Holistic Select Dog Food 2022 Review, Rating & Recalls
Is Holistic Select a good dog food?
In this review… Dog Food Care takes a deeper dive into Holistic Select Dog Food… and its most important sub-brands.
We’ll also cover…
- Is Holistic Select made in the United States?
- Has Holistic Select been recalled?
- Which flavors and recipes get our top ratings?
Which Holistic Select Dog Dog Food Sub-Brand is Right for You?
Here are Holistic Select’s 3 sub-brands. Below, we’ll share what makes each one different. So you can choose the food that best suits your dog.
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall  | Holistic Select Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food, Deboned Turkey & Lentils Recipe
| 10 | Check Price |
Best for Puppies  | Holistic Select Natural Wet Grain Free Canned Dog Food, Duck Pâté Recipe
| 9.9 | Check Price |
Best Value  | Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food, Chicken Meal & Rice Recipe
| 9.8 | Check Price |
Best Overall
1. Holistic Select Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
The Holistic Select Grain-Free Dry sub-brand is for those looking to give their dog an all-natural and grain-free dry food aimed at improving digestive health.
- Rich in live yogurt cultures and fibers to aid digestion
- Omega fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics and taurine beneficial for overall body health
- Available in 24lb bag
- 12 recipes (ratings vary)
- Contains digestive enzymes, prebiotics, and probiotics for better digestion
- Full of antioxidant-rich superfoods
Best for Puppies
2. Holistic Select Grain-Free Canned Wet Dog Food
The Holistic Select Grain-Free Wet sub-brand is for those who like the high-quality grain-free ingredients in Holistic’s dry food but want it in an even easier-to-digest wet form.
- Delicious high-quality duck pâté
- Uses only all natural ingredients
- Does not contain corn, wheat or soy
- 3 recipes (ratings vary)
- Contains botanicals like cranberries, papaya, and pomegranate
- High in omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed
Best Value
3. Holistic Select Grain-Inclusive Dry Dog Food
The Holistic Select Grain-Inclusive sub-brand is for those looking for quality, whole-grain carbohydrate sources in their dog’s dry food.
- Natural and high-protein recipe
- Salmon oil and flaxseed provide essential omega fatty acids
- Uses only wholesome ingredients for quality nutrition
- 4 recipes (ratings vary)
- Contains only nutritional grains such as brown rice and oatmeal
- Naturally high in fiber to support digestion
Who Makes Holistic Select Dog Food?
Holistic Select has been producing natural pet food for more than 25 years, making it one of the most established all-natural dog food brands available today. It has remained a family-owned business for all this time. They still produce out of their family’s manufacturing facility in Indiana.
The core of their brand is to create formulas that contain only the best ingredients that exceed all FDA safety standards. To them, the best ingredients are those that emphasize good digestive health, which is at the core of a dog’s health.
That means, they incorporate only quality ingredients plus several supplements such as prebiotics, probiotics, and digestive enzymes into their food. Each ingredient is integral in promoting good digestion, which in turn allows your dog to digest every single nutrient in the food.
Additionally, Holistic Select promotes overall wellness in dogs. A few years ago, they created the WellPet Foundation, which partners with different pet organizations that foster healthy and active pet lifestyles.
Has Holistic Select Dog Food Been Recalled?
As of right now, Holistic Select is a recall-free brand. This goes to show how far they go as a company to ensure the quality and safety of their products. You can stay updated and keep an eye out for recalls by regularly checking in on our recall page.
Is Holistic Select a Good Dog Food?
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
Holistic Select Dog Food receives Dog Food Care’s second-highest tier rating of 4.5 stars.
Individual Recipe Ratings
The Holistic Select product line has both dry and wet formulas. And, the dry formulas come in both grain-free and grain-inclusive options. These products can be found at many in-store locations and are also available through online retailers like Amazon.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of the brand’s current product listings on Amazon along with their star ratings. You can use the following links to check prices and package sizes at Amazon.com.
