Whole Earth Farms (Dry)

by Mike Sagman
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Rating: ★★★★☆

Whole Earth Farms dog food gets the Advisor’s second-highest tier rating of 4 stars.

The Whole Earth Farms product line lists three dry dog foods, each claimed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages.

The following is a list of recipes available at the time of this review.

  • Whole Earth Farms Puppy Formula
  • Whole Earth Farms Adult Formula
  • Whole Earth Farms Senior Formula

Whole Earth Farms Adult Formula was selected to represent all the products in the line for this review.

Whole Earth Farms Adult Formula

Dry Dog Food

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Protein = 27% | Fat = 14% | Carbs = 52%

Ingredients: Chicken meal, turkey meal, oat meal, pearled barley, ground rice, ground millet, ground barley, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols, a source of vitamin E), duck, buffalo, white fish, natural chicken liver flavor, salmon oil (a natural source of omega-3, docosahexaenoic acid DHA), organic alfalfa sun-cured ground, yeast culture, tomato pomace dried, dried egg, organic sunflower seed ground, salt, calcium phosphate, potassium chloride, choline chloride, lysine, blueberry dried, cranberry dried, Yucca schidigera extract,inulin (from chicory root), rosemary, sage, thyme, cinnamon, marigold dried, zinc amino acid complex, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, iron amino acid complex, vitamin E supplement, manganese amino acid complex, vitamin A supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, copper amino acid complex, D-calcium pantothenate, vitamin D3, niacin, lecithin, riboflavin, supplement, biotin, ethylenediamine dihydriodide, pyridoxine hydrochloride, cobalt amino acid complex, folic acid, thiamine mononitrate, sodium selenite

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3.4%

Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients

Estimated Nutrient Content
MethodProteinFatCarbs
Guaranteed Analysis24%12%NA
Dry Matter Basis27%14%52%
Calorie Weighted Basis24%30%46%

The first two items in this product are chicken and turkey meals. Poultry meals are considered meat concentrates and contain nearly 300% more protein than fresh poultry.

The third ingredient is oatmeal, a whole-grain product made from coarsely ground oats. Oatmeal is naturally rich in B-vitamins, dietary fiber and is also (unlike many other grains) gluten-free.

The fourth ingredient is barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. Unlike grains with a higher glycemic index, barley can help support more stable blood sugar levels.

The fifth ingredient is identified as ground rice, another name for rice flour. Ground rice is made from either white or brown rice and is considered a gluten-free substitute for wheat flour.

The sixth ingredient is millet, a gluten-free grain harvested from certain seed grasses. Millet is hypoallergenic and naturally rich in B-vitamins and fiber as well as other essential minerals.

The seventh ingredient again mentions barley. We’re not sure why this ingredient is listed a second time. Is it a different type of barley — or simply a typo?

The eighth 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. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.

The next three ingredients include duck, buffalo and whitefish. Although they’re all quality items, raw meats contain 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, these items would probably account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product.

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 five notable exceptions…

First, salmon oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.

Depending on its level of freshness and purity, salmon oil should be considered a commendable addition.

Next, tomato pomace is a controversial ingredient, a by-product remaining after processing tomatoes into juice, soup and ketchup.

Many praise tomato pomace for its high fiber and nutrient content, while others scorn it as an inexpensive pet food filler.

Just the same, there’s probably not enough tomato pomace here to make much of a difference.

Thirdly, 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.

Next, we note the inclusion of inulin, a starch-like compound made up of repeating units of carbohydrates and found in certain roots and tubers.

Not only is inulin a natural source of soluble dietary fiber, it’s also a prebiotic used to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in a dog’s digestive tract.

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

Whole Earth Farms Dog Food
The Bottom Line

Judging by its ingredients alone, Whole Earth Farms looks 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 27%, a fat level of 14% and estimated carbohydrates of about 52%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 29% and a mean fat level of 15%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 49% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 51%.

Near-average protein. Below-average fat. And near-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.

Free of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a moderate amount of meat.

Bottom line?

Whole Earth Farms is a grain-based dry dog food using a moderate amount of chicken meal and turkey meal as its main sources of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4 stars.

Highly recommended.

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

Special Alert

Rice ingredients can sometimes contain arsenic. Until the US FDA establishes safe upper levels for arsenic content, pet owners may wish to limit the total amount of rice fed in a dog's daily diet.

A Final Word

The descriptions and analyses expressed in this and every article on this website represent the views and opinions of the author.

Although it's our goal to ensure all the information on this website is correct, we cannot guarantee its completeness or its accuracy; nor can we commit to ensuring all the material is kept up-to-date on a daily basis.

Each review is offered in good faith and has been 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 specific health benefits for your pet.

For a better understanding of how we analyze each product, please 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 qualified veterinary professional for help.

In closing, we do not accept money, gifts or samples from pet food companies in exchange for special consideration in the preparation of our reviews or ratings.

To learn how we support the cost of operating this website, please visit our public Disclosure and Disclaimer page.

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

Notes and Updates

02/06/2010 Original review
09/12/2010 Review update
06/08/2012 Last Update

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  • Nena

    I recently switched my Corgi/Cattle Dog over to the Whole Earth Farms Adult food. She no longer has that ‘yeasty’ smell about her, her scratching is minimal, and it appears she is shedding less which is a total blessing for me. No stomach distress at all and she really loves this stuff.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004176155118 Facebook User

    LOVE this brand of food! Switched my dogs to it when after trying aprox. 30 brands of food on them I had not yet found a brand that didn’t almost kill my one girl! Finally finding this brand I switched and have had extreme success! Went from feeding her 4 cups (The most she would eat) a day of what I had her on, to 1 1/2 cups a day of Whole Earth and she is still a bit chubby, and is having no other issues from it either!

  • Ananamus

    You are ALWAYS supposed to take 4 to 6 weeks to change from junk such as Eukanuba to a good quality food! ANY dog will get deathly ill going into whats called a “Detox” to rid they’re body of the bad toxins that come from bad food when they switch too quickly to a good food. Shame on you for only taking a few days!

  • Kirstie

    Not every food works with every puppy. You could try Earthborn, Wellness Core, and Taste of the Wild. It looks like your comment was a while ago, I hope you found a food that works with your puppy.

  • Sherri

    2 weeks ago we switched our dogs food from Kirkland to Whole Earth Farms. He came down with a very severe ear yeast infection. Do you think it can be caused by something in the food? Both brands contain yeast but he never had a problem on the Kirkland. Any ideas?

  • Pattyvaughn

    It is constantly amazing to me that people don’t understand that if you always feed the same thing to your dog that when you do swtch, it will upset their digestion. If you pick a few foods that you like and keep rotating through them pretty soon your dogs system will be used to handling whatever you give it and there will be no digestive upsets. That is what it is like to have a healthy gut. Too bad common feeding practices don’t encourage a healthy gut.

  • Tobias C

    Thats not true. My puppy is doing better on Taste of the Wild (unfortunately made by Diamond) than on Fromm (gas). When switched she had diarrhea for three days straight- I had tried to switch her too rapidly. I followed the directions on TOTW’s website it took 9 days and she did not have diarrhea. It makes sense because it was something completely different from what she ate before- so she didnt have enzymes to digest sweet potatoes and fish. The switch from Pro-plan to Fromm was easier as they both had something in common: rice and chicken. Even though

  • jim85035

    My dogs also got diarrhea from this food. I was giving them Organic Chicken and Rice From ByNature, but suddenly it was discontinued, then the Price doubled so I thought i would try this one. I finally settled on Canidae all life stages. I bought a 44 lb bag for $45.00. They seem fine on it.

  • Hound Dog Mom

    If a dog is healthy there should be no need to slowly transition. If a dog has difficulty switching between foods, this is a indication that the dog has a weak gut. A weak gut can be due to a health issue (IBD, food sensitivities or allergies, colitis, etc.) or it can be a completely owner-created condition (an owner that feeds their dog the same food for an extended period of time will weaken their dog’s gut). A dog’s gut can be kept in top condition by frequently switching foods – brands, types (canned, dry, raw, etc.), protein sources – and by feeding foods rich in probiotics or supplementing with probiotics. All three of my dogs switch foods at each meal with no digestive issues – my two youngest (2 yrs. and 8 mo.) have rotated foods on a daily basis since 8 weeks of age with no issues. If I had a dog that couldn’t handle switching foods “immediately”, I’d be suspicious of an underlying health issue.

