Halo Dog Food Reviews: A Heavenly Choice for Your Pup?

You may have heard of Halo’s mission line of “provide people and their pets with honest information and wholesome products to better the lives of animals and the people who love them”. For Halo, this means offering a wide variety of holistic dog food choices for pets of different ages, breeds, and lifestyles.

In keeping with its holistic philosophy, the brand uses high-quality ingredients to create formulas that act as a foundation for health in dogs and cats.

This made a lot of sense to me, but it’s this next point about the company that has me convinced to try the brand out. 

Halo steers away from sourcing animals from factory-farms (those that offer close confinement of animals and which inject animals with antibiotics or genetically-modified feeds), unlike other commercial dog food brands. Instead, it focuses on getting all of its ingredients from sustainable and humane sources.

I mean, healthy food with responsibly-sourced ingredients? That seems a good reason to really get in-depth about its recipes and find out if the foods are as good as they sound. 

For my thoroughly researched and unbiased Halo Dog Food Reviews, read on below.

Who Makes Halo?

Before I do get on to each of my Halo dog food review, here’s a brief intro to the company. 

The Halo Purely for Pets Company was founded in 1986 when a cat named Spot suffered from skin problems and digestive issues. When Spot’s human grew frustrated with the failure of so-called “premium” cat foods to resolve these issues, she set out to create a new cat food that would.

And thus, the Halo brand of pet food was born. What started out as an independent pet food company for feline nutrition has grown into a major brand of premium-quality, natural diets for both dogs and cats.

It is headquartered in Tampa, Florida and each package of its pet food carries the stamp, “Made in the USA,” though there is no specific information available regarding where specifically its products are manufactured or by whom.

This is a point of concern for some pet owners, though an almost complete lack of product recalls in the history of the brand suggests that there are no major problems in the supply or production chain.

Halo Dog Food Reviews

Halo’s dog food offerings are currently divided into three lines — dry food, wet food, and treats — and those are further divided into sub-ranges geared for specific life stages or special diets.

Because the foods are marketed as holistic, Halo only utilizes only whole meat and fish in its formulations. There are no meat meals of any kind nor GMO fruits or veggies.

 

1. Holistic Garden of Vegan

First 5 ingredients: Green Peas, Chickpeas, Pearled Barley, Oat Groats, Pea Protein

Rating: 4.75/5 stars

Guaranteed analysis:

Vegan dog food anyone? There are many reasons for dogs to go vegan, but for the majority, it is because of health issues. And it’s one area where a lot of dog owners have difficulties with because there aren’t much on the market for these types of pups.

Fortunately, Halo has developed a vegan line that uses only plant-based ingredients. This line strives to provide all the necessary nutrients that dogs need to lead a healthy lifestyle even without the meat. There is absolutely no animal protein nor fat nor dairy in the Vegan line.

This particular dog food recipe does a good job of providing canines with a balanced diet, including all of the necessities, such as protein, fiber, carbohydrates, and amino acids. It takes its protein from plant sources, specifically green peas and chickpeas. Despite only taking protein from these two beans, the protein level of this formulation is quite good at 20%. 

Fat is an important part of any dog diet because fat is crucial in many canine bodily functions. It is also responsible for giving your dogs enhanced energy and, during harsh weather, a type of cushioning and insulation against the cold.

In this recipe it comes in the forms of canola oil, which has a higher amount of omega-3 fatty acids than other oils (aside from flaxseed), and sunflower oil. We’re no fans of canola oil because it is too highly processed for our standards, but it does provide benefits. We still do wish the brand stuck to other types of oil other than canola.

Barley, oat groats, and potatoes provide the carbs in this dry dog food. Carbohydrates are the main sources of energy in the body. These help fuel brain functions, the central nervous system, and more.

Plus, those mentioned above are all complex carbohydrates. They digest slower than simple carbs and can help your dog feel fuller longer. 

Since a balanced meal is not complete without vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, Garden of Vegan has other fruits and vegetables aplenty. Dogs won’t lack for flavor or nutrients at all. 

