Is Rachael Ray Dog Food Good or Bad? Must-Read Guide
Are you wondering if is Rachael Ray dog food good? The dog food reviews are mixed. Some owners report positive results such as improved coats and higher energy levels, while others raise concerns. In fact, the FDA identified the brand in 2019 as one of 16 possibly linked to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a serious heart condition.
Additionally, claims of chemical contamination, including glyphosate, were part of a class-action lawsuit, though the case was later dismissed.
Potential Positives
Ingredient Quality
Some food reviews highlight the use of real meat, such as salmon or chicken, as the first ingredient in certain formulas.
Taste:[Is Rachael Ray a good dog food?]
Many dogs seem to enjoy the flavor, with owners noting that their pets eat it eagerly.
Affordability
The brand is often considered a consistent and budget-friendly option for pet food owners.
Potential Concerns
DCM Link
[Is Rachael Ray dog food good?] In 2019, Rachael Ray Nutrish was identified by the FDA as one of 16 pet food brands that may be linked to Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs.
Contamination of Rachael Ray dog food Lawsuit
A class-action lawsuit alleged that the food contained weed-killing chemicals, including glyphosate, although the case was later dismissed.
Ingredient Changes
Some consumers noted changes in the ingredients, such as the addition of guar gum in the canned products, which raised concerns for certain owners.
What to Consider
Seek Your Vet’s Opinion
Always consult your veterinarian before making changes to your dog’s diet, especially if your pet has specific health or nutritional needs.
Check Rachael Ray dog food Ingredients
Dog Food Review: the ingredient list to identify any potential allergens or items you want to avoid.
Monitor Your Dog
After switching foods, watch for any changes in your dog’s health, behavior, or digestion, and report concerns to your vet promptly.
Positive Experiences (Pro Side)
“I have been personally feeding my girl the Rachael Ray Nutrish line for quite some time now, and she loves it! She has healthy poops, a shiny coat, and she’s always eager at mealtime. I’m considering switching to Rachael Ray Big Life since it’s designed for larger dogs.
So far, she hasn’t had any health issues, and our vet has said it’s a good food—we’re just exploring other options. We also buy supplements and vitamins.”
“We make our own food for our dogs but use store-bought food for our cats. It works well, and it’s made in the USA (Meadville, PA), which feels much safer in my opinion.”
“I use Rachael Ray Nutrish wet dog food as a mix-in for my picky dog, but it only makes up less than 10% of her diet…”
Is Rachael Ray’s dog food good
Pros
Variety of flavors available
Affordable price point
Cons
Health issues reported
Quality control problems
Negative reactions in some pets
Relevant Dog Food Review (Ramesh Kumar, July 3, 2024)
[Is Rachael Ray Nutrish Good Dog food?] Nutrish Real Salmon Veggies Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food is generally well-liked by pet owners. Many praise it for its quality ingredients, especially the Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Salmon as a key source of protein. Dogs seem to enjoy the taste, and owners often report improvements in their pets’ coat health and energy levels.
However, as with any food, it may not be the best fit for every dog, particularly those with specific dietary needs.
Overall, it’s considered a good, affordable option for many dogs.
Direct Owner Rachael Dog Food Reviews
My girls love this food!
We adopted another senior dog and needed a large breed formula that both could share. Our first dog already loved Rachael Ray’s food, so we tried this one for the added glucosamine. They both gobble it up!
This is a 40 lb bag!
…and the dogs love it! I have two large dogs — a Berner who eats anything and a picky German Shepherd. Even the Shepherd really enjoys it. Plus, the 40 lb bag is a great deal.
Is Rachael Ray’s Dog Food Good For Dogs
My dog absolutely loves Rachael Ray’s products, and that’s all I feed him! He’s happy and content.
Rachael Ray Nutrish Dry Dog Food
[Is Rachael Ray good dog food?] I have two large dogs with sensitive stomachs. After testing and researching many options, this brand works best. They love it, and I recommend it.
Happy Camper
I’m so glad my dog loves it — and finally, his digestive system is on the right track.
Healthy Kibble, Fussy Dog
Finn, a 90-pound Lab/Rottweiler mix, ignores plain Nutrish as he does most kibble. But when I add some vegetables and a little Pedigree Weight Management, he eats it all. While he isn’t crazy about dry food, I like the minimal ingredients and believe it’s a healthy choice.
So far, so good
My dog still eats some grass, but overall, he’s doing well on it. We’ll try another bag and see how it goes.
Bring it back
My dog loved this recipe. The switch hasn’t gone well — we want the original recipe back.
Rachael Ray Food
Both my little and big eaters loved it!
My dogs love it.
My dogs really enjoy this food, and I like that it’s healthier than many alternatives.
Critical and Negative Food Reviews
Katherine Kraus:
I have nothing against Rachael, and the food seems nutritious in terms of Rachael Ray dog food ingredients, but my dog hates it. She’ll eat dead bugs, acorns, cat poop, and sticks — but she turned her nose up at this food. My experience with Rachael Ray’s dog food taught me valuable lessons about freshness, expiration dates, and rancid kibble.
V. F. O. (Former Groomer)
I feed this to my dogs when I can afford it. They love it, and the last time I checked, an independent rating site placed it in the upper-middle tier for quality. I usually mix it with TSC’s Hi-Protein Retriever brand and supplement with cooked chicken, dog-safe rice, and vegetables.
