Holistic is mostly a kibble line: 17 of its 23 recipes are dry, joined by 4 wet foods and 2 freeze-dried beef toppers. Chicken and pork are the most common animal proteins in the kibbles, with egg, turkey, duck and fish also used. The line also includes vegan kibble and wet recipes with no animal protein.
The kibbles run from 20% to 29% protein and 32% to 45.5% estimated starch, as fed, and 9 of the 17 are grain free. Their averages of 26.5% protein and 37.9% estimated starch sit close to the catalog kibble averages of 26.9% and 37.4%. Average calories (421 kcal) run above the catalog's 395. The wet foods range from 5.8% to 11% protein, averaging 8.6% against a catalog wet average of 8.3%. The toppers, at 45% to 49% protein and 3% to 5% estimated starch, sit well above the topper average of 18.4% protein and below its 11.1% starch.
The trade-offs: every kibble and wet recipe contains peas or lentils, every kibble is flagged for potato, and several kibbles listed here are marked discontinued.
| Recipe | Protein | Fat | Starch | Kcal / cup | First ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cage-Free Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Puppy | 29% | 19% | 32% | 439 | Deboned Chicken, Brown Rice, Chickpeas |
| Grain Free Cage-Free Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Small Bree | 28% | 17% | 35% | 433 | Deboned Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes |
| Adult Dog Holistic Turkey, Turkey Liver & Duck Recipe Grain-Free | 28% | 12% | 38% | 382 | Turkey, Dried Peas, Dried Chickpeas |
| Puppy Holistic Chicken & Chicken Liver Recipe | 28% | 18% | 33% | 421 | Chicken, Chicken Liver, Dried Egg Product |
| Small Breed Adult Grain-Free Healthy Weight Holistic Wild Salmon & Whitefish Recipe | 28% | 14% | 38% | 421 | Salmon, Whitefish, Sweet Potatoes |
| Small Breed Adult Holistic Chicken & Chicken Liver Recipe | 28% | 17% | 35% | 441 | Deboned Chicken, Brown Rice, Peas |
| Cage-Free Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Adult | 27% | 15% | 38% | 433 | Deboned Chicken, Brown Rice, Barley |
| Grain Free Cage-Free Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Adult | 27% | 15% | 38% | 418 | Deboned Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, Chickpeas |
| Vegan Plant-Based with Kelp Recipe Adult | 27% | 15% | 38% | 427 | Oats, Peas, Chickpeas |
| Healthy Weight Support Grain Free Cage-Free Turkey & Sweet Po | 27% | 14% | 39% | 414 | Deboned Turkey, Sweet Potatoes, Deboned Chicken |
| Small Breed Adult Grain-Free Holistic Game Bird Medley | 27% | 17% | 35% | 413 | Turkey, Dried Egg Product, Dried Chickpeas |
| Adult Holistic Wild Salmon & Whitefish Recipe | 27% | 15% | 38% | 439 | Salmon, Whitefish, Oats |
| Grain Free Cage-Free Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Senior | 25% | 15% | 40% | 416 | Deboned Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes |
| Adult Dog Holistic Chicken & Chicken Liver Recipe | 25% | 15% | 39% | 403 | Chicken, Chicken Liver, Dried Egg Product |
| Adult Grain-Free Holistic Surf & Turf Recipe | 25% | 15% | 39% | 470 | Whitefish, Dried Egg Product, Dried Chickpeas |
| Senior Grain-Free Holistic Turkey, Turkey Liver & Duck Recipe | 24% | 12% | 43% | 396 | Turkey, Tapioca, Dried Sweet Potatoes |
| Adult Vegan Holistic Garden of Vegan Recipe | 20% | 10% | 45.5% | 386 | Ground Peas, Chickpeas, Pearled Barley |
| Line average | 26.5% | 15% | 37.9% | 421 |
All figures as fed, from the guaranteed analysis on each label. Starch is our estimate, since no bag prints it. Highest in the line is marked in bold, lowest in italics.