It has natural vegetable flavors, of course, but somehow and to my great surprise, the taste works for a lot of pups. 

Key Takeaways:

While dogs are omnivores, they do thrive best on diets that have meat in them because dogs love meat and these are more biologically-appropriate.  Besides, it’s hard to turn a dog’s head with a carrot when you’ve got steak. 

That said, some dogs are so sensitive to meat proteins that there is no other alternative than to feed a vegan diet. Other dogs can’t handle high protein foods. This recipe supports dogs like that by providing them with a healthy alternative.

In many cases where a plant-based recipe is used, dogs fail to get all of the essential amino acids that they need because most plant proteins do not contain these. However, in this dry dog food recipe, Halo took that into consideration by providing supplemental levels of the amino acids, particularly taurine. 

While dogs in perfect health are best served by eating meat-based Halo dog food, those who have no other choice but to stick to a vegan diet will find all of their canine nutrition requirements met by this Garden of Vegan recipe.

Best for: Most dogs who can’t eat animal proteins

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2. Holistic Grain-Free Surf & Turf Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Whitefish, Dried Egg Product, Dried Chickpeas, Dried Lentils, Dried Peas

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Guaranteed Analysis:

This recipe is crafted for adult dog breeds of all sizes. It features a tasty combination of whitefish, turkey, and duck for an interesting mix of poultry and fish. The formula is specially designed to help adult dogs maintain their energy and strength levels.

Whitefish is the primary protein source, although a few more animal (as well as plant-based) proteins were added to raise the protein level further. 

One of these—turkey liver—is a particularly beneficial ingredient. Not only does it add protein, it is also full of vitamins and minerals and taste. Liver, as you know, is a canine favorite. I’ve found through my own dogs that most food with livers will definitely get interesting looks and sniffs and some begging.

Liver also has iron in abundance as well other healthy nutrients like folic acid, zinc, and copper. It’s like a meaty superfood, actually, with the amount of antioxidants and nerve, bone, mental health, and muscle-supporting nutrients it contains.

The chicken fat provides the food’s requisite fat content. This type of fat is particularly noted for its high content of linoleic acid, which is excellent at keeping the skin healthy and the coat luxurious. The fat is also important as a concentrated source of energy, especially helpful for performance or working dogs.

Fiber is important in keeping the digestive system in proper working order, because it helps in the regular elimination of waste. As you can see in the analysis above, there’s enough fiber in the dry dog food recipe to help prevent constipation from occurring. 

Key takeaways:

Everything that dogs need to keep up with an active lifestyle are all here, from the whole meat (protein) to the bountiful fruits and vegetables. Since there are no artificial ingredients, nutrients from the food are much more easily absorbed.

It also helps that prebiotics are very much present here. These break down the food faster so that your dog gains more nutrients before the food completely leaves his body.

The calorie content, though, is a little high. At 470 calories per cup, this recipe might be a little fattening if your dog doesn’t lead a very active lifestyle. 

Best for: Adult dogs with an active lifestyle

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3. Holistic Healthy Weight Small Breed

First 5 ingredients: Salmon, Whitefish, Dried Egg Product, Chickpeas, Dried Lentils 

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Guaranteed analysis:

Small breed or not, our dogs need to maintain a healthy weight to be considered healthy. This salmon and whitefish formulation keeps small pups fully nourished without letting them gain more pounds than necessary.

Salmon, whitefish, and dried egg product contribute the most proteins in this meal to help it reach a high 27%. Small breeds naturally need more calories per pound than their large-sized counterparts because they have higher metabolisms, so their diets must be high in protein and fats. But the high protein level here also helps them become more active and less sedentary.

Chicken fat is a high-quality type of fat that provides a concentrated energy source for playful dogs. It is a much better source of energy than carbs and more closely reflects a dog’s natural diet. Chicken fat is also high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can aid heart health and reduce cholesterol levels.