  • http://www.facebook.com/amy.masonbuxbaum Amy E Mason- Buxbaum

    Switching over “immediately” may have been the problem. Any transition must be made very gradually.

  • Mysty333

    You can get this at Amazon for just $ 23.00. Buy another small something and shipping is free!

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  • Rottirum

    My two Cocker Spaniels really are doing well on this – tried Merricks grain free and GAS – have been thru 3 bags of this and so far – really pleased with it.  And the price is good as well.  

  • Crestedmayhem

    I have three Hairless Chinese Cresteds and this has helped them so much. One was having liver issues and the Vet has concluded it was IBS from old food and to keep him on this since it all cleared up. Great price US made and a great company can’t beat it.

  • We3harveys

    My dogs have been on this product for almost two years now.  The first thing I noticed is they eat less of it than the previous food.  They have better stools, smaller and more solid. ( which with a bloodhound is Huge, LOL) Our Beagle does not have the dry skin itch any more.  They love the taste of it so I assume that it must be more filling than what they ate in the past.  I love the way both my dogs look and feel since switching.

  • Jefferson

    ok well my dog is all better.  3 days of terror then back to normal.  must just be a bug.  continued with this food and he has had no issues. 

  • Melissaandcrew

     Hi Jefferson-

    I have had that happen with food when the fat content was an issue. But typically, they get soft stool within a day or two. It could be that something is bothering his intestines/stomach and it took a bit for inflammation to develop. If it were my dog, I would take him to the vet to be checked. Any dog who can not control its bowels at all is in danger of dehydration and other issues.

  • Bob K

     Jefferson – If you dog ate the food fine for 6 days then a problem, I doubt its the food.  Who diagnosed your dog with allergies?  How about pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, dirty water, swamp water, outdoor molds, dead animals. 

    How old is your dog?  You slowly transition to a new dog food.  How about taking the dog to a vet for a full exam, fecal, bloodwork, heartworm and Lymes test?

  • Jefferson

    I bought this food – whole earth farms adult food – last sunday from petsco.  I switched it over immediately because I felt like the previous food i was using was giving my dog allergies.  he was constantly scratching and i have ruled out fleas.  Long story short, he did fine for 6 days on this food then day 7 all hell broke loose.  i have been cleaning up loose stools for 3 days now.  he has lost all bowel control and now my carpets are literally ruined. Would 6 days with no problem then have serious digestive issues delvelop be related to this food or should it have developed quickly after switching his diet to this?

  • Jefferson

    dv

  • Twiggytrace

    I switched my 1.5-year-old husky mix and my husband’s 13-year-old shepherd mix to Whole Earth Farms about three months ago.  They both seem to be doing well on this food.  At first there was some loose stool, but that cleared up after a while.  It seems to keep my husky’s skin from getting dry and irritable, and her poop output has decreased dramatically, which makes carrying the bag of shame on walks that much less shameful.  My mother-in-law’s dogs come over and try to steal a mouthful of this food, so it must taste OK.  My sister feeds it to her dog, too, and has had success with it. 

  • Sib.Corso

    I believe it contains barely as a grain.  My dog gets very dry skin…not really allergies, but I have still seen improvement since switching to this. 

  • LabsRawesome

     Hey Sbrown79, the man that created this site, is a human Dentist, not a vet. I didn’t mean the treats, I know they’re made in China. But the dog foods on that page are low glycemic for Diabetic dogs. Merrick 5* canned, Before Grain canned, and Orijen, are all very good foods, for diabetic dogs. :)

  • Sbrown79

    thank you!  Right now I am trying to stick to the closest thing I was already doing (per the vet) so I am hoping I will hear back from the vet that runs this page!  This is a great reference though (however, I will not buy the Dogwell jerky products anymore…used to always give her the jerky since that is a great treat for diabetic dogs, BUT that one is MADE IN CHINA!!

  • LabsRawesome

     Hi Sbrown79, here are some certified low glycemic dog foods.  http://www.gripetfoods.com/CertifiedDogFoods.htm

  • Sbrown79

    I have 3 dogs and one is a 9 year old diabetic Schnoodle (who otherwise is very healthy). For years I have been feeding them Whole Earth Farms Adult Formula (which is also rated highly by you with 4 stars). When Macy was diagnosed a little over a year and a half ago, the vet said it was not diet related, so we have to do insulin and continued feeding Whole Earth with some canned WD prescription food mixed in. When I went to get their food this week, I found out the store is no longer selling the Whole Earth line! Had to act fast in finding a similar dog food, since changing diet can throw off her blood glucose levels…so the Store Manager and I reviewed protein and fat percentages and some of the other ingredients and we narrowed it down to a few different formulas within a few different brands…I ended up going with the Precise Chicken Meal and Rice…lower carbs and slightly higher fiber (which is good for diabetics), but slightly higher in fat (14% vs 12%). However, one thing I noticed in your Whole Earth review is that the ingredient Barley (which is not in the Precise food) is included and you stated “Unlike grains with a higher hyper glycemic index (like Rice), Barley can help support stable blood sugar levels in dogs”. The Precise food does have Brown Rice and Rice Bran as the 2nd and 3rd ingredients instead of Barley…Whole Earth does have some ground rice, but it is the 5th ingredient.

    Now I am concerned! While I know the Precise is an excellent food (and love that is is Made in the USA and in Texas!), I am wondering which one is best for my dog. The store manager did say he could order the Whole Earth as needed (which would really be a major pain for me) or I am sure I can also find it online, if you feel that would be better for my diabetic dog?

  • Mandolinrain67

    My boys are doing well on this food after about 3 months on it. No complaints. I’ve tried many foods and this one has good bang for the buck. As I am feeding 3 large dogs, I cannot afford a $50+/30lb bag dog food.

  • The Carin

    I fed the puppy version of this food to my dachshund which was great and he did very well on the adult formula. Dachshunds seem to be notorious for stomach issues and he never had any on this food and he loved the taste. Great coat, bowel movements and general health. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get it where I moved to and now use Acana/Orijen (an amazing food, highly recommended!) kibble instead. For the great price Whole Earth Farms is a GREAT option for those on a budget. Leaps and bounds above the average grocery options. Due to the lacking protein I always mixed the kibble with a good canned food. By Nature 95% meat is an amazing option, cheaper and better ingredients than the Whole Earth Farms can in my opinion. 

  • http://www.dfwpugs.com/ sandy

    The dry food has grain, but the canned food does not.  Merrick’s other line, Before Grain, is grain free.

  • Naxxas45

    is this brand of dog food good for dogs with skin alergies ? the man at the pet store told me it was grain free but your artical says its grain based.

  • hounddogmom12

    Cara-Vandergriff,

    This is a good question! I’m actually a calorie counter for my dogs, this is strange to most people, but I feed them based on calories not on cups, pounds, etc. As a general rule a standard 13 oz. can is (roughly) the caloric equivalent of 1 C. of food from the same brand. 1 can of Whole Earth Farms is 378 calories, 1 C. of Merrick Whole Earth Farms has 352 calories (so as you can see very close). As far as extras, you know 1/4 C. of food is going to be roughly 90 calories so if you want to add an extra feed a quarter cup less and add say an egg (75 calories), 1/2 C. Cottage Cheese (100 calories), or 1/2 C. Goat’s Milk (70 calories). For fruits and veggies I don’t recommend accounting for them and subtracting food, the calorie content in fruits and veggies is very minimal.

  • Cara-vandergriff

    Thanks for the advice, hounddogmom! I’m currently trying to figure out how one would go about adjusting ratios if I mix in the wet food. I don’t want to overfeed, although I don’t think my pups would protest! Has anyone ever messed around with adding in other foods (like egg, blueberries, plain yogurt, sardines) to their pup’s dry food. Recently read an article about that in Whole Dog Journal, but still curious about how one adjusts ratios to keep the calories right!

