🐕‍🦺 Tuffy’s Pet Food NutriSource Chicken & Rice Puppy

 Tuffy’s Pet Food NutriSource Chicken & Rice Puppy Formula (1.5 lb bag) for small/medium breeds, including comparisons to other puppy foods:

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NutriSource Chicken & Rice Puppy Food (1.5 lb) Overview

Key Features:

• For Puppies: Specifically formulated for small/medium breed puppies (up to 1 year).

• Protein Source: Chicken meal (highly digestible) + chicken fat for energy.

• Carb Source: Brown rice, white rice, and oatmeal (gentle on stomachs, not grain-free).

• Added Nutrients:

  • DHA (from salmon oil) for brain/eye development.

  • Probiotics (Bio-Mos® and FOS) for digestive health.

  • Calcium/phosphorus for bone growth.

• Kibble Size: Small bites for tiny mouths.

• Nutritional Profile:

  • Crude Protein: 30% min (high for growth needs).

  • Crude Fat: 20% min (supports energy).

  • Crude Fiber: 3.5% max.

  • Calories: ~450 kcal/cup.

Pros:
✅ Breed-Specific: Tailored for small/medium puppies’ calorie/nutrient needs.
✅ Digestive Support: Probiotics + prebiotics reduce tummy upset.
✅ No Corn/Wheat: Uses rice/oatmeal instead (less allergenic than corn).

Cons:
⚠️ Not Grain-Free: Contains rice/oatmeal (avoid if grain-sensitive).
⚠️ Small Bag: 1.5 lbs is pricey (~$8\text{–}$10, or ~$5.30\text{–}$6.70/lb).

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Comparison to Other Puppy Foods

Feature	NutriSource Puppy	Purina Pro Plan Puppy	Blue Buffalo Wilderness Puppy	Hill’s Science Diet Puppy
Protein %	30%	28%	36%	25%
Fat %	20%	18%	16%	15%
Main Carbs	Brown rice, oatmeal	Corn, wheat, soy	Peas, sweet potatoes	Brewers rice, corn
Grain-Free?	No	No	Yes	No
Probiotics?	Yes (Bio-Mos® + FOS)	Yes (Live probiotics)	No	No
Price per Pound	~$5.30\text{–}$6.70	~$3\text{–}$4	~$5\text{–}$6	~$4\text{–}$5

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Best For:

• Small/medium breed puppies (e.g., Beagles, Cocker Spaniels, Bulldogs).

• Puppies needing high energy/fat (20% fat supports rapid growth).

• Owners prioritizing digestive health (probiotics + rice/oatmeal).

Not Ideal For:

• Puppies with grain allergies (contains rice).

• Large breeds (formulated for smaller jaw sizes).

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Alternatives:

1. For Grain-Free Puppies:

   • Blue Buffalo Wilderness Puppy (36% protein, salmon-based).

   • Taste of the Wild Puppy (bison/venison, grain-free).

2. For Budget Buyers:

   • Purina Pro Plan Puppy (affordable, but contains corn/wheat).

3. For Sensitive Stomachs:

   • Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Sensitive Stomach (rice-based).

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Feeding Guidelines:

• Small Breeds (up to 20 lbs): ¼–1 cup/day (split into 3–4 meals).

• Medium Breeds (20–50 lbs): 1–2.5 cups/day (split into 3 meals).

• Always provide fresh water and adjust portions based on weight gain/vet advice.

Transition Tip: Mix 25% new food with 75% old food, gradually increasing over 7–10 days.

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Final Verdict:

NutriSource’s Chicken & Rice Puppy Food is a high-quality choice for small/medium breeds, offering optimal protein/fat for growth and digestive support. However, its grain-inclusive recipe and small bag size may not suit all budgets or puppies with grain allergies.