Natural Choice is built around a named meat, usually followed by a meat meal and then rice, barley or oatmeal. The line has 23 kibbles and 1 wet food. Every kibble contains grain and lists egg, and 19 of the 23 list chicken. Lamb appears in 7 kibbles, fish in 3, and beef, pork and venison in 1 each. Peas or lentils show up in 20 of the 23 kibbles.
Kibble protein runs from 20% to 28% and estimated starch from 37% to 48.5%, with line averages of 24.2% protein and 42.3% starch as fed. That puts the line below the catalog kibble average of 26.9% protein and above its 37.4% starch. Calories average 340 kcal per cup against the catalog's 395. The single wet food, a grain-free duck entrée, shows 8% protein next to a catalog wet average of 8.3%.
The trade-off is plain on the label: more carbohydrate and less protein than the typical kibble, in exchange for a wide spread of life stages, breed sizes and weight recipes in one grain-inclusive family. Owners avoiding chicken have four lamb kibbles that leave it out.
| Recipe | Protein | Fat | Starch | Kcal / cup | First ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Dog Puppy Lamb and Brown Rice | 28% | 16% | 37% | 359 | Deboned Lamb, Lamb Meal, Brown Rice |
| Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe | 28% | 16% | 37% | 386 | Chicken, chicken meal, brewers rice |
| Small Breed Senior Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe | 28% | 14% | 38.5% | 353 | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice |
| Healthy Weight Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe | 26% | 8% | 39% | 264 | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice |
| Large Breed Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe | 26% | 14% | 41% | 379 | Chicken, Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Whole Grain Sorghum |
| Small Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe | 26% | 16% | 38% | 373 | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice |
| Healthy Weight Adult Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe | 26% | 8% | 39% | 272 | Deboned Lamb, Lamb Meal, Barley |
| Large Breed Puppy Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe | 26% | 14% | 41% | 360 | Deboned Lamb, Lamb Meal, Brown Rice |
| Adult Formula with Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe | 24% | 14% | 42.5% | 383 | Salmon, fish meal, brown rice |
| Adult Small Bites, Salmon & Brown Rice | 24% | 14% | 42.5% | 383 | Salmon, fish meal, brown rice |
| Senior Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe | 24% | 12% | 44% | 307 | Deboned Lamb, Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Rice Bran |
| Small Bites Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe | 24% | 14% | 42.5% | 357 | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice |
| Senior Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe | 24% | 12% | 44% | 319 | Chicken, Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Whole Grain Barley |
| Healthy Weight Large Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe | 24% | 8% | 41% | 271 | Chicken, Chicken Meal (Source Of Glucosamine And Chondroitin Sulfate), Barley |
| Adult Beef & Brown Rice Recipe | 24% | 14% | 42.5% | 370 | Beef, pork meal, brown rice |
| Adult Large Breed Dry, Salmon & Brown Rice | 22% | 14% | 44.5% | 383 | Salmon, Fish Meal, Brown Rice |
| Small Bites Adult Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe | 22% | 14% | 44.5% | 341 | Lamb, Lamb Meal, Brown Rice |
| Large Breed Senior Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe | 22% | 12% | 46% | 304 | Chicken, Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Brown Rice |
| Adult Venison Meal & Brown Rice Recipe | 22% | 14% | 44.5% | 320 | Venison Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Split Peas |
| Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe | 22% | 14% | 44.5% | 343 | Chicken, brewers rice, chicken meal |
| Large Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe | 22% | 12% | 46% | 348 | Chicken, Chicken Meal (Source Of Glucosamine And Chondroitin Sulfate), Brown Rice |
| Adult Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe | 22% | 14% | 44.5% | 320 | Deboned lamb, chicken meal, brewers rice |
| Large Breed Adult Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe | 20% | 12% | 48.5% | 318 | Deboned Lamb, Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Whole Grain Brown Rice |
| Line average | 24.2% | 13% | 42.3% | 340 |
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.
28% protein · 16% fat · 37% starch · 359 kcal/cup · Puppy
A lamb puppy kibble with no chicken listed, tied for the most protein in the line at 28% with 37% estimated starch and 3700 kcal per kg. It contains potato and peas or lentils, and suits growing puppies whose owners want lamb instead of chicken.
Full review of Dry Dog Puppy Lamb and Brown Rice28% protein · 16% fat · 37% starch · 386 kcal/cup · Puppy
The most calorie-dense recipe in the line at 386 kcal per cup, with 28% protein, 16% fat and 37% estimated starch. It lists potato but no peas or lentils, and suits growing puppies whose owners prefer chicken and a pea-free kibble.
