Whole Earth Farms uses the goodness that the Earth offers to make their quality dog foods. They have both a grain and grain-free diet line that provides a rounded nutritional content that benefits dogs inside and out.
Compared to other high-quality dog foods Whole Earth Farms has very affordable prices that any dog owner can enjoy. Your dog will feel like they are eating fresh from the farm with Whole Earth Farm’s formula lines.
We will go over the different formulas available, the quality of ingredients that go into them, and what sets them apart from other dog food brands.
They ensure that all of their formulas uses ingredients that are easier to digest, promote healthy skin and fur, and support your dog overall in their day to day life. If you have not heard of this brand yet, then this is the perfect opportunity to learn about this brand and possibly consider feeding it to your dog.
Whole Earth Farms Dog Food Reviews
Whole Earth Farms Adult Recipe is one of the original diets Whole Earth Farms provides that combines animal proteins and healthy grains for a well-rounded diet.
Key Features
- Protein Content—26%
- Fat Content—13%
- Fiber Content—3.5%
- Moisture Content—11%
Whole Earth Farms uses holistic, wholesome foods all sourced in the USA to ensure optimal quality control. 26% of the formula is made up of animal proteins which include chicken, turkey, and whitefish.
The triple proteins provide flavor, various nutrients, and a balanced source of amino acids.
All of the proteins are also easy for dogs to digest and promotes healthy skin and shiny coats. Even though this recipe uses grains, they are wholesome grains.
Whole barley and brown rice provide a rich source of carbohydrates as well as a healthy mix of essential vitamins and minerals that dogs need to grow and develop properly.
There are a few fruits and vegetables added to the mix, such as blueberries and thyme that add a natural vitamin source dogs can easily absorb. Some dogs need a little extra help to digest their foods, which is where Whole Earth Farms adds extra probiotics to support positive digestive health.
Only the best ingredients are used in the original Adult Dog Food formula all sourced and cooked in America. Your dog will enjoy this diet, and you will enjoy seeing your dog’s body get healthier with each meal.
Pros
- An animal protein is the first ingredient used
- The formula uses wholesome ingredients sourced in the USA
- It comes in 5 lbs., 12 lbs., and 30 lbs. bag sizes
Cons
- Contains chicken and turkey so not an ideal diet for dogs with allergies to poultry
- Contains grains that could potentially serve as filler ingredients
- Contains few fruits and vegetables, so the formula relies on outside supplements
If your dog is not allergic to grains, you should consider feeding them Whole Earth Farms Adult Recipe to get them started on the path of joining the Whole Earth Farms family.
2. Healthy Puppy
Healthy Puppy
Puppies need a formula that can keep up with their fast-growing bodies such as Grain-Free Healthy Puppy Recipe.
Key Features
- Protein Content—26%
- Fat Content—12%
- Fiber Content—4.5%
- Moisture Content—11%
Puppies have more sensitive stomachs than adult dogs, so they need a diet that benefits their overall health while not being overwhelming to their stomachs.
Whole Earth Farms understands the health needs of puppies, which is why they developed a formula free of grains and rich in animal proteins. Chicken meal is the first ingredient.
Though most dog food brands avoid meal products, they are beneficial to dogs as it combines muscle meat and organ meat for the highest nutritional content dogs can absorb.
Puppies especially need the extra protein and fat content provided by chicken meal as they are burning more calories, are more active, and their bodies are rapidly changing.
The recipe does not use any grains, wheat, or corn products that are typically used as filler ingredients.
That is great not just because puppies are getting only nutritional ingredients but the lack of grains will make the diet easier for a puppy’s sensitive stomach to digest and can help regulate their stool to be firm and consistent.
You can feed the puppy formula to your puppy once they are weaned from their mother and continue feeding the diet to them until they reach their first year. Then they should be ready to move on to an adult food formula.
Pros
- Contains no grains, wheat, corn, or soy products
- Animal protein is the first ingredient
- Has no artificial colors or preservatives
- Sold in 4 lbs. and 25 lbs. bag options
Cons
- Contains potatoes and peas which are considered filler ingredients
- Has added salt which can cause health issues if consumed in excess
- Relies on outside supplements for essential vitamins and minerals
Start your puppy off right to a healthy adult body by feeding them Healthy Puppy Formulas.
3. Pork, Beef & Lamb
If you are looking for poultry-free dog food, consider feeding them Pork, Beef, & Lamb Recipe.
Key Features
- Protein Content—26%
- Fat Content—13%
- Fiber Content—3.5%
- Moisture Content—11%
Some dogs are allergic to specific animal proteins. Chicken happens to be the most common animal protein dogs can be allergic to. That can make picking out a dog food hard as chicken is a common and cheap animal protein dog food companies use.
Luckily, Whole Earth Farms has several formulas that are poultry-free to be fair to dogs with poultry allergies. This particular formula offers three different proteins.
Pork is an excellent source of protein, vitamin C, niacin, phosphorous, zinc, vitamin B12, iron, and selenium. Beef is rich in amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and provides healthy fats to dogs.
