Here is our Halo dog food review.
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Your furry best friend deserves the best that life has to offer. And what’s better than giving it the best nutrition? Like the rest of the family, your canine member needs the right nutrition to ensure optimal health and performance.
It’s thus your duty as a loving parent to determine your dog’s specific needs and identify the kind of food that will satisfactorily meet them. You should find out the components of your dog’s food and if it’s what it needs. Your dog can live a happy, healthy, and long life with the right food. I’m sure this is what you want, right?
However, picking the best food from the product-flooded market is not easy. It can be extremely overwhelming to choose from the wide variety of products and brands available. This, plus untruthful marketing gimmicks and conflicting information on the internet, further complicates the process.
So, how do you select the best nutrition for your furry pal amidst this confusion?
Well, if this sounds like you, you are in the right place.
To gauge the suitability of any dog food properly, you’ll need an honest source of information. And that’s what we deliver exactly. To make it easier for you, we analyze different brands in terms of ingredients quality, availability, variety, safety, and cost to give you a truthful review and enable you to make a sound judgment.
This article delves deep into the Halo holistic dog food to help you gauge if it’s what your dog needs. We will touch on who owns the brand, where and who produces the food, any recalls it may have had, and some of its top products.
Want to find out more?
Come with us and find out if this is what your dog needs.
Ready?
Here we go.
About Halo Dog Food
Halo dog food is a renowned pet food producer focusing on providing nutritionally balanced nutrition using only wholesome and non-GMO ingredients. The brand offers a wide variety of holistic food options for dogs of different ages, sizes, breeds, and lifestyles. Halo dog food is made without meat meals, fillers, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Who owns Halo dog food?
Founded in 1986, Halo dog food is owned by Better Choice Company, Inc, an animal health and wellness company. This dog brand is headquartered in Tampa, Florida. All the ingredients used in this dog food are sourced from the USA, Canada, and Florida.
What are the sub-brands of Halo dog food?
Halo dog food has four sub-brands as follows:
- Dry dog food: These come in a biscuit-like form. These are formulated with low moisture content, usually up to 11%. They are also cheaper than wet food. Besides being great for dental health, dry foods are more convenient to feed.
- Canned/ wet food: Wet foods are formulated with high water moisture, usually up to 78%. This makes them more flavorful and ideal for picky eaters.
- Raw diets consist of chunks of uncooked animal meat, organs, and fruits and vegetables. Raw diets are not only nutritious but also highly digestible.
- Dog treats: Halo also offers dog treats in various flavors.
What Is the Nutritional Profile of Halo Dog Foods?
It’s important to have a keen look at the nutritional content of any dog food before settling for it. This will give you important insights into its suitability and ability to meet your dog’s needs.
By looking at the carbohydrate, protein, and fat contents on the ingredients list, you can gauge the nutritional value of any food. This is what the nutritional profile of FreshPet dog food looks like:
Carbohydrate Value of Halo Dog Food
Carbohydrates make good sources of energy that dogs need to fuel their activities. Dogs need the energy released when carbohydrates are broken down to play and work. The brand uses low-glycemic carbohydrates like peas, oatmeal, and whole wheat as their carbohydrate sources. Halo dog food has a near-average carbohydrate level of 48%
Protein Value of Halo Dog Food
Proteins are essential for healthy muscles and tissues and for boosting dogs’ performance. Proteins supply dogs’ amino acids to build, repair, and maintain healthy cells, tissues, ligaments, and muscles. Halo dog food has an average protein level of 28%.
Fat Value of Halo Dog Food
Fats are essential for keeping your dog’s skin and coat healthy and supple but are also helpful in lowering cholesterol levels, minimizing inflammations, building stronger cell membranes, and improving brain health. This dog food has a near-average fat level of 16 %.
What Are the Best Halo Recipes and Flavors?
Halo dog food offers a wide range of flavors and recipes within its three sub-brands. These recipes come in both wet and dry forms. The brand offers different formulas to cater to the needs of dogs at different life stages. It uses different flavors of proteins from food such as chicken, turkey, duck, salmon, beef, turducken, trout, and lamb.
