NutriCare Spay & Neuter Large & Medium Adult Dog Food

Dry Extruded · complete

Spay & Neuter Large & Medium Adult Dog Food
Poor
our rating

Our verdict

Is NutriCare Spay & Neuter Large & Medium Adult Dog Food a good dog food?

We score it 43/100 (Poor). The main reasons are set out in "Why you might not" below, and every step of the calculation is shown under "How we calculated this score".

How we score

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.

Why you might choose it

  • Single named animal protein: chicken.
  • Declares energy content, which most labels omit.
  • Nutritionally complete: formulated to be fed as the whole diet.

Why you might not

  • 4 poor-graded ingredients make up about 25% of the recipe.
  • Meat makes up an estimated 8% of the dry matter; carbohydrates dominate.
  • 100% of the recipe mass has no printed percentage, so the exact split cannot be verified.

Who is this food for?

Suits

  • Labelled by the manufacturer for adult dogs
  • Labelling or feeding guide is aimed at medium dogs
  • Single named protein: chicken
  • Doesn't list beef, turkey, lamb, fish, venison, pork, duck as ingredients

Consider something else if:

  • Your dog avoids grain: the label lists rice - white

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 (16)100% of the recipe is estimated

Estimated composition

  • fibre 27.3%
  • supplement 24.5%
  • additive 18.4%
  • meat 8.2%
  • carb 7.9%
  • oil 7.1%
  • veg 6.6%
#As declaredMatchedLabel readingDeclared %Est. %
1Chicken MealDried chicken proteinmeat · good-8.2
2Brewers RiceRice - whitecarb · medium-7.9
3Powdered CellulosePowdered Cellulosefibre · poor-7.7
4Pea FiberPea Fibrefibre · medium-7.4
5Chicken FatChicken Oil and Fatoil · good-7.1
6Natural FlavorFlavoradditive · poor-6.9
7Whole FlaxseedsLinseedveg · good-6.6
8Dried Plain Beet PulpBeet Pulpfibre · medium-6.4
9SaltSaltadditive · poor-6.1
10Psyllium Seed HuskPsylliumfibre · good-5.9
11FructooligosaccharideFructo-oligosaccharidessupplement · good-5.6
12Sodium BentoniteBentonite And Bentonite Montmorilloniteadditive · medium-5.4
13Potassium ChloridePotassium Chloridesupplement · medium-5.1
14Choline ChlorideCholinesupplement · good-4.8
15DL-MethionineMethioninesupplement · good-4.6
16Sodium bisulfateMenadione sodium bisulfite complexsupplement · poor-4.3
  1. 1. Chicken Meal8.2% estimated
    Dried chicken protein · meat · good
  2. 2. Brewers Rice7.9% estimated
    Rice - white · carb · medium
  3. 3. Powdered Cellulose7.7% estimated
    Powdered Cellulose · fibre · poor
  4. 4. Pea Fiber7.4% estimated
    Pea Fibre · fibre · medium
  5. 5. Chicken Fat7.1% estimated
    Chicken Oil and Fat · oil · good
  6. 6. Natural Flavor6.9% estimated
    Flavor · additive · poor
  7. 7. Whole Flaxseeds6.6% estimated
    Linseed · veg · good
  8. 8. Dried Plain Beet Pulp6.4% estimated
    Beet Pulp · fibre · medium
  9. 9. Salt6.1% estimated
    Salt · additive · poor
  10. 10. Psyllium Seed Husk5.9% estimated
    Psyllium · fibre · good
  11. 11. Fructooligosaccharide5.6% estimated
    Fructo-oligosaccharides · supplement · good
  12. 12. Sodium Bentonite5.4% estimated
  13. 13. Potassium Chloride5.1% estimated
    Potassium Chloride · supplement · medium
  14. 14. Choline Chloride4.8% estimated
    Choline · supplement · good
  15. 15. DL-Methionine4.6% estimated
    Methionine · supplement · good
  16. 16. Sodium bisulfate4.3% estimated

Nutrition and feedingProtein 32% · Fat 12%

Guaranteed analysis (as fed)

NutrientAs fed
Protein32%
Fat12%
Fibre17.50%
Moisture10%
Carbohydrates28%
Omega-3 fatty acids0.60%
Omega-6 fatty acids2.30%

Energy: 329 kcal/100g

Additives & feeding info

Feeding and storage

Feeding guide

Body Weight (lb): Ideal / Above Ideal / Overweight (cups). 25 lb: 2 / 1¾ / 1⅝; 50 lb: 3¼ / 2⅞ / 2⅝; 100 lb: 5⅛ / 4⅝ / 4; 150 lb: 6⅝ / 6 / 5⅓; 170 lb: 7¼ / 6½ / 5¾

Additives declared on the label

Nutritional additives

Vitamin E supplement, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Calcium pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine mononitrate, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid; Iron Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Zinc Proteinate, Selenium Yeast, Iron Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Potassium Iodide, Calcium Carbonate; Taurine; Choline Chloride; DL-Methionine; L-Carnitine

Technological additives

Tocopherols (preservative); Rosemary Extract (natural flavor/antioxidant); Green Tea Extract (natural flavor/antioxidant); Spearmint Extract (natural flavor/antioxidant); Sodium Bentonite

Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-09-29

Brand and contact: NutriCare
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
2026-09-29
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.

