Skip to content

6,000+ pet foods rated. Your best match, free in 30 seconds.

Nutro vs Zesty Paws

Nutro is made by Mars Petcare (owned by Mars, Incorporated), and Zesty Paws by Zesty Paws (owned by Health & Happiness (H&H) Group), and both make food for cats and dogs. On KibbleLab, Nutro averages 8.1 out of 10 across its scored foods, compared with 7.6 for Zesty Paws. Nutro's maker dates to 1935, while Zesty Paws's launched in 2014.

Nutro and Zesty Paws compared

Nutro Zesty Paws
Manufacturer Mars Petcare Zesty Paws
Parent company Mars, Incorporated Health & Happiness (H&H) Group
Founded 1935 2014
Headquarters Brussels, Belgium (global Petcare division); McLean, Virginia, USA (Mars, Incorporated global HQ) Orlando, Florida, USA
Products listed 92 71
Serves Cats & dogs Cats & dogs
Price tier A relative price guide, from $ (most affordable) to $$$$$ (most premium), based on the brand's typical retail cost.
$$$$ $$$$
WSAVA guidelines The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) publishes criteria for evaluating a manufacturer: qualified nutritionists on staff, feeding trials, and published research. It does not certify or endorse brands.
No No
PSC accredited The Pet Sustainability Coalition is a nonprofit that accredits pet companies on their environmental and social impact, through third-party verification. It reflects sustainability practices, not food quality.
No No
Score The average KibbleLab score across this brand's scored foods, on a 0 to 10 scale. Foods are scored on published veterinary science, and no one can pay for a higher score. How scoring works .
8.1 (avg of 92) 7.6 (avg of 71)
Recalls on record KibbleLab began logging recalls in July 2026, so earlier recalls may not appear.
None None
Where to buy Amazon Amazon

Affiliate links · may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Nutro vs Zesty Paws: how they compare

Scores

Nutro scores higher on KibbleLab, averaging 8.1 out of 10 across 92 scored foods, compared with 7.6 across 71 for Zesty Paws. Scores apply the same criteria-based rubric to every food, drawn from published veterinary science, and no one can pay for a higher score.

Who makes them

Nutro is made by Mars Petcare, owned by Mars, Incorporated, based in Brussels, Belgium (global Petcare division); McLean, Virginia, USA (Mars, Incorporated global HQ), founded in 1935. Zesty Paws is made by Zesty Paws, owned by Health & Happiness (H&H) Group, based in Orlando, Florida, USA, founded in 2014.

Standards and range

Neither meets WSAVA's published manufacturer criteria. KibbleLab lists 92 Nutro foods and 71 Zesty Paws foods.

Not sure which is right for your pet?

Sign in free to see Nutro and Zesty Paws scored for your pet's breed, age, and health focus, save favorites, and compare foods side by side.

Example foods

Common Questions

Which scores higher on KibbleLab, Nutro or Zesty Paws?

Nutro scores higher: it averages 8.1 out of 10 across 92 scored foods, compared with 7.6 for Zesty Paws. Scores reflect published veterinary science, and no one can pay for a higher score.

Who makes Nutro and Zesty Paws?

Nutro is made by Mars Petcare, which is owned by Mars, Incorporated. Zesty Paws is made by Zesty Paws, which is owned by Health & Happiness (H&H) Group.

Which brand has more products on KibbleLab?

Nutro has 92 products in the KibbleLab database, compared with 71 for Zesty Paws.

Where is each brand based?

Nutro is based in Brussels, Belgium (global Petcare division); McLean, Virginia, USA (Mars, Incorporated global HQ). Zesty Paws is based in Orlando, Florida, USA.

Have Nutro or Zesty Paws been recalled?

Neither Nutro nor Zesty Paws has a recall on record in the KibbleLab database. KibbleLab began logging recalls in July 2026, so earlier recalls may not appear.

See the full profiles: Nutro and Zesty Paws .

More comparisons

KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.

This is a neutral, factual comparison, not a ranking or an endorsement of either brand. KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through links. No one can pay for placement or a higher score.

Brand and manufacturer details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing. Recall data is compiled from public FDA and manufacturer notices, and a notice may name the parent company rather than the brand. KibbleLab began logging recalls in July 2026, so earlier recalls may not appear.

KibbleLab scores and commentary are editorial opinions based on published data. Represent one of these brands? Request a correction. Anyone else can email us. See our Terms.