What's actually in NutriSource?
We analyzed NutriSource Adult Chicken & Rice, their core everyday formula. The first five ingredients are chicken meal, brown rice, white rice, oatmeal, and barley.
Chicken meal in the first position is a concentrated protein source — roughly 3x the protein of whole chicken by weight since the moisture has already been removed. That sounds like a positive, and it is in terms of protein content. But here's the catch: our scoring rubric awards +15 points for a named whole meat first and only +8 for a meal first. Why? Whole meat first typically signals a formula with more total animal content, since meals are already dehydrated and weigh less relative to what they contribute. Starting with meal often means the manufacturer is using less total chicken. Shop on Amazon →
The good stuff
The grain selection is where NutriSource genuinely shines. Brown rice, white rice, oatmeal, and barley are all quality, digestible grains — none of them are corn, wheat, or soy. That matters. Corn and wheat are cheap fillers with lower digestibility and higher allergy potential. NutriSource chose four grains that actually contribute nutritional value: fiber from brown rice and oatmeal, B vitamins from barley, and easy digestibility across the board.
Dried chicory root is a meaningful inclusion. It's a natural source of inulin, a prebiotic fiber that feeds beneficial gut bacteria. Prebiotics support digestive health and immune function, and they're an ingredient you typically see in B-tier foods and above. Flaxseed adds plant-based omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat health. And like the 4Health formula, chicken fat is preserved with mixed tocopherols — a natural preservative that avoids the BHA/BHT/ethoxyquin concern.
Menhaden fish meal is a nice secondary protein that adds animal-based omega-3s (EPA and DHA), which are more bioavailable to dogs than the plant-based ALA from flaxseed. Having both sources covers the omega-3 spectrum well.
The not-so-good stuff
Four of the top five ingredients are grains. Even though they're quality grains, that's a lot of carbohydrate before you hit a second animal protein source. Menhaden fish meal doesn't appear until position seven. This means the protein-to-carb ratio tilts heavily toward carbohydrates — the guaranteed analysis might show adequate protein on paper, but a significant chunk of that is coming from grain protein rather than animal protein.
There are zero named fruits or vegetables in the formula. No blueberries, no sweet potatoes, no carrots, no spinach — nothing. For a brand that positions itself as mid-premium, this is a notable gap. Natural antioxidants from whole food sources are a standard feature in Fromm (B/84) and other brands at this price point.
The formula also lacks chelated minerals and probiotics. Chicory root provides prebiotic fiber, which is good, but without probiotics to pair with it, you're only getting half the digestive support equation. And standard mineral forms (zinc oxide, iron sulfate) are less bioavailable than their chelated counterparts (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate), meaning your dog absorbs less of what's in the bowl.
How it compares
NutriSource's C grade (66/100) puts it in a tie with Natural Balance (C/66) and just one point above Rachael Ray Nutrish (C/65). All three share a similar profile: decent ingredient quality but missing enough premium features to reach the B tier.
The gap between NutriSource and a B-grade food like Diamond Naturals (B/78) comes down to three things: whole meat first instead of meal, named fruits and vegetables, and chelated minerals. Diamond Naturals checks all three boxes. NutriSource checks none of them. For the price difference between the two, Diamond Naturals offers noticeably more nutritional completeness.
Read the full breakdown in our head-to-head comparison: NutriSource vs Natural Balance.
The bottom line
NutriSource Adult Chicken & Rice earns a C grade (66/100) from KibbleIQ. The grain choices are genuinely better than most competitors at this price — brown rice, oatmeal, and barley are a clear step above corn and wheat. The chicory root prebiotic and dual omega-3 sources (flaxseed + fish meal) add real value. But starting with chicken meal instead of whole chicken, the grain-heavy top five, and the total absence of fruits, vegetables, chelated minerals, and probiotics hold it back. It's a formula that does some things thoughtfully and cuts corners in other places. Shop on Amazon →