Are you looking for a new dog food brand for your canine companion? There are plenty of options on the market today. However, Simply Nourish is one name brand that continues to pique the interest of pet parents looking for wholesome and healthy food products.
Simply Nourish is a brand exclusive to PetSmart, one of the leading pet superstores in the United States and Canada. You can only get Simply Nourish at one of PetSmart's 1,500-plus stores or through its e-commerce website.
Store-exclusive brands are nothing new, but how does Simply Nourish stack up to the competition?
In this blog, we'll do an in-depth review of the Simply Nourish brand, reviewing the overall quality of its dog food products to give you more insight into whether or not it's a brand that'll help your dog thrive.
About the Simply Nourish Brand
Simply Nourish first hit PetSmart shelves in 2011. Initially, the company limited its availability to select stores. But as its success grew, PetSmart made it widely available in all stores and online.
This brand is one of many owned by PetSmart. It was part of PetSmart's push to offer natural, high-quality products for health-conscious pet owners looking to give their pups the best food without breaking the bank.
The brand's goals are in its name. Simply Nourish offers products with simple, recognizable ingredients minus the unnecessary additives and chemical fillers.
Where are Simply Nourish Dog Food Products Made?
The makers of Simply Nourish are Mars Petcare. While you might not recognize the company's name, you're likely familiar with Mars Petcare's products.
Mars Petcare is the world's largest pet food company responsible for over 50 brands, including several billion-dollar ones. Some of Mars Petcare's brands include Pedigree and Royal Canin.
Mars Petcare has a solid reputation in the pet food industry, producing products of varying qualities to meet the needs of all pet owners. Mars Petcare does everything from ultra-premium brands to products you can get at your local grocery store.
Mars Petcare produces Simply Nourish foods at manufacturing facilities in the United States and Canada. The company also sources its high-quality ingredients from suppliers throughout the U.S. and Canada, making it a staple North American brand.
The Simply Nourish Dog Food Lineup
What kinds of products does Simply Nourish offer?
While it initially started with a humble lineup of dry kibble, Simply Nourish has since expanded to offer an impressive collection of formulas.
The most popular line is the dry kibble. Currently, Simply Nourish offers several series of kibble products. These include:
- Simply Nourish Original
- Simply Nourish Natural Solutions
- Simply Nourish Source
- Simply Nourish Limited-Ingredient Diet
The "Original" line is the largest and most popular, offering formulas like "Chicken, Pea & Potato" and "Fish and Brown Rice," among others.
You'll also find canned food, meal toppers, treats and even jerky! Simply Nourish recently released a fresh and frozen collection, too.
Simply Nourish Dog Food: The Pros
There's a lot to love about Simply Nourish products. But any brand can use clever marketing to appeal to dog owners.
As a pet parent, it's your responsibility to choose the best products for your furry friend, ensuring they meet all their dietary needs and support their overall health.
Here's what we like about Simply Nourish.
High-Quality Ingredients
The best thing about Simply Nourish dog food is its high-quality ingredients. While some cheaper dog food brands stuff their formulas with low-quality and potentially dangerous ingredients, that's not true with Simply Nourish.
Everything you see on the ingredients list is beneficial. More importantly, it's recognizable, eliminating the questions about product safety and wholesomeness.
Proteins
One thing we appreciate about Simply Nourish dog food is that meat is always the first ingredient on the list. Every formula lists the protein source first, indicating its prevalence in the recipe. You'll see real meat, fish or poultry, no matter the specific flavors you get.
Dogs need high protein content to build and maintain muscles. While exact protein analysis figures vary from formula to formula, the average protein content for Simply Nourish foods is around 26 percent.
That's higher than the standards the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) set. For wet foods, you can expect approximately 12 percent.
Healthy Fats
Fat is important for dogs, too. It provides energy and maintains good skin health. With Simply Nourish foods, you get an average fat content of about 16 percent for dry foods and 11 percent for wet foods.
Best of all, the fat comes from healthy sources. It comes from meat proteins and fats with omega-3 fatty acids, ensuring good coat health.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates make up the bulk of wet and dry dog food. But unlike other brands, Simply Nourish doesn't use cheap fillers for carbohydrates.
