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We all want what’s best for our furry loved ones, but it can be hard to know which treats are the best. Is there a brand that stands out above the others?
Simply Nourish line of dog treats are great quality, have a wide variety, and are manufactured in the United States. If you are looking for a dog treat made with real ingredients, that doesn’t rely on grains for filler, then Simply Nourish is the brand you’ve been looking for.
From beef to duck to sweet potatoes, read more to find out what’s in Simply Nourish dog treats and where you can find them.
Table of Contents
The Simply Nourish Brand
In case you don’t already buy the Simply Nourish dog or cat food, here is a little back story on the brand.
Simply Nourish is a brand of pet food produced by American Nutrition (ANI), and this year was obtained by C.J. Foods. The combining of the two companies creates a super-company in American produced pet foods.
Tod Morgan, Board Chairman for C.J. Foods/ANI says this about the merger:
“This acquisition creates the leading manufacturer of super premium pet food with a national footprint, focused on producing and delivering the highest quality products to our customers.”
Simply Nourish prides themselves on sourcing natural ingredients. Year after year the company meets standards put out by the USDA, FDA, and AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials).
Simply Nourish is available through PetSmart mainly, but you can find small amounts available through Amazon and Chewy.
Treat Options
Simply Nourish dog treats vary in size, type, and protein, meaning plenty of options are available. Across the whole brand, there are 7 different proteins available, and fruits are mixed in for real flavors your dog will love. It wouldn’t be a well-rounded diet without some vegetables. Simply Nourish adds carrots, celery, sweet potatoes, and peas to their products.
The most varied treat available from Simply Nourish is the jerky strips. In the SOURCE line of jerky, the meat is sourced from human-grade cuts and served without additives. The rest of the line is similar by keeping the ingredient list down to around 10 ingredients and under. For some, the one other added ingredient is a preservative.
Click on the links to look at each treat further on the PetSmart website.
Soft Chews
The soft chew dog treat line is designed for adult dogs at any stage. A real protein is listed as the first ingredient for all flavors, and the bag is resealable to keep them fresh over time. This line of treats come in a couple of flavors and 3 different shapes depending on your dog’s preference.
This table lists each flavor of dog treat for each of the 3 shapes offered, plus the first 5 ingredients.
|
Shape |
Flavors |
First 5 Ingredients |
|
Stick |
Chicken, Potato Flour, Vegetable Glycerin, Bacon, Cheddar Cheese | |
|
Chicken, Potato Flour, Vegetable Glycerin, Cheddar Cheese, Natural Smoke Flavor | ||
|
Bone (Natural) |
Chicken, Potato Flour, Vegetable Glycerin, Bacon, Cheddar Cheese | |
|
Chicken, Potato Flour, Vegetable Glycerin, Cheddar Cheese, Natural Smoke Flavor | ||
|
Chicken, Potato Flour, Peanut Butter, Rolled Oats, Vegetable Glycerin | ||
|
Bites |
Beef, Peas, Potatoes, Vegetable Glycerin, Carrots | |
|
Chicken, Peas, Potatoes, Vegetable Glycerin, Carrots | ||
|
Turkey, Peas, Potatoes, Vegetable Glycerin, Carrots |
Biscuits
The Simply Nourish biscuit treats are great for dogs who are already accustomed to a biscuit-style treat, but you want to give them better ingredients. These biscuits are grain-free and have two exciting flavors.
|
Shape |
Flavor |
First 5 Ingredients |
|
Round |
Chicken, Chickpeas, Pea Flour, Tapioca Flour, Chicken Meal | |
|
Turkey, Chickpeas, Pea Flour, Tapioca Flour, Chicken Meal |
Poppers
The poppers treats are small nugget sized bits of pork, beef, and blueberries. You can give them to any sized dog, and are great training size. Available in one flavor, but they sound delicious.
|
Shape |
Flavor |
First 5 Ingredients |
|
Bits |
Pork, Beef, Coconut Glycerin, Blueberries, Citrus Fiber |
The SOURCE Line
Simply Nourish has gone through a rebranding, and launched the SOURCE line of dog treats and food. The line was designed to be high in protein and fewer carbohydrates to build strong muscles in your pet. Boasting a protein content of between 32-35%, these treats will pack a real protein punch.
