Once a week I make a point of visiting my local animal shelter. I do this so that I can spend some one on one time with the dogs that are scheduled to be euthanized. It breaks my heart that I can't bring them home with me and give each of them a loving home, but my days are filled with caring for grandma and the animals I already have.

A couple of weeks ago as I was leaving the shelter, I noticed a man unloading a box of puppies from his car. I tried to resist approaching him, but curiosity got the better of me. Oh my goodness! There were ten of the cutest little mutts I'd ever seen. I knew I didn't need another pet, why did I look? Needless to say, I now have an 8 week old puppy.

When I first brought Reno home he had a few problems. They were basically minor, but they were problems all the same. The main thing that worried me, though, was how underweight he appeared to be. Aside from this, he had a major flea infestation and the worse case of doggie cradle cap I'd ever seen. As I always do, I immediately dialed up my vet for advice. The vet's main concern was getting the weight back on this adorable little guy, as well as taking care of the very dry skin he was suffering with. He recommended food. He informed me that a good diet would not only take care of the weight problem, but also alleviate the dry skin. I could understand how a good diet would put weight back on the pup, but what food would help with the dry skin problem?

My vet recommended Nutro Natural Choice Ultra Puppy dry dog food for Reno and the results have been nothing short of amazing. I'll tell you all about it, but first a few product details.


~What Does Nutro Have To Say?~

~ Benefits of Natural Choice Ultra Puppy~

~Guaranteed healthier skin and lustrous coat.
~Complete antioxidant protection for a healthy immune system.
~Nature's very best ingredients.
~Unsurpassed taste guaranteed.
~Everything your puppy needs to live a long, healthy life.

Feeding Natural Choice Ultra is the best thing you can possibly do for your dog. The nutritionists at Nutro and at major universities have combined the very best of nature and science to produce a dog food that's designed for one thing only…the health and well-being of your dog.

The ingredient listing is unlike any other food you can buy. It's all about health. We are committed to using the finest, costliest natural ingredients, highly digestible proteins, added vitamins and minerals and specialized nutrients found only in Natural Choice Ultra. We never use ingredients like chicken by-products (heads, feet, intestines) or ground corn or grain sorghum. And no chemicals like BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, propyl gallate or sodium hexametaphosphate.

Natural Choice Ultra is a whole new natural category of dog food…not just natural…not just the latest science…not just more nutrition…Ultra Nutrition.

Your dog is your companion and friend, part of the family. Your dog makes you smile. That's why Nutro developed Natural Choice Ultra. Natural Choice Ultra isn't just good for dogs. It makes them feel good. When you feed Natural Choice Ultra you can feel good too that you're doing the very best for your trusted friend and family member.

~Palatability~

Many talk about it, Natural Choice Ultra Puppy has it. The best taste ever. Up to 90% of dogs tested preferred Natural Choice Ultra Puppy. That means your puppy will love it and you'll have the satisfaction of knowing your dog will eat enough to meet its nutritional needs.

~Skin & Coat~

Another indicator of your dog's health is its skin and coat. You'll love how your puppy's coat glistens. Healthy, supple skin and thick, glossy hair are guaranteed with Natural Choice Ultra Puppy. And Natural Choice is the only brand that's approved to guarantee it.

~Antioxidant Protection~

Free radicals are very unstable molecules that steal electrons from other molecules in a process called oxidation. The unique antioxidant system in Natural Choice Ultra Puppy combines tocotrienols, tocopherols, Vitamin C, beta-carotene, lutein, taurine and selenium to fight free radicals and keep your dog's immune system whole and healthy.

~Stool Volume & Quality~

Firm, compact stools are a sign of good health and a way to measure how well your dog food is working. Small stools mean your dog is absorbing more nutrition. Natural Choice Ultra Puppy provides a small, consistently firm stool, up to 52% less than other leading brands. That means less cleanup for you, a cleaner, healthier environment and more nutrition for your dog.

~Clean Teeth, Fresh Breath~

The natural scrubbing action of Natural Choice Ultra Puppy along with cranberry and chlorophyll help keep your dog's teeth clean and fights doggy breath.


~Packaging~

Nutro Natural Choice Ultra Puppy is dispensed in 3 different size bags that I know of. A 4.5 lb. bag, 17.5 lb. bag and a 35 lb. bag. The bag is white in color with orange accents throughout. A white puppy is pictured on the front of the bag.