- Grain Free Adult & Puppy Health Salmon Anchovy & Sardine Meal Recipe (4.7 stars)
- Grain Free Adult Health – Duck Meal Recipe (4.5 stars)
- Grain Free Adult Health Deboned Turkey & Lentils Recipe (4.6 stars)
- Grain Free Adult Health Rabbit & Lamb Meals Recipe (4.4 stars)
- Grain Free Large & Giant Breed Adult (3.6 stars)
- Grain Free Large & Giant Breed Puppy (4.6 stars)
- Grain Free Senior Health – Chicken Meal & Lentils Recipe (4.8 stars)
- Grain Free Small & Mini Breed Adult Health (4.6 stars)
- Grain Free Weight Management – Chicken Meal & Peas Recipe (4.2 stars)
- Grain Free Puppy Health – Anchovy, Sardine & Chicken Meal Recipe (4.4 stars)
- Grain Inclusive Large & Giant Breed Adult Health (4.6 stars)
- Grain Inclusive Large & Giant Breed Puppy Health (4.3 stars)
- Grain Inclusive Adult Health – Anchovy & Sardine & Salmon Recipe (4.7 stars)
- Grain Inclusive Adult Health – Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Recipe (4.7 stars)
- Grain Inclusive Adult Health – Lamb Meal Recipe (4.5 stars)
- Canned Grain-Free Beef Pate Recipe (4.6 stars)
- Canned Grain-Free Chicken Pate Recipe (4.6 stars)
- Canned Grain-Free Lamb Pate Recipe (4.6 stars)
Recipe Ingredient Analysis
The Grain-Free Adult & Puppy Health Salmon Anchovy & Sardine Meal Recipe was chosen to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis. This recipe’s ingredients are organized based on their overall weight in the formula.
These weights include each ingredient’s water content. Salmon is the first ingredient and it’s an excellent, high-quality protein source. Not only is it high in protein, but it’s also high in both omega-6 fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids.
However, it is very water-dense, so it doesn’t have as high of a protein concentration as a salmon meal or some other meat concentrate. The second ingredient is Anchovy and Sardine Meal, which is an excellent source of protein. Because it is a meat concentrate, its protein concentration is extremely high.
Potatoes are the third ingredient. Because this formula is grain-free dog food, it includes potatoes to make up for carbs that typically come from grains such as rice. Not only do the potatoes supply the carbs, but they also supply some natural fiber, are gluten-free, and are high in essential alpha-amylase.
The fourth ingredient is peas which have a high nutritional value thanks to their protein and fiber. Peas are also a great source of beta carotene. Beta carotene is a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent certain diseases in dogs. Additionally, peas are high in potassium which is an absolutely essential vitamin for organ functioning and overall body functioning.
If your dog food doesn’t have a potassium supplement such as potassium chloride, peas could work as a substitute for it. The fifth main ingredient is a menhaden fish meal. Menhaden fish is a type of whitefish that has a high protein content.
Because it comes in the form of a meal, its protein concentration is high, making it a great ingredient in your dog’s food. Dried ground potatoes are the sixth ingredient. When potatoes are dried, their moisture evaporates which leaves the starch behind.
As long as potatoes are cooked before they are added to the dog food, they are very nutritious for them. Canola oil is the next ingredient and it’s a bit of a controversial one. On one hand, canola oil is high in fat and helps dogs absorb the nutrients in their food. On the other hand, it is often heavily processed and not necessarily as fresh or natural as other oils.
The FDA currently has little to no suggestion that canola oil should overall be avoided in pet food. Therefore, we generally consider it safe for dogs. However, other fats that help absorb nutrients such as chicken fat or even coconut oil might be better options for dogs.
The eighth ingredient is dried plain beet pulp. Another somewhat controversial item, Holistic Select considers it essential for intestinal health and good digestion in general. The ninth ingredient in this formula is pea fiber. Pea fiber is simply the dry matter of regular peas.
After the water is extracted, the peas are almost pure fiber and protein. Therefore, pea fiber is very good for digestive health. Tenth on the ingredient list is flaxseed, an excellent source of omega fatty acids for dogs. Dog owners should love these fatty acids because they help reduce shedding while making the coat shinier.
That rounds out the first ten ingredients in this Holistic Select formula. In any dog food, the first ten ingredients are the most prevalent in the formula. That makes them the most important ingredients to consider.
Other Notable Ingredients
Once you get further down on the list, the ingredients don’t have as much of an effect on the macronutrient (fats, carbs, and proteins) levels in the food. However, they can provide some important nutrients and vitamin supplements.
Moreover, these aren’t the main ingredients but they are significant enough to sway the nutritional value of the food. A little further down on the list is pumpkin. Pumpkins are high in vitamins A, C, and E as well as minerals such as iron and potassium.
Also, pumpkin is naturally high in fiber, which further promotes a healthy gut environment and good digestion. Past pumpkin, you’ll find a plethora of fruits on the ingredient list including papaya, cranberries, blueberries, pomegranates, and apples.
These ingredients, particularly blueberries, are some of the most antioxidant-rich foods on the planet. Antioxidants protect your dog from countless diseases including cancer and heart disease. Past these fruits comes dried kelp. It’s a superfood that is loaded with everything from heart-healthy amino acids to countless vitamins and minerals.
These minerals, namely magnesium, and potassium, help regulate your dog’s metabolism. With a healthy metabolism, your dog has an easier time maintaining a healthy weight.