  • hounddogmom12

    Cara,

    Try using their canned food as a mix-in with the dry. It’s grain-free and rated 5 stars. It’s also very cheap compared to other canned grain-free formulas.

  • Cara-vandergriff

    I’m giving this food a try after a veterinary student wrote a frightening paper about vomitoxin in the brand I had been using (teaching college English does have some perks). I will update when I see how my very picky 3 y/o Standard Poodle and very unpicky 2 y/o lab-pit mix take to it!

  • Dog Food Ninja

    Hi Cobie. Yes, the protein content in the food is not super impressive, but I’m more turned off by the quantity of grains in it. Grains are the worst source of carbs for a dog. But you mention using a chickpea based food… While it may be a tad better than glutenous grains, chickpeas, like all legums, are high in hard to use plant based protein, which is having a big effect on the listed protein content. I look at it like this… For worst to best… Grains, legums, white potato, sweet potato, cassava root. Really, the best dog food would contain none of the above and be made entirely from meat, fat, and a little bit of leaf veggies for micronutrients. But that’s getting into raw feeding, which I cannot afford. I rotate my dogs on earthborn grain free. They get 4 different proteins coupled with several different carb binders. I hope the rotation lessens the potential ill effects of continuosly feeding the same crappy starch day after day… Because none of them are perfect. =)

  • hounddogmom12

    Cobie,

    If your dog is doing well on Nutrisca I don’t see any reason to switch brands, it’s a good food. If probiotics are a concern add some plain yogurt or a probiotic supplement.

    As far as Whole Earth Farms goes, yes it is a little low in protein but I believe it is the best quality food available for the price. My mom feeds it to her dog and he does very well on it. I believe it runs around $40 for a 35 lb. bag and $1.50 a can.

  • LabsRawesome

     Hi Cobie, Any grain free food from this list would be good. Grain free should help with the gas because the unnecessary grains ferment in the gut and cause stinky gas. If you can afford canned grain free that would be even better, because of the moisture factor. Or you could do a mixture of dry & canned, which is what I do, to keep the cost down, because I have 2 large dogs.                            http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/best-dog-foods/best-grain-free-dog-foods/best-grain-free-dog-foods-dry/

  • Cobie

     I wanted your opinion on what dry dog food to feed my 6 yr old French Bulldog.  I read a lot of reviews on this site on a lot of dry dog foods and it seems the more I read the more I’m not sure what to feed.  I was feeding Diamond Naturals Small breed chicken and he did fine on that but due to the recall, my feed store was out of it for awhile and I thought better  safe than sorry as well and I should switch to another food.  This food looks good except for it’s low protein percentage (Whole Earth Farms).  What do you think? 
    I have him on his first bag of Dogswell Nutrisca Chicken and Chickpea.  It seems to have everything but probiotics.  Of course it’s pricey but I guess your paying for all that meat content!  Plus, it’s all sourced in the U.S.  with free range chicken and no antibiotics.
    He’s only been on it for 2 weeks but so far so good.  He actually has less gas than I anticipated!!  If you know French Bulldogs….they have quite a bit of gas!! lol
    So, do you think I should stick with Dogswell Nutrisca? What other brands do you like?  Just wanted to pick your brain on the different brands out there.  Thanks

  • Sib.Corso

    Also, for those having issues with loose stools on this food, perhaps try adding in some canned pumpkin, pure pumpkin and not the pie filling!  The fiber may help firm the stool up.  For those with constipated puppies, I again recommend the pumpkin, as the fiber will help them go more easily.  I give mine two homemade pumpkin treats a day(recipe with NO FLOUR0, each one is a little bigger across than a quarter coin. 

  • Sib.Corso

    I have had my 5 yr-old Siberian on Ol’ Roy (I was young and dumb when I got her and fed her this as a puppy), Purina One (various formulas), Iams (various formulas), and most recently Diamond Naturals Large Breed Lamb/Rice.  After all the recall issues with Diamond, and my dog’s constant struggle with itchy skin and sensitive stomach(typical Siberian) with yucky bowels and gas, I wanted something higher quality without the higher price tag.  I was blown away by WEF’s quality ingredient list and fantastic pricing!  I slowly switched her over, and her stools have become healthy, firm, and regular in a matter of a week.  She doesn’t inhale it the way she did Diamond, but she has started bringing me her empty food bowl asking for more.  I hope to see an improvement in her skin with these higher quality ingredients as well.  For this price, you just cannot go wrong!

  • Kidsdogsratsohmy

    Well, nevermind…I heard back from Merrick and the adult formula has 1.94% calcium (puppy has 2.29%!!). Way too much calcium for a large breed puppy!!!

  • Kidsdogsratsohmy

    Can anyone tell me the calcium percentage in the adult formula? I have emailed the company, but not heard back. Will call if I have to. Anyway, I have an almost 5 month old Lab and an adult Sheltie and although they claim the food is for all life stages, I don’t want my large breed puppy to get too much calcium and end up with growth problems. Plus, I only want to have to buy one bag of dog food/month vs two!

  • http://www.facebook.com/kristie.wilder Kristie Liggin Wilder

    I just wanted to provide an update as it has been almost a year now since we made the switch to WEF.  We are feeding approximately 50 dogs a day.  We buy it by the pallet for our personal dogs, boarders/trainers and rescues.  At first, we had some serious stool issues, but I feel those were my fault for doing it too quickly.  They resolved within maybe 4-6 weeks across the board.  I have really enjoyed WEF.  The price is right, the quality appears to be really good, it SMELLS delicious.  It is supposedly all sourced in the US, from USDA ingredients, made in their OWN plant — what brought me here was the diamond recalls that affected so many foods bc of the mfg process.  And I wanted to come by to simply follow up and give WEF my personal recommendation based on the number of dogs we feed and how happy we are with it.  It does seem to be a much richer food compared to others that aren’t as high quality and I think that’s where the gas/stools come from (the plant matter and general richness).  But I, with help, scoop a LOT of poop every day and watch closely and everything’s looking good here.  If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t keep feeding it, bc picking up after 50-70 dogs a day isn’t easy…

  • JohnMcC

    We rescued a small terrier mix about 18 months ago. He was about 20% underweight with a thin coat. We started him on this food very early after reading the overview here. Well, he got up to his proper weight in no time and it’s all muscle. Little guy has spring-loaded legs. His coat thickened up very nicely and is strong and shiny. He loves the food, never seems to tire of it. We dog-sit our neighbor’s dog. She loves the food. My only fear is Merrick discontinuing this food for low sales. My local store stocks very little. Please try your dog on this food. It is such a value and such high-quality.

  • Marie

    They’re still in business because people still buy their products.

  • Tracy

    Be careful with Canidae, Taste Of The Wild and Natural Balance, as well as many of the Kirkland brand foods, including their gran free food (all made by Diamond Pet Foods) – ALL have been recalled due to possible SALMONELLA contamination.

    Picked up a bag of the WEF yesterday in a panic as the TOTW and natures Domain (grain free Kirkland food) that we had in the house are among the recalled foods…why on earth is Diamond still i nbusiness?  TWO recals in as many months and they were one of the primary suppliers of foods in the huge recall a few years ago…scary stuff!

  • LabsRawesome
  • PLT

    I was excited to give this food a try. After 2 weeks on the food, one of my labs and my pointer/hound have both been vomiting once or twice a day. My other lab has had no problems. It seems strange that this started occurring after introducing this dry food. I am switching them back to Canidae to see if the problem stops. Prior to trying this, they had been eating a lamb/rice formula with no problems. Do you offer a lamb and rice?

  • BeanTown

    This is an amazing food (especially for the price).  I know some people have seen loose stools in the past, so did I.  However, they recently changed the fiber content and I think its perfect now.  I don’t know why they haven’t published something about the change.  Both my Lab and Yorkie are doing fantastic on this food.  

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  • Shapkay

    oh and it is just right for the budget for a 17.5 lb bag at petco its 22.99 and they send me 4 dollar off coupons on there pals program

  • Shapkay

    i have been feeding my dog this for about a month now he is more active than ever and goes to the bathroom regularly and has had no loose stools but occasional gas

  • Amy H

    We were very excited to try the Whole Earth Farms food. We have two Chihuahuas. Thought things were going well, but seems that only one of the dogs can eat it. The younger one got very loose stools and took him to the vet to make sure there wasnt something else going on. Disappointed it didnt work out. A friend of ours had the same problem. One dog did fine, the other one did not.

