Finding the Perfect Food for My Pup

As a dog owner, I know how important it is to feed my furry friend a nutritious diet. After all, the food they eat provides the fuel and nutrients needed to keep them active, healthy and happy! That’s why I’m always careful to research different dog food brands and formulas when looking for the right fit for my pet.
Recently, I came across WholeHearted dog food and was intrigued by their commitment to using quality ingredients. I decided to give it a try to see if it might be a good solution for providing complete and balanced nutrition for my dog. After feeding my pup WholeHearted food for some time now, I wanted to share my experience and review of this brand.
Digging Into the Ingredients
Whenever I switch my dog to a new food, the first thing I do is thoroughly inspect the ingredients list and nutritional analysis. I want to make sure that the main components are from high-quality sources and that the food doesn’t contain any fillers, by-products or artificial additives.
I was pleased to see that the primary ingredients in WholeHearted formulas consist of real, whole foods. This includes ingredients like chicken, beef, salmon or turkey as the first component. They also incorporate whole grains like brown rice, barley and oatmeal rather than more refined grains. This provides steadier energy and digestive support.
In addition, I appreciated that WholeHearted does not use any corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. This is important to me in choosing the healthiest options for my dog. I also liked seeing the inclusion of supplemental ingredients like dried chicory root for prebiotics, chelated minerals that are easier to absorb and ingredients rich in omega fatty acids, like flaxseed. All of these seem geared towards optimal nutrient intake.
Comparing the Nutrition to Other Brands
When examining the nutritional adequacy of WholeHearted dog food, I spent time analyzing and comparing their formulas to some other popular brands. I looked at factors like the guaranteed analysis percentages of protein, fat, moisture and fiber as well as total caloric content.
What I found is that WholeHearted provides equal if not higher amounts of protein and fat versus comparable foods. The fiber content was moderate but sufficient for digestive health. I also noticed they utilized optimal calcium to phosphorus ratios and had added nutrients like glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support. Overall, the nutritional makeup lined up with or exceeded the competition, giving me confidence in their formulas.
Examining the Variety of Flavors

One area where WholeHearted really seems to shine is in their broad range of flavor options across their dry and wet food products. I really wanted my dog to enjoy her food and have some variety in flavors to keep things interesting.
In their dry kibble line, I was impressed by unique protein choices like venison, duck or lamb formulations. They also offer multi-protein blends like chicken and salmon. For smaller dogs, formulas feature small bites for easier chewing and digestibility. With their canned wet foods, I loved the inclusion of stews, gravies and recipes my dog went crazy over! There are truly so many excellent flavors to explore.
Appreciating the Grain-Free Selections
For some dogs with sensitivities, a grain-free diet is the best option. I was pleased to discover WholeHearted offers a few grain-free dry and wet varieties as part of their product line.
These grain-free options feature quality carbohydrates like chickpeas, peas or sweet potatoes instead of grains. The main proteins include salmon, whitefish, turkey, duck or boar. It gives pet owners like myself some great single protein or exotic protein choices to try for dogs with grain allergies or intolerances. I would still recommend consulting your veterinarian before switching to a grain-free diet long-term.
Reviewing Prices Across WholeHearted Products
When it comes to buying any pet food, cost is always an important consideration for me. I have to balance finding quality ingredients with staying within my budget.
I found that WholeHearted lands at a mid-range price point compared to other premium dog food brands. Their dry kibble formulas range from around $1.50 to $2.50 per pound. The canned wet foods are typically $2.50 to $3.50 per 13 oz can.
This puts them on par cost-wise with competitors that offer similar types of recipes with high-quality ingredients. I think it’s a reasonable trade-off for what you get nutritionally. You can often find sales for certain formulas or bag sizes too. Overall, WholeHearted offers solid quality for the price in my experience.
Purchasing Options In-Store and Online

