Nature’s Blend Dog Food Review: Is It Worth the Price?
Nature's blend dog food is popular but expensive. Discover ingredients, benefits, and whether it’s worth it for your dog.
Nature’s Blend Dog Food: Full Review of Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend (16 oz & 48 oz), Ingredients, Pros/Cons, and What Reviews Say
If you’re researching nature’s blend dog food, you’re probably seeing a lot of buzz about Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend dog food—especially the freeze-dried “raw-style” formula that’s heavily marketed online. Many owners search nature’s blend dog food reviews to see if it’s worth the price, while others look for specific sizes like Nature’s Blend Dr Marty’s dog food 16oz or Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend freeze-dried raw dog food 48 oz.
This article breaks down everything you need to know:
What Nature’s Blend is and how freeze-dried raw works
Key ingredients and nutrition profile
What real reviews commonly say (good and bad)
Whether it’s “complete and balanced” or better as a topper
Who it’s best for—and who should be cautious
Practical feeding/transition tips to avoid stomach upset
What Is Nature’s Blend Dog Food?
Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend (often called “Nature’s Blend – Essential Wellness”) is a premium freeze-dried raw dog food. The brand markets it as a nutrient-dense formula designed to support digestion, energy, skin/coat, mobility, and overall health. On the official product page, Nature’s Blend – Essential Wellness is described as made from “premium meats, veggies, fruit and seeds,” with “zero artificial preservatives, additives, fillers, or synthetic ingredients,” and it shows a very large number of customer reviews.
Freeze-dried raw means the moisture is removed through a preservation process rather than cooking into a baked/extruded kibble. Many owners serve it:
as a full diet (more expensive, but possible), or
as a topper to boost appetite and add nutrient density to kibble (very common)
Nature’s Blend Dr. Marty’s Dog Food 16oz: Who Usually Buys This Size?
The 16 oz size is popular for first-time testing because freeze-dried raw is a big jump from kibble (rich and calorie-dense). Retailers like Walmart list a 16 oz “Nature’s Blend for Small Dogs,” describing it as freeze-dried raw with simple, “pronounceable ingredients” and no artificial additives.
Best use for the 16 oz bag:
trial for picky dogs
topper testing (small daily amounts)
small breed households
travel-size or backup bag
Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food 48 oz: Why This Size Matters
The 48 oz bag is one of the most commonly searched sizes because it’s a practical middle ground:
big enough for a few weeks of topper use
still manageable in cost compared to feeding large dogs 100% freeze-dried
Retail listings for Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend show the 48 oz option widely (and sometimes 80 oz as well, depending on recipe).
Ingredients: What’s Actually in Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend?
Ingredient lists vary slightly by recipe (Essential Wellness, Small Breed, Healthy Digestion, etc.), but a very common ingredient panel for Nature’s Blend shows multiple named proteins and organs followed by plant ingredients.
One retailer list (and other product pages) show an ingredient lineup like:
Turkey, Beef, Salmon, Duck, Beef Liver, Turkey Liver, Turkey Heart, then flaxseed, sweet potato, egg, pea protein/flour, fruits/vegetables, kelp, ginger, and mixed tocopherols as a natural preservative.
What that means in plain language
It’s multi-protein (not single-protein), which can be great for nutrient variety but not ideal for strict allergy elimination trials.
It includes organ meats (liver, heart), which are nutrient-dense and common in raw-style diets.
It contains some plant ingredients (sweet potato, pea protein/flour, seeds, fruits/veg), which contribute fiber, antioxidants, and structure.
Dr. Marty’s own ingredients page also emphasizes that the first ingredients are premium meats like turkey, beef, salmon, duck, and organ meats.
Guaranteed Analysis: High Protein and High Fat (Important)
Nature’s Blend is typically much richer than standard kibble. A representative guaranteed analysis listed by a retailer includes:
Crude Protein (min): 37%
Crude Fat (min): 27%
Crude Fiber (max): 4%
Moisture (max): 6%
- Why this matters
High protein/high fat can be excellent for some dogs (especially active dogs or picky eaters needing calorie density).
It can be too rich for others—especially if you switch too fast or your dog has a sensitive stomach.
Dogs with pancreatitis history or fat intolerance should be extra cautious and consult a vet.
Is Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend “Complete and Balanced”?
This is one of the most important questions behind nature’s blend dog food reviews.
Some listings clearly state an AAFCO nutritional adequacy claim. For example, 1-800-PetMeds lists Nature’s Blend Essential Wellness as formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult maintenance.
Similarly, 1-800-PetMeds lists Nature’s Blend Healthy Digestion and describes it as suitable for adult dogs.
