Whole Earth Farms Unleashed: A Comprehensive Review

The Whole Earth Farms brand follows the tagline, “Goodness from the earth”.

This brand is dedicated to creating wholesome, all-natural pet food products and offering them at great value. Whole Earth Farms dog food offers a wide variety of products, all of which are made with the finest ingredients available to ensure complete and balanced nutrition.

Each recipe starts with a premium animal protein and is supplemented with wholesome carbohydrates for energy and dietary fiber, plus fresh fruits and vegetables for nutritional support.

Whole Earth Farms makes it their goal to ensure that each product helps to promote easy digestibility, reduced shedding, shinier coat, stronger nails, increased energy levels, and healthier skin for dogs.

They put in only the best ingredients that mother nature has to offer and leave out the rest – that includes corn, wheat, and soy ingredients as well as by-products and artificial additives. If it doesn’t come from nature, Whole Earth Farms doesn’t use it.

Who Makes Whole Earth Farms?

The Whole Earth Farms brand of pet food is owned and made by Merrick Pet Care. Though the Whole Earth Farms website makes it clear that this brand produces all of their products in the United States, they do not provide much detail about their manufacturing processes.

The Merrick Pet Care company was founded in 1988 by Garth Merrick and the Whole Earth Farms brand was introduced in 2009.

 

Whole Earth Farms Dog Food Review

1. Whole Earth Farms Chicken & Turkey Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Canola Meal, Peas, Chicken Fat

This  recipe is a protein-rich, holistic dry food that includes essential nutrients without unnecessary additives. It is grain-free, making it ideal for dogs with allergies or sensitivities, and it does not contain corn, wheat, or soy.

The main ingredient is chicken meal, which is a highly concentrated protein source, complemented by fresh chicken, turkey, and plant protein from dried alfalfa meal.

The primary carbohydrate source is dried potatoes, supported by fresh peas and dried sweet potatoes for digestible energy and fiber.

Chicken fat and salmon oil provide healthy fats, while herbs and blueberries add flavor and nutrients. The formula includes probiotics, vitamins and minerals to support overall health. 

Suitable for dogs of all breeds and life stages, this recipe offers balanced, nutritious, and delicious meals.

2. Whole Earth Farms Grain Free Pork, Beef & Lamb Recipe

This is a poultry-free, grain free dry dog food designed for adult dogs with poultry sensitivities. The first ingredient is pork meal, providing a highly digestible protein source.

This dry kibble contains 26% protein, with real pork, beef, and lamb adding to the protein and flavor. Organic alfalfa meal also contributes to the protein content.

The primary carbohydrates are dried potatoes, sweet potatoes, and peas, with dried blueberries adding antioxidants for immune support.

Pork fat gives the recipe a savory flavor that dogs love, while salmon oil provides omega fatty acids for healthy joints, skin, and coat.

Enriched with vitamins, minerals, and probiotics, this recipe supports complete nutrition and digestive health. It contains no corn, soy, grains, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

Reviews indicate that dogs enjoy the meaty kibbles and that it is gentle on sensitive stomachs. However, some pet owners have noticed changes in kibble size and color, with a few dogs preferring the previous formula.

3. Whole Earth Farms Recipe Salmon & Whitefish

This is a grain free dry kibble for all breeds and all life stages, designed to promote healthy digestion, reduce shedding, enhance coat shine, and support strong nails and skin.

It contains wholesome, natural ingredients and is high in protein (26%) from salmon meal, chicken meal, salmon, and whitefish, with organic alfalfa meal also contributing to the protein content.

Chicken fat provides essential fats and flavor, while potatoes, peas, and chickpeas offer digestible complex carbohydrates and fiber.

Additional nutrient-packed carbs and fibers come from sweet potatoes, tapioca, flaxseed, and apples. The recipe is fortified with vitamins, minerals, and probiotics to ensure complete nutrition and promote digestive health.

Free from wheat, corn, soy, grains, and artificial enhancers, this food is highly digestible and gentle on dogs' stomachs. It is well-rated for improving skin and coat health due to the omega fatty acids in salmon.

However, it is not poultry-free and may not be suitable for dogs with poultry allergies. Overall, it is recommended for dogs with sensitive digestion or skin issues but should be avoided if poultry is a known allergen.

4. Whole Earth Farms Hearty Duck Stew

Hearty Duck Stew is a protein-rich, grain-free canned dog food featuring duck as the primary ingredient, making it a suitable choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs or food allergies.

This holistic food contains essential nutrients without unnecessary additives, using “the earth’s best ingredients.”

The stew's primary ingredient is fresh duck, followed by chicken broth to maintain the 81% moisture content and add natural flavor.

Additional proteins include fresh chicken, dried egg, and chicken liver. Fats are provided by chicken liver, flaxseed oil, and olive oil, ensuring a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Main carbohydrates are fresh peas and carrots, with supplementary carbs from dried potatoes and sweet potatoes, all of which are gluten-free and grain-free.

The recipe also includes flavors, extracts, herbs (rosemary, sage, thyme), and chelated minerals for better nutrient absorption.

Overall, this canned food offers high-quality ingredients and excellent nutritional value, with fresh duck and chicken as the primary proteins and digestible, grain-free carbohydrates.

