Open Nature Dog Food Review: Why This Grocery Store Brand Is Shockingly Good

As a pet parent, you want the best for your furry family member without needing a second mortgage. Standing in the pet food aisle of your local Safeway or Vons, you’ve probably noticed the Open Nature dog food line sitting quietly on the shelf, promising “no artificial ingredients” and “real meat first.” But is it actually good, or just clever marketing?

I’ve spent weeks researching formulations, analyzing ingredients, and comparing nutritional profiles to bring you the definitive guide to Open Nature dog food nutrition. Whether you’re raising a rambunctious puppy or caring for a senior citizen, here’s everything you need to know before making the switch.

What Exactly Is Open Nature Dog Food?

Open Nature is the private-label “natural” brand owned by Albertsons Companies—that means it’s available exclusively at Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, ACME, and other Albertsons-owned grocery chains .

Unlike their budget-friendly “Signature Select” line, Open Nature positions itself as the cleaner, more thoughtful alternative. Think of it as the store brand that’s trying to compete with Blue Buffalo and Wellness without the premium price tag.

The brand’s core promises are refreshingly straightforward:

• No artificial flavors or preservatives
• No animal by-product meals (those mysterious “meat meals” that could be anything)
• Real meat as the #1 ingredient—always

Ingredient Analysis: A Deep Dive Into Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

Let’s get our hands dirty with the most popular recipe: Open Nature dog food Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe. I pulled the ingredient panel from both the puppy and adult formulations to see what’s really inside that bag .

The First Five Ingredients

1. Chicken: Not “chicken meal,” not “chicken by-product”—just straight-up chicken. This is exactly what you want to see. It provides high-quality, highly digestible animal protein .
2. Chicken Meal: Don’t let the word “meal” scare you. Chicken meal is chicken that’s been cooked down to remove moisture, concentrating the protein. It’s actually more protein-dense than whole chicken .
3. Brown Rice: A whole-grain carbohydrate that provides steady energy and fiber. It’s digestible and far superior to corn or wheat .
4. Oatmeal: Fantastic for sensitive stomachs. Oatmeal is gentle on digestion while providing B-vitamins and fiber .
5. Barley: Another high-fiber grain that supports healthy gut bacteria and steady blood sugar .

The “Red Flags” (Transparency Time)

I’m not here to sell you—I’m here to inform you. Open Nature isn’t perfect, and here’s what you should know:

Pea Protein appears further down the list. This is a plant-based protein concentrate used to boost the overall protein percentage on the label . While not “bad” (dogs can digest some plant proteins), it’s not the same as animal-based protein. Some premium-brand critics argue this is a cost-cutting move.

Brewers Rice also makes an appearance. This is a lower-cost “filler” carbohydrate—essentially rice fragments left over from processing. It’s less nutrient-dense than brown rice or barley .

Open Nature dog food for puppies includes similar ingredients with appropriate adjustments for growth, plus added DHA for brain development .

Nutritional Data: The Numbers That Matter

Here’s where Open Nature dog food nutrition really shines. I’ve compiled the guaranteed analysis so you can compare apples to apples:

The protein levels are respectable—beating the industry average while undercutting most competitors on price. The grain-inclusive options hover around 25% protein, which is plenty for most active family dogs .

Open Nature vs. The Competition

This is where we get strategic. If you’re comparison shopping (and you should be), here’s how Open Nature stacks up against the brands you’re also considering:

Open Nature (Safeway/Albertsons)

The best grocery store option available. It’s affordable, widely accessible (you’re already grocery shopping anyway), and reliable. If you want a clean-label food without the boutique price tag, this is your answer.

Open Farm

A premium, “human-grade” brand with transparent sourcing and ethical practices . Open Farm is significantly higher quality—think grass-fed meats, ancient grains, and full traceability. But you’ll pay for it: roughly 3x the price per pound . Open Farm is for the “my dog is my child” crowd with the budget to match.

Kirkland Nature’s Domain (Costco)

Open Nature’s biggest rival. Kirkland is slightly cheaper per pound (Costco’s buying power is unmatched), but Open Nature offers more grain-inclusive variety . If heart health (DCM) concerns you, Open Nature’s grain-inclusive recipes are safer bets than Kirkland’s primarily grain-free lineup.

