WholeHearted Cat Food Reviewed: Pros, Cons, and Ingredient Analysis

Wholehearted is PetCo’s store brand of pet food.

It was introduced by PetCo in 2016 and offered only dry dog food for the first year. The following year they introduced a cat food product line and have since expanded that line to include dozens of flavors and food textures.

Wholehearted pet food is made in Thailand and the United States

There is seemingly little to no transparency in the manufacturing process, which may indicate it is made outside of the U.S., although we have no proof of this.

Their ingredients are partially sourced from South America, New Zealand, and the United States. However, some of their ingredients are received from unknown suppliers. PetCo has not disclosed the name of the manufacturing partner with whom they work.

Yes, WholeHearted is good for cats.

WholeHearted uses some high-quality ingredients, like real chicken and salmon, but is also made by using low-quality plant by-products in its recipes.

Overall, the protein products used in the formulas are animal sources, with the exception of the use of pea protein in some products.

Read our WholeHearted Cat Food review to decide which formula is best for your cat’s needs.

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Summary: This food comes in 2.8-ounce pouches. It is made grain-free and uses flaked meat as the primary protein source. It is formulated for cats of all ages. Available in a wide array of flavors, like the chicken recipe and the chicken & tuna recipe, that provide a nice amount of calories per serving for your cat.

Type: Wet cat food

Best for: Cats of all life stages

Price: $10.48/lb

Ingredient Analysis: Three of the first four ingredients are animal-based, with the third ingredient being water. This food contains a high amount of moisture which is great for hydrating your cat. Tapioca starch is added for carbohydrates, and sunflower oil, a rather cheap ingredient, is added for fats.

Review: Reviews are mixed on this product. With less than 100 reviews and less than 70% of them being 5-stars, it is difficult to gauge consumers’ reactions. However, of those 5-star reviews, the most common theme was that their cat enjoyed the food the cat owners enjoyed the price. With 1-star reviews reaching above 10% of total reviews, it seemed the largest reason for dissatisfaction was missing pouches in the box or receiving the wrong product altogether.

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Summary: This chicken recipe dry cat food comes in a 2-pound bag for a reasonable price. It is made grain-free and is appropriate for adult cats. This high-protein kibble uses real chicken as the first ingredient and includes probiotics for digestive support and omega-3 fatty acids for skin and fur health.

Type: Dry cat food

Best for: Adult cats

Price: $5.00/lb

Ingredient Analysis: Chicken and chicken meal are the first ingredients, but from there, it becomes heavy with plant products. They use peas, pea flour, and chickpeas for fiber and carbohydrates, both of which are inexpensive to manufacture and typically in lower-quality cat food. The added omega-3 fatty acids are a great way to promote skin and fur health.

Review: Although there aren’t many reviews of this product, a whopping 86% of buyers give this product 5 stars. They claim their cats love the food, and it has eased digestive issues and given their cats healthy skin again. The few negative reviews there are all saying the same thing, though, that it made their cats sick.

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Summary: This meal topper is available in a variety pack of four flavors, including chicken & vegetable, tuna & vegetable, salmon, and seafood. It is made in broth for added flavor and texture and is formulated for cats of all ages. It uses no artificial preservatives and contains a high moisture content to provide hydration while eating.

Type: Cat food topper

Best for: Cats of all life stages

Price: $10.99/count

Ingredient Analysis: Every recipe starts with broth and is followed by animal products like salmon and tuna. The only opaque ingredient is the condensed fish solubles. Overall, this is a great ingredients list.

Review: There were 6 ratings on Amazon and 26 ratings on PetCo.com, but nearly all of them gave it a 5-star review. The few reviews outside of that simply stated their cat would not eat the food.

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Summary: This wet cat food variety pack contains three flavors made from real chicken, turkey, and beef. It contains no fillers and is intended for cats of all ages. This pate uses real turkey, chicken, or beef for the first ingredient and contains no corn, soy, or wheat, making this a grain-free wet food high in moisture and micronutrients.

Type: Wet cat food

Best for: Cats of all life stages

Price: $3.80/lb

Ingredient Analysis: Real chicken, turkey, and beef are the first ingredients in each of these recipes. They then add dried egg product and taurine for added amino acids. It is rounded out by sunflower oil and tapioca starch for fats and fiber and supplemented with vitamins.

Review: Averaging four stars with over 300 reviews on PetCo.com, it seems to be a middle-of-the-road product in the eyes of the consumer. The biggest complaint was that their cat didn’t like the food, but some buyers noticed stark differences in the quality from one package to the next, encouraging them to leave 1-star ratings.

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Summary: This weight control formula is grain-free and made from chicken and peas. It contains 50% more fiber than the wholehearted grain-free chicken recipe and comes in 2.5-pound packages. It uses peas and flaxseed as high-fiber sources and ginger and pumpkin for easy digestion. The first ingredient in this food is real chicken making this a high-protein cat food for better weight control.

Type: Wet cat food

Best for: Adult cats; Weight control

Price: $1.29/can

Ingredient Analysis: Chicken is the first ingredient, and the high fiber content comes from peas, chickpeas, and powdered cellulose. Pea flour and flaxseed help to add even more fiber, and berries add antioxidants and vitamins. This is a plant-heavy recipe meant for carnivores, but it is well-rounded nutritionally.

Review: More than150 reviews on PetCo.com give this a near-perfect 5-star rating. Buyers saw improvements in their cat’s health and weight quickly, and they enjoyed the fact their cats liked the food. The few critical reviews commented on the texture of the food, saying it was “too runny” or said their cat didn’t like the food.

WholeHearted offers a wide range of products. Here is a list of the lines and products:

Wholehearted Cat Food has never had a recall on any of its products.

Yes, WholeHearted is worth it.

In general, the brand uses good ingredients and combines them into complete and balanced meals for cats of all breeds and all life stages. The brand also offers a wide selection of cat formulas.

WholeHearted is often compared to cat food brands such as Purina Friskies and Blue Buffalo.