The brand offers puppy formulas designed to cater to the needs of growing dogs, adult formulas crafted to promote optimal health, and senior formulas added with chondroitin and glucosamine to support an aging dog’s joints, hips, and muscles. Some recipes address health issues like sensitive skin, weight management, and food allergies.
What Makes Halo Dog Food Unique?
These are some of the things that make Halo dog food stand out from its competitors.
- Non-GMO and wholesome ingredients: Halo dog food uses only premium ingredients, including real animal meat, meat organs, and organic fruits and vegetables. All recipes and formulas feature meat as the first ingredient.
- No meat meals or by-products: Halo dog food includes only premium-quality proteins and does not include any meat meals, slaughterhouse waste, or by-products. This makes it highly digestible.
- Wholesome and nutritionally complete meals: All the recipes from this brand are crafted with wholesome ingredients, including proteins from real meats, fruits, vegetables, minerals, and vitamins, to provide a completely balanced nutrition with all the necessary dietary components that dogs need to thrive.
- Offers grain-free and grain-inclusive options: This brand has grain-free recipes to cater to dogs with grain sensitivities and allergies, as well as grain-inclusive formulas for pups that don’t mind some grains
- Wide variety of products: Halo dog food offers a wide variety of products. It offers formulas for puppies, adults, and large and small breed dogs. It also has wet and dry food options.
- No fillers or artificial ingredients: Halo dog food is free from filler ingredients or artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives without nutritional value. It includes wholesome ingredients that are beneficial to your dog’s health.
- Adherence to AAFCO standards: This dog food is designed to meet or exceed all safety and quality standards set by AAFCO. All the recipes are formulated as per the set requirements for specific uses.
What Are the Individual Dog Food Recipes from Halo Dog Food Brand?
These are some of the best recipes from Halo dog food:
Halo Holistic Chicken & Chicken Liver Adult Dry Dog Food
Featuring cage-free chicken as the first ingredient, this meal is loaded with easily digestible proteins to help your dog build and maintain healthy muscles. It also adds plenty of non-GMO fruits and vegetables, including carrots, blueberries, cranberries, and sweet potatoes, for natural sources of vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants that support overall health.
What’s more, the recipe includes wholesome grains like oatmeal and pearled barley for energy sources to fuel your dog’s activities and fiber to keep its digestive system flowing smoothly. Peas, chickpeas, and dried egg products are also added to boost the protein content in this food.
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Dried egg product, Dried peas, and Oat groats
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 27% min, Crude Fat 17% min, Crude Fiber 5% Max.
- Calories: 403 kcal/cup
- Suitable for which dogs: Dogs of all breeds, Small, medium, and large breeds
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: Complete and balanced nutrition for dogs of all breeds
- Type of product: Dry food, No Corn, No soy, No meat meals, No by-products
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for: Overall health, skin and coat health
- Price: $17.84 for a 30-oz bag
Benefits
- Limited ingredient diet with a single protein from chicken making it great for dogs with allergies and sensitivities
- Includes healthy grains like oat groats and barley for good sources of energy to fuel your dog’s activities and fiber to promote digestion
- High in omega 3 & 6 fatty acids that promote skin and coat health
- Contains non-GMO fruits and vegetables, providing complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs.
Halo Holistic Garden Of Vegan Adult Dry Dog Food
Crafted using only plant-based ingredients, this formula is designed to provide all the nutrients that vegan dogs need for optimal health, even without animal proteins. This food gets its protein from green peas and chickpeas to help support healthy muscles.
Complex carbohydrate sources like potatoes, barley, and oat groats are also included for energy. At the same time, flaxseed, sunflower oil, and canola oil provide good omega fatty acids that promote skin and coat health. Fruits and vegetables are added for vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and other nutrients necessary for a balanced diet that supports overall health.
