This page contains affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission. Learn more about how we are supported here.

Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Cat Food

Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Cat Food
Company info
Company HQ
Franklin, Tennessee
Parent company
Nutro Company, Inc
Product info
Age Range: Adult
Food Form Dry Cat Food
Cost per day: $0.13
Primary proteins
  • Salmon
  • Chicken Meal
  • Pea Protein
  • Potato Protein

Ingredients

Salmon, Chicken Meal, Brewers Rice, Pea Protein, Whole Brown Rice, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Potato Protein, Whole Grain Oatmeal, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Soybean Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine, Salt, Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid (preservatives), Taurine, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Niacin Supplement, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), D-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin A Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract.

Overall Score

Loading
63%

Ratings

? This rating is determined by comparing the food’s nutritional content to AAFCO standards and other foods in our database. Nutrient Value 53%
? Each recipe is evaluated based on a 5-point ingredient rating system that measures ingredients’ nutritional value, safety, and more. Quality of Ingredients 65%
? We scan the FDA’s database and rate each brand by the number of recalls in its history. Brands with fewer recalls receive higher ratings. Recall History 37%
? By comparing the prices of foods in our database, we determine if a food is above or below market average price. Lower-priced foods receive higher ratings. Price 67%
? This metric is based on customer ratings from various retailers. Customer Experience 89%
? Our rating system evaluates each food’s manufacturing method, assigning higher ratings to manufacturing processes that promote higher nutritional value. Manufacturing Method 40%
? Based on the variety of sizes available. Size Variety 95%

Estimated Nutrient Content

To understand the nutrient content of pet food, we visualize its macronutrient composition in three ways. In the charts below, you’ll see a guaranteed analysis on an as-fed basis, a dry matter analysis, and a breakdown of the food’s macronutrients on a calorie-weighted basis.

Remember that all of these values are estimates based on the guaranteed analysis published by the company, and the food’s actual nutrient values may be slightly different.

Guaranteed Analysis

Loading

Protein: 33%

Fat: 16%

Fiber: 4%

Moisture: 10%

Ash: 0%

Carb: 37%

Dry Matter Analysis

Loading

Protein: 36.67%

Fat: 17.78%

Fiber: 4.44%

Ash: 8%

Carb: 41.11%

Calorie Weighted Basis

Loading

Protein: 30.31%

Fat: 35.7%

Carb: 33.99%

Our Review

Pros
  • Supplemented with chelated minerals for optimal nutrient absorption
  • Affordable
Cons
  • Low protein content
  • High in carbohydrates
  • Low in moisture
  • Contains plant-based proteins
  • The brand has had multiple recalls over recent years
  • Some cats may be allergic to fish

Recall History

The following list (if present) shows all cat food recalls related to Nutro since 2011. If no recalls are listed, no recall events have been reported.

Nutro - Dry Cat food (05/21/2009) -+
Date: 05/21/2009
Company Name: Mars Petcare US
Product Description: Dry Cat food
Recall Reason: Incorrect levels of zinc and potassium
Nutro - Nutro dry dog food (10/01/2009) -+
Date: 10/01/2009
Company Name: Mars Petcare US
Product Description: Nutro dry dog food
Recall Reason: Plastic found in production line
Nutro - Dog treats (12/13/2015) -+
Date: 12/13/2015
Company Name: Mars Petcare US
Product Description: Dog treats
Recall Reason: Potential for mold

Ingredient Review

Our review of Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Cat Food begins with a detailed look at the food’s ingredients.

The first ingredient is Salmon. Salmon is meat from any fish in the salmon family, and in pet food, salmon might also refer to other parts of the fish including skin and organs. Salmon is an excellent source of protein, and it is a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids.

The second ingredient is Chicken Meal. In pet food, chicken meal is often listed as a source of protein. Chicken meal is produced by baking and grinding chicken meat and skin. As a dry form of animal protein, it is most often found in kibble and treats.

The third ingredient is Brewers Rice. Brewers rice is a byproduct of the beer industry. The brewers rice in pet food has been dried and ground for use as a carbohydrate source, often in gluten-free recipes.

The fourth ingredient is Pea Protein. Pea protein is a good source of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. While the pea protein in pet food isn’t normally a primary protein source, it is easy to digest and it’s also a good source of fiber.

The fifth ingredient is Whole Brown Rice. Whole brown rice is a name for whole-grain rice with its outer hull removed. The whole brown rice in pet food can be a source of carbohydrates and fiber. Whole brown rice also contains omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.

When we analyzed the ingredients in Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Cat Food, we found that most of the protein is derived from fish based sources.

Price Analysis

Price per lb

Product Price

$3.86

Market Price avg.

$4.52

% From the Avg

-15%

Price per 100 kcal

Product Price

$0.22

Market Price avg.

$0.28

% From the Avg

-21%

Price per day

Product Price

$0.13

Market Price avg.

$0.16

% From the Avg

-18%

Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Cat Food is priced below the average market price for dry cat food.

Nutritional Analysis

Adult cat foods can have a lot of variability in calorie density but generally meet requirements for the average active cat. With formulations addressing a wide variety of needs, including weight loss or gain, indoor or outdoor living, or hairball problems, individual recipes may vary greatly in calorie, fiber, and nutritional content.

With that in mind, we’ve compared Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Cat Food to the other 534 dry cat food recipes in our database:

DM Protein

DM Protein

Product info

36.67%

All Products avg.

38.91%

% From the Avg

-6%

DM Fat

DM Fat

Product info

17.78%

All Products avg.

16.8%

% From the Avg

+6%

DM Fiber

DM Fiber

Product info

4.44%

All Products avg.

5.11%

% From the Avg

-13%

DM Carb

DM Carb

Product info

41.11%

All Products avg.

37.83%

% From the Avg

+9%

Analysis Overview

Overall, this is a fish based food that’s moderate in protein with moderate fat and moderate carbohydrate content relative to other dry cat foods.

Disclaimer and Disclosure

At Pet Food Sherpa, our primary goal is to provide pet owners like you with accurate, relevant, and unbiased information about pet nutrition. As such, we do not accept gifts or incentives as motivation to include certain products in our reviews.

We do, however, participate in affiliate marketing programs and we partner with select brands to fund our site. We choose the products we review carefully and review them thoroughly before publishing a review or accepting any form of payment.

Proceeds from this program and our partners enable us to continue providing high-quality content to our readers. Read more about how we’re funded here.

Leave a Review