The Best Wholehearted Dog Food: Reviewed and Ranked

Trying to find the best dog food for your pet can feel like a chore. With so many options available, how do you know which one is right for your pooch? Wholehearted is a brand found in Petco stores and we think they have some great options when it comes to healthy dog food. 

Petco launched this private-label dog food in 2016 to provide pups with nutritious meals without breaking the bank. Their dry and canned foods are made with only the best ingredients and the line includes grain-free options. Plus, many of their recipes are suitable for dogs of any breed in any life stage, so you can feed your dog the same food throughout its life.

If you need help deciding which dog food is best for your furry friend, keep on reading! We’ve included our top four options and an in-depth buyer’s guide to help you choose the tastiest and healthiest option for man’s best friend. 

A-Z-Animals Top Picks for WholeHearted Dog Food

#1. Best Overall: WholeHearted Whole Grains with Pork, Beef & Lamb Dry Dog Food

Choosing the best of the best wasn’t easy, but we have to give the crown to WholeHearted Whole Grains with Pork, Beef & Lamb Dry Dog Food. We selected this recipe because it’s formulated to provide complete nutrition to adult dogs of all breeds.

This poultry-free recipe is safe for dogs that are allergic or sensitive to poultry. The first ingredient is pork, and it also contains beef and lamb. It’s fortified with probiotics to help your dog maintain healthy digestion. And it includes Omega-3 fatty acids to that your best friend’s skin is healthy and its coat has a lustrous shine.

We were unable to find any negative reviews for this product.

WholeHearted Whole Grains with Pork, Beef & Lamb Dry Dog Food

Best All Breeds Adult

WholeHearted Whole Grains with Pork, Beef & Lamb Dry Dog Food

• This dry dog food recipe is formulated to provide complete nutrition to adult dogs of all breeds.
• Pork is the first ingredient, and it also contains beef and lamb.
• This recipe is poultry free.
• It includes probiotics to maintain healthy digestion.
• Omega-3 fatty acids help nourish dogs' skin and coats.

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2. Best Grain-Free: WholeHearted Grain Free All Life Stages Beef & Pea Formula

If you’re looking for a grain-free option that’s appropriate for dogs of all life stages, we recommend WholeHearted Grain Free All Life Stages Beef & Pea Formula.

Some dog breeds, such as pit bulls, may benefit from a grain-free diet. Grains can cause irritation in a dog’s gut and can lead to diarrhea. Even without grains, this food is packed with plenty of beneficial ingredients. Beef is the first ingredient. There are Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to keep your pup’s skin healthy, coat shining, and vision clear. The probiotic strains are designed to improve overall digestive health.

There are also plenty of added minerals and vitamins. This grain-free choice can be fed to dogs of all sizes, no matter their stage of life. There is no wheat, corn, or soy, that could irritate your dog’s tummy. It is important to note that the FDA has a warning that grain-free dog food may be linked to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) so you should check with your vet to make to make sure that a grain-free diet is right for your best friend.

A sole reviewer reported that their dog experienced diarrhea and vomiting after eating this food.

Pros and Cons of WholeHearted Grain Free All Life Stages Beef & Pea Formula

Best Grain-Free

Petco Brand - WholeHearted Grain Free

• Grain-free
• Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids keep your pup’s skin healthy
• Contains probiotic strains designed to improve overall digestive health
• Added minerals and vitamins

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3. Best for Puppies: WholeHearted All Breed Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Puppy Food

WholeHearted All Breed Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Puppy Food includes all the nutrients your growing pup needs. It’s packed with nutrients and well-balanced ingredients, your puppy will easily gobble this down during mealtime. You won’t have to worry about harmful additives or unnecessary ingredients, since the top two tasty ingredients in this food are real chicken and brown rice. It also includes wholesome grain and fiber and no corn or wheat.

The kibble’s size and texture of this WholeHearted food are designed to fit small teeth and jaws and its texture will remove tartar as your puppy chews. Plus it includes DHA to improve cognitive function, probiotics for digestive health, and Omega-3s for healthy skin, vision, joints, and coat. 

No negative reviews were available for this product.

