If you’re wondering, “Is Rachael Ray Dog Food Healthy?”, we’ve got you covered. Rachael Ray Nutrish offers a range of recipes made with real protein ingredients, providing several health benefits. However, the brand has faced some controversy — including mixed customer reviews citing digestive issues and ingredient sensitivities in certain dogs, as well as a lawsuit alleging glyphosate contamination.
While the brand is formulated to provide complete nutrition, its suitability ultimately depends on your dog’s individual needs. Consulting a veterinarian before making any dietary changes is always recommended.
Pet Owner Reviews: Is Rachael Ray Dog Food Healthy?
1. Kathy Jarvis Johnson
My poodle does great on this food and loves it. No stomach issues with the rice and real beef. I switched from Purina due to the dog death concerns. Honestly, it feels like there’s something questionable in all brands these days.
2. Gala Legmark
Our poodle eats Rachael Ray’s nutrient-packed brown rice and beef kibble, and her stomach has been really good. I also supplement with eggs, sweet potatoes, and other healthy proteins, but as far as kibble goes, this one works fine for her.
3. Tonya Maynard-Wright
We used the Nutrish grain-free Rachael Ray formula, and my poodle had no quality control issues at all.
4. Gail Hopkins Doerfler
We have no complaints about it—my son uses it for his dog, too.
5. Debbie Carrington
Thanks for the feedback, everyone! Just curious—our two boys have been on Purina since puppyhood, but they haven’t been eating it well lately. We’re looking for a change.
6. Teresa Weeks
Yes, but my dog didn’t like it.
7. Melissa Lucas
I don’t think it’s good.
8. Susan Van Hornsch
I wouldn’t feed it.
9. Theresa Elgsmith
Horrible food.
10. LaDonna Martin: Is Rachael Ray’s Dog Food Healthy For Dogs
One of the worst dog foods out there.
11. Libby Bailey
It’s garbage.
12, Rhonda Needham
It’s garbage.
13. Kim Rice
I fed it to my dog once, but he got really sick afterward. I never gave it to him again.
14. Terry Reese
My toy poodle’s hair started falling out! He had repeated diarrhea, and it wasn’t until I saw the hair loss that I realized this food was the problem. I wanted to trust it because I liked Rachael Ray’s show, but this food? Trash.
14. Erin Putney
My experience? Explosive diarrhea… literally on the walls.
15. Daniel Ortman
My ex and I used this brand. Our pit mix broke out in hives quickly. I don’t recommend it. He did much better on Blue Buffalo Beef. I now feed my poodle Nour Appetite air-dried food. It’s one of the cheapest non-kibble options, and I sometimes make his food from scratch. Just be careful—chicken is one of the most common allergens for dogs.
16. Lydia Kinzler
This is mediocre food at best. It feels like just another brand using a celebrity name to sell kibble. The research isn’t impressive, the high-quality ingredients aren’t great, and I wouldn’t feed it to my dog.
17. Nirmala McAfee
Always pay attention to ingredients. Are there chemicals? Fillers? Is it organic or full of pesticides? I’ve seen Rachael Ray’s food, and I wouldn’t use it. It seems as bad as Purina. She’s a celebrity—what does she know about animal nutrition beyond what her marketing team tells her?
18. Frank James
Influencer or celebrity-endorsed products are no better or worse than other big-name brands, in my opinion.
19. Gina Henderson
Rachael Ray’s pet food brand was one of 16 brands investigated in 2019 for a potential link to heart disease in cats and dogs.
In 2018, they were sued for allegedly including glyphosate (an herbicide) in the food, but the class action lawsuit was dismissed.
There was also an incident of high vitamin D levels in some Nutrish cat food recipes.
Overall, the ingredients aren’t impressive. I don’t think Rachael Ray owns the brand anymore—pretty sure she sold it to Smucker’s. The food contains a good amount of corn and soy protein.
They use whole and ground corn to split the ingredient listing and make it appear further down the label. These are still low-quality fillers with little to no nutritional value.
20. Samantha Wilkins: Is Rachael Ray Nutrish Dog Food Healthy
This food isn’t backed by enough research and isn’t vet-recommended. It’s still a relatively “new” brand and uses a lot of fillers. Personally, I feed Iams. When I choose dog food, I always check:
How long the company has been in business
Any lawsuits or dog food recalls
The ingredient list
Vet recommendations
[How Healthy is Rachael Ray Dog Food?] The first five ingredients are the most important, as well as the last one. You want to see meat, vegetables, and healthy fats up front. I wouldn’t spend $100 on raw or boutique dog food, but even affordable price point brands can provide what dogs need if chosen carefully.
Real Reviews: Is Rachael Ray Dog Food Healthy For Dogs
Popular_Cup3607 (OP):
Personally, I’ve had my girl on the Rachael Ray Nutrish line for quite some time now — and she loves it! Her coat and skin health look great, her poops is healthy, and she’s always excited to eat at dinnertime. I’m considering switching dog food safely to Rachael Ray Big Life since it’s more geared toward larger dogs, and my girl is a very healthy pit.
