aldi wet dog food reviews

Aldi Pure Being Dog Food Review 2024: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary

Our Final Verdict

We give Aldi Pure Being Dog Food a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

You can find many good deals at your local Aldi, and dog food is no exception. Aldi sells several dog food brands, but one of the best ones you can find is the Pure Being dog food. Aldi Pure Being dog food provides several different recipes for dogs of all life stages. It even has a grain-free recipe for dogs with wheat allergies.

As great as it is to find healthy, budget-friendly dog food, Aldi Pure Being is a comparatively small brand with a limited number of recipes. So, if you have a dog with very specific dietary needs, you wont find any appropriate specialized diets sold by Aldi Pure Being.

Aldi doesnt provide much information on ingredient sourcing and the manufacturing process. So, weve done the research to help you determine if making the switch to Aldi Pure Being is the right move.

At a Glance: The Best Aldi Pure Being Dog Food Recipes

Aldi Pure Being Dog Food Reviewed

Who Makes Aldi Pure Being and Where Is It Produced?

While Aldi Pure Being is sold exclusively at Aldi, its unclear as to where the food is manufactured. Some food labels indicate that the food is prepared in the US, while others state that the food is from the Netherlands.

Because of the lack of traceability, the exact quality of the ingredients is a bit unclear. However, Aldi Pure Being recipes tend to have a healthy blend of real meat and vegetables.

Which Type of Dog Is Aldi Pure Being Best Suited For?

Aldi Pure Being is best suited for young and healthy dogs without any particular health concerns. While some of the food is marketed as suitable for all life stages, the nutritional value indicates that its best suited for adult dogs. Puppies will probably find more nourishing meals from other brands that supply food specifically formulated for puppies.

Aldi Pure Being has one grain-free recipe that contains salmon, chicken, and legumes. If your dog has a wheat allergy and has no issues digesting those ingredients, this recipe could be a good fit.

Which Type of Dog Might Do Better with a Different Brand?

Dogs that need specialized diets or limited ingredient diets will need to find a different brand. Brands like Purina Pro Plan have an extensive variety of specialty diets, and Merrick has a wide selection of limited-ingredient diets that are either grain-free or with grains.

Discussion of the Primary Ingredients (Good and Bad)

Aldi Pure Being dog food contains various ingredients that range in quality. Here are some typical ingredients youll find in the recipes.

• Real Meat: One great thing about Aldi Pure Being dog food is that most of the recipes have real meat as the first ingredient. Meat contains essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that dogs need for healthy daily functioning. Low-quality dog food brands typically use meat by-product meals or meat flavorings to mimic the taste of meat. These ingredients are ambiguous, and buyers will never be sure as to what types of nutrients their dogs are getting from them.
• Meat Meal; Meat meal is a popular dog food ingredient in dry dog food. It usually comes in the form of a ground powder and is an excellent way to add more protein to a formula because real meat loses a lot of weight and mass once its dehydrated. When the ingredient list has a specified meat meal, like chicken meal, its a good sign that your dog is getting a good amount of protein from one kind of animal. Its usually safe for dogs with food allergies to eat a specified meat meal, and you dont have to worry about other meats getting mixed inside.
• Rice: Rice is a common carbohydrate used in dog food. Brown rice¹ is typically more nutritious and is a good source of fiber, manganese, selenium, and B vitamins. Because of its high fiber content, some dogs with sensitive stomachs or weaker digestive systems may have a hard time digesting it. In these cases, white rice is a gentler option.
• Legumes: The grain-free recipe contains chickpeas and pea flour. While small amounts of properly cooked legumes are generally safe for dogs to eat, high quantities can cause an upset stomach. Its also important to consider that the FDA is investigating² any connections between legumes, grain-free diets, and dilated cardiomyopathy. So, it doesnt hurt to be wary of dog foods that contain a high amount of legumes.