~Serving Suggestions~

~3 - 5 Week Puppy--Amounts to Feed Per Day (Cups)~

~3 lb. dog: moisten and feed frequently
~5 lb. dog: moisten and feed frequently
~8 lb. dog: moisten and feed frequently
~10 lb. dog: moisten and feed frequently
~20 lb. dog: moisten and feed frequently

~6 - 11 Week Puppy--Amounts to Feed Per Day (Cups)~

~3 lb. dog: 3/4 - 1 cup
~5 lb. dog: 1 - 1 1/2 cups
~8 lb. dog: 1 1/2 - 2 cups
~10 lb. dog: 1 3/4 - 2 1/2 cups
~20 lb. dog: 3 - 4 cups
~40 lb. dog: 5 - 7 cups
~60 lb. dog: 7 - 9 1/2 cups

~12 - 16 Week Puppy--Amounts to Feed Per Day (Cups)~

~3 lb. dog: 2/3 - 3/4 cup
~5 lb. dog: 3/4 - 1 1/4 cups
~8 lb. dog: 1 1/4 - 1 2/3 cups
~10 lb. dog: 1 1/2 - 2 cups
~20 lb. dog: 2 1/2 - 3 1/3 cups
~40 lb. dog: 4 1/4 - 5 2/3 cups
~60 lb. dog: 5 2/3 - 7 3/4 cups

~17 - 28 Week Puppy--Amounts to Feed Per Day (Cups)~

~3 lb. dog: 1/2 - 2/3 cup
~5 lb. dog: 3/4 - 1 cup
~8 lb. dog: 1 - 1 1/2 cups
~10 lb. dog: 1 1/4 - 1 2/3 cups
~20 lb. dog: 2 - 2 3/4 cups
~40 lb. dog: 3 1/2 - 4 3/4 cups
~60 lb. dog: 4 2/3 - 6 1/2 cups
~80 lb. dog: 5 3/4 - 8 cups

~29 - 52 Week Puppy--Amounts to Feed Per Day (Cups)~

~3 lb. dog: 1/2 cup
~5 lb. dog: 2/3 - 3/4 cup
~8 lb. dog: 3/4 - 1 1/4 cups
~10 lb. dog: 1 - 1 1/3 cups
~20 lb. dog: 1 2/3 - 2 1/4 cups
~40 lb. dog: 2 3/4 - 3 3/4 cups
~60 lb. dog: 3 3/4 - 5 1/4 cups
~80 lb. dog: 4 2/3 - 6 1/3 cups
~5 1/2 - 7 1/2 cups


Some Information On Natural Choice Ultra's Ingredients

~Natural Ingredients~

Natural vitamin E, combined with other natural antioxidants, keeps every nutritious bit of Natural Choice Ultra Puppy fresh and in perfect condition, without synthetic preservatives.

~Three Animal Proteins~

Combining chicken, lamb, and salmon proteins provides the ideal amino acid profile to increase the bioavailability of these essential amino acids for better muscle development and overall performance.

~Salmon Meal~

Salmon meal is a highly concentrated source of essential amino acids and DHA for your puppy's central nervous system development. Helps provide good vision and can improve your puppy's sense of smell. The brain and retina contain large amounts of DHA.

~Chicken Meal~

Chicken meal is a highly digestible animal protein that helps build muscle tissue and provides the special amino acids needed for a lustrous hair coat.

~Lamb Meal~

A great tasting, highly digestible animal protein because puppies need plenty of protein for powerful muscles, strong bones and tendons.

~Sunflower Oil~

Sunflower oil is high in linoleic acid, the only fatty acid proven essential for healthy skin and coat. Many puppy foods contain lower levels of linoleic acid, but Natural Choice Ultra Puppy has up to 139% more linoleic acid than other leading brands.

~Flax Seed~

There are many omega 3 fatty acids but the alpha-linolenic acid in flax seed is the key omega 3. It combines with the linoleic acid in sunflower oil and zinc to provide guaranteed healthy skin and shiny coat.

~Whole Brown Rice

Whole brown rice is a rich source of fiber, vitamin B2, and minerals like iron and magnesium.

~Glucosamine & Chondroitin Sulfate~

Growing puppies love to romp and play and they may experience hip and joint problems. Joint cartilage contains high levels of chondroitin and the synovial fluid in the joints contains high levels of glucosamine. These naturally occurring nutrients can help maintain joint health and repair joint cartilage.

~Taurine~

Natural Choice Ultra Puppy contains guaranteed levels of taurine, an amino acid and antioxidant necessary for a strong, healthy heart.

~Probiotics~

Bacillus licheniformis and bacillus subtilis are probiotics that help promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in your puppy's digestive tract.

~Cranberry~

Cranberry, along with its great taste, is known to help maintain urinary tract health.

~Kelp~

Kelp is an excellent natural source of minerals such as iodine.

~Wholesome Oatmeal~

Oatmeal is an excellent source of moderately fermentable fiber that digests more slowly to provide energy and stamina over a longer period of time.

~Garlic~

Along with the flavor your puppy loves, garlic is a rich source of selenium, a powerful natural antioxidant.

~Marigold Extract~

Marigold extract is a natural source of lutein to promote good vision.