One of my favorite aspects of WholeHearted is that it’s carried at Petco stores nationwide. This makes it really convenient for me to pick up since I regularly shop at Petco for all my pet supplies. Most locations seem to carry a large selection of WholeHearted products to browse and purchase right in-store.
For times when I can’t get to the store, Petco also offers the full line of WholeHearted dog food for online ordering and delivery. I’m able to have it conveniently shipped straight to my door with free shipping over a certain dollar amount. This gives me flexibility in how and when I re-order.
It’s great that I can easily get my hands on all their products either in-person or online through Petco. Being able to reliably purchase it makes sticking with the brand much simpler long-term.
What Other Pet Owners Are Saying
To get the full scoop on this dog food, I always like seeing feedback from other pet owners who have experience with the brand. I headed online to read up on customer reviews of WholeHearted to see what pros and cons people pointed out.
Overall, the majority of reviews seem to be overwhelmingly positive. Many owners remark on how much their dogs seem to enjoy the taste of the different formulas. They also note improvements in energy, digestion, skin and coat condition after transitioning to WholeHearted. Several mentioned their veterinarians were pleased with the ingredients too.
Some negative comments indicate the food caused gassiness or allergic reactions in rare cases. However, most remarks indicate high satisfaction and noticeable health benefits from feeding this brand long-term. Seeing so many happy pet owners gave me confidence I was making a good choice.
Reviewing Formulas for Different Dog Sizes and Ages
An important factor for me in selecting any dog food is that it offers recipes adapted for my dog’s specific needs. I have a medium breed adult dog, but I know larger and smaller dogs have varying nutritional requirements. Puppies need their own formulations too.
I was happy to see WholeHearted provides options tailored to dogs of different sizes and life stages. For example, they have small bite kibble for smaller dogs or puppies who need an easy-to-chew shape and size. For larger, active breeds, they offer formulas with higher minimum protein levels.
They also have puppy-approved recipes with DHA for brain development, as well as senior dog foods with glucosamine and L-carnitine for aging joints and energy needs. No matter your dog’s unique nutritional requirements, WholeHearted likely has a formula to match.
Analyzing the Specialized Ingredients

One area that I feel really sets WholeHearted apart is their inclusion of specialized ingredients meant to provide optimal nutrition. These are ingredients that offer benefits beyond just being a protein or carbohydrate source.
For example, many of their recipes list added probiotics like dried chicory root or yogurt. Probiotics are beneficial gut bacteria that support healthy digestion and immunity. They also often include prebiotics from chicory root or pumpkin to feed those probiotic bacteria. This is great for digestive and stool quality.
I also love that they incorporate ingredients rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids like flaxseed. These healthy fats contribute to skin health and shiny coats. Finally, the addition of joint support compounds like glucosamine and chondroitin is excellent for mobility and joint pain, especially in older dogs. These functional nutrients provide bonus health perks.
Reviewing Their Puppy Formulas
As I continue learning about WholeHearted’s product offerings, I made sure to take a close look at their puppy-approved recipes. These formulas are tailored to the unique nutritional demands of growing puppies.
The WholeHearted puppy blends feature smaller kibble sizes that are easy for tiny puppy mouths to comfortably chew and digest. They also boast higher levels of protein, around 28% to 34%, to properly support muscular growth and development. Levels of calcium and phosphorus are optimal for controlled bone growth as well.
I also love that they include DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid that contributes to healthy brain and eye development in puppies. Probiotics are added for digestive health too. With elevated nutrient levels ideal for puppyhood, these formulas get pups off to a great nutritional start! Based on the ingredients and analysis, I would absolutely feel comfortable feeding these to a young puppy.
Getting a Vet’s Perspective
While I feel confident in my own analysis of WholeHearted ingredients and nutrition, I always like getting a veterinarian’s perspective on any pet food I consider. As medical experts in animal health, vets can provide great insight into which formulas may be best.
I consulted with my own trusted veterinarian to get her opinion and found that she recommends and approves of WholeHearted dog food. She agrees that their ingredient selection follows current expert guidelines on canine nutrition. My vet cited WholeHearted’s variety of high-quality animal protein sources and digestible grain options as benefits.
She also pointed out their inclusion of functional nutrients like probiotics, omega fatty acids and antioxidants as big pluses. Hearing her positive feedback gave me more assurance that I’m choosing a vet-backed brand with my dog’s best interest in mind.
Understanding Feeding Guidelines

To feed my dog the right daily amount of WholeHearted food for her needs, I always follow the feeding guidelines on the package or bag. These provide recommendations for how much to feed based on your dog’s weight and activity level.
In my case, with a 60 lb adult dog with a moderately active lifestyle, the guidelines suggest feeding 3 1/4 to 4 cups per day. However, remember that these are just general suggestions and your own dog’s needs may vary. It’s always smart to consult your veterinarian if you are unsure on the ideal food volume for your pet’s individual dietary needs and health profile.
Following the recommended feeding amounts provides a great starting point. But you may need to adjust up or down based on your dog’s weight, changes in activity, age and other factors. Paying close attention to portion sizes will help ensure you are feeding enough but not overfeeding.
Reviewing Recall History
When I look at any new dog food brand, an important safety consideration I examine is whether there have been any past recalls. While problems are rare, I still want to know what kind of recall history a brand has before committing to their products.
From my research, WholeHearted dog food has not had any product recalls to date since its launch a few years ago. This indicates strong safety and quality control standards. Recalls represent a potential red flag, so I felt relief that WholeHearted has a clean track record so far. As long as they maintain diligent sourcing and manufacturing protocols, I can feed their food with confidence.
Examining Their Satisfaction Guarantee
Part of what attracted me to WholeHearted is that Petco offers a 100% satisfaction money-back guarantee on all their products and services. This protects me as a pet owner if my dog ends up not liking the food or thriving on it.
According to the satisfaction guarantee, I can return the unused portion of WholeHearted dog food for a full refund or exchange if my pet doesn’t take to it. They want to ensure the food meets my dog’s taste preferences and nutrition needs. Knowing I had this safety net allowed me to try the food without worrying I’d be stuck with food my dog wouldn’t eat.
Determining Shelf Life for Safety