Affordable Dog Food

One of the more attractive elements of Aldi Pure Being dog food is its affordability. Aldi is known for setting groceries and household goods at budget-friendly prices, and dog food is no exception. While you wont find extremely high-quality foods on the ingredient lists, its still decent dog food that is safe for dogs to eat. So, youre definitely getting a good deal if your dog ends up enjoying the food.

Suitable for All Life Stages

Aldi Pure Being dog food is marketed as suitable for all life stages. However, puppies and older dogs have different dietary needs, so its essential to check with your veterinarian to see if the food provides enough sustenance for them.

Since the food can be fed to a wide variety of dogs, its a considerable option for multi-dog households. As long as you dont have picky pets, you can get by purchasing just the chicken and rice dry dog food.

Only Sold in Stores

One of the downsides of Aldi Pure Being is that its only sold in stores, and when you get to the stores, its not guaranteed that the food will always be there. You also cant purchase it online through Aldis website. Sometimes, you can find a recipe or two sold on Amazon, but the availability is inconsistent and prices may be way more expensive.

Lack of Variety

Aldi Pure Being produces a relatively small line of dog food when compared to other pet food brands. As of now, it has two dry dog food recipes and three wet food recipes. Most recipes contain typical food allergens, like beef, chicken, and dairy. So, finding a good option is challenging if you have a dog with food allergies or a specific health condition.

A Quick Look at Aldi Pure Being Dog Food

• Affordable dog food
• Suitable for all life stages
• Real meat is first ingredient in most recipes

• Only available in stores
• Lack of variety

Recall History

In July 2021, Aldi voluntarily recalled its chicken and brown rice recipe due to potentially elevated aflatoxin levels. The food was recalled in only select states. When the recall was made, there werent any known cases of related illnesses.

Reviews of the 3 Best Aldi Pure Being Dog Food Recipes

1. Aldi Pure Being Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

Aldi Pure Being Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe is a great option for dogs without any particular health concerns. It lists chicken and chicken meal as the first two ingredients and contains fish and turkey. So, this meal is a great source of protein, and it includes a healthy blend of nutritious vegetables. The formula also contains probiotics to help with digestion.

The only ingredient that causes some concern is canola oil. While dogs can safely eat canola oil, its not the most nutritious source of fat.

• Chicken is first ingredient
• Contains blend of nutritious vegetables
• Probiotics help with digestion

2. Aldi Pure Being Salmon & Potatoes Grain-Free Recipe

Aldi Pure Being Salmon & Potatoes Grain-Free Recipe is the only other dry food option made by Aldi Pure Being. Salmon is the first ingredient. Its rich in omega fatty acids, which nourish and maintain healthy skin and coat. This dog food is also free of corn, soy, and wheat, so its easily digestible.

One thing to remember is that the food contains chicken meal. So, if your dog has a chicken allergy, it shouldnt eat this meal.

• Salmon is first ingredient
• Omega fatty acids support healthy skin and coat
• Easily digestible formula

• Not for dogs with chicken allergies

3. Aldi Pure Being Beef & Chicken Wet Dog Food Recipe

Aldi Pure Being Beef & Chicken Wet Dog Food Recipe may be a suitable option if you have an older dog or small dog that has a tough time chewing dry dog kibble. It contains a tasty blend of beef and chicken with beef being the first ingredient. The recipe also doesnt contain any wheat, making it a safe option for dogs with wheat allergies. Its suitable for dogs of all life stages and can be served as a complete meal or meal topper.

While most dogs will be able to eat this meal without experiencing any issues, its important to note that it does contain a wide variety of ingredients. So, the recipe may be a bit too complex for dogs with sensitive stomachs and food allergies. Itll be best for them to find dog food with a more limited number of ingredients.

• Beef is first ingredient
• Safe for dogs with wheat allergies
• Suitable for all life stages

What Other Users Are Saying

Aldi Pure Being dog food is a bit of a hidden gem, but most customers are very satisfied with it. Heres what real people are saying about this brand.

