Review: Nutra Complete Dog Food

Old habits die hard, and dog food is no exception. Why else would people still feed crappy kibble to their furry best friends? Wolves—our dogs' direct forebears—do not eat processed, compressed pseudo-food nuggets with minimal meat content. They eat meat, primarily, along with a few wild fruits and vegetables, when available.

Now, some kibble is better than others, no doubt, and truth be told, my own mutt eats it. But it's not his primary food source, because even the best kibble comes up short when it comes to complete nutrition for an active outdoor dog.

Nope, higher-quality canine sustenance is the future, and Ultimate Pet Nutrition is leading the charge with their Nutra Complete freeze-dried raw dog food. It's 95% ranch-raised meat and organs, the rest being fruits, vegetables, seeds, minerals, and vitamins. There are zero fillers and artificial preservatives, and it's loaded with prebiotics, antioxidants, and amino acids. Basically, it's everything your dog needs, and nothing it doesn't. And the flavor? Well, my own pup is a notoriously picky eater, and he gobbles it right up.

This stuff ain't cheap—$30 for a 16-ounce bag—but it's the right thing to do for your dog. And if you mix in wild game, like I do, you won't need as many nuggets to make a full meal. Multiple-bag and subscription deals are available to make it easier on your wallet.

For supercharged nutrition, top off your pup's food with Nutra Thrive, a powdered supplement that includes 30-some health-promoting ingredients. Together, they provide hip & joint support, boost the immune system, and help heart function. I sprinkle a scoop on my boy's food once a day, and it gives me significant peace of mind, knowing that I'm correcting any deficiencies and shoring up potential problems before they happen. If only Ultimate Pet made a human version... my own joints could use some help. $70 for a one-time, one-jar purchase.