You'll see complex carbs like sweet potatoes, peas, legumes and more. These ingredients absorb into the body slowly, offering your dog a steady source of energy.
Vitamin and Mineral Content
Simply Nourish dog foods contain fruit and vegetables, giving your dog all the necessary vitamins and minerals to thrive. Every formula contains Vitamins A, B12 and D. Your dog will also get a healthy dose of calcium, phosphorus, potassium and more.
Overall, Simply Nourish dog foods contain great ingredients to create nutritionally balanced meals that are healthy and taste great.
No Excessive Fillers or Artificial Ingredients
Fillers and unnecessary additives are a concern for many dog owners. Dog food companies are getting better at leaving out the fillers and using more natural ingredients. But, there are still countless products that contain additives that could harm your health.
Simply Nourish has none of that. It contains no fillers like corn, wheat or soy. You won't find any artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, either. There are recognizable ingredients that support your dog's health without harmful additives.
Options for All Life Stages
Another thing we love about Simply Nourish is your sheer number of options. This brand can support your dog throughout its life.
Puppy formulas are plentiful and cater to a young dog's unique needs. These recipes have the right amount of calcium and phosphorus to support growing bodies and provide many nutrients that puppies need.
There are also several products available to adults and seniors. Choose senior-specific foods to address concerns like creaky joints and weight gain.
Formulas for Several Health Concerns
Your options go beyond life stages. Simply Nourish also has formulas that address specific health concerns.
For example, there are options for weight management, skin and coat health, digestive care, hip and joint pain and more. Simply Nourish even has limited-ingredient recipes to help dogs with food sensitivities.
Simply Nourish also offers both grain-free and grain-exclusive options. Unlike other big brands, Simply Nourish isn't entirely grain-free. That's good, as not all dogs do well with grain-free food. The grain-inclusive formulas utilize wholesome grains like brown rice and oatmeal.
Big-name brands don't always create products to help dogs with specific concerns. Getting all those choices under one brand name is a huge plus for Simply Nourish.
Wide Availability and Great Affordability
Finally, let's talk price and availability.
Simply Nourish dog foods aren't as widely available as grocery store brands. But they're still far easier to get than other store-exclusive brands.
You must remember that PetSmart has over 1,500 stores across the United States and Canada! Visiting one will give you easy access to the lineup. Plus, PetSmart's online store makes it easy to get the exact formula you want for your dog shipped directly to your door.
Concerning price, Simply Nourish is impressive. It's less expensive than other brands with comparable formulas and quality. As a result, you get premium dog food without the premium price.
Simply Nourish: The Cons
With so many great pros, Simply Nourish likely looks like a brand you need to try. But before you whip out your wallet and place an order, let's talk about the potential disadvantages of the brand.
There aren't many, but it's important to take them into consideration.
Recall History
Simply Nourish does have a recall history.
The biggest recall was in 2021. Simply Nourish recalled one of its frozen formulas due to elevated Vitamin D levels. That's the most significant issue the brand has faced, which isn't bad compared to other brands.
The great thing about this particular recall was that it was voluntary. There were no reports of illnesses or health issues among dogs. However, Simply Nourish did the recall to play things safe.
Voluntary recalls like that show a brand's dedication to pet wellness, and Nourish passed with flying colors.
Simply Nourish's manufacturer, Mars PetCare, has a longer recall history. However, that's no surprise, given the company's size and the many brands it produces.
Is Simply Nourish Dog Food Right for Your Dog?
Overall, Simply Nourish is a fantastic brand worth considering if you're looking for a high-quality dog food that checks off all the boxes. The brand is a great example of store-exclusive brands done right.
Instead of phoning it in, PetSmart went the extra mile to ensure that every Simply Nourish product contains superior ingredients and nutritionally balanced formulas.
With so many options available, Simply Nourish has something for every dog. From young puppies to adults with food sensitivities to seniors with joint pain, it's all there.
If you try Simply Nourish, make sure to transition slowly to avoid digestive problems. Once you transition, your dog can start eating their way to good health!
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