Evolve Dog Food Review: Comprehensive Analysis of 10 Top-Rated Recipes

Evolve pet foods are made by Sunshine Mills, Inc., a company that was founded in 1949 as a true American family business. This company was developed in a rural town in northern Alabama, getting its start as a producer of animal feed.

After a decade or so, the brand made its way into the pet food industry and has been gaining speed in the decades since.

Today, Evolve dog food is known as an affordable brand of pet food that offers pet parents wholesome product choices for their pets. This brand claims a mission of “feeding the world’s love of their pets” and they have been sticking to it for more than fifty years.

Not only is this brand committed to keeping their products affordable, but they take the quality of their production methods very seriously as well.

If you’re looking for an affordable brand of pet food made with quality ingredients, this might be a brand to consider. Read on for our comprehensive Evolve dog food review.

Brand Quick Look

Parent Company: Sunshine Mills, Inc.
Founded in: 1949
Made in: Alabama
Available at: Chewy, Amazon
Types of Food: Dry, canned, treats
Real Meat in First 5 Ingredients: Yes
Recalled in Past: Yes

Manufacturer Information

The Evolve brand of pet food is produced and manufactured by Sunshine Mills, Inc. This company has been family-owned and -operated for more than five decades and they provide pets all over the world with a variety of high-quality options at affordable prices.

This brand owns multiple plants across the USA which allows them to control the quality of their products from start to finish.

The Evolve brand is committed to using only the highest quality, wholesome ingredients to create products that pet parents are proud to feed their pets.

Made in the USA?

Sunshine Mills, Inc. is a company based in Red Bay, Alabama, though they have manufacturing facilities in several locations throughout the United States. This being the case, Evolve is definitely a brand that is made in the USA.

Not only do they own and operate their own manufacturing facilities, but they adhere to the strictest standards for quality and safety in their products as well.

Their facilities are SQF Level 3 Certified which is the highest level of food safety certification. In fact, this brand is so sure of their products that they offer their customers a 100% money back guarantee.

 

Evolve Dog Food Reviews

This may not be the absolute best brand on the market, but Evolve dog food reviews are consistently positive for most of their products.

This brand offers pet owners the ideal combination of quality and affordability – they also offer a decent selection of products without going overboard.

When you purchase this brand for your dog, you can feel good knowing that it will be made with quality ingredients and that it is produced by the same company that sells it in clean, safe, and certified facilities located in the United States.

1. Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe

This dog food recipe features salmon and chicken meal as protein sources, aiding in lean muscle maintenance. Its grain-free formula incorporates easily digestible carbohydrates from vegetables like sweet potatoes, garbanzo beans, peas, and tapioca starch for sustained energy. 

The inclusion of nutrient-rich plant-based ingredients such as dried fruits benefits immune and digestive health. Prebiotics and probiotics support digestion, enhancing nutrient absorption and strengthening the immune system.

Free from corn, wheat, and soy, with no artificial additives, this salmon recipe has garnered praise from pet parents for its palatability and health benefits.

Many report improvements in weight management, stool quality, skin, and coat health, making it great for dogs with food allergies.

---

2. Classic Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

This classic recipe is a grain-inclusive dry dog food suitable for dogs of all ages, breeds, and sizes, boasting 25% protein content.

Featuring real chicken and chicken meal as primary ingredients, it promises high-quality protein in every meal. 

Additional flavors from fish meal, dried cheese product, and dried skim milk enhance its palatability. Chicken fat adds both flavor and essential fatty acids.

Wholesome grains like ground brown rice, rice flour, and ground barley offer easily digestible carbohydrates and fiber. Superfoods such as cranberries, blueberries, carrots, and spinach provide antioxidants for cellular health and immune support.

Free from wheat, corn, soy, unnamed animal by-products, or artificial enhancers, it's well-received by pets, though some owners of toy breeds find the kibbles a bit large.

Overall, it's recommended for pet parents seeking a high-quality, grain-inclusive option for their discerning dogs.

---

3. Maintenance Formula with Lamb

This is a grain-inclusive dry food designed for adult dogs of all breeds and sizes, boasting 24% protein content and nutrient-dense plant-based ingredients for overall health support.

Real boneless lamb, chicken meal, and turkey meal offer flavorful and lean protein sources. Wholesome grains like ground brown rice, barley, and peas sustain energy levels while aiding digestion and stool quality.

