Halo Dog Food (Dry)

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Rating: ★★★★☆

Halo dry dog food receives the Advisor’s second-highest rating of four stars.

The Halo Dog Food Spot’s Stew product line includes four kibbles. two meeting AAFCO nutrient profiles for growth and two more for adult maintenance.

  • Halo Spot’s Stew Adult Wild Salmon Recipe
  • Halo Spot’s Stew Puppy Wild Salmon Recipe
  • Halo Spot’s Stew Adult Wholesome Chicken Recipe
  • Halo Spot’s Stew Puppy Wholesome Chicken Recipe

Halo Spot’s Stew Puppy Wholesome Chicken Recipe was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.

Halo Spot's Stew Puppy Wholesome Chicken

Dry Dog Food

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Protein = 33% | Fat = 22% | Carbs = 37%

Ingredients: Chicken, whole dried eggs, pea protein, oats, vegetable broth, pearled barley, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), pea flour, chicken liver, salmon, flaxseed, salmon oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), pea fiber, sweet potatoes, apples, blueberries, green beans, carrots, cranberries, zucchini, alfalfa, inulin, calcium sulfate, potassium chloride, taurine, salt, folic acid, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, cobalt proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, choline bitartrate, niacin, pantothenic acid, ascorbic acid, riboflavin supplement, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, Enterococcous faecium, Lactobacillus plantarum, calcium iodate, biotin, sodium selenite

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 7.2%

Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients

The first ingredient in this food is chicken. Although it is a quality item, raw chicken contains about 80% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost… reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.

After processing, this item would probably occupy a lower position on the list.

The second item includes whole dried eggs… a dehydrated form of shell-free eggs. Quality can vary significantly. Lower grade egg product can even come from commercial hatcheries… from eggs that have failed to hatch.

In any case, eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.

The third ingredient is pea protein… what remains after removing the starchy part of peas.

Compared to meat, pea protein is an inferior source of dog-specific amino acids. Yet it is still capable of raising the reported protein content of this food.

The fourth item lists oats. Oats are rich in B-vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.

The fifth ingredient lists vegetable broth. Although they can add flavor to a food, broths are (for the most part) nutritionally empty.

The sixth ingredient lists barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying more fiber and other healthy nutrients. Unlike grains with a higher glycemic index (like rice), barley can help maintain stable blood sugar levels in dogs.

The seventh ingredient is chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken… a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.

Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid… an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Though it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is a quality ingredient.

The eighth ingredient is pea flour… a powder made from roasted yellow peas. Pea flour makes a healthy substitute for wheat and supports more stable blood sugar levels.

The ninth ingredient includes chicken liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal. So long as it’s not over-weighted in a dog food, chicken liver is a beneficial component.

The tenth item mentions salmon. Like the first ingredient (chicken), raw salmon is inclusive of water and subject to the same drying effects of cooking.

Because of its lighter after-cooking mass, this item would also be positioned lower on the list.

The next ingredient is flaxseed… one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this product.

With three notable exceptions

First, the salmon oil listed here is naturally rich in omega 3 fatty acids… essential oils needed by every dog to sustain life. And a welcome addition.

Next, the manufacturer appears to have applied friendly bacteria to the surface of the kibble after cooking. These special probiotics are used to enhance a dog’s digestive and immune functions.

And lastly, this dog food also contains chelated mineralsminerals that have been chemically attached to proteins. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are generally found in better dog foods.

Halo Dry Dog Food
The Bottom Line

Judging by its ingredients alone, this Halo line appears to be an above-average dry dog food.

But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product’s meat content before determining a final rating.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 33%, a fat level of 22% and estimated carbohydrates of about 37%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 32% and a mean fat level of 20%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 40% for the overall product line.

Above-average protein. Above-average fat. And below-average carbohydrates… when compared to a typical dry dog food.

Halo surely specs out like an above-average product. Yet when you consider the notable protein-boosting effect of the pea protein, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a moderate amount of meat.

Bottom line?

Halo dry dog food is a plant-based kibble containing a moderate amount of chicken and egg as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand four stars.

Highly recommended.

Those looking for a quality wet food from the same company may wish to visit our review of Halo canned dog food.

