Real Chicken & Apple Recipe Whole Health Blend Premium Pate Wet Dog Food
Verified Jun 15, 2026
This is a canned pâté-style wet food for adult dogs, featuring chicken and chicken liver as the main protein sources, along with apple, brown rice, peas, and carrots. It offers moderate protein and fat levels typical for a wet diet, with added vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for complete and balanced daily nutrition. The formula can work well as a primary diet or mixed with dry food for dogs who enjoy moist textures and strong chicken flavor.
Overall, this is a solid-quality wet food for adult dogs, built around real chicken and chicken liver with some wholesome plant ingredients like apples, brown rice, peas, and carrots. The nutrient profile is appropriate for most healthy adult dogs, and the inclusion of organ meat helps provide natural vitamins and minerals. It’s a reasonable choice as a standalone diet or as a topper for dry food, especially for dogs who do well on chicken-based recipes.
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
- Real chicken as the first ingredient, plus chicken liver, provides good-quality, highly palatable animal protein and natural micronutrients.
- Contains recognizable carbohydrate and fiber sources (apple, brown rice, peas, carrots) that can support digestive health and provide steady energy.
- Includes added vitamins and chelated minerals (like zinc proteinate, iron proteinate), which can help with micronutrient absorption and overall completeness.
- Calorie density is moderate for a wet food, which can be helpful for portion control and weight management when fed according to directions.
Considerations
- Chicken and chicken liver are common triggers for food allergies in some dogs, so this formula would not be suitable for dogs with known chicken sensitivities.
- Carrageenan is used as a thickener; while considered safe, some owners prefer to avoid it, and very sensitive dogs can occasionally have softer stools with certain gums.
- Protein is on the moderate side for a wet food, so very high-energy or working dogs may need larger portions or additional dietary support to meet their needs.
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 Broth
Chicken broth is commonly used in pet foods and toppers as a flavorful liquid base or gravy to improve palatability and add moisture, providing modest amounts of soluble protein, electrolytes and minerals. It can help encourage eating and increase hydration, but owners should choose low‑sodium, onion‑ and garlic‑free formulations (or make homemade broth), since commercial broths may contain excessive salt, seasonings or additives that are unsafe or unsuitable for dogs and cats.
03
Chicken Liver
Chicken liver is a nutrient-dense organ meat commonly used in pet foods and treats as a highly palatable protein source and flavor enhancer, providing concentrated vitamins (especially vitamin A and B-complex), iron, and copper that support energy metabolism, red blood cell formation, and skin/coat health in both dogs and cats. Because it is so rich, liver should be fed in moderation—excessive intake can cause vitamin A toxicity, and its high fat content and risk of bacterial contamination mean it should be properly sourced or cooked and limited for pets with pancreatitis or specific dietary restrictions.
04
Apple
Apple is used in pet foods as a fruit ingredient that supplies soluble fiber (pectin), natural flavor, moisture, and small amounts of vitamins and antioxidants. It can support digestion and add low‑calorie sweetness, but seeds and cores should be avoided because of cyanogenic compounds, apples are relatively high in natural sugars so should be used in moderation (and washed to remove pesticides), and cats—being obligate carnivores—gain less nutritional benefit than dogs.
05
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.
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
Rachael Ray Nutrish is a pet food brand developed in partnership with celebrity chef Rachael Ray. Originally launched under Ainsworth Pet Nutrition, the brand was later owned by The J.M. Smucker Company before being acquired by Post Holdings in April 2023. Nutrish offers natural dog and cat food recipes emphasizing simple, wholesome ingredients.
Visit Rachael Ray NutrishManufacturer
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
Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Chicken & Apple Recipe Whole Health Blend Premium Pate Wet 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 Rachael Ray Nutrish ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Rachael Ray Nutrish. 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.