Your Dog Deserves the Very Best Nutrition

As a dog owner, I know how important it is to feed our furry friends a diet that provides complete and balanced nutrition. After all, good food is the foundation of good health! I’m always researching different dog food brands and formulas, looking for the best quality ingredients and nutrition.

That’s how I discovered Wholehearted’s Beef and Brown Rice recipe. This formula has really impressed me, and I wanted to share an in-depth buying guide for other owners who may be interested in this excellent dog food. Keep reading for the full scoop on Wholehearted Beef and Brown Rice!

An Overview of Wholehearted Pet Foods

Wholehearted is a pet food company dedicated to making natural, high-quality diets. They use human-grade ingredients in their recipes, with no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Their manufacturing facilities meet strict quality standards as well.

Wholehearted has grain-inclusive and grain-free options to suit different dogs’ needs. Their recipes feature novel proteins like bison, lamb, trout, and duck to reduce the risk of food sensitivities. They also offer special formulas for puppies, small breeds, and senior dogs.

The Benefits of Choosing Beef and Brown Rice

The Wholehearted Beef and Brown Rice Formula has a lot to offer. Here are some of the benefits of this recipe:

• Single Source Protein: Beef is the only protein source, avoiding ingredients that commonly cause allergies like chicken, dairy, or eggs. The limited ingredients make this a good choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
• Grain-Inclusive: Brown rice provides a nutritious source of carbs and fiber. This makes the formula suitable for dogs who do well on grains. Brown rice is generally well-tolerated, even for some dogs with grain sensitivities.
• Antioxidants from Vegetables: Carrots, peas, and spinach add a boost of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants like beta carotene. These plants promote a healthy immune system and good eyesight.
• Omega Fatty Acids: Flaxseed is a source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to nourish your dog’s skin and coat. It supports overall health too.
• No Artificial Ingredients: You won’t find any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives in Wholehearted dog food. Only natural, recognizable ingredients are used.
• Made in the USA: Wholehearted produces all their pet food in Illinois, USA-based manufacturing facilities to ensure quality control. All ingredients are sourced from trusted suppliers as well.

How Beef and Brown Rice Compares to Other Wholehearted Recipes

Wholehearted has an array of grain-free and grain-inclusive recipes across several protein sources like chicken, salmon, turkey, lamb, bison, duck, and egg. How does their Beef and Brown Rice formula size up?

Compared to Wholehearted’s other grain-inclusive recipes, Beef and Brown Rice stands out for its limited ingredient panel with a single animal protein source. This makes it a good option for dogs with food sensitivities. It’s one of the more affordable grain-inclusive recipes too.

The Beef and Brown Rice recipe is higher in protein than the Turkey and Barley or Chicken and Brown Rice formulas. With 32% minimum protein, it can support muscle growth and an active lifestyle better than the other grain-inclusive recipes.

For dogs that do better on a grain-free diet, Wholehearted has you covered with recipes featuring novel proteins like bison, duck, lamb, trout, and egg. The grain-free diets do cost more than the Beef and Brown Rice formula though.

Is Beef and Brown Rice Suitable for Puppies?

Wholehearted’s Beef and Brown Rice formula is an excellent choice for puppies! Here’s why:

• High in protein for growing muscles and an active lifestyle
• DHA supports healthy brain and eye development
• Omega fatty acids nourish the skin and coat
• Probiotics and antioxidants promote immune and digestive health
• Brown rice is easy to digest
• Single protein source avoids allergy triggers
• Kibble size perfect for small mouths

The main downside is that this formula does contain grains, which some puppies may be sensitive to. Grain-free could be a better option in those cases. But for most puppies, the Beef and Brown Rice formula has everything they need!

Just be sure to follow the feeding guidelines on the bag for your puppy’s age and expected adult weight. Puppies have higher calorie needs to support their rapid growth and development.

Where to Buy Wholehearted Beef and Brown Rice

Wholehearted dog food is sold at independent pet retailers across the United States. Use the store locator on their website to find a seller near you.

You can also shop online for home delivery:

• Direct from WholeheartedPet.com
• Chewy
• PetFlow

I recommend setting up Subscribe & Save delivery subscriptions to save up to 15% on Wholehearted dog food. This way your dog never runs out of their favorite recipe!