- First 5 Ingredients: Green peas, Chickpeas, Pearled barley, Oat groats, and Pea protein
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 20% min, Crude Fat 10% min, Crude Fiber 8.5% Max.
- Calories: 422 kcal/cup
- Suitable for which dogs: Dogs of all breeds, Small, medium, and large breeds
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: Complete and balanced diet for vegan adult dogs of all breeds
- Type of product: Dry food, No Corn, No soy, Vegan, Chicken-free
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for: Dogs that can’t tolerate animal proteins
- Price: $85.99 for a 21-lb bag
Benefits
- Nutritionally complete and balanced diet with all the necessary ingredients that vegan dogs need to stay healthy
- Includes a blend of fruits and vegetables like carrots, blueberries, apples, and cranberries for natural sources of vitamins, fiber, antioxidants, and other nutrients that support overall health
- It is loaded with omega fatty acids to help keep your dog’s skin healthy and its coat glossy.
- Does not contain any GMOs, corn, soy, wheat, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives; hence suitable for sensitive dogs.
Halo Holistic Game Bird Medley Grain-Free Small Breed Dog Food
This highly digestible, high-quality food features turkey as the first ingredient for proteins packed with essential amino acids to help build healthy muscles. Designed in small-sized kibbles, this meal is tailored to the needs of small dogs. It also adds non-GMO vegetables, healthy oils, vitamins, and minerals for a balanced meal that dogs need to thrive.
Probiotics and prebiotics are added to this dog food to support digestion and enhance gut health. Halo’s Proprietary Dreamcoat supplement is added to this formula to keep your dog’s skin and coat in perfect condition.
- First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, Dried Egg Product, Dried Chickpeas, Dried Lentils, and Dried Peas.
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 27% min, Crude Fat 17% min, Crude Fiber 5% Max.
- Calories: 413 kcal/cup
- Suitable for which dogs: Small breed dogs, Extra small breed dogs
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: Complete and balanced nutrition designed to meet the news of small-breed dogs
- Type of product: Dry food, Grain-free, High-protein
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for: Overall health, skin and coat health
- Price: $52.99 for a 10-lb bag
Benefits
- Features high-quality ingredients for optimal nutrition and better digestion
- Packed with omega fatty acids to nourish your dog’s skin and keep its coat radiant.
- Formulated in small-sized kibbles to make it easy for small dogs to chew
- Made with whole meats from turkey and duck with absolutely no meat meals for high-quality proteins to help build healthy muscles.
Halo Holistic Wild Salmon & White Fish Adult Dry Dog Food
With real salmon and whitefish as the key ingredients, this recipe is packed with easily digestible proteins and highly rich in omega fatty acids to support proper muscle growth and healthy skin and coat. It also adds other nutrient-dense ingredients like sweet potatoes, cranberries, carrots, and blueberries for a nutritionally complete meal that supports overall health.
What’s better, the recipe utilizes only premium ingredients. It excludes meat meals and other filler ingredients such as corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, so you can be sure your dog will get all the nutrition it needs to stay healthy.
- First 5 Ingredients: Salmon, Whitefish, Dried Egg Product, Oatmeal Barley, and Dried Peas
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 27% min, Crude Fat 17% min, Crude Fiber 5% Max.
- Calories: 3860 kcal/ kg
- Suitable for which dogs: Dogs of all breeds, Small, medium, and large breeds
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: High-protein food formulated to support healthy muscles in dogs of all breeds
- Type of product: Dry food, No Corn, No soy, No meat meals, No by-products
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for: Overall health, skin and coat health
- Price: $84.99 for a 21-lb bag
Benefits
- Made with MSC-certified wild-caught salmon and whitefish for lean protein sources to help maintain lean muscle mass.
- Includes whole grains to help sustain your dog’s strength and energy level.
- Packed with omega fatty acids to help boost skin and coat health.
- Contains a proprietary Dreamcoat Supplement to help boost your dog’s health.
