Finding the right dog food for your beloved canine companion can be an overwhelming process. With so many options on the market, how do you know which one is truly the best fit for your pup? This comprehensive buying guide breaks down everything you need to know about Wholehearted Plus Dog Food – from ingredients and nutrition facts, to cost, availability, and vet recommendations. Read on for an in-depth look at this quality brand.

An Overview of Wholehearted Plus Dog Food

Wholehearted Plus is a dog food line made by Tractor Supply Company. It aims to provide premium nutrition crafted with thoughtfully selected, natural ingredients.

The company focuses on creating recipes rich in protein, using real meat, fish or eggs as the first ingredient. They avoid artificial preservatives, flavors or colors. The key promises of Wholehearted Plus Dog Food are:

• High-quality ingredients
• Formulas tailored for each life stage or specialty diet
• Improved digestibility
• Support for immune health and skin/coat
• Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients

Overall, Wholehearted Plus markets itself as a super premium dog food at a better value compared to competitor brands. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s take a closer look.

Ingredients & Nutrition in Wholehearted Plus Dog Food

When choosing any pet food, a quick scan of the ingredients list is an absolute must. You want to ensure the first item is a high-quality protein source and that the recipes avoid cheap fillers or artificial additives.

The Wholehearted Plus formulas certainly check these boxes. Real meat, fish or eggs are always the first ingredient. Options include chicken, salmon, turkey, ocean fish, lamb and eggs.

The recipes also contain nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables like sweet potatoes, apples, blueberries, peas and carrots. These provide natural sources for key vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants for immune support.

Some of the grain-free recipes feature potatoes, lentils or chickpeas as a carbohydrate source instead of grains. There are also specially formulated recipes for puppies, large breed dogs, small dogs and those with food sensitivities.

When it comes to nutrition, Wholehearted Plus provides above-average protein and fat, with moderate carbohydrate levels. This macronutrient profile reflects the natural diet of canines. The food also includes prebiotic fibers to support digestion and joint-supporting compounds like glucosamine.

Overall, the brand offers significantly better ingredient quality and nutrition compared to standard grocery store dog food. It meets high-quality standards for proteins, digestible carbs and limited fillers.

How Much Does Wholehearted Plus Dog Food Cost?

When looking at any premium dog food, cost is always an important factor. In general, Wholehearted Plus provides very competitive pricing for the quality.

A 30-pound bag of dry dog food costs $39.99 to $59.99 depending on the specific recipe. By comparison, most premium brands charge $60 and upward for a 30-pound bag. So Wholehearted Plus provides a more budget-friendly option.

They also sell canned wet food in 13-ounce cans, sold in cases of 12 for $25.99 to $29.99 per case. This also represents better value than name brands.

Of course, costs can add up with medium to large dogs that eat multiple cups per day. Going through 1 or 2 bags of dry food monthly plus cans of wet food gets expensive.

Fortunately, Tractor Supply provides promotions like BOGO deals or free bags with qualifying purchase amounts. Signing up for their Paw Points loyalty program can help save on Wholehearted Plus Dog Food as well.

Quality Control & Brand Reputation

When researching any dog food, it’s important to check for major recalls or quality control issues. On this front, Wholehearted Plus has an excellent reputation.

Unlike many brands that contract out manufacturing, Wholehearted Plus Dog Food is made in Tractor Supply’s own US-based, AIB-certified facilities. This allows for better oversight during production.

Tractor Supply also sources the ingredients from trusted vendors around the world. Each batch is tested for contaminants, nutrition and safety.

So far, there are zero recalls for Wholehearted Plus Dog Food, which is quite impressive for a dog food brand. This gives pet owners peace of mind about feeding it to their furry family members.

Beyond strict quality control, Wholehearted Plus receives positive feedback from most customers. On sites like TrustPilot, it earns 4+ stars for quality, value and seeing benefits in pets like improved energy, coat and digestion. Most dog owners say the food provides great results at a fair price point.

Where to Buy Wholehearted Plus Dog Food

As you may have guessed from the name, Wholehearted Pet Food is available exclusively at Tractor Supply stores across the United States.

You can use the store locator on their website to find your nearest location. Then you can swing by to browse and pick up the formulas you want. This makes it very convenient for repeat purchases as you run out each month.

Some locations also allow online ordering through the website for in-store pickup. You can view pricing and inventory before choosing formulas to purchase. Then swing by at your convenience to pick up the dog food.

Just keep in mind – you won’t find Wholehearted Plus at big box stores, grocery stores or other online retailers. Tractor Supply keeps it exclusive to sell directly to consumers. But with over 1800 store locations nationwide, you’re likely to find one near you.

Choosing the Right Formulas

One of the great benefits of Wholehearted Plus Dog Food is the wide variety of options for each life stage and dietary need:

Puppy Food

• Salmon & Chicken Meal Recipe (with DHA for brain development)
• Chicken & Egg Recipe (with calcium for bone growth)

Adult Dog Food

• Beef & Lentil Recipe
• Chicken & Pea Recipe
• Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe
• Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe
• Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe (for sensitive stomachs)

Senior Dog Food

• Chicken & Barley Recipe (lower calorie, lean protein)
• Turkey and Whole Grain Recipe (joint support)

Small Breed Recipes

• Toy & Small Breed Chicken & Egg
• Toy & Small Breed Turkey & Whole Grain

Large Breed Recipes

• Large Breed Chicken & Rice
• Large Breed Lamb & Rice

Grain-Free Recipes

• Ocean Fish & Sweet Potato
• Turkey & Chickpea
• Beef & Potato

With this extensive variety, you should find recipes suitable for pups with all types of dietary requirements. You can also rotate between a few flavors to add excitement at mealtimes.

Feeding Tips and Transitioning Your Dog

To help your dog get the full benefits of Wholehearted Plus Dog Food, follow these feeding tips:

• Transition slowly when changing foods to avoid digestive upset. Mix in increasing amounts of the new food over 5-7 days.
• Feed puppies the amount suggested on the package twice per day. Adult dogs can eat once or twice daily.
• Use the feeding guidelines on the bag or consult your vet for portion advice based on your dog’s weight. Their caloric needs may change over time.
• Provide plenty of fresh water at all times to support digestion and hydration.
• For variety, mix in some canned wet food or healthy leftovers from your meals like plain chicken or rice.
• Store any unused portion in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
• Monitor your dog’s weight, energy levels and stool quality. Adjust portions if needed.

Following these tips will help optimize nutrition and provide the best results from Wholehearted Plus Dog Food. Be sure to transition slowly and find the right feeding amount for your dog’s needs.

The Bottom Line: Is Wholehearted Plus a Good Choice?

When it comes to quality, variety, affordability and brand reputation, Wholehearted Plus Dog Food ticks all the right boxes.

Some key benefits of choosing this brand include:

• ✅ Real meat or fish are always the first ingredient
• ✅ Made in the USA with strict quality control standards
• ✅ Zero recalls to date
• ✅ Formulas for all life stages and dietary needs
• ✅ Grain-inclusive and grain-free recipes available
• ✅ More affordable than most premium brands
• ✅ Easy to purchase at local Tractor Supply stores

While it’s not the cheapest grocery store kibble, Wholehearted Plus provides very solid quality and nutrition at a reasonable price point. The wide range of formulas makes it easy to choose recipes tailored to your dog.

For these reasons, Wholehearted Plus Dog Food earns my recommendation as a great choice to nourish your canine companion. Try a bag today and see the happy, healthy results in your own pup!