Whole Earth Farms Dog Food Reviews

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If you’re looking for naturally delicious pet food for your dog that fits comfortably into your budget, you may have heard of Whole Earth Farms. In our Whole Earth Farms dog food reviews, we’re going to take a look at the brand’s extensive product line and its customer reviews to determine how this dog food compares to its competitors and whether it’s something pet parents should invest in.

About the Brand

Whole Earth Farms dog food is a subsidiary of Merrick Pet Care, Inc. It was introduced in 2009. With Whole Earth Farms, Merrick began producing naturally nutritious food at a reasonable price. Whole Earth Farms is made in the United States and claims that none of their products come from China.

One of the best things about Whole Earth Farms is that it doesn’t use wheat, corn, soy, or animal by-products in any of its recipes as well as no artificial preservatives or colors. The meat content is impressive, as is the level of nutrition. It’s also surprisingly affordable, costing less per serving than some of the most common grocery store brands, including Pedigree, Nestle Purina Petcare, Iams, and Purina.

While Whole Earth Farms itself hasn’t had any dog food recalls, its owner, Merrick Pet Care, has. A rare recall isn’t anything to worry about, but Merrick has had its fair share, dating between 2002 and 2018. Causes of these recalls range from potential for salmonella and elevated beef thyroid hormone in some Merrick dog treats.

Dog Food Reviews

Whole Earth Farms dog foods have a wide product range that includes both grain-inclusive and grain-free recipes. In this Whole Earth Farms dog food review, we’re going to take a closer look at each product line, starting with the grain-inclusive dry pet foods.

Dry Grain-Inclusive Dog Foods

Whole Earth Farms grain-inclusive dry dog foods use only the best, including multiple animal protein sources, dried fruit, and herbs like sage, rosemary, and thyme. Although they contain whole grains, they never use any corn or wheat. These recipes, like all Whole Earth Farms dog foods, have no poultry by-products and no artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors.

Whole Earth Farms Adult Recipe

This chicken turkey recipe is Whole Earth Farms’ basic dry adult recipe. It uses animal protein from chicken, turkey, and whitefish and whole barley and brown rice to provide high-quality complex carbohydrates. This recipe also contains probiotics to support good digestive health. It’s 26 percent crude protein, 14 percent fat, and 376 kcal/cup and is formulated for all dogs, even large breeds expected to weigh more than 70 pounds as adults.

The complete ingredient list for this Whole Earth Farms grain-inclusive recipe is as follows: Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley, Peas, Potatoes, Poultry Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Poultry, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed, Whitefish, Sunflower Oil, Apples, Salt, Organic Dried Alfalfa Meal, Potassium Chloride, Salmon Oil, Choline Chloride, Minerals (Iron Amino Acid Complex, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Zinc Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Cobalt Proteinate, Cobalt Carbonate), Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Acetate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride), Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Products, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Products, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product.

Whole Earth Farms Puppy Recipe

This puppy food from Whole Earth Farms grain-inclusive recipe uses protein from both chicken and salmon to ensure your puppy gets a good balance of amino acids to promote healthy growth. It’s balanced for all breeds and life stages, even large breed dogs. This recipe has 27 percent crude protein and 15 crude percent fat and contains 392 kcal/cup.

The top ingredient list for this Whole Earth Farms grain-inclusive puppy recipe includes Poultry Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley, Potatoes, Peas, Pea Protein, Poultry Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Natural Flavor, Poultry, Salmon, Apples, Salmon Oil, Sunflower Oil.

Whole Grains Recipe with Pork, Beef, and Lamb

Here’s a great Whole Earth Farms grain-inclusive recipe for dogs with sensitivities to chicken. This poultry-free recipe has an impressive meat content and a mix of fruits and vegetables to ensure your dog gets the vitamins and minerals it needs to thrive. It has 24 percent crude protein, 14 percent fat, and 385 kcal/cup.

The top ingredient list includes Pork Meal, Rice, Barley, Oatmeal, Potatoes, Peas, Pork Fat, Pork, Beef, Lamb, Natural Flavor, Whitefish Meal, Flaxseed, Sunflower Oil, Salmon Oil, and Apples.

Dry Grain-Free Dog Foods

There are more Whole Earth Farms grain-free dog food options than grain-inclusive, so there are a lot more flavors to choose from.

Grain-Free Chicken and Turkey

This chicken turkey recipe, and all Whole Earth Farms grain-free pet foods, uses a rich blend of proteins and wholesome ingredient options to give your dog everything it needs to stay healthy and active. This chicken and turkey recipe is 27 percent protein, 14 percent fat, and 377 kcal/cup. It’s good for large breed dogs, too, just follow the feeding instructions on the label to ensure they’re getting enough with each meal.