The SOURCE dog treats come in a wide variety of options, including jerky, protein bar, freeze-dried, and as bites. Some of them have 2-3 ingredients and use human-grade meat cuts.
|
Type |
Flavors |
Ingredients |
|
Jerky |
Turkey, Sugar, Salt | |
|
Beef, Sugar, Salt | ||
|
Chicken Breast, Vegetable Glycerin | ||
|
Chicken Breast, Vegetable Glycerin, Pumpkin | ||
|
Jerky Bites |
Duck, Vegetable Glycerin, Pea Protein, Salt, Rosemary Extract | |
|
Protein Bar |
Beef, Coconut Glycerin, Carrots, Citrus Fiber, Citric Acid, Salt, Mixed Tocopherols | |
|
Chicken, Coconut Glycerin, Cranberries, Citrus Fiber, Citric Acid, Salt, Mixed Tocopherols | ||
|
Bites |
Chicken, Cane, Molasses, Blueberries, Salt, Citric Acid, Citrus Fiber, Mixed Tocopherols, Rosemary Extract | |
|
Strips |
Chicken, Cane, Molasses, Pumpkin, Salt, Citric Acid, Citrus Fiber, Mixed Tocopherols, Rosemary Extract | |
|
Freeze-Dried |
Chicken | |
|
Beef Liver |
As you can see, the list is sizable, and the ingredients speak for themselves. Outside of a couple of preservatives, the treats contain ingredients we know and use in everyday life.
Pros of Simply Nourish Dog Treats
Simple and Whole Ingredients
The breadwinner for the positive reasons to buy Simply Nourish dog treats. Much of the available dog food products are full of grain fillers and corn. Not Simply Nourish dog treats. They have grain-free options and protein is always the first ingredient.
Looking at the product pictures available online through PetSmart or Chewy, you can see the ingredients through the packaging. Some are processed into a biscuit or soft chew, where the original ingredients are less obvious, but the ingredients on the back give you the confidence you’re feeding your dog top quality.
Made in the U.S.
On all the Simply Nourish packaging is an icon stating the treats are proudly made in the United States. ANI has 3 warehouses (manufacturing centers) throughout the U.S.:
- Woodland, WA
- Ogden, UT
- Hazleton, PA
Purchasing dog food and treats from a company based in the United States is great for the economy and helps promote local jobs.
Variety of Options
The product list above is evidence. Simply Nourish puts out a wide variety of treat options. They take into consideration a dogs’ preference for treat style and eating capabilities.
If your dog has sensitive teeth, then the soft chew is better. If your dog likes to tear toys apart, then the jerky might be better suited. Also, offering several proteins makes sure your dog is ingesting a protein they digest easily. Some dogs have a hard time with chicken or turkey, so the beef or bacon flavors will be better.
Available at a Large Pet Food Store
Simply Nourish is available only through PetSmart stores. You will find the widest variety and best prices through PetSmart.
PetSmart has locations in all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. If the nearest location isn’t within driving distance, PetSmart online will ship products straight to your door.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak, PetSmart has joined forces with DoorDash and will deliver orders the same day in certain areas; or you can order online and drive-up, check-in on your phone, and a team member will bring your order to the car.
Great Customer Reviews
People make purchase decisions online based on items with great reviews, and Simply Nourish dog treats have the reviews to support their claims. On both Chewy and PetSmart the majority of treats have at least a 4-star rating (out of 5).
Browse through the table below to see what each treat is rated on PetSmart and Chewy.