Superfoods such as carrots, cranberries, and coconut oil provide antioxidants for immune support. Chicken fat and fish oil supply essential fatty acids for healthy skin and coats.

With prebiotics and probiotics for digestion and nutrient absorption, this recipe is free from wheat, corn, soy, artificial enhancers, and unnamed animal by-products.

It's well-received by dogs and praised by pet parents for its positive effects on sensitive dogs, particularly those with skin allergies or digestive issues.

Overall, it's recommended for its tasty and high-quality natural ingredients, making it suitable for dogs with food sensitivities.

---

4. Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe

This sweet potato recipe dog food is a grain free kibble suitable for all life stages and breeds. It's rich in protein from real boneless turkey, chicken, and fish, promoting lean muscle development.

The recipe is free from common allergens like corn, wheat, and soy, making it ideal for sensitive dogs. Complex carbs from sweet potatoes, tapioca starch, and peas provide energy, while fruits and vegetables bolster the immune system.

Prebiotics, probiotics, and fiber-rich papaya support digestive health. Free from artificial additives, this formula has garnered praise from pet parents for improving their dogs' overall health, alleviating digestive issues, and enhancing skin and coat condition.

However, it's important to note that it contains chicken, so it may not be suitable for dogs with chicken sensitivities.

---

5. Duck, Sweet Potato & Venison Recipe

This duck and sweet potato dog food is a holistic super-premium dog food suitable for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities. It features high-quality protein from fresh duck and chicken meal, along with digestible carbohydrates like peas and sweet potatoes. 

The formula is rich in essential nutrients and natural flavors, with no unnecessary ingredients. Garbanzo beans and ground peas provide complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber, while supplementary carbohydrates like sweet potato and flaxseed add more energy and fiber.

Chicken fat and flaxseed ensure a balance of omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. The recipe also includes chelated minerals, vitamins, and probiotics for overall health and digestive support.

With fresh duck as the main ingredient and supplemented by chicken meal, fish meal and venison, this kibble offers a nutritious and balanced diet for dogs.

---

6. Evolve Classic Chicken & Rice Recipe

This grain-inclusive wet food caters to the nutritional needs of adult dogs, featuring real chicken, chicken liver, and lamb for high-quality protein and rich flavor. Enriched with vitamins and minerals, it offers complete and balanced nutrition.

Carrots add texture and nutrients, while chicken broth enhances moisture and taste. Free from common allergens and artificial additives, except for carrageenan, it's a popular choice among dogs for its appealing aroma and meaty texture.

Boasting natural chicken flavor, it is ideal for picky eaters and can be served as a standalone meal or mixed with dry food to entice reluctant eaters.

---

7. Classic Turkey & Rice Recipe

This classic turkey & rice recipe is a nutritionally balanced wet food for dogs. It features fresh turkey as the main ingredient, slow-cooked in broth for maximum flavor and moisture.

Supplementary proteins include chicken liver, fresh lamb, ocean fish, and dried egg product. The recipe uses digestible carbohydrates like brown rice, rice flour, carrots, peas, and oat bran.

Guar gum and carrageenan are used as thickeners. While chelated minerals are included for nutritional balance, natural sources for essential nutrients would be preferable.

Overall, it’s a good source of nutrition and natural flavor for dogs, though there’s room for improvement.

---

8. Gently Baked Bone Broth Coated Beef & Carrot

This gently baked kibble features real, USA pasture-raised beef as the first ingredient, providing a quality source of protein to support lean muscle and overall body condition.

The recipe is free from corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, and artificial flavors, making it a suitable option for pet parents seeking a simpler ingredient profile. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids help support healthy skin and a glossy coat, while antioxidants contribute to normal immune system function. Added probiotics promote digestive wellness and help support a healthy gut.

Carrots, pumpkin powder, parsley and rosemary extract provide additional plant-based nutrients and natural flavor. For an extra-special meal, simply add warm water or milk to transform the kibble into a savory bone broth-style gravy, adding moisture and making mealtime more enticing for dogs.

---

9. Simply LID Salmon

This limited-ingredient recipe features real deboned salmon as the first ingredient, providing a high-quality source of protein to help support lean muscle and overall health.

Its poultry-free formula makes it a suitable choice for dogs with poultry sensitivities or pet parents looking for a fish-based source of animal protein. Made without corn, wheat, soy, fillers or artificial ingredients, it offers simple, wholesome nutrition without unnecessary additives.

