While you might not realize its seriousness, the food you give to your pet dog can determine a lot of things. From their overall health, activity level, and well-being to how long your pup will live – it can all boil down to the pet food you choose.
I know it’s a big decision to make. Therefore, you must pick your dog food very cautiously. Heartland Dog Food is one canine brand that many pet parents swear by for their dog’s overall health and well-being.
Are you wondering if Heartland Dog Food will be a good choice for your pup? Dive right in to learn all about this brand’s history, recipes, ingredients used, nutrient profile, and even the recalls.
I will let you know my verdict and whether you should get it for your canines. Let’s begin!
| Products | Type | Special Feature | Our Rating | AAFCO Nutrient Profile (Life Stage) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heartland Gold Large Breed Adult | Dry | Improves metabolic processes | 3.5 | Adult |
| Heartland Gold Puppy | Dry | Boosts muscle and brain health | 4 | Puppy |
At A Quick Glance: Heartland Dog Food
Here’s a quick look at the key aspects of Heartland Dog Food, which I will explore in detail later on in my review:
- Established by a family line
- A long list of products resulting from extensive scientific research
- Offers a good level of nutrients
About Heartland Dog Food
- Includes probiotics for regular digestion
- Tailored for large and giant breeds
- Includes natural antioxidants
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Heartland Dog Food comes from the famous Fromm Family, which has been manufacturing quality pet foods for five generations now. The pet food is entirely grain-free and contains high-quality natural ingredients. But there are reports that it might contain some fillers.
Known for making a wide range of dog food blends, Heartland and even Fromm ensure consistency in their products. What makes Heartland stand out is that it can take care of digestion issues.
The company has put years of scientific research into its recipes. It offers the right balance of nutrients like protein, carbohydrates, and fats without affecting the quality. This nutrient profile makes Heartland dog food a cut above the competition.
Who Makes Heartland Dog Food in 2023?
Blue Buffalo Company owns Heartland Pet Food, which is the manufacturing arm of this brand. It’s situated in Joplin, Missouri, across a huge 425,000 sq. ft. facility.
The state-of-the-art facility is responsible for manufacturing high-quality dog food. It’s a leader in the world of natural pet food. They source foods from farms that employ humane animal raising and handling practices.
5 Factor Analysis of Heartland Dog Food
Now that you’re acquainted with Heartland dog food and its history let’s find out how it performs in my detailed 5-factor analysis.
1. Recipes
Heartland Gold Large Breed Adult
- Includes probiotics for regular digestion
- Tailored for large and giant breeds
- Includes natural antioxidants
Heartland Gold aims to give your pup a wholesome meal with real, delicious, and nutritious meat. This recipe also includes fruits and vegetables, giving dogs a banquet of nutrition and taste.
This grain-free recipe includes red meat like lamb, pork, and even beef. It’s best suited for large-breed adult dogs weighing over 50 pounds.
Heartland enhances the recipe with probiotics to help improve digestion, promote gut health, and boost the immune system. Not only that, but your furball will also benefit from the essential amino acids that its protein provides, as it will maintain muscle, repair tissues, and improve hormone synthesis and other critical metabolic processes.
Heartland Gold Puppy
- Made with high-quality protein
- Includes taurine, vitamins, and minerals
- An abundance of powerful antioxidants
Heartland caters to your cute little puppies, if that’s what you were thinking. The Heartland Gold puppy formula is made keeping in mind the needs of your tiny canine companions.
It is also a grain-free recipe made with red meat and enhanced with probiotics to boost digestion. The one thing that makes this recipe unique for me is how the omega-rich formula supports brain health and simultaneously promotes healthy skin and a hairy coat.
Suppose you want to give your puppy a balanced formula supporting metabolic function. In that case, this recipe is the ultimate one. It will provide the much-needed vitamins, minerals, and even the amino acid taurine.
Our Rating
Heartland offers a decent range of options when I consider just the recipes. From adult dogs to puppies, from small to large breeds, it provides a wholesome range of recipes for every dog, making it better than most dog food brands in the market.
2. Ingredients
Moving on to ingredients, let’s take a look at the common ones Heartland adds to its dog food.
Red Meat
The primary ingredient Heartland uses is red meat, such as lamb, beef, and pork. Heartland aims to source only the best meat that passes stringent quality checks before being used in the recipes.
Red meat contains protein, amino acids, vitamins, and essential minerals. The amino acids provided by the protein can help maintain muscle mass, repair tissues, improve hormone synthesis, and boost other metabolic processes.
Cereals
The next ingredient is corn, an inexpensive but controversial cereal grain used by Heartland. You must be wondering why cereal like corn is considered controversial. Well, the answer lies in the fact that corn doesn’t provide much nutritional value to your dog besides giving an energy boost.
Similarly, some recipes from Heartland also include wheat, another cereal grain that comes with the same issues as corn.
Due to this reason, pet parents don’t consider cereal a quality ingredient for good dog foods.
Sorghum
Heartland also adds sorghum to dog foods, which is a starchy cereal with a nutrient profile identical to corn. Sorghum is an acceptable canine ingredient as it is gluten-free and can help cure blood sugar issues. It balances the blood sugar levels better than any other grain.
Soybean Meal
Next, you will find a soybean meal on the list of ingredients. It’s a by-product of the soybean oil manufacturing process, which is common in farm animal feeds. The soybean meal can contain around 48% protein; however, its biological value is lower than meat’s.
