aldi complete dog food review
Earls Complete Review
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Suitable for all breeds of dogs
Private label(or
white label) pet foods are pre-formulated recipes that companies can order from certain factories, add their own label or packaging and retail to the public as their own brand. They are therefore available from numerous suppliers.
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Mixing bowl composition
This is the ingredients list as printed on the packaging or manufacturer's website.
Think of the 'mixing bowl' composition like a recipe - all the ingredients you would need to put in a 'mixing bowl' in order to make the food.
Ingredients have to be listed in descending order of their weight so the higher it appears, the more there is.
Highlighted ingredients
Ingredients that we believe to be controversial or inferior are highlighted in yellow with particularly low grade, highly contentious or excessively vague ingredients in red.
As fed composition
While the 'mixing bowl' composition is useful for knowing what went into the food, it doesn't always reflect what your dog is actually eating. This is because the processes that turn the ingredients into the finished pet food can significantly alter the relative weights of the ingredients.
For this reason we've calculated the approximate 'as fed' percentages for the main ingredient categories in the finished product.
Please note that these figures are very approximate. They are estimates based on the information provided by the manufacturer in the ingredients list so the clearer the terminology and the more percentages they provide, the more accurate our estimates will be. Wherever information is lacking, we always assume the worst.
Ingredient categories
Meat ingredients: includes all meat and fish ingredients except isolated fats/oils.
Added oils and fats: includes all isolated oil and fat ingredients.
Carb-rich ingredients: includes all ingredients derived from grains, pseudo-grains, potatoes and other starchy root vegetables, sweet potato and legumes (except whole peas which are categorised under fruit and veg) except for isolated protein and extracted oils. Also includes fibre supplements.
Fruit and veg: includes all whole vegetables and fruits.
Other: all other ingredients. Mostly made up by nutritional supplements and additives.
For more information on any ingredient, please take a look at our Dog Food Ingredient Glossary
The dry matter level of a nutrient is the percentage there would be in the food if all of the water was removed.
With water taken out of the equation, these figures allow the nutrient levels of foods of different types (like wet and dry) to be compared on an even playing field.
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The
price per dayof feeding this food based on feeding the manufacturer's recommended daily amount from 3kg bags bought at their rrp to a dog of:
Note:All suggested feeding amounts and costs are only approximate and may vary considerably from dog to dog. Be sure to contact the manufacturer if in any doubt.
35 out of 100-Poor
Our unique product ratings are calculated based on a number of characteristics including the quality and quantity of the stated ingredients, certain nutritional and technological additives and the processing methods used to create the food. They are designed to indicate how beneficial we think a food is likely to be for the majority of dogs when fed on a daily basis for an extended period. Click here for more information
Country of origin: Ireland
A technological additive is any substance added to a pet food "for a technological purpose and which favourably affects the characteristics of feed".
The most common categories of technological additives include preservatives and antioxidants, gelling agents and thickeners and probiotics.
While the primary effects of technoloical additives are certainly 'favourable' (increased shelf life in the case of preservatives & antioxidants, better food texture and consistency in the case of gelling agents and thickeners etc.) some have been linked to health problems in pets and should be treated with caution.
Unfortunately, many technological additives do not have to be declared by the manufacturer so just because they do not appear on the label does not necessarily mean they are not in the food. If in doubt, ask the manufacturer directly exactly what technological additives their foods contain.
Aldi Heart To Tail Dog Food Review: Everything You Need To Know
Heart to Tail is a popular pet food brand available exclusively at Aldi Supermarket. With both wet and dry options, this line of pet food is designed to provide your furry friend with a healthy and delicious meal.
Our review will cover all the important details, from the ingredients used to the nutritional value of each product.
We understand that finding the right pet food for your furry friend can be a daunting task, especially with so many options to choose from.
Our Heart to Tail dog food review aims to provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision about your pet's diet.