Soft Chews
|
Shape |
Flavors |
PetSmart Rating |
Chewy Rating |
|
Stick |
4.8 Stars |
4.5 Stars | |
|
4.8 Stars |
4.8 Stars | ||
|
Bone (Natural) |
4.3 Stars |
4.6 Stars | |
|
4.3 Stars |
4.6 Stars | ||
|
4.3 Stars |
3.6 Stars | ||
|
Bites |
NA |
NA | |
|
NA |
NA | ||
|
NA |
NA |
Biscuits
|
Shape |
Flavor |
PetSmart Rating |
Chewy Rating |
|
Round |
4.3 Stars |
NA | |
|
4.3 Stars |
NA |
Poppers
|
Shape |
Flavor |
PetSmart Rating |
Chewy Rating |
|
Bits |
4.0 Stars |
NA |
SOURCE
|
Type |
Flavors |
PetSmart Rating |
Chewy Rating |
|
Jerky |
4.0 Stars |
NA | |
|
4.0 Stars |
NA | ||
|
3.0 Stars |
4.6 Stars | ||
|
4.0 Stars |
NA | ||
|
Jerky Bites |
5.0 Stars |
NA | |
|
Protein Bar |
NA |
NA | |
|
NA |
NA | ||
|
Bites |
5.0 Stars |
NA | |
|
Strips |
5.0 Stars |
NA | |
|
Freeze-Dried |
4.3 Stars |
4.8 Stars | |
|
4.3 Stars |
4.8 Stars |
Cons of Simply Nourish Dog Treats
One Recall in 2014
Dog Food Advisor reports in 2014 PetSmart recalled the Simply Nourish Biscotti with Beef & Sweet Potato Dog Treat. The recall expired in February 2016, and no further recalls have been ordered since.
In the long run, one recall since the brand’s launch is not bad. Simply Nourish no longer produces beef and sweet potato flavor or biscotti.
Not Available at All Pet Stores or Amazon
A slight inconvenience is the availability of Simply Nourish. It’s a pro that PetSmart is a widely dispersed pet food store, but maybe your local pet food store is Petco.
The workaround for this is to have the treats shipped to your house. It will have to be through PetSmart or limited through Chewy. There are options available on Amazon, but they are listed for close to double the price.
More Expensive Than Other Brands
ANI and C.J. Foods pride themselves on delivering quality dog food, and this means quality ingredients. It also means a higher price tag. The jerky is the highest priced of the dog treats, but you can get a bag of the Soft Chews for under $6.
Here is a cost and compare with two other popular brand treats.
|
Milkbone |
Simply Nourish |
Greenies | |
|
Size |
25 oz |
24 oz (4 bags) |
27 oz (27 treats) |
|
Price |
$13.99 |
$23.96 |
$27.99 |
|
Meat First Ingredient |
Yes |
Yes |
NO |
|
Star Rating |
4.7 Stars |
4.3 Stars |
4.7 Stars |
|
Flavor |
Is It Good for the Dog?
You are curious about Simply Nourish because you don’t want to give bad food to your dogs. From the ingredient list, you can see Simply Nourish dog treats use whole ingredients, and that’s good for any animal.
Simply Nourish states on PetSmart they only put in ingredients a human would want to eat. The ingredients in your dog’s food should have ingredients you would find at the local farmers’ market for yourself. This is why you see ingredients like blueberries and sweet potatoes.
Here are a few reasons Simply Nourish dog treats are a great idea for your dog.
Top-Quality Ingredients
This cannot be stated enough. The ingredients you give to your dog decide how much energy they have, what their coat looks like, and how well their digestion runs. Humans shouldn’t put junk in their bodies, and neither should your dog.
Designed to Help Dogs Build Muscle
The SOURCE line of dog food and treats from Simply Nourish is designed to offer more protein and fewer carbohydrates to make sure your dog is building strong muscle.
Dogs need to be active to keep a healthy weight and heart. To be able to keep up at the dog park or on hikes, dogs need strength. Giving them treats while they are being active helps to keep their energy up, so they can keep up with you.
A good protein source treat will act as a protein bar would in humans. We eat them when we are active to keep our muscles fed. Dogs need this as well. No one is about to run a marathon after eating pizza. Dogs will tire quickly after eating a large carb load too.