Vegetables
Heartland Dog Food recipes aim to give your pup a balance of nutrients; for that, they also include vegetables. It can include carrots rich in beta-carotene, dietary fiber, and minerals. Besides that, Heartland also adds potato, tomato, pea flour, and even celery.
Our Rating
The manufacturers use high-quality ingredients that are healthy and safe for dogs. They focus on offering complete nutrition to dogs to ensure their overall well-being.
Although Heartland recipes include some controversial ingredients, as a pet parent, you must be cautious in deciding what’s safe and what’s not.
3. Nutritional Analysis
Now that you know the recipes and ingredients, you must be wondering what nutrients they contain. Let’s take a look at the nutrient profile of Heartland Dog Food.
| Nutrient | Content Per Serving |
| Protein | 24% |
| Fat | 16% |
| Fiber | 6% |
| Moisture | 10% |
| Calories | 3,637 kcal/kg or 378 kcal/cup |
Heartland Dog Food includes around 24% protein and 16% fat, as per the guaranteed analysis. The carbohydrate content is around 63-64% for the recipes, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 42%.
Our Rating
From the nutrient profile, it is evident that Heartland has a below-average level of protein and fat. In contrast, the carbs in it are above average.
Since Heartland adds corn protein concentrate and soybean meal, it might boost the protein level; however, the recipes contain a limited amount of meat.
4. Price
I understand that price is an essential factor to consider for every pet parent, whether they are on a budget or not. Heartland is an affordable brand that falls well within the average market range.
Heartland Gold Puppy, Dry Dog Food, costs $72.99 for a bag of 26 lbs.
Our Rating
Heartland offers great value for money and allows you to feed your pup without worrying about breaking the bank. It will only cost you around $3.64 for every lb.
5. Recall History
Are you wondering about the safety of this pet food? Well, recalls are a great indicator of how safe the Heartland dog food brand is for your pup.
Although Heartland has never had a product recall, the parent company Fromm has had two recalls since 2011.
- 2016 – Inadequate vitamins and minerals
- 2021 – Elevated vitamin D
Our Rating
Overall, Heartland is a relatively safer brand as it has not had a single recall since it began its independent operations. However, since Fromm has recalled products in the past, you must stay cautious.
What Sets Heartland Dog Food Apart From Its Competitors?
While many brands offer quality dog food, Heartland stands out due to the years of scientific research done by Tom Neiman, the leader of Fromm. The company always aims to give you and your pet the best dog food as it keeps researching canine nutritional needs.
They specifically formulate all the recipes for dogs while keeping in mind allergies and sensitivities. And that’s not all; dog foods from Heartland are also more gentle than other brands, ensuring easy digestion and boosting immune health.
Should You Purchase Heartland Dog Food?
Heartland offers a range of recipes formulated specifically for different stages and breeds of dogs. The foods are protein-rich and offer a healthy blend of amino acids, antioxidants, prebiotics, and probiotics.
It ensures your pup gets optimal advantage at any age and promotes overall well-being.
Pros
- Optimal nutrient absorption with chelated minerals
- Includes protein and amino acids
- Free of artificial additives, fillers, and by-products
- Offers a fiber-rich meal
Cons
- Contains plant-based protein
- Lower-than-average protein content
Our Rating
Heartland is one dog food that is delicious and nutritious for your pups. After years of extensive research and market analysis, it has developed its products and knows what’s best for your pup.
Even though it contains a few potentially harmful and controversial ingredients, Heartland Dog Food is a good choice if your pup can digest them.
Heartland Dog Food Feeding Guide
Heartland offers a feeding guide to help pet parents decide their dogs’ daily food intake. It proves quite helpful in ensuring your pup gets the required nutrition daily and stays in the best shape.
| Ideal Weight (lbs) | Cups Per Day |
|---|---|
| 5 | ⅓ |
| 10 | ½ |
| 15 | ¾ |
| 20 | 1 |
| 25 | 1 ⅛ |
| 30 | 1 ⅓ |
| 35 | 1 ½ |
| 40 | 1 ⅔ |
| 45 | 1 ¾ |
| 50 | 1 ⅞ |
| 55 | 2 |
| 60 | 2 ¼ |
| 65 | 2 ⅓ |
| 70 | 2 ½ |
| 75 | 2 ⅔ |
| 80 | 2 ¾ |
| 85 | 2 ⅞ |
| 90 | 3 |
| 95 | 3 ⅛ |
| 100 | 3 ¼ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can be considered A High-Value Dog Food?
A high-value dog food or treat is one which is freeze-dried, highly palatable, and enjoyed by your dog. It’s usually chicken or lamb that your pup enjoys as a reward for doing something good.
What Are The Top Foods For Dogs?
The healthiest human foods that dogs can also consume are blueberries, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, chicken, salmon, and much more.
Is Heartland A Good Food For Dogs?
Yes, Heartland is a good dog food with a range of options, and each contains a healthy mix of nutrients.
Which are the Top Dog Food Brands?
Purina Pro Plan, Hill’s Science, and Royal Canin are among the top dog food brands. That doesn’t mean Heartland isn’t a good Brand.
Final Thoughts
Like every brand has its good and bad aspects, the same holds true for Heartland Dog Food. Although it has its fair share of flaws (yes, I’m talking about the controversial ingredients and lower-than-average nutrient profile), Heartland still emerges as a quality pet food at this price point.
You can get it for your pet dog and introduce it gradually not to upset their digestive system!
Ankita is a passionate pet lover and head of content at Pet Food Brands. With her extensive knowledge and research, she provides pet owners with top-quality information on dog food and nutrition. Her dedication to improving the lives of dogs makes her a leading voice in the industry.