Lamb is packed with essential amino acids that promote healthy skin and fur, and it is a positive protein alternative for dogs with allergies or sensitive stomachs.
The proteins used are all natural and raised right in the USA. This diet is pretty well-rounded and beneficial to dogs of all life stages.
Pros
- Offers three different proteins for various nutrients and flavors
- Poultry-free recipe
- Contains no grains, corn, or wheat products
- Available in 4 lbs., 12 lbs., and 25 lbs. bag sizes
Cons
- Starch ingredients make up the second, third, and fourth ingredient in the recipe which means there are more filler type ingredients rather than animal protein ingredients
- Relies heavily on outside supplements for needed vitamins and minerals
Pork, Beef, & Lamb Recipe is ideal for dogs who crave a variety of flavors and a beneficial protein boost.
4. Healthy Weight
Do not limit your dog to how much they should eat if they are a little overweight. Instead, feed them Healthy Weight Recipe to help maintain their weight.
Key Features
- Protein Content—24%
- Fat Content—8%
- Fiber Content—6%
- Moisture Content—11%
Do not blame your dog or yourself if your dog has more weight on them than is healthy for them. Sometimes, whether due to age or activity levels, dogs are prone to gaining weight fast.
If that is the case for your dog, you do not have to limit how much they eat. Instead, you should switch them to a healthy weight diet specifically made to keep less active dogs fit and lean.
It contains less protein than their other formulas, which means that there is less fat that adds the excess weight on dogs.
Chicken is the main protein used, which is a lean meat that actively provides proteins and nutrients that can melt away the excess fat and support a healthy muscle mass on dogs.
There is a substantial amount of carbohydrates in this formula, but the carbs are beneficial. The sweet potatoes, for one, provide a natural fiber content that can regulate a dog’s digestive tract and help them have firmer stool on a regular schedule.
Your dog will love the flavor of this diet, and you will enjoy seeing their excess weight drop down within a few weeks of eating this diet.
Pros
- Contains less fat to promote a healthy weight
- Contains more fiber than other recipes to regulate a dog’s digestive system
- Sold in 4 lbs., 12 lbs., and 25 lbs. bag options
Cons
- Contains chicken, so not an ideal diet for dogs with allergies to poultry
- Contains heavy starches as the bulk of the ingredients
- Contains few beneficial fruits and vegetables for a natural nutrient source
Helping your dog maintain a healthy weight is not difficult. All you need is a beneficial diet like Healthy Weight Recipe to do all the work for you.
5. Small Breed
Small breeds need a specific diet to match their bodies, like Small Breed Recipe Duck.
Key Features
- Protein Content—8%
- Fat Content—5%
- Fiber Content—1.4%
- Moisture Content—78%
Small dogs will have access to three hearty proteins: duck, chicken, and salmon. Small dogs need the extra protein since their bodies burn calories faster compared to larger breed dogs. All three proteins are easy to digest and ideal for a smaller dog’s sensitive stomach.
Not only that, their overall digestive system, immune system, skin, and health will get a positive boost thanks to the mix of proteins and hearty vegetables.
If your small dog needs an extra energy boost add some of this wet food with their dry food and you will see the difference in them in no time.
Pros
- Grain-Free
- Contains beneficial vegetables
- Sold in 3.2 OZ cans
Cons
- Contains outside supplements for the needed vitamins and minerals
Pamper your small dog by adding the nutritious Duck Dinner with their dry food.
6. Hearty Lamb Stew
If you feel like your dog needs a flavor boost top off their dry food with Hearty Lamb Stew.
Key Features
- Protein Content—8%
- Fat Content—3%
- Fiber Content—1.4%
- Moisture Content—81%
Deboned lamb and beef are the primary protein sources in this wet food. You can see the chunks of meat mixed with hearty vegetables in a savory stew, so you know your dog is getting some of the best ingredients available.
The diet is grain-free as well to avoid any unnecessary filler ingredients. Dogs of all life stages will enjoy this wet food added along with their dry food.
Pros
- Has a variety of vegetables for a natural nutrient source
- Uses both beef and lamb for a hearty stew
- Sold in 12.7 OZ cans
Cons
- Contains salt, which can be harmful to dogs if consumed in excess
Your dog will not be able to stop wagging their tail when they see you adding Lamb Stew with their meals.
Who Manufactures Whole Earth Farms Dog Food?
Whole Earth Farms dog food is manufactured by Merrick, a dog food brand that has been making treats since 1988 and premium dog foods since 2003.
Whole Earth Farms has its manufacturing plant based in Texas in the United States of America separate from where Merrick makes its other food line. While Merrick manufactures this food line it is still its own brand of dog food that can stand alone.
Recall History of Whole Earth Farms Dog Food
As of writing this article Whole Earth Farms has had no history of recall. Merrick, on the other hand, does have a history of recall.
The most recent incident of recall for Merrick was in May 2018 where beef treats were recalled due to an elevated beef thyroid hormone predicament with the beef Merrick sourced.
But just because Merrick has had a history of recall, it should not affect Whole Earth Farm’s quality as this food brand line is made in a separate manufacturing plant with its own set of strict regulations.