Full review of Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe28% protein · 14% fat · 38.5% starch · 353 kcal/cup · Senior
The highest-protein senior recipe at 28%, sold for small breeds, with 14% fat and 38.5% estimated starch. It lists only chicken and egg as animal proteins and suits small older dogs whose owners want more protein than the other senior options show.
Full review of Small Breed Senior Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe26% protein · 8% fat · 39% starch · 264 kcal/cup · Adult
The lowest-calorie recipe in the line at 264 kcal per cup, made for weight management with chicken and chicken meal leading. It shows 26% protein, 8% fat, 11% fiber and 39% estimated starch, and suits adult dogs needing fewer calories per cup.
Full review of Healthy Weight Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe26% protein · 14% fat · 41% starch · 379 kcal/cup · Puppy
The large breed chicken puppy recipe, the only one with whole grain sorghum as its third ingredient. It lists potato but no peas or lentils, with 26% protein, 41% estimated starch and 379 kcal per cup, and suits big puppies on a pea-free kibble.
Full review of Large Breed Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe26% protein · 16% fat · 38% starch · 373 kcal/cup · Adult
The only adult kibble with 16% fat, sold for small breeds and listing only chicken and egg as animal proteins. It shows 26% protein, 38% estimated starch and 373 kcal per cup, and suits small adult dogs needing a richer chicken kibble.
Full review of Small Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe26% protein · 8% fat · 39% starch · 272 kcal/cup · Adult
The only weight recipe without chicken, made for weight management with deboned lamb and lamb meal leading. It pairs 26% protein and 8% fat with 11% fiber, 39% estimated starch and 3153 kcal per kg, the lowest energy density in the line.
Full review of Healthy Weight Adult Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe26% protein · 14% fat · 41% starch · 360 kcal/cup · Puppy
The large breed puppy option for owners avoiding chicken, led by deboned lamb and lamb meal. It shows 26% protein, 14% fat, 41% estimated starch and 360 kcal per cup, and lists both potato and peas or lentils.
Full review of Large Breed Puppy Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe24% protein · 14% fat · 42.5% starch · 383 kcal/cup · Adult
The all-breeds salmon recipe, sold without a size label, led by salmon and fish meal with chicken and egg further down. It shows 24% protein, 42.5% estimated starch and 383 kcal per cup, and it suits adult dogs of any size whose owners want a fish-first kibble.
Full review of Adult Formula with Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe24% protein · 14% fat · 42.5% starch · 383 kcal/cup · Adult
The Small Bites version of the salmon recipe, matching the all-breeds salmon formula on the label at 24% protein, 42.5% estimated starch and 383 kcal per cup. It suits owners who want salmon and fish meal leading the list in the line's Small Bites form.
Full review of Adult Small Bites, Salmon & Brown Rice24% protein · 12% fat · 44% starch · 307 kcal/cup · Senior
The only senior recipe led by lamb, with chicken meal second and rice bran, split peas and brewers rice next. It shows 24% protein, 12% fat, 44% estimated starch and 307 kcal per cup, and suits older dogs whose owners prefer lamb first.
Full review of Senior Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe24% protein · 14% fat · 42.5% starch · 357 kcal/cup · Adult
The chicken Small Bites recipe, listing only chicken and egg as animal proteins. It shows 24% protein, 14% fat, 42.5% estimated starch and 357 kcal per cup, and suits adult dogs whose owners want a chicken kibble in the Small Bites form.
Full review of Small Bites Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe24% protein · 12% fat · 44% starch · 319 kcal/cup · Senior
The all-breeds chicken senior recipe, with whole grain barley and split peas ahead of brewers rice instead of the usual brown rice opening. It shows 24% protein, 12% fat, 44% estimated starch and 319 kcal per cup, and suits older dogs of any size.
Full review of Senior Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe24% protein · 8% fat · 41% starch · 271 kcal/cup · Adult
The only weight recipe sold for large breeds, made for weight management with chicken and chicken meal leading. At 24% protein it has less protein than the other two weight recipes, alongside 8% fat, 11% fiber, 41% estimated starch and 271 kcal per cup.
Full review of Healthy Weight Large Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe24% protein · 14% fat · 42.5% starch · 370 kcal/cup · Adult
The only kibble here with beef and pork, led by beef and pork meal, though chicken also appears on the list. It shows 24% protein, 42.5% estimated starch and 370 kcal per cup, and suits adult dogs whose owners want a red meat lead.
Full review of Adult Beef & Brown Rice Recipe22% protein · 14% fat · 44.5% starch · 383 kcal/cup · Adult
The large breed salmon recipe, with salmon and fish meal leading and chicken and egg also listed. At 22% protein and 44.5% estimated starch it carries less protein and more starch than the two other salmon kibbles, and it suits large adult dogs whose owners want fish first.
