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LINE VS LINE · NUTRO KIBBLE

Nutro Max vs Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet

Nutro Max vs Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet: a bag from each line with their average protein, fat, starch and calories

Nutro Max against Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet, measured across 8 and 6 kibble recipes: 22.8% vs 20.7% protein and 43% vs 46% starch, as fed.

8 kibble recipes reviewed 6 kibble recipes reviewed
THE SHORT VERSION

Main Differences

  • Nutro Max averages 22.8% protein and 14% fat as fed, while Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet averages 20.7% protein and 13.8% fat as fed; the fat levels are close.
  • Nutro Max averages 43% estimated starch and 348 kcal per cup, while Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet averages 46% estimated starch and 432 kcal per cup.
  • Nutro Max has a grain-free share of 0%, while Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet has a grain-free share of 100%.
  • Nutro Max has 8 kibble recipes spanning Adult, Puppy and Senior for All Breeds and Large Breed, while Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet has 6 kibble recipes, all Adult, for All Breeds, Small Breed and Large Breed.
  • Nutro Max has an estimated median price per pound of $1.76, while Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet has an estimated median price per pound of $4.23.
HEAD TO HEAD

The Two Lines in Figures

Measure Nutro Max Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Average kibble
Kibble recipes compared 8 6 1,747 in total
Protein, as fed 22.8%20.0% to 26.0% 20.7%20.0% to 22.0% 27.2%
Fat, as fed 14.0%12.0% to 16.0% 13.8%13.0% to 14.0% 14.3%
Starch, as fedEstimated, not measured. It is what is left of the guaranteed analysis once protein, fat, fiber and moisture are taken out, with ash assumed at 6%. That leftover is mostly starch but also carries sugars and the fiber a crude-fiber test misses, so read it as a close estimate rather than an exact figure. Measured as fed, the same basis as the bag. 43%38% to 46% 46%45% to 48% 37%
Calories per cup 348334 to 380 432373 to 460 398
Grain-free recipes 0% 100%
Life stages Adult 5, Puppy 2, Senior 1 Adult 6
Breed sizes All Breeds 6, Large Breed 2 All Breeds 6, Small Breed 1, Large Breed 1
Price per pound, estimate $1.76/lbEstimate, median of 8 of 8 recipesRecipes run $1.75 to $2.25Prices checked Sep 28, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026 $4.23/lbEstimate, median of 4 of 6 recipesRecipes run $4.23 to $4.23Prices checked Oct 6, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026
FDA recalls, last 5 years None None

Line figures are averages over every kibble recipe we review from that line, with the lowest and highest recipe underneath. Wet food, toppers and prescription diets are left out so the numbers compare like with like. Everything is as fed, the way the bag prints it; the switch above the table shows protein and fat on a dry matter basis instead. Why we use as fed. The price per pound is an estimate: the median of each recipe's lowest price per pound across the bag sizes and US retailers our price checks found, so a single bag can cost more or less. Shelf prices change often.

WHERE TO START

Top Recipes in Each Line

Nutro Max

Nutro Max Puppy Chicken Dry Dog Food Most protein in the line, 26.0% as fed Nutro Max Puppy Chicken Dry Dog Food Protein 26% Fat 16% Starch 38% 380 kcal/cup Nutro Max Large Breed Puppy Chicken Dry Dog Food Least starch in the line, about 42% Nutro Max Large Breed Puppy Chicken Dry Dog Food Protein 24% Fat 14% Starch 42% 336 kcal/cup Nutro Max Minichunks Chicken Dry Dog Food Fewest calories in the line, 334 kcal per cup Nutro Max Minichunks Chicken Dry Dog Food Protein 22% Fat 14% Starch 44% 334 kcal/cup

Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet

Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Adult Salmon & Lentils Recipe Dry Dog Food Most protein in the line, 22.0% as fed Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Adult Salmon & Lentils Recipe Dry Dog Food Protein 22% Fat 14% Starch 45% 460 kcal/cup Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Adult Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food Least starch in the line, about 47% Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Adult Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food Protein 20% Fat 14% Starch 47% 432 kcal/cup Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Adult Venison Meal & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food Fewest calories in the line, 373 kcal per cup Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Adult Venison Meal & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food Protein 20% Fat 14% Starch 47% 373 kcal/cup
CHOOSING

Who Each Line Suits

A GOOD FIT FOR

Nutro Max

  • Owners of large breed puppies, since Nutro Max has a Large Breed Puppy Chicken recipe
  • Owners of senior dogs, since Nutro Max has a Senior Chicken recipe made for that life stage
  • Owners wanting a lower cost, with Nutro Max's estimated price per pound at $1.76
A GOOD FIT FOR

Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet

  • Owners wanting a grain-free kibble, since Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet has a grain-free share of 100%
  • Owners of small breed dogs, since Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet has a Small Bites recipe sold for small breeds
  • Owners wanting a higher calorie kibble, since Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet averages 432 kcal per cup
THE WHOLE RANGE

Every Nutro Line

Line Kibble recipes Protein Fat Starch Kcal / cup Grain-free Price / lb, est.
Natural Choice 23 24.2% 13.0% 42% 340 0% $2.67
Ultra 10 26.2% 14.2% 40% 389 0% $2.91
Max 8 22.8% 14.0% 43% 348 0% $1.76
Limited Ingredient Diet 6 20.7% 13.8% 46% 432 100% $4.23

Averages over each line's kibble we review, as fed. Lines with only a few recipes swing more on one bag. Price per pound is the same estimate as above.

KEEP COMPARING

More Nutro Line Comparisons

Nutro Natural Choice vs Nutro Ultra Nutro Natural Choice vs Nutro Max Nutro Natural Choice vs Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Nutro Ultra vs Nutro Max Nutro Ultra vs Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet

The Nutro Lines

All Nutro food Nutro Natural Choice Nutro Ultra Nutro Max Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet

Nutro Against Other Brands

Nutro vs Blue Buffalo Nutro vs Purina Nutro vs Hill's Wellness vs Nutro

How we compare: every figure comes from the guaranteed analysis and ingredient list of recipes we review, not from the brand's own claims. Starch is our estimate, since no manufacturer prints it. The written comparison is drafted from these figures, and every number in it is checked against them. Figures refreshed October 25, 2026.

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