Wysong Dog Food Reviews 2024: Pioneers on Archetypal Feeding?

The Wysong company is a holistic brand of high-quality pet food. Wysong describes themselves as a small company with a big goal – to help pets and their owners live long, happy, and healthy lives.

This company is unique in that they design their products in keeping with the idea of archetypal feeding which is not based on a specific ingredient but on a rotational style of feeding to provide the greatest chance for full-spectrum nutrition.

The Wysong Corporation has two goals, one of which is to produce natural and holistic pet food products. The other is to provide pet owners with the information they need to make sound nutritional decisions for their pets.

That is why their website is loaded with useful information about the ingredients they use in their products as well as answers to general pet health questions. If you are looking for a pet food company that legitimately cares about your pet, then Wysong is it.

Who Makes Wysong?

The Wysong brand of pet food is made by Wysong, a famiy-owned company based in Midland, Michigan. The Wysong company was established in 1979 by Dr. Wysong and it is one of the true pioneers of the natural pet food industry.

Though Wysong offers a variety of dog food products, they also make food for cats, ferrets, horses, and other animals. Wysong is also known for their nutritional supplements.

 

Wysong Dog Food Reviews

The Wysong brand of dog food has been producing premium pet food products for nearly forty years. This brand focuses each of their recipes around high-quality animal proteins like chicken, rabbit, salmon, lamb, and duck.

Wysong adheres to a holistic philosophy for pet nutrition and they also believe in a rotational style of feeding. This means that you can alternate between two or three Wysong recipes every few weeks to help balance out your dog’s nutrition while also reducing the risk for food allergies. Overall, Wysong products offer high quality and excellent nutritional value.

1. Synorgon Recipe

This high-quality kibble has been fed to dogs for over 30 years, offering more than just basic nutrition by exceeding requirements.

It uses advanced processing to retain nutrients and is rich in animal proteins, fats, and micronutrients like prebiotics, probiotics, omega-3s, and antioxidants.

The main protein source is chicken, supported by fish meal, eggs, and crab meal, although the fish source is unnamed. Brown rice and peas provide digestible carbohydrates, though peas add some plant protein. Fiber sources include flaxseed, beet pulp, and tomato pomace.

While the recipe contains excellent ingredients, a few like beet pulp, tomato pomace, and montmorillonite clay may be seen as less ideal. Despite minor drawbacks, it remains a highly nutritious choice for dogs.

2. Adult with Organic Chicken Recipe

This premium canned dog food features 95% organic chicken as the sole protein source, with a limited number of other whole ingredients and supplements.

Unlike many canned foods, it avoids artificial additives and food fractions, focusing instead on protein and micronutrients. It is suitable for rotational diets.

The recipe includes sweet potato as the primary carbohydrate, along with blueberries, organic barley grass, and dried kelp. The moisture content is 75%, which is lower than typical canned foods that usually range from 78% to 85%. Despite its high fiber content (2%), the fiber sources seem harmless. The recipe also includes chelated minerals for better absorption.

While the food provides good nutrition, there are some concerns: the absence of broth or water, a lower fat content, and a slightly high fiber level. Adding more fruits and vegetables could enhance the nutrient profile. Overall, it is a solid choice for adult dogs, though it could be improved.

3. Fundamentals Dry Dog & Cat Food

This is a grain-inclusive dry food suitable for both dogs and cats of all sizes and life stages. It is ideal for pets needing a limited ingredient diet, free from corn, wheat, soy, peas, potatoes, and legumes.

The formula is simple, featuring chicken and brown rice, with chicken meal and organic chicken as the main protein sources, providing a high protein content of 40%.

Chicken fat supplies essential omega fatty acids for heart, skin, and coat health. Brown rice offers fiber, antioxidants, and key minerals, promoting digestion and immune support. The food also includes prebiotics and probiotics to enhance gut health, which is vital for nutrient absorption and overall well-being.

This nutritionally balanced and complete recipe caters to both dogs and cats, making it convenient for multi-pet households. It has received positive feedback, especially from owners of sensitive pets, due to its simplicity and high-quality ingredients.

However, the kibble size may be small for giant breeds. Overall, it is a nutritious, high-protein option for pets needing a grain-inclusive, limited ingredient diet.

4. Optimal Performance

This is another grain-inclusive, low-carb, low-glycemic, high-protein dry dog food suitable for all breeds, sizes, and life stages.

