Company HQ
- Amarillo, Texas
Parent company
Sourcing and Manufacturing
- United States
Type of food
PROS
- High protein content
- To our knowledge, Whole Earth Farms has never had a product recall
- Affordable
- All recipes are free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
CONS
- Some recipes contain plant-based protein
Whole Earth Farms Dog Food Review
Introduction
When it comes to feeding our canine companions, we want to provide them with the very best nutrition possible. As dog owners, we know that diet plays a huge role in our dogs’ health and wellbeing. That’s why it’s so important to choose a high-quality dog food that contains natural, wholesome ingredients.
In this article, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at Whole Earth Farms, a newer dog food brand that markets itself as a more affordable option compared to premium and super-premium pet foods. We’ll cover the brand’s history, manufacturing process, and product lines. We’ll also dive into Whole Earth Farms dog food reviews to see what pet owners and experts think about this brand.
Should you consider feeding your dog Whole Earth Farms? Let’s find out!
Overview of Whole Earth Farms
First, let’s learn a bit more about the company behind Whole Earth Farms dog food.
Company History and Reputation
Whole Earth Farms was launched in 2020 by the Merrick Pet Care company, which is known for its Merrick line of natural and organic pet foods. Merrick Pet Care is owned by Nestle Purina, one of the largest pet food manufacturers in the world.
While Whole Earth Farms is new to the scene, the Merrick brand has been around since 1988 and has a good reputation among pet owners for quality and transparency. This gives Whole Earth Farms some credibility right off the bat.
Manufacturing and Ingredients
According to the company, Whole Earth Farms recipes are produced in the USA with ingredients sourced from North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
Whole Earth Farms states that its products contain no corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. The brand focuses on high-quality animal proteins as the first ingredients, including beef, chicken, lamb, venison, bison and fish.
Product Lines
The Whole Earth Farms line includes both dry and wet/canned food options. Their grain-free recipes come in three product lines:
- Free-Run Poultry Recipe
- Fresh Caught Fish Recipe
- Pasture-Raised Meat Recipe
For dogs with allergies or sensitivities, they also offer Limited Ingredient Diets made with either venison, duck, salmon, or pork as the sole animal protein source.
Whole Earth Farms Dog Food Reviews
Now, let’s take a look at what veterinarians, pet nutritionists, and dog owners have to say about Whole Earth Farms dog food. We’ll break it down into a few key factors.
Ingredient Quality and Safety
Overall, most reviews praise the quality of ingredients used in Whole Earth Farms’ recipes. Since they focus on single animal protein sources and avoid cheaper fillers like corn and wheat, most experts say these formulas contain above-average nutrition. The products are also free from artificial additives, which is a major plus.
Safety-wise, there are very few recalls affecting Whole Earth Farms or its parent company Merrick. Many reviewers see this as a testament to the brand’s safe manufacturing processes and ingredient sourcing.
Nutritional Value and Balance
According to veterinarians, Whole Earth Farms provides very balanced nutrition profiles for dogs in all life stages. The guaranteed analysis looks good on paper, meeting or exceeding AAFCO standards for canine nutrients.
Some nutritionists point out that the protein and fat levels could be slightly higher to mimic a dog’s natural ancestral diet. But for the average pooch, the nutrients should be sufficient.
Palatability and Taste
Across customer reviews, most dog owners say their pups eagerly gobble up Whole Earth Farms food and seem to love the taste. Even picky eaters appear to enjoy these recipes.
Canned options in particular get rave reviews for palatability. Dry kibble scores well too, although a few Negative reviews mention their dogs got bored of the taste after a while.
Effects on Coat, Skin, and Digestive Health
Many pet parents remark on noticeable improvements to their dogs’ coats and skin after transitioning to Whole Earth Farms. Their coats became softer and shinier, while skin allergies and flakiness were reduced.
The brand’s limited ingredient formulas get praise for improving digestive issues like upset stomachs and food intolerances in sensitive dogs. Reviewers say the single protein and limited ingredients help avoid allergic reactions.
Pros and Cons of Whole Earth Farms Dog Food
To summarize our findings so far, here are some key pros and cons of Whole Earth Farms dog food:
Pros
- Natural, high-quality ingredients
- Grain-free recipes using novel proteins
- Human-grade ingredients and facilities
- Very palatable taste dogs love
- Improves skin, coat, digestion
- Affordable pricing
Cons
- Limited protein/fat content for some dogs
- Possible quality inconsistencies between batches
- Some reports of recalls (but infrequent)
- Kibble shape not optimal for dental health
Comparison to Other Brands
To help put Whole Earth Farms’ quality into context, let’s see how it stacks up against a few comparable competitors.
Whole Earth Farms vs. Blue Buffalo
Blue Buffalo is one of the most popular “premium” pet food brands on the market. Compared head-to-head, Whole Earth Farms has very similar formulas and quality to Blue Buffalo, but comes in at a more affordable price point for budget-conscious pet owners.
