Wild Earth Dog Food Reviews 2024: My Dogs’ Experience & Results

This content was reviewed and fact-checked by veterinarian Dr. Sandra Tashkovska, DVM.

Despite being a newcomer in the dog food arena, Wild Earth is quickly making a name in the vegan pet food category. I stumbled upon Wild Earth during a memorable episode of Shark Tank. Intrigued by their commitment to sustainability, quality and plant-based dog products, I was drawn to their unique approach to dog nutrition. But, like many pet owners, I had my doubts. Could a plant-based protein satisfy the nutritional needs of my dog? Would Wild Earth manage to improve my pet’s health noticeably? And perhaps most importantly, would my dog enjoy the taste of this innovative formula?

If you are looking to buy Wild Earth dog food, my comprehensive review delves into everything from the quality of ingredients to the price, sustainability efforts, benefits, taste, and my personal experience with the product to help you determine if Wild Earth recipes are a good fit for your pup. Let’s dive in.

Wild Earth Dog Food Reviews — Quick Highlights

Wild Earth Dog Food Review  — Summary

What I Found Out About The Company

Wild Earth is dog food made with plant-based ingredients that are sustainable and cruelty-free. The company was founded as a result of being fed up with the dog food industry’s malpractices and unhealthy meat dependency on pet food.^[1]

The CEO, Ryan Bethencourt, a biotech major, studied the problems associated with traditional dog kibble, such as unethically sourced ingredients resulting in industry recalls and trace amounts of potentially dangerous chemicals, animal cruelty, and environmental impact, among other factors. In fact, a study by UCLA states that meat-based pet food accounts for 64 million tons, or one-third, of carbon dioxide emissions per year.^[2] This translates to the meat-reliant kibble industry accounting for 25-30% of meat’s environmental impact on the environment. To stop all these problems, Bethencourt created Wild Earth dog food.

Wild Earth’s mission is to transform the meat-heavy kibble industry into a vet-approved plant-based industry made from cruelty-free, sustainably sourced ingredients for healthier pets. Their recipes are designed with planet-conscious dog parents in mind. Their organic and vegan dog products provide proven health benefits backed by scientific research.

Why Feed Wild Earth Dog Food — According to Research

The benefits of feeding Wild Earth vegan dog kibble (or plant-based dog goodies) include:

Wild Earth surveyed 3,000 customers whose dogs were on a Wild Earth diet for at least three months. The results were excellent; 86% of customers reported a positive health benefit for their dog after switching to Wild Earth.^[3] The findings included 44% increased energy, 43% less itching, 50% improved coat, 54% improvement in poop, 26% improved joint health and 41% saw a reduction in flatulence and gas.

Here is what the research says about vegan dogs on a plant-based diet like Wild Earth:

What Do I Think About Wild Earth Ingredients

Each ingredient was hand-selected for targeted health benefits. Wild Earth’s dog food formulas come with 23% or 28% complete meatless protein, depending on your chosen formula. The recipes are high in fiber and contain a blend of superfood ingredients like oats, chickpeas, and sweet potato for strong muscles and a healthy gut. The food is free from fillers, artificial ingredients, or additives. Plus, there’s no corn, soy, or wheat in it. The components of every Wild Earth dog food formula are correctly labeled. No problematic and unhealthy ingredients were found in our analysis.

How Do Dogs Get Protein From Wild Earth Dog Food?

The ingredients that contribute to our overall protein levels are: Dried yeast, chickpeas, peas, oats, pea protein, potato protein, sweet potato, flaxseed, marine microalgae and Aspergillus oryzae (aka Koji)

Superfoods

Wild Earth dog food adds several superfoods, including blueberries, cranberries, and spinach. These foods are low in calories but packed with vital nutrients. In addition to natural ingredients, they also contain antioxidants that reduce the risks of cancer and heart disease risks.

Other Key Ingredients: Wild Earth’s dog food formula adds Taurine, a critical amino acid for heart health and vision. They’ve also added L-carnitine, which helps with fat metabolism, encourages lean muscle mass, and promotes healthy heart muscle and function. Furthermore, The Calcium carbonate in Wild Earth strengthens bones, teeth, and joints. It’s boosted with marine microalgae, a type of omega-3 fatty acid that aids in keeping your dog’s brain and nervous system functioning well. Also included in Wild Earth’s blend is Riboflavin, an antioxidant that plays a role in helping your dog utilize food energy. Sunflower oil for omega fatty acids and other valuable vitamins and minerals are present in this formula.

If you are unsure if your dog is allergic to any of the Wild Earth food ingredients listed above, a dog food allergy test can help you learn if this recipe is appropriate.