It contains 50% protein, with chicken meal, organic chicken, turkey meal, and crab meal as primary protein sources. Freeze-dried raw organic chicken is also included, providing the benefits of raw nutrition with the convenience of kibble.

The recipe is moderate in fat (15%) and includes healthy fats like chicken fat, coconut oil, and fish oil, which offer omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids for heart, brain, joint health, and more.

The low-carb content comes from nutrient-dense ingredients such as peas and flaxseeds, which also provide fiber and anti-inflammatory benefits.

The recipe includes superfoods like blueberries, kelp, spinach, and carrots, rich in antioxidants to support the immune system. It also contains dairy products like whey, cheese, and yogurt for extra protein and flavor, along with enzymes and probiotics to enhance nutrient absorption and gut health.

Praised by pet parents, this food sustains dogs with fewer servings due to its high protein content and is especially beneficial for active dogs. It is ideal for those seeking a high-protein, low-carb diet without excessive fat.

5. Optimal Senior Formula

Here we have another grain-inclusive, high-protein, low-carb, and low-glycemic food designed for mature dogs of all breeds and sizes. It contains high-quality proteins like turkey meal, fresh turkey, and crab meal.

The formula also includes peas for added flavor and texture. Known for its palatability, it is enriched with ingredients like dried cheese, chicken fat, and rosemary extract to appeal to picky senior dogs.

The recipe includes essential fatty acids from chicken fat, coconut oil, and fish oil to support heart, brain, skin, and joint health. It also contains glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate for joint support, particularly important for aging dogs.

Carbohydrates and fiber come from organic fruits, vegetables, peas, and potatoes, with superfoods like flaxseeds, chia seeds, kelp, and blueberries adding antioxidants to boost immune function. It also contains colostrum to improve gastrointestinal health, reduce allergy symptoms, and potentially inhibit cancer cell growth.

This nutritionally balanced recipe is fortified with vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and probiotics for optimal digestion and nutrient absorption.

Highly praised by pet owners, it supports the health of senior dogs with its dense nutrition and appealing flavors. Even cats enjoy this food, making it a favorite in multi-pet households. Overall, it is a top-rated, highly recommended food for senior dogs.

6. Adult Dry Dog Food

Wysong Adult is a food designed for adult dogs of all breeds and sizes. With 30% protein, it provides essential amino acids for lean muscle mass, with chicken as the primary protein source. Chicken meal, turkey meal, and crab meal are also included for added flavor and concentrated protein.

This recipe incorporates wholesome grains like oats and brown rice as its main carbohydrate sources, offering high fiber content for improved digestion and sustained energy. Healthy fats come from chicken fat, coconut oil, and fish oil, which support heart, brain, skin, and joint health.

Flaxseed is added for fiber, cardiovascular benefits, and anti-inflammatory properties. Other nutrient-rich ingredients include kelp, which is high in iodine and packed with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. While it lacks cheese, it includes dairy products like dried whey and yogurt for added nutrients.

The recipe is fortified with micronutrients, prebiotics, and probiotics to promote gut health and nutrient absorption. Pet parents report improved health and reduced allergy symptoms in their dogs after switching to this food, with benefits such as better skin and coat health.

Overall, it is a highly recommended adult maintenance food for those seeking a high-protein, high-fiber formula with wholesome grains.

7. Growth Formula

This is a multi-protein, grain-inclusive recipe designed to meet the nutritional needs of growing puppies of all breeds and sizes. It features easy-to-digest proteins, including fresh chicken and chicken meal as the primary sources, with additional protein from turkey and crab meal. These provide essential amino acids for lean muscle development.

Chicken fat supplies omega-6 fatty acids for healthy growth, skin, and coat, while fish oil adds omega-3s for heart, brain, and anti-inflammatory benefits. Coconut oil is included for digestive and cognitive support.

The formula uses brown rice and oat groats as wholesome, fiber-rich carbohydrate sources instead of corn, wheat, or soy. Flaxseeds contribute omega fatty acids and anti-inflammatory properties, while superfoods like organic barley grass, dried blueberries, and kelp provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to boost immune health.

Prebiotics and probiotics aid in digestion by promoting healthy gut bacteria, which improves nutrient absorption. The formula has received positive feedback from puppy owners for its palatability, digestive benefits, and high energy support.

All in all, it is a highly recommended high-protein food with nutritious grains and multiple health benefits for optimal puppy development.