Halo Holistic Turkey, Turkey Live & Duck Recipe Grain-Free Senior Dry Dog Food
Designed with the needs of senior dogs in mind, this recipe is formulated with lower calories and fats to support aging dogs’ lower metabolism and activity level. The food starts with cage-free turkey as the first ingredient and adds vitamins, minerals, non-GMO fruits, and vegetables for a completely balanced diet that supports overall health in dogs.
This formula is crafted using whole ingredients and no rendered meat meals, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, making it highly digestible and nutritious. Glucosamine and chondroitin are added to this food to support your aging dog’s joints.
- First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, Tapioca, Dried Sweet Potatoes, Dried Peas, and Potato Protein
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 24% min, Crude Fat 12% min, Crude Fiber 5% Max.
- Calories: 387 kcal/cup
- Suitable for which dogs: Dogs of all breeds, Small, medium, and large breeds
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: Complete and balanced nutrition formulated with lower calorie and fat levels for senior dogs of all breeds
- Type of product: Dry food, No Corn, No soy, No meat meals, No by-products
- Life stage: Senior
- Best for: Joint health, sensitive digestion, healthy muscles
- Price: $22.99 for a 4-lb bag
Benefits
- Made with real turkey and duck meat for easily digestible proteins to support healthy muscles.
- Enhanced with glucosamine and chondroitin to promote joint health.
- Contains added DHA to boost the cognitive health of senior dogs.
- Formulated with high fiber amounts for improved digestion
- Has no meat meals, by-products, grains, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives; hence easy on the stomach.
Halo Freeze-Dried Raw Beef Meal Bites 14oz bag
Featuring all-natural beef and organs, this is an ultra-premium recipe packed with proteins and other nutrients to provide your lovely pooch with the energy it requires to fuel its activities as well as maintain optimum health.
Better still, these bites are freeze-dried and minimally processed to preserve the natural flavor and nutrients, offering your dog the benefits of a raw diet with complete and balanced nutrition. Additionally, this recipe is totally free from grains, corn, soy, wheat, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, making it ideal even for sensitive pups.
- First 5 Ingredients: Beef, Beef Heart, Beef Liver, Beef Lung, and Beef Kidney.
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 40% min, Crude Fat 33% min, Crude Fiber 5% Max.
- Calories: 233 kcal/cup
- Suitable for which dogs: Dogs of all breeds, Small, medium, and large breeds
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: High-protein, freeze-dried, nutritionally complete meal designed to support overall health
- Type of product: Freeze-dried, Raw, High-protein, No corn, No wheat, No soy
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for: Overall health, Healthy muscles
- Price: $39.99 for a 14-oz bag
Benefits
- High-protein food made with beef and beef organs helps build healthy muscles and provide energy for your dog.
- Minimally processed and freeze-dried for optimal flavor and nutrient preservation
- Added with vitamin C to boost immune health, fiber to support healthy digestion, and omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
- Has absolutely no corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives; hence gentle on the stomach.
Halo Freeze-Dried Raw Turkey Meal Bites 14oz bag
This meal boasts 99% protein from real turkey and organs for a tasty meal with exceptional flavor. Turkey provides easily digestible proteins that are loaded with essential amino acids to help your dog maintain a healthy muscle mass and thrive.
To help preserve flavor and nutrients, these bites are minimally processed and freeze-dried. Without any grains, meat meals, by-products, fillers, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, you can be sure your fur baby will be getting all the nutrients it needs to remain healthy.
- First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, Turkey Heart, Turkey Liver, Herring Oil ( Source of omega 3 fatty acids), Mixed Tocopherols.
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 50% min, Crude Fat 17% min, Crude Fiber 4% Max.
- Calories: 231 kcal/cup
- Suitable for which dogs: Dogs of all breeds, Small, medium, and large breeds
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: High protein food designed to promote muscle health and overall well-being
- Type of product: Freeze-Dried, No Corn, No soy, No meat meals, No by-products
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for: Overall health, skin and coat health, Muscle health
- Price: $44.99 for a 14-oz bag
Benefits
- Includes vitamin C to support immune health, omega-3 fatty acids to foster healthy skin and coat, and lots of fiber to ensure smooth digestion
- Loaded with proteins from turkey and turkey organs to help maintain healthy muscles
- Freeze-dried to preserve flavor and nutrients for complete and balanced nutrition
- Free from unnecessary fillers like corn, soy, wheat, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives hence great for sensitivities.
