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LINE VS LINE · NUTRO KIBBLE

Nutro Ultra vs Nutro Max

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

Nutro Ultra against Nutro Max, measured across 10 and 8 kibble recipes: 26.2% vs 22.8% protein and 40% vs 43% starch, as fed.

10 kibble recipes reviewed 8 kibble recipes reviewed
THE SHORT VERSION

Main Differences

  • Nutro Ultra recipes average 26.2% protein as fed, higher than Nutro Max's average of 22.8%. Fat is close, at 14.2% for Nutro Ultra and 14% for Nutro Max.
  • Nutro Max recipes average 43% estimated starch, a bit higher than Nutro Ultra's 40% average.
  • Nutro Ultra averages 389 kcal per cup across its recipes, compared with 348 kcal per cup for Nutro Max.
  • Nutro Ultra has 10 kibble recipes, including 4 for Small Breed dogs, while Nutro Max has 8 recipes covering All Breeds and Large Breed only, with none for Small Breed.
  • The estimated price per pound is $2.91 for Nutro Ultra and $1.76 for Nutro Max.
HEAD TO HEAD

The Two Lines in Figures

Measure Nutro Ultra Nutro Max Average kibble
Kibble recipes compared 10 8 1,747 in total
Protein, as fed 26.2%22.0% to 28.0% 22.8%20.0% to 26.0% 27.2%
Fat, as fed 14.2%9.0% to 19.0% 14.0%12.0% to 16.0% 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. 40%33% to 45% 43%38% to 46% 37%
Calories per cup 389348 to 437 348334 to 380 398
Grain-free recipes 0% 0%
Life stages Adult 7, Puppy 2, Senior 1 Adult 5, Puppy 2, Senior 1
Breed sizes All Breeds 9, Small Breed 4, Large Breed 2 All Breeds 6, Large Breed 2
Price per pound, estimate $2.91/lbEstimate, median of 10 of 10 recipesRecipes run $2.83 to $4.90Prices checked Sep 28, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026 $1.76/lbEstimate, median of 8 of 8 recipesRecipes run $1.75 to $2.25Prices checked Sep 28, 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 Ultra

Nutro Ultra Small Breed, Weight Management, The Superfood Plate with a Trio of Proteins from Chicken, Lamb and Salmon Dry Dog Food Most protein in the line, 28.0% as fed Nutro Ultra Small Breed, Weight Management, The Superfood Plate with a Trio of Proteins from Chicken, Lamb and Salmon Dry Dog Food Protein 28% Fat 13% Starch 40% 382 kcal/cup Nutro Ultra Toy Breed Adult Dry Dog Food Least starch in the line, about 33% Nutro Ultra Toy Breed Adult Dry Dog Food Protein 28% Fat 19% Starch 33% Nutro Ultra Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food Fewest calories in the line, 348 kcal per cup Nutro Ultra Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food Protein 26% Fat 14% Starch 40% 348 kcal/cup

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
CHOOSING

Who Each Line Suits

A GOOD FIT FOR

Nutro Ultra

  • Owners of small breed dogs, since Nutro Ultra has 4 recipes sized for Small Breed.
  • Owners seeking a higher protein recipe, since Nutro Ultra averages 26.2% protein versus Nutro Max's 22.8%.
  • Owners seeking a recipe made for weight management, since Nutro Ultra includes two such recipes.
A GOOD FIT FOR

Nutro Max

  • Owners wanting a lower cost kibble, since Nutro Max's estimated price per pound is $1.76.
  • Large breed dogs, since Nutro Max has recipes made for Large Breed adults and puppies.
  • Owners wanting a lower calorie kibble, since Nutro Max averages 348 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 Limited Ingredient Diet Nutro Max 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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