29% protein · 19% fat · 32% starch · 439 kcal/cup · Puppy
This puppy kibble has the most protein (29%) and fat (19%) and the least estimated starch (32%) in the kibble range, with deboned chicken, brown rice, chickpeas and pork leading the list. It suits owners of puppies who want a grain-inclusive recipe.
Full review of Cage-Free Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Puppy28% protein · 17% fat · 35% starch · 433 kcal/cup · Adult
Sold for small breeds, this grain-free recipe lists potatoes ahead of chickpeas and is richer than the adult version at 28% protein, 17% fat and 433 kcal per cup. It suits small adult dogs whose owners want a grain-free chicken kibble.
Full review of Grain Free Cage-Free Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Small Bree28% protein · 12% fat · 38% starch · 382 kcal/cup · Adult
This grain-free kibble has the fewest calories in the kibble range at 382 kcal per cup, with turkey followed by dried peas, chickpeas, egg and lentils. At 28% protein and 12% fat, it suits adult dogs whose owners want a leaner turkey and duck recipe.
Full review of Adult Dog Holistic Turkey, Turkey Liver & Duck Recipe Grain-Free28% protein · 18% fat · 33% starch · 421 kcal/cup · Puppy
This puppy kibble uses chicken, chicken liver, dried egg product, oat groats and pearled barley in place of the brown rice and pork of the other puppy recipe, at 28% protein, 18% fat and 33% estimated starch. It suits puppies whose owners prefer egg over pork.
Full review of Puppy Holistic Chicken & Chicken Liver Recipe28% protein · 14% fat · 38% starch · 421 kcal/cup · Adult
Made for small breed weight management, this grain-free kibble leads with salmon and whitefish, then sweet potatoes and chickpeas, at 28% protein, 14% fat and 421 kcal per cup. It suits small adult dogs whose owners want a fish-first grain-free option.
Full review of Small Breed Adult Grain-Free Healthy Weight Holistic Wild Salmon & Whitefish Recipe28% protein · 17% fat · 35% starch · 441 kcal/cup · Adult
Despite its chicken liver name, this discontinued small breed kibble lists deboned chicken, brown rice, peas and pork first, with 28% protein, 17% fat and 441 kcal per cup. It suits small adult dogs already eating it whose owners want grain included.
We believe this recipe has been discontinued.
Full review of Small Breed Adult Holistic Chicken & Chicken Liver Recipe27% protein · 15% fat · 38% starch · 433 kcal/cup · Adult
Brown rice and barley follow deboned chicken here, making this the grain-inclusive match to the grain-free Chicken & Sweet Potato Adult, at the same 27% protein and 38% estimated starch but 433 kcal per cup. It suits adult dogs whose owners prefer grain.
Full review of Cage-Free Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Adult27% protein · 15% fat · 38% starch · 418 kcal/cup · Adult
This grain-free adult chicken kibble uses sweet potatoes, chickpeas and potatoes instead of grain, with 27% protein, 15% fat and 418 kcal per cup. It suits adult dogs whose owners want grain free without the 17% fat of the Small Breed version.
Full review of Grain Free Cage-Free Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Adult27% protein · 15% fat · 38% starch · 427 kcal/cup · Adult
This vegan kibble has no animal protein and is built on oats, peas, chickpeas and potato protein, yet it reaches 27% protein against the 20% of the older Garden of Vegan recipe. It suits owners who want a plant-based adult kibble with oats.
Full review of Vegan Plant-Based with Kelp Recipe Adult27% protein · 14% fat · 39% starch · 414 kcal/cup · Adult
Made for weight support, this grain-free kibble leads with deboned turkey, then sweet potatoes and deboned chicken, with 27% protein, 14% fat and 414 kcal per cup. It suits adult dogs whose owners want a turkey-first recipe sold for weight management.
Full review of Healthy Weight Support Grain Free Cage-Free Turkey & Sweet Po27% protein · 17% fat · 35% starch · 413 kcal/cup · Adult
This discontinued small breed kibble pairs turkey, egg and duck with chickpeas, lentils and peas, at 27% protein, 17% fat and 35% estimated starch. It suits small adult dogs whose owners want a poultry recipe without chicken.