8. Epigen Turkey Formula

This is a grain-free wet food suitable for dogs, cats, and ferrets of all life stages. This limited ingredient pate contains only five ingredients, with turkey as the primary source of lean, highly digestible protein, making it ideal for pets with sensitivities to other proteins like chicken or beef. Free from grains, gluten, peas, potatoes, and artificial additives, it offers a clean and simple ingredient list.

While highly palatable and rich in protein, this formula is designed as a meal enhancer or supplementary food, as it lacks the vitamins and minerals needed for a complete diet. Pet owners can pair it with dry food or add supplements like Wysong Call of the Wild to provide balanced nutrition.

Pet parents appreciate its simplicity and meat content, though it may not appeal to dogs who prefer wetter, gravy-filled foods. It is a great option for sensitive pets and works well as part of a rotational diet or to enhance meals.

9. Senior with Organic Turkey

Here we have a grain-inclusive wet food designed for senior dogs of all breeds and sizes.

It is high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and made from whole foods with beneficial micronutrients. The main ingredient, organic turkey, provides essential amino acids for lean muscle maintenance and is easy to digest, making it ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

Instead of fillers like corn, wheat, or soy, this recipe includes brown rice, blueberries, dried kelp, and organic barley grass powder for carbohydrates and fiber.

Brown rice aids digestion, while blueberries provide antioxidants, and kelp supports metabolism with its rich iodine content. The formula is also fortified with vitamins and minerals to ensure complete nutrition.

Many dogs love the meaty flavor, and pet parents report that their senior dogs have gained renewed energy and vitality after switching to this food.

While some noted its higher price, they find it worth the quality. However, one pet owner mentioned their dogs experienced diarrhea after trying the product.

If you want a high protein, highly palatable, low carb, yet grain-inclusive complete meal for your older pup, then this is highly recommended.

10. Dream Chicken Freeze-Dried Treats

These are starch-free, freeze-dried raw treats suitable for dogs, cats, and ferrets of all ages.

With a high protein content of 44%, the main ingredients include chicken, chicken organs, and ground chicken bones, providing essential nutrients like calcium and phosphorus for bone and teeth health. The freeze-drying process preserves the nutrients without artificial preservatives.

These treats also contain organic barley grass, chia seeds, broccoli, organic blueberries, and carrots, offering antioxidants for cellular health.

Enriched with taurine for heart and eye function, and fortified with probiotics and prebiotics for better nutrient absorption, these treats offer comprehensive health benefits. Despite their large size, they can be easily broken into smaller pieces for smaller pets or training rewards.

Pet owners appreciate the nutritious ingredients and versatility of the treats, though a few pets may not enjoy them. These treats are highly recommended for any dog, cat, or ferret that loves chicken.

Is Wysong Made in the United States?

The Wysong Corporation is a family company that has been producing high-quality holistic pet food products for nearly forty years. Wysong develops and manufactures all of their own products using sound science and nature as their guiding principles.

This company doesn’t outsource the production of any of their products and, if you check the packaging, you will see that each bag of Wysong carries the label, “Made in the USA”.

While Wysong does state that their products are made in the United States, they do not provide specific information about exactly where their manufacturing facilities are located.

Where Do They Get Their Ingredients?

Wysong is based in the United States, having their headquarters in Midland, Michigan. As a U.S.-based company, it is safe to assume that Wysong sources most, if not all, of their ingredients from the United States as well. Unfortunately, there is nothing on the Wysong website to either confirm or deny this assumption.

Recall History

In addition to owning their own manufacturing facilities, Wysong also owns their own research facilities where they develop, formulate, and test their products. Wysong’s facilities are USDA, FDA, and HACCP safety compliant and each product run is closely monitored from start to finish to ensure quality and safety.

As much as is possible and practical, products are fresh batched and finished products are always screened for pathogens. As careful as Wysong is in the production and manufacture of their foods, the company has been affected by one fairly significant recall. Here are the details for that recall:

• In September 2009, the Wysong company issued a voluntary recall for several lots of Wysong dry food due to potential for mold contamination. The products affected by this recall were Wysong Maintenance recipe, Wysong Senior recipe, and Wysong Synorgon.

Is Wysong Expensive?

The Wysong brand is a premium brand of pet food that uses high-quality ingredients including novel proteins like rabbit and duck. Because this brand offers exceptional quality, you should expect to pay a little more for their products than you would for the average kibble.

