Our verdict
Is NutriCare Small Breed Puppy a good dog food?
We score it 46/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Only part of the analytical constituents are declared, so the nutritional picture is incomplete.
100% of this recipe has no printed percentage. Estimated shares are model estimates, not label facts.
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for puppies
- Labelling or feeding guide is aimed at small dogs
- Doesn't list beef, turkey, lamb, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists dried chicken protein
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists fish meal
- Your dog avoids grain: the label lists rice - white
- You want a single-protein recipe: this one lists more than one animal protein
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.
Ingredients (18)100% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- supplement 23.4%
- veg 20.4%
- carb 20.0%
- meat 18.2%
- oil 6.9%
- fibre 6.1%
- additive 5.1%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicken Meal | Dried chicken protein | meat · good | - | 7.3 |
| 2 | Brewers Rice | Rice - white | carb · medium | - | 7.1 |
| 3 | Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols, source of Vitamin E) | Chicken Oil and Fat | oil · good | - | 6.9 |
| 4 | Oatmeal | Oats | carb · medium | - | 6.7 |
| 5 | Canola Meal | Rapeseed | veg · medium | - | 6.5 |
| 6 | Corn Gluten Meal | Maize gluten | carb · poor | - | 6.3 |
| 7 | Beet Pulp (sugar removed) | Beet Pulp | fibre · medium | - | 6.1 |
| 8 | Flaxseed (source of natural omega-3 fatty acids) | Linseed | veg · good | - | 5.9 |
| 9 | Fish Meal (source of natural DHA) | Fish Meal | meat · medium | - | 5.7 |
| 10 | Dried Brewers Yeast | Brewer's Yeast | supplement · good | - | 5.5 |
| 11 | Dried Egg Product | Dried Egg | meat · medium | - | 5.3 |
| 12 | Natural Flavor | Flavor | additive · poor | - | 5.1 |
| 13 | Lecithin | Lecithin | supplement · good | - | 4.8 |
| 14 | Yucca Schidigera | Yucca Schidigera | supplement · good | - | 4.6 |
| 15 | Minerals (Potassium Chloride, Salt, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Calcium Iodate, Cobalt Carbonate, Sodium Selenite) | Vitamins and minerals | supplement · medium | - | 4.4 |
| 16 | Beta-Carotene | Dried Tomato and Carrot (Sources of Lycopene and Beta-Carotene) | veg · good | - | 4.2 |
| 17 | Vitamins (Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (a source of Vitamin C), Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement) | Pyridoxine hydrochloride | supplement · good | - | 4.0 |
| 18 | Rosemary Extract | Rosemary | veg · good | - | 3.8 |
- 1. Chicken Meal7.3% estimated
- 2. Brewers Rice7.1% estimated
- 3. Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols, source of Vitamin E)6.9% estimated
- 4. Oatmeal6.7% estimated
- 5. Canola Meal6.5% estimated
- 6. Corn Gluten Meal6.3% estimated
- 7. Beet Pulp (sugar removed)6.1% estimated
- 8. Flaxseed (source of natural omega-3 fatty acids)5.9% estimated
- 9. Fish Meal (source of natural DHA)5.7% estimated
- 10. Dried Brewers Yeast5.5% estimated
- 11. Dried Egg Product5.3% estimated
- 12. Natural Flavor5.1% estimated
- 13. Lecithin4.8% estimated
- 14. Yucca Schidigera4.6% estimated
- 15. Minerals (Potassium Chloride, Salt, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Calcium Iodate, Cobalt Carbonate, Sodium Selenite)4.4% estimated
- 16. Beta-Carotene4.2% estimated
- 17. Vitamins (Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (a source of Vitamin C), Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement)4.0% estimated
- 18. Rosemary Extract3.8% estimated
Nutrition and feedingProtein 29% · Fat 19%
Guaranteed analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed | Dry matter | Directory average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 29% | 30.50% | - |
| Fat | 19% | 20.20% | - |
| Fibre | 4% | 2.90% | - |
| Ash | 7.40% | 6.80% | - |
| Carbohydrates | 34.40% | 31.60% | - |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | 0.70% | - | - |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | 3.50% | - | - |
| Calcium | 1.20% | - | - |
| Phosphorus | 0.90% | - | - |
| Sodium | 0.38% | - | - |
Energy: 389 kcal/100g
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Feeding guide
Daily Feeding Guide provided in cups based on body weight (3-40 lbs) and age (6-11 weeks through 8-12 months); also recommended for pregnant and nursing dogs.