Full review of Adult Large Breed Dry, Salmon & Brown Rice22% protein · 14% fat · 44.5% starch · 341 kcal/cup · Adult
The only Small Bites recipe with no chicken listed, built on lamb and lamb meal with egg. It shows 22% protein, 44.5% estimated starch and 341 kcal per cup, and suits adult dogs on a lamb, chicken-free kibble in the Small Bites form.
Full review of Small Bites Adult Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe22% protein · 12% fat · 46% starch · 304 kcal/cup · Senior
The only senior recipe sold for large breeds, with chicken and chicken meal ahead of brown rice, barley and oatmeal. At 22% protein, 46% estimated starch and 304 kcal per cup, it suits big older dogs on a lower-calorie chicken kibble.
Full review of Large Breed Senior Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe22% protein · 14% fat · 44.5% starch · 320 kcal/cup · Adult
The only kibble here with venison, led by venison meal with brown rice, split peas and chicken meal next. It shows 22% protein, 44.5% estimated starch and 320 kcal per cup, and suits adult dogs whose owners want a venison lead.
Full review of Adult Venison Meal & Brown Rice Recipe22% protein · 14% fat · 44.5% starch · 343 kcal/cup · Adult
The only adult kibble with no peas or lentils, with brewers rice second after chicken. It shows 22% protein, 14% fat, 44.5% estimated starch and 343 kcal per cup, and suits adult dogs whose owners want to skip legumes.
Full review of Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe22% protein · 12% fat · 46% starch · 348 kcal/cup · Adult
The large breed adult chicken recipe, with chicken and chicken meal ahead of brown rice, barley and oatmeal. It shows 22% protein, 12% fat, 46% estimated starch and 348 kcal per cup, and suits big adult dogs on a chicken kibble.
Full review of Large Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe22% protein · 14% fat · 44.5% starch · 320 kcal/cup · Adult
The all-breeds adult lamb recipe, with chicken meal, brewers rice and rice bran among its first five ingredients. It shows 22% protein, 44.5% estimated starch and 320 kcal per cup, and suits adult dogs whose owners want lamb first and are fine with chicken.
Full review of Adult Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe20% protein · 12% fat · 48.5% starch · 318 kcal/cup · Adult
The line's least protein at 20% and most estimated starch at 48.5%, a large breed lamb recipe that also lists chicken meal and split peas. At 318 kcal per cup it suits large adult dogs whose owners prioritize lamb first over protein level.
Full review of Large Breed Adult Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe| Recipe | Protein | Fat | Moisture | Kcal / kg | First ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Signature Duck Entrée With Spring Vegetables and a Hint of Basil Filets in Gravy Grain-Free | 8% | 3.5% | 82% | 913 | Duck, Chicken Broth, Water |
All figures as fed, from the guaranteed analysis on each label. Wet food is mostly water, so compare it with other wet food only. Highest in the line is marked in bold, lowest in italics.
8% protein · 3.5% fat · 91 kcal/tray
The only wet food and the only grain-free recipe in the line, a duck entrée in gravy that also lists chicken, beef and pork. It shows 8% protein, 82% moisture and 91 kcal per tray, includes peas or lentils, and suits owners after a duck-led wet meal or topper.
Full review of Signature Duck Entrée With Spring Vegetables and a Hint of Basil Filets in Gravy Grain-FreeNo. All 23 Natural Choice kibbles contain grain. The only grain-free recipe is the wet Signature Duck Entrée With Spring Vegetables and a Hint of Basil Filets in Gravy.
Three kibbles tie at 28% protein: Dry Dog Puppy Lamb and Brown Rice, Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice, and Small Breed Senior Chicken & Brown Rice. Large Breed Adult Lamb & Brown Rice has the least at 20%.
Most recipes do: 20 of the 23 kibbles and the wet duck entrée include peas or lentils. Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice, Large Breed Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice and Adult Chicken & Brown Rice do not.
Protein runs lower than the average kibble we review (26.9% vs 30.1% on a dry matter basis).
Starch is higher than average, at 42% of the food as fed.
100% of recipes lead with a meat, fish or egg ingredient (89% across the site).
4% 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
Share of recipes that list each animal protein as an ingredient, not counting oils, fats or flavorings. Useful if your dog has a food sensitivity.
These are not unsafe. They are listed because readers ask about them.
MOST PROTEIN
Nutro Natural Choice Dry Dog Puppy Lamb and Brown Rice Dry Dog Food
31.1% dry matter
LEAST STARCH
Nutro Natural Choice Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
37% as fed
FEWEST CALORIES
Nutro Natural Choice Healthy Weight Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
264 kcal per cup
Our log holds FDA dog food recall notices from 2012 on, so this is not a guarantee that Nutro has never had one. See the recall log
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