Wysong dry dog food comes in 5-pound bags that sell for $8 to $35, depending on the recipe. Wysong wet dog food comes in 13-ounce cans and is sold online in cases of 12. A case of Wysong wet dog food costs between $19 and $60, giving you an average price of $3.30 per can.

 

What Kind of Recipes Do They Offer?

When it comes to their dog food products, Wysong offers three different types. Wysong dry dog food is designed to mimic the archetypal diet of wild dogs which is formulated according to carnivorous genetic requirements.

Each dry food recipe is intended to be used as part of a rotational diet to provide your dog with the dietary variation he needs for complete nutrition while also reducing the risk for food allergies and sensitivities.

Wysong canned foods are made with extremely high meat inclusions and they can be fed as a standalone meal or as an adjunct to one of Wysong’s dry products. In addition to dry and canned foods, Wysong also has an assortment of raw products.

These products are described as True Non-Thermal raw foods that are processed below 118°F to preserve the nutritional quality of the raw ingredients. All of Wysong’s products are made with premium animal proteins like lamb, rabbit, chicken, and duck as well as other healthy inclusions like fresh fruits and vegetables.

Wysong also supplements their products with their industry-leading micronutrient spectrum to ensure nutritional completeness and balance.

Wysong Dry Products

The Wysong brand of dog food has three different lines of dry products. The Original Diets line includes eight different recipes including one meatless vegan option, each one suitable for dogs of all breeds and all life stages. The Optimal line includes three specially formulated recipes and the Epigen line includes two starch-free formulas. Here is a list of Wysong dry recipes:

Original Diets Recipes:

• Adult Recipe
• Growth Recipe
• Senior Recipe
• Synorgon Recipe
• Fundamentals Recipe
• Anergen Recipe
• Vegan Recipe
• Nurture with Quail Recipe

Optimal Line Recipes:

• Optimal Adult Recipe
• Optimal Performance Recipe
• Optimal Senior Recipe

Epigen Starch-Free Recipes:

• Epigen Recipe
• Epigen 90 Recipe

Wysong Canned Products

The Wysong brand offers a decent variety of dry food recipes but a very limited number of canned foods. There are two organic options for adult dogs and senior dogs plus 6 meaty varieties made with the Epigen formula. Here is a list of Wysong canned recipes:

Wysong Canned Recipes:

• Adult with Organic Chicken
• Senior with Organic Turkey
• Epigen Beef Recipe
• Epigen Chicken Recipe
• Epigen Duck Recipe
• Epigen Rabbit Recipe
• Epigen Salmon Recipe
• Epigen Turkey Recipe

Wysong Raw Products

The Wysong brand of dog food doesn’t just offer dry food and canned food – they also offer a selection of raw dog food products.

These products are specifically designed to emulate the natural canine diet and processed at temperatures below 118°F to preserve nutritional quality. Here is a list of Wysong raw dog food recipes:

Wysong Raw Recipes:

• Archetype Chicken Recipe
• Archetype Rabbit Recipe
• Archetype Quail Recipe
• Archetype Pollock Recipe
• Archetype Chicken & Beef Burgers
• Uncanny Blend

Our Verdict

This is a dog food brand known for its focus on high-quality, nutrient-dense ingredients and a range of specialized formulas to meet various dietary needs. Here are some key points to consider:

1. Ingredient Quality: Wysong often uses high-quality proteins like chicken, turkey, and fish meals, along with beneficial supplements such as probiotics, prebiotics, and vitamins. Their products frequently include organic and natural ingredients, aiming to avoid fillers and artificial additives.
2. Specialized Formulas: The brand offers a variety of formulas tailored for different life stages and dietary requirements, including options for puppies, seniors, and sensitive dogs. They provide grain-inclusive, grain-free, and limited ingredient diets to address specific health concerns and dietary preferences.
3. Nutritional Focus: They emphasize high protein content and low carbohydrates in many of their recipes. They incorporate superfoods and additional nutrients to support overall health, such as omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and joint supplements.
4. Product Variety: They offer both dry and wet food options, as well as treats, which can be mixed or rotated with other diets. This variety can cater to different feeding needs and preferences.
5. Potential Drawbacks: Some products may be relatively high in price compared to other brands. Additionally, certain recipes might not be suitable for all dogs, especially those with specific dietary restrictions or sensitivities. A few users have reported issues with digestion or palatability.

For the most part, this brand is highly regarded for its commitment to high-quality ingredients and tailored nutrition. However, it's important for pet owners to carefully review individual product labels and consider their dog's specific health needs and preferences when choosing their products.