Rachael Ray Nutrish cat food is a budget-to-mid-range brand founded in 2008, sold in Walmart, Target, and major grocery chains across the U.S. The brand uses named meats as primary protein sources and donates proceeds to animal charities.
Nutrish dry cat food averages 36.7% dry matter protein and 41.5% carbohydrates across its product line. Customer ratings average 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon across thousands of reviews. Expert reviewers at Cat Food Advisor rate the dry range 2.5 out of 5 stars and mark it ‘Not Recommended’ due to corn gluten meal, caramel coloring, and high carbohydrate content. A voluntary recall for elevated vitamin D in wet cat food varieties was issued by Ainsworth Pet Nutrition. Some cats experience vomiting on dry formulas.
This review covers what Nutrish contains, how it compares to expert and customer ratings, what the recall history means, and whether the brand is worth choosing for your cat’s daily diet.
What Is Rachael Ray Nutrish Cat Food?
Rachael Ray Nutrish cat food is a brand of dry and wet cat food founded in 2008 by celebrity chef Rachael Ray in partnership with Ainsworth Pet Nutrition, now owned by Post Brands Pet Care, LLC. The brand markets itself as premium cat food at an affordable price point. Every Nutrish recipe is made with named meats or fish as primary protein sources, with no artificial flavors.
Nutrish donates a portion of proceeds from each sale to the Rachael Ray Foundation, which supports animal charities and organizations including Feeding America and FoodCorps. Through March 2026, the brand has donated more than $112 million to animal welfare causes.
The product line includes dry and wet cat food, treats, broth complements, and specialized recipes for indoor cats, senior cats, and digestive health. The brand received an overall score of 6.8 out of 10 and a B- grade from Cats.com.
What Ingredients Does Nutrish Cat Food Contain?
Nutrish cat food is made with named protein sources like chicken, chicken meal, salmon, and tuna as primary ingredients, which distinguishes it from budget brands that use anonymous animal by-products. Key dry matter protein content across the line averages 36.7%, which is above average for dry cat food. Fat averages 13.8% and carbohydrates average 41.5% across the product line.
More controversial ingredients appear in several recipes. Corn gluten meal, sodium selenite, and caramel coloring are present in multiple dry formulas. Cat Food Advisor rates the dry product line 2.5 stars out of 5 and labels it ‘Not Recommended’ based on ingredient analysis alone.
The Indoor Complete Chicken, Lentils and Salmon Recipe dry formula contains 37.4% dry matter protein, 13.2% fat, and an estimated 41.5% carbohydrates. The high carbohydrate content is a concern for obligate carnivores like cats, who are biologically designed for lower-carb diets.
Is Nutrish Cat Food Grain-Free?
No. Most Nutrish cat food recipes are not grain-free, as the majority of dry formulas include brewers rice, brown rice, or whole flaxseed as carbohydrate sources. Nutrish does offer a grain-free wet cat food line, including Tuna Purrfection and Ocean Fish-a-licious varieties. Grain-free dry options are limited within the range.
Customers seeking grain-free dry cat food should check individual product labels. The brand’s standard dry line uses rice-based carbohydrates. The grain-free wet options receive a B grade from Cats.com compared to C grades for most dry formulas.
How Does Nutrish Cat Food Work?
Nutrish cat food works as a complete and balanced diet formulated to meet AAFCO nutritional profiles for adult maintenance or all life stages, depending on the recipe. Dry formulas provide concentrated calories of approximately 100 to 104 kilocalories per ounce (3.5 to 3.7 kcal/g). Wet formulas average 25 kilocalories per ounce, which is typical for canned or cup-style cat food.
The Indoor Complete formula is specifically designed with added fiber from lentils, dried beet pulp, and powdered cellulose to support hairball control and satiety for cats with lower activity levels. Fiber content in this formula reaches nearly 9% on a dry matter basis, which some cats may find excessive.
What Nutrish Cat Food Formulas Are Available?
Rachael Ray Nutrish offers both dry and wet cat food across multiple recipe lines designed for different health needs and life stages. Dry formulas cover general adult maintenance, indoor cats, senior aging, digestive health, and longevity recipes. Wet formulas are sold in 2.0 or 2.8 ounce plastic cups rather than cans.
Nutrish dry cat food lineup:
- Real Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe
- Indoor Complete Chicken, Lentils and Salmon Recipe
- Real Salmon and Brown Rice Recipe
- Inner Health Turkey, Chickpeas and Salmon Recipe
- Longevity Chicken, Chickpea and Salmon Recipe
- Everyday Digestion Chicken, Brown Rice and Salmon Recipe
- Savory Bites Yummy Chicken and Veggies Recipe
What Do Nutrish Cat Food Reviews Say?
Nutrish cat food reviews are mixed, with Amazon ratings averaging 4.6 out of 5 stars across 12,136 customer reviews for the Real Chicken and Brown Rice dry formula. Expert reviewers rate the brand more critically. Cat Food Advisor gives the dry line 2.5 out of 5 stars and marks it ‘Not Recommended.’ Cats.com gives the brand a B- overall grade.
The brand receives a 6.8 out of 10 score from Cats.com across five evaluation categories. Price scores an 8 out of 10 and product variety scores 7 out of 10. Ingredient quality and species-appropriateness both score 5 out of 10, dragging the overall rating down relative to customer satisfaction scores.
What Are Common Positive Experiences?
