vs
Essence vs Whole Paws

Essence vs. Whole Paws

In this comparison article for Essence vs Whole Paws, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Essence and Whole Paws, we'll use up-to-date nutritional and price information.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best pet food brand for your pet. Factors such as ingredient quality, guaranteed analysis, product safety, brand history, and cost are among the most important factors to consider.

Throughout this Whole Paws vs Essence comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Essence Review Page or Whole Paws Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Whole Paws vs. Essence

According to AAFCO, all pet food labels must provide a guaranteed analysis of nutrient content. The analysis must provide guaranteed minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.

All percentages used in this comparison are averages reported on a dry matter basis.

Essence Dog Food vs. Whole Paws Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodEssenceWhole Paws
Crude Protein40.9%29.8%
Crude Fat19.3%17.3%
Crude Fiber5.7%3.3%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodEssenceWhole Paws
Crude Protein46.2%40.5%
Crude Fat32.6%23.6%
Crude Fiber6.0%7.5%

Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food

Protein is an extremely important part of your dog's diet. Without sufficient protein, dogs can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.

Essence dry dog foods clearly provides more protein than Whole Paws. In fact, the difference between the protein content is roughly 11.07%, which is a significant amount. For wet dog foods, Essence provides more protein (about 5.74% more).


Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food

Dietary fats serves a multitude of roles in the proper development and function of our canine companions. Here are some of the benefits (not exhaustive):

  • Help produce prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation among other critical functions.
  • Aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
  • Improve skin and coat health
  • Improve the palatially of your dog's food

Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fat. For wet dog foods, Essence provides significantly more fat (about 8.95% more).


According to our average data, Whole Paws typically provides less fiber than Essence. However, this difference is relatively small and doesn't represent a significant difference between the two brands. For wet dog foods, Whole Paws and Essence provide roughly the same amount of fiber.

Essence Cat Food vs. Whole Paws Cat Food

Dry Cat FoodEssenceWhole Paws
Crude Protein44.1%33.3%
Crude Fat18.5%18.5%
Crude Fiber4.8%7.0%
Wet/Canned Cat FoodEssenceWhole Paws
Crude Protein46.2%46.1%
Crude Fat31.8%23.3%
Crude Fiber4.8%5.5%

Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food

Protein is an extremely important part of your cat's diet. Without sufficient protein, cats can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.

On average, Essence dry cat food recipes contain 10.74% more protein than Whole Paws recipes. Clearly, there is a significant difference between the protein content of Whole Paws and Essence. For wet cat foods, Essence and Whole Paws provide roughly the same amount of protein.


Crude Fat Comparison For Cat Food

There are many ways in which dietary fat contributes to the overall health of our feline friends. Here is a short list of benefits provided by fats (not exhaustive):

  • Aid in the digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
  • Improve the health of skin/coat
  • Slow the growth of yeast infections
  • Slow the development and spread of certain type of cancers.
  • Maintain healthy blood pressure
Error Code: 981

If you look at the average percentages of crude fiber, you'll notice that Whole Paws typically guarantees 2.22% more fiber. This is a fairly small difference between Whole Paws and Essence, but still worth mentioning. For wet cat foods, Whole Paws and Essence provide roughly the same amount of fiber.

Essence Pet Food Ingredients vs. Whole Paws Pet Food Ingredients

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Whole Paws.

Canola Oil
Pea Protein
Poultry Giblets
Powdered Cellulose

Product Safety: Recall History of Essence & Whole Paws?

According to our records, neither brand has issued any product recalls. Therefore, consumers have no reason to question the safety of Essence or Whole Paws pet food products.


Disclosure: PawDiet has an affiliate relationship with stores featured (or linked-to) in this article. We are compensated for referring customers. Thank you for shopping with our retail partners!

Where To Buy Essence Pet Foods

You can purchase Essence pet foods from the following stores:


12 Recipes In-Stock Today

13 Recipes In-Stock Today

Where To Buy Whole Paws Pet Foods

You can purchase Whole Paws pet food products from these retailers:


Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductEssenceWhole Paws
Dry Dog Food6 Recipes5 Recipes
Wet Dog Food6 Recipes7 Recipes
Dog TreatsNone8 Treats
Dry Cat Food3 Recipes3 Recipes
Wet Cat Food3 Recipes8 Recipes
Cat TreatsNoneNone

Top Rated Essence Recipes

Dog Food
Essence
Original Ranch & Meadow Recipe For Dogs
Check Price
Dog Food
Essence
Original Air & Gamefowl Recipe For Dogs (Canned)
Check Price
Cat Food
Essence
Original Air & Gamefowl Recipe For Cats
Check Price
Cat Food
Essence
Original Ranch & Meadow Recipe For Cats (Canned)
Check Price

Top Rated Whole Paws Recipes

Dog Food
Whole Paws
(Whole Foods Market) Dry Dog Food Grain Free Chicken & Garbanzo Bean Recipe For Small Breed Dogs
Check Price
Dog Food
Whole Paws
(Whole Foods Market) Premium Dog Food Grain Free Chicken Recipe
Check Price
Cat Food
Whole Paws
(Whole Foods Market) Dry Cat Food Grain Free Chicken & Pea Recipe (Indoor Formula)
Check Price
Cat Food
Whole Paws
(Whole Foods Market) Premium Cat Food Grain Free Turkey & Giblets Recipe
Check Price