Brown rice supplies natural fiber to support healthy digestion and regularity, while the streamlined ingredient profile makes this recipe an appealing option for dogs that do better with fewer ingredients.

Proudly made in the USA by one of America’s oldest family-owned and operated pet food manufacturers, it provides a straightforward approach to everyday nutrition for adult dogs.

---

10. Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Jerky Bites

Jerky Bites are suitable for dogs of all ages, breeds, and sizes. Made with real salmon and salmon meal, these treats offer an intense fishy flavor that dogs enjoy.

The high-quality proteins from salmon are easy to digest and rich in omega fatty acids, promoting heart, skin, and coat health. Chicken fat adds natural chicken flavor.

These soft and chewy treats are ideal for all breed sizes, including small pups. They also contain healthy fruits like blueberries and apples, providing antioxidants for cellular health and immune support.

Free from corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, these Evolve treats are a favorite among pet parents.

While they may not suit dogs seeking tougher meat jerky, they break easily into smaller pieces for training rewards.

Allergy-prone pups benefit from the single animal protein source: salmon. Plus, they’re grain, gluten, and poultry-free! 

Ingredient Sourcing

The Evolve food brand states that they care about the nutritional needs of pets and, as such, they make all of their products with the highest quality ingredients and enriched whole foods available.

They avoid by-product meals and artificial colors and ensure their recipes are free from corn, wheat, and soy. Their formulations focus on quality proteins, wholesome fruits, fresh vegetables, and beneficial supplements for nutritional balance.

However, while manufactured in the USA, the brand's website lacks specific information about manufacturing locations and ingredient sourcing.

 

Recall History

The Evolve brand dedicates an entire section of their website to speaking about their quality assurance program. This brand owns and operates their own manufacturing facilities which means that they have complete control over the quality and safety of their products.

Their kitchens have been awarded the highest level of food safety certification and they maintain a commitment to producing safe, quality foods that any consumer or retailer can trust.

There is, however, one recall of kitten food that dates back to 2007 – here are the details of that recall:

• In March 2007, the FDA issued a recall for one lot of kitten food due to potential melamine concerns.

Just recently (July 29, 2021), however, Sunshine Mills issued a voluntary recall on their products due to potentially elevated levels of Aflatoxin. And 1 product from Evolve is affected: Evolve Classic Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe with UPC code of 073657 380320.

How Expensive Are Their Products?

In addition to their commitment to quality, the Evolve brand is also committed to keeping their products affordable. For the level of quality this brand delivers, their products are more moderately priced than many brands on the market.

Keep in mind, however, that you will pay more for quality no matter what the brand. A 28- or 30-pound bag of original dry food will cost you between $35 and $50 while a 12- or 14-pound bag of grain-free dry food costs closer to $25.

The Simply Six recipe sells for about $15 for a 12-pound bag. Wet foods are sold in 13.2-ounce cans and you can purchase a case of 12 for between $20 and $30 which averages to about $2.08 per can.

List of Current Products Available

Evolve has built a fairly broad dog food lineup, with options ranging from traditional grain-inclusive kibble to grain-free recipes, limited-ingredient formulas, baked foods, wet meals, and a growing selection of treats.

The brand says its foods and treats are made with real animal proteins and without corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, or artificial flavors. Evolve also manufactures its products in the U.S. through Sunshine Mills and says its facilities are SQF certified.

Classic

The Classic line is the brand's traditional grain-inclusive range. Its dry recipes use animal protein as a prominent ingredient and combine it with grains and vegetables. Current dry options include Chicken & Brown Rice, Beef, Barley & Bison and Lamb & Brown Rice. This line is a good fit for owners who aren't specifically looking for grain-free food and want a conventional kibble diet

It also extends into wet food, including Chicken, Turkey, Beef, Lamb, Salmon, Venison, Chicken Stew and Beef Stew recipes, along with variety packs. These wet foods can be fed as complete meals in appropriate portions or used as toppers to increase moisture and palatability.

Grain Free

For dogs whose owners prefer grain-free recipes, the brand offers several formulas built around animal proteins and carbohydrate sources such as sweet potatoes, peas and legumes. The current lineup includes Salmon & Sweet Potato, Turkey & Sweet Potato, Deboned Chicken, Sweet Potato & Berry, Duck, Sweet Potato & Venison, plus dedicated puppy and senior recipes featuring chicken, sweet potato and berries.

