Choosing the right cat food can be a daunting task. With so many brands on the market, it’s hard to know which one is best for your feline friend. This review dives into Nutro cat food, examining its ingredients, recall history, customer reviews, and overall quality to answer the question: Is Nutro A Good Cat Food?
We’ve rated Nutro based on the Cats.com standard, focusing on what matters most to cat owners.
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Nutro Cat Food: A Deep Dive into Quality
Our assessment of Nutro cat food considers six key criteria:
Ratings
- Species-Appropriateness – 4/10
- Ingredient Quality – 5/10
- Product Variety – 7/10
- Price – 8/10
- Customer Experience – 6/10
- Recall History – 3/10
Overall Score: 5.5/10
This leads to an overall score of 5.5 out of 10, or a C grade. Let’s explore why.
A Brief History of Nutro
The Nutro Company has a long history, starting in 1926 with John Saleem’s purchase of a British dog food company. Originally based in California, Nutro expanded its market after being sold in 1976. The Nutro MAX line, launched in 1985, further boosted the company’s growth. In 2007, Nutro became part of Mars, Inc., joining other well-known pet food brands.
Today, Nutro is headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee, and distributes its products globally.
Where Are Nutro Cat Food Ingredients Sourced and Manufactured?
Nutro prides itself on sourcing its own ingredients and manufacturing pet food in its own facilities located in Victorville, California; Lebanon, Tennessee; and North Sioux City, South Dakota. The Greenies treat line is produced at their Kansas City, Missouri facility.
In 2012, Nutro achieved certification from the American Feed Industry Association, demonstrating its commitment to quality control in ingredient selection, facility cleanliness, and product labeling.
Recall History: A Cause for Concern?
Nutro’s recall history is a factor to consider when asking, “is Nutro a good cat food?” The company has had several recalls since 1926.
2015
Recall of Nutro dog treats due to potential mold contamination, limited to apple chewy treats sold at PetSmart.
2009
Several Nutro cat food varieties were recalled due to incorrect levels of zinc and potassium. Reports of pets falling ill after consuming Nutro foods surfaced, though the connection to zinc and potassium imbalances was unconfirmed. Nutro stated the recall was “out of an abundance of caution” after discovering an imbalance in vitamin premixes from a supplier. Later that year, a large recall of Nutro dry dog and cat foods occurred after melted plastic pieces were found in the production line, affecting products sold at PetSmart and Petco.
2007
Nutro was among the brands affected by the nationwide melamine recalls, as some varieties were manufactured by Menu Foods using melamine-contaminated wheat gluten from China.
Nutro Cat Food Product Lines: What’s Available?
Nutro offers both dry and wet cat foods, divided into two main lines: Nutro MAX and Nutro Original.
Nutro MAX: Includes Nutro MAX Indoor and Nutro MAX Indoor Weight Control formulas.
Nutro Original: Features formulas tailored for specific needs, such as indoor cats, hairball control, high protein, organ meats, weight management, food sensitivity, and picky eaters. This line also includes life stage-specific formulas for kittens, adults, and senior cats.
Nutro emphasizes using meat as the primary ingredient and avoiding animal by-products, artificial flavors, and chemical preservatives.
Nutro Cat Food: Top Recipes Reviewed
Here’s a closer look at some of Nutro’s popular recipes:
| Product Name | Food Type | Price | Our Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nutro MaxCat Adult Cat Food | Wet | $0.26 per oz | B |
| Adult Roasted Chicken Flavor | Dry | $5.3 per lb | C |
| Wholesome Essentials Indoor Adult Farm-Raised Chicken & Brown Rice | Dry | $2.8 per lb | D |
#1 Nutro MaxCat Adult Cat Food – Discontinued
This canned food features turkey as the main protein source, along with chicken liver and beef liver. The recipe includes potato starch, guar gum, and xanthan gum for thickening, contributing to a carbohydrate content of approximately 16.6% on a dry matter basis. Wheat gluten is also present as a plant-based protein source, and pork plasma, a nutrient-rich ingredient, is included. The food contains 72 calories per can and is relatively high in protein, with moderate fat and carbohydrate levels.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Beef Liver, Pork Plasma
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Potato Starch, Wheat Gluten
#2 Nutro Max Adult Roasted Chicken Flavor Dry Cat Food – Discontinued
This dry cat food lists chicken meal as the primary protein source.
Compared to fresh chicken, chicken meal is a concentrated source of animal protein but is more heavily processed. The ingredient list also includes corn gluten meal, wheat flour, chicken fat, brewers rice, and ground whole wheat. This dry cat food is plant-heavy and contains a high percentage of carbohydrates. It has 457 calories per cup.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken Fat, Menhaden Fish Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Corn Gluten Meal, Wheat Flour, Brewers Rice, Ground Whole Wheat
#3 Wholesome Essentials Indoor Adult Farm-Raised Chicken & Brown Rice
$44.98 At Chewy $42.73 At Amazon
This recipe features chicken and chicken meal as the primary protein sources. However, the ingredient list also includes brewers rice, pea protein, whole brown rice, alfalfa meal, and potato protein, contributing to a high carbohydrate content and increased plant protein concentration. It contains 372 calories per cup.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Chicken Fat
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Brewers Rice, Pea Protein, Whole Brown Rice, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Potato Protein
What Are Customers Saying About Nutro Cat Food?
Customer reviews offer valuable insights when determining “is Nutro a good cat food?” Nutro has built a loyal customer base over the years, with many product listings receiving positive reviews.
However, some customers have reported negative experiences, particularly regarding customer service. Some reviewers on Consumer Affairs claim that the company dismissed or ignored their questions, and some reported their pets becoming sick after eating Nutro food.
Here’s a snapshot of what customers are saying:
Positive Reviews:
- Many customers praise the taste and palatability of Nutro cat food, especially for picky eaters.
- Some customers believe Nutro has helped prevent urinary issues in their male cats.
Negative Reviews:
- Some customers have noticed changes in the food’s consistency, such as less gravy in wet food formulas.
- Others have reported increased waste in the litter box after switching to Nutro.
Nutro Cat Food Cost: Is It Affordable?
Nutro is a relatively affordable cat food brand. Dry foods are generally cheaper than wet foods, with daily feeding costs ranging from $0.45 for dry diets to $1.56 for wet food options.
Final Verdict: Is Nutro a Good Cat Food?
So, is Nutro a good cat food? The answer is maybe.
Nutro has some positives. Certain Nutro canned foods are meat-rich and species-appropriate. However, concerns about customer service and the brand’s recall history should be considered.
Ultimately, the best cat food for your pet depends on their individual needs and preferences.
Where to Buy Nutro Cat Food
Nutro is available at pet specialty retailers, big box stores, and online through various retailers like Amazon, Chewy, Petco, and more. It’s sold in the United States, Canada, and internationally.