Halo® Elevate Dog Kettle Cooked Chunky Healthy Grains Chicken Stew
This is a nutritious dog food that’s thoughtfully crafted to deliver maximum nutrition plus a flavor that will keep your pup begging for more.
The food is made with hearty chunks of chicken plus other wholesome ingredients like carrots, pumpkin, and brown rice for a complete and balanced meal that promotes good health. What’s more, the recipe has added vitamins and minerals for a complete meal.
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Vegetable broth, Carrots, and Whole Egg
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 6.5% min, Crude Fat 2% min, Crude Fiber 1% Max.
- Calories: 334 kcal/cup
- Suitable for which dogs: Dogs of all breeds, Small, medium, and large breeds
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: Complete and balanced nutrition for dogs of all breeds
- Type of product: Wet food, No Corn, No soy, No meat meals, No by-products
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for: Overall health, Immune health
- Price: $25.20 for a 12.7-oz bag
Benefits
- Made with large hearty chunks of chicken for proteins to help build healthy muscles
- Includes healthy grains like whole brown rice as complex carbohydrates for energy
- Contains wholesome vegetables such as pumpkin and carrots for natural sources of fiber and antioxidants that promote digestion and improve immune health.
Halo Herbal Dental Chew
These are designed with unique ridges and a chewy texture that helps clean teeth, scrape away plaque, and keep your dog’s breath fresh. The tasty chews are formulated with natural ingredients like parsley and peppermint oil, giving them a herbal flavor and extra yummy taste.
Additionally, these treats are made without corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, making them great even for dogs with sensitive tummies. You can also feel good feeding these chews to your pup, knowing that they include only quality ingredients and no fillers.
- First 5 Ingredients: Rice Flour, Tapioca Flour, Coconut Glycerin, Cheese, and Brewer’s Yeast
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 7.8% min, Crude Fat 3.8% min, Crude Fiber 2% Max.
- Calories: 85 kcal/treat
- Suitable for which dogs: Small breed dogs
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: Dental chews designed with unique ridges to help fight tartar, scrape away plaque, and keep a dog’s breath fresh
- Type of product: Treats, Grain-free, Gluten-free, No wheat, No corn
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for: Dental Health
- Price: $24.99
Benefits
- Designed with ridges making it easy to clean even the hard-to-reach areas of the teeth
- Formulated with real peppermint oil that helps get rid of bad breath
- Promotes dental health by keeping the teeth clean and the breath fresh
- Has a tasty flavor and an appealing aroma that dogs can’t resist.
Halo Freeze-Dried Raw Beef Protein Topper 3.5oz bag
These are tasty protein-packed toppers formulated with beef and beef organs to help your furry pal to help build healthy muscles. This food is minimally processed and freeze-dried to help preserve maximum flavor and nutrients.
Besides the proteins, this food is also packed with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to help keep the skin well nourished and the coat glamorous. What’s better, you won’t find any unnecessary ingredients like corn, soy, wheat, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives; hence you can rest assured your dog is getting the best nutrition.
- First 5 Ingredients: Beef, Beef Liver, Beef Lung, Beef Kidney, and Beef Heart
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 49% min, Crude Fat 24% min, Crude Fiber 8% Max.
- Calories: 23 kcal/tablespoon
- Suitable for which dogs: Dogs of all breeds, Small, medium, and large breeds
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: Protein-rich diet designed to build healthy
- Type of product: Dry food, No Corn, No soy, No meat meals, No by-products
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for: Overall health, skin and coat health
- Price: $17.84 for a 30-oz bag
Benefits
- Made with beef and beef organs for premium sources of protein to help build healthy muscles
- Rich in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids that help promote skin and coat health
- Freeze-dried and minimally processed for maximum flavor and nutrient preservation
- Free from corn, soy, wheat, fillers, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, gentle on the stomach.
