Native is a kibble line built around numbered levels, from Level 1 through Level 4, plus a Level 2.5 and a puppy recipe. As the levels climb, protein and fat rise and estimated starch falls. Level 1 shows 24% protein, 14% fat and 42% estimated starch, and Level 4 shows 35% protein, 25% fat and 21% estimated starch, as fed.
Every recipe contains grain, such as brown rice, brewers rice, ground barley or ground oats, and none lists peas, lentils or potato. All six include fish and egg. Four are led by chicken meal and two by lamb meal. Against 1,834 kibbles in our catalog, the line averages 28.5% protein against 26.9%, and 424 kcal per cup against 395. Its starch range of 21% to 42% straddles the catalog average of 37.4%.
The trade-off is how far apart the levels sit. Level 4 at 510 kcal per cup is much denser than the puppy recipe at 380, so moving between levels changes portion sizes. Owners who avoid chicken have two lamb meal options, though Level 2.5 lists chicken fat among its first five ingredients and every recipe includes fish and egg.
| Recipe | Protein | Fat | Starch | Kcal / cup | First ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 4 Chicken Meal & Rice Formula | 35% | 25% | 21% | 510 | Chicken Meal, Chicken Fat (Mixed Tocopherols Preservative), Brown Rice |
| Level 3 Chicken Meal & Rice | 30% | 20% | 30.5% | 438 | Chicken Meal, Brewers Rice, Ground Barley |
| Level 2.5 | 28% | 18% | 34.5% | 400 | Lamb Meal, Brown Rice, Ground Barley |
| Puppy Chicken Meal & Rice Formula | 28% | 15% | 37% | 380 | Chicken Meal, Brewers Rice, Ground Barley |
| Level 2 Chicken Meal & Rice | 26% | 16% | 38% | 417 | Chicken Meal, Brewers Rice, Ground Barley |
| Level 1 Lamb Meal & Rice Formula | 24% | 14% | 42% | 400 | Lamb Meal, Brown Rice, Ground Barley |
| Line average | 28.5% | 18% | 33.8% | 424 |
All figures as fed, from the guaranteed analysis on each label. Starch is our estimate, since no bag prints it. Highest in the line is marked in bold, lowest in italics.
35% protein · 25% fat · 21% starch · 510 kcal/cup · Adult
Level 4 has the most protein (35%), fat (25%) and calories (510 kcal per cup, 4,250 per kg) in the line, plus the least estimated starch at 21%. Chicken fat is its second ingredient, and it suits adult dogs that need a calorie dense kibble.
Full review of Level 4 Chicken Meal & Rice Formula30% protein · 20% fat · 30.5% starch · 438 kcal/cup · Adult
Level 3 sits between Level 2 and Level 4, with 30% protein, 20% fat and 30.5% estimated starch at 438 kcal per cup. It is the only recipe in the line with ground flaxseed in its first five ingredients, and suits adults that need more fat than Level 2 provides.
Full review of Level 3 Chicken Meal & Rice28% protein · 18% fat · 34.5% starch · 400 kcal/cup · Adult
The only recipe in the line that pairs lamb meal with salmon meal in its first five ingredients, with 28% protein, 18% fat and 34.5% estimated starch at 400 kcal per cup. It suits adult dogs whose owners want a lamb led kibble with more protein than Level 1.
Full review of Level 2.528% protein · 15% fat · 37% starch · 380 kcal/cup · Puppy
The only puppy recipe in the line, with 28% protein, 15% fat and 37% estimated starch, led by chicken meal and brewers rice. At 380 kcal per cup it has the fewest calories in the line, and it suits growing dogs of all breed sizes.
Full review of Puppy Chicken Meal & Rice Formula26% protein · 16% fat · 38% starch · 417 kcal/cup · Adult
Level 2 steps up from Level 1 to 26% protein and 16% fat, with 38% estimated starch and 417 kcal per cup, and swaps lamb meal for chicken meal followed by brewers rice. It suits adult dogs on a chicken based diet that need a moderate amount of fat.
Full review of Level 2 Chicken Meal & Rice24% protein · 14% fat · 42% starch · 400 kcal/cup · Adult
Level 1 has the least protein (24%), least fat (14%) and most estimated starch (42%) in the line, with lamb meal followed by brown rice, ground barley, ground oats and brewers rice. It suits adult dogs whose owners want a lamb meal recipe with modest fat, at 3,650 kcal per kg.
Full review of Level 1 Lamb Meal & Rice FormulaNo. All six Native recipes contain grain, such as brown rice, brewers rice, ground barley or ground oats. None of them lists peas, lentils or potato.
Level 4 Chicken Meal & Rice Formula has the most, at 35% protein and 25% fat, as fed. Level 1 Lamb Meal & Rice Formula has the least, at 24% protein.
Level 1 Lamb Meal & Rice Formula and Level 2.5 are led by lamb meal instead of chicken meal. Level 2.5 still lists chicken fat in its first five ingredients, and both recipes include fish and egg.
Protein is close to the average kibble we review (31.7% on a dry matter basis).
Starch is lower than average, at 34% of the food as fed.
100% of recipes lead with a meat, fish or egg ingredient (89% across the site).
0% of recipes are grain-free.
this range, lowest to highest its average average of all 3,205 foods we review
Starch is our estimate from the guaranteed analysis, since no manufacturer prints it. How we work it out
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