Whole Earth Farms Dog Food Review 2024

Whole Earth Farms is a dog food brand owned by Merrick Pet Care. Introduced in 2009, it’s known for being a budget-friendly natural dog food. Its wet and dry recipes are developed by experts and feature wholesome ingredients and science-based nutrition—all while remaining affordable. Whole Earth Farms only uses “the Earth’s best ingredients.” That means no fillers, by-product meals, or artificial preservatives. 

Whole Earth Farms sounds like a great dog food and based on hundreds of online reviews, many pet parents agree. But is it the right food for your furry friend? Let’s take a closer look at its recipes, pros and cons, recall history, and more so you can decide!

Whole Earth Farms makes wet and dry dog food and there are currently six products under three lines. Let’s check them out!

Whole Earth Farms Grain Free dry dog food

Whole Earth Farms’ dry Grain Free line comprises three recipes that begin with high-quality protein as the first ingredient, specifically pork meal, chicken meal, or salmon meal. Russet potatoes and sweet potatoes provide carbohydrates and fiber for energy and good digestion, while real meat from pork, beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, salmon, and/or whitefish provide additional protein for strong muscles. 

The brand’s Wholesome Harvest Blend, which consists of carrots, apples, and flaxseed, delivers omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat and antioxidants for enhanced immunity. All Grain Free recipes contain glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints, probiotics for gut health, and added vitamins and minerals including vitamin A, vitamin E, iron, and zinc. 

Whole Earth Farms Grain Free dry dog food flavors:

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

Whole Earth Farms Grain Free wet dog food

There are two wet food recipes in the Grain Free line, both of which list real meat as the first ingredient. Chicken or beef is then followed by chicken or beef broth, other animal proteins such as turkey and lamb, and organ meats such as chicken liver, beef liver, and pork liver. Sweet potatoes, carrots, and apples are also included for extra fiber and nutrients.

These canned wet foods can be served as a complete meal on their own or on top of kibble for increased palatability. While Whole Earth Farms doesn’t have any senior-specific recipes, these finely ground pates are soft enough for elderly dogs with sensitive gums or missing teeth to chew.

Whole Earth Farms Grain Free wet dog food flavors:

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

Whole Earth Farms Healthy Grains dry dog food

Chicken & Rice is the sole recipe under the Healthy Grains line. This grain-inclusive dry dog food starts with chicken as the first ingredient to support strong muscles and also contains rice, barley, and whole grain sorghum for added fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Other ingredients include chicken meal, pork meal, canola meal, and chicken fat.

The Wholesome Harvest Blend of flaxseed, apples, and carrots provides omega fatty acids to promote skin health and antioxidants to boost the immune system. In this recipe you’ll also find probiotics for improved digestion, taurine for heart health, and glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health.

Here are some reasons why we like Whole Earth Farms dog food.

Contains no fillers or artificial ingredients

Whole Earth Farms is made with “the Earth’s best ingredients.” All of its recipes are cooked in the USA without corn, soy, wheat, fillers, animal by-product meals, or artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. 

Formulated by experts

Whole Earth Farms takes pride in offering high-quality nutrition backed by science. Its recipes are developed with a team of pet nutrition experts, including veterinarians, PhDs, scientists, and engineers. 

Affordable 

Whole Earth Farms is a reasonably priced option for pet parents who want to feed their pups natural dog food without spending a paw and a tail. For example, a 25-pound bag of Grain Free Recipe with Chicken & Turkey costs $53.98, which works out to $2.16 per pound.

Suitable for senior dogs

Though Whole Earth Farms doesn’t have any recipes specifically for older dogs, most of its products are suitable for senior pups. Its dry foods contain glucosamine and chondroitin which help maintain healthy joints, while its wet foods have a soft texture that’s easy for elderly dogs to chew.

Good for dogs with sensitivities 

Whole Earth Farms offers poultry-free and grain-free options for dogs who have a poultry allergy or grain allergy. Some pet parents happily report that their dogs with sensitive tummies or itchy skin do well on these recipes.

Here are some things to consider before buying Whole Earth Farms. 

Narrow range of products

At the time of writing, Whole Earth Farms only has six dry and wet dog foods. The brand previously had more offerings but had discontinued some of its recipes, including those specifically for puppies and small breeds. 

Small kibble size

According to pet parents, the size of the kibble has shrunk multiple times in recent years. While some don’t mind and say that it’s good for their smaller dogs, others say that their bigger dogs no longer want to eat it or are swallowing the pieces whole.

Only two bag sizes

Whole Earth Farms dry dog foods come in only two bag sizes, 4 pounds and 25 pounds. A few pet parents wish it came in more sizes.

“My Standard Poodle developed a sensitivity to dog foods with certain preservatives, I had to cook homemade food until I discovered [the] Whole Earth brand. She’s eating it with no problems and loves it.”

“Our dog has eaten this food for over 5 years, loves it, great coat, decent BMs, no GI issues.”

“We have used this food for four years. The only food we have found that is budget friendly and truly poultry free.”

Read more reviews on Chewy.

Whole Earth Farms was launched in 2009 as an accessible, natural dog food option. There isn’t much information about the brand’s history on its website or anywhere else, but we do know that it’s owned by Merrick Pet Care, which is owned by Nestlé Purina PetCare Company. 

Merrick started in Garth Merrick’s family kitchen in 1988 when he began cooking for his dog to make sure she was eating the most nutritious food possible. The company has grown significantly since then and was acquired by Nestlé Purina in 2015; it continues to operate as an independent business unit. 

Merrick is headquartered in Amarillo, Texas and has three manufacturing facilities in Hereford, Texas. In addition to Whole Earth Farms, its family of brands includes Zuke’s and its signature Merrick brand.  

Good news for pet parents: Whole Earth Farms has never been involved in a recall. 

Whole Earth Farms Healthy Grains image from the Whole Earth Farms website. All other product images sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright Merrick Pet Care.