Halo Dog Food Review 2024

Since 1986, Halo has been cooking up dog food with high-quality ingredients designed to help our fur-babies live long and happy lives. With plant-based recipes and grain-free options, Halo is a pawpular option for dogs with food allergies and sensitivities.

Halo also uses non-GMO produce and premium protein sources. It contains no artificial preservatives or flavors. Thanks to Halo's whole-food nutritional philosophy, the company has won several industry awards throughout its 30+ years of operation. 

But is Halo dog food right for your dog? Here's a breakdown of Halo's flavors and what to consider when feeding your pup Halo dog food.

Halo offers several wet, dry, and freeze-dried raw dog food products across three product ranges: Halo Holistic, Halo Elevate, and Halo Freeze-Dried Raw. Let's take a closer look at the available flavors and nutritional info of each range.

Halo Holistic

Halo Holistic dog food is made with high-quality, antibiotic-free meat sourced responsibly from trusted partners — no meat meal here! This range includes both grain-free and grain-inclusive recipes.

The Halo Holistic wet foods are specially designed for easy digestion, with a flavorful, pâté-like consistency to please fussy eaters. Halo Holistic also includes vegan dog food recipes that are 100% plant-based with complete and balanced nutritional value. For example, Vegan Plant-Based Recipe with Superfoods uses chickpeas and pea protein as its primary protein sources.

We like the Halo Holistic range so much that we rated it one of the best wet dog foods overall.

Halo Holistic wet food

Halo Holistic wet food is available in the following four variations:

• Turkey & Salmon Stew
• Beef Stew
• Chicken Stew
• Lamb Stew

Halo Holistic dry food

You'll find 11 dry food products in the Halo Holistic range. The Cage-Free recipes in the Halo Holistic dry food range include protein sourced from free-range farms. 

The Halo Holistic dry food range includes options for weight management, puppies, seniors, and small breeds:

• Turkey & Sweet Potato - Healthy Weight Support
• Chicken & Sweet Potato
• Chicken & Sweet Potato Senior
• Chicken & Sweet Potato Small Breed
• Chicken & Brown Rice
• Chicken & Brown Rice Puppy
• Chicken & Brown Rice Small Breed

Other products in the Halo Holistic dry dog food range include:

• Vegan Plant-Based with Superfoods
  
• Vegan Plant-Based with Kelp
  
• Healthy Grains Wild-caught Salmon & Whitefish
• Small Breed Healthy Weight Grain-Free Wild-Caught Salmon & Whitefish

Halo Wet Dog Food

Halo offers a range of standard wet canned dog food. These canned dog foods contain no meat meals and list a quality cut of meat as the top ingredient. Nutritionally rich secondary ingredients include peas, carrots, and flaxseed oil. 

Halo standard wet dog food's Vegan Plant-Based recipe is great for dogs with severe food allergies and lists chickpeas, potatoes, and pea protein as main protein sources. 

Halo Wet Dog Food is available in the following five varieties:

• Vegan Plant-Based 
• Grain Free Chicken & Salmon Small Breed
• Grain Free Turkey & Duck
• Healthy Grains Beef
• Healthy Grains Chicken

Halo Small Breed

The Halo Small Breed range includes two grain-free recipes: Chicken & Salmon, and Turkey & Duck. Formulated for small dogs with high metabolism, these wet foods contain vitamins and minerals to support skin and coat health.

Both foods contain high-quality meat protein sources in the first three ingredients. Halo Small Breed Grain Free Chicken & Salmon lists chicken, chicken broth, and chicken liver in the first three ingredients. Halo Small Breed Grain Free Turkey & Duck lists turkey, turkey broth, and turkey liver in the first three ingredients.

Halo Freeze-Dried Raw Food

Halo freeze-dried raw food is Halo’s raw diet range, featuring food toppers and meal bites. These variations are minimally processed and are extremely high in protein. Freeze-drying locks in raw nutrients, while keeping each food shelf stable. Real meat and organs comprise 99% of Halo's freeze-dried raw foods. 

Each topper adds a sprinkle of nutritious goodness (and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids) to your dog's meals. It's worth noting that Halo meal toppers are complete and balanced dog foods. 