We believe this recipe has been discontinued.
Full review of Small Breed Adult Grain-Free Holistic Game Bird Medley27% protein · 15% fat · 38% starch · 439 kcal/cup · Adult
This grain-inclusive fish kibble leads with salmon and whitefish, then oats, brewers dried yeast and peas, at 27% protein, 15% fat and 439 kcal per cup. It suits adult dogs whose owners want fish first with oats rather than sweet potatoes.
Full review of Adult Holistic Wild Salmon & Whitefish Recipe25% protein · 15% fat · 40% starch · 416 kcal/cup · Senior
Sold for seniors, this grain-free chicken and sweet potato kibble has 25% protein and 40% estimated starch, more starch than the adult version, at 416 kcal per cup. It suits older dogs whose owners want a grain-free senior kibble with chicken first.
Full review of Grain Free Cage-Free Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Senior25% protein · 15% fat · 39% starch · 403 kcal/cup · Adult
Now marked discontinued, this grain-inclusive adult kibble lists chicken, chicken liver, dried egg product, oat groats and pearled barley first, at 25% protein and 403 kcal per cup. It suits owners looking for remaining stock of an egg and oat based chicken recipe.
We believe this recipe has been discontinued.
Full review of Adult Dog Holistic Chicken & Chicken Liver Recipe25% protein · 15% fat · 39% starch · 470 kcal/cup · Adult
Whitefish leads this discontinued grain-free kibble, with dried egg, chickpeas, lentils and peas next, and it has the most calories in the kibble range at 470 kcal per cup. It suits owners already feeding it who want a fish-first recipe with 25% protein.
We believe this recipe has been discontinued.
Full review of Adult Grain-Free Holistic Surf & Turf Recipe24% protein · 12% fat · 43% starch · 396 kcal/cup · Senior
This discontinued senior kibble has tapioca second on the list, after turkey, with 24% protein, 12% fat and 43% estimated starch, more starch than the Chicken & Sweet Potato Senior. It suits owners of older dogs who already feed it.
We believe this recipe has been discontinued.
Full review of Senior Grain-Free Holistic Turkey, Turkey Liver & Duck Recipe20% protein · 10% fat · 45.5% starch · 386 kcal/cup · Adult
This vegan kibble has the least protein (20%) and fat (10%) and the most estimated starch (45.5%) in the kibble range, with ground peas, chickpeas, pearled barley and oat groats first. It suits owners set on plant-based food who accept lower protein.
Full review of Adult Vegan Holistic Garden of Vegan Recipe| Recipe | Protein | Fat | Moisture | Kcal / kg | First ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grain Free Turkey & Duck Recipe Small Breed | 11% | 5% | 78% | 1,250 | Turkey, turkey broth, turkey liver |
| Grain Free Chicken & Salmon Recipe Small Breed | 9.5% | 5% | 78% | 1,179 | Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver |
| Healthy Grains Chicken Recipe Adult | 8% | 5% | 84% | 974 | Chicken broth, chicken, chicken liver |
| Vegan Plant-Based Recipe Adult Grain-Free | 5.8% | 3.5% | 78% | 1,029 | Vegetable broth, chickpeas, potatoes |
| Line average | 8.6% | 4.6% | 79.5% | 1,108 |
All figures as fed, from the guaranteed analysis on each label. Wet food is mostly water, so compare it with other wet food only. Highest in the line is marked in bold, lowest in italics.
11% protein · 5% fat · 1,250 kcal/kg · Adult
This small breed wet food has the most protein (11%) and calories (1250 kcal per kg) of the wet recipes and is the only one with duck, with ground dried peas fourth on the list. It suits small adult dogs eating poultry-based wet food.
Full review of Grain Free Turkey & Duck Recipe Small Breed9.5% protein · 5% fat · 184 kcal/can · Adult
The only wet recipe here with fish, it pairs chicken, chicken broth and chicken liver with salmon, at 9.5% protein and 184 kcal per can. Sold for small breeds, it suits small adult dogs whose owners want a grain-free chicken and salmon wet food.
