The Food Bowl - For Pets and Their People

12 opinions for Rachael Ray to Launch “Nutrish” Dog Food

• Alicia
  Jul 31, 2008 at 1:49 pm

  I don’t know… I mean, I don’t mind Rachel Ray all that much, but Murphy seems to be thriving on the food he gets now (and he loves it!). Maybe I’ll try her dog treats first and see from there.

  I’m always suspicious about new food, especially celebrity food. I mean, I want to help animals too, but not if it means feeding MY animal something weird.

• Eva
  Aug 5, 2008 at 12:00 pm

  I am very diligent about what I feed my dog, I have been making my own food for Buddy for over a year. My concern with Nutrish is that it contains gluten and beef or chicken “meal”. I do not think gluten is a healthy ingredient and exactly what comprises “meal”? Please educate me. There are some foods on the market that do not carry these ingredients and I have used them with good results. Thanks, Eva

• Nutrish
  Aug 7, 2008 at 2:04 pm

  Rachael Ray Nutrish demands the utmost in food safety and quality from our suppliers. We maintain rigorous testing to ensure ingredient and product safety. We continue our commitment to food safety and quality assurance by actively participating in a Pet Food Industry (PFI) work group to establish and implement “Best Practices” recognized by federal regulatory agencies for its excellence in today’s Pet Food Industry.

• Alicia
  Aug 7, 2008 at 7:25 pm

  I don’t think you answered Eva’s question about the gluten and “meal” in the food, Nutrish.

• Nutrish
  Aug 12, 2008 at 5:08 pm

  This answer might be better for Eva’s question…

  Dogs can effectively utilize carbohydrates (starch) in their diet as a source of energy. Carbohydrates can come from various sources in super premium dog food products including corn, rice or wheat. Rachael Ray Nutrish ™ uses whole grain corn in our formulation – listed on the ingredient panel as “corn meal.” Whole grain corn is very digestible – and, in fact, performs as well as rice. An added benefit of using whole grain corn is that it delivers the essential fatty acids essential amino acids, as well as antioxidant nutrients like beta-carotene.

  Corn gluten meal is a co-product of the cornstarch and corn oil manufacturing process – very different than a “by-product.” The manufacturing of cornstarch and corn oil results in the concentration of protein that is called Corn Gluten Meal. Gluten is merely a catch-all term for a seed protein. The perception that Corn Gluten Meal is a “cheap way” to boost protein levels in a pet food is false. Corn Gluten Meal is actually a costly and highly concentrated protein source. Even more, dogs actually need key amino acids provided by Corn Gluten Meal for 100% complete and balanced nutrition. A dog food formula with mixed protein sources from both animal and plant sources, such as Rachael Ray Nutrish ™ delivers both digestibility and a balanced amino acid profile.

• Eva
  Aug 19, 2008 at 2:17 pm

  Thank you for responding and I am happy with the information. I have researched this issue and believe that corn gluten meal is a healthy ingredient in dog food. I also believe that meat protein meal should be greater in volume than grain. The alarm bells should go off when “by-products” is listed in the ingredients, don’t you think? I have no doubt that Nutrish will be a good choice for our precious pets. Thanks again for taking the time to inform us.
  Eva

• Sandy
  Aug 22, 2008 at 3:34 pm

  I tried Nutrish with my 14 mos. Pit/Mastiff mix. He LOVED it immediately and it seems to be very easy for him to digest. He loves it so much, that he now refuses the canned food that I was using to supplement Omega Oils and chooses the Nutrish!

• Lindsey
  Sep 9, 2008 at 9:18 pm

  Nutrish,

  Kind of late on this, but stumbled on it and had to add my two cents.

  First off, let me say this plainly, dogs are CARNIVORES, they are not omnivores and do NOT, I repeat do not need fruit, veggies, grains, or corn in their diet.

  “dogs actually need key amino acids provided by Corn Gluten Meal for 100% complete and balanced nutrition.”

  Are you freaking kidding me? Do you know how many pets are allergic to crap like gluten that is in their diets? Dogs do not NEED corn gluten.

  The best way to feed your dog is a raw, whole prey style. Raw meaty bones and organs. No supplements, no fruits and no veggies. I am sick and tired of the pet food companies shoving this load of crap down everyone’s throat that dogs need corn, rice, and other crap fillers in their diet. If you don’t believe me, I have included links at the bottom.

  Let me ask you this Nutrish, does Rachael Ray herself feed her dog this crap food?

  http://www.rawlearning.com/

  http://www.skylarzack.com/rawfeeding.htm

  http://www.rawmeatybones.com/

• jillane
  Oct 19, 2008 at 6:59 pm

  Oh my goodness I just started feeding my dashaund , Jager ,Nutrish and he LOVES it!!! He has always been a picky pooch but he cant get enough of this food.I have noticed a change in his coat and energy level as well. thankyou

• VetGirl
  Nov 4, 2008 at 4:39 pm

  Lindsey,

  Until 1 month ago, I worked at a vet for nearly 10 years. My boss was very big on nutrition and always took extra classes and continuing education on this topic. We would educate our patients on what’s best for their pets and of course it was ultimately their decision what to feed.

  My point is, I can say without hesitation that you are grossly incorrect about dogs being carnivores and not omnivores. In fact the opposite is true. If you feed a dog mostly a meat protein packed diet you will cause kidney damage. A prime example of a mostly meat diet being a bad idea is this. We had a client come in who fed their lab mostly meat. They came in complaining that he was refusing to chew and seemed painful. Owner brings the dog in and upon examination we were floored. You could take the dog’s jaw and bend it down towards its neck. A condition aptly named “rubber jaw”. Granted this is an extreme case.

  The BARF diet is not recommended by a majority of veterinarians for good reason. Countless doctors backed by the AVMA would be more then happy to explain to you why. Just a few points would be that yes in the wild, dogs ate bones and raw meat. But any idea at their life expectancy from a pierced intestines causing peritonitis or blocked colon from undigested bones? Yes dogs can eat corn, its the corn pulp inside that is the most digestible part. They need a BALANCE in the proper ratios of meats AND vegetables.

  I dont say any of this to me mean. I just feel I had to speak up when, medically speaking, you spoke incorrectly.

• VetGirl
  Nov 4, 2008 at 4:46 pm

  P.S.
  Also in reference to dogs being allergic to gluten. When a dog has a true food allergy, they are more often then not allergic to the protein source. You have to switch to whats called a ‘novel protein” which would be something they were not used to eating. Or you use a food that has been through something called a “hydrolyzation process” such as Hill’s Prescription Diet Z/D. A novel protein we also used in the past was a Salmon and Potatoes for dogs or a Rabbit and Peas for cats.

  Again, not trying to discount your efforts. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and beliefs.

• Diane
  Nov 9, 2008 at 11:38 pm

  I have male and female Miniature Schnauzers. Have just turned one year old and am starting them on Nutrish. Was impressed by the ingredient list. They love the food and their coats seem silkier. One question I have however is about their stools. They are quite a bit larger, should I be concerned?

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