Frequently Asked Questions

Rebrand | About Us | Our Products | Ingredients | Feeding | Nutrition | Storage | Love Your Planet | Coupons & Offers

Rebrand

My bag looks different. Is my dog’s food changing?

Yes, we’ve recently changed the design of our dry dog food packaging. We’ve unified the brand through new, modernized packaging and we’ve improved the nutrition while staying true to our foundational recipes…now with better taste than ever before! You’ll soon see more and more of our new packaging as it continues to hit stores nationwide.

I can’t find Earthborn Holistic dog food anymore.

Earthborn Holistic is still available, it just looks a bit different! We’ve unified the brand through new, modernized packaging and we’ve improved the nutrition while staying true to our foundational recipes–now with better taste than ever before! You’ll soon see more and more of our new packaging as it continues to hit stores nationwide. Our selection of Earthborn Holistic recipes did get smaller. If you can’t find your dog’s food, take our quick online quiz to learn what other great recipes our nutritionist recommends!

I can’t find Venture or Unrefined dog food anymore.

Venture and Unrefined dog food is still available, it just looks a bit different! You’ll soon see more and more of our new packaging design as it continues to hit stores nationwide, now labeled as Earthborn Holistic Venture or Earthborn Holistic Unrefined. We’ve unified the brand through new, modernized packaging and we’ve improved the nutrition while staying true to our foundational recipes–now with better taste than ever before. Our selection of Venture and Unrefined recipes did get smaller. If you can’t find your dog’s food, take our quick online quiz to learn what other great recipes our nutritionist recommends!

My dog’s food is being discontinued. What am I supposed to feed my dog?

We know it can be hard to find a food that works well for your pet. Although your current recipe is being discontinued, we are confident there’s another great option for your pet within our family of products. You can take our quick online quiz to learn what food our nutritionist recommends you try once you can no longer purchase your current recipe.

The quiz will walk you through a series of questions about your pet’s specific nutritional needs, and then it will give you a custom list of new recipes to try. The first row of results will show our top recommendations followed by additional great options! We advise taking at least 7 days to switch your pet to any new food.

Has my cat’s food changed?

There has been no change to our Earthborn Holistic cat foods. The packaging and the recipes remain the same as they always have been. 

What can I feed my small breed dog?

Small breed adult dogs generally have a higher energy level and higher metabolism than their large breed counterparts. With this in mind, it’s best to look for a food that’s higher in protein and fat. Our Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch, Primitive Natural and Great Plains Feast grain-free recipes help meet this requirement and other nutritional needs for both adult dogs and growing puppies, so they can be fed for a lifetime! Any of our Venture limited ingredient diets would work well for small breed adult dogs, especially those with certain food sensitivities. If you’re looking for a quality grain inclusive option, try any of our Unrefined recipes which are formulated to feed during all life stages.

What can I feed my large breed dog?

Large breed adult dogs have specific nutritional needs, so it’s important to find the right food to help support those needs. Large breed dogs tend to have slower metabolisms and need added support for their heart health and joints. Look for foods that aren’t too high in calories, and that include ingredients like Taurine for heart health and Glucosamine and Chondroitin for joint support. All Earthborn Holistic dry dog foods are enriched with Taurine. Our Primitive Natural, Weight Control and Venture Turkey Meal & Pumpkin recipes have naturally occurring Glucosamine and Chondroitin and are all grain-free. If you need a grain inclusive option, take your pick from any of our Unrefined recipes which are all formulated for growth and maintenance of dogs, including large breed adults and large breed puppies.

What can I feed my puppy?

Our Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch, Great Plains Feast and Primitive Natural grain-free recipes have higher level of essential nutrients to meet the needs of growing puppies. We also have great recipes designed with puppies in mind, within our Venture grain-free limited ingredient diets. Give our Alaska Pollock Meal or Rabbit Meal recipes a try! If you’re looking for a quality grain inclusive option, try any of our Unrefined recipes with ancient grains and superfoods, which are all formulated to feed during all life stages, puppy to adulthood.

When picking the best food for your puppy, it’s important to consider how big your puppy is anticipated to be once fully grown. Puppies that should grow to be a large dog (70 lbs. or larger as an adult), need to be fed a diet specially formulated for the growth and development of large size dogs to ensure they receive enough energy and essential nutrients needed for their growth. If your puppy is considered a ‘large breed’, reduced calcium can help to prevent skeletal deformities so look for recipes with balanced calcium and phosphorus ratios to help with proper bone and muscle development. Recipes that support the needs of growing large breed puppies include Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch, Venture Alaska Pollock and any of our grain inclusive Unrefined recipes. Once your puppy has matured into an adult (1-2 years of age, depending on breed), these recipes are still an excellent choice since they are formulated for all life stages.