Dog Food Advisor’s review also notes the label includes a “complete and balanced” nutritional adequacy statement for Dr. Marty’s Nature’s Blend (even while discussing that the ingredient list doesn’t include added vitamins/minerals).
What to do as a buyer:
Check the exact bag you’re buying for the AAFCO statement, because different recipes and sizes can vary by label and distribution.
Nature’s Blend Dog Food Reviews: What People Commonly Say
You’ll generally see these patterns:
Positive themes
Strong palatability — many dogs eat it eagerly, often even picky dogs. The Dr. Marty product page shows a very large review count, which reflects high volume of buyers and reviewers (note: quantity doesn’t guarantee quality, but it’s a signal of popularity).
Many owners mention improvements in coat/energy/digestion, though results vary.
Trustpilot reviews often mention dogs liking Nature’s Blend and some owners reporting improved digestion compared to prior diets.
Negative themes
Price is the #1 downside, especially for larger dogs if fed as a full diet.
Some users complain about shipping/subscription timing or stock issues; even when they like the food, logistics get criticized.
Some dogs get soft stool if transitioned too quickly (common with rich foods).
“Topper vs Full Diet”: The Most Realistic Way to Use Nature’s Blend
Because it’s calorie-dense, many owners find Nature’s Blend works best as:
Option A: Topper (most common)
Add a small amount to kibble to boost flavor and nutrient density.
Keeps cost manageable.
Reduces the chance of digestive upset compared to full switching.
Option B: Full diet (more expensive but possible)
Works best for small dogs or owners willing to budget for it.
Requires careful portion control because of calorie density.
If you’re switching fully, go slow and track stool.
Safety & Handling: Freeze-Dried Raw Still Needs Good Hygiene
Any raw-style pet food benefits from careful handling (clean bowls, wash hands, avoid cross-contamination with human food prep surfaces). If you have young kids, elderly, pregnancy, or immunocompromised people in the home, treat hygiene as non-negotiable.
(If you want, I can add a short “safe handling checklist” section tailored for your blog format.)
How to Transition to Nature’s Blend Without Upset Stomach
This is where many negative reviews happen—not because the product is “bad,” but because the transition is too fast.
Safer transition plan
Days 1–3: 10–25% Nature’s Blend / 75–90% old food
Days 4–7: 25–50% / 50–75%
Days 8–14: increase gradually to your target ratio
If stool softens, slow down and reduce the amount temporarily.
Who Nature’s Blend Is Best For
Often a good fit
picky eaters
dogs that need a nutrient-dense topper
owners wanting freeze-dried convenience
dogs that do well on richer diets
Be cautious / ask your vet first
dogs with pancreatitis history or fat intolerance
dogs with chronic GI sensitivity
dogs needing strict single-protein elimination diets for allergies
FAQ
Is Nature’s Blend dog food good?
It can be a strong option for picky dogs and as a topper, with high protein/fat and meat-forward ingredients.
Is Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend complete and balanced?
Some listings state it meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult maintenance—check your bag’s AAFCO statement to confirm your exact recipe.
What’s the difference between 16 oz and 48 oz?
Mostly value and duration—16 oz is a trial/topper-friendly size; 48 oz is a more practical ongoing size.
Nature’s Blend Dog Food Calories: Why Portion Control Matters
One reason Nature’s blend dog food reviews are so mixed is that this type of freeze-dried raw food is very calorie-dense compared to standard kibble. When owners feed it like they feed kibble (same cup size), dogs can:
gain weight quickly
get loose stool because the meal is suddenly richer
seem “too hungry” or “too full” due to calories and fat level changes
That’s why the best approach is to treat Nature’s Blend as a concentrated food, not a scoop-for-scoop replacement.
A Dr. Marty retail offer page lists calorie content for Nature’s Blend (Essential Wellness) around 4990 kcal/kg and about 256 kcal per cup (numbers can vary by recipe).
What that means for real feeding
If your dog is eating 2–3 cups of kibble a day, and you suddenly add a full cup of Nature’s Blend on top, you may be adding a large amount of calories without realizing it. That’s why many owners use it as a topper and measure portions carefully.
16 oz vs 48 oz vs Larger Bags: Which Size Makes Sense?
People search natures blend dr marty’s dog food 16oz and dr. marty nature’s blend freeze-dried raw dog food 48 oz because the size choice changes the value and the feeding strategy.
16 oz (best for trial + small dogs)
Retailers like Walmart list the 16 oz bag (often targeted for small dogs).