Full review of Grain Free Chicken & Salmon Recipe Small Breed8% protein · 5% fat · 152 kcal/can · Adult
The only wet recipe here with grain, it leads with chicken broth and adds turkey, with 84% moisture, 8% protein and the fewest wet food calories at 152 kcal per can. It suits owners who prefer a grain-inclusive wet food for an adult dog.
Full review of Healthy Grains Chicken Recipe Adult5.8% protein · 3.5% fat · 161 kcal/can · Adult
This grain-free vegan wet food is built on vegetable broth, chickpeas, potatoes and pea protein, and has the least protein of the wet range at 5.8%. It suits households that want plant-based wet food for an adult dog.
Full review of Vegan Plant-Based Recipe Adult Grain-Free| Recipe | Protein | Fat | Starch | Kcal / cup | First ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freeze-Dried Raw Skin & Coat Topper | 49% | 24% | 5% | 4,848 | Beef, Beef Liver, Salmon Skin (source of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids) |
| Freeze-Dried Raw Beef Protein Topper | 45% | 30% | 3% | 4,491 | Beef, Beef Liver, Beef Lung |
All figures as fed, from the guaranteed analysis on each label. Starch is our estimate, since no bag prints it. Highest in the line is marked in bold, lowest in italics.
49% protein · 24% fat · 5% starch · 4,848 kcal/kg
Sold for skin and coat, this topper adds salmon skin and beef fat to beef and beef liver, reaching 49% protein and 5% estimated starch. It suits owners who want beef plus fish in a topper and do not mind its potato flag.
Full review of Freeze-Dried Raw Skin & Coat Topper45% protein · 30% fat · 3% starch · 4,491 kcal/kg
Every listed first ingredient is beef: beef, beef liver, beef lung, beef kidney and beef heart, with 45% protein, 30% fat and 3% estimated starch. It suits owners wanting a beef-only topper with no grain, peas, lentils or potato flagged.
Full review of Freeze-Dried Raw Beef Protein TopperNot all of it. 9 of the 17 kibbles are grain free, along with 3 of the 4 wet foods and both toppers. Grain-inclusive picks include Cage-Free Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Adult kibble and the Healthy Grains Chicken Recipe Adult wet food.
It depends on the format. Among kibbles, Cage-Free Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Puppy leads at 29%. Among wet foods, Grain Free Turkey & Duck Recipe Small Breed leads at 11%, and the Freeze-Dried Raw Skin & Coat Topper leads the toppers at 49%.
Yes. The line includes two vegan kibbles, Vegan Plant-Based with Kelp Recipe Adult at 27% protein and Adult Vegan Holistic Garden of Vegan Recipe at 20%, plus the grain-free Vegan Plant-Based Recipe Adult wet food at 5.8% protein.
Protein is close to the average kibble we review (29.2% on a dry matter basis).
87% of recipes lead with a meat, fish or egg ingredient (89% across the site).
61% of recipes are grain-free.
this range, lowest to highest its average average of all 3,205 foods we review
Starch is our estimate from the guaranteed analysis, since no manufacturer prints it. How we work it out
Share of recipes that list each animal protein as an ingredient, not counting oils, fats or flavorings. Useful if your dog has a food sensitivity.
These are not unsafe. They are listed because readers ask about them.
MOST PROTEIN
Halo Holistic Cage-Free Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Puppy Dry Dog Food
31.9% dry matter
LEAST STARCH
Halo Puppy Holistic Chicken & Chicken Liver Recipe Dry Dog Food
33% as fed
FEWEST CALORIES
Halo Adult Dog Holistic Turkey, Turkey Liver & Duck Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
382 kcal per cup
Our log holds FDA dog food recall notices from 2012 on, so this is not a guarantee that Halo has never had one. See the recall log
We keep reviews of discontinued recipes online, each with suggested replacements, because bags stay on shelves and in pantries for months.
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