A Final Word

This review is designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food. However, our rating system is not intended to suggest feeding a particular product will result in a specific health benefit for your pet.

For a better understanding of how we analyzed this product, please be sure to read our article, “The Problem with Dog Food Reviews

Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt consult a veterinarian for help.

Have an opinion about this dog food… or maybe the review itself? Please know… we welcome your comments.

Notes and Updates

02/22/2010 Original review
09/26/2010 Review updated

Dog Food Advisor IconThe Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.


  • Victoria

    Has anyone ever asked the company what % of protein comes from chicken vs pea protein? I know they boast that they dont use rendered meals, but I would much rather use a food with named meal meals vs plant proteins. 

  • Victoria

    Has anyone ever asked the company what % of protein comes from chicken vs pea protein? I know they boast that they dont use rendered meals, but I would much rather use a food with named meal meals vs plant proteins. 

  • Finnessence

    My pup did not like the tiny kibble size, thus refused to eat it. Even when I mixed it with canned he loves and does well with he often spit out the Halo kibble and would even have runny stools even after only small quantities of the Halo. Not for us. We have found one he loves, doesn’t have to be disguised to eat it and good stool quality. Try Merrimack 5 star entrees and their Whole Earth Farms line. Having best results with them.

  • First_priority

    My dog has liver disease. It has been very hard feeding him food that he will keep down and to find food that has low animal protein . I tried the special expensive vet prescription dog food which only made him throw up. He went from 25 lbs to 10 lbs. This is the only food that he keeps down and loves to eat. We are all very happy about this find although it is more expensive then the prescription dog food!

  • Pingback: HALO dog food - Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums

  • Cheryl

    Hey Mike
    Did you know Halo has 2 new dry food dogs Lamb and Rice and Small breed Chicken is it on their website to check

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Linda… There’s been a lot of debate here on the DFA website regarding the validity of that claim. The whole citric acid debate appears to be related to an article about canine bloat which was published a few years ago and originated from Purdue University. There is a great deal of controversy about how much truth can be found in that “study”.

    One of the more interesting explanations calling attention to the the questionable value of that report was written by Linda Arndt (also known as The Great Dane Lady). She does a very good job of presenting the other side of this story. Click on the link here to read her article, “My Comments on the Purdue Bloat Study“.

    You may wish to read it and decide for yourself. Hope this helps.

  • Linda

    I read a review on the Halo dry dog food (from another site). It mentioned that citric acid used as a preservative. Therefore, water should not be added to food because of the citric acid and that combo could cause bloat. Mike, ever hear of this? Linda

  • Jan (Mom to Cavs)

    Lynn…did you ever get a response from Halo or did you switch foods? I have been using Halo dry and sometimes can for my cat and dogs (dogs eat premade raw and get kibble for treats) for a few months now. I’ve never found anything inappropriate in any of the bags or cans. I’m not doubting you, but I would hope their customer service would answer you in a timely manner. Once I emailed them with a question re calcium/phosphorus percentages and they got back to me in a timely fashion.

  • melissa

    Lynn-

    I don’t know if its supposed to be there or not, but if there are burnt dry black pieces and pieces that appear to be nutshells, why not just bring it back and get a refund? If I have to ask myself “is this okay to eat?” The answer will always be no based on caution. And, if that customer service has not responded in a time appropriate frame, I would stop using their products-but that is just me-I expect a response and a timely one at that !

  • Lynn

    I just bought my dog some Halo Spot’s Stew Wholesome Chicken for Adult dogs. I noticed some dried black pieces and some tiny pecan shell-type pieces in addition to the kibble pieces. Is this supposed to be in there with the kibble? I have emailed Halo and called the customer service number, but no live person ever answered. I was always prompted to leave a message and no one has returned calls or emails. Very disappointed in the lack of response to such an easy question.

  • Janie B.

    I decided to go with Organix. My dog liked Halo and did not have any problem with it, but the kibble is so tiny (my dog is 63 pounds) and I didn’t like the way the receptionist was so “cool” on the phone when I asked about the peas coming from China. My dog loves Organix and is doing fine on it. She’d had some urinary tract issues w/ her old food, but her last urine analysis was great — perfect pH w/ this food. Yes, it’s expensive, but I print the $5 online coupon (at foodforpets.com), plus use a Petco coupon (when available) and save $10. Plus, she does eat less of Organix than the old Purina Pro Plan (yuck) that she was on. (I am so glad to have found this website and find out what I had been feeding my dog.)

