who makes wholehearted pet food

WholeHearted Cat Food Review

WholeHearted describes itself in three wordswholesome, thoughtful, and affordable. But is it any of those things? Find out in our WholeHearted cat food review.

The Cats.com StandardRating WholeHearted on What Matters

Weve analyzed WholeHearted and graded it according to the Cats.com standard, evaluating the brand on species-appropriateness, ingredient quality, product variety, price, customer experience, and recall history. Heres how it rates in each of these six key areas.

Ratings

• Species-Appropriateness 7/10
• Ingredient Quality 7/10
• Product Variety 8/10
• Price 8/10
• Customer Experience 6/10
• Recall History 9/10

Overall Score: 7.5/10

We give WholeHearted cat food a 45 out of 60 rating or a B+ grade.

About WholeHearted

Petco introduced WholeHearted in 2016 as a dog food brand. It introduced a line of cat food the following year.

In an article on MyPBrand.com, Petco executive vice president Rebecca Frechette says that every pet deserves nutrient-packed, wholesome and thoughtfully made meals and we believe these recipes (WholeHearteds cat food recipes) offer all of that for an affordable price.

Lets learn more.

Sourcing And Manufacturing

WholeHearted uses protein sources from the United States, New Zealand, and South America. Other ingredients may be sourced internationally.

Who Makes Wholehearted?

WholeHearted foods arepresumablymanufactured for Petco by a third-party manufacturer. But we dont know the name of that company. Like most brands working with a manufacturer, WholeHearted doesnt disclose the name of their manufacturing partner. What we do know is that WholeHearted foods are made in the United States and Thailand.

Has Wholehearted Cat Food Been Recalled?

It doesnt appear that WholeHearted has ever been recalled.

What Kinds Of Cat Food Does Wholehearted Offer?

WholeHearted has a moderately-sized, diverse selection of dry and wet foods. Some of their foods target health issues, including recipes for overweight cats, seniors, and cats with digestive issues.

Whether wet or dry, WholeHearted food is made without animal by-products or artificial colors. All WholeHearted foods are grain-free, with the kibble using potatoes, peas, and other legumes as binders.

WholeHearted Cat Food Top 3 Recipes Reviewed

What Do Customers Think Of Wholehearted Cat Food?

WholeHearted food gets mostly positive reviews, but those are interspersed with a few recurring complaints.

Happy customers like WholeHearteds combination of quality and price. Disappointed buyers say that WholeHearteds canned foods are hard to open, that the wet foods are watery, and some say that WholeHearted food made their cat sick.

Lets hear it from both sides.

Positive Reviews

My two rescued kitties seem to really like this food. They eat it readily and never throw up, and now their coats are super shiny and soft. Theyre small cats now, only one year old, and the small kibble seems to really agree with them. Ill keep buying it as long as they keep liking it! (They like the canned variety also.) Debra, reviewing WholeHearted Grain-Free Chicken Formula Dry Cat Food

My cat loves this dry food and it doesnt smell horrible like cheaper dry cat food does. Ever since feeding him this food consistently, his poo has almost no unpleasant odor. It seems like a wholesome food for my cat, so Ill keep buying it as long as he eats it. dram, reviewing Wholehearted Healthy Digestion Chicken & Egg Product Recipe Dry Cat Food

Negative Reviews

Called Petco, the 800 # on package and requested phosphorus content. They responded with the phosphorus dry matter being 4.4% and 11.6 g/ 1000 kcl. I will not feed Whole Hearted Healthy Digestion Chicken and Egg Product Recipe Dry Cat Food to my cats because I worry it will hurt their kidneys. cats, reviewing WholeHearted Healthy Digestion Chicken & Egg Product Recipe Dry Cat Food

My cats dont like this brand anymore (both the wet AND dry kinds), and they puke up every meal. I also keep finding diarrhea in the litter box occasionally. This all started happening when I switched to this brand over a month and a half ago. Im going to find a different, more reliable brand. I know the differences between this brand and Purina & Iams, and I prefer the latter two waayyyy over this brand. It seems like Petco created this new brand to make money, and stopped selling many other brands not because of the byproducts, but just to make more money. Kinepela, reviewing WholeHearted Grain Free Chicken Favorites Flaked Wet Cat Food Variety Pack

How Much Does Wholehearted Cat Food Cost?

WholeHearted is in the same price bracket as American Journey, Simply Nourish, and some Fancy Feast recipes. Their dry food costs roughly $0.28 to $0.36 per day for a 10-lb cat, while WholeHearted wet food would cost about $1.52 per day for the same cat.