Customer Reviews
Halo dog food is a high-quality dog food brand that has received many positive reviews from its customers. However, like any other brand, it has a few negative reviews. Check out what some of the customers say about it.
Positive
‘’Toby loves this food. We’ve noticed a difference in his energy level and his coat. Also noticed a significant difference in firmer and healthier stools. Happy camper all around’’.
Customer review
‘’I was recently adopted after living on the streets of Georgia, and this food is the best! Breakfast and dinner have never tasted so good & my fur has completely changed in the past three months! I’m so healthy and beautiful. Something to bark about’’.
Customer review
Negative
‘’I have a 2 yr old black lab. He was out of food, so I thought I’d try this Halo product. He refused to eat it. I have only fed him the best dog food on the market. This food is tiny flat pieces. I can’t say pebbles because they are so flat I think dogs need to pick them up with their tongue. They are about 1/8 inch around and thinner than a frosted flake. Maybe tiny dogs would like it, but my dog would rather starve. Luckily the store is taking it back’’.
Customer review
Halo Dog Food Recalls
Apart from a voluntary recall that the brand made in 2015 on its Spot Stew ( Turkey variety) catfood, Halo dog food has not recorded any recall on its dog food since its inception. The brand is in good standing with the FDA as it has had no other recall, voluntary or otherwise, since then.
This clean record shows that the company is keen on maintaining its products’ quality and ensuring dogs’ safety. It’s also a good sign that the brand is dependable and trustworthy.
What is the quality of ingredients in Halo dog food?
Halo dog food uses high-quality, non-GMO, and organic ingredients in recipes and formulas, with real animal meat always as the first ingredient. It does not include fillers, by-products, meat meals, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. The food also contains real fruits and vegetables and wholesome grains in some recipes.
Do Halo dog food products include chicken?
Yes, Halo dog food includes cage-free chicken as the primary ingredient in some recipes. It also uses chicken organs for additional protein in its formulas. Chicken is a good source of easily digestible proteins that help to build lean muscle mass in dogs. However, chicken is also a major cause of allergies in dogs.
Are Halo dog foods produced from slaughterhouse waste?
No, Halo dog food does not include any slaughterhouse waste. The brand only uses high-quality non-GMO and organic ingredients such as real animal protein from chicken, beef, lamb, turkey, and salmon sources. It also includes animal organs like lungs, liver, and heart in its recipes which are perfectly healthy for dogs to eat.
Discussion of Most Important Ingredients – Good and Bad
Halo dog food takes pride in utilizing only the best ingredients in all its products. Check out some of the desired ingredients in this food.
- Chicken and chicken organs: These provide good sources of easily digestible proteins that are packed with essential amino acids and omega fatty acids. These are necessary for building healthy muscles and maintaining skin health.
- Turkey and turkey organs: Like chicken, turkey is an excellent source of easily digestible proteins. However, turkey is lower in fat and calories than chicken. Animal organs are high in minerals and vitamins like zinc, niacin, and vitamin B6, which contribute to good health.
- Salmon: Besides being an excellent source of high-quality protein, this is also a great source of omega-3 fats that help in improving skin health, boosting immunity, and reducing inflammation. Salmon is especially great for dogs allergic to beef or chicken meat.
- Beef: This consists of the clean flesh of slaughtered cattle. It also includes skeletal muscles and muscles of the heart, esophagus, tongue, and diaphragm. Beef is packed with essential amino acids necessary for building healthy muscles.
- Beef liver: This is organ meat from slaughtered cattle. Animal organs are beneficial as they contain various minerals and vitamins that support overall health.
- Dried egg product: This is a dehydrated form of shell-free eggs. It’s loaded with easy-to-digest proteins.
- Brown rice is an excellent source of natural fiber, plus multiple minerals like phosphorus, magnesium, and manganese. Brown rice is easier to digest compared to other common grains.