The full dog food ingredient list is as follows: Poultry Meal, Turkey Meal, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Poultry Fat, Chicken, Turkey, Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Apples, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Organic Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Choline Chloride, Minerals (Iron Amino Acid Complex, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Zinc Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Cobalt Proteinate, Cobalt Carbonate), Taurine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Acetate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Niacin, Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Citric Acid for freshness, Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product.

Grain-Free Pork, Beef, and Lamb (Poultry-Free)

Here’s a great choice for dogs with food sensitivities. In addition to being grain-free, it’s also poultry-free, which means it’s likely safe for your pet’s belly. This recipe contains 24 percent crude proteins, 14 percent fat, and 378 kcal/cup. Again, this food can be used for large breeds, but they need more food with every feeding, so make sure you read the label.

The main ingredient list in this dog food recipe includes Pork Meal, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Pork Fat, Natural Flavor, Pork, Beef, Lamb, Flaxseed, and Apples.

Grain-Free Salmon and Whitefish

Analysis: 24 percent crude protein, 14 crude percent fat, 381 kcal/cup

Top Ingredient List: Salmon Meal, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Poultry Meal, Peas, Chicken Fat, Flaxseed, Salmon, Whitefish, Natural Flavor, and Apples

Grain-Free Turkey and Duck

Analysis: 26 percent protein, 14 percent fat, 381 kcal/cup

Top Ingredients: Turkey Meal, Potatoes, Peas, Sweet Potatoes, Poultry Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Turkey, Duck, Natural Flavor, Pea Protein, Sunflower Oil, Flaxseed, Salt, and Apples

Grain-Free Small Breed Chicken and Turkey

Analysis: 27 percent crude proteins, 14 percent fat, 340 kcal/cup

Top Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Peas, Poultry Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Sweet Potatoes, Chicken, Turkey, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed, Sunflower Oil, Apples

Grain-Free Small Breed Pork, Beef, and Lamb

Analysis: 26 percent crude proteins, 14 percent fat, 373 kcal/cup

Top Ingredient. List: Pork Meal, Potatoes, Peas, Sweet Potatoes, Pea Protein, Pork Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Natural Pork Flavor, Pork, Lamb, Flaxseed, Sunflower Oil, and Apples

Grain-Free Small Breed Salmon and White Fish

Analysis: 26 percent protein, 14 percent fat, 373 kcal/cup

Top Ingredients: Salmon Meal, Potatoes, Peas, Chickpeas, Poultry Meal, Poultry. Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Sweet Potatoes, Tapioca, Salmon, Whitefish, Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Apples

Grain-Free Healthy Weight

Analysis: 24 percent protein, 8 percent fat, 323 kcal/cup

Top Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Peas, Sweet Potatoes, Pea Fiber, Poultry Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Chicken, Natural Flavor, Liver, Apples

Grain-Free Puppy Chicken and Salmon

Analysis: 27 percent protein, 15 percent fat, 389 kcal/cup

Top Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Peas, Sweet Potatoes, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Pea Protein, Poultry, Salmon, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed, Sunflower Oil, Apples, Salmon Oil

Wet Grain-Inclusive Dog Foods

Next up in our Whole Earth Farms dog food review are the wet dog food options from Whole Earth Farms. The brand has two recipes that include wholesome grains, one for adult dogs and one for puppies. Each uses multiple protein sources and hearty, healthy ingredients to provide your pooch with the vitamins and nutrients it needs to thrive at any age.

Whole Grains Adult

This Whole Earth Farms wet adult dog food turkey recipe from Whole Earth Farms has multiple protein sources, including chicken and whitefish to provide balanced amino acids and support health and lean muscles. With oatmeal and rice for complete carbs and probiotics to support GI health, this recipe is a great meal or topper for all adult dogs. It contains 8 percent protein, 6 percent crude fat, and 415 kcal/cup.

The complete list of ingredients is as follows: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Turkey, Poultry Liver, Whitefish, Brown Rice, Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Oatmeal, Carrots, Natural Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Locust Bean Gum, Guar Gum, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Choline Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Minerals (Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Sodium Selenite), Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Biotin).

Whole Grains Puppy

This puppy recipe from Whole Earth Farms is rich in protein-rich chicken and loaded with sweet potato and delicious apples as natural sources of vitamins and minerals. It contains 9 percent crude proteins, 6.5. percent fat, and 415 kcal/cup.

The main ingredients in this dog food are Chicken, Chicken Broth, Liver, Salmon, Brown Rice, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Oatmeal, Apples, and Natural Flavor.

Wet Grain-Free Dog Foods

Next in our dog food review is Whole Earth Farms grain-free wet dog food recipes. Just as with its dry dog food options, Whole Earth Farms wet dog food has a wider product line with its grain-inclusive recipes. Here’s a quick rundown of everything the brand has to offer:

Grain-Free Adult

This Whole Earth Farms grain-free recipe is the basic grain-free wet dog food recipe. The main protein is chicken, and it’s loaded with other natural goodness, like blueberries, sage, thyme, and rosemary to create a wholesome, nutritious meal that your dog will love. This recipe has 10 percent crude proteins, 6 percent fat, and 444 kcal/can.