If you fall in love with WholeHearted food and want to save on your online shopping, consider Petcos WholeHearted food membership. The membership costs $29 per year and earns you 25% off all online purchases of WholeHearted food.

Overall, Is Wholehearted A Good Choice?

If youre on a tight budget but dont want to sacrifice good nutrition, WholeHearted might be a good option to consider. Their wet recipes stand out as some of the only low-priced foods that combine decent ingredient quality with low carbohydrate content.

Where To Buy Wholehearted Cat Food?

Youll find WholeHearted in most Petco stores and on Petcos website. Youll also find it sold on Amazon.

WholeHearted Grain Free Dog Food Review (Dry)

The WholeHearted Grain Free product line includes the 17 dry dog foods listed below.

Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Recipe and Label Analysis

WholeHearted Senior Chicken was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

Ingredients Analysis

The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken. Although it is a quality item, raw chicken contains up to 73% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost, reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.

After processing, this item would probably account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product.

The second ingredient is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.

The third ingredient is peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. And like all legumes, theyre rich in natural fiber.

However, peas contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.

The fourth ingredient is pea flour, a powder made from roasted yellow peas. Pea flour contains as much as 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.

The fifth ingredient includes lentils. Lentils are a quality source of carbohydrates. Plus (like all legumes) theyre rich in natural fiber.

However, lentils contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.

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

However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.

The seventh ingredient is tomato pomace. 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, theres probably not enough tomato pomace here to make much of a difference.

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 doesnt sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.

The ninth ingredient is natural flavors. Natural flavors doesnt give us much information about the particular ingredients included in this dog food for flavoring purposes.

Were pleased that the flavorings used are natural, but more details are required to give any further information about these natural flavoring ingredients. Flavorings are used to make the foods more appealing and tasty for our dogs.

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 5 notable exceptions

First, taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.

We view the presence of Taurine in this recipe as a positive addition.

Next chicory root. Chicory is rich in , 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, its also a used to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in a dogs digestive tract.

In addition, we note the inclusion of dried fermentation products in this recipe. Fermentation products are typically added as probiotics to aid with digestion.

This recipe also includes sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.

And lastly, this food 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.

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, WholeHearted Grain Free Dog Food looks like an above-average dry product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 30%, a fat level of 11% and estimated carbohydrates of about 51%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 29% and a mean fat level of 16%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 48% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 54%.

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

When you consider the protein-boosting effect of the lentils, and flaxseed, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a notable amount of meat.

WholeHearted Dog Food Recall History

The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to WholeHearted through April 2024.

No recalls noted.

You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.

Where Is Wholehearted Dog Food Made?

According toPetco, WholeHearted Dog Food is made in the USA and Thailand.

In addition to its headquarter facilities in San Diego, CA, Petco also runs a number of local sizable distribution centers where it coordinates ingredient sourcing, manufacturing, and supply chain management processes.

Among the most notable Petco facilities in the USA is the Reno, NV, establishment that was opened in 2014.

This facility covers an area of770,000 square feetand houses state-of-the-art machinery designed to streamline Petcos manufacturing and distribution regimens.

As aforementioned, some WholeHearted wet dog food products are manufactured in Thailand.

According to a study published in theJournal of Mahanakorn Veterinary Medicine, Thailand is the second largest pet food importer in the USA.

So, it makes a lot of sense for Petco and other pet nutrition companies to outsource manufacturing activities or source ingredients from Thailand due to a number of reasons.

First, this nation is the self-proclaimed kitchen of the worldas the government has put in place various policies and incentives to promote innovation and optimum safety in the countrys food industry.

Secondly, while the cost of processing is more or less equal to the USA, the cost of labor is significantly lower in Thailand.

Lastly, Thailand is aglobal leader in fish farmingas its products have dominated international wet markets for years.

It is a hub for various kinds of fish, most notably tuna, salmon, and tilapia.

Given these factors, it makes perfect sense for Petco to base some of its wet food manufacturing activities in Thailand.

About WholeHearted Dog Food

First introduced in August 2016, WholeHearted Dog Food is a fairly new pet nutrition brand designed to provide dog owners with high-quality grain-free foods at an above-average price point.

It features a whopping 318 varied selections of dog food delicacies including wet, canned, dog broth, digestive health, and dry dog foods, available in various formulas.