From a nutritional perspective, I would not automatically consider grain-free food superior to grain-inclusive food. Unless a dog has a specific dietary reason for avoiding grains, the more important considerations are the overall formulation, animal-protein quality, nutrient adequacy, calories and how well the individual dog tolerates the food.

Simply Six

The Simply Six range is designed for pet parents looking for a shorter ingredient list. Evolve describes these recipes as containing six main ingredients alongside vitamins, minerals, and natural flavor. Current options include Simply Six Salmon, Simply Six Chicken & Brown Rice and Simply Six Turkey & Brown Rice.

This line may be particularly interesting for dogs with sensitive digestion or for owners who prefer simpler formulas. However, “limited ingredient” doesn't automatically mean hypoallergenic, so dogs with confirmed food allergies still need a carefully controlled diet based on their individual triggers.

Small Batch Baked Grain Free

The company also has a Small Batch Baked Grain Free line, which takes a different approach to processing than conventional extruded kibble. The recipes are slow-baked in small batches and the current lineup includes Chicken, Sweet Potato & Apple; Turkey, Sweet Potato & Cranberry; and Duck, Potato & Cranberry. They said that the lower-temperature baking process uses less pressure and shear than standard kibble production.

These formulas can appeal to owners looking for a baked texture while still wanting a complete dry food. Nutritionally, though, the fact that a food is baked does not by itself make it superior—the ingredient panel and guaranteed analysis still matter.

Gently Baked Bone Broth Coated Kibble

One of the most interesting additions to the lineup is its Gently Baked Bone Broth Gravy range. Unlike standard kibble, these pieces are coated with bone broth before being gently baked. Evolve says the kibble can be served dry, or pet parents can add warm water to create a gravy-like meal.

At launch, the line includes:

• Evolve Gently Baked Beef & Carrot Bone Broth Gravy
• Evolve Gently Baked Chicken & Blueberry Bone Broth Gravy

Nutritionally, both recipes provide 28% minimum crude protein and 15% minimum crude fat, with 12% maximum moisture. The Beef & Carrot recipe provides 426 kcal per cup, while the Chicken & Blueberry recipe provides 437 kcal per cup. Both are formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages, including growth of large-breed dogs.

I particularly like the concept for picky eaters because the bone-broth coating and optional gravy preparation can make dry food considerably more enticing. Adding warm water also increases the moisture content of the finished meal. Just keep in mind that “bone broth coated” is primarily a palatability and feeding-format feature—it shouldn't be interpreted as meaning the food has the same nutritional profile as a fresh or homemade bone-broth-based diet.

Wet Food

For dogs that prefer moist meals, their wet selection includes both Classic Crafted Meals and traditional canned recipes. Crafted Meals currently include Chicken, Salmon, Turkey, Venison, Chicken Stew, Beef Stew and Lamb, as well as variety packs. The traditional Classic range also includes Chicken & Rice and Turkey & Rice.

The wet foods are particularly useful as toppers for dry kibble. They can add moisture and aroma without requiring an owner to completely switch from a dry-food feeding routine.

Treats

They also have an unusually extensive treat selection compared with its food lineup. The current range includes jerky bites, soft and chewy treats, meatballs, soft-baked biscuits and oven-baked biscuits.

The Classic treats include Beef & Bison Jerky Bites, Lamb & Brown Rice Jerky Bites, Chicken & Cheese Meatballs, Beef & Sweet Potato Meatballs and several small-batch baked biscuits, including Bacon & Aged Cheddar, Chicken & Vegetables and Peanut Butter & Blueberry.

The grain-free treat range includes Breakfast Strips, Salmon & Sweet Potato Jerky Bites, Turkey, Sweet Potato & Berry Jerky Bites and Duck, Sweet Potato & Blueberry Jerky Bites. They also offer grain-free oven-baked biscuits in Salmon & Sweet Potato, Chicken, Sweet Potato & Blueberry and Peanut Butter & Molasses varieties.

Final Say

Evolve Pet Food offers a range of products for both dogs and cats. Their commitment to safety is evident through SQF certification, ensuring that the same high standards apply to pet food as to human food. 

With a focus on avoiding by-product meals and artificial additives, the brand aims to meet the nutritional needs of dogs while prioritizing their health and well-being.

Customers appreciate the quality and variety, such as grain-free options and soft treats suitable for training.