  • Dee

    I was feeding my 2 dogs Organix, the price went way up and no sales on Organix canned dog food. I tried other brans and the dogs did not like them. I am going to try Halo. I always read the ingredients label, buy dog food without by-products and preservatives.

  • Dee

    To Janie B.
    Ellen DeGeneres owns the Halo pet food company.
    Why don’t you try to email Ellen or her TV show and ask about the pea protein, if Canada buys the pea protein from China.

  • Janie B.

    In regards to Halo dog food, I’m concerned about Canada getting the pea protein from China. When I called Halo, the lady wouldn’t answer my question about where Canada gets the peas. There was a long silence so I repeated my question. After a long pause, she said, “We don’t buy anything from China.” I know Halo doesn’t buy from China, but I certainly got the impression that Canada DOES and I’m very disappointed that Halo can’t use/buy AMERICAN peas. Should I be worried about this food source coming from China?

  • Lazaro

    Hi, I’m knew to this site. I have a 23 pound Pomeranian Poodle mix neutered male dog. I took a look at the crude protein content of the Stew Chicken recipe for Halo and it has 28% Protein in it. Is to much protein a bad thing for dogs? I’ve always wondered about the dog foods that have very high levels of protein in them. Can high levels of protein be harmful to dogs? Please help me understand the protein level thing.
    Thanks.

  • Gordon

    No way Debbie. Any fat and oil contained in the kibble would have become rancid, from oxidisation regardless of its bag being unopened, thanks to oxygen and time slowly making the kibble become stale. The kibble in the bag might have even become too stale and can even cause adverse effects, especially on pups.

  • Mike P

    No

  • Debbie

    I have used Halo now for 3 years or so. It did wonders for my rescue dog and my dogs that cannot tolerate chicken one could not tolerate lamb, so i put them on Halo Salmon, and all dogs can eat it, no problems. My big dog used to throw up a lot and now she doesn’t. I have some puppy food unopened and it is almost 2 years old, is dry dog food still good that long if un opened?

  • Jen

    I have had great success using Halo with my extraordinarily finicky Rough Collie pup. We had her on California Natural Lamb & Rice and she started rejecting it out of the blue… so we switched to the CN chicken which she only ate for a few weeks until once again she turned up her nose… then we tried Eukanuba Lamb & Rice (her breeder had strongly recommended keeping her on lamb and she is a sensitive girl so all these switches took weeks of slow transition) and she ate one bag of the Eukanuba before getting bored of that. Somewhere in here I decided to try Halo and oh my, I’m glad I did. We mixed it into whatever food she was on at the time and it seemed to get her (and our cat, incidentally) very excited about eating. So now, we use the Halo as a mix in. It is SUPER smelly which is I think why she loves it. I hesitate to switch her over to it exclusively since I don’t want it to lose it’s specialness (and since we’re desperate to use up the 20 leftover lbs of CN chicken) but I am a HUGE fan of Halo for all the help it’s been.

  • Anna

    I always do the Protein, fat, etc %’s. That’s for treats too. I go 0.5 – 1 point higher each time and try to keep the numbers alike. One dog I have right now, I’m pet-sitting for. She was on Advanced Fitness Science Diet and shedding too much. Also on T Bone Steak treats and other treats. Changing over to Beef and Barley Solid Gold along with Better than Ears treats and Purina Beggin Strips, we’re doing better. I’ve also given her some green colored Dingo treats and, actually, some good ones too that I didn’t buy but that ‘came here with her.’ Still growing up like a puppy even though she’s 7, she got raised in 1 lazy 2-smoking people home and 1 mobile home temporarily with her 2nd owner and 1 new ‘home’ with that owner and his former girlfriend. Unfortunately, all 3 people the dog new, died. One being in India. The dogs favorite thing right now is short walks and jumping in ‘tubs’ of water, in or out. The rest of the day she rolls around on rugs, smells for pheromones so she can sleep and jumps on ‘family.’ A so-called Irish Jack Russell, she’s doing better now and it will be time to give up in a few days probably anyways

  • Anna

    Yeah really. It wasn’t this Anna. So you have 2 Anna’s

  • Mike P

    Anna , What foods killed your dogs ??