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 food achieves an overall score of 43 out of 100 based on several key factors. The overall quality of the ingredient list contributed +3.3 points. However, ingredients without printed percentages contributed -10.6 points, the processing format contributed -6.7 points, and the additive load contributed -4.9 points to the final calculation.

Scored with model v3 on 2026-10-25. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.

ComponentInputCoefficientContribution
Base score-30.909+30.91
Average ingredient quality0.49.191+3.34
Carb share of dry matter7.6%-0.115-0.88
Oil share of dry matter7.8%-0.092-0.71
Vegetable share of dry matter6.5%-0.005-0.03
Additive share of dry matter18.1%0.163+2.95
Supplement share of dry matter24.7%-0.012-0.30
Recipe graded poor25.0%-0.065-1.62
Number of poor ingredients4-0.876-3.50
Largest single poor ingredient7.7%0.060+0.46
Undeclared quantities100.0%-0.106-10.56
Complete dietyes2.294+2.29
Low meat (under 10% of dry matter)yes-3.158-3.16
Additive penalty-22.160.222-4.92
Processing multiplier0.9833.786+33.11
Processing: Dry Extrudedyes-6.713-6.71
Show all 40 components
ComponentInputCoefficientContribution
Base score-30.909+30.91
Average ingredient quality0.49.191+3.34
Meat share of dry matter0.0%0.096+0.00
Carb share of dry matter7.6%-0.115-0.88
Oil share of dry matter7.8%-0.092-0.71
Vegetable share of dry matter6.5%-0.005-0.03
Additive share of dry matter18.1%0.163+2.95
Supplement share of dry matter24.7%-0.012-0.30
Other share of dry matter0.0%-0.375+0.00
Unrecognised share of dry matter0.0%-0.027+0.00
Recipe graded poor25.0%-0.065-1.62
Poor-quality meat in recipe0.0%-0.179+0.00
Number of poor ingredients4-0.876-3.50
Largest single poor ingredient7.7%0.060+0.46
Undeclared quantities100.0%-0.106-10.56
Prints ingredient percentagesno0.000+0.00
Complete dietyes2.294+2.29
Frozen or chilled freshno0.000+0.00
High meat (30%+ of dry matter)no0.707+0.00
Low meat (under 10% of dry matter)yes-3.158-3.16
High carb and low meatno-1.180+0.00
Meat share × printed percentages0.00.000+0.00
Meat share × fresh0.00.000+0.00
Fresh × high meat0.011.084+0.00
Additive penalty-22.160.222-4.92
Processing multiplier0.9833.786+33.11
Processing: Rawno-0.054+0.00
Processing: Fresh Chilledno-2.354+0.00
Processing: Fresh Frozenno-2.354+0.00
Processing: Fresh Refrigeratedno0.000+0.00
Processing: Fresh Shelfno-0.672+0.00
Processing: Dry Freeze Driedno6.629+0.00
Processing: Dry Air Driedno6.331+0.00
Processing: Dry Cold Pressedno-6.713+0.00
Processing: Dry Bakedno-6.713+0.00
Processing: Dry Extrudedyes-6.713-6.71
Processing: Dry Semi Moistno-6.174+0.00
Processing: Dry Mueslino-10.146+0.00
Processing: Wet Pateno-0.672+0.00
Processing: Wet Chunksno-0.672+0.00
Processing-type offset
+0.02
Additives declared on label
+2 transparency bonus
Subtotal
42.7
Final score
43/100

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 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.

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.

NutrientAs fed (label)Dry matter (scored)Score
Protein3235.4 (band 18 to 40%)100
Fat1213.3 (band 5.5 to 20%)100
Fibre17.519.3 (band 0.5 to 5%)100
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3)--100
Energy (kcal/100g)329363.5100

Fibre: Declared as a maximum; the high-fibre taper is not applied.

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 5 declared nutrients (combined weight 70); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 9.5% from the food type.

Declared fortification: 6 nutritional additives on the label
  • Vitamin E supplement, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Calcium pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine mononitrate, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid
  • Iron Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Zinc Proteinate, Selenium Yeast, Iron Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Potassium Iodide, Calcium Carbonate
  • Taurine
  • Choline Chloride
  • DL-Methionine
  • L-Carnitine

Low confidence: partial analysis or moisture 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.

ItemPoints
✓ Ingredient list on the label (mandatory)10/10
✗ Printed percentages on the label (voluntary) - not on file0/20
✗ Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) - not on file0/15
✓ 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 file0/5

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.

100/100 · moderate — 2 checkable claims: 2 consistent, 0 contradicted.

Consistent with the label

  • "complete food for adult dogs (>12 months)" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
  • "high protein (32% protein content)" — supported by the declared high protein data.

7 further claims on file that we cannot check against the label.

Moderate: every checkable claim is consistent with the declared label.

ClaimTypeCheckSubstantiation
supports healthy digestion (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
supports lean muscle development (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
supports weight and appetite control (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
balance of omega-6 & omega-3 fatty acids to nourish healthy skin and shiny coat (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Ascophyllum nodosum (Dried Seaweed Meal) helps reduce plaque and aids in overall dental health (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
complete food for adult dogs (>12 months) (on page)ContentconsistentManufacturer assertion
All formulas meet or exceed AAFCO nutrient profiles for their intended life stage and species (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
high protein (32% protein content) (on page)High/low levelconsistentManufacturer assertion
86% animal-sourced protein (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer 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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