About Ultimate Pet Nutrition
Ultimate Pet Nutrition is a holistic pet food and supplement brand founded in 2017 by Dr. Gary Richter, DVM, MS, CVC, CVA, in Encino, California. The brand focuses on freeze-dried raw nutrition, veterinarian-developed supplements, and single-ingredient treats for dogs and cats. Dr. Richter, named America's Favorite Veterinarian by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, built the brand on a simple principle: minimally processed, nutrient-dense food should be accessible to every pet parent. In 2025, actor and health advocate Rob Lowe joined the brand as a partner, helping spread awareness of Ultimate Pet Nutrition dog food and its raw-nutrition philosophy to a wider audience of pet parents.
Ultimate Pet Nutrition Product Range
Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food:
- Nutra Complete Beef Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food: a complete and balanced meal made with USA-sourced beef, organ meats, and superfoods.
- Nutra Complete Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food: grain-free, protein-first recipe with cage-free chicken and nutrient-rich vegetables for all life stages.
- Nutra Complete Pork Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food: pork-based freeze-dried raw formula offering a novel protein option for dogs with chicken or beef sensitivities.
- Nutra Complete Plus Bone Broth Dog Food (Fish and Duck recipes): freeze-dried raw meals infused with real bone broth for enhanced palatability and joint-supporting collagen.
Vitamins and Supplements:
- Nutra Thrive 40-in-1 Nutritional Supplement for Dogs: a daily powder blending vitamins, probiotics, digestive enzymes, antioxidants, and superfoods into one scoop.
- Canine Boost 33-in-1 Dog Food Booster: a powder supplement designed to elevate the nutritional value of any existing dog food with vitamins and targeted support.
Freeze-Dried Treats for Dogs:
- Nutra Bites Freeze-Dried Beef Liver Treats: single-ingredient, high-protein beef liver treats with no fillers, grains, or artificial preservatives.
- Nutra Bites Freeze-Dried Chicken Liver Treats: clean, protein-rich chicken liver treats ideal for training or daily rewarding.
- Nutra Bites Freeze-Dried Bison Liver Treats: novel-protein bison liver bites offering a rich, natural flavor dogs respond strongly to.
Air-Dried Training Treats for Dogs:
- Nutra Minis Air-Dried Beef Dog Training Treats: small, low-calorie air-dried beef bites sized for repetition-based training sessions.
- Nutra Minis Air-Dried Chicken Dog Training Treats: air-dried chicken training treats with a consistent texture and minimal ingredients for sensitive dogs.
Dental Chews for Dogs:
- Canine Fresh All-Natural Dental Chews (Small, Medium, and Large): size-specific daily dental chews formulated without artificial additives to support oral hygiene in dogs.
Cat Treats:
- Nutra Bites Freeze-Dried Wild Salmon Cat Treats: single-ingredient wild salmon treats for cats, freeze-dried to preserve protein content and natural flavor.
Bundles:
- Essentials Bundle: includes Nutra Complete Beef Dog Food, Nutra Thrive Supplement, and Nutra Bites Beef Liver Treats for a complete daily nutrition setup.
- Chicken Lover's Bundle: pairs Nutra Complete Chicken Dog Food with Nutra Bites Chicken Liver Treats for a single-protein feeding routine.
- Nutra Bites Freeze-Dried Treat Bundle: a multi-flavor treat bundle covering beef liver, chicken liver, and bison liver varieties for dogs.
Why Buy Ultimate Pet Nutrition from HardyPaw?
- Genuine, Authentic Products: Every Ultimate Pet Nutrition product on HardyPaw is sourced directly, so you receive authentic, uncompromised formulas every time.
- NABP-Authenticated Pet Pharmacy: HardyPaw is NABP-verified, meaning every product sold meets strict authenticity and safety standards pet parents can rely on.
- Savings and Coupon Opportunities: HardyPaw frequently offers an Ultimate Pet Nutrition coupon code through its promotions page, making vet-developed nutrition more affordable.
- Fast and Reliable Delivery: Orders are processed promptly and shipped with reliable carriers, so your pet's food and supplements arrive on schedule without disruption.
- Expert Pet Health Support: The HardyPaw customer care team is available Monday through Saturday to help you choose the right Ultimate Pet Nutrition product for your pet.
Why Vets Trust Ultimate Pet Nutrition?
- Founded by a Credentialed Veterinarian: Gary Richter holds a DVM, MS, CVC, and CVA, and was named America's Favorite Veterinarian by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation.
- Rob Lowe's Endorsement of the Brand: In 2025, Rob Lowe partnered with Ultimate Pet Nutrition, publicly backing the brand's approach to raw-inspired dog food and bringing additional visibility to its science-based nutrition philosophy.
- Award-Winning Supplement Formula: Nutra Thrive for Dogs won the 2022 Pet Innovation Award for Dog Vitamin/Supplement of the Year, recognized for its comprehensive 40-in-1 nutritional profile.
- Third-Party Quality Testing: All Ultimate Pet Nutrition formulas undergo independent, third-party laboratory testing for quality, potency, and pathogen safety before release.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ultimate Pet Nutrition
Q1: What is Ultimate Pet Nutrition, and what products does it make?
Ans: Ultimate Pet Nutrition is a holistic pet food and supplement brand founded in 2017 by Dr. Gary Richter, DVM. The brand makes freeze-dried raw dog food under the Nutra Complete line, an all-in-one supplement called Nutra Thrive, single-ingredient freeze-dried treats, air-dried training treats, dental chews, and food boosters for dogs and cats.
Q2: Do I need a prescription to buy Ultimate Pet Nutrition products?
Ans: No prescription is required for any Ultimate Pet Nutrition product. The brand's food, treats, supplements, and dental chews are all over-the-counter products available without veterinary authorization. However, consulting your vet before adding a new supplement is always recommended, especially for dogs with existing medical conditions or current medications.
Q3: What is the difference between Nutra Complete and Nutra Thrive?
Ans: Nutra Complete is a freeze-dried raw meal made with real meat, organ meats, and superfoods that can replace or upgrade your dog’s regular food. Nutra Thrive is a daily powder you mix into food to boost nutrition with vitamins, probiotics, enzymes, and antioxidants.
Q4: How does freeze-drying preserve nutrients in Ultimate Pet Nutrition dog food?
Ans: Freeze-drying removes moisture from raw ingredients at low temperatures without using heat, preserving natural enzymes, antioxidants, and proteins that high-heat cooking would degrade.
Q5: Where can I buy Ultimate Pet Nutrition products online?
Ans: Ultimate Pet Nutrition products are available through HardyPaw, an NABP-authenticated online pet pharmacy. HardyPaw carries the full range of Nutra Complete dog food, Nutra Thrive supplements, Nutra Bites treats, Nutra Minis training treats, Canine Boost booster, and Canine Fresh dental chews, with competitive pricing and delivery across the US.
Q6: Can I use Ultimate Pet Nutrition Nutra Bites treats for training?
Ans: Yes, but the standard Nutra Bites freeze-dried treats are slightly larger and more suited for rewarding. For high-repetition training sessions, Nutra Minis Air-Dried Training Treats (available in beef and chicken) are the better choice. They are smaller in size, lower in calories per piece, and designed specifically for frequent treat-based training.
