A few weeks ago I visited my local Pet Shop to stock up on Nutro, and he said that he was pretty much out of stock and was having real problems getting any information from his supplier. This is unusual as, although only a small local shop, they always hold plenty of stock.

I drove to a bigger pet shop a few miles away and their stocks were really low too. When I asked the owner if he knew why, he said that Nutro had been taken over by Mars Corp (who also make Pedigree Chum as well as chocolate bars for deep fat frying) and supply was being disrupted as production of Nutro was being moved to the Pedigree factories. He recommended that I bought up as much Nutro as I could find, as there may be a period of months when none is available, and "people" think that the quality of the product may be lower once production in the Pedigree factories gets under way. He only had two bags in stock and didn't expect to get any more for a while, so I don't think he was scare mongering to increase his own sales.

This may have been discussed to death before, as I am new to the forum, but has anybody else heard this? I have tried Google but I can't find anything about the story.

I thought Mars took them over a while ago,after the big pet food recall in the states? It must have been at least a year ago.

There was a period of time in April this year when it proved difficult to get stock of Nutro.  I understand the takeover had happened previous to that, but they were transferring production to another source.  Nutro was the food recommended by my breeder to all her puppy owners but a number of us decided that if there was a risk of not getting it in future that it made sense to find an alternative.  As my dog was about to transfer from puppy to adult food I thought it simpler to change at that time and chose Arden Grange.

From the level of customer service to the quality of food I've been really pleased with AG and the price is pretty good too!

Some of the puppy owners stuck with Nutro for the time being and one, also a CD member (Hi P :) ) gave over whole sections of her house to stockpiled dog food!!  Perhaps some of the others might be along to tell you more news from their suppliers but it wasn't looking good last time so I expect many will have reached the end of their stock.

and "people" think that the quality of the product may be lower once production in the Pedigree factories gets under way.
Pedigree, Royal Canin and James Wellbeloved all have the same owner, but the foods are still distinctive and certainly you cannot complain about the quality of JW and RC, so I'd not imagine that would be something to worry about. :)

Hi, Nutro is not / nor being moved into "Pedigree" factories.  It will continue to be made where it always has been and by the same people, Mars bought out Nutro nearly 2 years ago and nothing has changed in its way of running / production.
Jane

Also When Mars Brough Nutro it became more redaly avalible in the UK as it did for some time come out of the UK show scene and away from alot of stockist and concentrated on the American Market.  Mars brought Nutro back in 2007 and brought RC & JWB back in 2001!

The Mars website does list a time line of their products including pet food (which makes up about half the company! (Bet you didn't know they had THAT much pet food!)

Sounds like the supply problem earlier this year and the company being taken over by Mars may be unrelated.

I still think it's a shame though, as I always try to support independent and small companies (which I assumed Nutro was, like Burns etc) and it's disappointing to find out that its owned by just another global company.

Yes, I was told a couple of months back that my pet shop was moving away from Nutro because of supply problems.  But I too buy from AG - great service, delivered to your door for a small charge only.  And unlike some, their delivery service will leave the delivery even if nobody in.  I tried Vet UK and despite instructions from both me and Vet UK the courier refused to leave it without a signature.

The food is the same as far as I know, I am a good friend with a former rep of Premium petfoods, who used to import Nutro. When Mars took over, they decided to cut this company out and import it themselves to save money, and this is where the supply problems came from as Premium petfoods were stopped from restocking.

The Mars takeover was in May 07 and early 08 was when there was ingredient sourcing problems. Outside of USA suffered more as they consolidated the USA market. All the lamb based products are now being made in Hungary (you can see this on the 2kg bags) - presumably for cheaper costs to importing it from USA.

I run a pet store and have stocked Nutro for many years. Mars Pedigree was to take over early this year (when the purchase of the company was i do not know). Stock was not available in the early part of this year and only returned half-heartly 3 months ago. A lot of the line sizes have been stopped, 7.5kg in all puppy and all adult except lamb. A price rise is due 1st november.
But from my customers feed back some thing has changed now its being made in Hungry. I have found a lot of people have moved to Burns or Arden Grange.
There are many good foods out there so don't be affraid to give them a try. When you go to a shop ask questions. Check to see if the food contains EEU permitted colourings, which are not needed they are there to make us humans by the pretty colours. If it looks like vegetable it must be good. Salt, manufacturers like to hide this, but dogs love it but like us to much is not good.

I have gone over to arden grange dogs happy breeders club very good .