  • Anna

    I almost lost two dogs due all the recalled dog foods that happened. Spent 2000.00 dollars to keep them alive, one was a new mother of 5 days when she started bleeding. The mommy and Daddy spend two weeks in the hospital. I also started cooking food for them, until I seen “Ellen” eat some on her show. It has been three years now and all 7 of my dogs eat the dry food, “not one of them has remotely had a sick tummy or anything”. I will never feed them anything from China. I love this food and by far is the best I think on the market. THANK YOU ELLEN and HALLO!!!! Scooby, Chester, Tommy, Roco, Bentley, Pippin, and Trixie thank you!

  • Carol Dufrat

    We lost a pomeranian 2 years ago from commercial dog food so I agree with Spencer.
    We make all our own food and our vet said that our remaining dog has never been healthier.

  • http://Cohentcsn@cox.net Spencer

    Too true, but after the massive re-call to beat all recalls, I will remain forever leery of Chinese products, especially for my dogs.

  • Bob K

    Spencer – Just because an ingredient is sourced from another country does not make it bad. The question should be – what is the dog food mfg. doing to manage their supply chain, screen and provide quality checks of all thier suppliers? The US food supply has issues too with Salmonella, Mad Cow, Boving Growth Hormone etc… Bad packaging, improper cooking, storage, blending, incoming and ourgoing inspections etc……. Look at all the recalls of dog foods and treats that are listed on this website.

  • http://Cohentcsn@cox.net Spencer

    traced the pea protein and pea products “from Canada” directly to mainland China, called the Halo company and tried to get an answer to where the Canadian supplier sources this ingredient but received no viable response, previously had used this food, but began noticing that an awful lot of dry foods were using this particular protein and got a little suspicious.

  • Debbie

    Best Best food ever for 6 years my boxer has tried every food and been on every medication for hair loss scratching . We spent thousand of dollars and Halo chicken dry dog food has changed our lives . What can I say I have tried them all. Thank You Halo

  • Tina S.

    After reading all the wonderful reviews, this food sounds like a perfect switch for my dog with food allergies. However, what I feed one, I must feed the other and they both like a medium size kibble. I really wish ALL food mfrs would include an actual size picture of the food so I don’t waste money and time buying food my dogs have a hard time eating. Can anyone tell me how large the kibble is? If it’s pea size then it it way too small. I am looking for dime size kibble. Thanks!

  • Daniel

    I use this product with my 2 dogs. One is a 2 year old dachshund mix and the other is an 8 year old cocker spaniel rescue.

    The 2 year old has had Halo all of her life and is extremely healthy, with a good coat, and bright personality. When we got the 8 year old, she was on a Purina dog food. Her poop was awful and she was lethargic. After a month on Halo she has a shinier coat, MUCH better poops, and over-all seems to love the food (she finishes it in minutes compared to the Purina, which a lot of the time she would leave in her bowl for over an hour).

    I highly recommend this product for owners looking for a healthy, holistic dog food that provides great nutrition.

  • Jim

    Hi, Mike. There’s so much fiber in this food that I’m going to mix it in with the Nature’s Instinct and Pinnacle Peak Protein to see if I can take care of the loose stool problem. Mixing it in 1/3 will double the amount of fiber. Fingers crossed…

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Meghan… Unfortunately, I have no information on where Halo manufactures its products. Wish I could be more help.

  • Meghan

    Hi Mike,

    Do you by chance know if Halo produces their own (dry) food, or if they have a co-packer doing it for them?

    Thank you!
    Meghan

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Mike… Unfortunately, I cannot provide customized product comparisons. Please see our reviews and our FAQ page for help. And be sure to check back later to see if you get a reply from another reader.

  • Mike

    This food sounds awesome! I have my dog on Blue…Seems to like it…But this one sounds better…Do you agree? And also, what high quality food would you suggest for a picky eater? Halo or BB?