  • sandy

    From those choices, I would go grain free with NB Alpha Dog. WEF is grain heavy. But I think you could get Taste of the Wild for a better price than NB Alpha and get more meat for your money.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Wendy… Whole Earth Farms and Natural Balance Alpha are both good dog foods. Unfortunately, due to the biological uniqueness of each pet, I cannot provide customized product comparisons for each reader. For more help, please check out my reviews and visit our FAQ page. Look for the topic, “Help Me Choose a Dog Food”. Or check back for a possible response from one of our other readers. Wish I could be more health.

  • Wendy

    Hi. I’m curious to know what you think about Whole earth Farms food vs. Natural Balance Alpha food. I’m thinking about switching because of the price difference, but do you think this will be a horizontal switch in quality or do you think i’m losing a lot of quality if I decide to switch.

    Thanks! wendy

  • http://www.padcentral.org Linzey Zoccola

    I really love the quality and over all ingredients of Whole Earth Farm puppy formula but unfortunately had too much diarrhea and will be switching. I have two puppies currently in the program that I was trying to feed this food to and switched them both appropriately. I even took their stools in to make sure there was no medical reason for the diarrhea. One (a 10 month old Aussie mix) has had no success on it for a little over 2 months and the other has had the diarrhea on and off. I’m disappointed but will donate the remain bags to a shelter!

  • http://willamettehumane.org BJ

    I recently tried this food out on my own dogs, who have eaten a wide variety of 4 and 5 star dry and wet foods. They have never had a problem switching brands or varieties, except the occasional gaseous cloud the first day or two. When we switched to this, all three large dogs got very loose diarrhea and it did not clear up until the bag was gone. I was so disappointed, because I and my dogs love the Merrick foods, and I was eager to save some money. My dogs consume 10+ cups a day between the three. I guess I will stick with the Kirkland Super Premium when I need a value-priced dry food.

  • sandy

    I emailed Merrick a while back regarding ethoxyquin. They said they don’t use it and they don’t receive any ingredients with it.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Shin… Ethoxyquin is only associated with fish meals. Unfortunately, if you find fish meal in any of these products, you’ll need to contact the company for that information. Wish I could be more help.

  • Shin

    So sorry, but can one make the statement then that Whole Earth Farms does NOT contain ethoxyquin?

  • sandy

    They can be found at http://www.naturalpetfooddelivery.com. I use the green bag (hi-protein) although it’s only 27%, the Salmon & sweet Potato and the grain free.

  • http://www.lifeislabs.org Kristie Wilder

    Thanks Sandy and Mike! I appreciate the feedback — I put a call into Merrick to see if they would do anything to work with us and the rescue. Will wait to hear back. I went ahead and switched to them bc of the accessibility, price and I liked what I read here… I’m going to look into your recommendation, too. I’m not sure which of my local distibutors carries it, but will take a look. Thanks!

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Kristie… That makes sense to me, too. Unfortunately, there’s no way for me (or anyone) to assure you the claims made by your sales rep are true and accurate. Wish I could be more help.

  • sandy

    Kristie,

    I recently started using Nature’s Select for my rescues. Don’t know if you have a distributor where you are, but mine gives a rescue discount (among other discounts) and they have 50 pound bags too. http://www.naturalpetfooddelivery.com

  • http://www.lifeislabs.org Kristie Wilder

    After feeding Purina Pro Plan exclusively for over a decade, we have switched our kennels and rescue to Whole Earth. It was a really difficult choice… Our dogs did quite well on Purina, but our food costs went up 20% and I started wondering if there was a better food at lower cost. And here I am.

    My question is this… I chose this food based on the review here as well as other input. The sales rep made the comment that this line is a value line becuase they don’t have to do line changes for different recipes. They produce it in large quantities, hence the cost savings. That made sense to me.

    The comment he did make that I’m wondering about… He said that the ingredients and quality are the same as their premium foods, but the single formulas for each (puppy, adult, senior) and the long runs drive the cost down.

    I just want to make sure I’m not skimping on my dogs. I can tell you that this stuff SMELLS DELICIOUS. Better than any dog food I’ve ever smelled. It literally smells like meat and veggies, in a good way.

    Like another poster, we switched very quickly… I know better, but it was just bad timing and lack of local supply. We had lots of immodium, yogurt and then metronidazole for the ones hit the hardest. I felt very badly, but I’m hoping that it’s only because this food is very rich and has veggie/plant matter in it than my other food? Stools are firming up as we speak.

    Anyway, my point in posting this was to get answers to the above and feedback on whether it seems we made a good choice. I don’t want to skimp on quality, but this seemed like a great value. I appreciate your help and input!

  • Michelle
  • Jonathan

    Thanks for the thumbs-up, mike P. I have “sort of” answered your question over on Nutro, however subjective it may be. :-)

  • Mike P

    Erica , as a member of the Jonathan fan club I have to disagree with you . While he may seem a little twisted at times , Jonathan gives a ton of well thought out post . I missed the debate on who’s balls were bigger Erica . Sorry , but I hope the beach ball won hands down . Anyway , keep up the great post Jonathan and please answer my question to you on ( nutro natural choice dry ) thread .. Take care of your anger problem Erica , please …

  • Jonathan

    Erica, my name does not have an extraneous “h” in it after the “o”. If you could not copy my name as it appears on at least 4 comments on this food alone, not to mention as the top commentator at the top left of the page, then I have nothing else to say to you.

    Oh wait, I do.

    I care about dogs health. If you have a problem with that, and think that I should stop posting because the health of dogs is unimportant, then why are you here? My advise, both on this site and in my store, has been used by more then a few people to help their dogs become healthier and happier. The only time I may come across as combative is when people thumb their nose at the TRUTH that is “ingredients” (ie: what the food is made from) and make unsubstantiated claims that an obviously inferior dog food is somehow wonderful.

    I was once an uninformed consumer, opening my wallet like a consumer whore for the likes of Purina. But the MOMENT I read what was in my dog’s food, I couldn’t, in good conscience, continue to BS myself and “drink the kool-aid” of big business. And I cannot fathom how anyone could read FACTS about all these foods that are made from agricultural rejects and by-products and meat-packing trash and think “well, what ever. They are just dogs.”. Some of my earlier posts, I will admit, were more aggressive. But I have toned down a lot and, I think, have created a more pointed voice that tries to circumvent personal drama and cut to the ultimate point of dog nutrition. I have had many wonderful back-and-forths on this site, and hopefully have helped people make good decisions.

    I run a pet supply store. If caring about the most important aspect of one’s job is wrong, then I don’t want to be right. I’d rather help as many people as I can find the right nutrition for their dog then the right toy (which, by the way, I am still good at, too). I wish more Vets (or people doctors, for that matter!) took the personal time I have spent in learning about nutrition.

    Your assault on my character is base and simplistic. What reason did you have to proceed into this forum with such hostility? I happen to be a very nice guy. And you have just come across as rude and confrontational. What purpose did that serve?

    In any account, I hope you find what you came here for. If you have any questions, I will be glade to help with what ever knowledge I have.

  • Pingback: So....I guess Nutro is crap.

  • Erica

    I just wanted to say that it absolutely disgust me to try and research info on this website and have to read all the insulting comments left by JOHNATHAN. I am baffled by the allowance of such uncouth crap that you post. And I hope you read this and take it to heart guy. Over half the junk you post on here does nothing but start and argument because you think you are God’s gift to the dog food world and right about everything. I can assure you that your not, and the day that you become incapable of typing all of your psycho babble right about everything non sense is the day this website will be what it states to be. Not a courtroom debate on who’s balls are bigger, when you really just have nothing better to do with your life than sit in front of your computer and make yourself feel good by insulting others. You do realize you have a twisted addiction to this website, and what I suggest for you is to get some therapy and possibly admit yourself into a mental ward before you become obsessed with something more than just the dog food world. Idiot!