Additives declared on the label
Nutritional additives
Choline Chloride; Vitamin E Supplement; L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C); Niacin; Vitamin A Supplement; Calcium Pantothenate; Riboflavin; Thiamine Mononitrate; Pyridoxine Hydrochloride; Vitamin D3 Supplement; Folic Acid; Biotin; Vitamin B12 Supplement; Potassium Chloride; Salt; Dicalcium Phosphate; Zinc Sulfate; Zinc Amino Acid Chelate; Copper Sulfate; Copper Amino Acid Chelate; Ferrous Sulfate; Manganese Sulfate; Manganese Amino Acid Chelate; Calcium Iodate; Cobalt Carbonate; Sodium Selenite
Technological additives
Mixed tocopherols (preservative); Rosemary Extract
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-09-20
Brand and contact: NutriCare
- Website
- https://ivet.com/
- Phone
- 1.800.436.5909
- Address
- iVet by Virbac, 6300 Kelly Drive, Parkville, MO 64152
- Contact page
- ivet.com
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-09-20
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- ivet.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.
Brand and retailer reviews
External platform ratings are not scores for this individual recipe.
Trustpilot: 4.6/5 · 37 reviews
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?
This recipe achieves a final score of 46 out of 100 based on several key factors. The overall quality of the ingredient list added +4.6 points. However, ingredients without printed percentages reduced the score by -10.6. Additionally, the processing format deducted -6.7 and the carbohydrate content contributed -2.3.
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 | 0.5 | 9.191 | +4.57 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 20.1% | -0.115 | -2.31 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 7.7% | -0.092 | -0.71 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 17.5% | -0.005 | -0.09 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 5.1% | 0.163 | +0.84 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 24.4% | -0.012 | -0.30 |
| Recipe graded poor | 11.3% | -0.065 | -0.74 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 2 | -0.876 | -1.75 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 6.3% | 0.060 | +0.38 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.106 | -10.56 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| Additive penalty | -6.25 | 0.222 | -1.39 |
| 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 | 0.5 | 9.191 | +4.57 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.096 | +0.00 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 20.1% | -0.115 | -2.31 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 7.7% | -0.092 | -0.71 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 17.5% | -0.005 | -0.09 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 5.1% | 0.163 | +0.84 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 24.4% | -0.012 | -0.30 |
| 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 | 11.3% | -0.065 | -0.74 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 2 | -0.876 | -1.75 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 6.3% | 0.060 | +0.38 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.106 | -10.56 |
| 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) | no | 0.707 | +0.00 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| 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 | -6.25 | 0.222 | -1.39 |
| 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
- +2 transparency bonus
- Subtotal
- 46.4
- Final score
- 46/100
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.
Nutritional: declared analysis vs reference ranges
How the declared analysis compares with FEDIAF reference ranges for puppies and growth. 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.
Scored against FEDIAF growth minima; puppy scoring is under review; Guaranteed-analysis FEDIAF score: crude minimums and maximums are bounds, not typical values; moisture (a maximum) uses the processing median where available; experimental US score.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 29 | 32 | 100 |
| Fat | 19 | 21 | 100 |
| Calcium | 1.2 | 1.3 | 100 |
| Phosphorus | 0.9 | 1 | 100 |
| Sodium | 0.38 | 0.4 (band 0.23640883977900554+%) | 100 |
| Calcium:phosphorus ratio | 1.3 | 1.3 | 100 |
| Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3) | - | - | 100 |
| Energy (kcal/100g) | 389 | 429.8 | 100 |
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3): scored as the mean of its declared components (omega-6 100, omega-3 100). The FEDIAF minimum for omega-6 is linoleic acid specifically.
Scored over 8 declared nutrients (combined weight 95); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 9.5% from the food type.
Declared fortification: 26 nutritional additives on the label
- Choline Chloride
- Vitamin E Supplement
- L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C)
- Niacin
- Vitamin A Supplement
- Calcium Pantothenate
- Riboflavin
- Thiamine Mononitrate
- Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
- Vitamin D3 Supplement
- Folic Acid
- Biotin
- Vitamin B12 Supplement
- Potassium Chloride
- Salt
- Dicalcium Phosphate
- Zinc Sulfate
- Zinc Amino Acid Chelate
- Copper Sulfate
- Copper Amino Acid Chelate
- Ferrous Sulfate
- Manganese Sulfate
- Manganese Amino Acid Chelate
- Calcium Iodate
- Cobalt Carbonate
- Sodium Selenite
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 (voluntary) - not on file | 0/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) - not on file | 0/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) | 5/5 |
| Complete/complementary designation (mandatory) | 5/5 |
| Feeding guidance given (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Country of manufacture stated (voluntary) | 10/10 |
| Batch and date labelling (mandatory) - not on file | 0/5 |
Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (Analytical constituents declared, 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| specially designed to meet the needs of a small breed puppy during the critical periods of growth (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| increased levels of protein and fat to support the energy required in smaller breeds (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| increased levels of calcium and phosphorus for stronger bone and muscle development (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| recommended for dogs during pregnancy and while nursing (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Chicken & Rice (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| source of natural DHA (on pack) | Nutrient | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| source of natural omega-3 fatty acids (on pack) | Nutrient | 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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