WholeHearted Plus Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe with Whole Grains Dry Puppy Food

Brand: Whole Grains Dry, WholeHearted

Overall Score

The overall score is an average of the ingredient quality and ingredient safety concerns. For more information, see our evaluation criteria.

WholeHearted Plus Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe with Whole Grains Dry Puppy Food

Overall Score

The overall score is an average of the ingredient quality and ingredient safety concerns. For more information, see our evaluation criteria.

Brand: Whole Grains Dry, WholeHearted

Ingredient Quality

2 out of 10

Evalutation Criteria

Product is calculated to contain 35% carbohydrate ^ⓘDogs have no nutritional requirement for carbohydrate but they are used for energy, texture and taste. Starch is also required for extrusion in dry foods. Excessive carbohydrate is an indicator of food quality as it can be used to reduce manufacturing cost. Foods that are high in carbohydrate can raise insulin and cause obesity. Some studies also show that dogs fed a high carbohydrate content have changes to their gut bacteria. Learn more
Contains unspecified animal sources, which are a less expensive source of meat ^ⓘWhile protein from animal sources is an important ingredient that’s highly digestible, the animal source should be named. You will want to see beef, salmon or chicken, not animal, fish or poultry. Unnamed protein sources are of much lower quality, especially meals, which are typically from rendered waste. Learn more
Contains plant protein ^ⓘPlant-based protein sources are the least expensive substitute for quality animal protein. Whenever possible, animal sources of protein are preferred because they contain a wider array of amino acids than plant based protein sources and are more digestible. Learn more
Product contains ingredients that are high in sugar including molasses ^ⓘSugar is often found in pet food to increase the palatability or as a preservative or humectant. It is a low quality ingredient that can cause unwanted gut changes, obesity and insulin spikes. Learn more
Product contains two or more added amino acids ^ⓘMultiple amino acids are typically only found in lower quality foods that rely on less complete plant sources of protein. Learn more
Is fortified with excessive vitamins ^ⓘWhen vitamins come from whole food sources, they include the full spectrum of cofactors, which makes them safe and bioavailable. While a couple of added vitamins are acceptable, five or more implies the food is of poor nutritional value. Learn more
Is fortified with excessive minerals ^ⓘFive or more added minerals indicate a lower quality food that’s lacking naturally occurring minerals from whole food sources.

Ingredient Safety

2 out of 10

Evalutation Criteria

Product is ultra processed ^ⓘExtruded foods are heated four separate times during production, which will cause major losses in some active enzymes, vitamins, amino acids and phytonutrients. Studies shows that ultra processed foods are linked to a higher rate of all-cause mortality in humans. Learn more
Contains ingredients known to contain higher pesticide/herbicide residues in the top 5 ingredients including oatmeal and sorghum ^ⓘPesticides, herbicides and fertilizers pose a significant health risk to plants, animals and soils. Foods with the largest reported amount of residue will be penalized, including crops that are known to be spray-dried with glyphosate. Learn more
Contains rice ^ⓘArsenic contamination is a significant concern with rice since it naturally absorbs arsenic and the water it's grown in can be contaminated with arsenic. Arsenic is linked to chronic health issues. Learn more
Contains natural flavor ^ⓘNatural flavors are often animal digest or MSG, which are low quality ingredients with limited safety studies. Learn more

Other Concerns

Notable product facts

Product doesn't specify whether the fish is farmed or wild caught ^ⓘFarmed fish is less nutritious than wild caught fish and does not contain the same healthy fatty acid balance. Fish farming also threatens wild fish species. Learn more
Omega-6 to omega-3 ratio is not provided. ^ⓘDiets rich in omega-6 fats can cause chronic inflammation and disease. Learn more
Ingredient splitting ^ⓘSplitting is a technique of manipulating the ingredient list to move certain ingredients higher or lower on the ingredient list. This is often used to diguise the amount of lower quality ingredients in the food, such as corn or peas. Learn more

How It Compares

Food Type

Food Function

Life Stage

Ingredients On Package

Chicken, Chicken Meal (Source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Oatmeal, Grain Sorghum, Brown Rice, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Fish Meal, Flaxseed, Rice Bran, Natural Flavor, Egg Product, Pea Protein, Cane Molasses, Glycerin, Salt, Pea Starch, Menhaden Fish Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Dried Egg Whites, Dry Yeast, Pork Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Taurine, Calcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Cultured Dextrose, Vitamin E Supplement, Choline Chloride, Zinc Sulfate, Ascorbic Acid (Source of Vitamin C), Mixed Tocopherols (preservative), Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, L-carnitine, Citric Acid (preservative), Copper Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement NP01.

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein (min)	27%
Crude Fat (min)	16%
Crude Fiber (max)	3%
Moisture (max)	12%

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