  • ed

    A dog should be used to a new food in 3 or 4 days tops. You don’t have to be a biochemist to change a dog’s food.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Chris… If you’ve transitioned to the new food properly (see our FAQ), and if you’ve given your dog enough time to make the switch, it may be time to consider a new food. Unfortunately, I cannot provide customized reviews and product recommendations for each reader. For more information, please check out my reviews and visit our FAQ page. Look for the topic, “Help Me Choose a Dog Food”. Or check back for a possible response from one of our other readers. Wish I could be more help.

  • ed

    then switch, where do you live?

  • Meagan

    Chris- if you do decide to change foods definatly transition from the whole earth farms. it would be allott better on his digestive tract. your could try adding pure pumpkin to firm the stools

  • Chris

    We tried cutting the amount back, unfortunately it has made no difference :-/

  • ed

    Your dog is getting too much food. Cut him back 10% every other day until his stool firms.

  • Chris

    I have been feeding my 9 month old Golden Retriever WEF for about 2 weeks now and am a little concerned. Although I love the ingredient list, ect… he has had room clearing gas, super loose stools, and seems to be panting A LOT ever since we switched. I should mention that we ran out of his old food before the switch so the transition was a little rough, which I was expecting.. but figured it would have cleared up by now. Should I stick with this food? Any suggestions on an alternative? and if I do switch should I wean him onto the new stuff using the WEF I have left or just go straight to the new stuff since it doesn’t seem to be working?

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Tom… Chicken Soup is made by Diamond Pet. And as of May 2010, they no longer use ethoxyquin in any of their fish meals.

  • TOM

    I BELIEVE CHICKEN SOUP PET FOODS HAVE ADDRESSED THE ETHOXOQUIN QUESTION IN THE RECENT PAST. I BELIEVE I READ ON DOGFOODANALYSIS.COM THAT THEY NO LONGER USE FISH PRESERVED THIS WAY. AM I RIGHT?

  • Cathy

    Caleb – Did you transition slowly to the new food? Feeding any new food 100% right away can cause digestive upset. See this link on Mike’s website:
    http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/frequently-asked-questions/how-to-feed-dog/
    What’s the best way to transition to a new dog food?
    Most experts recommend transitioning to a new food gradually… starting with about 20-25% “new” and slowly increasing that amount to a full 100% over a 7 to 10 day period.
    Be patient and don’t rush the transitioning process. Take your time to minimize the chance of GI upset.

  • ed

    Both the puppy and adult formulas are rated as “all life stages”.

    You could feed both. If you have a small or medium breed go with puppy, if not then adult.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Caleb… Since each dog responds to a particular food in its own unique way, it’s always impossible to try to predict how any pet will react to a change in its menu. Wish I could be more help.

  • Caleb

    We just started giving our 6 month old black lab the puppy show from Whole Earth. Not too happy about the results, he has thrown up and had extreme diarrhea since we started this new food. Is that normal when switching foods? I think we are going to go back to what he was eating before but I just wanted to know if this is common, for future reference. Thanks

  • sandy

    Saskia,

    Is there a Nature’s Select distributor in your area? Their ingredient lists are good and is very reasonably priced. I just bought a 50 lb bag for $56. My distributor also discounts for rescueing.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Saskia… I like both of these dog foods and don’t really see how you can go wrong with either one. Unfortunately, I cannot provide customized product comparisons for each reader. For more help, please check out my reviews and visit our FAQ page. Look for the topic, “Help Me Choose a Dog Food”. Or check back for a possible response from one of our other readers. Wish I could be more help.

  • gabe

    i actually like both of these for someone on a budget that doesnt want to dip much in quality but is looking for a more affordable alternative…personally i would go with whole earth farms based on ingrediant list and this important fact: chicken soup has an ingrediant in it that is used to preserve its fish meal. that ingrediant is ethoxyquin which happens to be a banned or heavily regulated preservative in human food because it is believed to be carcinogenic! i liked everything else about this food but that..they r currently in the process of securing a written gurantee with their fish meal supplier stating that they will not use ethoxyquin in their products anymore..once that gurantee is in place on their website and on their ingrediants list i will feel confident in feeding it to my dog..hope this helps..good luck

  • saskia Carey

    Hi, I have spent the last 2 days learning what I can from the internet on dog food. Your website was really informative. I am currently feeding 3 lab rescues Blue Buffalo. Although they are doing well on the food it is too expensive for my budget at this time. The bags are approx 50$ for 30lbs and I go thru a bag every 10 days. I do look for sales and offers but blue buffalo has no coupons and do not plan on having them. So I am looking for high quality food, Approximately 35lb for about 35-40$, which brings me to Chicken Soup for the pet lovers soul or whole earth farm by Merrick. What do you recommend between these or is there something I have missed? Thank you for all your advise!!!

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Ana… Gas by itself is not necessarily an indication that something is wrong with your puppy’s food. Just like with humans, sometimes it can be a sign of intestinal infection and other issues. If things don’t improve to your satisfaction, you can always switch foods or see your vet. Wish I could be more help.

  • Ana

    mike, since the food is giving my puppy gas dose that mean I should switch the food? I am a first time owner, and am worried that means it is hard on her stomach, they do not sell the puppy formula to try it out.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Ana… All 3 WEF dog foods appear to be rated for “all life stages”. So, that means all of them meet requirements for even puppies. So, it looks like you got good advice from your consultant.

  • Ana

    ** I meant pet-co consultant

  • Ana

    A Petty Consultant suggested I feed my puppy of 2 months, WEF adult dog food. she said even tho it is not a “puppy” formula it was the same as puppy food because it was so healthy. I see that their is actually WEF puppy food. my puppy has been on the Adult food for 2 months now, is that ok? what will happen to her? also the food gives her allot of gas and soft stool with occasional diarrhea. what should I do?

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Guardian… Did you gradually transition to the new food? Or did you just make the change suddenly? Whenever transitioning to any new food you should try to do so slowly over a period of a week or so. To learn more, please visit our FAQ page and look for the topic, “How to Feed a Dog”. Hope this helps.

  • Guardian of Three Hairy Monsters

    I just bought the WEF adult dog food for my three hairy monsters (Labx, aussiex and purebred aussie). Right away all three have had diarrhea. I don’t know if I should give it a little more time or not. My husband wants me to return the food right away. They seem healthy and happy, but a bit anxious about the constant pooping. How much time should we give them to adjust to the new food?

  • Lola

    I have been using Earth Farms since it came out a yr or so ago and my two long coated dogs, large and small both have never been healthier and their coats are so healthy, best food I have ever bought for them, and they love it.
    Good job Merrick!

  • Cathy

    Melissa,
    Mary figured it out. She *was* uneducated about feeding junk pet food, but now she knows better and now she feeds a more biologically appropriate pet food.
    What’s your point? Even with ‘bad genes’, it’s still better to eat biologically appropriate clean food and breathe clean air. Even if Mary’s cat had ‘bad genes’, she can still BLAME THE FOOD when it was a high-carb food which is completely contrary to a carnivorous cat.
    There are exceptions to almost everything. Even the fitness buff who dies while jogging doesn’t necessarily mean that personal is ‘healthy’. Could be the jogger was a person who worked for many years in a chemical factory and ate BK or McD every day, and THEN decided to switch gears and become a fitness buff with exercise/good nutrition. But the damage to the body was too much to repair after too many years of abuse.

  • Mary

    Melissa,

    The best anecdotal evidence that I can provide regarding my cat’s genetic predisposition to diabetes, or the lack thereof is this:

    My cat is now 15 years old. My mother has his full sister and mother. My sister and brother each have a full sibling to my baby. They have always fed canned food. And no diabetes or kidney issues with their cats. My cat got the Hills. My cat developed diabetes.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Antonio… I’m not saying carbohydrates are bad. No. My issue is with quantity. The average carb content of kibble is about 50%. That is not what I’d call “moderate consumption”.

    Here’s the science: Carbs increase blood sugar. Blood sugar increases insulin. And insulin causes an increase in adipose tissue (fat) and diabetes.

    Let’s be honest. Kibble is not real food. It’s nothing more than a human-engineered, factory-assembled, food-like pellet. Yes, when comparing one kibble to the next, there can be a significant difference. But when comparing any kibble to real food, there’s simply no contest. Real food is the clear winner.