• Food Blog Forum Pure Being grain free dog food is a USA made product packed with goodness and nutrition. The highly nutritious dog food contains a high protein content of salmon and sweet potato that provides the dog with energy. The kibbles are a good small size for the dogs with an amazing taste and flavor.
• Aldi Reviewer I buy this quite frequently. My border collie tends to like the salmon better than the chicken. I shop at Aldi quite a bit and its nice to pick up a bag of dog food when I am there and know that it is pretty decent food.
• Amazon Amazon has reviews of some Aldi Pure Being dog foods. You can read real customer reviews to help you decide if this brand is right for your dog.

Conclusion

Aldi Pure Being dog food is a worthy contender if youre looking for affordable dog food. The recipes may not contain ingredients of the highest quality, but theyre safe and nutritious for dogs to eat. Youre definitely getting what you pay for and a little more. If you frequent Aldi for grocery trips, then switching to Aldi Pure Being dog food is convenient.

Aldi Pure Being does have a limited line of dog food, and most meals have a mix of common food allergens, making the recipes unsuitable for dogs with food allergies and sensitivities.

So, when considering Aldi Pure Being, remember that its for relatively young and healthy dogs without any specific dietary needs. If your dog fits into this description, then this dog food brand is a considerable option for you.

See Also:

Featured Image Credit: Aldi

Aldi Heart To Tail Dog Food Review

Heart To Tail is a new brand of dog food in the USA. It is produced and distributed by Aldi, a well-known chain of supermarkets famous for its competitive prices.

Aldi has created two lines of dog food:

• Aldi Heart To Tail dog food range
• Aldi Pure Being dog food range

Heart To Tail is a budget-friendly dog food range with mostly natural ingredients. The premise is that this dog food offers complete dog nutrition at an unbeatable price.

Heart To Tail is likely produced in the USA by a third-party manufacturer, most likely Sunshine Mills. However, this is not 100% certain.

Heart To Tail does not offer grain-free dog food, nor specialized food for dogs with specific needs or sensitivities.

Since it is new, there arent that many Heart To Tail dog food reviews or experiences. The food itself is quite affordable and gaining in popularity. The nutrition part is probably not that strong.

In short, this is a good bargain in terms of price, but probably not so good in terms of ingredients and overall value.

On the other hand, Aldi Pure Being is more premium dog food and slightly more expensive. Unlike Heart To Tail, it does contain all-natural ingredients and grain-free options.

Both options can only be purchased at Aldi supermarkets. They are not available in other stores and cant be ordered via websites.

Heart to Tail Dog Food Review

Aldis Heart To Tail is a relatively small dog food range. It consists of dry and canned wet dog food and several dog treats and dental sticks. At the moment, there is only one option available for Heart To Tail Complete Nutrition dry dog food.

Canned wet dog food dominates the range, with more options than the dry counterpart. Dogs can enjoy Grilled Chicken, Filet Mignon, and Prime Rib flavors in 3.5 oz cans.

Aldi claims this range satisfies all the dogs nutritional needs at an affordable price. At the same time, however, the range does not include grain-free options.

This immediately excludes all the dogs with gluten and wheat sensitivities. Dog food with grains can be harmful and even deadly to them.

The range also does not offer options for dogs with varying nutritional needs. For example, there are no options for different life stages or breed sizes.

Weve done a dog food review for Aldis Complete Nutrition dry dog food and canned food.

Heart to Tail Complete Nutrition Dry Dog Food

Heart To Tail dry dog food is affordable and accessible. Its likely to be popular for people who prefer a budget-friendly option.

Dog owners often say that their dogs love it and this is likely true. However, it might also mean a lot of artificial flavors, which can be a very bad thing.

Looking at the ingredients, its worrying that corn is the first ingredient. While corn is acceptable for most dogs and usually found in low-budget dog food, its not advisable to have that much corn.

Generally, the first ingredients should be good, high-quality meat and then a good source of fat. Too many carbs can contribute to many health issues, like weight gain, obesity, diabetes, and arthritis.

The choice of meat is also problematic. We already mentioned that meat is not the first ingredient. There is likely not enough protein and fat in this food for good dog nutrition.