Whole Earth Farms vs. Taste of the Wild
Taste of the Wild is known for its unique “ancestral diet” formulas. While ingredients are comparable, Taste of the Wild’s protein and fat content is a bit higher and closer to a dog’s natural diet. But it comes at a higher cost.
Whole Earth Farms vs. Purina
Up against parent company Nestle Purina’s own line of Purina Pro Plan dog foods, Whole Earth Farms is positioned as the higher-end offering with more premium ingredients and no corn, wheat or soy. But Purina Pro Plan is more affordable.
Conclusion and Recommendation
Overall, Whole Earth Farms appears to be a very solid mid-priced dog food option containing quality ingredients in nutritionally balanced recipes dogs seem to love. While not the absolute highest-end brand, it offers good value for the price.
If you’re looking for a step up from budget brands without breaking the bank on ultra-premium food, Whole Earth Farms dog food earns our recommendation as a very palatable, nutrient-rich food produced sustainably from high-quality ingredients. Give it a try if it fits your budget and see how your dog likes it!
Brand Overview
Whole Earth Farms is Merrick Pet Care brand. The product line includes a variety of wet and dry dog foods and cat foods, including grain-free options. Whole Earth Farms recipes are made in the USA, with natural ingredients. No artificial ingredients, soy, wheat, or by-products are used.
How Much Does Whole Earth Farms Dog Food Cost
We’ve compared Whole Earth Farms dog food price to the other dog food brands in our database.
Whole Earth Farms Dry Puppy Food Price Comparison
| Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per lb | $2.47 | $3.84 | -36% |
| Price per 100 kcal | $0.15 | $0.23 | -36% |
| Price per day | $0.09 | $0.14 | -36% |
Whole Earth Farms Dry Puppy Food is priced below the average market price for dog food.
Whole Earth Farms Wet Dog Food Price Comparison
| Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per oz | $0.26 | $0.41 | -37% |
| Price per 100 kcal | $0.73 | $1.52 | -52% |
| Price per day | $0.43 | $0.91 | -53% |
Whole Earth Farms Wet Dog Food is priced below the average market price for dog food.
Whole Earth Farms Dry Dog Food Price Comparison
| Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per lb | $2.52 | $3.69 | -32% |
| Price per 100 kcal | $0.16 | $0.34 | -54% |
| Price per day | $0.09 | $0.20 | -55% |
Whole Earth Farms Dry Dog Food is priced below the average market price for dog food.
Whole Earth Farms Wet Puppy Food Price Comparison
| Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per oz | $0.23 | $0.31 | -26% |
| Price per 100 kcal | $0.70 | $1.01 | -30% |
| Price per day | $0.42 | $0.61 | -31% |
Whole Earth Farms Wet Puppy Food is priced below the average market price for dog food.
Whole Earth Farms Nutrient Profile Comparison
We’ve compared Whole Earth Farms dog food recipes nutrient profile to the other dog food brands in our database.
Dry Puppy Food
| Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DM Protein | 44.84% | 32.35% | +39% |
| DM Fat | 24.91% | 17.94% | +39% |
| DM Fiber | 5.81% | 4.66% | +25% |
| DM Carb | 24.44% | 44.25% | -45% |
Wet Dog Food
| Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DM Protein | 42.39% | 42.98% | -1% |
| DM Fat | 22.42% | 22.28% | +1% |
| DM Fiber | 6.83% | 7.39% | -8% |
| DM Carb | 28.37% | 26.26% | +8% |
Dry Dog Food
| Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DM Protein | 28.41% | 30.01% | -5% |
| DM Fat | 15.49% | 15.86% | -2% |
| DM Fiber | 4.45% | 5.48% | -19% |
| DM Carb | 51.64% | 47.73% | +8% |
Wet Puppy Food
| Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DM Protein | 40.91% | 42.84% | -5% |
| DM Fat | 29.55% | 27.27% | +8% |
| DM Fiber | 6.36% | 7.01% | -9% |
| DM Carb | 23.18% | 22.55% | +3% |
Recall History
The following list (if present) shows all dog food recalls related to Whole Earth Farms Dog Food Review since 2011. If no recalls are listed, no recall events have been reported.
Since 2011 Whole Earth Farms has never been recalled.
FAQs
Is Whole Earth Farms human-grade dog food?
Yes, Whole Earth Farms states that all of their ingredients and manufacturing facilities meet human food production standards.
Is Whole Earth Farms made in the USA?
While ingredients are sourced globally, all Whole Earth Farms pet foods are produced in the USA.
Does Whole Earth Farms test on animals?
No, Whole Earth Farms does not conduct feeding trials or other animal testing. Their foods meet AAFCO standards through nutritional analysis instead.
Where is Whole Earth Farms dog food sold?
You can find Whole Earth Farms atchain retailers like Petco, PetSmart, Tractor Supply, and Chewy. Local independent pet stores may carry it too.
Is Whole Earth Farms dog food grain-free?
Yes, all of Whole Earth Farms’ dry dog food contains no grains, wheat, corn or soy. Their grain-free formulas include novel proteins like bison, venison, duck and salmon.