  • Melissa

    Mary-

    I do not doubt what you say, but I do question when every one automatically blames the diet, or environmental issues. While they do influence conditions, good and bad, we can not discount genetic components as well. Bad genes coupled withe bad diet can influence the expression of disease quicker than bad genes, great diet : ) Afterall, we have all read the horrible stories of the healthy, diet/excercise concious person who drops dead jogging. Sometimes, its not about the lifestyle, but the bad hand we have been dealt : )

    Melissa

  • Mary

    Melissa,

    The reason that I blame the food for causing my cat to become a diabetic is very simple: research. If you study feline diabetes you will find that the vast majority of foods fed to cats that developed diabetes were species inappropriate foods such as Hills and Purina.

    You see, cats are obligate carnivores. This means that they must have a meat based diet in order to be healthy. Hills? It’s chock full of grain and has an extremely high % of carbohydrates and a very low % of meat protein. Yet, vets push this grain laden junk on people who are like I *was*. Uneducated on the fact that by feeding that junk to their cat, they are causing their cat to have health issues that it likely would NOT have had were it fed an appropriate diet!

    Waaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy more junk kibble fed cats develop diabetes, (not to mention kidney issues, bladder crystals, thyroid problems, etc.), than cats who are fed low carb canned foods. I stand by my previous assertion: Science Diet, (specifically hair ball control formula), caused my cat to develop diabetes. Were I able to go back in time, I would NEVER have fed him Hills, (or any other high carb grain heavy kibble).

    Please, if you doubt the validity of what I am saying, research feline diabetes for yourself and see what the primary reason for its tremendous surge in the pet cat population seems to be.

  • Antonio

    I know this is a unknown question, but how are we sure domestic dogs haven’t eaten grains for thousands of years. We know historically that dogs have been domesticated for at least about 10,000 years and we know historically that man has at least eaten grains for the past 6,000 years, if dog and man have co-existed thru this time, and domestic dogs basically lived on the scrap heaps of their masters, isn’t it fair to assume that domestic dogs weren’t just introduced to grain based carbs in the last 60 years from a historical point of view? I don’t think a entirely carb-based diet with some grains if probably the best solution but I don’t think it’s as harmful as many will believe either. I believe all things should be done in moderate consumption.

  • Antonio

    That’s true, but Mike the how do we explain the fast that in Asia rice (white-rice) has been a staple in their diet since forever, yet they are not plague with the many health issues we are. I don’t think grains are the best thing for a animal to eat, but I don’t think they are all that bad either. I think all things in moderate consumption can be tolerated without ill effect and this is true for humans and animals don’t you agree?

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Antonio… Carbohydrate consumption in pets has increased dramatically in the last 60 years or so. In the overall scheme of life, 60 years is certainly not anywhere near enough time to be called “evolutionary”. From a medical and physiological standpoint, the consumption of refined carbohydrates leads to an immediate rise in blood glucose (and thus insulin production). And this all occurs within minutes. This hormone-regulated process has absolutely nothing to do with exercise. Yes, the negligent lack of healthy energy expenditure is very much related to obesity. But it has nothing physiologically to do with diabetes.

  • Antonio

    Doc Mike,

    You are correct about the connection between carb-laden diet and diabetes, but you fail to mention other important factors in those isolated tests. The fact that most people in Western societies live very lazy lives (myself included), our bodies do not properly utilize all the carbs and fats we are consuming. Basic nutrition 101: We consume wayyyy more calories, carbs, proteins, and fats then we need to accomadate our laid back lifestyles, and the same has become true of most pets. Diabetes in pets has also been connected to the fact that most pets spend 23 hours out of a 24 hour day inside the house on the couch instead of outdoors able to run freely as most pets where in the past this has also been part of the problem. And the reason we are seeing the same issues arise in the Eastern part of the world are pretty much for the same reason, most 3rd world countries now have gave up the farming life (hard work) for factory work, while factory work can still be demanding on the body, the physical labor required in most factories is far less than what we have on the farms. These factors and the problem with over consumption are the main problems we see with causing both juvenile and adult type diabetes. To blame it on grains and carbs would be ironic considering man have been known to eat grains for over 6,000 years at this point, but the problem with Diabetes have only become epidemic in the last 25years, so I think the problem is more lifestyle related as oppose to purely based on grains and carbs

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Melissa and Mary… Yes, diabetes is today rampant in both pet and human populations. Think there might be some connection between excessive carbohydrate consumption and the growth in diabetes? Thanks (mostly) to the invention of kibble in 1956, we not only export our unhealthy, carb-laden Western diet to other countries. We now even export it to our pets. :(

  • Melissa

    Hi Mary-

    I am sorry to hear about your cat. What makes you believe it was the food he ate and not just genetics? Diabetes is very common in cats these days..

  • Mary

    I prey model raw fed my dogs for over 20 years. Unfortunately, I lost my job just over a year ago and could no longer feed raw, so I began searching for a good quality food that I COULD afford to feed to three APBT dogs and three Chihuahua dogs. This food is the third that I have tried – Diamond Naturals chicken and Canidae ALS being the other 2.

    Of the three, this one seems to agree with all six of my dogs the best. And while I am NOT a fan of kibbles in general, I actually would recommend this food to other folk in the same boat as me.

    As an aside: I have a diet controlled diabetic cat. He was on insulin for the better part of a year before I got him under control with diet only. He now eats only Evo 95% canned meats, (2% carbs), and Evo Cat & Kitten turkey and chicken formula kibble, (7% carbs). Want to know what caused him to develop diabetes? The Hills Science diet that he ate his entire life based upon his veterinarian’s advice. I would not suggest ANYONE feed ANYTHING made by Hills to their beloved pet. It almost killed my baby.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Well, I guess our love for our dogs as well as our loyalty for our favorite brands is obviously shining through all this cold and boring label analysis.

    Kimberly… thanks for sharing your honest opinion and the excellent long term results you and your dogs have achieved with Hill’s products. Since our label reading never attempts to predict results, please know your reports are valuable to others and truly welcome here.

    Melissa… thanks for defending Kimberly’s liberty to express her own (and valuable) opinion. This important human right of free speech must never be taken for granted. And your personal reminder to all of us of that right is much appreciated.

    Jonathan… thanks for providing your impassioned counterpoint regarding your personal feelings about this particular brand. Although your brutal honesty can be intense, we know your intentions are fundamentally good and meant to be helpful.

    In any case, thanks for the courage each of you has shown here in frankly expressing your personal opinions. :)

  • Kimberly

    You know.. It is up to them. Eating healthy can taste quite gross sometimes, and it’s the same for animals. If it doesn’t taste good, they are not going to eat it… so, see how your dog likes it. If they won’t eat it, then you have to move on.. If that’s how it is for Hills, then… move on. Do your own research instead of listening to us on here anyway. I’ve done my research on Hills. They are great in my book. Yes, this is a great introductory website to all dog foods, but don’t base anything off of one look into research/information. Make your own conclusions. And that’s that. :)

  • Jonathan

    Melissa, I don’t know why you find it offensive… I never said she couldn’t have an opinion… I’m just questioning it. I am trying to be the counterpoint to her gushing over a product made from trash. I personally cannot wrap my head around how people can stand behind a product after being shown the facts of what the product is made of.

    I mean, not long ago I though Beneful was a good food because of the lies on the packaging and the higher price-point compared to other grocery store foods. When I found out on-line (with sites like this) what the food I was feeding my dog was made from (despite the fact that, health-wise, my dog was doing very well) I was angry. Angry at myself for letting packaging and commercialism lie to me. I don’t trust advertising when it’s regarding my own health, so why did I overlook such an important thing in my dog’s life such as nutrition? Why did I let a greedy corporation trick me into buying low quality trash for my dog to eat?

    When I discovered the truth, I spit on my bag of Beneful and threw it in the trash.

    So when I refute people’s claims that a food is good simply because their dog eats it and is healthy, I’m not doing so to attack the person. I’m doing it in the spirit of defending healthful foods in general.

