WholeHearted Cat Food
WholeHearted is a Petco-exclusive pet food brand that focuses on grain-free, natural recipes. Since its launch seven years ago, it has developed over 70 cat food products, including wet and dry foods, treats, and meal toppers.
We give WholeHearted cat food a rating of 4.5 out of 5 paws. The brand offers high-quality, grain-free options with real meat as the primary ingredient and a variety of recipes suitable for cats of all ages, all at a reasonable price. However, it misses out on a perfect score due to lower moisture levels in some wet foods and a lack of formulas for specific health needs.
What Kinds of Cat Food Does Wholehearted Offer?
WholeHearted offers a moderately-sized yet diverse range of wet and dry cat foods, including formulas designed for specific health concerns like weight management, senior cats, and digestive support.
All WholeHearted products are grain-free and made without animal by-products or artificial colors. Their dry foods use ingredients like potatoes, peas, and legumes as binding agents.
WholeHearted dry cat food
WholeHearted offers eight different kibble recipes across its two dry cat food lines.
One of the brandโs most popular options, WholeHearted Grain Free Chicken Dry Cat Food, features moderate protein (33% dry matter) and fat (12.5%) levels compared to standard kibble.
The primary line, WholeHearted Grain-Free, includes six dry recipes with meaty flavors like salmon, turkey, and chicken. Four of these recipes are suitable for all life stages, making them ideal for multi-cat households. The lineup also includes two kitten formulas and a senior recipe.
All WholeHearted dry foods are grain-free, making them a good choice for cats with sensitivities to wheat, corn, or rice. The first few ingredients are typically a named meat or fish, followed by a specified meat or fish meal and several pea-derived products.
While the inclusion of multiple pea ingredients might suggest ingredient splitting, peas do provide plant-based protein and contribute to a balanced, nutritionally complete formula overall.
WholeHearted dry cat food varieties
Salmon
Turkey
Chicken
Senior Chicken
Kitten Chicken
Kitten Salmon
Top 3 WholeHearted Dry Cat Food
WholeHearted Grain Free Chicken Recipe
The main protein sources in this WholeHearted dry cat food are chicken and chicken meal.
Marketed as a basic, all-life-stages kibble, it doesnโt make any specific claims beyond providing essential nutrition through a chicken-based formula.
The recipe is centered around three key ingredients: chicken, peas, and chickpeas. Chicken and chicken meal deliver animal-based protein and nutrients, while legumes help maintain the kibbleโs structure and add additional protein, carbohydrates, and fiber. Chicken fat and salmon oil are the primary fat sources.
Beyond these main ingredients, the formula includes a range of supplements like flaxseed, chicory root, kale, chia seeds, pumpkin, blueberries, oranges, kelp, coconut, and spinach. These components provide trace nutrients and prebiotic fiber.
Additionally, the food is fortified with two probiotic strains to support digestive health, with a guaranteed minimum of 1,000,000 CFU total microorganisms per pound.
| Benefits | Negative Parts |
| Animal-sourced ingridients Single-protein food is suitable for sensitive cats Contains probiotics | High in carbohydrates Not enough moisture for hydrating |
WholeHearted Healthy Digestion Chicken and Egg Product Recipe
This recipe offers moderate protein, low fat, and high carbohydrate content, with approximately 354 calories per cup. Despite some quality ingredients, the high carbohydrate content and reliance on legumes may make it less suitable for obligate carnivores.
The formula contains chicken fat and menhaden fish oil, both of which provide animal-based fat. Additionally, prebiotics and probiotics work to promote digestive health, with a guaranteed 2 million CFU per pound.
| Benefits | Negative Parts |
| Nourishing Chicken & Chicken meal as primary Anti-inflammatory Omega-3 acids Probiotic bacteria support Free of artificial colors and flavors | High in carbohydrates High-moisture cat food |
WholeHearted Grain Free Salmon & Pea Recipe
WholeHeartedโs Grain Free Salmon & Pea Recipe is a budget-friendly dry cat food that uses salmon as its primary protein source, making it a decent option for cats with poultry allergies. The inclusion of omega-rich salmon oil helps support a healthy coat and skin, while added probiotics aid in digestion.