Heart to Tail Dog Food Reviews
| IMAGE | PRODUCT |
|---|---|
Heart to Tail Complete Nutrition
| Check Price on Aldi |
Heart to Tail Beef Stew with Rice, Carrots & Peas
| Check Price on Aldi |
Heart to Tail Pure Being Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
| Check Price on Aldi |
Heart to Tail Pure Being Salmon & Potatoes Recipe
| Check Price on Aldi |
Heart to Tail Beef Flavored Sticks
| Check Price on Amazon |
Heart to Tail Bacon Curlz
| Check Price on Amazon |
Heart to Tail Dental Sticks
| Check Price on Aldi |
1. Complete Nutrition
Rating: 2/5 stars
First 5 ingredients: Ground Yellow Corn, Poultry By-product Meal, Soybean Meal, Meat & Bone Meal, Corn Gluten Meal
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
This recipe is made with a complete and balance nutrition in order to enhance the overall health of your dogs.
True to its name, this kibble offers a full-scale of nutrients to enhance the overall health of your dog. This dog food variation boasts its content will improve your dogs vitality, strength, and the health of their hearts.
This dog food contains somany fillersand no real meat. While we are usually fine with meal forms, this dog food uses the cheap kind.
For example, this food does not even specify what kind of meat was used. Is it chicken? Is it turkey? The ingredients do not indicate anything. The meats in this recipe are listed down only as meat and bone meal and poultry byproduct meal.
Also, quality dog foods should always start with a meat product unless it is made specifically to treat a condition (as can be seen in veterinary diets).
This formulation starts with whole grain corn instead. As weve mentioned above, corn is fine as long as it is not the leading ingredient in a dog food diet.
Pros
Complete nutrition
Highly palatable
Budget-friendly
Contains vitamins and minerals
Ideal for pets with sensitivities
Cons
Contains corn (a cheap filler)
Has meat by-products
2. Prime Rib in Gravy
Rating: 4/5 stars
First 5 ingredients: Beef By-products, Water Sufficient For Processing, Chicken Liver, Deboned Chicken, Poultry By-products
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
With carefully selected ingredients to give your dogs as complete a nutrition as possible minus all those unnecessary ingredients that only act as fillers.
This wet dog food offers a balanced diet crafted with wholesome, natural ingredients. It features carefully selected ingredients to give your dogs as complete a nutrition as possible.
Much better than its dry dog food counterpart, this recipe features more natural and whole food ingredients. The meat is specifically named (beef), and there are none of those unnecessary ingredients that only act as fillers.
Crafted with real prime rib flavor, this wet dog food offers a mouthwatering taste experience that dogs love. It provides essential nutrients to support your dog's overall health and well-being.
The only thing that wed like to be improved on is the protein level. At 8%, it seems a little low when most canned dog foods have at least a crude protein content of 10%.
Overall, however, this formulation is a good choice to give your pups on a regular basis.
Pros
Contains real beef
Features healthy carbs like rice
No wheat, soy, or gluten ingredients
Zero artificial colors or flavors.
Cons
Protein content is a little low (8%)
3. Pure Being Chicken and Brown Rice
Rating: 4/5 stars
First 5 ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Peas, Pearled Barley
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
Made with high quality ingredients that offers delicious flavors that ensure a healthy and balanced nutritional diet.
Unlike their other products, this is a premium formulation which gears towards wholesome and quality ingredients. It contains no artificial preservatives and relies on natural ones instead.
Going the complete opposite way of the Complete Nutrition recipes, this Pure Being formulation keeps it simple and pure.
It does not contain fillers or questionable ingredients. Rather, each ingredient is high-quality and what you can usually see in premium dog food brands.
The first two ingredients are chicken and chicken meal, making this formulation clearly a meat-based one. While we opposed the use of a meat and bone meal in our review (see above) of the Complete Nutrition recipe, here we are absolutely fine.
Why? Because with chicken meal, the specific animal where the meat comes from is named
The recipe contains a favorable amount of meat (aside from chicken and chicken meal, it also boasts of turkey meal and fish meal), wholesome veggies, healthy carbs, and probiotics. It is one delicious dog food, I must say.
The only thing we feel is somewhat questionable is the canola oil, a type of oil that has undergone heavy processing.
However, canola oil is quite safe and does not really detract much from the recipes rating.