Grain-Free Chicken and Turkey

Analysis: 8 percent protein, 7 percent fat, 440 kcal/can

Top Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Turkey, Liver, Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Carrots, Natural Flavor, Salt, Locust Bean Gum

Grain-Free Hearty Duck Stew

Analysis: 8 percent protein, 3 percent fat, 290 kcal/can

Top Ingredients: Duck, Chicken Broth, Chicken, Peas, Carrots, Dried Egg Product, Liver, Natural Flavor, Dried Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes

Grain-Free Hearty Turkey and Salmon Stew

Analysis: 8 percent protein, 3 percent fat, 419 kcal/can

Top Ingredients: Turkey, Turkey Broth, Salmon, Fish Broth, Peas, Turkey Liver, Sweet Potatoes, Dried Egg Product, Carrots, Natural Flavor

Grain-Free Hearty Beef Stew

Analysis: 8 percent protein, 3 percent fat, 290 kcal/can

Top Ingredients: Deboned Beef, Broth, Liver, Carrots, Peas, Dried Egg Product, Sweet Potatoes, Natural Flavor, Dried Potatoes, Blueberries

Grain-Free Hearty Chicken Stew

Analysis: 8.5 percent crude proteins 4 percent fat

Top Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Broth, Carrots, Liver, Peas, Dried Egg Product, Sweet Potatoes, Natural Flavor, Dried Potatoes, Blueberries

Grain-Free Hearty Lamb Stew

Analysis: 8 percent crude proteins, 3 percent fat, 311 kcal/can

Top Ingredients: Lamb, Beef, Broth, Beef Liver, Peas, Carrots, Dried Egg Product, Natural Flavor, Dried Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes

Grain-Free Hearty Turkey Stew

Analysis: 8 percent protein, 5 percent fat, 420 kcal/can

Top Ingredients: Turkey, Chicken Broth, Turkey Broth, Peas, Liver, Carrots, Dried Egg Product, Natural Flavor, Sweet Potatoes

Grain-Free Red Meat

Analysis: 8 percent crude proteins, 5 percent fat, 396 kcal/can

Top Ingredients: Beef, Broth, Liver, Lamb, Pork Liver, Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Carrots, Natural Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Locust Bean Gum, Sunflower Oil

Grain-Free Small Breed Beef Dinner

Analysis: 9 percent protein, 3 percent fat, 83 kcal/can

Top Ingredients: Beef, Broth, Liver, Lamb, Peas, Natural Flavor, Dried Egg Product, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Calcium Carbonate, Apples,

Grain-Free Small Breed Chicken Dinner

Analysis: 9 percent protein, 5 percent crude fat, 93 kcal/can

Top Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Peas, Natural Flavor, Carrots, Dried Egg Product, Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Organic Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal

Grain-Free Small Breed Duck Dinner

Analysis: 8 percent crude proteins, 5 percent crude fat, 113 kcal/can

Top Ingredients: Duck, Chicken Broth, Chicken, Chicken Liver, Salmon, Peas, Natural Flavor, Carrots, Dried Egg Product, Sweet Potatoes

Grain-Free Small Breed Lamb Dinner

Analysis: 9 percent crude protein, 5 percent crude fat, 123 kcal/can

Top Ingredients: Lamb, Beef Broth, Beef, Lamb Liver, Peas, Natural Flavor, Dried Egg Product, Carrots, Flaxseed Oil, Sweet Potatoes, Apple

Grain-Free Small Breed Turkey Dinner

Analysis: 9 percent crude protein, 5 percent crude fat, 111 kcal/can

Top Ingredients: Turkey, Turkey Broth, Chicken, Turkey Liver, Peas, Natural Flavor, Carrots, Dried Egg Product, Sweet Potatoes, Calcium Carbonate, Organic Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Sodium Phosphate, Apples, Salmon Oil, Flaxseed Oil

Grain-Free Puppy

Analysis: 9 percent crude protein, 6.5 percent crude fat, 436 kcal/can

Top Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Turkey, Chicken Liver, Salmon, Peas, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Dried Egg Product, Natural Flavor

What Dogs Should Eat Whole Earth Farms Dog Food?

As you saw from our dog food review, Whole Earth Farms has many wet and dry dog food options to choose from, especially if you’re looking for grain-free options. Here are some of the types of dogs this brand is particularly good for.

Life Stages

Whole Earth Farms has options for adults and puppies, and most of its recipes are formulated for dogs in all life stages. That said, it would have been nice to see an option for senior dogs.