Although there are a few grain-inclusive varieties, the majority of WholeHearted Dog Food recipes are grain-free.

This brand also includes an assortment of specialty feeds. There are dog foods specifically designed for puppies, senior dogs, and adult dogs.

There are also options available for improved coat care, weight management, digestive health, and high-protein recipes.

WholeHearted Dog Foods also come in a wide array of flavors ranging from chicken, salmon, duck, lamb, to beef.

So, this brand is highly palatable to even the pickiest dogs.

Who Owns WholeHearted Dog Food?

WholeHearted Dog Food is a product of Petco Health and Wellness Company Inc., a pet specialty retailer headquartered in San Diego.

The company was started 57 years ago after Walter Evans sought to set up a veterinary supply company in San Diego County.

Prior to establishing Petco, Evans was one of the co-owners of the United Pharma Company (UPCO), a pet products distributor located in Missouri.

In 1965, he left the company and relocated to San Diego, where he started his own establishment.

Petco began as a mail-order veterinary specialty organization before expanding to pet foods.

In 1988, it was acquired by the Thomas Lee Company, was commissioned by NASDAQ six years later, and later acquired in 2000 by the Texas Pacific Group.

Within 16 years, the company was again acquired by CVC Capital Partners, who have maintained ownership of Petco to date.

Today, the company has expanded its services to include veterinary healthcare consultations through its subsidiaries, such as PetinsuranceQuotes.com and the PetCoach app.

It operates more than 1500 exclusive retail outlets distributed across the USA, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.

All WholeHearted Dog Food recipes are formulated and tested in-house by leading nutritionists and veterinarians.

The company has also established formidable ties with ingredient suppliers from various parts of the globe to ensure only top-quality ingredients that meet the required wellness and health standards are used in the manufacturing process of their dog foods.

WholeHearted Dog Food Ingredients

WholeHearted Dog Foods use whole meats as the first ingredient in most of their formulas. These include salmon, chicken, lamb, beef, and duck.

So, most of the brands recipes dont contain the dreaded meat-by products and fillers.

However, some of its recipes include meat meals. But unlike conventional meat meals, they eject all the moisture from the actual meats to ensure that dogs receive maximum proteins.

The few grain-inclusive WholeHearted dog food varieties contain rice bran, whole grain rice, and cracked pearl barley, all of which are considered to be more nutritious than Brewers rice (used by some of its competitors).

The brands more popular grain-free varieties list lentils, sweet potatoes, peas, and chickpeas as the top ingredients. All these are excellent substitutes for grains and are considered to be great options for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

Other essential ingredients included in WholeHearted Dog Food formulas include omega-3 fatty acids for skin care, antioxidants to improve the dogs immunity, vitamin supplements, and canine probiotics to promote healthy guts.

Is WholeHearted Dog Food Good or Bad?

WholeHearted Dog Food is an above-average canine delicacy.

The brand features an extensively wide range of selections to fit every dogs unique needs, contains no fillers or meat by-products, is priced competitively, and is made using wholesome ingredients to ensure your dogs well-being.

So, whether you have small breeds, large breeds, puppies, senior dogs, or picky eaters, you will find a WholeHearted Dog Food formula that they like.

Most of the brands recipes are also grain-free with no added wheat or corn. So, if your pup is allergic to grain products, WholeHearted Dog Food is an excellent choice for him.

The only downside of this brands products is the fact that they are exclusively sold in Petco retail outlets, limiting their availability.

Again, its grain-free recipes may be potentially harmful to some dogs.

A recent study by the FDA shows that ingredients used in grain-free recipes, such as lentils and peas, increase the risk of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. This is because these ingredients do not allow for optimum taurine absorption.

However, some grain-free WholeHearted Dog Foods have taurine as an exclusive added ingredient.

But you still need to exercise some caution if you are dealing with a dog with sensitive stomach considering that his system may fail to absorb this important amino acid.

Summary

WholeHearted Dog Food is a product of Petco Inc. and is designed to provide your dog with a tasteful variety of predominantly grain-free foods.

The brand ensures your dogs consume wholesome foods manufactured with your dogs well-being in mind.

However, given the potential for DCM, it would be prudent for pet owners with dogs with sensitive stomachs to exercise some caution before feeding their dogs this brands products. This is also true for any other grain-free dog food brands out there.

Nonetheless, it provides dogs with massively nutritious foods at affordable rates, particularly those with special needs.

Related: Where Is Zignature Dog Food Made?

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