Nutro Hearty Stew Tender Chicken
Owners who want visible, recognizable ingredients in a premium stew format
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Adult
Small breed owners who want size-specific veterinary-formulated nutrition
Score Comparison
Pricing & Features
Making Your Decision
When to Choose Nutro Hearty Stew Tender Chicken
Owners who want visible, recognizable ingredients in a premium stew format
Nutro Hearty Stew stands out for its visual appeal — you can see real chicken chunks and vegetable pieces in the stew. No by-products, no corn/wheat/soy, clean ingredient list. The stew format is less calorie-dense than pate, so you may need more volume for larger dogs. A solid premium option with genuine ingredient quality.
Strengths
- Real chicken is the #1 ingredient with visible vegetable pieces in stew format
- No corn, wheat, soy, chicken by-product meal, or artificial preservatives
- Hearty stew texture with recognizable chunks that dogs find highly palatable
Limitations
- Owned by Mars (same parent as Pedigree) — corporate overlap may concern some
- Stew format has higher moisture content, meaning less caloric density per ounce
- Limited flavor variety compared to competitors with larger wet food lines
When to Choose Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Adult
Small breed owners who want size-specific veterinary-formulated nutrition
Royal Canin's size-specific approach is their differentiator — the formula is tailored for small breed metabolism, jaw size, and nutritional requirements. The science backing is strong. However, at ~$39/day it's the most expensive option in this comparison for a 50 lb dog, and the ingredient list includes by-products that don't match the premium price.
Strengths
- Size-specific formulation tailored for small breed nutritional needs
- Veterinary-developed with precise nutrient profiles for breed size
- Convenient 3 oz pouch format designed for small dog portion sizes
Limitations
- Extremely expensive at ~$39/day for a 50 lb dog due to small pouch format
- Contains by-products and unnamed protein sources despite premium positioning
- Low ingredient transparency — sourcing and processing details are minimal
