Nature's Variety Complete Food medium/maxi Chicken
Dry Extruded · completeHigh meatClear label
Our verdict
Is Nature's Variety Complete Food medium/maxi Chicken a good dog food?
We score it 77/100 (Good). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Complete extruded dry food for adult dogs, with deboned chicken, chicken heart and chicken liver as the main ingredients.
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for adult dogs
- Labelling or feeding guide is aimed at large dogs
- Grain-free: no grain ingredients listed
- Single named protein: chicken
- Doesn't list beef, turkey, lamb, fish, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- You are limiting fat: 34.0% on a dry-matter basis is in the high band
These points are derived from declared ingredients and analysis, not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog has a diagnosed condition, food choice is a medical nutrition decision: speak to your vet. Find foods that fit your dog.
Nutrition and feedingProtein 39% · Fat 32%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 39% |
| Fat | 32% |
| Fibre | 6% |
| Ash | 11% |
| Moisture | 6% |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | 1.80% |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | 9.50% |
| Calcium | 2.30% |
| Phosphorus | 1.40% |
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Storage
Freeze dried for maximum nutrients preservation.
Additives declared on the label
Nutritional additives
vitamin A 1000 IU; vitamin D 100 IU; vitamin E 14 mg; iron(II) sulphate monohydrate 20 mg; calcium iodate anhydrous 0.4 mg; zinc sulphate monohydrate 50.1 mg
Ingredients (23)5% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- meat 80.0%
- veg 15.6%
- fibre 1.7%
- supplement 1.4%
- carb 1.0%
- oil 0.4%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | deboned chicken meat 40% | Deboned Chicken | meat · good | 40 | 40.0 |
| 2 | chicken heart 30% | Chicken Heart | meat · good | 30 | 30.0 |
| 3 | chicken liver 10% | Chicken Liver | meat · good | 10 | 10.0 |
| 4 | carrots (5%) | Carrots | veg · good | 5 | 5.0 |
| 5 | apples (5%) | Apples | veg · good | 5 | 5.0 |
| 6 | pea fibre (1.25%) | Pea Fibre | fibre · medium | 1.25 | 1.3 |
| 7 | butternut squash (1%) | Butternut Squash | veg · good | 1 | 1.0 |
| 8 | sweet potato (1%) | Sweet Potatoes | carb · good | 1 | 1.0 |
| 9 | minerals (1%) | Vitamins and minerals | supplement · medium | 1 | 1.0 |
| 10 | cranberries (0.5%) | Cranberries | veg · good | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| 11 | blackberries (0.5%) | Blackberries | veg · good | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| 12 | flaxseed | Linseed | veg · good | - | 0.5 |
| 13 | chicory root | Chicory root | veg · good | - | 0.5 |
| 14 | kale | Kale | veg · good | - | 0.5 |
| 15 | peppermint | Peppermint | veg · good | - | 0.4 |
| 16 | coconut oil | Coconut Oil | oil · medium | - | 0.4 |
| 17 | beet pulp | Beet Pulp | fibre · medium | - | 0.4 |
| 18 | green tea | Green Tea | veg · good | - | 0.4 |
| 19 | yucca | Yucca Schidigera | supplement · good | - | 0.4 |
| 20 | rosemary | Rosemary | veg · good | - | 0.3 |
| 21 | parsley | Parsley | veg · good | - | 0.3 |
| 22 | dandelion root | Dandelion Root | veg · good | - | 0.3 |
| 23 | hawthorn leaf | Hawthorn | veg · medium | - | 0.3 |
- 1. deboned chicken meat 40%40% declared40.0% estimated
- 2. chicken heart 30%30% declared30.0% estimated
- 3. chicken liver 10%10% declared10.0% estimated
- 4. carrots (5%)5% declared5.0% estimated
- 5. apples (5%)5% declared5.0% estimated
- 6. pea fibre (1.25%)1.25% declared1.3% estimated
- 7. butternut squash (1%)1% declared1.0% estimated
- 8. sweet potato (1%)1% declared1.0% estimated
- 9. minerals (1%)1% declared1.0% estimated
- 10. cranberries (0.5%)0.5% declared0.5% estimated
- 11. blackberries (0.5%)0.5% declared0.5% estimated
- 12. flaxseed0.5% estimated
- 13. chicory root0.5% estimated
- 14. kale0.5% estimated
- 15. peppermint0.4% estimated
- 16. coconut oil0.4% estimated
- 17. beet pulp0.4% estimated
- 18. green tea0.4% estimated
- 19. yucca0.4% estimated
- 20. rosemary0.3% estimated
- 21. parsley0.3% estimated
- 22. dandelion root0.3% estimated
- 23. hawthorn leaf0.3% estimated
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-09-28
Brand and contact: Nature's Variety
- Website
- https://naturesvariety.com/
- Contact page
- www.naturesvariety.co.uk
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-09-28
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- www.naturesvariety.com
Recall history is presentation-only and never affects the score. Dates are when we recorded the data, not when the manufacturer last changed the recipe.
Spotted a mistake in this listing? Report it here and we'll take a look.
Score details and methodologyCalculations, history and evidence
Recipe: how the 1-100 score is calculated
Why this score?
The overall score is 77 out of 100. The overall quality of the ingredient list contributed +8.7 points and the meat content added a further +7.5 points. The processing format deducted -6.7 points from the total. Being labelled nutritionally complete added +2.3 points, bringing the four factors together to produce the final score.