Recall History & Safety Record: The Good News

Status: No Recalls Found

As of late 2024, Open Nature maintains a remarkably clean track record with the FDA. This is genuinely significant. Competitors like Blue Buffalo, Purina, and even some premium brands have faced voluntary recalls over the last decade for issues ranging from metal fragments to elevated vitamin levels.

Open Nature? Clean slate.

One quick tip: Because Open Nature is a store brand sold through Albertsons-owned grocers, inventory rotation can sometimes be slower than national brands. Always check the “Best By” date on the back of the bag before buying . Freshness matters.

Pros and Cons: The Honest Truth

The Pros ✅

Price Point: Significantly cheaper than Blue Buffalo, Hill’s Science Diet, or wellness brands. You’re saving $5-10 per large bag .

Accessibility: You can grab a bag while buying your own groceries. No special trips to pet supply stores.

Clean Ingredients: No corn, wheat, soy, or artificial colors. That’s genuinely better than standard grocery store fare .

Grain-Inclusive Options: With the FDA’s ongoing investigation into grain-free diets and DCM (canine dilated cardiomyopathy), having affordable grain-inclusive recipes is a major safety advantage .

The Cons ❌

Proprietary Manufacturing: Albertsons doesn’t disclose which factory makes the food. It’s likely a large co-packer, but the lack of transparency bothers some pet parents .

Limited Flavors: You won’t find exotic proteins like venison, rabbit, or kangaroo here. It’s chicken, salmon, turkey—the basics.

Ingredient Splitting: This is a clever trick. By using multiple grains (brown rice, brewers rice, oatmeal, barley), Open Nature keeps “chicken” as the #1 ingredient by weight, even though combined grains might outweigh the meat. It’s technically honest but slightly misleading .

The Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?

Score: 4.2 / 5 Stars

Open Nature dog food is the sweet spot for pragmatic pet parents. It’s not “human-grade” or “super-premium”—let’s be real about that. But it’s vastly superior to standard grocery store brands like Dog Chow, Kibbles ‘n Bits, or Ol’ Roy.

Think of it this way: If premium brands (Open Farm, The Honest Kitchen, Stella & Chewy’s) are the equivalent of a grass-fed ribeye, Open Nature is a reliable, well-sourced chicken breast. It gets the job done, it’s good for you, and it doesn’t break the bank .

Buy Open Nature IF:

• You shop at Albertsons-owned stores (Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, ACME)
• You want a clean-label food for under $60 for a large bag
• You’re feeding multiple dogs and need to balance quality with budget
• You prefer grain-inclusive recipes for long-term heart health

Skip It IF:

• Your dog has severe protein allergies requiring a limited-ingredient “prescription diet”
• You demand full transparency about manufacturing facilities
• You’re committed to exotic proteins or raw/freeze-fed formulations

FAQ: Answers to Your Burning Questions

Who makes Open Nature dog food?
Open Nature is the private label brand for Albertsons Companies, available exclusively at their grocery stores including Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, and Shaw’s .

Is Open Nature dog food grain-free?
They offer both grain-free and grain-inclusive lines. The grain-inclusive recipes feature brown rice, barley, and oatmeal, while grain-free versions use peas, lentils, and chickpeas .

Is Open Nature AAFCO approved?
Yes. All Open Nature formulations are designed to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for the stated life stages .

Is Open Nature dog food good for puppies?
Absolutely. The Open Nature dog food for puppies line includes appropriate DHA for brain development, controlled calcium-to-phosphorus ratios for growing bones, and the same clean ingredient philosophy .

The Bottom Line

If you’re standing in the pet food aisle at Safeway right now, torn between the premium brands that cost $80 a bag and the cheap stuff that reads like a chemistry experiment, grab the Open Nature. Your dog will get solid nutrition, you’ll keep your wallet happy, and everyone sleeps well tonight.

Have you tried Open Nature with your pup? Drop a comment below and let me know what your furry friend thinks!