With any dry or canned dog food purchase, I always pay attention to the expiration or best by date stamped on the packaging. This ensures I safely feed my dog food that is still within its freshness period and not past its shelf life. Consuming expired pet food poses health risks, so checking this date is essential.
For WholeHearted dry dog food, most bags recommend use within 12 months of the date of manufacture printed on the bag. Once a bag is opened, the food retains maximum freshness for 30 days. Canned WholeHearted wet food cans should be consumed within 2 weeks of opening.
Following these shelf life guidelines allows me to provide my dog food that retains full potency of nutrients and minimal risk of spoilage. Paying attention to expiration dates is a small but vital part of feeding pets safely.
Reviewing Formulas for Health Conditions
One great benefit of the varied WholeHearted product line is that they offer tailored recipes to support dogs with specific health conditions. Whether your dog needs food that addresses allergies, digestion, joints or other issues, there is likely a formula to meet their needs.
For example, the WholeHearted grain-free options are great for dogs with grain allergies or sensitivities. They also offer specially formulated weight management diets for dogs needing help with weight loss or maintenance. Digestive care recipes feature added probiotics and prebiotics for dogs with gastrointestinal issues. They even have formulas with glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health and mobility.
No matter your dog’s condition or needs, I recommend discussing your options with your veterinarian. But WholeHearted likely has a recipe nutritionally designed to address common health concerns.
Trying Out Trial Sizes
If you’re new to WholeHearted and not ready to commit to a big bag of food, one option is to look for their trial or sample sizes. These smaller trial packages allow you to try a formula for less upfront investment before purchasing a full supply.
For example, some Petco locations offer smaller 2 lb bags of WholeHearted recipes so you can test it with your dog before going all-in on a large bag. They also sell individual trial size cans of their wet food in many popular recipes. This allows picky pups to sample the flavors.
These smaller trial options run about $5-6 dollars, depending on food type. While less cost effective per pound than buying a full bag, it’s a smart way to make sure your dog likes and tolerates a formula before purchasing more. Definitely look for these to test the food out first!
Comparing Caloric Content

When determining how much to feed my dog of any brand or formula, I always pay attention to the caloric content per cup. This gives me important information on how calorically dense the food is to avoid under or overfeeding.
From my comparisons, WholeHearted dog food provides 330-580 calories per 8 oz cup, depending on the recipe. Their grain-free formulas tend to be more calorie-dense, while weight management options are lower in calories. But all their foods fall within general industry ranges for dry kibble calories per volume.
These calorie contents help guide how much measured food equal a day’s worth of calories for my dog based on her unique needs. The numbers align with conventional dog food calories-per-cup norms as well. This assists me in portion planning appropriately.
Evaluating Manufacturing and Sourcing Processes
In my selection of any pet food brand, I always evaluate how rigorous their safety standards and procedures are for manufacturing and sourcing ingredients. This affects the quality and reliability of their products.
From what I can find, WholeHearted partners with trusted suppliers and manufactures in the United States to produce their dog food. Their facilities must adhere to strict quality control guidelines and food safety regulations. All ingredients are rigorously tested for contaminants as well.
Additionally, WholeHearted states their recipes are created by veterinary and nutrition experts to optimize canine health. This gives me confidence in the care behind formulating and producing the food I feed my pet. Their commitment to safety is clear.
Taking Advantage of Coupons and Deals
One great perk of WholeHearted dog food is that Petco offers regular coupons and deals on their products that you can take advantage of. This makes the food more affordable and budget-friendly without sacrificing nutrition.
For example, Petco often includes buy one, get one free offers for WholeHearted food or discounts off your first purchase. They also have frequent sales like $5 off or percentage discounts on WholeHearted varieties.
You can find many of these deals by signing up for Petco’s email list or checking the weekly ads online or in-store. There are always opportunities to save on quality WholeHearted food with a little patience and planning! Saving money is a big win.
My Final Verdict
At the end of the day, every dog and pet owner will have different needs and preferences when it comes to choosing a food. For me and my pup, WholeHearted checks off all the boxes in terms of quality ingredients, great taste and nutritional standards.
Based on my extensive research and review, I believe this brand provides excellent formulas tailored to support various breed needs, sizes and life stages. They offer premium nutrition from trusted ingredients without outrageous costs.
After seeing sustained energy, solid digestive health, good appetite and an amazing coat, I think I’ll stick with WholeHearted as my go-to dog food. If you’re looking for a quality brand that your dog will love and thrive on, I highly recommend giving WholeHearted a try. You might just find the perfect food for your canine companion!