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Nutro Wholesome Essentials Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Senior Dry Cat Food

Nutro Wholesome Essentials Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Senior Dry Cat Food
Company info
Company HQ
Franklin, Tennessee
Parent company
Nutro Company, Inc
Product info
Age Range: Senior
Food Form Dry Senior Cat Food
Cost per day: $0.16
Primary proteins
  • Chicken
  • Chicken Meal
  • Pea Protein
  • Potato Protein

Ingredients

Chicken, Chicken Meal, Pea Protein, Whole Brown Rice, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Brewer's Rice, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Potato Protein, Whole Grain Oatmeal, Flaxseed, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Natural Flavors, Potassium Chloride, Fish Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Soybean Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Choline Chloride, Salt, Dl-Methionine, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Niacin Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Calcium Pantothenate, Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin A Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract, Decaffeinated Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract.

Overall Score

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66%

Ratings

? This rating is determined by comparing the food’s nutritional content to AAFCO standards and other foods in our database. Nutrient Value 60%
? Each recipe is evaluated based on a 5-point ingredient rating system that measures ingredients’ nutritional value, safety, and more. Quality of Ingredients 66%
? 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 73%
? This metric is based on customer ratings from various retailers. Customer Experience 86%
? 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 100%

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

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Protein: 36%

Fat: 17%

Fiber: 6%

Moisture: 10%

Ash: 0%

Carb: 31%

Dry Matter Analysis

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Protein: 40%

Fat: 18.89%

Fiber: 6.67%

Ash: 8%

Carb: 34.44%

Calorie Weighted Basis

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Protein: 33.25%

Fat: 38.13%

Carb: 28.63%

Our Review

Pros
  • Supplemented with chelated minerals for optimal nutrient absorption
  • Made with fiber-rich flaxseed
  • Rich in species-appropriate animal protein
  • Affordable
  • A good source of omega-3 fatty acids
Cons
  • Low in moisture
  • Contains a small amount of 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 Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Senior Dry Cat Food begins with a detailed look at the food’s ingredients.

The first ingredient is Chicken. Chicken is meat from the domesticated bird of the same name. In pet food, chicken is used as a primary protein source.

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 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 fourth 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.

The fifth ingredient is Chicken Fat. Chicken fat is a good source of omega-6 fatty acids including linoleic acid. In pet food, chicken fat also adds flavor, improves consistency, and serves as a source of the animal fat pets need for overall wellbeing.

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

Price Analysis

Price per lb

Product Price

$4.6

Market Price avg.

$4.62

% From the Avg

-0%

Price per 100 kcal

Product Price

$0.27

Market Price avg.

$0.37

% From the Avg

-27%

Price per day

Product Price

$0.16

Market Price avg.

$0.22

% From the Avg

-26%

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

Nutritional Analysis

As opposed to formulas intended for growth (kitten) and maintenance (adult), there are no special label requirements or legal definitions for “senior” diets. Senior diets are actually only required to meet the same nutritional needs as for adult diets. This means that there can be a lot of variation and interpretation by different food companies on what makes up a senior diet. Senior diets can have varying amounts of protein, fat, carbs, phosphorus, sodium, and fiber.

The assumptions that all senior pets need low protein, low fat and carbs, low phosphorus and sodium, and high fiber across the board are incorrect. The need for higher or lower levels of these nutrients varies greatly from cat to cat. That’s why it’s very important for senior pets for their pet parents to work with their veterinarian to decide what type of diet is most appropriate. For many young senior pets, the adult diets they’ve been on may be just fine to continue.

With that in mind, we’ve compared Nutro Wholesome Essentials Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Senior Dry Cat Food to the other 37 dry senior cat food recipes in our database:

DM Protein

DM Protein

Product info

40%

All Products avg.

35.4%

% From the Avg

+13%

DM Fat

DM Fat

Product info

18.89%

All Products avg.

15.92%

% From the Avg

+19%

DM Fiber

DM Fiber

Product info

6.67%

All Products avg.

6.55%

% From the Avg

+2%

DM Carb

DM Carb

Product info

34.44%

All Products avg.

40.66%

% From the Avg

-15%

Analysis Overview

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

Disclaimer and Disclosure

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