Halo's freeze-dried offerings include 4 complete and balanced dog foods and 2 meal toppers:

• Freeze-Dried Raw Beef Meal Bites
• Freeze-Dried Raw Turkey Meal Bites
• Freeze-Dried Raw Turducken Meal Bites
• Freeze-Dried Raw Whitefish Meal Bites
• Freeze-Dried Raw Beef Protein Topper
• Freeze-Dried Beef & Salmon Raw Skin & Coat Topper

Halo Elevate

Halo's premium dog food range, Halo Elevate features high-quality protein sources in its grain-free and grain-inclusive recipes. You won't find any chickpeas, peas, or lentils — which can cause digestive problems in dogs — in the ingredients list. All Halo Elevate dry and wet foods list a whole meat source as the first ingredient.

Halo Elevate wet food

Halo Elevate wet food comes in a range of stew varieties with strongly flavored gravy to encourage fussy eaters.

Halo Elevate wet food is available in the following seven variations:

• Chunky Chicken Stew w/ Carrots, Pumpkin & Brown Rice
• Chunky Chicken Stew w/ Carrots, Green Beans & Brown Rice
• Duck & Beef Stew w/ Carrots, White Potatoes & Brown Rice
• Chicken & Salmon Stew w/ Carrots, White Potatoes & Brown Rice
• Smoky BBQ Stew: Braised Duck & Beef Stew w/ White Potatoes, Carrots & Brown Rice
• Smoky BBQ Stew: Shredded Chicken Stew w/ Sweet Potatoes & Green Beans
• Smoky BBQ Stew: Glazed Chicken Stew w/ White Potatoes & Carrots

Halo Elevate dry food

Halo Elevate dry food is similar to the wet food and superior to many other kibbles. While fresh, whole meat is always the first ingredient, meat meals are also listed within the top 5 ingredients of Halo Elevate products. Meat meals aren't human-grade, but they contain 3 times more protein than fresh meats.

There are 14 dry food products in the Halo Elevate range — eight recipes are grain-inclusive, while the remaining six are grain-free.

Halo Elevate Healthy Grains flavors and variations:

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

Halo Elevate Grain Free flavors and variations:

• Grain Free Red Meat
• Grain Free Salmon
• Grain Free Chicken
• Grain Free Small Breed Chicken
• Grain Free Small Breed Red Meat
• Grain Free Puppy Red Meat

Halo Elevate: Homestyle range

Halo Elevate: Homestyle is a part of the Elevate range of premium wet dog foods. Like the rest of the Elevate range, Homestyle recipes contain no lentils, peas, or chickpeas.

One unique feature of the Halo Elevate: Homestyle range? These stews contain softened, edible bones from chicken drumettes. Halo Elevate: Homestyle recipes also feature nutrient-rich vegetables like kale, spinach, and carrots. All Halo Elevate: Homestyle recipes are grain-free.

Halo Elevate: Homestyle is available in the following three variations:

• Bone-in Grain Free Chicken Stew w/ Sweet Potatoes & Kale
• Bone-in Grain Free Chicken Stew w/ Carrots & Spinach
• Bone-in Grain Free Chicken Stew w/ Pumpkin & White Potatoes

Halo Dog Treats 

Halo produces a wide range of dog treats, split into three categories: Freeze-Dried Raw, Holistic, and Chews.

Halo Freeze-Dried Raw Treats

Halo makes most of its Freeze-Dried Raw Treats with only one ingredient: a quality cut of muscle or organ meat. Some recipes contain several cuts of meat but have limited ingredients. This makes them ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies.

Halo Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Treats are available in the following nine varieties:

• Beef Liver
• Chicken Hearts
• Lamb Tripe
• Turkey
• Salmon
• Duck
• Fall Feast (Rabbit)
• Summer Sensation (Ahi Tuna)

Halo Chews

Halo Chews are a range of sticks and dental chews that help to clean your pup's teeth while providing a nutritious snack. Halo's meat-inclusive Beef recipes only contain one ingredient. 

Halo also sells Herbal Dental Chews, which are vegetarian and contain tapioca flour, rice flour, and cheese as main ingredients. Each recipe is made with ridges that help to clean between your pup's teeth. 

Halo Holistic Treats

Halo Holistic Treats is a range of plant-based dog biscuits. They're 100% plant-based and vegan — animal protein or dairy found here. You won't find any corn, soy, wheat, or artificial colors either. 

Despite being vegan, Halo Holistic Treats contain limited ingredients. For example, the Oats & Blueberries recipe includes only seven ingredients. 