- Barley: This provides a rich source of carbohydrates that boost energy levels and dietary fiber, which aids in digestion.
- Chicken fat: This is packed with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which help to maintain healthy skin and a shiny coat.
- Sweet potatoes are good sources of complex carbohydrates that supply energy to keep dogs moving. Sweet potatoes are also rich in beta-carotene, which promotes vision and dietary fiber, which keeps the digestive system flowing smoothly.
- Dried Peas: These are good sources of carbohydrates for energy and dietary fiber that promotes digestion.
- Dried chickpeas: These legumes are rich in carbs and dietary fiber.
Controversial ingredients
Halo dog food is a premium dog food brand that uses high-quality ingredients in all its products. However, it also has some ingredients that are considered not so good, including
- Soy protein: This is considered to have a lower biological value compared to animal protein
- Sodium selenite: In high amounts, this can be toxic to dogs.
Halo Dog food Advantages: What We Like About It
- Loaded with essential fatty acids: All recipes in Halo dog food include omega-3-rich ingredients like salmon oil, flaxseed oil, and sunflower oil which help fight inflammation, promote skin/coat health, boost joint health, and improve cognitive health.
- Premium quality ingredients: Halo takes pride in using only natural, non-GMO, and organic ingredients in all its formulations. Real animal meat is always the first ingredient in all the recipes, plus other wholesome ingredients, including whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
- Complete and Balanced nutrition: This dog food is formulated with all the necessary nutrients like proteins, vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients in the right amounts for balanced nutrition that supports overall health
- No fillers: This dog food is free from ingredients that add no nutritional value to dogs, such as by-product meals, meat meals, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. The brand includes wholesome ingredients that are filled with nutrition.
- Wide product range: This brand offers a wide range of products to meet the different needs of different dogs. It has dry and wet foods, limited ingredient diets, and freeze-dried foods. There are also age-specific formulas for puppies, adults, and senior dogs.
- AAFCO compliance: Halo formulates all its recipes in adherence to the nutritional standards set by AAFCO. Additionally, all its products are made in AAFCO, USDA, and FDA-approved facilities; hence quality is guaranteed.
- Includes nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables: This dog food is added with fresh fruits and vegetables like carrots, spinach, apples, sweet potatoes, and cranberries for natural sources of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and minerals that support whole body health.
Halo Dog Food Disadvantages: What We Don’t Like About It
While Halo is a good dog food brand but has some undesirable aspects like any other brand. These are some of the things we don’t like about this brand:
- Includes some controversial ingredients: The food contains ingredients like pea protein and sodium selenite.
- It’s expensive: This food comes at a price that may be prohibitive to some pet parents. However, the cost is justified, given the ingredients’ quality.
Is Halo a good food dog brand?
Yes, Halo dog food only includes wholesome ingredients that are ethically sourced and sustainably caught. The brand does not include fillers like corn, soy, wheat, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives in all its recipes.
Is Halo dog food good for dog skin?
Yes, Halo dog food recipes and formulas are loaded with omega fatty acids from sources like salmon oil, chicken fat, and flaxseed which are essential for nourishing the skin and coat of dogs.
Is Halo dog food good for itchy skin?
Yes, Halo dog food avoids common allergens like corn, wheat, or soy which are major contributors to itchy skin. The brand also offers grain-free options to cater to dogs with allergies.
Is Halo dog food good for puppies?
Yes, Halo dog food is good for puppies. The brand offers many puppy-specific recipes designed to cater to puppies of different sizes and breeds. It also lacks artificial flavors and preservatives that may harm a puppy’s delicate system.
Is Halo dog food good for older dogs?
Yes, the brand offers some formulas specially designed to cater to the needs of aging dogs. These formulas include supplements like chondroitin and glucosamine to support joint health and lots of fiber and probiotics to aid digestion.
Is Halo dog food healthy for a dog’s growth?
Yes, Halo dog food formulas include various protein sources which supply the essential amino acids that dogs need to support lean muscle mass and healthy growth.