Not only that, but Aldi didnt even specify which meat was used the ingredients state only meat and bone meal or poultry. This is a problem because its hard to determine what exactly you are feeding your dog.

Heart To Tail Complete Nutrition is packed with lots of good vitamins and minerals. It contains vitamin D3, vitamin E, folic acid, choline chloride, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, and zinc sulfate.

These are solid additions and in good amounts. Vitamin D3 is especially important since it is one of the most common deficiencies in humans and animals.

We know that Heart To Tail Complete Nutrition dry food contains a lot of corn and meat by-products. While dogs can eat meat by-products, whole meats are always favored and a better source of protein. Still, its hard to determine the nutritional value of this food, since the by-products are unspecified.

Heart to Tail Wet Dog Food

Heart To Tail wet food consists of largely animal content. It would seem that the first five ingredients are better than the dry dog food, because they contain beef by-products, chicken liver, and even real beef in some cases. Meat by-products are the first ingredient, which is good since they are a source of protein.

However, beef by-products and unnamed poultry by-products are still inferior to whole meats in terms of high-quality protein.

The recipes also feature a smaller portion of beef and deboned turkey, which somewhat raises the good protein content. Even with all of these ingredients, the Crude Protein content sits a bit low at 8%.

There are also extra vitamins and minerals in the recipe. The canned food is enriched with vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin D3 supplements. It also contains traces of zinc, manganese, calcium, and chelated copper. Chelated options are generally better because chelation maximizes the absorption of vitamins and minerals.

When it comes to additives, some of the recipes contain both unnamed and named artificial flavors. For example, the Heart To Tail Filet Mignon contains artificial filet mignon flavor.

The unspecified artificial flavor in this particular recipe is more worrying. It is higher up on the list, and we dont know what sort of reaction it might trigger.

We are especially wary about the xanthan gum and carrageenan in these recipes. Xanthan gum is a thickener which can cause digestive problems in dogs at bigger doses. Carrageenan is another thickener and much more dangerous. Ingesting carrageenan regularly can lead to inflammation, lesions, and even cancer in some dogs.

Overall, wet canned food does seem like a much better option than dry one. The type of meat is mostly stated, there arent many fillers, and it does have the main macronutrients the dog needs.

However, the protein content could be somewhat higher, and additives like unnamed artificial flavor and carrageenan should be re-considered.

What We Like About Heart To Tail Dog Food

Heart To Tail dog food does have some very strong benefits that make it worth considering. Lets look at the strongest points in favor of this brand.

The Most Affordable Dog Food

The price of Heart To Tail varies slightly depending on where its sold in the USA. An 18.5 lbs bag of Complete Nutrition dry dog food can be found for under 10 USD.

This is a highly competitive price and quite budget-friendly, true to Aldis promise.

Is this price synonymous with low quality? Not necessarily. Aldis dog food range is quite new to the USA, which means that you wont be paying for the name. Furthermore, the ingredients are solid for this kind of price.

Besides being affordable, this dog food can also last long. Its a good thing because you can store bigger bags.

Solid Source of Nutrition

Aldis dog food range offers an all-around good source of macronutrients for healthy dogs. Wet canned dog food has a good ratio of proteins, carbohydrates, and a decent amount of fiber.

Many formulas have added vitamins and minerals. For example, vitamin D3 and potassium are crucial for a dogs health.

Loved Flavor

Commenters and reviewers often mention that their dogs love the Heart To Tail flavor. It is good for any pet food if the pet is more likely to accept it easily. It might also make it a good addition to some other dog food.

Some of the Heart To Tail treats use natural beef for flavoring, which is great and commendable. Its always good to be careful and check the ingredients for artificial flavors as well. Dogs can be allergic to some of these. If they are, its best to avoid them.

Added Vitamins and Minerals

Heart To Tail tries to make good on the promise to provide a complete nutritional profile for dogs. To that end, their pet food has many added vitamins and minerals. Vitamin D3, vitamin E, and potassium are especially important for dogs health.

However, before adding more vitamins and minerals, its always good to talk to your vet. Some of the vitamins cause toxicity if taken in excess.

