Natural Choice Large Breed Healthy Weight Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food
Verified Jun 5, 2026
This is a lower-calorie, high-fiber dry food designed for adult large-breed dogs who need help reaching or maintaining a healthy weight. It uses chicken and chicken meal as the main protein sources, with brown rice, barley, and oatmeal providing carbohydrates, plus added fiber from ingredients like powdered cellulose and beet pulp to help with satiety and digestion. The recipe also includes omega-6 fatty acids, glucosamine and chondroitin from chicken meal, and added antioxidants such as vitamin E and selenium to support overall health.
This is a well-formulated option for adult large-breed dogs who are overweight or prone to weight gain. The moderate protein, relatively low fat, and higher fiber content are appropriate for weight management, and chicken as the first ingredient provides a good-quality protein base. It should suit many otherwise healthy large-breed adults, especially those needing calorie control, as long as they tolerate chicken and grains well.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Chicken and chicken meal as primary ingredients provide good-quality, joint-supporting protein sources suitable for large-breed adults.
- Calorie density is moderate (about 271 kcal per cup) with controlled fat (8–12%) and higher fiber (up to 11%), which can help with weight control and keeping dogs feeling full.
- Includes glucosamine and chondroitin from chicken meal plus added omega-6 fatty acids, which are helpful nutrients for large-breed joint and skin health.
- Uses a variety of whole grains (brown rice, barley, oatmeal, sorghum) rather than relying heavily on potatoes or legumes as the main carbohydrate sources.
Considerations
- Contains multiple chicken-based ingredients and dried egg product, so it is not suitable for dogs with chicken or egg allergies.
- Includes peas and pea protein; while not the main ingredients, owners who are concerned about legume content or have breeds at higher risk for heart disease may prefer to rotate with or choose a diet with fewer legumes.
- The higher fiber level, while useful for weight management, may cause softer stools or more frequent bowel movements in some dogs, especially during transition.
- Glucosamine and chondroitin levels, though present, are modest and should not be relied on as the sole joint-support strategy for dogs with significant joint disease.
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
Barley
Barley is a cereal grain used in pet foods primarily as a digestible carbohydrate and source of dietary fiber (including soluble beta‑glucans), along with modest amounts of B vitamins and minerals. It can support healthy digestion, help moderate post‑meal blood sugar and aid weight management in dogs, but provides limited protein for obligate carnivores like cats, must be cooked/processed for good digestibility, and may be unsuitable for pets with grain sensitivities or calorie‑restricted diets.
04
Brown Rice
Brown rice is a whole-grain carbohydrate and fiber ingredient commonly used in dog and cat foods to provide digestible energy, dietary fiber, and modest amounts of B‑vitamins and minerals; it typically offers more nutrients and fiber than white rice. It’s generally well tolerated and can help with sensitive stomachs, but because it is high in carbohydrates (not a primary protein source) and can contain trace inorganic arsenic depending on sourcing, it should be included in balanced formulations and monitored in overweight or diabetic pets.
05
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is used in pet foods as a digestible carbohydrate and source of soluble fiber (notably beta‑glucans), serving as a gentle filler or binder that can support healthy digestion and steady energy release. It provides B vitamins and minerals, is generally well tolerated by dogs and many cats when cooked and plain, but should be free of added sugars or flavorings and used cautiously for overweight or diabetic pets or animals with individual grain 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
Brand
Nutro is a natural-leaning dog and cat food brand from Mars Petcare positioned as a premium, ingredient-focused line. It emphasizes non-GMO ingredients where possible, no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, and simple ingredient lists. Nutro offers grain-inclusive and grain-free lines and markets itself to pet owners seeking more natural, wholesome recipes at a premium but broadly accessible price point.
Visit NutroManufacturer
Mars Petcare operates large-scale manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America with formal quality and food safety systems modeled on human food standards. Facilities follow HACCP-based programs, Good Manufacturing Practices, and are routinely audited for compliance with local regulatory bodies (e.g., FDA and USDA in the U.S., FEDIAF-related standards in Europe). Mars maintains in‑house research and development centers, employs veterinarians and pet nutrition scientists, and conducts digestibility and palatability studies and AAFCO feeding trials for many of its complete-and-balanced diets.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Healthy Weight Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Nutro ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Nutro. 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.
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