I haven’t seen any bad Rachael Ray dog food reviews on either line, and our vet said it’s a good food. Just looking for other options. 🙂
Mbwapuppy:
The food doesn’t meet the standards recommended by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). And honestly, Rachael Ray’s pet food brand has had its share of controversies.
Atlantisgate:
There are a lot of reported cases of erosive cardiomyopathy linked to nutrish grain-free diets like this one, and there’s basically no solid science behind it. I wouldn’t touch this brand with a ten-foot pole.
ih8yogutzzz:
If I could stomach all the controversy, maybe. Personally, I don’t trust any celebrity-branded pet food on TV. But if your dog is doing well on it, I can’t really knock your choice.
Banksville:
We make homemade food for our dogs, but for our cats, we use a board-certified nutritionist. It works well for us — plus, Rachael Ray’s food is made in the USA (Meadville, PA), which I think is a safer option.
[Deleted]: Is Rachael Ray Wet Dog Food Healthy
I use the Rachael Ray wet food as a mix-in for my picky dog, but it makes up less than <10% of his diet. Since it’s not WSAVA-certified, I wouldn’t use it as his primary food. We stick to Hill’s Science Diet as his main staple.
Harry Hagen
Read the ingredients on the label. You should know what the can contains by the amount. Research each ingredient that isn’t completely obvious, especially those that may be included in industry parlance, such as “meal.” You need to know what the “meal” is made of. Do you really want to feed it to your dog?
Google “dog food brand comparison.” Pay attention to how the brand you’re interested in compares to A) all other dog food brands, as well as B) brands of similar price.
Hong Su
This is ghetto. It’s all kibble. The extrusion process that all dog food companies use to make kibble is inherently flawed. It’s linked to diseases like cancer. It’s a high-heat process that destroys most of the nutrients. They re-add them as chemicals that aren’t easily absorbed.
Even if it meets AAFCO standards, it’s still worthless. The industry is dubious at best. Even premium dog food brands like Blue Buffalo have been linked to heart disease after a mass food recall. The FDA(for recall/safety context) does a poor job of regulating this industry.
If you’re looking for quality, avoid the big box stores and only go with brands that carry it.
V F O: Is Rachael Ray’s Dog Food Healthy
When I can afford it, I feed it to my dogs. They love it, and it ranked upper middle in quality the last time I checked an independent rating website. I haven’t fed the Rachael Ray wet food, but my cat also prefers the Rachael Ray dry kibble over other brands. I should mention that I also mix it with TSC’s Hi-Protein Retriever brand and supplement with cooked chicken, dog-safe vegetables, and rice most of the time.
Ronald Montgomery
Unfortunately, Rachel Ray does not know cat or dog nutrition. The food is expensive, and there are no resources to verify the absolute ingredients or, for that matter, who actually manufactures it.
Larry Wallace
No, it’s just a Smucker’s Jelly brand. Despite the ingredient lists, their food contained horses euthanized with Pentobarbital.
Rachel Ray made the FDA’s DCM (heart disease) list.
Some Smucker’s products had toxic levels of vitamin D-3.
Rachel Ray’s dog food brand, Nutrish, has been sued over claims of glyphosate (lawn chemical) contamination.
Customer of Rachael Ray Dog Food Reviews
Deborah
The ingredients are of good quality, and my dog loves the taste. He wolfed it down in seconds. I also bought a roller to slowly dispense the kibble because it is healthier for his system and entertaining for him as well.
CalifGirl209
Excellent choice for the dog
I have a six-month-old pug-mix puppy. The small kibble is the perfect size for his mouth, and it is easy for him to chew. I assume it tastes so good because he goes after it like he’s starving. I like it because it is above-average quality dog food and healthy for him.
Melody
Happy Dog
This dog food has been a game-changer for my pup! He loves the taste, and I’ve noticed a huge improvement in his coat and skin health, digestion, and energy levels since switching. The ingredients are high-quality with no artificial additives or fillers, which gives me peace of mind. It’s also the best dog food for sensitive stomachs. I will definitely continue buying it—highly recommended for happy, healthy dogs!
Anonymous
Love this food for my dog
My dog loves this food. It is an excellent brand, and his poop doesn’t smell bad when he eats it.
Sunny CC: Is Rachael Ray’s Dog Food Healthy
Pretty healthy,affordable price point is right, small bites for easy chewing, and digestion is good. The dogs eat it willingly, so it must taste great.
Bonnie
What I liked about this dog food is the sale on Nutrish… My dog loved it! Thanks for the cashback on the big sale in July. I didn’t dislike anything.
Molly
Great dog food
My dog loved this food. Very happy—will probably keep him on Nutrish because of all the digestive health benefits.
Lana: Is Rachael Ray Wet Dog Food Healthy
The ingredients look good, and it smells great. My Chihuahua is very finicky and prefers having a little wet food mixed in before eating. I was hoping that switching dog safely brands might reduce her need for wet food, but no—it’s got to be her way or not at all.