When looking for deals, keep an eye out for occasional sales, promotions, and coupons for Wholehearted products. For example, Chewy and PetFlow often have discounts on first-time orders or Autoship subscriptions.

Breaking Down the Ingredients in Beef and Brown Rice

I always tell pet owners to take a close look at the ingredients list when researching dog foods. So let’s dive into what makes up Wholehearted’s Beef and Brown Rice formula!

• Beef: Real, deboned beef is the first ingredient and sole animal protein source. Beef is a highly digestible muscle meat protein.
• Brown Rice: Gently cooked whole grain brown rice supplies complex carbs, fiber, and B vitamins. It’s a good grain even for some sensitive dogs.
• Barley: Another nutritious whole grain that provides carbohydrates, fiber, and manganese. Helps give this food a lower glycemic impact.
• Chicken Fat: An excellent source of energy and omega-6 fatty acids for skin/coat health. More appetizing than other added fats.
• Dried Peas: A gluten-free, vegetable-based protein boasting vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Also contains fiber to promote good digestion.
• Flaxseed: Provides omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) for skin/coat health. Also supports heart, brain, and eye function.
• Carrots: A source of vitamin A for healthy vision, vitamin K for blood clotting, and antioxidants like beta carotene. Natural flavor dogs love.
• Spinach: Dense in vitamins and minerals like vitamin K, folate, niacin, zinc, and iron. Provides antioxidants like lutein for eye health.

As you can see, all the ingredients serve a nutritional purpose! There are no unnecessary additives or fillers.

How Much to Feed Your Dog

How much Beef and Brown Rice you should feed your dog depends on your dog’s:

• Age
• Weight
• Activity level
• Individual metabolism

Always follow the feeding guidelines on the package based on your dog’s weight and life stage. This will give you a starting point.

Monitor your dog’s condition and adjust as needed. If they become overweight, feed less. Very active dogs may need more than the guidelines. Pregnant or nursing dogs also have increased calorie needs.

When changing foods, transition slowly over 5-7 days, gradually increasing the new food and decreasing the old. This helps avoid GI upset.

For puppies, feed 3-4 times per day. Adults can be fed just once or twice a day. Breaking up meals helps prevent bloat in large breed dogs.

Is Wholehearted’s Beef and Brown Rice Formula Grain-Free?

No, Wholehearted’s Beef and Brown Rice recipe is not grain-free. It contains brown rice and barley.

Wholehearted does offer grain-free recipes featuring novel proteins like bison, trout, duck, and lamb. But their Beef and Brown Rice formula does contain nutritious whole grains.

This makes it a good choice for dogs who tolerate grains well. The limited ingredients minimize the likelihood of an adverse reaction. I recommend feeding a true grain-free diet only if your dog has a confirmed grain allergy or sensitivity.

Transitioning Your Dog to Beef and Brown Rice

When transitioning your dog to a new food like Wholehearted’s Beef and Brown Rice, go slow! Sudden changes in diet can disrupt your dog’s GI tract.

Follow these tips for a smooth transition:

• Gradually transition over 5-7 days.
• Start by replacing 25% of the old food with new food.
• Increase to 50%, then 75% new food each day.
• By day 7 feed 100% new food.
• Watch for signs of digestive upset like diarrhea, gas, or vomiting.
• Slow down the transition if needed to ease symptoms.
• Make sure your dog eats all food served at each meal before adding more.

Transition even more slowly for puppies or dogs with sensitive stomachs. Adding a spoonful of plain pumpkin puree can help manage digestion.

Reward your dog for eating the new food to help them embrace the change! Changing foods can be an adjustment, but be patient and supportive.

Beef and Brown Rice Dog Food Recalls

I always research any pet food recalls thoroughly before recommending a brand. I’m pleased to share that there are no recalls issued for Wholehearted’s Beef and Brown Rice formula to date!

Wholehearted has outstanding quality control and takes food safety very seriously at their US-based facilities. Their ingredients come from trusted suppliers as well.

I’ll be sure to update if any recall is ever issued, but you can feed this formula with peace of mind. Wholehearted has an excellent track record when it comes to manufacturing safe pet food.