Wild Earth Ingredient Sourcing & Manufacturing

Their ingredients are sourced from the U.S., Latin American, European and Asian countries (not including China). Wild Earth is made in the United States, in a facility in the Midwest. As with most dog food manufacturers, they create kibble using heat extrusion. They do not test and measure every toxin but for everything that meets standard quality checks.

Wild Earth is one of the few sustainable dog food companies using biotechnology (cellar agriculture) to achieve a much lower carbon footprint by making some protein sources in a laboratory. For instance, Wild Earth grows a microscopic fungus called Aspergillus Oryzae (aka Koji), which is a main ingredient in Bonneville laboratories. Because Koji is produced in a lab, each koji strain selected is free of bio-contaminants and remains in its pure form. Growing things in labor are much more humane and gentle on the environment. They are currently investing in cell-based meat,” he says, referring to the cultured meat grown in laboratories from chicken and bovine cell lines. This is exciting news for the industry and shows the company’s direction—more on Koji in the next section.

Is Wild Earth Dog Food Safe?

Wild Earth dog food is safe, healthy and nutritionally balanced (AFFCO approved). Popular belief says that dogs are exclusive meat-eaters. The reason is partly because dogs are related to wolves and are in the scientific order of “Carnivora.” Despite its name, the order also includes herbivores and omnivores, such as Giant Pandas and Raccoons.^[8] Over millennia, dogs have evolved several differences from wolves. The genomes of dogs have evolved to allow them to digest plant-based starches and thrive on food that contains a wide variety of ingredients, including vegetables, fruits, herbs, grains, meat, poultry, fish, and more.^[9] However, a plant-based diet may be risky for some dogs. That’s why you should always consult your vet before you start your dog on a new diet.

NOTE: If you are concerned about grain-free diets and their relationship to canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), don’t be. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concluded that no scientific evidence exists that a grain-free diet causes DCM.^[10] Wild Earth has eliminated this from its recipes.

Wild Earth Dog Food Reviews

We recommend the Wild Earth recipe to vegan parents or any pet parent who wants a more eco-friendly dog food alternative that is better for the environment. Wild Earth produces more sustainable food than meat-based kibble brands. This dog food brand aligns with vegan values, and you can have peace of mind that any of its products follow vegan practices. Secondly, it’s also great for any dog who wants to experience the benefits of plant-based dog food, but it is especially great for dogs with allergies to meat proteins, dairy, or common ingredients found in traditional dog kibble.

This Wild Earth dog food review will cover the key aspects of why we like their products and why you should buy them.

• Performance Food
• Maintenance Food
• Treats
• Supplements

My Dogs That Tested Wild Earth

I picked two Canine Bible dogs to give us their paw-honest opinion and verdict.

My Wild Earth Dog Food Unboxing

Wild Earth recently rebranded its packaging. We tested this product before the rebranding so that you will see the old branding below. However, all their recipes have remained the same; only the packaging has changed.

Here is everything that came in the box:

My Dog’s Experience With Wild Earth Dog Food

My dog, Bandit, has been becoming increasingly picky about what he eats, and his appetite is decreasing every day. I thought it might be his age, so I took him to the vet for a check-up. The vet said he seemed fine but suggested we try some new foods since he’s no longer interested in the old ones. Initially, I thought about cooking homemade dog food recipes (and they worked), but a friend also recommended plant-based dog food. I was skeptical, but after researching and ordering Wild Earth, we decided to try it. We thought it might even help with his allergies and mild skin allergies caused by his current diet. At first, we mixed Wild Earth with his previous kibble to help his stomach adjust, but Bandit loved it and finished his bowl quickly. Over the next few days, we noticed he had regular and healthy bathroom sessions. His skin and coat were also healthy, which was great because he had been battling allergies. It’s only been two weeks since Bandit started the new food, but he seems much happier eating. Although he still has some picky moments, it’s much less than before. We were also concerned that he might lose his energy levels without meat-based protein, but that hasn’t been the case. His energy levels are through the roof! In conclusion, we are happy with the switch to vegan kibble. It has made a huge difference in Bandit’s health and well-being and is well worth the cost. We are still experimenting with his diet, but we hope we have found the right one for him.

My Dog’s Experience With Wild Earth Dog Treats

My dog Wilder had been losing weight for months, and I was getting worried. He had lost his appetite for everything, even his usual kibble. I tried everything to get him to eat, but nothing seemed to work. While researching his condition and possible solutions, one day, I came across vegan dog food. We tried Wild Earth food, but he refused to eat it. However, he did enjoy the treats. At first, Wilder sniffed the treats suspiciously, but then he took a bite and was surprised by how delicious they tasted. He devoured the whole thing in seconds and licked his chops with satisfaction. I was happy to see him eat something. Although we cannot attribute his health recovery to the vegan treats, we were pleased he enjoyed them. Wilder is now at a healthy weight and has regained his appetite.