This size is useful if:
you want to test tolerance (stool response)
your dog is picky and you’re trying it as a topper
you have a small dog and need a manageable budget
48 oz (best “regular use” size)
The 48 oz size is usually the practical sweet spot for:
topper use for medium/large dogs
full feeding for smaller dogs
owners who want enough product to see real results over a few weeks
A major retailer listing shows Nature’s Blend products in 48 oz formats (depending on recipe).
Topper vs Full Diet: The Strategy That Matches Most Homes
Even if a recipe is labeled complete and balanced (some listings show AAFCO adult maintenance claims), most owners still use Nature’s Blend as a topper because:
it boosts appetite (high palatability)
it adds concentrated nutrition in small amounts
it keeps daily cost manageable
it reduces “rich food shock” to the digestive system
For example, 1-800-PetMeds lists Nature’s Blend Essential Wellness as formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult maintenance.
And Dog Food Advisor notes Nature’s Blend includes a nutritional adequacy statement while discussing the formulation style.
A practical topper method (that avoids most problems)
Start with a small amount (think “sprinkle,” not “bowl”)
Keep the amount consistent daily
Don’t introduce new treats at the same time
Increase slowly only if stool stays firm
This is the simplest way to get benefits without digestive upset.
Nature’s Blend Ingredients: What “Meat-Forward” Really Means
Nature’s Blend commonly features multiple named proteins and organ meats. A retailer ingredient list for Essential Wellness shows a multi-protein base (turkey, beef, salmon, duck) plus organ meats like liver and heart, followed by plant ingredients like flaxseed and sweet potato.
Why organ meats matter
Organ meats (liver, heart) are nutrient-dense:
vitamins and minerals
amino acids
natural fats
This can be a positive, but it also means the food can be rich—another reason to transition slowly.
Multi-protein: good or bad?
Good for variety and palatability
Not ideal for strict allergy elimination, because it’s harder to identify triggers
If your dog has true food allergies, a single-protein vet-guided elimination diet is usually more reliable.
Nature’s Blend Dog Food Reviews: How to Read Them Like a Pro
Many reviews are emotional and don’t mention the details that actually matter. When reading nature’s blend dog food reviews, look for reviewers who mention:
How they introduced it (slow transition vs sudden switch) Whether it’s a topper or full meal Stool results after 2–4 weeks (not day 1) Dog’s age and size (small dogs often do better with full freeze-dried diets)
Trustpilot reviews often include both product praise and complaints about logistics/shipping/subscription experiences, which is useful because it separates food results from customer service.
Common Digestive Problems (and What They Usually Mean)
“My dog got diarrhea after starting Nature’s Blend”
Most often:
transition too fast
portion too large
too many extras (treats/toppers) at the same time
Fix:
reduce amount
slow transition
keep treats minimal
“My dog is gassy”
Often caused by:
sudden diet change
sensitive digestion
too much topper too quickly
Fix:
smaller amounts
slower increase
watch treat fat content
“My dog is constipated”
Freeze-dried foods can be lower moisture. Make sure your dog is drinking normally and consider talking to a vet if constipation persists.
Safe Handling: Freeze-Dried Raw Still Deserves Hygiene
Even though freeze-dried products remove moisture, they are still part of the broader “raw-style” category in how people discuss safety.
A Dogster review highlights that the FDA and CDC warn about bacteria risk with raw pet food and emphasize safe handling practices.
Safe handling checklist (quick)
Wash hands after handling pet food
Clean bowls regularly
Don’t prep dog food on the same surface as human food without cleaning
Store sealed and dry
Keep away from toddlers’ reach
Who Nature’s Blend Is Best For
Often a strong choice if:
your dog is picky
you want a high-value topper
you want freeze-dried convenience
your dog tolerates richer diets well
Consider caution if:
your dog has pancreatitis history or fat sensitivity
your dog has chronic GI sensitivity
your household includes high-risk humans (young kids, elderly, immunocompromised) and you want to avoid raw-style foods entirely
Extra SEO FAQ Add-On
Is Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend dog food good?
It can be effective for picky eaters and as a topper, and some listings show AAFCO adult maintenance adequacy claims (check your specific bag).
Is Nature’s Blend complete and balanced?
Some variants are listed as meeting AAFCO profiles for adult maintenance, but always confirm the statement on your exact product.
What’s the best size to start with?
Many people start with 16 oz for testing tolerance and then move to 48 oz for regular topper use.
Extended Conclusion
Nature’s Blend dog food (Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend) is popular because it’s nutrient-dense, meat-forward, and highly palatable. But because it’s rich and calorie-dense, the best results usually come when owners use it correctly: small topper amounts, slow transitions, and careful portion control. If you judge it fairly—separating “food results” from “shipping/subscription complaints”—you’ll see why reviews vary so much.