Positive Nutrish reviews consistently highlight palatability, ingredient transparency, and value compared to similarly priced brands that use anonymous by-products. One verified buyer noted that their cat ‘absolutely loves the taste’ and praised the natural ingredient list and price-to-quality ratio. Indoor Complete and Real Chicken formulas rank among the best-selling dry cat foods on Amazon.
Customers who have used the brand for years report consistent palatability and no palatability issues on transition. The availability in major retail chains including Walmart, Target, and Dollar General makes it accessible for budget-conscious cat owners. The brand is easy to find both online and in-store across the U.S.
Positive highlights:
- Named meat and fish as primary ingredients
- No artificial flavors in any formula
- High palatability ratings from cat owners
- Available at Walmart, Target, Walgreens, and major grocery chains
- Affordable price relative to premium brands
What Are Common Complaints About Nutrish Cat Food?
The most recurring complaint about Nutrish cat food is that some cats experience vomiting after switching to or continuing the brand, with multiple reviewers specifically linking the reaction to the dry formulas. One buyer switched to Nutrish from a pricier brand and reported vomiting after the second bag, ultimately returning to the more expensive food. This pattern appears across multiple independent review platforms.
Expert reviewers criticize the high carbohydrate content, the presence of corn gluten meal, and the use of caramel coloring. The brand also has a recall history involving elevated vitamin D levels in wet cat food products, issued by Ainsworth Pet Nutrition. Cats consuming excess vitamin D may experience vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, muscle tremors, or seizures within 12 to 36 hours of ingestion.
Common complaints:
- Vomiting reported in some cats on dry formulas
- High carbohydrate content (41.5% dry matter for dry food)
- Corn gluten meal and caramel coloring in several recipes
- Past recall for elevated vitamin D in wet food varieties
- 2.5 out of 5 star expert rating from Cat Food Advisor
Does Nutrish Cat Food Cause Vomiting?
Nutrish cat food has been associated with vomiting in some cats, based on verified customer reviews, though the cause is not definitively identified in independent studies. The most frequently cited issue involves dry formula ingredients. Cats with sensitive digestion, grain sensitivities, or corn intolerances may react to ingredients like corn gluten meal or the fiber-heavy Indoor Complete recipe.
Not all cats react this way. Thousands of verified buyers report no digestive issues. The reaction appears more common after switching brands without a gradual transition period. Vets typically recommend mixing old and new food over 7 to 10 days when changing cat food to reduce digestive upset.
Is Nutrish Cat Food Safe for Cats?
Nutrish cat food is generally safe for healthy adult cats when fed as directed, but has a documented recall history involving elevated vitamin D in wet food varieties produced by Ainsworth Pet Nutrition. The recalled wet products were linked to potential sickness, vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst and urination, and muscle tremors or seizures in affected cats. Ainsworth issued a voluntary recall and provided a consumer contact line.
The brand’s dry formulas have not been subject to the same recall. Current recipes are produced under J.M. Smucker and Post Brands Pet Care ownership. Customers who have concerns about current product safety can contact the brand directly or verify recall status through the FDA’s pet food recall database.
Is Nutrish Cat Food Legit?
Yes. Rachael Ray Nutrish is a legitimate pet food brand that has operated since 2008, is sold in major national retailers, and meets AAFCO nutritional standards for complete and balanced cat nutrition. The brand is not a scam. It is produced by a major pet food conglomerate and has been on the market for over 15 years with millions of units sold.
The brand’s reputation is mixed rather than fraudulent. Expert nutritional reviewers rate it below average on ingredient quality due to high carbohydrate content and the presence of corn-based fillers. But the food is real, legally sold, and nutritionally complete per AAFCO standards.
How Much Does Nutrish Cat Food Cost?
Rachael Ray Nutrish cat food costs approximately $1.68 to $2.43 per pound for dry formulas and $0.43 per ounce for wet cup varieties, placing it in the budget-to-mid-range price tier for cat food. The Real Chicken and Brown Rice dry formula retails at $24.97 for a 14-pound (6.4 kg) bag on Amazon with Subscribe and Save. Smaller 3-pound bags are available for around $7.22.
Nutrish cat food price comparison:
| Recipe | Size | Price | Price Per Unit |
| Real Chicken and Brown Rice Dry | 14 lb (6.4 kg) | $24.97 | $1.78/lb |
| Indoor Complete Dry | 6 lb (2.7 kg) | $13.28 | $2.21/lb |
| Indoor Complete Dry | 3 lb (1.4 kg) | $7.28 | $2.43/lb |
| Tuna Purrfection Wet | per oz | varies | $0.43/oz |
Is Nutrish Cat Food Worth the Price?
Nutrish cat food is worth the price for cat owners who need an affordable food made with named protein sources and no artificial flavors, but it falls short for owners who prioritize low carbohydrates or minimal processing. Budget brands at similar prices often use anonymous by-products. Nutrish uses identifiable meats, which represents a meaningful quality advantage at this price tier.
Cat owners who prioritize species-appropriate nutrition will find better options in premium brands with higher meat content, lower carbohydrates, and no corn-based fillers. Cats that tolerate it well and eat it consistently do receive a complete and balanced diet. Cats with sensitive stomachs may do better on a different formula.
Where Is Nutrish Cat Food Sold?
Rachael Ray Nutrish cat food is sold in-store at Dollar General, Rite Aid, Walgreens, Walmart, Target, and major grocery chains across the United States. The brand’s store locator on the Nutrish website helps customers find nearby retailers. Products are also available on Amazon with Prime delivery, often with Subscribe and Save discounts.
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