~Alfalfa~

Alfalfa is a natural source of chlorophyll for fresh breath and provides fiber and carbohydrates.

~Chelated Minerals~

Minerals typically need to attach to a protein in the dog's digestive tract to be assimilated. Chelated minerals have a protein already attached so the body utilizes them more efficiently.

~Tomato Pomace~

Tomato pomace is a natural source of lycopene, a powerful free radical fighter to help fight the effects of aging.

~Poultry Fat~

Poultry fat helps provide the energy your dog needs in a highly digestible form. Combined with sunflower oil it produces an ideal fatty acid profile that's high in linoleic acid for guaranteed supple skin and shiny coat.


~Ingredients~

Chicken meal, brown rice, rice bran, lamb meal, poultry fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols, natural source of linoleic acid), sunflower oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols, source of linoleic acid), flaxseed (natural source of alpha linolenic acid), natural flavors, beet pulp, alfalfa (natural source of chlorophyll), salmon meal (natural source of DHA), oatmeal, tomato pomace (natural source of lycopene), fish oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols, natural source of DHA), cranberry, dried egg product, kelp (natural source of iodine), taurine, bacillus licheniformis fermentation extract, bacillus subtilis fermentation extract, l-carnitine, glucosamine hydrochloride, chondroitin sulfate, garlic (natural source of selenium), marigold extract (natural source of lutein), lycopene.


~Vitamins & Minerals~

Potassium chloride, vitamin E supplement, zinc sulfate, zinc proteinate, choline chloride, ferrous sulfate, ascorbic acid (source of vitamin C), biotin, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, niacin (vitamin B3), calcium iodate, calcium pantothenate (source of vitamin B5), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin supplement (source of vitamin B2), vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (source of vitamin B6), copper proteinate, sodium selenite, vitamin D3 supplement, beta carotene, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity), folic acid.


~Guaranteed Analysis~

Crude protein (min.) 30%, crude fat (min.) 15%, crude fiber (max.) 4%, moisture (max.) 10%, linoleic acid (min.) 4%, zinc (min.) 250 mg/kg, vitamin E (min.) 160 iu/kg, ascorbic acid (min.) 35 mg/kg, DHA (min.) 0.03 mg/kg, alpha-linolenic acid 0.65%, l-carnitine 75 mg/kg, lutein (min.) 10 mg/kg, beta carotene (min.) 0.5 mg/kg, lycopene (min.) 0.25 mg/kg, taurine 1000 mg/kg, selenium 0.3 mg/kg, chondroitin sulfate, 150 mg/kg, glucosamine (min.) 190 mg/kg.


~Kibble Description~

Each kibble is dark brown in color and somewhat oval shaped. Not so big that the smallest of puppy can't enjoy, but not super small either. The kibble has a crunchy consistency, but seems to be just right for Reno. His teeth are still very very tiny, but he's had no problem enjoying this food. The smell/odor is just sort of blah. It doesn't smell bad, but it's not real enticing either.


~Price And Availability~

As I mentioned earlier this is available in three sizes that I'm aware of; 4.5 lbs. for 11.00, 17.5 lbs. for 30.00 and 35 lbs. for 40.00. Very spendy, indeed, but well worth the price.

I buy mine at Petco, but have also seen this at Petsmart as well. Nutro products can also be purchased online @ www.nutroproducts.com


~FYI~

Questions and comments regarding this or any of the Nutro products are welcome by visiting Nutro on the web @ www.nutroproducts.com.


~Product Guarantee~

If for any reason you are dissatisfied with this product, return the unused portion along with the information contained within the dotted panel on the bag to your Nutro retailer for replacement or refund. Should you wish to contact the Nutro Customer Services Department, call 1-800-833-5330 or visit their website at www.nutroproducts.com.

Some of the above product details were borrowed from the label.


~Reno's Experience~

A very long product review for sure, but I wanted to show everyone the amazing quality of this dog food. It's a little more spendy than most, but well worth the price. Reno just loves it. He has the smallest little teeth I've ever seen on a puppy, but he chews this right up. I've never had a problem getting him to eat this. In fact, he comes and gets me when it's time to eat.

I won't address each claim this food makes, except to say that they're all true. Reno is as healthy as he can be and has energy that could drive a dead man to take a drink. His coat is soft & shiny, his doggy dandruff is completely gone and most importantly, his weight is normal for a pup his age. His stools are normal and his breath really does smell better.

This food is quite a bit more spendy than most, but the benefits make it worth the price. Reno is happy, healthy and very much alive due in part to this amazing puppy food. I would definitely recommend this to all puppy owners.


A big THANKS to Ladysmom for the addition of this product. Thanks Billie!


Thanx For Reading
Savanna And Reno Smiling:):)











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