Easy to Digest
Dogs are carnivores (meat-eaters), and don’t need any carbohydrates at all. Eating the foods your body is designed to digest makes processing them easier. Limited diets are popular today for dogs who have digestion issues because not all dogs are able to process carbohydrates well.
The limited ingredients in the Simply Nourish dog treats, especially the jerky, will be easier for your dog to digest. They will spend less time sleeping trying to digest their food and spend more time playing with you.
Great for the Coat and Skin
Putting whole ingredients into your dog with healthy oils and fats is great for a dog’s coat and skin. You want your dog to be free of dry skin and have a soft coat. Giving them treats and food made by Simply Nourish will help. The natural food in Simply Nourish has the right nutrients your dog needs to keep a great coat.
It’s a no brainer that we want the best for our pets. The easiest way to make sure they get the best is to give them quality and natural foods like in Simply Nourish dog treats.
Should You Switch to Simply Nourish Dog Treats?
Yes. If you are not using a dog treat with similar qualities as Simply Nourish, then this brand is a great place to start.
Simply Nourish has variety in their treats and dog food options. They use natural ingredients and always have a protein source as the first ingredient on the label.
The Simply Nourish line of treats are comparable to other brands, but with better sources of protein for your dog. Let’s compare Simply Nourish to another high-end brand.
|
Wellness Core |
Simply Nourish | |
|
Size |
8 oz (2 bags) |
8 oz |
|
Price |
$19.98 |
$15.99 |
|
Meat First Ingredient |
Yes |
Yes |
|
No. of Ingredients |
9 |
3 |
|
Star Rating |
4.8 Stars |
4 Stars |
|
Flavor |
Even if you buy natural ingredient dog treats from another brand, consider switching to Simply Nourish. You will get less real ingredients and a better value.
Is the Dog Food of the Same Quality?
Naturally, you might be curious about the dog food now that you know how great the treats are. Simply Nourish dog food is available in 5 different lines, which vary depending on the needs of your dog. The dog food comes in bags of dry food, canned wet food, pate, or shreds.
Scroll through each line to see a full list of the available flavors.
Original Formula
The original formula incorporates a protein and a grain to give your dog energy without weighing them down. The grain is often rice, and the brand commits to never using corn, wheat, or soy. This formula is available with chicken, turkey, or lamb. You can also find this entire line in puppy, adult, senior, small breed, and large breed options.
|
Dry Food |
Canned Pate |
Canned Shreds |
Grain-Free
The grain-free choice is designed for dogs who have food sensitivities with wheat or gluten. There’s only one flavor but is available in adult, puppy, large breed, and small breed. The Chicken, Peas, & Potato formula is a dry food, and not sold as a pate or stew.
Natural Solutions
Simply Nourish Natural Solutions dog food is a new line made with ancient grains and superfoods to help support any physical needs of the dog. The example provided by PetSmart is for Hip & Joint Relief, made with chicken and duck. The Natural Solutions series is not currently available for sale on PetSmart or Chewy.
Limited Ingredient Diet
The LID series has one protein source (instead of a combo) to help support a healthy digestive system. If your dog is continuously gassy or has a hard time “doing his business”, then consider the LID line. The LID is available in dry food and a wet canned pate. The flavors are different from the Original series but are available in all ages and breeds.
|
Dry Food |
Canned Pate |
SOURCE
The SOURCE line has the same characteristics as the dog treats. It has at least 32% more protein than the other series and is grain-free. It’s designed for active dogs who need to keep strong and lean muscles. The black packaging makes it easy to tell apart from the other series and brands. It’s available in the canned shreds, pate, and dry food.
|
Dry Food |
Canned Pate |
Canned Shreds |
Cost and Compare
Earlier, you read a comparison of the Simply Nourish dog treats to other brands for ingredients, size, and price. Let’s compare each line of dog food Simply Nourish now has on the shelves (not including Natural Solutions), to a similar natural foods brand.
|
SN Original |
SN Grain Free |
SN Limited Ingredient |
SN SOURCE |
Blue Buffalo Wilderness | |
|
Size |
24 lb |
24 lb |
22 lb |
24 lb |
24 lb |
|
Price |
41.99 |
49.99 |
51.99 |
46.99 |
$53.99 |
|
Meat First Ingredient |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Star Rating |
4 Star |
4.5 Star |
3 Star |
5 Star |
5 Star |
|
Flavor |
Simply nourish across all available dog food series is priced lower, and holds the same level of standards. Each dog food in the table above has a good customer rating, lists chicken (or duck) as the first ingredient, and all come in the same size bag.