A well-rounded diet must have meat and then fruits and veggies to complement it. This recipe has more than enough of the latter two. Blueberries, cranberries, sweet potatoes, peas, and chickpeas provide all the fiber, minerals, and vitamins that dogs need. And a dose of prebiotics makes sure that your dog’s digestive system is cared for as well.

Key takeaways:

This kibble provides small pups with enough nutrition to support high energy plays, lean muscle development, and a healthy skin and coat. It also has all the essential vitamins and minerals they need for a longer life.

When compared to other dry dog foods formulated by the Halo brand, this one has reduced fat and calories to support weight loss, but I don’t see pups feeling less than happy or energetic on it. The good amount of fiber helps our small sidekicks feel full longer so they don’t continuously beg you for food.

Overall, I consider this food top-notch and perfect for any small dog’s health. It contains none that I would deem as unnecessary or harmful, although I would wish for less peas in it.

Best for: Small breed dogs

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4. Holistic Chicken & Chicken Liver Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Dried Egg Product, Oatmeal, Pearled Barley

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Guaranteed analysis:

This chicken liver recipe is designed for adult breeds of all sizes to help them maintain a healthy coat and skin and provide the proper levels of energy that they need for their daily activities. It is made from cage-free chickens and non-GMO vegetables and fruits.

Two types of whole meats start off this dry dog food. There’s muscle meat (chicken) and organ meat (chicken liver). While muscle meat is a common ingredient in dog food for its protein content, it’s the organ meat that contains most of the nutrition. Organs, and especially the liver, are the most nutritious parts of an animal for it contains a multitude of vitamins and minerals.

To aid the chicken and chicken liver with more protein content, which is at a really nice level (25%), Halo added peas, chickpeas, and dried egg product. (We support plant-based proteins as long as the primary protein in a recipe is animal-based.)

This is a grain-inclusive formulation and so has a couple of good ones in the mix—pearled barley and oatmeal. Barley is a grain that’s low in cholesterol but high in fiber. One great nutrient it contains is betaine, which the body converts to choline—essential in proper liver functions. Oatmeal is also a good source of fiber and can be safe to eat even for dogs with wheat allergies.

Other sources for fiber here are flaxseed and pea fiber, bringing the total fiber content to a max of 5%. This is considered a good level in dog foods (fiber usually ranges between 2-5%).

Why is fiber important? Fiber is fermented into fatty acids by the good bacteria in your dog’s digestive tract. It also provides bulk to waste so that waste can be eliminated easily and regularly, preventing constipation. 

Your dog will lack for nothing with the inclusion of several wholesome vegetables and fruits in this dry food. Supplemental vitamins and minerals have also been added to enhance the food’s nutrition profile.

Key takeaways:

I find that a meaty flavor and a tempting crunchy texture are often irresistible to canines. Plus, the chicken liver enhances that taste even more. (If you’ve ever had a dog that wouldn’t eat, you probably have been told to give him something with liver in it as that organ meat is highly enticing to dogs.)

It’s a good choice if your pup thrives on chicken or is allergic to other types of protein because it is a single-animal-protein diet.

The inclusion of healthy grains complement the meats and whole veggies/fruits nicely and makes this a well-rounded and perfectly balanced diet. There are no by-products nor rendered meats, so you can be sure that every ingredient in the recipe is premium.

With a calorie content of 403 kcal per cup, this is on the higher part of average. This works perfectly for active, working, or performing dogs. Dogs who follow a more sedentary lifestyle may need a little watching when fed this diet on a regular basis.

Best for: Adult dogs who thrive on chicken

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5. Holistic Garden of Vegan Canned Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Vegetable Broth, Chickpeas, Potatoes, Pea Protein, Carrots

Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Guaranteed analysis:

Whether you are a vegan and want your dog to share in your diet, want to lessen your carbon footprint, or help your dog who is sensitive to meat proteins, this diet is ideal for your pet. The plant-based diet provides your canine with fresh and non-GMO fruits and vegetables to support sustainable farming.

