Holistic Select dog food is a brand dedicated to the comprehensive treatment of digestive issues, giving your pet the best chance at being able to stay healthy and energetic all day long. It uses a blend of premium ingredients and probiotics for robust digestive support.
Each recipe is made in the United States from carefully sourced ingredients. The company is dedicated not only to providing you with the best possible ingredients but also giving back to the community through well-pet initiatives and programs designed to get every dog the best nutrition.
Let’s see if Holistic Select could be the answer to your dog’s digestive issues, come and read our comprehensive Holistic Dog Food Reviews below.
Holistic Select was officially debuted in 2000, but the company goes back much farther than that in different forms. It was founded in 1926 under the name Old Mother Hubbard. The idea was born back in 1873 at a bakery that made biscuits for pets.
Old Mother Hubbard was purchased by a pet expert in the 1960s and turned into a thriving holistic pet food option by 2000 when Holistic Select was officially introduced. It falls under the umbrella of WellPet LLC, a collection of holistic pet food companies dedicated to making your pet’s life easier through simple recipes and proper digestion.
The company is one of the top brands of holistic dog food in the country, providing recipes that help alleviate long-suffering dogs’ troubles and provide excellent sources of nutrition that customers can trust. They believe in simplifying ingredients and the power of great probiotics for the unique canine biome.
The company sources ingredients from trusted providers in North America and manufactures food is a facility with high-quality standards and frequent checks. Their foods pass rigorous safety standards and never use cheap ingredients for fillers common for bargain dog food brands.
Holistic Select Dog Food Reviews
1. Chicken Meal and Brown Rice
First 5 ingredients:
Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine), Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Rice, Chicken Fat
This formula is designed to boost your dog’s immune system through a specific and targeted blend of pro and prebiotic support. It helps with digestion and uses enzymes to help dogs break down difficult portions of the recipe including protein and starches.
Whole veggies and fruits provide excellent sources of vitamins and minerals to boost different body systems while giving your dog plenty of fiber to help with digestion. It also has an outstanding balance of whole grains to help your dog feel energetic throughout the day without adding in extra calories that can cause unnecessary weight gain.
Superfoods contain antioxidants to help give your dog the building blocks for good health and well-being. It’s a unique blend that specifically targets the digestive system so that the food is broken down well and easier than it would be without the presence of probiotics and enzymes.
The kibble is a good size and should be satisfactory for most dogs. Pickier dogs may not like the taste of the kibble, but sometimes using one of Holistic Select’s wet foods on top can help encourage your dog to eat. We love that it’s balanced and still contains those little extras to make digestion easier.
One really good thing about this food is that it doesn’t contain any potatoes or peas, which may have a link to a condition known as Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy. We aren’t sure of the exact relationship, but it’s thought that foods heavy in potatoes and peas could have a link to an increased risk. You don’t have to worry about that with this food, however.
It uses no artificial flavors or preservatives, and there are no cheap fillers such as corn or soy. This allows your dog to have energy all day without adding empty calories that can make weight control difficult. It does have chicken, so be watchful if your dog has allergies already because chicken can be an allergen as well.
This is an excellent, high-quality food that really does help improve your dog’s digestion and overall health. We enthusiastically recommend it for all dogs. The company’s initiatives are excellent, and they’ve had such a good run with manufacturing that we don’t think you’ll have any issues with your dog and this food.
2. Duck Meal Recipe
First 5 ingredients:
Duck Meal (source of Glucosamine), Chickpeas, Peas, Lentils, Chicken Fat
This is a grain-free dry dog food formulated to provide the nutritional needs of adult dogs of all breeds and sizes. This duck meal recipe is one of the highest rated products from Holistic Select. Like all of their recipes, this dry food focuses on digestive health.
At 29% protein, this recipe provides all the amino acids needed by adult dogs to keep a lean muscle mass. Duck meal is its main source or protein. Duck meal is a highly concentrated protein source. You can be assured that your dog gets only high quality nutrition with this recipe.
As duck meal is the only animal protein in this recipe, it is ideal for dogs who are sensitive to other animal meat proteins. Chickpeas and lentils provide additional sources of proteins.
The main sources of carbohydrates and fiber in this meal are highly nutritious fruits and vegetables. As it is a holistic recipe, wholesome produce that are beneficial to digestion are added. This includes pumpkin and papaya. These ingredients are rich in soluble and insoluble fiber that help improve digestion.
Many experts believe that a good gut health is the key to a strong immune system and good overall health. Having a healthy digestive system allows the body to absorb more nutrients, instead of turning them to waste.
This contains prebiotics, probiotics and live yoghurt cultures that stimulate the growth of good gut bacteria to support the breakdown and absorption of key nutrients. Digestive enzymes in this formula also help in breaking down the vitamins and minerals in this food.
Plants-based ingredients that are rich in antioxidants are also included in this recipe. Antioxidants support the immune system and cellular health. Ingredients such as cranberries, blueberries, and pomegranate are superfoods that provide antioxidants in this recipe.