What We Are Careful About Regarding Heart To Tail Dog Food

Heart To Tail has a few advantages over other dog foods. There are also a few things you should know before giving this food to your furry friend.

Grains

Grains in dog food arent unhealthy. They are often used as an energy source and can provide dogs with other nutrients. The nutritional value will depend on the type and quantity of grain used.

Still, when grains are the first ingredient, you should pay attention to protein sources. In some cases, there wont be enough proteins and fats or the protein count will be inflated because of gluten. It is always better if whole meats act as the main protein sources.

Furthermore, you should not feed grains to any dog with gluten sensitivity. Gluten sensitivity is a multi-system problem and could cause many health problems. Since Heart To Tail doesnt offer grain-free options, this applies to their range in general.

Another problem with some Heart To Tail foods is that corn is the first ingredient. While it is better than wheat, this still means you shouldnt feed it to dogs because of the high carb content. Too many carbs will inevitably lead to health issues in dogs, like weight gain and diabetes.

Not Many Healthy Whole Foods

Heart To Tail does not insist on all-natural ingredients. Many options include meat and bone meal and processed food leftovers.

This isnt too bad since dogs can eat bone meal and leftovers. They have some proteins and nutrients, but these are subpar compared to whole meats.

Protein from By-Products

The protein source in many Heart To Tail options are actually meat by-products. This means that the meat used comes from processed food for human consumption.

Namely, the used parts are typically chicken gilets, spleen, liver, feet, and heads.

These are not prohibited, but there are better protein sources. So, while some of these products may be high in protein, the source of the protein is quite debatable. Ultimately, the by-products contribute to affordability in the first place. Still, the question is are they good enough for your dog?

We think that the protein in dog foods should come from lean meats as much as possible. Either way, make sure to monitor foods with by-products for recalls.

Artificial Colors

Heart To Tail is still a new food in the US supermarkets. But a few reviews online stated that dogs had vomited repeatedly after eating this pet food.

Remember how many claim that their dogs cant resist the flavor? This might also point to artificial colors and artificial flavors in the food.

One review stated that the dog has repeatedly vomited after ingesting Heart To Tail dog food. The client, thinking the dog had a sensitive stomach, gave the food to the neighbor, but their dogs vomited too.

Another review mentioned that a dog had vomited a yellow content on the floor upon ingesting the Heart To Tail pet food. The reviewer mentioned that it was almost impossible to wash the color from the floor. This might be due to an artificial dye Yellow 5, which is sometimes used in food products and harmful to dogs.

Heart To Tail Dog Food Reviews

Aldi dog food is still relatively new to the USA. Many people have already fed it to their canines, but finding a Heart To Tail dog food review can still be challenging.

The reviews posted online are mixed. In general, it seems that Aldis wet food is favored over dry dog food because of its better meat source.

Some people say that their dogs will only eat Aldis budget dog food and not the other discounted pet food brands. They are also praising Heart To Tail brand for making their dogs coats shinier. This is probably due to omega fatty acids (some options include salmon).

Finally, some pet owners claim that Aldis dog food provides a more stable energy source for their dogs. Some other budget brands supposedly make their dogs hyperactive.

We have also seen comments about the adverse effects of Heart To Tail dog food. Several comments say the food ingredients made their dogs sick, and they vomited. These comments refer to Heart To Tail wet food and Aldis doggie ice creams and dog treats.

Different dogs will react differently to dog food brands. As with any new food, it might be best to test a small amount of food before deciding its good dog food. You might want to talk to a veterinarian about your dogs sensitivities and individual needs.

Heart To Tail Dog Food Recalls

Aldis Heart To Tail dog food has not had any recalls so far. The other Aldi brand, Pure Being, has had a recall at the end of July 2021 (FDA).

Sunshine Mills issued a voluntary recall of Heart To Tail Pure Being. They suspected elevated levels of aflatoxin in Pure Being Natural Dog Food Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice recipe. Aflatoxin can be quite dangerous to dogs in large quantities.