How Much Did I Pay For Wild Earth Dog Food

Let’s look at the cost of feeding your pet Wild Earth vegan kibble.

Product Name	One-Time Purchase	Subscription
Dog Food (4 lb)	$39.00	$27.30 (30% off)
Dog Food (18 lb)	$99.00	$69.30 (30% off)
Dog Food (28 lb)	$125.00	$87.50 (30% off)
3 Pack Dog Treats	$30.00	$21.00 (30% off)
Supplements	$30.00	$21.00 (30% off)

Our pup, Bandit, a two-year-old Miniature Schnauzer, weighs 14 pounds and is active. He eats about one bag of small dog food every four weeks. A subscription that takes 30% off each order costs 91 cents daily to feed Bandit. Let’s say you have a German Shepherd that weighs 65 pounds and is relatively active. According to the size and frequency chart on the Wild Earth Website, he needs one large bag (28 lbs) every 28 days. It will cost $3 a day to feed a German Shepherd at the subscription rate. The rates are better when you are a subscribed customer, with 30% off your first order and 5% off on subsequent orders.

Wild Earth Dog Food Price vs Kibble

Is Wild Earth more expensive than traditional kibble? Despite being seemingly high, Wild Earth’s price is similar to most high-end kibbles. According to our calculations and data from Statista, you can expect to pay, on average, $1.97 per pound for a decent mass-market kibble brand and $3.45 per pound for the high brands.^[11] In contrast, Wild Earth will cost you $5 per pound without a subscription. However, when you subscribe, the cost per pound goes down to $3.9, making it slightly more expensive than premium kibbles.

Coupon code: Our readers can access 30% off their first order and 5% off on subsequent orders if they subscribe.

Why Canine Bible Likes & Doesn’t Like Wild Earth

What We Like

• Feeding this food to our dogs is suitable for their health and positively impacts our planet
• I like that they rely on GMOs, which lets them produce more efficient yields that maximize the land on which they’re grown, making them more sustainable than those grown organically
• If you buy Wild Earth, you are supporting a cruelty-free brand. This is a powerful decision that can have positive impacts on the planet and the humane treatment of animals around the world
• Wild Earth achieves a much lower carbon footprint by making its protein than meat-based protein sources
• Wild Earth is confident that their vegetarian dog food diet will have you seeing improvements in your dog’s allergies, digestion, and energy level in only 30-days
• The company also offers merchandise to show support for plant-based, vegan dog food
• Wild Earth has nearly five stars out of more than thousands of ratings on its website. On Amazon, the brand currently has 71% five-star reviews
• The kibble bag is made of multi-layer laminate plastic. This packaging allows them to maintain package integrity and product freshness over time
• Wild Earth aims to disrupt the pet food industry for the better
• Perfect for dogs with meat- and dairy-based allergies
• No meat, and made without animal testing or animal cruelty
• They use 90% fewer resources required than meat-based dog food
• Nutritionally complete high-protein
• No antibiotics or hormones
• Natural umami flavor for an irresistible meaty taste that dogs love
• Most sustainable dog food company

What We Don’t Like

• Wild Earth’s dog food options are limited. They only have one available at the moment. So, if your dog doesn’t like it, there’s no other alternative that you can find within the company
• Contains wheat germ, so dogs with wheat allergies won’t be able to eat it
• Their manufacturing facility uses heat extrusion to create our kibble which is a similar process to what many other dog food manufacturers use
• Ingredients are not organic or non-GMO
• No grain-free options
• Vegan dog diets are still a source of controversy and confusion
• Pricier than most traditional kibble
• Food packing is not recyclable
• May not be suitable for all picky dogs
• Shipping is only available in the U.S. and India

My Ordering, Shipping & Delivery Experience

Ordering Wild Earth is simple. They provide an easy, seamless checkout process. If you subscribe, you can select your food to be shipped every 2 to 12 weeks. There is also a one-time purchase option. Wild Earth also provides a handy chart to help determine how much food your pup needs based on weight. After ordering, we received an instant email confirmation. When our package shipped, we also received an email with a shipping tracking number, which you can track on their website. The food and treats were delivered to our doorstep in three days. The box was huge, but everything looked fresh, delicious, and well-packaged. For subscribers, shipments and charges are automated, so you never have to repeat the process. You can access your account’s custom preferences whenever you’d like.