As seen in the ingredient list above, the broth makes up a large percentage of the meal. This is okay for wet foods, which usually contain around 78-82% of moisture. 

Wet foods are the best type of food to give dogs who need to increase the amount of water they take in. They’re also easier to digest, and they help prevent dehydration.

Since there is no meat, a good alternative for proteins comes from these four nutrient-rich sources—chickpeas, peas, flaxseed, and pea protein.

Pea protein is extracted from split peas, and they offer a healthy option in boosting the protein content of food that does not have meat or dairy.

Chickpeas, peas, and flaxseed offer a bit more than just protein. They have fiber aplenty too, which makes dogs last longer between meals since the fiber makes them feel fuller longer. Potatoes provide the carbohydrate or energy source in the diet.

You might see one thing in the ingredients list that isn’t commonly found in dog food. I am talking about dandelion greens. I was curious when I saw the dandelion greens so I did some research.

Did you know that these have 3 times more calcium, 15 times more vitamin A, and 3 times more iron than broccoli, which is a superfood? It kind of blew me away when I first heard of it, and if something like that is in my dog’s food, then I’m all for it.

The nutritional level in the analysis might seem low to you, but do remember that this is canned food. If we calculate the nutritional content on a dry matter basis, the figures would come out superior when compared to many dry dog food formulas. 

Key takeaways:

For dogs that can’t process meat, dairy or grains, this alternative meal is a good option. However, if you’re used to seeing nutrient profiles of non-vegan foods, the analysis here might seem too low.

Even the calories seem to be on the low end of the scale, although this recipe meets the nutrition requirements established by the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials). 

Can dogs be vegan? They are omnivores so, yes. This formulation can help those struggling with plenty of food sensitivities and health issues thrive and still lead a happy, healthy lifestyle.

Best for: Dogs who need a meat-free diet due to medical conditions

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6. Holistic Small Breed Turkey & Duck

First 5 ingredients: Turkey, Turkey Broth, Turkey Liver, Ground Dried Peas, Duck

Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Guaranteed analysis:

This canned recipe for small dogs is happily filled with a few different kinds of whole meats that provide our little bundles of fur with all they need for daily play. Turkey meat starts off the recipe, and it is further supported in protein content by liver, dried egg whites, and fresh duck.

A plant-based protein in the form of peas also lends its support for the meal’s protein level, which is at a an extremely good level already.

Although there is flaxseed oil in it, most of the fat is contributed by the liver in this recipe. Not only that, but liver contributes plenty of vitamins and minerals for dogs, much more than muscle meats do. 

As for fiber, it is taken from the carrots in the recipe. Carrots are fiber-rich, which can help dogs cut down on cholesterol, keep them full, and aid in their digestive process.

To provide moisture and keep dogs hydrated, there’s turkey broth. At 78%, it provides enough water content to aid in a dog’s digestion and increase their water intake.

Key takeaways:

This recipe doesn’t contain many veggies, but it makes up for it with the inclusion of several chelated minerals and vitamins. I like that Halo added L-Carnitine to the food. L-Carnitine helps with fat metabolism and can even aid in reducing weight for overweight dogs.

It is full of healthy fats, antioxidants, and proteins to keep your small pets looking and feeling their best. It contains hearty ingredients that are wholly natural.

There are no artificial preservatives, flavors, or unnecessary ingredients. (Mixed tocopherols usually do the trick to preserve the food in dry dog foods, but with wet food, the canning process itself preserves the food nicely.)

The diet’s meaty content will appeal to even finicky pups, especially with its inclusion of liver which is known to add palatability to any dog food.

The caloric content is about average, although it would be better if the food had a bit more since small breeds need lots in their diet.

Best for: Small breed pups who need more moisture in their diet

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7. Holistic Beef Stew

First 5 ingredients: Beef, Beef Broth, Beef Liver, Carrots, Pumpkin

Rating: 4/5 stars

Guaranteed analysis:

With wholesome grains that support healthy skin, fur, and the immune system, this holistic beef stew recipe by Halo gives every adult dog a healthy boost. It has beef—a canine favorite—making up the bulk of the recipe.

