In this comparison article for Evolve vs WholeHearted, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Evolve and WholeHearted, 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 WholeHearted vs Evolve comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Evolve Review Page or WholeHearted Review Page.
Guaranteed Analysis: WholeHearted vs. Evolve
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.
Evolve Dog Food vs. WholeHearted Dog Food
Dry Dog Food
Evolve
WholeHearted
Crude Protein
28.6%
29.1%
Crude Fat
15.3%
15.6%
Crude Fiber
4.7%
5.6%
Wet/Canned Dog Food
Evolve
WholeHearted
Crude Protein
44.9%
43.6%
Crude Fat
28.4%
24.3%
Crude Fiber
6.6%
7.0%
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.
Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude protein. With regards to wet dog food, Evolve and WholeHearted also provide roughly the same amount of crude protein.
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
As you can see, Evolve and WholeHearted guarantee a similar amount of crude fat. For wet dog foods, Evolve provides more fat (about 4.09% more).
Evolve and WholeHearted both provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet dog food, WholeHearted and Evolve also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.
Evolve Cat Food vs. WholeHearted Cat Food
Dry Cat Food
Evolve
WholeHearted
Crude Protein
38.4%
36.7%
Crude Fat
16.8%
15.9%
Crude Fiber
4.5%
5.2%
Wet/Canned Cat Food
Evolve
WholeHearted
Crude Protein
50.2%
57.0%
Crude Fat
23.6%
17.1%
Crude Fiber
6.1%
7.5%
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.
There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude protein content of the two brands. For wet cat foods, WholeHearted provides more protein (about 6.82% more).
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
Evolve Pet Food Ingredients vs. WholeHearted Pet Food Ingredients
Evolve and WholeHearted both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:
Canola Oil
Canola Oil
Canola oil is a plant-derived oil from the seeds of canola plants. Although fat is an essential component of any diet, canola oil is controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that canola oil provides a better fat profile in comparison to other plant based oils. However, opponents claim that canola oil is typically produced with genetically modified rapeseed and that rapeseed oil has multiple adverse health affects.
Iron Oxide
Iron Oxide
Iron oxide is an FDA approved natural food coloring agent. It's commonly found in rusting metal and provides a reddish-brown color.
We believe food colorants are unnecessary ingredients in pet food. Other than potential harm, food colorants do not provide any nutritional value. These type of ingredients are used only to make the food look appealing to humans.
Pea Protein
Pea Protein
Pea protein is produced by removing the starchy parts of peas. Pea protein is considered controversial because it provides a substantial plant based protein boost. This boost is undesirable because plant based protein is typically lower in biological value when compared to meat based proteins.
Powdered Cellulose
Powdered Cellulose
Powdered cellulose is produced from minuscule pieces of wood pulp and plant fibers. Other than its fiber content, powdered cellulose lacks any nutritional contribution.
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Evolve.
Poultry
Poultry
Poultry is a controversial ingredient because the source animal is not specified. Anonymous ingredients such as poultry are typically low-quality ingredients in comparison to named protein sources (e.g. chicken, turkey, duck).
Canola Meal
Canola Meal
Canola meal is a high protein by-product of canola oil production. This ingredient is marked controversial because it may be derived from genetically modified rapeseed, which is associated with multiple adverse health affects.
Durum Semolina
Durum Semolina
Durum semolina is made from durum wheat and is typically used to make pasta. Like other wheat ingredients, durum semolina is regarded as an inexpensive low quality filler in pet food.
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by WholeHearted.
Beet Pulp
Beet Pulp
Beet pulp is the by-product which remains once sugar has been extracted from sugar beets. The primary contribution of beet pulp is dietary fiber.
We'd also like to note that beet pulp is fairly controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that beet pulp can promote intestinal health and regulate blood sugar. However, opponents claim that beet pulp is an inexpensive filler.
Caramel Color
Caramel Color
Caramel color is a concentrated form of caramel, a natural food colorant. Caramel color has been linked to cancer in laboratory animals. Since our pets do not care about food color, caramel color is an unnecessary addition with possible health risks.
Tomato Pomace
Tomato Pomace
Tomato pomace is a by-product of tomato manufacturing. It's considered a controversial ingredient because many people believe it is an inexpensive low quality filler. However, tomato pomace provides a notable amount of dietary fiber, B vitamins, Lycopene, and vitamin A. Although it is a very inexpensive ingredient, it is not nutritionally empty.
Dried Tomato Pomace
Dried Tomato Pomace
Dried tomato pomace is a by-product of tomato manufacturing. It's considered a controversial ingredient because many people believe it is an inexpensive low quality filler. However, tomato pomace provides a notable amount of dietary fiber, B vitamins, Lycopene, and vitamin A. Although it is a very inexpensive ingredient, it is not nutritionally empty.
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Canola oil is a plant-derived oil from the seeds of canola plants. Although fat is an essential component of any diet, canola oil is controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that canola oil provides a better fat profile in comparison to other plant based oils. However, opponents claim that canola oil is typically produced with genetically modified rapeseed and that rapeseed oil has multiple adverse health affects.
We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.
Evolve and WholeHearted both use the following harmful ingredients in many of their products:
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex
Menadione sodium bisulfite complex is a synthetic version of vitamin K that has been linked to many health concerns. Research has suggested possible toxic reactions in liver cells and red blood cells among other serious problems. In fact, one large chemical supplier warns, "The substance is toxic to kidneys, lungs, liver, mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage."
Product Safety: Recall History of Evolve & WholeHearted?
Evolve has been recalled 2 times.
July 29, 2021: Aflatoxin
Nov. 27, 2018: elevated levels of Vitamin D
According to our records, WholeHearted has never been recalled.
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 Evolve Pet Foods
You can purchase Evolve pet foods from the following stores:
22 Recipes In-Stock Today
26 Recipes In-Stock Today
Where To Buy WholeHearted Pet Foods
You can purchase WholeHearted pet food products from these retailers: