Key Takeaways: Nutrish Real Chicken & Veggies Recipe 💡
- Is the chicken really “farm-raised”? Yes, but chicken is followed immediately by soybean meal, whole corn, and whole grain wheat — meaning plant proteins may contribute more to the total protein count than you’d expect.
- Was there a glyphosate lawsuit? Yes. A 2018 class-action alleged the food contained the herbicide found in Roundup, though the judge dismissed it twice, ruling the levels were negligible — between 0.005% to 0.01% of FDA’s allowed tolerance.
- Is Nutrish linked to the FDA’s DCM investigation? Yes. In June 2019, the FDA identified Rachael Ray Nutrish as one of 16 pet food brands that may be linked to heart disease in dogs.
- Does it contain peas? Yes, dried peas are the fifth ingredient — and FDA data revealed that 93% of diets associated with DCM cases contained peas and/or lentils.
- Are feeding trials conducted? The label likely says “formulated to meet AAFCO standards” — approximately 80% of the pet food industry does not perform feeding trials with their foods.
- Who actually makes this food now? Post Holdings acquired the brand in 2023, including manufacturing facilities in Bloomsburg and Meadville, Pennsylvania, and Lawrence, Kansas.
🏭 1. Your “Rachael Ray” Dog Food Isn’t Rachael Ray’s Anymore — Three Owners in Five Years
Here’s a reality check that should give every pet parent pause: J.M. Smucker Company acquired Ainsworth Pet Nutrition — the original maker of Nutrish — for approximately $1.7 billion in 2018. Then, just five years later, Smucker sold the brand to Post Holdings for $1.2 billion.
Why does this matter? Every time a pet food company changes hands, formulas get “optimized” for profit margins, supply chains shift, and quality control standards fluctuate. Consumer reviews show a pattern: “They have changed her Original Recipe — my dogs are constantly scratching and are miserable — they are allergic to the new ingredients this new company has added.”
The celebrity endorsement creates an illusion of artisanal care. In reality, Rachael Ray is simply a trademark licensed from Ray Marks II LLC — she doesn’t oversee manufacturing, sourcing, or quality control. She collects royalty checks while corporate food scientists determine what goes into your dog’s bowl.
| Ownership Timeline | What Changed | 💡 Insider Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2008-2018: Ainsworth Pet Nutrition | Original recipes, privately owned | Smaller scale, more oversight 🏠 |
| 2018-2023: J.M. Smucker Company | Scaled production, cost optimization | Joined portfolio with Meow Mix, 9Lives 🏢 |
| 2023-Present: Post Holdings | Cereal company ownership | Same facilities as Kibbles ‘n Bits ⚠️ |
💡 Critical Insight: When a dog food brand gets sold for billions, that money doesn’t come from improving quality — it comes from cutting costs while maintaining price points. Your dog pays the price.
⚗️ 2. The Glyphosate Scandal: Your “Natural” Dog Food Tested Positive for Weed Killer
In 2018, a New York resident filed a $5 million class-action lawsuit claiming Nutrish contained glyphosate, the chemical herbicide found in Roundup. Independent laboratory testing confirmed its presence.
A 2015 study by researchers Samsel and Seneff tested 9 popular brands of dog and cat food — every single one came back with “significant” levels of glyphosate. Rachael Ray Nutrish Super Premium and 9Lives Indoor Complete had the highest levels measured.
The lawsuit alleged that crops like peas, soy, corn, beets and alfalfa are sprayed with glyphosate to dry them and produce an earlier, more uniform harvest. Since the Chicken & Veggies recipe contains soybean meal, whole corn, and dried peas, these are precisely the ingredients most likely to carry herbicide residue.
The judge dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that labeling such pet food as “natural” is not materially misleading to a reasonable consumer — but that doesn’t mean the glyphosate isn’t there. It simply means the levels fell within FDA tolerance limits.
| Glyphosate Facts | What It Means | 💡 Reality Check |
|---|---|---|
| Found in independent testing | Herbicide residue confirmed | Not listed on any ingredient panel 🧪 |
| Lawsuit dismissed twice | Levels deemed “negligible” | Still present in every serving 📊 |
| IARC classified as “probable human carcinogen” | Cancer research agency warning | Dogs have smaller bodies than humans ⚠️ |
💡 Critical Insight: Bayer set aside over $16 billion to cover Roundup litigation related to cancer claims in humans. If glyphosate concerns you in your own food, why would you feed it to your dog daily for years?
💔 3. The FDA’s DCM Investigation: Nutrish Named Among 16 Brands Linked to Canine Heart Disease
This is the finding that should make every Nutrish customer stop and read the label more carefully. In late June 2019, the FDA identified Rachael Ray Nutrish as one of 16 pet food brands that may be linked to heart disease in dogs and cats.
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) causes the heart muscle to become weak and enlarged, eventually leading to heart failure. The FDA found more than 90% of the diets associated with DCM reports were grain-free, and 93% contained peas or lentils.
Here’s where Nutrish gets complicated: The Chicken & Veggies Whole Health Blend is grain-inclusive (containing corn, wheat, and brown rice), which sounds safer. However, it still contains dried peas as the fifth ingredient — and the presence or absence of pulses cannot be predicted based only on whether the diet contains grains. Some grain-inclusive diets contain pulses and can be associated with DCM as well.
From January 2014 through November 2022, the FDA received 1,382 reports of DCM in dogs. In December 2022, the FDA announced it would end routine updates on the investigation, stating the reports “do not supply sufficient data to establish a causal relationship.”
| DCM Investigation Facts | FDA Findings | 💡 What This Means |
|---|---|---|
| 1,382 dogs reported with DCM | Official adverse event count | Voluntary reporting = likely undercount 📉 |
| 93% of diets contained peas/lentils | Strong ingredient correlation | Nutrish contains dried peas ⚠️ |
| Investigation “ended” in 2022 | No causal link established | Does NOT mean foods are safe 🔬 |
💡 Critical Insight: The lower number of recent reports may indicate changes in diet formulations or decreased popularity of grain-free diets — but researchers like Dr. Freeman at Tufts say “that’s still about one dog every three days” being reported with DCM.
🔬 4. The Ingredient Breakdown: What “Real Chicken & Veggies” Actually Contains
Let’s decode what’s really in that bag. The full ingredient list reads: Chicken, Soybean Meal, Whole Corn, Whole Grain Wheat, Dried Peas, Grain Sorghum, Chicken Fat, Corn Protein Concentrate, Canola Meal, Carrots, Brown Rice, and continues with various supplements.
Chicken is first — but that’s misleading. Fresh chicken contains about 70% water. After processing, it contributes far less actual protein than it appears. Ingredients located far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of any dog food product.
Soybean meal is second. Soy is often viewed skeptically due to potential hormonal effects and allergies. It’s a cheap plant protein that inflates the crude protein percentage on the guaranteed analysis.
Corn appears twice — as whole corn and corn protein concentrate. Corn gluten meal and corn protein concentrate are considered low-quality filler and potential allergens for some dogs.
| Ingredient | Purpose | 💡 Industry Reality |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken (#1) | Protein source | 70% water weight — shrinks after cooking 🍗 |
| Soybean Meal (#2) | Cheap protein boost | May cause hormonal disruption in some dogs 🌱 |
| Whole Corn (#3) | Filler/carbohydrate | Common allergen, limited nutritional value 🌽 |
| Dried Peas (#5) | Fiber/protein | Linked to DCM in FDA investigation 🫛 |
| Corn Protein Concentrate (#8) | Protein boost | Low-quality, processed corn byproduct 🏭 |
💡 Critical Insight: The word “veggies” in the product name suggests a vegetable-rich formula. In reality, carrots appear as the tenth ingredient — after multiple corn derivatives and chicken fat. The vegetable content is minimal.
📋 5. AAFCO Standards: What “Complete and Balanced” Actually Means (And Doesn’t Mean)
The bag proudly states this food meets AAFCO nutritional standards. But here’s what pet food companies don’t advertise: Approximately 80% of the pet food industry does not perform feeding trials with their foods.
There are two ways to meet AAFCO standards:
Formulation Method: A laboratory analysis uses a small sample of the food to verify it meets AAFCO’s standards. The label will read “formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO dog food nutrient profiles.”
Feeding Trial Method: In addition to laboratory analysis, this method includes feeding trials with real dogs. The label will read “Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that [Product Name] provides complete and balanced nutrition.”
There is no requirement for either in vivo or laboratory testing of pet food products if the formulation method is used. In other words, a dog food can be sold for years without ever being fed to an actual dog in a controlled study.
AAFCO feeding trials require only 8 dogs for adult maintenance trials lasting just 26 weeks, with only 4 blood parameters tested. Premium brands often exceed these minimum requirements — but budget-friendly options rarely do.
| AAFCO Compliance Method | What’s Required | 💡 Quality Indicator |
|---|---|---|
| Formulation Only | Computer calculation of nutrients | Never tested on real dogs 💻 |
| Feeding Trial | 8 dogs, 26 weeks, 4 blood tests | Minimum standard, not gold standard 📊 |
| Premium Brands (JFFD example) | 30 dogs, 12 months, 25+ blood tests | Exceeds requirements significantly ⭐ |
💡 Critical Insight: Check your bag. If it says “formulated to meet” rather than “animal feeding tests substantiate,” the food has never been proven to actually nourish a living dog through proper trials.
⚖️ 6. The 2024 Lawsuit: “Natural” Claims Under Fire Again
Just when you thought the glyphosate controversy was settled, a new class-action lawsuit filed in June 2024 claims Rachael Ray Nutrish pet foods are deceptively advertised as “natural” given that many products contain synthetic substances including citric acid, glycerin, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, dicalcium phosphate and xanthan gum.
The lawsuit argues that no product touted as “natural” should contain any of these artificial additives, many of which are manufactured through intense chemical processing.
This case remains active and looks to represent anyone in the United States who purchased any of the Nutrish products for personal, family or household use.
| “Natural” Claim Issues | What’s Actually Inside | 💡 Legal Status |
|---|---|---|
| Prominent front-of-bag claim | Synthetic minerals and preservatives | 2024 lawsuit pending 📜 |
| Consumer expectation | Whole, unprocessed ingredients | Synthetics found throughout formula ⚗️ |
| AAFCO defines “natural” | Allows vitamins/minerals from any source | Definition favors manufacturers 🏭 |
💡 Critical Insight: Pet food “natural” definitions are written by industry insiders. What you picture when you read “natural” and what AAFCO allows under that term are completely different things.
💰 7. The Price-to-Quality Ratio: Budget Dog Food Priced as Premium
Nutrish costs about $1.37 per pound, positioning itself as a “step-up from basic offerings without crossing into premium price territory.” But here’s what that price point buys you:
The same facilities that produce Kibbles ‘n Bits, 9Lives, and Gravy Train — brands typically considered economy-tier products. The Topeka J.M. Smucker plant produces multiple brands including Meow Mix and Nature’s Recipe, creating shared production lines and potential cross-contamination issues.
For comparison, veterinary nutritionists at Royal Canin, Purina Pro Plan, Science Diet, and Iams/Eukanuba have not had any confirmed cases of dogs getting DCM while being fed their food. These brands employ full-time veterinary nutritionists and conduct extensive feeding trials — something that costs money reflected in their higher price points.
| Price Comparison | Cost Per Pound | 💡 What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Nutrish Chicken & Veggies | ~$1.37/lb | Soy-heavy, corn-heavy, minimal feeding trials 💵 |
| Purina Pro Plan | ~$2.20/lb | Feeding trials, veterinary nutritionists on staff 🔬 |
| Hill’s Science Diet | ~$2.80/lb | AAFCO trials, extensive research backing 📚 |
| Orijen/Acana | ~$4.00/lb | High meat content, limited carbohydrates ⭐ |
💡 Critical Insight: Nutrish markets itself as premium while operating at budget-tier standards. You’re paying for celebrity endorsement and foundation donations — not necessarily superior nutrition.
🤢 8. Consumer Complaints: The Troubling Pattern Manufacturers Won’t Address
The volume of negative consumer experiences should concern any prospective buyer:
“Our dog has eaten Nutrish since she was a pup. She recently experienced several episodes of vomiting and refused Nutrish after I opened a new bag of chicken and rice kibble.”
“We got the Nutrish gentle digestion for our dog. Within 3 days she went from being herself to acting like she was in extreme pain.”
“I started transitioned my service dog on Rachael Ray Nutrish chicken and vegetable in September 2024. Shortly after he started throwing up… My Henry has lost 15 pounds. The vet said that this food isn’t good quality food.”