This recipe’s source of healthy fat is chicken fat. It is a highly digestible animal fat that is high in omega 6 fatty acids. This essential fatty acid helps promote good skin and coat health. Chicken fat also gives this duck recipe even more flavor.
Duck is a protein that has lots of flavor. It is no surprise that a lot of dogs love the taste of it. Aside from the rich, savory flavor, the kibbles are also just the right size even for smaller breeds. This dry kibble has passed the strict standards of some very picky pups.
If you have a picky dog, this recipe could be the one for your pup. It is also great for dogs who have digestive issues, as it has natural ingredients that help give dogs healthy digestive systems.
3. Senior Chicken Meal & Lentils Recipe
First 5 ingredients:
Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Chickpeas, Dried Ground Potatoes, Peas, Chicken Fat
Another grain-free kibble formulated to meet the unique needs of older pups. Senior dogs need more joint support, and they need food that is easy to digest. This recipe helps improve the digestion of senior pups for better nutrient absorption.
At 28% protein, it is quite high in protein. This helps keep less active senior dogs keep a leaner muscle mass. With chicken meal as the main source of protein, you can rest assured that your dog gets only high quality concentrated meat protein.
Chickpeas and lentils provide additional sources of protein. The main source of carbohydrates are dried ground potatoes. These are grain and gluten free sources of carbs that are ideal for dogs sensitive to grains and gluten.
To support senior pups’ joint health, glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate are included in this formula.
It also has healthy plant-based ingredients that are high in fiber and antioxidants, such as pumpkin, cranberries, apples, papayas, and blueberries among other nutritious ingredients.
Holistic Select formulas come with a lot of natural ingredients that are designed to improve dogs’ gut health. The pumpkin and papayas in this recipe are very good for digestion. They are high in soluble and insoluble fiber that helps things to move along the digestive tract.
This recipe for senior pups also has prebiotics, probiotics, and live yoghurt cultures that stimulate the growth of good bacteria in the gut to support the breakdown of key nutrients. Digestive enzymes in this formula also help in breaking down the vitamins and minerals in this food. This helps the body absorb even more nutrients.
It has chicken fat that is rich in essential fatty acids that help promote skin and coat health. Chicken fat also gives this recipe a boost of meaty flavor.
Stimulating older dogs' appetites is very important. As dogs get older, they ten to become picky with flavors and textures. Even dogs who were once eating machines would sometimes start preferring certain foods over ones that they used to like.
This dry dog food has received good feedback from owners of older pups. Many of the dogs love the rich chicken flavor of the kibbles. They have also shown more energy since being switched to this recipe.
Picky senior dogs who have started losing weight have gained healthy amounts of weight, and possibly muscle mass with this chicken meal recipe.
Despite the higher price, numerous pet parents find good value in this recipe as it has helped their older dogs get their appetites back, and are now thriving on this food. They also love the high quality, natural ingredients that go into this formula.
Overall, this is highly recommended for older pups. Good digestion is something that senior dogs need, and this recipe has multiple digestive benefits in each serving.
This is a grain-inclusive dry food made especially for big puppies. Growing puppies need a lot more nutrition as their bodies are still developing. Large and giant breed puppies are no different. They need just the right amount of protein to help them develop strong and lean muscles.
With lamb meal as the first ingredient, you can be confident that you are feeding your big little puppy only high quality protein with every meal. Lamb is a great choice if you have a puppy who is sensitive to chicken or fish proteins.
It has DHA from salmon oil that supports healthy brain and eye development. This recipe is also rich in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids that help promote healthy skin and coats.
Aside from salmon oil, this puppy food’s main source of fat is chicken fat. Chicken fat is not only rich in essential fatty acids, but it is also in flavor. It gives the kibbles a boost of chicken goodness that dogs love.
If your pup is sensitive to chicken, it is actually the protein and not the fat that usually triggers an allergic reaction in some dogs. It is best to consult your vet if you suspect that your dog has allergies.
It also contains sources of Protease to help break down proteins. It also has cellulase that help break down cellulose, and Alpha-Amylase to help break down starch.
The main sources of carbs in this puppy food are oatmeal, brown rice, and barley. These are all easy to digest carbs that are also high in fiber. Fiber helps large breed pups feel fuller and not overeat.
If your puppy has digestive issues, this recipe could be of great help to him. This lamb meal recipe has probiotics, prebiotics, and digestive enzymes. These stimulate the growth of healthy gut bacteria to support the breakdown and absorption of nutrients. Good absorption of nutrients is vital in the development of young puppies.
Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Puppy Health Lamb Meal & Oatmeal Recipe has naturally nutritious fruits and vegetables, such as pumpkin, papaya, cranberries, apples, blueberries, and dried kelp among others. The nutrients present in these plant-based ingredients help support the overall health of pups.