You may be dedicated to another brand of dog food, but if you are looking for good quality food at a lower price than the highest priced brands, Simply Nourish is worth the try.
Other Products From Simply Nourish
This brand has one other product you may be interested in to round out your dog food shopping.
Meal Toppers
These grain-free additions go on top of dry dog food to give an extra boost of protein for a complete and balanced diet. The toppers are shredded meat in broth designed to help support joints, digestion, and your dog’s coat.
The SOURCE series offers 3 different flavor toppers as well for an even bigger boost in protein.
If your dog eats the same flavor of food continuously, it can be a good idea to change flavors up by adding a topper for a special treat.
Eating the same Chicken and Brown Rice can get boring for humans and dogs. Every once in a while, you might want to eat a steak, so consider getting a beefy treat for your dog as well.
The suggested serving size is one bag or 3 oz intermittently. Simply Nourish suggests giving the toppers as a treat as well. Any unused meat in the bag after opening should be stored in the refrigerator like canned wet food.
Bone Broth
A liquid product full of great nutrients and helps to support the immune system. Simply Nourish advertises their bone broth for finicky eaters. The wholesome ingredients encourage dogs to eat their food when poured over dry kibble. Broth adds a fresh flavor of either beef or chicken to every meal.
It can be used daily in small amounts over dry kibble or as a treat. It should be refrigerated after opening and kept open for no more than 5 days.
What Others Think
Simply Nourish is a great brand that offers a wide variety of dog treats, food, and extras. Sites, like Dog Food Advisor, rate the qualities of dog food to help you make sure your dog is getting what you intend.
Dog Food Advisor analyzes the ingredient list in depth and lets you know what each ingredient provides to your pet. They calculate the levels of protein, fat, and carbohydrates across the brand to decide a recommendation.
For Simply Nourish dog food, Dog Food Advisor “enthusiastically recommends” the entire brand and gives it 5 out of 5 stars. The review lists the average levels of protein at 29%, fats at 13%, and around 50% carbohydrates across the brand.
Simply Nourish is ranked as an “above-average” product in the dog food market.
To Sum It Up
Simply Nourish could be one of the best brands for dog treats because of their use of quality ingredients without corn fillers, and commitment to top-grade proteins. They offer a wide variety of treats, dry kibble, wet canned food, and stay at decent prices. The best part of Simply Nourish is the positive customer reviews, which means happy canine customers.
Sources
- American Nutrition: Pet Foods and Treats
- Pet Food Processing: C.J. Foods, American Nutrition Merger to Create Premium Pet Food Giant
- C.J. Foods: Home
- USDA: Home
- FDA: Home
- AAFCO: Home
- PetSmart: Home
- PetSmart: Simply Nourish
- PetSmart: Simply Nourish: Our Story
- PetSmart: Greenies Regular Dental Dog Treats
- PetSmart: Milk-Bone Soft & Chewy Dog Snacks
- PetSmart: Wellness CORE Pure Rewards Jerky Dog Treat
- PetSmart: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Small Bites Adult Dog Food
- Chewy: Home
- Chewy: Simply Nourish
- Dog Food Guide: Simply Nourish Dog Food: 2020 Reviews, Recalls & Coupons
- K9 of Mine: Simply Nourish Dog Food Review
- Dog Food Advisor: Simply Nourish Dog Food (Dry)
- Dog Food Advisor: PetSmart Announces Recall of Certain Lots of Simply Nourish Dog Treats
- Amazon: Simply Nourish Dog Treats
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