Scored with model v3 on 2026-10-25. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.9 | 9.191 | +8.72 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 78.5% | 0.096 | +7.54 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 0.9% | -0.115 | -0.10 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 1.5% | -0.092 | -0.14 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 9.5% | -0.005 | -0.05 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 4.4% | -0.012 | -0.05 |
| Undeclared quantities | 4.8% | -0.106 | -0.50 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | yes | 0.707 | +0.71 |
| Processing multiplier | 0.98 | 33.786 | +33.11 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
Show all 40 components
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.9 | 9.191 | +8.72 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 78.5% | 0.096 | +7.54 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 0.9% | -0.115 | -0.10 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 1.5% | -0.092 | -0.14 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 9.5% | -0.005 | -0.05 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.163 | +0.00 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 4.4% | -0.012 | -0.05 |
| Other share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.375 | +0.00 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.027 | +0.00 |
| Recipe graded poor | 0.0% | -0.065 | +0.00 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 0 | -0.876 | +0.00 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 0.0% | 0.060 | +0.00 |
| Undeclared quantities | 4.8% | -0.106 | -0.50 |
| Prints ingredient percentages | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Frozen or chilled fresh | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | yes | 0.707 | +0.71 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | no | -3.158 | +0.00 |
| High carb and low meat | no | -1.180 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × printed percentages | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × fresh | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Fresh × high meat | 0.0 | 11.084 | +0.00 |
| Additive penalty | 0.00 | 0.222 | +0.00 |
| Processing multiplier | 0.98 | 33.786 | +33.11 |
| Processing: Raw | no | -0.054 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Chilled | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Frozen | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Refrigerated | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Shelf | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Freeze Dried | no | 6.629 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Air Dried | no | 6.331 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Cold Pressed | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Baked | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
| Processing: Dry Semi Moist | no | -6.174 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Muesli | no | -10.146 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Pate | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Chunks | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
- Processing-type offset
- +0.02
- Additives declared on label
- +1 transparency bonus
- Subtotal
- 76.7
- Final score
- 77/100
Contributions are rounded to two decimals, so they may not sum exactly to the subtotal. The full coefficient table is published on the methodology page.
Score history across model versions
The score shown above is always computed with the latest published model. Earlier scores are kept for the record and are never edited or deleted; a scoring change ships as a new model version with a public write-up on the methodology page.
Nutritional: declared analysis vs reference ranges
How the declared analysis compares with FEDIAF reference ranges for adult dogs. The label prints as-fed values; we convert to a dry-matter basis before scoring, and the bands are dry-matter ranges. Scores rise to 100 at the band midpoint: the reference is adequacy, not maximisation. Nutrients with a published upper limit taper again above it; fat is policed through calorie density rather than a direct penalty.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 39 | 41.5 (band 18 to 40%) | 100 |
| Fat | 32 | 34 (band 5.5 to 20%) | 100 |
| Fibre | 6 | 6.4 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 100 |
| Calcium | 2.3 | 2.4 (band 0.5 to 2.5%) | 100 |
| Phosphorus | 1.4 | 1.5 (band 0.4 to 1.6%) | 100 |
| Calcium:phosphorus ratio | 1.6 | 1.6 (band 1 to 2%) | 100 |
| Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3) | - | - | 100 |
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3): scored as the mean of its declared components (omega-6 100). The FEDIAF minimum for omega-6 is linoleic acid specifically.
Scored over 7 declared nutrients (combined weight 90); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score.
Declared fortification: 6 nutritional additives on the label
- vitamin A 1000 IU
- vitamin D 100 IU
- vitamin E 14 mg
- iron(II) sulphate monohydrate 20 mg
- calcium iodate anhydrous 0.4 mg
- zinc sulphate monohydrate 50.1 mg
Medium confidence: the full five-part analysis is on file; where moisture was not declared it was estimated from the food type.
This measures agreement with published reference ranges, not suitability for an individual dog. For medical conditions, follow veterinary guidance.
Transparency: what the label discloses
How much the manufacturer discloses, measured against the FEDIAF Code of Good Labelling Practice and Regulation 767/2009. Mandatory items dominate the weighting.
| Item | Points |
|---|---|
| Ingredient list on the label (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Printed percentages on the label (95.3% of the recipe mass) (voluntary) | 19.1/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) | 15/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) | 5/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) - not on file | 0/5 |
| Complete/complementary designation (mandatory) | 5/5 |
| Feeding guidance given (mandatory) - not on file | 0/10 |
| Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory) | 5/10 |
| Country of manufacture stated (voluntary) | 10/10 |
| Batch and date labelling (mandatory) - not on file | 0/5 |
Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (Feeding guidance given, Batch and date labelling).
Safety: recall history
Recall and safety-notice history, time-decayed. This dimension is shown alongside the score and never feeds the headline number.
No recalls recorded in our database.
See all current recalls we track.
Evidence: what the brand claims, and what supports it
The claims made on the pack and product page, checked against the declared label. We record claims as stated; "consistent" means our stored label data supports the claim, "contradicted" means it conflicts with it. Functional claims are recorded but never scored.
Claims on file; none we can check against the label
| Claim | Type | Check | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete and balanced pet food for medium/maxi-sized adult dogs (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Freeze dried for maximum nutrients preservation (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Freeze dried raw, maximum nutrients preservation (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Made with 100% natural ingredients, with added vitamins and minerals (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| 80% CHICKEN, 20% FRUITS, VEGETABLES, VITAMINS & MINERALS (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| 100% Natural ingredients with added vitamins and minerals (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.
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