What is chicory root and why was it added to my dog’s food?

Chicory root is used to produce inulin, a prebiotic. Inulin is a naturally occurring polysaccharide found in many plants, including chicory root. As a soluble dietary fiber, inulin is broken down by good bacteria found in the gut, thus, supporting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Chicory root can be found in many Earthborn Holistic dry dog food recipes as an excellent source of inulin, a prebiotic to help support good gut health in dogs.

What is dried yeast and why was it added to my dog’s food?

Nutritious dried yeast can be found in many Earthborn Holistic dry dog food recipes and is an excellent source of protein, B vitamins and minerals that can be utilized by a dog’s gut microbiome. As a postbiotic, dried yeast can aid immune responses and be used as ‘food’ for good bacteria in the gut.

Pumpkin, sweet potato, butternut squash–what are their benefits?

Pumpkin, sweet potato, and butternut squash are great sources of fiber to help aid digestion. These excellent sources of carbohydrates provide a source of energy. Their fiber content helps with keeping the gastrointestinal tract functioning normally, provides satiety, and helps maintain normal intestinal transit and motility—essentially keeping your dog ‘regular’. These superfoods are full of antioxidants such as beta-carotene and vitamin A.

Do you have pea-free recipes?

Yes, we have several pea-free dog food recipes to choose from. Each diet in our lineup of Earthborn Holistic Venture limited ingredient diets is grain-free and pea-free. On the grain inclusive side, all of our Unrefined recipes with ancient grains and superfoods are also free from peas.

Why did my dog’s Weight Control recipe change from turkey to chicken?

Over the years, we’ve formulated our Weight Control recipe to include either chicken meal or turkey meal as the main meat protein. After listening to recent popular demand, we are once again offering Weight Control with Chicken Meal as the first ingredient with additional improvements and better taste than ever before. Glucosamine and chondroitin are naturally occurring in chicken meal and help support joint health in adult dogs.

Did the bag sizes change?

Within the Earthborn Holistic Grain-Free Classics, we still offer 4, 12.5, and 25 lb. bag options. Although we have removed the 12.5 lb. bag size from all Venture and Unrefined recipes, you can still purchase a 4 lb. or 25 lb. bag.

Can I still recycle my bag?

Yes, all Earthborn Holistic dry pet food and treat packaging is 100% recyclable through the Earthborn ReBorn Program in partnership with TerraCycle! Additionally, all of our Earthborn Holistic dog food packaging is now made of 25% recycled material, using the ISCC mass balance approach. The mass balance approach is crucial in tracking material flow in the chemical industry, enabling progress towards a circular and bio-based economy.

Can I still cut out my bag’s UPC to help plant trees?

Yes! If you purchase any Earthborn Holistic product, you can cut out your UPC code, mail in your UPCs, and then we will plant a tree! One UPC equals one tree.

About Us

Who makes Earthborn Holistic pet food?

Earthborn Holistic is a line of pet food products crafted exclusively by Midwestern Pet Foods. Founded in 1926, Midwestern Pet Foods started as a small milling company in Indiana and is now in its 4th generation of family leadership. 

Where is Earthborn Holistic made?

Earthborn Holistic dry food for dogs and cats along with treats are made in the USA! We have four family-owned kitchens in Indiana, Illinois, New York, and Oklahoma. We manufacture our own dry pet foods and treats and do not co-pack for others.

How can I contact Midwestern Pet Foods?

Our Consumer Affairs team is available Monday – Friday 7:00 am – 4:00 PM CST at www.earthbornholisticpetfood.com/contact-us/. We answer each email in the order they are received, so please allow 2-3 business days for a response. 

Does Midwestern Pet Foods have a nutritionist on staff? Who formulates the foods made by MPF?

We want to assure you that quality and safety of our products are our top priorities. Our diets are developed by a team of veterinary and nutritional professionals dedicated to meeting the needs of your pet.

Does Earthborn Holistic test on animals?

We never test on laboratory animals. When conducting Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) feeding trials on our recipes, they are completed with an in-home atmosphere that is non-invasive, non-lethal, and cage-free. All animals are humanely treated. As an alternate method of ensuring that our recipes are complete and balanced, our products are formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance and/or growth.

Our Products

Where can I buy Earthborn Holistic pet food?