Allergies

This dog food brand is a pretty good choice for dogs with allergies and food sensitivities. There are a lot of Whole Earth Farms grain-free options to choose from, and a few recipes with novel proteins, like duck, whitefish, and salmon.

Picky Eaters

By nature, it’s hard to determine what dog food picky eaters like, but there are so many options from Whole Earth Farms, there’s a good chance you’ll find something to entice them. The dry dog food options are a little limited, but there are a lot of wet food options that picky eaters might enjoy, with proteins like duck, salmon, turkey, and lamb.

Small Breeds

Small Breeds

Whole Earth Farms has a nice variety of pet food for small dogs, including both wet and dry foods.

What Dogs Should Not Eat Whole Earth Farms Dog Food?

There isn’t really a type of dog that shouldn’t eat Whole Earth Farms grain-inclusive or grain-free dog food. Overall, we think it’s a great brand. That said, there are some areas where we wish there were more options.

Large Breeds

Large Breeds

As we said, most Whole Earth Farms dog food recipes are formulated for all dogs, and the labels include feeding instructions for dogs over 100 pounds. Essentially, you increase the volume you give them with each meal. This approach is certainly doable, we just wish there was a Whole Earth Farms option specifically formulated for large breeds and their puppies.

Senior Dogs

Senior Dogs

Again, Whole Earth Farms dog foods are formulated for all life stages, and the wet food recipes are especially appealing for senior dogs, but we wish there was a dedicated recipe or two just for them.

Overweight Dogs

There is one dry dog food grain-free recipe from Whole Earth Farms brand that is tailored to overweight dogs, which is great, but it’s not always easy helping a dog lose weight, and we wish there were a few more flavors.

Which Is Better: Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free or Grain-Inclusive?

There’s a lot of debate about the nutrition of grain-free versus grain-inclusive, and people have a wide range of opinions. Although the following information isn’t specific to Whole Earth Farms grain-inclusive or Whole Earth Farms grain-free recipes, it’s still worth considering.

The most common grains used in pet food, in general, are corn, barley, rice, and oatmeal. Premium brands tend to shy away from these popular grains and use novel options, including sorghum, buckwheat, and quinoa. In fact, most dog foods, even those that are grain-inclusive, often advertise that they don’t use corn, wheat, or soy.

Grain-free pet food uses other ingredients to add fiber and healthy carbohydrates, foods like beans, lentils, and sweet potatoes.

Some grains are better for your pet than others, just as some are better for you than others.

Grain-free dog food is a bit of a trend at the moment, but is it healthy? Do dogs need grains? Is Whole Earth Farms grain-free better than dog food with grains?

Grains have been used in dog food for decades. They provide vitamins, minerals, fiber, and are actually quite healthy. Many people make the argument that our dogs’ wolf ancestors didn’t eat grains, but dogs have evolved to be able to digest them. People often assume that grains commonly cause food allergies in dogs, but the truth is that most dogs with sensitivities are allergic to meat protein. Only about 10 percent of dogs have a true grain allergy.

The FDA has issued a warning that grain-free pet food might lead to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a life-threatening heart condition. The research is still ongoing and potential links has been made in less than 600 dogs, but the risks of a grain-free diet are something that all pet owners should keep in mind, especially if your pet is a breed that is prone to heart conditions. Note that Merrick was one of the dog food brands specifically identified in this study as having potential links to DCM, though this relationship is complex and it cannot be determined exactly what role the dog food played.

As always, talk to your vet if you have questions about whether to use Whole Earth farms grain-free dog food or grain-inclusive recipes. If your pet has been on a grain-free diet for a while, it’s likely safe to keep using it. But it’s always better to be safe than sorry and consult the experts.

How Does Whole Earth Dog Food Measure Up?

To put it simply, as you can see from our dog food review, we were quite impressed with this brand of Whole Earth Farms dog food. Each recipe provides a nice balance of proteins, fats, carbs, and essential nutrients. As you can see from the dog food ingredients lists, every recipe uses real, whole foods with no corn, wheat, or soy and no meat by-product meat meals. Whole Earth Farms doesn’t use any fillers or artificial flavors or preservatives, either. All of these things make it an above-average product at a much more affordable price than you’d expect, whether you’re choosing Whole Earth Farms grain-free dog food or a grain-inclusive option. Most pet parents who use this brand give it between 4 and 5 stars, and it’s one of the pet products that are affordable and highly nutritious.

While we wish Whole Earth Farms dog food brand had a few more options for seniors, large breeds, and overweight dogs, all of Whole Earth Farms grain-free and grain-inclusive dog food options use high-quality ingredients and are suitable for dogs of all ages. They have all the nutrients that dog lovers look for, including B vitamins and omega fatty acids, for well-rounded nutrition. Whether you’re looking for dry dog food or a wet pet food recipe, we wholeheartedly recommend Whole Earth Farms brand to pet parents and give it five stars.

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