While the peas contribute some plant protein, and an additional animal-based fat could enhance the formula, this recipe provides a well-balanced, nutritious option for any dog.

5. Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Chicken & Turkey Recipe

This is a grain-free wet dog food in loaf form, suitable for dogs of all breeds and life stages. Its soft pate texture makes it easy to chew and digest, perfect for both young puppies and senior dogs.

Featuring real chicken and turkey as the main protein sources, this recipe is gentle on sensitive stomachs. It also includes chicken liver for added richness in flavor and texture, and dried egg product for extra protein. Cooked in chicken broth, this wet food enhances hydration in your dog’s diet.

Salmon oil and flaxseed oil provide essential fats, with salmon oil offering omega fatty acids that support skin and coat health.

Nutritious vegetables like peas, sweet potatoes, and carrots contribute carbohydrates, fiber, and essential nutrients, adding flavor as well. Herbs such as rosemary, sage, and thyme make this recipe special.

This tasty recipe is free from corn, soy, grains, artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, and carrageenan, which some experts suggest may cause health issues in dogs.

However, it is not a limited ingredient food, as it contains salmon oil in addition to poultry-based ingredients. While beneficial, salmon oil may not be suitable for dogs that need a strictly chicken or turkey diet.

This recipe has received excellent reviews from pet owners, with dogs of all ages enjoying the protein-rich chicken and turkey loaf.

Sensitive dogs have shown improvements in skin, coat, and digestive health, with no adverse reactions or digestive issues.

Is Whole Earth Farms Made in the United States?

Yes, Whole Earth Farms promises that all of their kibble and canned recipes are cooked in the United States and made with the highest quality natural ingredients available to ensure complete and balanced nutrition.

This company makes it clear that Whole Earth Farm products are made in the U.S., they don’t provide specific information about their manufacturing processes or their location.

Because Whole Earth Farms is made by Merrick Pet Care, however, it seems likely that their products are made in the same facilities as Merrick dog food. Merrick owns a manufacturing facility in Hereford, Texas which may be where Whole Earth Farms products are made.

Where Do They Get Their Ingredients?

The Whole Earth Farms website spends a lot of time talking about the quality of their ingredients. The company website describes their ingredients as “natural nutritious from the earth”, including high-quality protein and digestible carbohydrates.

They don’t use any corn, wheat, or soy ingredients and their products are free from by-products and artificial additives. In the FAQ section of the website, the company states that they do not get any of their ingredients from China, though they do not provide specific information about where their ingredients DO come from.

Because Whole Earth Farms is made by Merrick Pet Care, a U.S.-based company, it is safe to assume that most, if not all, of their ingredients come from the United States as well.

 

Recall History

This brand takes seriously the task of ensuring both safety and quality for all of their products, so it should come as no surprise to you that Whole Earth Farms has yet to be affected by a single product recall.

Is Whole Earth Farms Expensive?

The Whole Earth Farms brand of dog food is a high-quality brand, but it is also a value brand – this company offers quality products at an affordable price.

A 25 lb bag of Whole Earth Farms dry dog food will cost you between $40 and $57, the grain-free recipes being at the higher end of that spectrum.

Whole Earth Farms wet food comes in 12.7-ounce cans which are sold online in cases of 12 for $20 to $32, which equates to a price of about $2.15 per can.

What Kind of Recipes Does Whole Earth Farms Offer?

The Whole Earth Farms brand of dog food offers both dry food and wet food options for dogs. Most Whole Earth Farms products are grain-free, with the exception of two dry food recipes – one is formulated for puppies and the other for adult dogs.

This brand does not currently offer any dog treats. All of Whole Earth Farms’ recipes start off strong with quality animal proteins as the main focus and most of them are supplemented with grain-free carbohydrates – that makes this brand a great choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs and food allergies or sensitivities.

You will also be glad to know that Whole Earth Farms uses fresh herbs and botanicals for flavor and to ensure that your dog’s nutritional needs are met in the healthiest, most natural way possible.

Dry Products

This brand of dog food offers grain-free recipes for dry food. Each of these products is made with high-quality ingredients and cooked in America to ensure premium quality and safety.

Their recipes are mostly formulated for all breeds and life stages. Here is a list of their dry dog food recipes:

• Grain-Free Chicken & Turkey Recipe
• Grain-Free Pork, Beef & Lamb Recipe
• Grain-Free Salmon & Whitefish Recipe

Canned Products

In the past, this brand of dog food offered a variety of dry food recipes along with a collection of canned foods. Unfortunately, they now only have two flavors available.

All of Whole Earth Farms’ canned foods are grain-free and made with high-quality animal proteins such as chicken, turkey, lamb, and beef. Below is a list of their wet food recipes:

• Grain-Free Red Meat Recipe
• Grain-Free Chicken & Turkey Recipe

Final Say

Whole Earth Farms dog food brand stands out for its commitment to quality, offering a range of nutritious and grain-free options made with high-quality animal proteins like chicken, turkey, lamb, and beef.

Despite a recent reduction in the variety of flavors, their dedication to providing the right food to support healthy skin and coat remains evident.

Among food brands, the brand continues to be a reliable choice for pet owners seeking healthy and natural dog food options.