Is Halo dog food expensive?
Yes, Halo dog food is a premium brand and comes at a price that some people consider prohibitive. However, the excellent quality of the ingredients used in making the food justifies the high price.
Is Halo dog food AAFCO approved?
Yes, this food is AAFCO-approved. All the recipes and formulas under this brand are formulated following the nutritional requirements and safety standards set by AAFCO.
Is Halo dog food grain free?
Yes, this dog food brand offers grain-free products that cater to dogs with grain and gluten allergies. However, it also offers grain-inclusive recipes that include wholesome grains such as oatmeal, barley, and tapioca.
Is Halo dog food high energy for dog food?
No, Halo dog food is crafted with average protein and near-average carbohydrate levels. This means that it’s not ideal for highly energetic or working dogs who need higher protein levels.
Is Halo dog food produced in the USA?
Yes, Halo dog food is solely produced in the USA using ingredients sourced from the US, Canada, and New Zealand.
Where to buy Halo dog food products in the USA?
Halo dog food is readily available in grocery stores and pet food stores worldwide. You can also purchase it from online stores like Chewy, Petco, Walmart, and Amazon.
How is the Halo dog food shipment speed?
While shipping terms and conditions differ from retailer to retailer, you can expect delivery within 1-3 days after making your order.
Comparable Brands
Halo dog food is definitely a good food brand. However, it may not be suitable for all dogs for different reasons. In this case, you can check out the following brands that are comparable to this dog food.
Adirondack
This family-owned pet food brand was founded over 40 years ago in Ohio. The company uses a slow cooking method in making its products. It offers dry food formulas for dogs at different life stages, including puppies, adults, and seniors. It also has recipes for specific health issues and different breeds. However, the brand does not offer wet foods.
Pros
- It offers affordable, high-quality nutrition
- It has no past recall history
- It does not use artificial ingredients, additives, and preservatives
- Offers nutritionally complete and balanced meals that meet AAFCO standards
Cons
- High carbohydrate content
- Has lower than average protein levels
- Some recipes contain plant-based protein as the key ingredient
American Journey
American Journey is a new dog food producer founded in 2017 and owned by Chewy.com. This dog food brand offers various recipes for dogs at different life stages. These include grain-free, grain-inclusive, dry, and wet dog food. American Journey has formulations for puppies, adults, and senior dogs and breed-specific options for large and small breeds.
The American Journey dog food products are exclusively sold on Chewy’s website and are fairly affordable compared to other premium brands.
Pros
- Uses real meat sources as the primary ingredients in all formulas
- Wide variety of options for all life stages
- Includes both grain-free and grain-inclusive options
- All formulas are made in adherence to AAFCO standards
- Formulated with higher protein levels
Cons
- It’s a relatively new brand
- It’s not available in other stores and can only be purchased at Chewy.com
Annamaet
Annamaet is a family owned and operated dog food pet that focuses on providing holistic nutrition for dogs. This dog food brand includes all the healthy nutrients dogs need and does away with everything they don’t need.
Annamaet uses high-quality animal proteins, whole grains, plus fresh fruits and vegetables for complete and balanced nutrition in every recipe. It does not include artificial ingredients, fillers, or low-quality ingredients.
Pro
- Contains probiotics to aid digestion
- Does not include controversial ingredients
- Includes organic minerals to improve nutrient absorption
- Fully balanced nutrition
Cons
- Has a high carbohydrate content
- Includes ingredients like soy, corn, and wheat are common food allergens
- It’s expensive
Is Halo Dog Food Worth It? Our Verdict
Our analysis shows Halo dog food is a good brand worth trying out. The brand provides well-rounded and balanced meals that meet all AAFCO standards. It features real animal meat as the primary ingredient and adds vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that support overall health. Better still, this dog food has not had recall since its inception.
This is a good place to start if you are looking for an all-natural, grain-free, high-protein, premium-quality dog food. Additionally, the brand offers a wide variety to choose from. Hence, you will surely find something that appeals to your dog.