Find your nearest Earthborn Holistic retailer on our Where to Buy page. You may want to call the store directly prior to your visit to ensure they have the recipe you are looking for in stock.

Which Earthborn Holistic recipes meet AAFCO requirements?

All Earthborn Holistic recipes are formulated to provide complete and balanced nutrition, meeting Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) requirements.

What is the best pet food recipe for my dog or cat?

With so many great recipes available, it can be difficult to choose the best natural dog food option or natural dry cat food option for your pet. Please send a message to our Consumer Affairs team so we can gather more information about you and your pet(s). Please let us know:

• your pet’s age
• your pet’s breed (or size)
• any health issues or allergies
• any ingredients you’d like to avoid

What is Venture?

Earthborn Holistic Venture is a line of grain-free, limited ingredient dog food specially formulated for dogs with sensitivities and allergies, made in our own USA kitchens. This chicken-free dog food has everything you want and nothing you don’t. For more information about our limited ingredient dog food recipes, please visit our Venture page.

What is Unrefined?

Earthborn Holistic Unrefined is all life stage recipes for dogs and puppies prepared with fresh proteins, ancient grains, and superfoods, made in our own USA kitchens. It is a great grain inclusive dog food option! For more information about our ancient grains & superfoods dog food recipes, please visit the Unrefined page.

Ingredients

Do these recipes contain artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors?

Nope! Earthborn Holistic recipes are crafted without the use of artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors. 

Why is the kibble in this bag a different color?

Because we use no artificial colors, coloration varies and is dependent upon the natural color of the ingredients, despite no change in recipes. This variation does not affect the quality, taste, or nutrition of the product.

Where are your ingredients sourced?

Midwestern Pet Foods sources ingredients from US suppliers whenever possible. Some examples of ingredients that are sourced outside the US are lamb from Australia or New Zealand and flaxseed from Canada.

Does Earthborn Holistic contain probiotics and prebiotics?

Yes! All of our dry food recipes contain both prebiotics and probiotics for digestive health. Our grain-free classic and ancient grains recipes even contain postbiotics as well!

What is chicken meal in dog food? What is the difference between chicken and chicken meal?

Although only a few Earthborn Holistic recipes contain chicken, the difference is water. For example, “chicken” contains about 70% water while “chicken meal” contains only about 10% water. The same concept applies to all meat meals (turkey, rabbit, lamb, etc.). None of our recipes contain meat by-products.

What is taurine? Is taurine bad for dogs?

Taurine is an amino acid. For cats, Taurine is an essential amino acid that they can’t create on their own so it must be included in their diet. Dogs, however, are able to naturally create Taurine but may benefit from it in their diets as well, as it may help support heart, eye, and immune system health.

What is grain-free dog food? Why grain free-dog food?

Grain-free dog food is food without grains such as brown rice, oatmeal, and barley, among others. Grain-free dog food may be a great option for dogs that are allergic or sensitive to grains. If your dog is allergic to grains or you prefer to feed a grain-free diet for other reasons, view our grain-free options.

Is it necessary to supplement additional vitamins, minerals, probiotics, etc.?

All of our recipes are carefully crafted to provide complete and balanced nutrition. Supplementing is typically unnecessary and could cause an imbalance in nutrients. If unsure, consult your veterinarian.

Where can I find a specific nutritional level (Phosphorus, Calcium, Ash, etc.)?

Please contact our Consumer Affairs team to request additional information.

Feeding

Why do different recipes have different kibble sizes? Does dog food kibble size matter?

We carefully choose the shape and size of our kibble to provide pet parents a variety of choices. Please refer to the kibble charts linked below to determine which recipes might be the best size for your pet.

Earthborn Holistic Dog Food
Earthborn Holistic Cat Food

Why is the kibble in this bag a different size from my last bag?

Kibble size varies naturally, despite no change in recipe. This variation does not impact the quality, taste, or nutrition of the product.

How do I transition my dog or cat’s food?

Regarding how to switch dog food or cat food, we recommend a gradual transition over 7 to 10 days. Please refer to the transition chart below or this video for further guidance. If unsure, consult your veterinarian. 

How many treats should I feed my dog?

Regarding how many dog treats a day you should feed, it’s recommended that treats not account for more than 10% of a dog’s daily caloric intake. For example, if your dog eats 500 calories a day, you shouldn’t feed more than 50 calories a day in treats.

My dog ate cat food. Will he be okay? What if my cat ate dog food?