Reviews of Wholehearted’s Beef and Brown Rice Formula

Most dog owners who try Wholehearted Beef and Brown Rice are very pleased with the results! Here are some common themes from reviews:

• Dogs gobble up the tasty kibble
• Small, easy to chew pieces perfect for smaller mouths
• Improves digestion for sensitive dogs
• Helps resolve skin/coat issues
• Affordable price for the quality
• Owners feel good about the ingredients
• Made in the USA for quality control
• Delivered fresh and on time
• Great customer service from the brand

The few critical reviews seem to be from owners disappointed it contains grains or who had an individual dog that disliked the flavor. Every dog has unique tastes and tolerances! But the vast majority give this formula 5 stars.

How Beef and Brown Rice Supports Your Dog’s Health

Wholehearted’s Beef and Brown Rice recipe delivers complete and balanced nutrition to support canine health. Here are some of the ways this diet benefits your dog:

• Lean Muscle: Beef and brown rice supply high-quality protein for maintaining and building lean muscle mass. Important for active dogs.
• Healthy Skin and Coat: Omega fatty acids from flaxseed nourish the skin and coat. Dogs look and feel their best.
• Strong Bones: Calcium and phosphorus ratios support bone development and density, especially in large breeds.
• Joint Health: Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates help cushion joints and prevent cartilage breakdown. Great for senior dogs.
• Digestive regularity: Fibrous brown rice and barley promote healthy digestion and bowel movements. Probiotics aid gut flora too.
• Immune support: Antioxidants from veggies, fatty acids, and vitamins strengthen immune response and prevent disease.
• Brain development: DHA fatty acids from salmon oil support healthy brain, eye, and nerve function. Important for puppies.
• Heart health: Taurine, an amino acid in beef, maintains proper heart rhythm. Omega-3s reduce inflammation.

What is the Price Range for Wholehearted Beef and Brown Rice?

Wholehearted Beef and Brown Rice provides premium quality at a reasonable price point. Here are some average costs:

• 5 lb bag: $15 to $25
• 15 lb bag: $35 to $50
• 25 lb bag: $50 to $65

This is very affordable compared to many comparable quality grain-inclusive or limited ingredient formulas. It costs a fraction of what you’d pay for veterinary brand diets.

Pricing does vary between retailers, and sales or Autoship discounts can reduce costs further. But in general, Wholehearted Beef and Brown Rice offers outstanding value at mid-range pricing.

Can Wholehearted Beef and Brown Rice Help Dogs with Allergies?

While not specifically designed for allergies like some veterinary diets, Wholehearted’s Beef and Brown Rice formula can benefit dogs with food allergies in some cases.

Here’s why it can help:

• Limited ingredient panel avoids common allergens
• Single novel protein source in beef
• Nutritious whole grains if intolerant to grain-free diets
• No artificial additives

That said, this formula does contain grains and ingredients like chicken fat that could trigger some dogs. It’s not guaranteed 100% hypoallergenic.

For dogs with diagnosed food allergies, always consult your veterinarian about an appropriate diet. But for milder intolerances, Beef and Brown Rice could be helpful.

How is Wholehearted Beef and Brown Rice Packaged?

Wholehearted Beef and Brown Rice comes in 3 different package sizes:

• 5 pound bag: Best for small dogs or trialing a new food
• 15 pound bag: Good size for one large or multiple smaller dogs
• 25 pound bag: Most economical for homes with multiple large dogs

The food is packaged in a thick plastic bag with a zipper seal to keep it fresh. The bag has handy markings to easily measure out portions.

Once opened, it’s ideal to transfer food into an airtight container. This prevents moisture absorption or spills that waste food.

I recommend storing unopened bags in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. After opening, store in the refrigerator or freezer to preserve nutrients. Use within 6 weeks.

Is Wholehearted’s Beef and Brown Rice Formula High in Protein?

Yes, Wholehearted Beef and Brown Rice is a high protein formula, with a guaranteed analysis of:

• Crude Protein: minimum 32%
• Crude Fat: minimum 14%
• Crude Fiber: maximum 4%

Many dog foods have protein levels around 25%, so 32% protein is considerably higher. This helps make it ideal for active dogs with higher protein demands.

The protein mainly comes from the beef and brown rice. There’s also additional amino acids from the peas, spinach, and carrots.

This makes Wholehearted Beef and Brown Rice a good choice for sporting and working dogs like herding breeds or retrievers that need robust protein. Growing puppies need ample protein too.

Calorie Content of Wholehearted Beef and Brown Rice

The calorie content of Wholehearted Beef and Brown Rice is:

• 3,700 kcal ME per kg
• 370 kcal ME per 8 oz cup

So for a 30 lb dog eating 2 cups per day, they would consume approximately 740 calories. Use this along with feeding guidelines to meet your dog’s unique calorie needs based on their size and activity level.

Higher calorie density can help maintain ideal weight for active dogs with high metabolism. It also provides concentrated energy for working dogs. But adjust as needed for less active or overweight dogs.

How to Properly Store Wholehearted Beef and Brown Rice

To maintain freshness and nutritional potency, store Wholehearted Beef and Brown Rice:

• In original packaging until opened
• In a cool, dry place not exposed to direct sunlight
• Avoid humid areas like near a dishwasher or sink
• Seal bag tightly between feedings

Once opened, transfer to an airtight container. Glass, ceramic or stainless steel works best.

Keep container in a cool, dark cabinet. Or for extended freshness, refrigerate or freeze portions.

Use dry kibble within 6 weeks of opening. Discard if it smells off or shows signs of moisture or mold.

With proper storage, Wholehearted Beef and Brown Rice stays fresh and tasty. Follow first in, first out rotation when feeding from a container.

Available Coupons and Promotions for Wholehearted

While Wholehearted Beef and Brown Rice is already affordable, you can save more with these tips:

• Check Wholehearted’s website for any discounts or coupons
• Sign up for Chewy or PetFlow’s Autoship program for 5-10% off recurring deliveries
• Watch for seasonal sales around holidays like Black Friday/Cyber Monday
• Consider buying in bulk once you’re sure your dog likes the formula
• Look for coupons on retail sites for first purchase discounts
• Frequent Chewy’s website for flash deals and coupon codes
• Buy larger bags which offer the best value per pound
• Share coupons with friends and buy together for bulk savings

With a high-quality food like Wholehearted, every dollar saved is a bonus! Take advantage of promotions when possible to cut costs further.

Nutritional Analysis of Wholehearted Beef and Brown Rice

Let’s look at the full nutritional analysis of Wholehearted Beef and Brown Rice:

• Crude Protein: 32% minimum
• Crude Fat: 14% minimum
• Crude Fiber: 4% maximum
• Moisture: 10% maximum
• Calcium: 1.1% minimum
• Phosphorus: 0.9% minimum
• Zinc: 225 mg/kg minimum
• Omega-6 Fatty Acids: 2.5% minimum*
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: 0.5% minimum*
• Glucosamine: 300 mg/kg minimum
• Chondroitin Sulfate: 100 mg/kg minimum
• Taurine: 0.15% minimum
• Vitamin A: 22,500 IU/kg minimum
• Vitamin E: 300 IU/kg minimum
• Ascorbic Acid: 50 mg/kg minimum
• L-Carnitine: 30 mg/kg minimum

*Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles

This complete and balanced formula meets AAFCO nutritional standards for all life stages. The analysis ensures optimal nutrition.

Is Wholehearted’s Beef and Brown Rice Good for Senior Dogs?

The Wholehearted Beef and Brown Rice formula can be an excellent choice for senior dogs! Here are some benefits for older pets:

• Easy to digest brown rice and limited ingredients
• Lower calories prevent weight gain
• Glucosamine/chondroitin for joint health
• Omega fatty acids reduce inflammation
• Antioxidants boost immune defense
• Taurine for heart health
• Smaller kibble for weaker teeth
• High palatability stimulates appetite

Plus this formula is very affordable compared to many prescription senior dog foods. Just watch your dog’s condition and adjust feeding as needed.

For seniors with kidney disease or certain health conditions, always follow your veterinarian’s diet recommendations. But for most, Wholehearted’s Beef and Brown Rice is a healthy choice!

The Bottom Line

In my experience researching dog foods, Wholehearted Beef and Brown Rice stands out as a top quality formula at a reasonable price.

It’s packed with premium nutrition to support your dog’s health without unnecessary additives or outrageous costs. And dogs seem to relish the tasty recipe!

If your pup does well on grain-inclusive diets, this limited ingredient formula should provide excellent digestibility. It’s a nutritionally complete, all life stages diet suitable for most dogs.

I hope this detailed buying guide gives you all the information you need to make an informed decision for your dog. Let me know if you have any other questions! I’m happy to chat more about dog nutrition anytime.