Clean Eating for Dogs with Nutro’s ‘Feed Clean’ Diets

By: Dr. Jennifer CoatesUpdated:

Clean Eating for Dogs with Nutro’s ‘Feed Clean’ Diets
Photo: Chewy Studios

Clean Eating for Dogs with Nutro’s ‘Feed Clean’ Diets

A clean diet is one of the most popular human dietary trends, and for good reason. Far from being a fad, a clean eating diet encompasses tried-and-true tenets, like avoiding highly-processed foods, and focuses the diet on whole foods that are free from contaminants—as close to their natural state as possible.

In addition, the foods you eat should serve a purpose. For example, fresh fruits and vegetables add vitamins, potassium, fiber and antioxidants to the diet.

A clean eating diet is a healthy choice—so much so that these meals are starting to gain traction in canine nutritional circles, too. Pet food company Nutro recently adopted what it calls a “Feed Clean” philosophy to provide pets with good nutrition made from simple, healthy ingredients.

“It takes the human clean eating trend and adapts it for pets by promising that we’ll create pet food recipes that are simple, purposeful and trustworthy,” says Arren Beach, Nutro brand manager.

What Is Nutro’s Feed Clean Philosophy?

The decision to adopt the Feed Clean philosophy was born out of the company’s recognition of the cleaning eating trend in the human food world as well as its ongoing commitment to provide high quality products that meet pets’ nutritional needs.

“Increasingly, consumers have started extending their own food philosophies onto their pets, choosing options that reflect the same growing trends in human food, such as no added preservatives and non-GMO ingredients,” Beach says. “As we thought through developing new products for the Nutro brand, we focused on marrying these human trends with what a pet needs, and that became the Nutro Feed Clean philosophy.”

According to Beach, Nutro’s recipes that fall under the Feed Clean philosophy:

  • Do not include GMO ingredients.
  • Do not include chicken by-product meal, corn, wheat or soy protein.
  • Do not include artificial preservatives, colors or flavors.

Instead, they are made from nutrient-rich ingredients, each of which serves a purpose or specific function.

In addition, the ingredients are sourced from trusted farmers and suppliers and are prepared in facilities that are rigorously tested for quality and safety.

Nutro started going down this path a while ago. The company committed to never adding artificial preservatives or flavors early on, Beach says, and a few years ago it began the process of sourcing non-GMO ingredients in its dry recipes. This Feed Clean initiative expands on those efforts

What Are the Benefits of a Clean Eating Diet?

The high quality ingredients found in clean diets deliver energy, protein, vitamins and minerals that pets need to thrive and to enjoy an active lifestyle. A clean diet also helps provide dogs with natural ingredients to help them maintain healthy skin and a glossy coat—telltale signs of a nutritious diet.

The greatest advantage of good nutrition is a longer and healthier life for your dog. A clean eating diet can help your pup when it contains simple, nutritious and wholesome ingredients.

Nutro’s Feed Clean Pet Food: Your Options

Nutro’s first product lines to adhere to the Feed Clean philosophy began rolling out in February 2017, Beach says.

All of Nutro’s dry dog food lines are now considered Feed Clean diets: Nutro Ultra, Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet, Nutro Grain Free and Nutro Wholesome Essentials.

Nutro Ultra Superfood blend for adult dogs, for example, is made with no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Plus, this food includes sunflower oil for healthy skin and a shiny, soft coat.

To help dogs keep weight off, Nutro Ultra weight management dog food might fit the bill. It contains glucosamine and chondroitin to help promote healthy joints and includes taurine, a natural antioxidant for dogs.

In addition to Nutro dry dog food, Nutro dry cat food recipes also adhere to the Feed Clean philosophy.

The company is working to fully incorporate its wet pet foods, pet treats and Max Cat products into the Feed Clean approach. Beach said the company is transitioning its wet dog food to the Feed Clean philosophy next, with roll out expected in early 2019, followed by their wet cat food and dog treats around mid-2019.

By: Dr. Jennifer Coates
Dr. Jennifer Coates was valedictorian of her graduating class at the VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and has practiced in Virginia, Wyoming, and Colorado in the years since. She is also the author of numerous articles, short stories, and books, including the Dictionary of Veterinary Terms, Vet-Speak Deciphered for the Non-Veterinarian. She lives in Fort Collins, Colorado with her husband, children, dog (Apollo), and cat (Minerva).

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By: Dr. Jennifer CoatesUpdated:

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