“We noticed one day our dog was having uncontrolled tremors quite frequently. Switched to another brand and within 2 days the tremors stopped and have not returned.”
| Common Complaint | Frequency | 💡 Possible Cause |
|---|---|---|
| Vomiting after new bag opened | Very common | Formula inconsistency, spoilage 🤮 |
| Diarrhea and digestive upset | Very common | Ingredient sensitivity, quality issues 💩 |
| Lethargy and pain behaviors | Moderate | Potential contamination, allergic reaction 😴 |
| Hair loss and skin problems | Moderate | Soy sensitivity, nutritional imbalances 🐕 |
| Refusal to eat | Common | Palatability issues, odor changes 🚫 |
💡 Critical Insight: Multiple consumers report problems appearing specifically after opening a new bag, suggesting batch-to-batch inconsistency that quality control should catch but doesn’t.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Nutrish Chicken & Veggies safe for my dog?
The honest answer: probably, for most dogs, most of the time. Rachael Ray Nutrish Dog food receives a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from some reviewers, and millions of dogs eat it without obvious problems. However, “safe” and “optimal” aren’t the same thing. The presence of dried peas despite the FDA finding 93% of DCM-associated diets contained peas or lentils is a legitimate concern. The repeated formula changes following ownership transitions create uncertainty. There are anecdotal reports of dogs getting sick — sometimes terminally ill — after eating this food.
Q: Did the FDA actually recall Nutrish for heart disease?
No. Nutrish was identified in the FDA’s investigation, but none of the 16 brands were recalled. The FDA stated in December 2022 that the reports “do not supply sufficient data to establish a causal relationship.” However, the fact that the FDA ended updates doesn’t mean the problem disappeared — it means they couldn’t definitively prove causation with the data available.
Q: Should I be worried about the glyphosate?
The judge ruled that glyphosate levels were between 0.005% to 0.01% of FDA’s allowed tolerance — legally negligible. However, FDA tolerance limits are set based on occasional human exposure, not daily consumption by a 20-pound animal for 10-15 years. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans” in 2015. Your comfort level with feeding trace herbicide daily is a personal decision.
Q: What should I look for if I want to switch foods?
Royal Canin, Purina Pro Plan, Science Diet, and Iams/Eukanuba have not had confirmed DCM cases linked to their foods and employ full-time veterinary nutritionists. Look for foods with the “animal feeding tests substantiate” AAFCO statement rather than “formulated to meet.” Avoid foods with peas, lentils, potatoes, or sweet potatoes in the top ten ingredients, or multiple pulses anywhere in the ingredient list.
Q: Why does my vet recommend different brands?
Board-certified veterinary nutritionists in clinical practice are alerted to dietary issues with specific diets because of extensive interaction with clients, practitioners, and each other. They see patterns of illness that individual consumers miss. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) provides guidelines listing questions to help assess pet food companies, including whether they employ full-time qualified nutritionists and conduct feeding trials. Most budget brands don’t meet these criteria.
🎯 Final Verdict: Should You Feed Nutrish Chicken & Veggies to Your Dog?
Nutrish Real Chicken & Veggies Whole Health Blend isn’t the worst dog food on the market — but it’s nowhere near the quality its “celebrity chef” branding implies. You’re paying a mid-tier price for economy-tier ingredient quality, minimal testing standards, and a brand that’s changed corporate hands three times in five years.
The Bottom Line:
If budget is your primary concern, this food will probably keep your dog alive. But “alive” isn’t the same as “thriving.” The dried peas flagged in the FDA’s DCM investigation, the glyphosate residue from herbicide-treated crops, the soy-and-corn-heavy formula, and the troubling pattern of consumer complaints suggest this food cuts corners you may not want cut.
For dogs with any health concerns, allergies, or sensitivity issues, the gamble isn’t worth the savings. For healthy dogs with owners seeking true “whole health,” investing in a brand with veterinary nutritionist oversight, transparent feeding trials, and no concerning regulatory history will serve your pup better in the long run.
Remember: The Rachael Ray Foundation receives a portion of every Nutrish purchase — but your dog doesn’t care about charity. Your dog cares about what’s actually in the bowl.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making changes to your dog’s diet, especially if your dog has existing health conditions.