Nutrient Summary
This summary’s nutrient data is based on the product’s dry matter content. We use the Guaranteed Analysis panel to compare the protein, fat, fiber, and moisture content of pet food products. Due to the impact of moisture in these calculations, it’s difficult to compare wet and dry dog food products.
As such, this information should be primarily used in comparison to other dry, kibble-based products. The Grain-Free Adult & Puppy Health Salmon Anchovy & Sardine Meal Recipe contains 32% protein, 15.5% fat, and estimated carbohydrates of about 36%. That makes its fat-to-protein ratio 48%.
This formula along with many of the other Holistic Select products has higher than average protein. At 32% dry matter protein, this formula derives its protein from both high-quality real meat and meat concentrates. Along with plant-based forms of protein such as peas.
Formulas with high-protein such as this one mimic a dog’s healthy ancestral diet. This formula also contains 15.5% dry matter fat. While fat is often looked down upon as a bad thing, it’s not the health-crushing culprit that many people label it as.
Rather, it’s essential for keeping energy levels high as well as supporting good joint health, heart health, and brain health. Ingredients like flaxseed are great sources of healthy unsaturated fats. Additionally, this formula has an estimated 48% carbs.
This is about average when compared to other dog foods. Ideally, carbs in dog food come from quality whole grains rather than simple carbohydrates. Complex carbs are what give your dog energy.
Our Rating of Holistic Select Dog Food
Given its well-sourced, holistic ingredients, high levels of protein, and lack of fillers and preservatives, Dog Food Care gives Holistic Select an overall brand rating of 4.5 stars. And, the dry Grain-Free sub-brand gets 5 stars. In just about all of their formulas, Holistic Select includes only the best natural ingredients.
Things like real meat, fruits & veggies, plus all the necessary supplements make it a great choice for dogs. This high-protein content of the food makes it mimic a dog’s ancestral diet. Plus, they have several options designed specifically for adults, seniors, and puppies. We highly recommend checking out Holistic Select for your dog. This is above-average dog food.
What Do Others Say About Holistic Select
Holistic Select’s dog food has countless positive reviews from its buyers. As of the time of this review, 82% of buyers rate the Grain-Free Salmon Anchovy & Sardine formula, our representative product, as 5/5 stars on Amazon.
Here’s an actual customer review from Amazon:
“I had searched for a really nutritious dog food for our fur babies, 2 mini dachshunds aged 10 and 12. Bella’s digestive problems and skin irritation, that made her miserable, have completely cleared up. It is wonderful to see both dogs feeling good and enjoying life. I’m so thankful for this good quality food. I wish more people knew about it.”
You can find more reviews for all the formulas in the Holistic Select Grain-Free Product line on Amazon.com.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holistic Select
1. Is Holistic Select dog food good for seniors?
Holistic Select has several options for seniors, including formulas specifically designed for senior dogs. They also have many adult dog formulas (Maintenance) and formulas for all life stages (All life stages) that would also suit seniors well.
The brand has both dry and wet food options, making it even more ideal for senior dogs. Because seniors tend to have a more difficult time swallowing large kibble, wet formulas are often better for them. Thankfully, Holistic Select has both wet formulas as well as dry formulas designed for seniors.
2. Is Holistic Select dog food good for puppies?
Holistic select has several dry dog food options for puppies. They have formulas specifically designed for puppies (Growth) and formulas designed for dogs of all life stages (A) that also work well for pups. Additionally, given that puppies need a lot of protein, Holistic Select is a great option considering that it contains higher than average protein levels.
3. Is Holistic Select Considered a Healthy Dog Food?
On many accounts, Holistic Select is considered a healthy dog food. Their formulas contain all-natural ingredients that are designed to promote healthy digestion. With a healthy digestive system, your dog is better able to absorb the nutrients in its food.
They don’t add toxic preservatives, artificial flavors, or other potentially harmful chemicals to their food. Pure ingredients that meet all FDA safety standards and have never been recalled.
4. Is Holistic Select dog food grain-free?
Two of Holistic Selects’ three sub-brands are grain-free. One of them includes dry grain-free formulas and the other wet grain-free formulas. There are 12 dry grain-free formulas and 3 wet grain-free formulas. On the other hand, they have a third sub-brand that is grain-inclusive.
Final Thoughts
Overall, if you’re looking for a healthy dog food brand to feed to your pooch, we here at Dog Food Care recommend looking into Holistic Select. Given its high-quality ingredients, nutritional summary, and lack of safety concerns, we consider it to be of the highest standards. With options of both grain-free or grain-inclusive as well as dry or wet formulas, there’s one for everybody.
Bonus tip: Looking to compare Holistic Select against other healthy dog food brands? If so, then check out our top picks for the best organic dog foods!