Heart To Tail is new dog food, so its unlikely they would have recalled that early on. You can view all the dog food recalls at the FDA official website.

Alternatives

Aldis Heart To Tail dog food has an unbeatable price. Like with many budget-friendly foods, this too has its cost. In the case of Heart To Tail, the protein content is low in some options.

Also, we would prefer that the protein comes from high-quality meats. Not meat by-products and bone meals. Protein is one of the most important building blocks of a dogs health. It should be given high priority in the food they eat.

On the bright side, Heart To Tail offers a low-cost alternative for dogs who need to be on a strict budget. You can try out some of their options and see how your dog reacts. We would advise you not to feed your dog exclusively with this brand. Although the label says complete nutrition, some of the animal protein sources just dont inspire trust.

If you are not satisfied with the quality of Heart To Tail, there are other options on the market. Look for dog foods with all-natural ingredients, such as meats, vegetables, and fruits.

These tend to be more expensive than Heart To Tail but are still within the budget for most people.

Check out some of the high-quality and affordable alternatives below.

American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato dry food is for adult dogs. It contains high-quality protein from real, deboned salmon.

The crude protein content is 32% making it a very rich source, so your dog can get all the protein they need. Salmon also provides dogs with necessary amino acids.

The recipe is grain-free and contains no wheat, corn, or soy. This is great news for dogs with gluten and wheat sensitivites.

American Journey formula is higher in price than Heart To Tail dog food options, but also more high-quality with grain-free options.

Purina ONE True Instinct is wet dog food with a crude protein content of 11%, making it great for your dog.

The protein comes from real meats turkey and venison or chicken and duck. These are the first ingredients in their cans.

It is rich in vitamins and minerals, like vitamin D3, vitamins B, potassium, zinc, and manganese. These vitamins and minerals are important for immunity in dogs, neurological processes, and skin and coat health.

Purina ONE True Instinct is somewhat more expensive than Heart To Tail cans. Still, it offers much better animal protein sources.

Blue Buffalo Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables & Brown Rice is a wet dog food with 8.5% crude protein and real chicken as the first ingredient.

Chicken is a good source of animal protein, although a little higher percentage would be good.

We also like that this wet food recipe uses chicken broth its a much better option than water. Broths offer more nutrients and better taste.

On top of that, the recipe offers a great selection of vegetables and real fruits. It is also rich in added vitamins and minerals.

You should, however, be careful of carrageenan in this recipe similar to Heart To Tail canned food, carrageenan is potentially harmful to dogs.

Blue Buffalo recipe is somewhat more expensive than Heart To Tail cans but will give your dog much better protein and wholesome fruits and veggies.

Our Verdict

Aldis Heart To Tail dog food range is new in the USA, and people see it as a very budget-friendly brand. The cost of this particular dog food is unbeatable and can be a good solution for dogs on a tighter budget.

This dog food also provides all the relevant macronutrients.

However, affordability does come at a price. In some cases, we would like to see more crude protein content and better sources. While meat by-products are used in dry and wet dog food recipes, they are far from ideal protein.

The food also contains wheat, soy, and artificial flavors. These are harmful to dogs with food allergies. Such ingredients simply do not inspire trust.

Maybe youd like a slightly more expensive dog food with high crude protein. In that case, check out these reviews of American Journey and Purina.

FAQ

Is Heart To Tail dog food grain-free?

Grain-free diets are important for dogs with wheat and gluten sensitivities. Aldis Pure Being range does offer grain-free options.

Heart To Tail dog food doesnt distinguish between grain-free and grain-inclusive options. Before feeding your dog, its best to check the ingredients.

Can you bring a dog into Aldi?

Many pet owners love taking their dogs to stores and supermarkets. Unfortunately, Aldi does not allow dogs or other animals into their supermarkets. There is an exception: working service dogs are allowed into the supermarkets.

Does Aldi produce premium dog food?

Yes, Aldis Pure Being is a dog food brand that is more premium. It also contains grain-free food options for dogs with gluten intolerance. You can find more information in this Aldi Pure Being dog food review.