Whole beef starts off this recipe and is quickly followed by beef broth for moisture and beef liver for protein and a load of other nutrients. These three provide the majority of the protein content of the meal, which is pegged at 8.5%.

The sole grain here (rolled oats) provide the complex carbohydrates that the diet needs. Complex carbs are not only excellent energy sources, but they’re also high in fiber.

Oats also carry a plethora of minerals and antioxidants and a significant amount of vitamin B and linoleic acid (both supporting a healthy skin and coat).

Fat comes by way of the beef liver and the sunflower oil. Are both healthy? Yes. Organ meats contain lots of nutrients and oil from sunflower is often touted as a “healthy oil.”

This oil has lots of unsaturated fats that may benefit heart health, and depending on the type used, is high in either oleic (omega-9), linolenic (omega-3), or linoleic (omega-6) acid.

A bonus ingredient, although it’s at the bottom of the ingredient list and therefore only comprises a small percentage of the diet, is dried kelp.

Plenty of dog food brands add this seaweed to their recipes because of its iodine content (essential for proper thyroid function). And also because it’s made of 25% protein, has 21 amino acids, and 60 different minerals.

Key takeaways:

All animal-based proteins come from only one animal—beef. I’ve found this to be a good thing, especially if your pup is sensitive to other kinds of animal meat. There is less room for allergies and sensitivities with single animal protein diets.

It’s a clean recipe that works with both sensitive and non-sensitive dogs. Although there is only beef to supply the protein, it has no need for artificial flavors since there is so much natural flavor already. 

The calorie content is kind of low. This wet food is probably not suited to highly active dogs, but it provides enough fuel for your average happy canine.

Overall, it’s a good formulation that can provide adequate nutrition for adult dogs of all breeds.

Best for: Picky eaters who don’t like kibble

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8. Lamb Stew

First 5 ingredients: Lamb, Chicken Broth, Beef Liver, Pumpkin, Carrots

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Guaranteed analysis:

This wet food is a complete and balanced formula for dogs in all life stages. It features real meat proteins, digestible carbohydrates, and healthy supplements without the use of corn, wheat, and soy. In addition to being protein-rich and full of natural flavor, this recipe is loaded with healthy fats and natural antioxidants. 

The main source of protein in this formula is lamb, and it’s boosted by beef liver as well as chicken broth. 

Not only is lamb a meat-rich protein, but it is also a complete protein which means that it contains all of the essential amino acids your dog needs. Lamb also has plenty of omega fatty acids too to promote skin and coat health for your dog.

Pumpkin is added for supplemental energy and a healthy dose of fiber. Meanwhile, the carrots, celery, and mustard greens act as natural sources for key nutrients including antioxidants.

The main source of fat in this recipe is the liver, which is rich in essential fatty acids and quite biologically viable for your dog. The remaining ingredients on the list consist of chelated minerals and vitamin supplements–all healthy additions to this recipe.

Key takeaways:

In my opinion, this canned meal is highly recommendable as a quality source of protein and complete nutrition for your dog. It is loaded with natural flavor from the lamb, beef liver, and chicken broth as well as digestible carbohydrates from the pumpkin and oats.

I frankly don’t see anything that is lacking in this recipe. The protein is high, the ingredients are few, and there are no objectionable ingredients. The moisture is also quite up there with max content pegged at 84%.

All in all, this seems to be a meat-based formula that offers plenty of healthy fat, digestible carbohydrate, and dietary fiber to meet the needs of any adult pup.

Best for: Dogs who love meat blends

Food Recall History

If you peruse the company website you’ll find many claims regarding high-quality ingredients, balanced formulas, and premium products. It is also worth noting that the company has been given a variety of different awards since the company’s founding in 1986.