Is Rachael Ray a good dog food?
Individual Recipe Ratings
The Rachael Ray Nutrish product line includes six dry dog food recipes.
Each recipe lists its AAFCO nutritional profile: Growth (Puppy), All Life Stages, Maintenance (Adult), Supplemental, or Unspecified.
Use the links below to check package sizes and prices from online retailers.
Recipe and Label Analysis
Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Chicken and Veggies was selected to represent the other products in the line for nutritional analysis and detailed composition.
Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Chicken and Veggies
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
Carbs
Ingredients (in order of presence):
The following ingredients are included in this gentle digestion formula: chicken, soybean meal, whole corn, whole grain wheat, dried peas, grain sorghum, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), corn protein concentrate, canola meal, carrots, brown rice, natural flavor, dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, salt, fish oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), malted barley flour, taurine,
Vitamins:
Vitamin E supplement, ascorbic acid (source of Vitamin A), niacin, vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate, D-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin D3 supplement,
Minerals:
Ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, sodium selenite, manganese sulfate, calcium iodate,
Other Ingredients:
Choline chloride, lactic acid, citric acid (preservative), carmine (color), and rosemary extract.
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guaranteed Analysis | 23% | 13% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 26% | 14% | 52% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 23% | 31% | 46% |
High Quality Ingredients Analysis
Nutritional Summary
Rachael Ray Nutrish Dog Food appears to be above-average dry dog food.
The analysis shows a dry matter protein content of 26%, an estimated carbohydrate content of about 52%, and a fat level of 14%.
As a group, the brand averages 28% protein and 15% fat, suggesting a carbohydrate content of 49% across the entire product line.
The fat-to-protein ratio is 53%, which indicates that the Rachael Ray product line contains:
About average fat
About average protein
About average carbohydrates compared to a typical dry dog food
When you factor in the protein-boosting effects of soybean meal and dried peas, this appears to be a kibble profile that still contains a notable amount of meat.
Rachael Ray Dog Food Recall History
Our Rating of Rachael Ray Dog Food
Dog Food Advisor rates Rachael Ray as an above-average kibble. The recipe contains a significant amount of fresh meat and uses named meat meals as its primary source of animal protein. Overall, the brand earns 4 stars, while Nutrish Dish and Nutrish Peak each earn an impressive 4.5 stars.
A Quick Guide to Rachael Ray Sub-Brands
Not sure which Rachael Ray sub-brand is right for your pup? This short video from Chewy can help you decide.
Who Makes Rachael Ray Dog Food?
In 2018, Rachael Ray Nutrish was acquired from Ainsworth Pet Nutrition by Big Heart Pet Brands, a division of The J. M. Smucker Company based in Orrville, Ohio.
All dry recipes are made in the U.S.A., while wet recipes are produced in Thailand.
What Do Others Say About Rachael Ray Dog Food?
As of the latest update, Chewy customers rate Rachael Ray 4.5 out of 5 stars, and 92% say they would recommend it to others.
Sample Buyer Review: “When the food arrived, we knew it was different from the other brands we’d tried. Both of our dogs followed me into the pantry and sniffed the bag from top to bottom. They were practically drooling as I poured the kibble into their bowls. We no longer need to ‘enhance’ their meals, and they don’t leave until every last bite is gone.”
Read More Buyer Reviews at Chewy.com
Buying Tip: Save Up to 35% with Autoship. See Discount in Cart
Conclusion: Is Rachael Ray Dog Food Healthy
In conclusion, Rachael Ray Nutrish offers several recipes made with real protein sources and provides a range of digestive health benefits. These formulas are designed to deliver complete and balanced nutrition, but their suitability ultimately depends on your dog’s individual needs.
In this article, we’ve included mixed reviews and insights related to dog health to help you make an informed decision.
If you’d like more information about the health and safety of Rachael Ray dog food, feel free to contact us or leave a comment below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)?
Q1. Is Rachael Ray Nutrish Dog Food Under an FDA Warning?
Ans. The FDA (for recall/safety context) has released a list of dog food brands most frequently mentioned in reported DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy) cases. These include Blue Buffalo, Merrick, Zignature, Acana, Fromm, 4Health, Natural Balance, Taste of the Wild, Earthborn Holistic, Nature’s Domain, and California Natural.
Q2.What’s Happening with Rachael Ray Dog Food?
Ans. A recently filed class action lawsuit claims that Rachael Ray Nutrish Pet Food is deceptively advertised as “natural,” despite allegedly containing numerous synthetic ingredients.
Q3.How to Spot Low-Quality Dog Food
Ans. Low-quality dry dog foods often use by-products (poultry or meat), which contain fewer nutrients compared to whole meat. High-quality dog foods typically use meat-based proteins and fats from clearly identified sources, handled with greater care.
Q4.Which Dog Food is Better – Purina or Rachael Ray?
Ans. Purina Pro Plan is Nestlé Purina’s premium line and is considered superior to Rachael Ray Nutrish in terms of nutritional science and ingredient quality.