Halo Holistic Treats are available in the following four varieties:

• Peanut & Pumpkin
• Oats & Blueberries
• Peanut Butter & Banana
• Sweet Potatoes & Carrots

Here are a few reasons why Wag! likes Halo dog food.

Personally recommended by our vet team

Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, member of Wag!’s licensed veterinary team, personally recommends Halo dog food to her clients. Check out her thoughts on Halo's foods:

“Halo’s science-based recipes are geared towards your pet’s breed size and life stage. Their food contains high-quality protein sources, and they offer a money-back guarantee if you or your pet are not completely satisfied.”

Premium protein sources

All Halo dog foods list high-quality protein sources in the top ingredients. All meat-inclusive Halo dog foods list high-quality whole meat within the first two ingredients. These whole meats are minimally processed, meaning they have high levels of vitamins and minerals and are easier for dogs to digest.

One of the most common initial ingredients in Halo wet dog food is broth, which is often added to dog food for flavor and moisture. The ingredients usually list one or two quality, whole meat sources before or after broth. No meat meal is used in any of Halo's wet dog food. Even Halo's vegan recipes lists excellent protein sources (chickpeas, potatoes, peas) in the top five ingredients. Most of the protein in Halo dry food is from real animal sources.

High-quality produce

High-quality fruit and vegetables feature in the first five ingredients of Halo Elevate wet dog food and all Halo Holistic products. Halo uses non-GMO vegetables, and the brand's recipes include no artificial preservatives or flavors. The produce used in Halo dog food is packed with essential nutrients. For example, carrots — a common ingredient in Halo's foods — are an excellent source of vitamin A and potassium.

Outstanding customer care

One excellent feature of Halo dog food is its money-back guarantee. Halo will refund or replace any item returned to the company as long as it hasn't been opened. This money-back guarantee includes cans that have been dented or damaged in transit. Plus, Halo's customer support center is open on weekdays if you need extra support.

Here are a couple of things to consider before buying Halo dog food.

Halo dog food is pricier than some alternatives

As Halo dog food is high-quality and all-natural, it's more expensive compared to some of its competitors. For example, Halo Chicken Stew Wet Food costs $30.99 for a 12-pack of 5.5-oz cans at the time of writing on Chewy. That works out to be about $2.58 per 5.5-oz can. A 3.5-lb bag of Halo Holistic Chicken & Brown Rice dry food costs approximately $19.99 on Chewy.

Concerns about vegan dog food recipes

Halo's vegan recipes are some of the brand's most pawpular products — but there are concerns about the nutrition and ethics of feeding a dog a vegan diet.

While Halo's vegan dog food is 100% complete and balanced, feeding a meat-inclusive diet is a much easier way to ensure your dog is getting the correct nutrients in the correct amounts. That said, vegan dog food recipes are useful for dogs with allergies — beef and chicken rank among the most common food allergies in dogs.

Lack of recipes for all life stages

Many Halo dog food recipes are not formulated for all life stages or puppies (growth). As a result, you'll need to give your puppy a different food before switching them to Halo. You may also need to consider switching your dog's food if they are pregnant. You should always consult your vet before changing your dog's diet.

"My dogs can be pretty picky. I've tried several expensive foods for them and they tire of them after a week or two. But not Halo. They run to their bowls and lick the bowl clean every time. I give them the dry salmon and white fish with a spoon of the chicken stew mixed in. Finally found a winner! So happy they like this so much!"

"Logan, my dog just loves this food. He can't wait to get it in the morning and evening feedings. He jumps around and makes these funny noises until he gets it. I never seen him react to any food like this before."

Read more reviews on Chewy.

Halo has been producing high-quality pet food for over 30 years with the help of qualified pet nutritionists and veterinarians. It was founded in 1986, after the parents of Spot the Cat noticed he was developing skin and digestive issues.

When a vet-prescribed food didn't help Spot, his mother asked her friend, a nutritionist and chef, to devise a natural recipe to help her fur-baby. Spot recovered, and fellow pet parents started asking for some of "Spot's Stew" to feed their pets. Halo dog food was founded shortly after.

In 2008, Halo gained new recognition when Ellen DeGeneres became part owner. In 2018, Halo's Garden of Vegan recipe won the VegNews Veggie Award's "Best Dog Food."

Better Choice Company, Inc., an animal health and wellness CBD company, purchased Halo dog food in 2019.

The FDA records no recalls for Halo dog food as of February 2024. 

All product images sourced from Chewy. Copyright Halo Pets.