However, the formula is heavily reliant on peas and pea flour, which not only inflate the protein content but also increase the carbohydrate load, not ideal for obligate carnivores. Additionally, the use of plant-based proteins may dilute the overall meat content, making it less biologically appropriate for cats.
| Benefits | Negative Parts |
| Salmon, as the first ingredient, provides a quality source of animal protein. Grain-free formula suitable for cats with grain sensitivities. Contains omega fatty acids from salmon oil to support skin and coat health. Added probiotics for digestive health. | Heavy reliance on peas and pea flour may indicate ingredient splitting. High carbohydrate content, which is less ideal for carnivorous cats. Some fillers and plant-based proteins may reduce overall meat content. |
Top 3 WholeHearted Wet Cat Food
WholeHearted Grain Free Chicken Recipe Flaked in Gravy
This wet cat food from WholeHearted features chicken as the primary protein source in a soupy gravy. It includes beneficial probiotics for digestion and avoids carrageenan, a common but controversial thickener. The food has a moderate fat content, and its primary fat sources are sunflower oil and tuna oil, which provide omega fatty acids.
However, the carbohydrate content is relatively high for a wet food, estimated at around 17% on a dry matter basis, which may not be ideal for obligate carnivores. While itโs a budget-friendly option with no animal by-products or artificial colors, those seeking a truly low-carb, meat-centric formula might want to look elsewhere.
| Benefits | Negative Parts |
| Meat-first ingredient list Contains probiotics No carrageenan | High carbohydrate content for wet food Relies on plant-based thickeners and oils |
WholeHearted Grain Free Chicken & Tuna Recipe Flaked in Gravy
This flaked wet food features chicken and tuna as the first ingredients, providing a solid base of animal protein. The flaked texture in gravy may appeal to picky eaters, especially those who prefer chunkier, moist meals. Like other WholeHearted recipes, it includes probiotics and prebiotic fiber for digestive support and avoids artificial colors, flavors, and carrageenan.
However, it contains tapioca starch and xanthan gum as thickeners, and the carbohydrate content is moderately high for a wet foodโsomething to keep in mind if you’re aiming for a low-carb, species-appropriate diet.
| Benefits | Negative Parts |
| Real chicken and tuna as primary ingredients Appealing flaked texture with gravy Includes probiotics and no carrageenan Free from animal by-products and artificial additives | Real chicken and tuna as primary ingredients Appealing flaky texture with gravy Includes probiotics and no carrageenan Free from animal by-products and artificial additives |
WholeHearted Grain Free Tuna & Shrimp Recipe Flaked in Gravy
This flaked wet cat food highlights tuna as the main protein, with shrimp added for variety and flavor. Itโs served in a light gravy, which can help increase hydrationโespecially beneficial for cats that donโt drink much water. The formula is grain-free, free from carrageenan, and contains probiotics and prebiotics to support digestive health.
However, like other WholeHearted wet foods, it uses plant-based thickeners like tapioca starch and xanthan gum, and has a higher carbohydrate content than ideal for obligate carnivores.
| Benefits | Negative Parts |
| Real tuna and shrimp as animal-based proteins Appealing flaky texture in gravy No carrageenan or artificial additives Includes probiotics for gut health | Higher than desired carbohydrate levels for a wet food Contains plant-derived thickeners (tapioca, xanthan gum) |
WholeHearted Cat Food Conclusion
WholeHearted cat food delivers solid nutritional value at a budget-friendly price. Its meat-first formulas, lack of unnecessary fillers, and inclusion of gut-friendly ingredients make it a strong contender in the mid-range pet food market. However, some recipes are higher in carbohydrates than ideal, particularly in the dry food line, and not all ingredients (like legumes and “egg product”) are optimal for obligate carnivores. Still, for pet parents looking for accessible, better-than-average cat food without breaking the bank, WholeHearted is a commendable choice.
English