Our quick take: Whole Earth Farms was Merrick Pet Care’s budget-friendly, mostly grain-free line (three kibbles and two canned recipes at the end). Merrick, which has been owned by Nestlé Purina since 2015, has now discontinued every Whole Earth Farms recipe, and Chewy lists the bags as discontinued. Any stock you still find is old, so check the best-by date. If your dog did well on it, look at Merrick’s own recipes in our Merrick review, or compare current options in our best natural dog food picks and, if you would rather feed grains, our best dog food with grains. Switch gradually over 7–10 days.
The Whole Earth Farms brand followed the tagline, “Goodness from the earth”. The review below describes the recipes as they were last sold.
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 said its recipes were designed to be easy to digest and to support skin, coat, nails and energy. Those are the brand’s own claims; they were not backed by published feeding trials.
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. Nestlé Purina bought Merrick in 2015, and Merrick has since discontinued the Whole Earth Farms line (Merrick FAQ).
This recipe is a protein-rich, holistic dry food that includes essential nutrients without unnecessary additives. It is grain-free and does not contain corn, wheat, or soy. Grain-free is not automatically better for dogs with allergies: the most common food allergens in dogs are animal proteins such as beef, dairy and chicken, and grains are a less common cause (see food allergies in dogs).
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.
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 at least 24% 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.
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 (27% minimum) 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.
Red Meat is a protein-rich, grain-free canned dog food featuring beef as the primary ingredient, making it a suitable choice for pets who are finicky eaters.
This holistic food contains essential nutrients without unnecessary additives, using “the earth’s best ingredients.”
The stew’s primary ingredient is fresh beef, followed by beef broth to maintain the 78% moisture content and add natural flavor.
Additional proteins include fresh lamb and pork liver. Fats are provided by organ meats and sunflower oil, ensuring a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Other beneficial ingredients include sweet potatoes, carrots and apples. Sweet potatoes support digestion, blood sugar regulation and immune health with fiber and antioxidants.
Carrots promote vision, skin health and dental hygiene while supplying key vitamins. Apples offer vitamins A and C, aid digestion and help clean teeth. Together, these ingredients enhance overall health, immunity and vitality in dogs.
Overall, this canned food offers high-quality ingredients and excellent nutritional value, with fresh beef and lamb as the primary proteins and digestible, grain-free carbohydrates.
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
We found no recalls of Whole Earth Farms dog food in FDA records or recall news (checked October 2026). For recent recalls across all brands, see our pet food recalls page.
Is Whole Earth Farms Expensive?
Whole Earth Farms was sold as a value line: it cost noticeably less than Merrick’s main recipes. Because the line is discontinued, current prices no longer apply, and any bags or cans still for sale are old stock.
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. By the time the line was discontinued, only two canned flavors were left.
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 offered affordable, mostly grain-free recipes built on meat meals, potatoes and peas, with no recalls on record. Merrick has discontinued the whole line, so it is no longer a food you can plan around.
If your dog did well on it, the closest replacements are Merrick’s own recipes (see our Merrick review) or another brand with a similar protein and carbohydrate mix from our best natural dog food picks. Mix the new food in gradually over 7–10 days, and ask your vet if your dog has a medical condition.
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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.
We watch the FDA and every major brand so you don’t have to. The moment a dog food is recalled, you’ll get an email with the brand, the lots affected, and what to do. Nothing else, no spam.
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