Grain Free Puppy Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog Food
Verified Jun 11, 2026
This is a grain-free dry food for puppies that uses chicken and chicken meal as the main protein sources, with sweet potato, pumpkin, and legumes providing carbohydrates and fiber. The formula includes added DHA for brain and eye development, omega fatty acids, and joint-supporting nutrients like glucosamine and chondroitin. It is formulated to support growth, including for large-breed puppies, and can be used for all life stages.
This is a well-balanced, grain-free puppy kibble with chicken as the primary protein and an appropriate nutrient profile for growing dogs, including large-breed puppies. It offers solid protein and fat levels, added DHA for development, and joint-supporting nutrients, making it a reasonable option for many puppies. Because it is grain-free and relies on peas and garbanzo beans alongside sweet potatoes and tapioca, it’s a better fit for dogs that truly need a grain-free diet, with some caution for breeds at higher risk of heart disease.
The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.
KibbleLab may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through a link. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.
At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Chicken and chicken meal as the first ingredients provide good-quality, identifiable animal protein for growth and maintenance.
- Formulated to meet AAFCO standards for all life stages, including large-breed puppy growth, with appropriate calcium and phosphorus minimums listed.
- Includes DHA, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and added taurine, which support development, skin and coat, and heart health needs in growing puppies.
- Contains glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, which can help support developing joints, especially in larger or more active puppies.
Considerations
- Grain-free formulation uses garbanzo beans and peas in the ingredient list; legume-heavy, grain-free diets have been associated with heart issues (DCM) in some dogs, so discuss with your vet if you have a breed prone to cardiac disease.
- Contains chicken and fish oil, which are common food allergens for some dogs; not ideal for puppies with known sensitivities to these proteins.
- At 24% minimum protein, this is adequate for puppies but a bit lower than some other puppy diets, which may matter for very active or working-breed youngsters.
Full Ingredient List
Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.
Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.
Top 5 Ingredients Explained
01
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
02
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
03
Sweet Potato
Sweet potato is used in pet foods as a digestible carbohydrate and source of soluble fiber, vitamins (notably beta‑carotene), minerals and antioxidants, often helping with stool quality and serving as a binder or energy ingredient. It is generally well tolerated by dogs and can support gut health, but because cats poorly convert beta‑carotene to vitamin A and require preformed vitamin A from animal sources, sweet potato is not a substitute for meat-based nutrients; its relatively high carbohydrate content also means portion control is advised for overweight or diabetic pets and it should be cooked for best digestibility.
04
Tapioca Starch
Tapioca starch is a purified carbohydrate used in pet foods mainly as a thickener, binder and easily digestible energy source, contributing virtually no protein, fat, vitamins or minerals. It is low‑allergy and gluten‑free, but because it is a high‑glycemic, low‑nutrient filler it should be limited in diets for overweight or diabetic pets and not relied on for essential nutrition.
05
Canola
Canola is commonly used in pet foods primarily as a calorie-dense fat source (canola oil) and, less often, as a meal to add plant protein and fiber; its oil supplies monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids including alpha‑linolenic acid (an omega‑3) and linoleic acid (an omega‑6), which help support energy, skin and coat condition in dogs and to a lesser extent in cats. Modern canola is low in erucic acid and generally safe, but canola meal has lower biological protein quality than animal proteins and may not meet obligate feline amino acid needs, the oil is prone to oxidation so antioxidants and proper storage are important, and a small number of pets can have sensitivities.
Nutritional Breakdown
How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter
As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.What is calorie density
How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.Product Details & Brand
Product Specs
AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional
adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.Brand
Nature's Recipe offers premium dog food made with natural ingredients and without artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. It is positioned toward pet owners seeking accessible natural nutrition.
Visit Nature's RecipeManufacturer
Post Holdings operates manufacturing facilities acquired from J.M. Smucker, following FDA and AAFCO regulatory standards.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Nature's Recipe Grain Free Puppy Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
Sign up for the full picture
Feeding Calculator
Personalized portion sizes based on your pet's weight, age, and activity level.
Get startedSimilar Foods
Post your dog's report card and challenge friends to check their food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Nature's Recipe ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Nature's Recipe. We monitor the FDA Pet Food Recall Database daily.
How does KibbleLab rate foods?
Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.
Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?
No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.
KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.
Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.
Continue with Google
Continue with Facebook