So far, there is only single recall in the brand’s history. In March 2015, the company issued a voluntary recall for 3- and 6-pound bags of their Spot’s Stew Wholesome Turkey Recipe Sensitive Formula for Cats for possible mold growth. There has been no dog food recalls since, voluntary or not.

Where Can I Buy Halo’s Products?

Halo dog food products are sold almost everywhere, from pet stores to groceries. More can also be found online, through Chewy’s or Amazon.

Halo Dog Food Products

Halo’s dog food offerings are currently divided into four lines — canned dog food, dry dog food, raw meat diets, and dog treats — and those are further divided into sub-ranges geared for specific life stages or special diets.

Because the foods are marketed as holistic, Halo only utilizes only whole meat and fish in its formulations. There are no meat meals of any kind nor GMO fruits or veggies. Artificial flavors and preservatives are also no-nos. 

Dry Products

Halo Elevate (Grain-Free and Grain-Inclusive):

• Red Meat
• Red Meat Puppy
• Red Meat Small Breed
• Salmon
• Chicken
• Chicken Small Breed
• Chicken Large Breed

Halo Holistic:

• Garden of Vegan
• Chicken & Chicken Liver Puppy
• Chicken & Chicken Liver Adult
• Chicken & Chicken Liver Small Breed
• Wild Salmon & Whitefish
• Wild Salmon & Whitefish Small Breed
• Turkey, Liver & Duck

Canned Products

Halo Elevate (Grain-Free and Grain-Inclusive):

• Bone-In Chicken w/Sweet Potatoes & Kale
• Bone-In Chicken w/ Carrots & Spinach
• Bone-In Chicken Stew w/Pumpkin & White Potatoes
• Smoky BBQ Glazed Chicken w/White Potatoes & Carrots
• Smoky BBQ Braised Duck & Beef Stew
• Smoky BBQ Shredded Chicken Stew
• Kettle-Cooked Chunky Chicken Stew w/ Carrots, Pumpkin & Brown Rice
• Kettle-Cooked Chunky Chicken Stew
• Kettle-Cooked Chunky Chicken & Salmon Stew
• Kettle-Cooked Duck & Beef Stew

Halo Holistic:

• Garden of Vegan
• Beef Adult
• Chicken
• Chicken & Salmon
• Turkey & Duck

Vigor Canned Food Recipes:

• Chicken & Beef Recipe
• Salmon & Roasted Venison Recipe
• Tukey & Roasted Quail Recipe

Freeze-Dried Raw Products

• Beef 
• Turkey 
• Turducken
• Whitefish

Treats and Mix-Ins

In addition to offering a wide variety of dry and wet food options, they also has some dog treats and mix-ins. The Mix ‘N More line of products includes three flavors of freeze-dried meal toppers designed to be fed with your dog’s dry or canned food diet.

For dog treats, they offer an assortment of treats including biscuits, protein treats, freeze-dried treats, and dental treats. Here is a list of treats and Mix-ins:

Liv-A-Littles Recipes:

• 100% Freeze-Dried Chicken Breasts
• 100% Freeze-Dried Wild Salmon

Healthsome Recipes:

• Peanut ‘n’ Pumpkin
• Sweet Potato, Carrot & Quinoa

I have to say that the Halo Holistic dog food brand has some of the most select ingredients among dog food brands out in the market. It definitely does not cut on costs and for the most part, it shows.

Final Verdict

Some manufacturers of pet foods tend to describe their food in such a way as to make it seem that it is the healthiest out there. However, very rarely is it true. In Halo’s case and according to my own extensive research while doing this Halo dog food review, those claims are real.

The company is really committed to providing the best for your pup, in terms of the ingredients’ quality and their selection. What I like most about it though is that it not only covers the basic requirements of dogs, but also goes beyond that. Its vegan line is proof. 

There are very few dog food brands that can cater to the needs of extremely sensitive dogs, but Halo is one of them. As a dow owner myself, I find it fortunate that if I ever have a dog that cannot handle any type of meat, I know there is something out there that I can give him to help him lead as healthy a life as possible.