Different Formulas/Options
Whole Earth Farms offers dry kibble foods, wet canned foods, and treats for dogs. All of the ingredients used in Whole Earth Farms formulas are wholesome and healthy for dogs to consume.
They offer both grain and grain-free food options so you can best pick which diet to feed your dog, in case your dog was to be allergic to any grains.
They also specify what kinds of animal meats the formula uses, just in case your dog was allergic to a specific protein or they prefer a particular type of animal protein. We will go over what flavors Whole Earth Farms offers as well as differentiate which contain grains and which do not.
Dry Kibble Formulas
This is the standard dry food formula that Whole Earth Farms offers. They are a balanced meal that helps promote a healthy body.
Grains
Whole Earth Farms only offers two formulas that contain grains. They were the main formula lines that Whole Earth Farms started with before extending their formula line. The available flavors are as follows.
- Puppy Recipe
- Adult Recipe
Grain-Free
Whole Earth Farms has expanded their formula lines to have grain-free options. This makes up the bulk of Whole Earth Farm’s formulas as many pet owners are trying to feed their dog a grain-free diet whether their dog is allergic to grains or not.
The following are the formulas that Whole Earth Farms has as grain-free.
- Healthy Puppy
- Chicken & Turkey
- Pork, Beef, & Lamb
- Salmon & Whitefish
- Turkey & Duck
- Small Breed Recipe with Pork, Beef, & Lamb
- Small Breed Recipe with Salmon & Whitefish
- Healthy Weight
- Small Breed Recipe
Wet Canned Foods
Whole Earth Farms. Wet canned foods provide an extra protein boost to your dog’s diet. Dogs need a high animal protein source to have a properly functioning body.
If you feel like your dog needs more protein, you can add the wet food on top of their dry food for that extra boost.
The best part about Whole Earth Farms’ canned food is that they are all grain-free recipes. The following is a list of all of the wet canned foods Whole Earth Farms has to offer.
- Puppy Recipe
- Adult Recipe
- Hearty Duck Stew
- Hearty Salmon Stew
- Chicken & Turkey Recipe
- Hearty Beef Stew
- Hearty Chicken Stew
- Hearty Lamb Stew
- Hearty Turkey Stew
- Red Meat Recipe
- Small-Breed Beef
- Small-Breed Chicken
- Small-Breed Duck
- Small-Breed Lamb
- Small-Breed Turkey
Treats
If your dog has been behaving properly or you just want to give them a treat to show you love them, Whole Earth Farms has some treats available as well.
They are hearty treats made with the same quality ingredients used to create the dry and wet food formulas. The available treats are as follows.
- Smokehouse Chicken & Apple Tenders
- Smokehouse Links Beef & Lamb Recipe
- Smokehouse Links Chicken & Turkey Recipe
Key Ingredients
Protein
Whole Earth Farms uses a variety of animal proteins in their formulas. An animal protein is always the first ingredient so you can be sure that your dog will have access to a high animal protein source that will benefit their body greatly.
All of the animal proteins are sourced in the United States of America to ensure quality control and no questionable ingredients sourced from outside countries. The following is a list of the animal proteins that Whole Earth Farms uses in their formula lines
- Chicken
- Salmon
- Pork
- Beef
- Lamb
- Whitefish
- Turkey
- Duck
Fats
Since Whole Earth Farms uses animal proteins that means that your dog is getting a natural fat source from the animal protein. This can vary from chicken fat, pork fat, and beef fat. You will most often see the animal fat being used matching the main protein source of the formula line.
These natural sources of fats are better for dogs as it will help maintain muscle strength, provide energy, and help dogs keep a lean body.
Carbohydrates
The main carbohydrate source that Whole Earth Farms uses are potatoes and sweet potatoes. While they are a high carbohydrate source, they are also an optimal dietary fiber source.
You will not have to worry about these carbs providing a high sugar content to your dog if your dog has no history of high blood sugar illnesses. Both are beneficial carbohydrates that your dog will enjoy and benefit from.
Yucca Schidigera Extract
Yucca Schidigera is a flowering plant native to the deserts of Mexico and lower United States of America. The extract from Yucca Schidigera is best used to support joint health by being an anti-inflammatory and an anti-arthritic for senior dogs.
The extract is also useful to maintain skin health, prevent dandruff, prevent hair loss, and some food companies even claim it to remove the odor of dog waste.
Bottom Line
Whole Earth Farms makes their dog foods a dog food brand to rely on. They put your dog’s health needs first to ensure that only the best quality ingredients are used in all of their formulas.
You can pick from a recipe that contains grains or sample from their new Whole Earth Grain-Free dog food line. Whichever flavor you decide to go with, it will be an overall health improvement for your dog.
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Andrea
Andrea is another superstar contributor to the Dog Struggles team. In addition to writing quality pieces, she also works at a Pet Adoption Agency – helping find forever homes for furry friends. Andrea spends a huge amount of time with a range of dog breeds on a daily basis. This shines through with her work - she provides very detailed and specific recommendations for pet parents. She is a highly valued team member who consistently delivers quality articles.