David Hawkins (Veterinary Practice Owner)
“Absolutely not. I have major concerns about retail pet food. Who developed it — marketers or veterinary nutritionists? Was there any testing? Most retail pet foods are created by marketers and sold with clever packaging.”
Ronald Montgomery
Unfortunately, Rachael Ray has no formal knowledge of cat or dog nutrition. The food is expensive, and there’s no clear way to verify the ingredients. It’s also not widely known who actually manufactures it.
Larry Wallace (Dog Breeder/Geneticist)
“No, it’s just the Smucker’s brand. Despite the ingredient lists, their food has been linked to euthanized horses containing pentobarbital. Rachael Ray’s brand also made the FDA’s DCM list. Some Smucker’s products contained toxic levels of vitamin D-3, and there was even a glyphosate lawsuit filed against the food.”
Larry Wallace (Follow-up)
“It’s made by Smucker’s, a company that remained evasive about the recall after it was linked to pentobarbital contamination from euthanized horses.”
Hong Su
This is junk. All dog food companies use an inherently flawed exclusion process. Even if it meets AAFCO standards, it’s still worthless. Premium brands like Blue Buffalo have also been recalled and linked to heart disease. The FDA does a poor job of regulating this industry.
Directly Relevant Reviews of [Is Rachael Ray Nutrish Dog Food Good]
1. Theresa Ilg Smith
“Terrible food.”
2. Rhonda Needham
“Garbage.”
3. Libby Bailey
“Garbage.”
4. Melissa Lucas
“Not good.”
5. Susan Vaughan Harnish
“I would not.”
6. LaDonna Martin
“One of the worst dog foods out there.”
7. Terri Reese “My toy poodle’s hair fell out! Frequent diarrhea … realized it was the food. Trash!” 8. Erin Putney:[Is Rachael Ray Dog Food Good For Your Dog] “My experience… explosive diarrhea… up the walls explosive!” 9. Kim Rice “I did once, and my dog got extremely ill after eating it and never again…”
9. Daniel Ortman
I’ve used it before… my pit mixes broke out with skin issues. I don’t recommend it. They did much better on Blue Buffalo.
10. Samantha Wilkins
This dog food is not backed by enough research, is not recommended by veterinarians, and has a lot of fillers.
11. Gina Henderson
Investigated in 2019 as one of 16 brands linked to heart disease… Sued in 2018 for glyphosate… Multiple dog food recalls for vitamin D… I’m not impressed by the ingredients. Soy and corn are used as fillers to boost protein.
12. Nirmala McAfee
“Look at the ingredients. Chemicals? Fillers? It doesn’t seem any better than Purina.”
13. Frank James
“Celebrity or influencer-branded products are no better — and sometimes worse — than established brands.”
14. Lydia Kunzler
“It’s mediocre food at best. The ingredients stink. I wouldn’t feed it myself.”
15. Karrie Stone (Vet reference)
“My vet said Rachael Ray is just a commercial brand — and he wouldn’t feed it to his own dogs.”
16. Cathy Jarvis Johnson
“My poodle does great on it and loves it. No stomach issues with the beef and rice formula.”
17. Gala Lagmark:[Is Rachael Ray Nutrish Good Dog Food]
“Our poodle eats Rachael Ray Nutrish Beef and Brown Rice, and her stomach has been really good on it. I also supplement with eggs, sweet potatoes, and other protein, but as far as kibble goes, this works.”
18. Tonya Maynard-Wright
“Our poodle loved the grain-free Rachael Ray food, and he had no issues.”
19. Teresa Weeks
“Yes, but my dog didn’t like it.”
Conclusion: Is Rachael Ray Dog Food Good
Ultimately, Rachael Ray Nutrish dog food receives mixed feedback. Some owners praise its affordability, variety, and reported benefits such as improved coats and digestion. However, it also faces criticism from veterinarians and pet owners, who cite recalls, pet food lawsuits, concerns about ingredients, and adverse health reactions.
Whether it’s the right choice depends on your dog’s individual needs — and it’s always best to consult your veterinarian before making any dietary changes.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)?
Q1.Is Rachael Ray Nutrish Dog Food Under FDA Warning?
Ans. In late June 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified Rachael Ray Nutrish as one of 16 pet food brands that may be linked to heart disease in cats and dogs.
Q2.What’s going on with Rachael Ray’s dog food?
Ans. At least 10 cases of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) have been linked to Rachael Ray Nutrish dog food since June 2019. DCM is a potentially fatal heart condition.
Q3.Which brand of dog food do most vets recommend?
Ans. Veterinarians often recommend Hill’s Science Diet, Purina Pro Plan, and Royal Canin. There is a great deal of science behind these brands, with dedicated teams of nutritionists, veterinarians, and scientists.
They produce formulas that meet AAFCO standards and offer specialized diets for different life stages, sizes, and health needs—building confidence in their quality and efficacy.
Q4.Is Rachael Ray Nutrish dog food linked to heart disease?
Ans. A study has examined the potential connection between dry dog food and heart failure. While Rachael Ray Nutrish was mentioned in FDA reports, it was not at the top of the list.
With so many dog foods containing additives and chemicals, choosing the best dry food often comes down to selecting a well-researched brand recommended by your veterinarian.
Q5.Where does Rachael Ray dog food rank?
Rachael Ray Nutrish dog food received a 4-star rating (second highest) from Dog Food Advisor, reflecting generally positive food reviews but leaving room for improvement compared to premium vet-recommended brands.
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