Nature's Variety · Barcelona

Nature’s Variety has grain-containing and grain-free ranges for dogs and cats. For a precise look at ingredients, this profile uses Healthy Grain Original Adult Mini Chicken for small adult dogs. “Healthy Grain” names a range containing grains and should not be confused with Selected No Grain. Identifying the exact product is more useful than attributing a single formula to the entire brand, especially when you compare a dog's current food with a possible replacement.

The maker's official ingredient list starts with deboned chicken 20% and dried chicken protein 19%. Next come dried peas 13%, oats 12%, brown rice 7%, whole barley, poultry fat 6%, hydrolysed animal proteins 4%, corn protein, beet pulp and minerals. It also declares dried carrot 0.5%, dried apple 0.3%, kelp and rosemary in smaller quantities. The manufacturer gives equivalents in fresh vegetables for some ingredients, but the stated percentages in the mixture refer to the dried form.

Peas at 13% appear before oats and rice. A grain-containing recipe can therefore also have a substantial legume ingredient. “Chicken” in the name does not mean it contains only one animal protein: the full list includes hydrolysed proteins from poultry, pork and fish, plus poultry fat. Dried chicken protein and fresh chicken have different water contents when weighed. Adding 20% and 19% describes two stated raw ingredients, but does not directly show the amount of chicken remaining in finished kibble or establish suitability for any medical condition.

A useful comparison is the same brand's Selected No Grain Mini Free Range Chicken. Its published formula includes deboned chicken 20%, dried chicken protein 19%, dried peas 17% and dried potato 13%, along with sweet potato and hydrolysed animal proteins. Removing grains does not remove other starch sources. Choose based on the precise food, tolerance and energy intake rather than assuming “grain-free” means “carbohydrate-free” or suitable for an elimination diet. The two products also differ in the proportions of the ingredients they share. Check the current packaging when recipes change, since a brand family name is no guarantee that older ingredient lists remain valid.

The Mini format has a kibble size adapted for small dogs according to the manufacturer. That may make it easier to handle, but portion size still matters: small dogs can also gain weight when calorie intake exceeds needs. Nature’s Variety says the daily amount depends on age, body condition, activity and appetite. Weigh a serving, monitor your dog's body condition and include treats and wet food in the daily total. The manufacturer recommends introducing a new food gradually over seven days. If digestive discomfort persists, seek veterinary guidance before making further changes.

The full label helps identify ingredients a dog may need to avoid: oats, barley, rice, peas, corn and several animal sources appear here. A suspected allergy or diagnosed illness calls for veterinary assessment before a new formula is tried. Read our guide to foods with and without grains and for definitions. The manufacturer's should be checked against the label on the bag you actually buy.