Pros
Budget friendly
Contains a variety of vegetables
High in fiber (helps lower cholesterol)
Made from carefully selected ingredients
4. Pure Being Salmon & Potatoes Recipe
Rating: 2/5 stars
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
A hearty meal based on fish thats rich in omega fatty acids. With just the right amount of potato to provide your pooch with enough energy for a whole days worth of adventure.
This recipe is a hearty meal that canines will love. Based on an oily fish thats rich in fatty acids, this dog food will help keep your pets fur and skin in good condition while keeping the rest of their body in top shape. This food is ideal if your dog is sensitive to poultry or has allergies.
It provide dogs with a complete meal thats meant to provide them with enough energy for a whole days worth of adventure.
The first ingredient is an animal-based protein, which is further supported by the inclusion of whitefish and animal liver. Potatoes and ground peas also contribute a bit to the protein level.
However, we take exception to two ingredients in this food. The first and the most serious is carrageenan, a food thickener.
While there isn't any conclusive evidence that carrageenan is bad for your dogs health, there have been studies suggesting that even food-grade carrageenan can degrade inside the stomach. Once degraded, it can cause inflammation, lesions, and worse.
The second thing we noticed about this recipe is the animal liver. While we fully support the inclusion of organ meats in dog food (organs are wholly nutritious), we only do so if the animal where the organ came from is named.
Unfortunately, animal liver is too generic sounding and can mean that the brand is not sure what kind of liver was mixed in either.
Pros
Salmon is top ingredient
Allergy-friendly
Zero corn, wheat, or soy
No artificial colors or flavors
Cons
Features carrageenan
Has an unnamed liver ingredient
5. Beef Flavored Sticks
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
First 5 ingredients: Beef, Soy Flour, Wheat Flour, Pregelatinized Core Flour, Smoked Bacon
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
Made from organic ingredients and high-quality proteins that aim to keep the best possible condition of your dogs heart.
Introduced in sticks, these beef dog treats will surely give your canines a healthy heart and body. These items contain almost all the essential ingredients that will keep the best possible condition of your dogs health.
It also contains a good amount of crude protein and fat, key ingredients that are helpful in keeping a canine's body in tip-top shape.
These are rewarding snacks that can fill up your dogs protein needs in between meals. The treats have a soft texture that makes it easy for older dogs (or those with teeth issues) to chew on. You can also break them up with no problem.
The first ingredient is real beef and smoked bacon gives it that enhanced taste to appeal to dogs. While most of the ingredients are impressive, be aware that the treats contain two types of sugar. Feed sparingly to your pets.
Pros
Easy to eat and digest
Made of naturally processed ingredients
Made with real beef and smoked bacon
Many dogs love the distinct flavor
Cons
Features carrageenan
Has an unnamed liver ingredient
6. Bacon Curlz
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
First 5 ingredients: Wheat Flour, Smoked Bacon, Soy Flour, Vegetable Glycerin, Corn Syrup
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
A tasty treat with bacon flavor that will surely make your pup crave for more. With essential levels of carbohydrates and a perfect balance of protein.
Crafted to look like real bacon, these snackable treats will keep every dog happy in-between meals.
These curls are neat treats for canines who love the taste of bacon. Theyre crafted with the real thing (smoked bacon is the second ingredient) plus an additional helping of beef for added flavor and protein boost.
These arent hard treats. With a moisture of 28%, the snacks have a somewhat soft texture that will allow you to break off pieces easily to feed little pups or canines with teeth issues
While the guaranteed analysis of the snacks looks good (protein 16%, fiber 3.5%, and fat 5%) as well as most of the ingredients, we have to caution against feeding these treats more than once in a while.
These contain corn syrup and cane molasses, which are forms of sugar. Sugar is not toxic for dogs, but it can lead to obesity.
Pros
Contains a 28% level of moisture
Has a good amount of protein
Made with real smoked bacon and beef
Devoid of artificial colors and flavors
Cons
Has corn syrup (a kind of sugar)
7. Dental Sticks
Rating: 4/5 stars
First 5 ingredients: Wheat Flour, Rice Flour, Water, Glycerin Wheat Gluten
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
Not only it will make your dog smile, it is also effective in boosting his appetite. This will help improve your pet's dental health.
