfoods, such as kale and pumpkin, are added to pet foods to promote overall health. They typically have natural enzymes that will promote your pets and digestive system, as well as maintain a healthy coat and immune system.
    • Vitamins: Vitamins such as A, E, D, and B complex are also essential ingredients for your dog. So, they all provide different benefits, they are essential for your pet’s well-being.

    Though these are certainly not all of the nutrients and supplements within the Simply Nourish brand, they are the most recognized as part of the overall nutrition of this product.

    Nutritional Values

    The nutritional value of your dog’s food can vary depending on your pet’s life stage, metabolism, and activity level. The AAFCO provides guidelines on what is healthy for your pet on a daily basis. For example, they recommend that your pet has between 18 and 26% protein from each meal. The fat content should be between 10 and 20%, while the fiber content should be anywhere between 1 and 10%.

    Calories, on the other hand, is what will differ the most. This is why many brands offer large and small breed meals to accommodate their size and calorie intake. Again, the AAFCO advises that your dog consumes 30 calories for every pound. This is yet another reason why healthy weight and weight management options are attractive to some pet parents as feeding your dog high-calorie foods can have negative side effects.

    Below, we will outline the nutritional value for both the wet and dry food based on the average findings within each formula.

    Wet Food
    • Protein: 10%
    • Fat: 2.0%
    • Fiber: 1%
    • Calorie: 223 kcal
    Dry Food
    • Protein: 25%
    • Fat: 13%
    • Fiber: 5.5%
    • Calorie: 365 kcal

    As you can see, both the wet and dry food falls within the standards set by the AAFCO. You may have noticed, though, that the wet meals have much lower protein and fat content than the dry. This is pretty typical of wet food, and it is usually the least nutritious option of the two.

    Also concerning the wet formula, the 1% fiber value is pretty standard for this form of dog food. What is more beneficial is the calorie count. Again, the calories are usually higher in wet food than in dry, but in this case, it seems to be opposite. On the dry side, the protein level is a bit lower than a lot of brands of this caliber. That being said, the fat and fiber values seem to be right on track, yet the calorie count is a bit high.

    Based on the nutritional value alone, it is clear to see that some dogs may have some issues digesting these formulas. As the values are a little bit off from standard products, it also reasons that it may be a bit harder to transition your dog to this brand.

    A Quick Look at Simply Nourish Dog Food

    Pros
    • All-natural
    • Various formulas and recipes
    • Manufactured in the USA
    • Follows the AAFCO nutritional guidelines
    • Additional vitamins, supplements, and nutrients
    • No artificial ingredients or fillers
    Cons
    • Hard to transition
    • Difficult to digest

    Ingredients Analysis

    For the most part, the ingredients within the Simply Nourish formula are on the up-and-up. After an examination of their various recipes, it is clear to see that their formulas are natural with a mind to promote health and well-being in your pet.

    Guaranteed Analysis:

    Crude Protein: 25%
    Crude Fat:  13%
    Moisture: 10%
    Fibre 5%
    Omega 6 Fatty Acids: 1.8%

    Calorie Breakdown:

    Simply Nourish Dog Food

    Calories per cup:

    simply nourish calories

    The FDA

    The FDA regulates all pet food labeling in the US. The most concentrated items will be placed at the top of the list while lower quantity ingredients will be closer to the bottom. Although this seems straightforward, there can be some confusion as certain ingredients will weigh less than others.

    For example, potatoes weigh more per ounce than the supplement biotin. Even measured at the same amount, potatoes will physically weigh more. This is why most vitamins and nutrients are at the bottom of the list. Also, ingredients such as chicken are heavy with moisture which is also taken into the total weight. If you were to remove the moisture from the poultry, the ingredient would most likely drop from the top of the list.

    All of that being said, there are not a lot of questionable ingredients within this formula. There are a few that we wanted to quickly touch base on, however.

    • Tapioca Starch: Tapioca is typically used as a carbohydrate but it has little to no nutritional value.
    • Rice: Unlike brown rice, white rice does not have as much nutritional value for your pet, and a lot of time it is used as a natural filler.
    • Deboned chicken: When we hear the term “deboned chicken”, we typically take this as a good thing. Unfortunately, when it comes to canines, bones hold a lot of protein and other nutrients that are good for their overall health. In this case, we did find deboned chicken to be the first ingredients in many of their formulas.
    • Flaxseed: Flaxseed does have its nutritional value, but the most prominent of those is protein and it is also often added to aid in the overall nutritional protein value.
    • Pea Fiber: Peas in their raw form are good for your dog. They provide vitamins and nutrients that will help keep your dog healthy. Pea fiber is a byproduct of peas and during the manufacturing process, they lose most of their nutrients and become a natural filler.

    All of these ingredients, while they have their downsides, are still all-natural products that are non-toxic to your pet. Most of the listed items are found in many well-known and respected dog food brands. When it comes to certain formulas, like grain-free, the manufacturers need to provide substance to make the meal not only nutritious but edible and filling.

    Simply Nourish Dog Food Recall History

    When looking at the recall history for a product, you not only want to look at the brand name but also the manufacturer. At the end of the day, it is the production company that will be responsible for the final product and any future recalls it may have.

    That being said, to date we have not been able to find any recall information about Simply Nourish or their manufacturer American Nutrition. The private label brand has only been in existence for under a decade, yet American Nutrition has been around for almost four decades. Though we cannot rule out recalls that have not made a public appearance, it is still impressive that they certainly have not had any in the last two to three decades.

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    What Other Users Are Saying About Simply Nourish Dog Food

    When reading about a product online, certain things bear more weight than others. Though we would like to believe our articles hold substantial weight in our reader’s minds, nothing can replace the reviews and opinions of those customers who have purchased the product before you. To make this a well-rounded review of the Simply Nourish pet food brand, we have added some pet parent reviews below.

    SimplyNourish.com

    “Thank you for this bag. Both of my dogs enjoy it so much more than their normal brand. I will be buying this from now on. Shiny coat and better breath were two factors in my brand change. I don’t think so would have tried this brand otherwise. Will now be buying monthly.”

    Chewy.com

    “We feed this chow to our four small-breed dogs, all under 15 lbs., to keep their weight down and their health strong. It works at a less-than-premium price.”

    If you are a frequent shopper on Chewy, chances are you will be interested in the customer reviews that flood the site. Take a look at these opinions and comments by other people who have purchased and used Simply Nourish, though the products are no longer available on Chewy.

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    Conclusion

    The only drawback that is apparent with Simply Nourish Dog Food is it can be hard to transition your pet from a lower quality brand to this natural formula. What’s more, some dogs can have some digestive issues with the recipe, as well. Other than that, Simply Nourish Dog Food is a nutritious and well-balanced meal that will provide your pet with many nutritional benefits. It is a reasonably priced product for this caliber of dog food, plus you are now able to purchase the products Amazon, as well as, PetSmart.

    Navigating the world of dog food can be difficult. There are many opposing opinions, difficult ingredients, and other contradictory information that make finding the right formula not an easy task. We hope that the above information has given you all the details you need to make an informed and positive decision for your pet.

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