    So, I’m sorry I offended you, as that was not my intention. But I happen to be passionate about healthful dog food, and I find it offensive when people disregard all the FACTS on this site and, instead, continue to congratulate an industry with profit-first motives.

  • Melissa

    Jonathan-

    You generally provide very useful and helpful information, but I find it offensive when any one poster is “attacked” for offering up their opinion on a “conversation” that is occurring. She is free to join in the conversations, under ANY food, the same as the rest of us. This site is to offer up information and a helpful tool to see what is really in dog foods and how they stack up against others. While each of us has our own personal beliefs and good/bad experiences with a particular food, it does not, imo, make one poster “better” than another . Kimberly is capable of reading all the write ups the same as the rest of us, and for whatever reason she finds Hill’s to be satisfactory. I personally do not, and would never reccomend it, but that does not negate her opinion or how her animals do on it.

    I feel like a school marm, lol, but I do really find that commenting about someones choices in such a negative manner does nothing to educate, and it makes Dog Food Advisor an unpleasant place to visit. Just my two cents-

    Melissa

  • Jonathan

    Yeah, it just struck me as strange that you picked this one food out of the hundreds of foods reviewed on this site to make your Hill’s comments on. I don’t represent any one dog food. Just all the good ones. And I didn’t intentionally “follow” your comments around… I was just commenting on the “recent comments” at the top right of the screen.

  • Kimberly

    I’m not a rep from Hills, thank you very much. If you read my comment you’d see that it was a suggestion (you know, an alternative to Whole Earth Farm Foods). Are you a rep from some other pet food because you seem to be following my comments around? Why, just, why?

  • Jonathan

    Kimberly. are you talking about Hill’s Science Diet? and if so, why under Whole Earth Farms food? And also, just, why? Are you a rep fro Hill’s? Did you not read the reviews for Hill’s? Did you see what they are made of (regardless of “results”)?

    If you didn’t read them yet, here you go…
    http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/hills-science-diet-dog-food-adult-dry/

  • Kimberly

    After reading all these comments, I highly suggest Hills Pet Food. This is the only thing I feed both my dogs and cats. When I got my second dog, I was going to transition their food with the Hills… didn’t work. He just chowed all the Hills food. No diarrhea, nothing.. and he was great. And my dogs have loved it ever since. Also, a dog I had a while ago would actually pick out the Hills food when we tried to switch his food over too.. just saying. Check it out. It is high quality, worth every penny, dog food.
    And, I know this site is mainly for dogs, but if you happen to have cats who get hairballs a lot, I would suggest the hairball control from Hills. It works like a charm on my cat. Now, ever since we got our other cat, we can tell when our one cat is eating the other cats food…hairballs are not fun.

  • Teddy

    My household averages about 10 dogs and I rotate kibble formulas trying to stay in what is called here the 4-5 star area. I also feed Honest Kitchen, a dehydrated raw food as much as I can afford: human grade sources and processing facilities. My dogs prefer their Embark (grain free).

    But back to Whole Earth Farms. I too respect Merrick for their high standards. The first bags of Whole Earth Farms were accepted well but there was a high percentage of what I believe are called “fines” -kibble broke down into sand like elements. Recently after a few months off of it, I bought two more bags and the dogs I fed it to had very loose stool but the kibble kept its shape, no fines. The dogs I did not feed it to had normal stool. Not sure if that food was the culprit or not. I will experiment with the next bag and see what happens.

    Some expensive but higher quality foods can result in loose stools. I don’t know if it is because they are too rich or what but it is prudent to introduce them slowly. Wellness Supermix formulas have repeatedly been a problem in this area and either I should stop using it or be really careful easing it into their feedings. I contacted Wellness about this and they seemed indifferent. I told them I really wanted to feed their food as I liked the formulas and quality. Oh well…

    The Whole Earth Farms is a good value and my impression is that Merrick uses good quality ingredients so I am not giving up on it yet.

    Thanks for everyone’s comments. Very useful.
    Teddy

  • Suzanne

    My 20 pound mixed breed did really great on this when I was first learning about canine nutrition. It was a big step up from Beneful! I have since switched to Taste of the Wild but if I was having money problems I would switch back to this in an instant.

  • Mel

    I work at a pet food store, and we carry Merrick’s other brands. The rep was asking us to bring in the whole earth farms, and gave me a promo bag to try with my dog to see how it works. Have to say I love the price point, and the panel reads really well, and I know Merrick has really strict standards with the quality of ingredients that they put in the food, but I still didn’t like it. I tried my lab on it for 3 weeks, and within a week she started blowing her coat, developed dandruff, and had a general funky body odour. After about 2 weeks she started eating her poop regularily (a chronic problem I’ve had with her that I find is only occasional when she’s on a really good diet, but becomes daily when she’s not).

    So, while I won’t be feeding it to my dog again, I don’t think it’s an entirely bad food. It’s very grain heavy, but doesn’t include many of the low quality by-products and partial grains that you’ll find in some other stuff at this price. It’s definately a lot better than a many of the other ‘value’ foods at this price point, and way better than anything you’ll find kicking around at the local grocery store. It’s not a great food, but it’s not really meant to be, it’s a good quality at a low price. If you can’t afford high end food, atleast you know you can feed your dog something that doesn’t include miscellanous meat parts and by-products that have been stripped of all their nutritional value.

  • Molly D.

    Just got the full line of the Whole Earth foods in today at the Pet Food & Supply Store where I work. The quality of the food combined with the low price point is wonderful! I’m very happy to have something in a comparable price range to the “garbage foods” but with much better formulation and ingredients!! This will definatly be my recommendation to customers on a strict budget who come in looking for an inexpensive dog food.

  • http://www.easydogrecipes.com Chris W

    Hi Mike,

    Thanks so much for this site! I actually stumbled upon Dog Food Advisor while doing some research for my own site http://www.easydogrecipes.com. I found you while trying to find the best value in dog food and I am so glad that you confirm what I was thinking in that whole earth farms provides tremendous bang for the buck. In these times of record unemployment and financial hardship in the United States I thought I would advise my readers of a great option for a dog food that not only provides top quality nutrition but also can be had for a price that won’t force your family to eat ramen noodles. I often like to make my own dog food but I am no veterinarian or dog nutritionist so the main stay for my 16 year old Lab/Ches mix is quality kibble. I switched Mary (the lab) from Nutro about a month ago and she absolutely loves this stuff and has had no issues with loose stool.

    Thanks Again Mike –

    When my readers need more in depth information about dog food and unbiased reviews I will be referring them to your tremendous resource.

  • Cathy

    DO YOU KNOW?….. that you typically feed less of a superior quality, nutrient dense food. My research and my own experience (80# ACTIVE DOG) has proven that the dog needs less, eats less, and poops less on the superior food.

    Let’s do the math for approximate cost.
    6 weeks of feeding my 80# dog the different kibble choices:
    $30 – 35# = $ .86 per # CHEAP INFERIOR food – primarily corn, by-products
    $35 – 30# = $1.17 per # MODERATE food – no corn, wheat, soy or by-products (@1/6 less feeding portion than Cheap)
    $45 – 24# = $1.88 per # SUPERIOR food- grain-free, high meat protein, low carb (@1/3 less feeding portion than Cheap)

    Even though it SOUNDS like a huge difference that I would pay a whole dollar per pound more for superior food instead of inferior food, I’m only spending $15 more for 6 weeks of food, which equates to 33 CENTS PER DAY. Most people spend lots more than 33 cents every day on something unnecessary… soda, beer, chips, latte, lottery, …. you name it.
    For 6 years, my vet bills are ZERO (yes,$-0-) other than some required shots.
    You Are What You Eat
    You Get What You Pay For
    Pay Now or Pay Later

  • Evan

    We’ve been using WEF for our doberman puppy for about 4 months now. He has great energy and a wonderful coat. He does get a bit gassy and sometimes gets softish stools. Nothing too bad and I’m sure the fact that he tries to everything he sees plays a factor as well.

    Not the best kibble, but in the $1/lb. price range, few foods have the ingredient quality of WEF (except probably Chicken Soup, which we will be rotating with). There are a great many kibbles that are almost twice the price that I wouldn’t use over WEF.