Should there be an inadvertent feeding mix-up, there’s usually no cause for alarm. However, because dogs and cats have unique nutritional needs, their foods are specially formulated with those requirements in mind. Dogs should only eat dog recipes and cats should only eat cat recipes to ensure that all nutritional needs are met.

How much food should I feed my dog?

The three main criteria to consider when determining how much to feed your dog are portions by weight, portions by age, and portions by type of food. Consult the feeding guidelines on the pet food label or our website as a starting point. If unsure, consult your veterinarian.  Read more about how much to feed your dog in our blog post. 

How much canned food should I feed my dog per day?

How much wet dog food per day you should feed depends on if you’re feeding it as a meal, topper, mixer, or as a treat. If you’re feeding it as a meal, you can look at the wet dog food feeding chart on the pet food label. If unsure, consult your veterinarian. Read more about how much wet food to feed your dog in our blog post. Our dog food cans of K95 or our high quality wet dog food tubs can be the perfect dog food for picky eaters!

How much food should I feed my cat?

The three main criteria to consider when determining how much to feed your cat are portions by weight, portions by age, and portions by type of food. Consult the feeding guidelines on the pet food label or our website as a starting point. If unsure, consult your veterinarian.  

How much canned food should I feed my cat?

How much wet cat food per day you should feed depends on if you’re feeding canned cat food as a meal, topper, mixer, or as a treat. If you’re feeding our natural wet cat food with vitamins and minerals as a meal, you can look at the feeding guidelines on the pet food label. If unsure, consult your veterinarian. 

Nutrition

What does “all life stages” mean?

For a food to be labeled as all life stages, it must be complete and balanced and contain all of the nutrition necessary to support a dog or cat for its entire life. We have a variety of all life stages dog food and all life stages cat food options available.

What should I feed my puppy?

We think one of the best dry puppy foods is our Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch recipe because it’s carefully balanced and specially formulated to meet the unique needs of growing puppies of any size and breed. Additionally, Primitive Natural, Venture Rabbit Meal & Pumpkin, or any of our three Unrefined recipes are also great choices as they are a great dog food for puppies and adults of all breeds. 

What should I feed my large breed puppy?

For growing large breed puppies, reduced calcium is essential to prevent skeletal deformities. Also, how long large breed puppies stay on an ALS+ diet like Unrefined Smoked Salmon or Coastal Catch is becoming more important since some super large breeds (Mastiffs, Great Danes) don’t reach full skeletal maturity until closer to two years of age. Spay/neuter status can also influence bone/muscle development in large breed dogs too—spay/neuter too early can stunt growth/development.

What is the best puppy food for allergies? Can I feed a puppy Venture limited ingredient dog food?

Our best puppy food for allergies is Venture limited ingredient food. Two of these recipes, Venture Alaska Pollock and Venture Rabbit, are formulated for all life stages and make great options for puppies with allergies. These recipes are made without grains, gluten, potatoes, eggs, peas, lentils, legumes, or chicken, making them an ideal dog food for chicken allergies as well. If unsure, consult your veterinarian.

How do I know how long to feed puppy food? When should I switch a puppy to adult dog food?

When to switch puppy to dog food is a very common question for pet parents! In general, small and medium breeds should remain on a puppy recipe for about 10 to 12 months. Whereas, larger breeds should remain on puppy food until they reach maturity, sometimes up to two years of age. If unsure, consult your vet to determine how long your dog should eat puppy food. 

How long should kittens eat kitten food?

If you aren’t feeding an all life stages cat food recipe, it’s generally recommended to switch your kitten to adult food after about one year. If unsure, consult your veterinarian.

What is considered large breed for dog food?

Any dog that will weigh more than 70 pounds at maturity would generally be considered a large breed dog. If unsure, consult your veterinarian. 

What is the best dog food for small dogs?

Earthborn Holistic Unrefined Rabbit is a small kibble dog food made with easy-to-digest whole grains and a superfood blend of flaxseed, blueberries, and carrots. This calorie-dense recipe has 360 kcal per cup, making it the perfect recipe to sustain your small dog’s big energy and high metabolism. If you are interested in wet dog food for small dogs be sure to check out our can dog food options or resealable moist dog food tubs, too!

Is wet dog food good for dogs?

Switching things up with wet dog food may be worth a shot if you have a picky eater or just want to provide your dog variety. Additionally, some senior dogs may have problems chewing harder kibble and treats. If so, Duke’s Din-Din Stew, our best senior wet dog food, is a great option. 

What is the best dog food for weight loss?