This grain-inclusive formula contains no artificial ingredients such as flavors, colors or preservatives. It has no corn, wheat or soy.
Feedback for this dry puppy food has been mostly positive. A lot of puppies love the rich lamb flavor. It has also been credited with improving the digestion of many puppies.
However, it has also received a few comments regarding the hardness of the kibbles. A few young pups find the kibbles a bit hard to chew. Somepicky puppies are also not fans of the lamb flavor.
Overall, those who liked it seem to be thriving. They have better stool quality and are able to keep this food down without upsetting their stomachs.
What Types Of Dog Food Do They Offer?
Holistic Select offers a few different lines of food in both wet and dry options. They have life stage-specific and breed size specific formulas plus a line for dogs with constant, severe allergies.
Dry Foods
Adult Health Anchovy, Sardine, and Salmon Meal
Adult Health Chicken Meal and Rice
Adult Health Lamb Meal and Rice
Grain Free
Adult And Puppy Health Salmon, Anchovy, and Sardine Meal
Adult Health Duck Meal
Adult Health Deboned Turkey and Lentils
Adult Heath Rabbit and Lamb Meal
Large and Giant Breed Adult
Large and Giant Breed Puppy
Senior Health Chicken Meal and Lentils
Adult Small and Mini Breed Health
Puppy Small and Mini Breed Health
Weight Management Chicken Meal and Peas
Puppy Health Anchovy, Sardine, and Chicken Meal
Large and Giant Breed Adult Health
Large And Giant Breed Puppy Health
Wet Foods:
Grain Free Beef Pate
Grain Free Chicken Pate
Grain Free Duck Pate
Grain Free Lamb Pate
Grain Free Turkey and Duck Pate
Grain Free Whitefish, Salmon, and Herring Pate
Recall History
Holistic Select hasn’t had a recall yet, and because of their rigorous safety standards, we don’t expect they will any time soon. They use only trusted providers and regularly inspect their company-owned manufacturing facilities, so everything is under strict control. Considering they’ve been under this label since 2000, that’s a pretty good run so far.
Customer Reviews
Holistic Select is a very well-liked food with four or more stars consistently across online providers and individual recipes. Customers love that their dogs’ digestion and skin health usually improves on this food and that the probiotic support helps dogs with chronic tummy troubles. It also helps with the immune system.
This is also a consistently high rated food for veterinarians and top dog food raters. It’s well respected and often used as an alternative to cheap foods that have done a lot of damage to a dog’s skin, immune system, and weight.
What Do People Like And Dislike About Them?
People seem to love the simple ingredients and the trust they have that the food is the highest quality. Customers noticed that their dogs digestion improved and the quality of their coat and skin. Most dogs seem to like the taste of the kibble, and if they don’t, the canned foods usually do the trick.
Some customers did note that their senior dogs had trouble chewing the kibble and that the puppy formulas may still cause some gas. If that’s the case, gently introduce the food to your puppy or dog by transitioning slowly from the food they were on to see if that helps. Some dogs are highly picky and may not like a food regardless, but the canned duck recipe often helps with that pickiness.
Some of the recipes use peas as an alternative to grains which may make cause some heart issues in breeds prone to an enlarged heart. Some customers noted that they wished the formulas came in a pea free version to alleviate that danger until we understand more about what’s happening.
Positive
“Our 5 Bearded Collies have been on Holistic Select their entire adult lives. We have never had any digestible issues with the kibble. They love the flavor, and sometimes I use it for treats when training. It is also on the list at Whole Dog Journal as one of the preferred kibbles….” Hector, chewy.com
Negative:
“Two of my three dogs are not finicky eaters, so generally it's not a problem. My border collie is a finicky eater, and he's always been a problem. But now not one of my dogs likes this new formula of holistic select. I have been feeding them this previously, before the product change, there was no issue. But now getting them to eat is like going 12 rounds with Mike Tyson….” pronewsguy, chewy.com
Our Verdict
Holistic Select dog food is known for its focus on digestive health, offering recipes that include probiotics, prebiotics, and digestive enzymes to support a dog’s overall well-being.
The brand emphasizes natural ingredients, including high-quality animal proteins and a variety of fruits and vegetables. Holistic Select formulas avoid artificial additives and fillers, which appeals to pet owners looking for more natural options.
However, the inclusion of grains like brown rice and oatmeal in some formulas may not be suitable for all dogs, particularly those with grain sensitivities.
While it provides solid nutritional support, especially for digestion, Holistic Select can be on the pricier side compared to more conventional brands.
Overall, it's a good choice for pet owners prioritizing gut health and high-quality ingredients, though it may not suit every budget or dietary preference.
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For an impressive duration of four years, Elaine has been embarked on a voyage as a freelance writer within the domain of dog care. The profound fondness she nurtured for animals, ignited by the cherished companionship of her family's treasured pets during her developmental years, has flourished into a genuinely satisfying vocation focused on everything related to dogs.