Although this is not a pet food variation, we thought of adding this to our comprehensive canine food review as many owners swear by its effectiveness in boosting their dogs oral health.
This Aldi version of a teeth cleaner will surely make your dog smile.
These naturally-flavored sticks offer dogs a tastier way to improve their dental health. The snacks help clean the teeth when chewed and prevent tartar buildup.
If youre not religious about brushing your canines teeth daily, these dental sticks might help (although we still recommend brushing your pets teeth regularly).
Pros
Naturally-flavored
Affordable pricing
Made with real smoked bacon and beef
Devoid of artificial colors and flavors
Know More About their Products
Aldi supermarket is known to offer variousquality products(mostly) at a discounted price range. Currently, this nationwide supermarket chain offers two brands of dog food Heart to Tail and Pure Being.
These dog food brands are considered cheaper when compared to other alternatives. However, just like most affordable products, these dog foods have to make some compromises to be able to sell their items at such a price that are friendly to most pet owner's pockets.
Despite their cheap price, both brands still manage to provide the required nutrients to sustain our pet dogs needs.
What are the differences between dog food brands?
These brands differ in their composition. Heart to Tail offers recipes inclusive of grains while Pure Being markets itself as grain-free.
Many reviewers mention that they prefer the Pure Being recipes since these have a more desirable amount of whole food.
Despite its more expensive price for the consumer, the Pure Being grain free is looked at by more consumers as the better option when compared to the other products as the former is more complete and made with higher-quality building blocks.
Important Factors to Consider When Buying Dog Food
For dog lovers, picking which among the variousrange of dog foodsavailable on the market to buy can be quite confusing. To make it easier for you to select the right dog food for your pet, below are several things to consider and important things to avoid:
- Your dog.Consider the age, breed, size, medical condition, allergies, and preference of your dogs before buying them any treats and food items.
- Check the label.Read the nutritional composition of the dog food you are planning to buy. Make sure that despite its affordable price tag, it should contain an adequate amount of protein, fats, fiber, minerals, and vitamins. Double-check is your password in gaining confidence about your dog's diet. Reading the label lets you have peace of mind that youre not giving foods with unpleasant ingredients in them.
- Listen to the experts.Veterinarians recommend dog food ingredients that are made of 20-25% protein and 5-8% natural fat or oil. (This is for regular dog food only. Some dogs may have higher requirements for protein or other nutrients.)
Whether picking grain-inclusive or grain-free food, animal protein should always come first (unless otherwise specified by your vet). Grains or legumes or other alternatives must be minimal only. And its always best if the main ingredient in your dogs food is specified and either fresh or meal form. Byproducts are usually substandard.
What We Think of the Brand
Aldi's Heart to Tail and Pure Being are some of the cheapest dog food lines available on the market.
As always with super inexpensive food, there must be compromises somewhere. With Aldi,what suffers is the quality.
If your goal is to provide your pup with complete nutrition, then Aldi dog foods do that. However, if you want better for your dogs, then there are better alternatives out there. With Aldi pet foods, you need to carefully read the labels.
Our Summing-Up Words
This brand has garnered positive customer reviews for its quality and effectiveness. Many fur parents have reported that their dogs love the taste of this food, making mealtime an enjoyable experience for their furry companions. It's been hailed as a great option for those seeking a balanced diet for their dogs.
Customer reviews highlight its positive impact on overall health and well-being, attributing improvements such as shinier coats, increased energy levels, and better digestion to feeding their pets this food. The brand's commitment to promoting healthy ingredients and nutrition is evident, resonating with conscientious pet owners who prioritize their dog's health.
In conclusion, based on the numerous positive experiences shared by customers, this brand emerges as a reliable choice to consider for your furry friend's diet. Sharing these opinions can help other owners make informed decisions and learn how to better inspect what to feed, ultimately contributing to the happiness and vitality of our beloved pets.