    Highly recommend this food for anyone that can’t afford super premium kibble.

  • Lori S.

    I just wanted to say that we use this product for our rescue Pugs and we liked it so much that we sent some to help out the rescue we got one of our dogs from. As far as not having Glucosamine/ Chondrotin and MSM in it. I was told that it was ok to sprinkle HUMAN grade Joint stuff on our pets food. We were told 20 mg per pound of weight. But don’t go by what I say ASK YOUR OWN VET. I found a 450 cap bottle and give one dog 1 capsule a day and the other 2 capsules a day. I have noticed a HUGE change in just a short time. So I know I could have bought a dog food that had that stuff already in it, but it would have been 50% more a month! I want to feed quality food with the benefits without it taking a huge bite out of my pocket book.

  • Jonathan

    Did you transition her into this food by mixing it for a week or so with her old food? If not, that could be the problem…

  • Amanda

    I started feeding my foster dog Whole Earth Farms and she seems to really like the flavor of it and has no problems eating it. However the food has given her the worst gas. And after feeding it to her for a few weeks she has developed TERRIBLE diarrhea. I hope she feels better soon and I won’t be feeding it to her any more.

  • Shanna

    I had been feeding Diamond Naturals to my dogs and we suddenly started having problems with it and several friends dogs did too. A total of 6 dogs between two of mine and 4 belonging to other friends had ear infections all at the same time so I suspect there was an ingredient change that triggered it. I saw the Whole Earth food in Petco and decided to give it a try. Wow, what a difference! The dogs LOVE it and they have been eating it for about 3 weeks now and I have noticed a big difference in them. They have more energy, they are alert, bright eyed, playful and always anxious for food time. My oldest dog who is almost 9 is where I saw the most improvements. With feeding my 5 dogs and 4 other rescues I have not noticed any major digestive problems either.
    I agree with others that you have to find a food that works with your dogs. Not all of the high-end high quality foods agree with every dog. Whole Earth seems to be a good choice for my dogs.

  • John

    Hi Mike,

    This helps a lot. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

    John

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi John… We only review and rate commercial dog foods on this website. Since I’m not a veterinarian it would misleading and inappropriate for me assure you feeding a particular dog food would provide the health results you’re looking for. Your questions regarding canine nutrition would be best answered by your veterinary professional (vet or nutritionist). And unfortunately, we do not cover supplements on this website. Regarding whether or not a food has all the nutrients your dog needs, it should be reassuring for you to notice and check the AAFCO nutrient adequacy statement printed on each product you buy. Hope this helps.

  • John

    Hi Mike,

    The article you sent me was very interesting and informative, but it kind of confused matters for me even more. What I mean is that, I find it amazing how there so such a wide range of opinions on this subject of protein, fat and carbs. I just don’t know how one vet might have one opionion and and another vet would be at the complete other end. I would think that most vets would be on the same page.

    The Basset Hound we bought seems to have a sensitive stomach. Over the weekend we tried a very basic lamb and rice food ( California Natural Lamb Meal & Rice Dry Puppy Food) mixed it with the Hills ID food our vet gave us to get his stomach troubles under controlled, and it seemed to help. It is a very basic food with only only one protein, one fat and one carb. We would like to switch him over the this puppy lamb and rice food but my concerns are over if it has all the nutrients he needs. My question is, is it imperative for a Basset Hound puppy to get DHA, Glucosamine and Chondroitin?

    If the answer is yes and this food does not contain it, would it still be a good food it give him? Also, is there a supplment I could give him that would contain those nutrients?

    Sorry for all the questions, we are just trying to make sure we do whats best for him.

    Thanks so much for all your help

    John

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi John… High protein is a concern for many and is subject to controversy. Since I’m not a veterinarian, it would be misleading for me to assure you that a high (or low) protein diet would be ideal for your dog.

    However, my personal favorite explanation and justification in support of feeding a high protein canine diet can be found in a white paper entitled “The Biologically Appropriate Food Concept and the Dietary Needs of Dogs and Cats“. This article is published by Champion Petfoods… the makers of Orijen and Acana dog foods. I believe you’ll find this white paper very reassuring regarding these types of foods.

    By the way, it is far more important to feed a good quality puppy food than to be overly concerned over whether your dog is a large breed or not. Just be sure your dog food meets AAFCO guidelines (minimums) for either “growth” or “all life stages”. Hope this helps.

  • John

    Hi Mike,
    I have a 4 month old Basset Hound puppy. I have been driving myself crazy trying to fiqure out what is best to feed him. Some people say he is considered a large breed and some say he is not. My questions are, first, would you consider him a large breed? If so, would the Whole Earth puppy food be alright to feed him or would I need to find a large breed puppy food instead? My main concern is if it would have to much of a high level of protein and fat for him.

    Thanks for any help and have a great day

    John

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Marcie… Dogs are much like us humans. Each of us responds to a particular food (or ingredient) in our own unique way. If things don’t improve, you may need to switch. It’s almost always a matter of trial and error. Be sure to pay attention to the fiber content of a food. Although you may be reducing corn fiber you may be increasing some other fiber content.

    By the way, corn (if it is of good quality) may not necessarily be a bad ingredient. In addition, whenever you transition to a new food it should take about 7 to 10 days or so to complete the slow and gradual process.

    Rapid changes in fiber content can sometimes cause stool problems. What’s more, loose stools may not even be related to the food but rather some other medical condition. So, be sure to check with your vet if symptoms persist.

  • Marcie

    I was feeding my lab puppy Eukanuba rice and lamb puppy formula with no problems but my breeder said it was full of corn fillers which apparently is a no no. She suggested I get a dog food that had no fillers so I went to the local pet store where I was recommended Whole Earth’s puppy food. I mixed the two for several days but once she was only eating Whole Earth, she has had major diarrhea and often doesn’t even make it outside. Perhaps I didn’t wean her off the other food slow enough but no matter how healthy the food is, if it is making my puppy sick, it can’t be good for her.

  • Kristen

    I started giving my Bullmastiff of 3 years, Whole Earth Farm Food, Adult Formula. She absolutely loves it but unfortunately, after the second month that she was on it, she started with severe diarrhea and now she gets hives everyday on her body. Is there anyone that has had the same problems with food allergies with this breed?

  • Laurie

    I’ve been using the Adult and puppy formula for about 3 months now and find the quality to be truly amazing!!!! I have 3 adult rescue dogs and a puppy. With so many mouths to feed, I needed to find a good dog food, at an economical price. Thus far all my dogs have shiny coats and look amazing!!! They love the taste and if it works for all of them and keeps them healthy and looking great, that’s all I need.

  • Porky Pie’s mama

    Our minature dachshund has severe allergies to weeds, grasses, dust, etc… He is constantly itchy. A lot of foods give him major tummy issues as well. After getting gastritis yet again from a dog food, we are going to try this food. I was very skeptical of it at first, but am glad to see it is highly rated on here. Our dog groomer highly reccommended it for us. I just hope this one works for our little guy.

  • Soka’s mom

    I bought this to feed to our new Cane Corso puppy that will be here in 12 days, I will see how she does with this food as I like the ingredient list and the protein content is low enough for a giant breed. Here in Canada the food is still quite expensive.

  • susan

    I tried this food on my 7 year old great pryenees. she was good for almost 2 weeks and then started with major dirrihea, once I changed her food she was back to normal. I have noticed alot of the so called better dog foods, not only are expensive but also give major dirrihea. Personally a dog food that gives major dirrihea, is not a good dog food.

    Not all dog foods do well with all dogs, it’s just finding a decent dog food that your dog does well on. I have been researching dog food for over 20 years, and have tried top of the line like solid gold to blue seal. A dog food is only as good as your dog does on it.

  • Danielle

    This food is a great product for a great price. Believe me when I say I have the pickiest OES on the planet. I put a little raw dehydrated sprinkled thru this and he gobbles it up. He would eat NOTHING else before. I have tried it all. I have also researched it all and this is a high quality dog food.

  • Chris

    Love this food & the price is extremely good!

  • Michelle

    I use Whole Earth Farms for my puppy-with excellent results -good poops-soft fur that shines-nice clean eyes and ears.I would defininetly recommend this product.