Nutro Max Large Breed Puppy Chicken Dry Dog Food
Verified Jun 11, 2026
This is a dry kibble formulated specifically for large breed puppies, featuring chicken meal and chicken as the main animal protein sources alongside whole grains like barley and sorghum. The recipe includes controlled calcium and phosphorus levels for proper bone growth, added DHA and EPA for brain and eye development, and joint-support nutrients from glucosamine and chondroitin. It’s designed to provide complete and balanced nutrition for growing large breed puppies while supporting skin, coat, digestion, and overall vitality.
This is a well-formulated large breed puppy diet with appropriate protein and fat levels, controlled calcium and phosphorus, and added omega-3s, which are all important for safe growth in bigger breeds. The use of chicken meal and chicken provides good-quality, species-appropriate protein, and the inclusion of glucosamine and chondroitin is a plus for joint support. It should suit most healthy large breed puppies, as long as they don’t have sensitivities to chicken or grains.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Chicken meal and chicken as primary ingredients provide good-quality, highly digestible animal protein for growth.
- Calcium (1.2–1.7%) and phosphorus (≥1%) levels are appropriate for large breed puppies, helping support controlled bone development.
- Includes DHA and EPA, plus a minimum 0.5% omega-3 and 2.5% omega-6, which support developing brain, eyes, skin, and coat.
- Contains natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin, which can help support joint health in growing large breed puppies.
Considerations
- Contains multiple chicken sources and egg product, so it is not suitable for puppies with chicken or egg allergies.
- Includes pea protein and split peas; while not grain-free, owners of breeds at higher risk for heart disease may want to discuss any legume-containing diet with their veterinarian.
- At 336 kcal per cup, it’s moderately energy-dense, so portion control is important to avoid overly rapid growth and excess weight in large breed puppies.
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
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.
03
Brewer's Rice
Brewer’s rice is a milling byproduct of rice processing made up of small broken white rice kernels commonly used in pet foods as a highly digestible carbohydrate source, filler and binder that provides readily available energy for dogs and cats while contributing little protein, fat or fiber. It is generally gentle on the stomach and cost‑effective, but diets using it must supply other ingredients for essential nutrients; pet owners should note its relatively high glycemic load (relevant for weight or diabetic pets), the potential for trace environmental contaminants associated with rice, and not confuse it with brewer’s yeast.
04
Sorghum
Sorghum is a cereal grain commonly used in pet foods as a source of complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber and modest plant protein, often chosen as a gluten‑free alternative to wheat or corn. It can provide fermentable fiber and antioxidant compounds that may support digestion and glycemic control, but is generally less digestible than some grains unless properly processed and certain tannin‑rich varieties can reduce nutrient availability, so quality sourcing and appropriate formulation are important—particularly for cats, whose diets should remain primarily animal‑based.
05
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.
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
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 Nutro Max Large Breed Puppy Chicken 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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