When weight management is the goal, the first thing to consider is fat and calorie content. Earthborn Holistic Weight Control is a low-fat dry food recipe that has only 315 kcal per cup, making it a great low-cal option for your dog. If unsure, consult your veterinarian. Learn more about weight management dog food in our blog post.

What is the healthiest dog food for senior dogs?

Deciding on the best diet for your senior dog is very dependent on your dog’s current health status—any chronic illnesses, concerns with obesity, etc. If your senior dog is overweight, a low-fat, low-calorie food may be important. Earthborn Holistic Weight Control is our lowest-calorie dry food recipe at 315 kcal per cup and is fortified with glucosamine and chondroitin to help maintain healthy joints, making it one of our favorite recommended dog food options for your senior. If your older dog has a sensitive stomach, our Meadow Feast is another great option. If unsure, consult your veterinarian.

If you’re looking for the best senior wet dog food, our moist tub dinners like Duke’s Din-Din Stew all have less than 225 kcal per container, with Duke’s Din-Din weighing in at only 209. Additionally, some senior dogs may have problems chewing harder kibble and treats. If so, wet food is a great option!

What is the best dog food for dogs with allergies?

Our three Venture limited ingredient dog food recipes are made without grains, gluten, potatoes, eggs, peas, lentils, legumes, or chicken. For more information on all of our allergy-friendly foods, read our blog post about Diets for Dogs with Allergies and Sensitivities. If unsure, consult your veterinarian.

Storage

What is the shelf life of your products?

Please refer to the expiration date on the packaging.

Where is the expiration date?

The expiration date on our dry food products is printed on the back of each bag at the top. On our wet food tubs and cans, the expiration date is located on the bottom of the packaging. The first line provides the expiration date and reads: EXP DD/JAN/YY, EXP MM/DD/YY, or BEST BY MM/DD/YY. 

How long will the food stay fresh after opening?

Once opened, any food can begin to go stale and become less enjoyable for your pet. We recommend that you purchase the bag size your pet(s) will consume within about 4-6 weeks. Properly seal the food between feedings to reduce exposure. 

How long can wet cat food sit out? How long can wet dog food sit out?

Do not let wet food sit out for more than 2 hours. After opening, transfer any unused portion to a container with a tight lid, or seal well with plastic wrap. The wet food can be kept for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. 

What if my pet can’t eat an entire bag of food quickly?

If your pet is unable to finish the bag in about 4-6 weeks, we suggest repackaging the food into smaller well-sealed bags or containers and freeze until it’s needed (just make sure to defrost it first!).

Love Your Planet

Are Earthborn Holistic bags recyclable?

Yes!! Midwestern Pet Foods partners with TerraCycle® to make all of our bags recyclable through our Earthborn ReBorn program. Otherwise, all of our pet food and treat bags are #7 other recyclables. Check with your local recycling center for availability or learn more about the lifecycle of recyclable pet food packaging.

Are the wet dog food and wet cat food cans recyclable?

Yes! Earthborn Holistic wet dog and cat food cans are made of steel and can be easily recycled.

Are the wet dog food tubs recyclable?

Yes! Earthborn Holistic wet dog food tubs are recyclable. They are #7 other recyclables. Check with your local recycling center for availability.

How do I participate in UPCs for Trees?

It’s super easy! Simply mail your UPCs to:

Learn more about the UPCs for Trees program

Is the packaging BPA-free?

Yes! All of our packaging is BPA-free.

Coupons & Offers

Do you offer coupons?

Of course! We send coupons to our subscribers via email monthly. Coupons are redeemable at participating retailers. You may wish to add contact@earthbornholisticpetfood.com to your address book so the monthly email doesn’t end up in junk mail. To register, scroll to the bottom of our homepage, enter your email address in the box, and hit “Subscribe”.

What if I don’t have a printer? Where can I print coupons?

If you don’t have a printer, most public libraries or office supply stores can print items at very low cost. We don’t offer monthly coupons by mail at this time.

Why can’t I use the coupon from my phone?

Because we support small local retailers nationwide, many are unable to honor digital coupons at this time. We continue to look for options to make this available in the future.

Is there an Earthborn Holistic frequent buyer program?

Of course! Many retailers participate in our Frequent Buyer Programs allowing consumers to buy 12 bags and get the 13th bag free! Please check with your store for details.

Do you offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee?

All of our products are 100% guaranteed! If you’re unsatisfied for any reason, simply return the unused portion along with the bag and receipt to the retailer where it was purchased for a full refund or exchange. Ask your retailer for details.