Pros and Cons of WholeHearted All Breed Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Puppy Food

Best for Puppies

Petco Brand - WholeHearted All Life Stages

• Packed with nutrients and well-balanced ingredients
• No harmful additives
• The kibble is specially designed to fit a puppy’s teeth and jaw
• Contains DHA to improve cognitive function

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4. Best Wet: WholeHearted Plus Wet Dog Food for All Life Stages

Our fourth pick, WholeHearted Plus Wet Dog Food for All Life Stages, comes in a 12-can variety pack that includes four cans each of the following enticing flavors:

• Chicken & Vegetables & Brown Rice Recipe Stew
• Beef & Vegetables & Brown Rice Recipe Stew
• Lamb & Vegetables & Brown Rice Recipe Stew

It’s formulated to meet the nutritional needs of all breeds at any age, so you can feed it to your dog no matter what life stage they’re in. It includes brown rice, which is a highly digestible energy source. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids help support healthy skin and a coat. It’s fortified with vitamins and minerals to ensure that your dog gets the balanced nutrition they need.

You can feed this food to your dog as a complete meal or use it as a topper on dry food. Many pet owners hide medication in wet food or feed it to dogs with dental issues, including seniors.

No negative reviews were available.

Pros and Cons of WholeHearted Plus Wet Dog Food for All Life Stages

Best Wet Food

WholeHearted Petco Brand Plus Wet Dog Food for All Life Stages

• This variety pack includes four cans each of three different flavors.
• They include wholesome rice, which is a highly digestible energy source.
• Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids support your dog's health skin and coat.
• Each can includes added vitamins and minerals to ensure balanced nutrition.

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Choosing the Best: What to Look For

If you’re in the market for new dog food, you might be surprised at the criterion that you should be considering. While things like price play a major role, here are some of the other features you’ll want to keep in mind. 

Real Ingredients

What goes into the dog food is by far the most important factor. Ingredients are listed in order, by weight on the nutrition label. It’s common to find the source of protein, such as beef or chicken, at the top of the list. Other key ingredients, such as vegetables, may be listed more towards the middle, since they weigh less. 

Glutens and Grains

Many pet owners choose one dog food instead of another based on the gluten and grain levels. Unlike humans, dogs are adept at metabolizing carbohydrates and can use them as their main energy source. 

If your pup has gastrointestinal issues, you will want to consult with your vet about doing an elimination diet to determine what your pup is sensitive to. While most food allergies in dogs are caused by specific proteins in beef, chicken or other meats, it is also possible for dogs to be allergic to grains, which would make the grain-free option on our list a great choice. It’s rare for a dog to have a gluten intolerance, but if your vet has pronounced that your pooch is allergic to gluten, there are gluten-free options as well. These gluten free options are also a good choice for owners who have celiac disease and want to ensure there is no cross-contamination in the home.

Look for Claims

If you’ve ever seen dog food with a shocking claim on the label, you wouldn’t be the first. Any statement that has to do with what the food can do or what the ingredients are good for should be backed up by evidence. 

Some statements are as simple as “This food is all your dog needs for a complete and balanced diet.” These statements should be backed by certification by the The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Depending on your dog’s nutritional requirements, that quote may or may not be true. It’s also important to keep in mind that your dog’s age, activity level, and overall health play huge roles in what type of food will work best for them. Look for the AAFCO designation on your pet’s food bag to ensure they are getting everything they need.

The Different Types of Wholehearted Dog Food: Pros and Cons Compared

At this point, you’ve likely found a couple of options of WholeHearted dog food that will work for your pup’s diet. To make it even easier, we’ve included a few pros and cons of each type of dog food that WholeHearted dog food has to offer. 

• Standard Dry Food: Their traditional dry food, such as our overall top choice, is a great option for dogs of all ages and contains plenty of nutrients. The main downfall is that it can be too expensive for some pet parents. 
• Grain-Free: WholeHearted’s grain-free choice is a tasty meal for pups with sensitive stomachs or grain allergies. We don’t like that grain-free food, in general, has proven to cause heart issues. 
• Wet Food: Soft, dog food with tasty cuts of gravy and chunks of meat is highly beneficial for dogs with dental issues, such as senior dogs. It’s great for hiding treats, but can cause digestive issues if given to an adult dog daily. 

Up Next

• The Best Dog Bowls: Reviewed for You — If your dog needs a new bowl to hold the tasty new WholeHearted dog food you just chose, we’ve got you covered.
• The Best Slow Feeder Bowls for Dogs — Eating too fast can cause digestive issues, including bloat, which can be fatal. Consider getting your dog a slow feeder bowl to slow them down.
• The Best Automatic Dog Feeders — An automatic dog feeder can ensure that Fido eats on time even if you’re not their to feed them in person.