My Wild Earth Customer Service Experience

Wild Earth Dog Food is committed to building its customer base and providing quality customer service. We had a few fellow dog parents test Wild Earth’s customer service by having them ask questions about their ingredients and formula through email and chat. Overall, they replied promptly with adequate information. However, we did notice some comments from customers on their social media that were not addressed. Despite that, they are active on social media and provide helpful information through posts. The lack of phone support or a messaging system on their website is not ideal. That’s something they should implement. Overall, customer service is good, but they need to work on building lasting relationships with clients through their social channels.

Can Puppies Eat Wild Earth Dog Food?

Wild Earth states their kibble is not suitable for puppies. They chose their first food to meet and exceed adult dog nutritional requirements. Puppies have a different set of AAFCO dietary standards. This is why you see “puppy foods” and “adult dog foods.” Wild Earth Dog Food has not come out with puppy formula. We will update this if they do. For now, stick to feeding this formula to adult dogs or check with your vet to see if it would be all right to supplement some of Wild Earth’s food into your puppy’s diet.

How Does Wild Earth Dog Food Work?

You have three options with Wild Earth.

Wild Earth Shark Tank

You may already know Wild Earth from the popular show Shark Tank. Ryan Bethencourt, CEO of Wild Earth vegan dog food, walked onto the Shark Tank stage in 2020. He presented the idea of plant-based dog food as one of the solutions to kibble fillers and preservatives, pet food recalls, pet obesity, and environmental impact. The vegan dog food company also presented plant-based dog treats offered in five flavors. However, some Sharks were not immediately sold on the claim that dogs could easily transition to a meat-free diet. Bethencourt defended his vegan dog food position by stating that most vets agree that a meat-free diet is just as healthy as a meat-based diet.

Bethencourt cited Dr. Knight, a Professor of Animal Welfare and Ethics and Director of the Centre for Animal Welfare at the University of Winchester, who states that dogs can thrive on vegetarian diets as long as they are nutritionally complete and reasonably balanced. Further research evidence from the University of Winchester said dogs and cats could experience fewer health complications and higher activity levels on a vegetarian diet.^[12]

Bethencourt’s Wild Earth dog food valuation was $11 million. Ryan attributed the valuation to the extensive R&D (Research & Development). Bethencourt explains the process of making koji-based protein. Wild Earth made a deal with Shark Tank billionaire Mark Cuban, who offered $550,000 to invest in the brand. Fellow sharks critiqued his decision, saying that vegan dog food was not solving an environmental problem but exacerbating waste with bougie dog treats. This claim was quickly put to rest with the research provided by UCLA, ‘meat-based dog and cat food account for one-third of carbon emissions produced by the meat industry.

Ultimately, Ryan walked away from Shark Tank with a successful deal and sought to bring the benefits of vegan dog food to every dog owner.

Wild Earth Dog Food Positive Review

My two Boston’s use to have diarrhea and sick after eating other dog food with all that nasty meat and by-products, and since I switched to Wild Earth, they have no problem. I also cook meat and veggies for them but was afraid they weren’t getting their vitamins and minerals, so I feed them Wild Earth for all their nutrients, and they like the taste of it too. I’m a vegetarian myself, so I’m glad I found this food for them. I had two other Boston’s and fed them high-priced dog food, and they both died of cancer. So thank you, Wild Earth, for your wonderful food.

Aisha F, Verified Purchase, Wild Earth.

I wasn’t sure about Wild Earth when I first heard about it. I figured that vegetarian dog food couldn’t possibly be as good as one with meat. After all, dogs evolved from wolves whose diet is all meat. I decided to try it after my lab started having allergy symptoms of itching, dry, coarse fur, and ear infections. The vet thought a single ingredient diet might help but I didn’t want to go down the prescription diet route because I have another chihuahua/rat terrier and I wanted them to be on the same food. A prescription diet is too expensive. Hence, my introduction to Wild Earth. I decided to give it a try. I slowly introduced Wild Earth and decreased their old food. Now both dogs are 💯 percent on the Wild Earth and they have really taken to it. My rat-chi would usually stay in bed in the morning and the. turn up her nose at her old food until she finally realized nothing better was coming along. Then she’d slowly eat the food. Now, she comes running as soon as she hears the food hit the bowl. She gobbles it down in about 2 seconds. Even my lab seems to enjoy it. He never used to gobble down his food quickly. Sometimes it would sit in the bowl all morning. Now he gobbles it down as soon as I put it down. Truth be known I do add salmon oil and a probiotic to the food at every meal. However, they seem to really like it and so far my lab hasn’t been itching as much and his fur is very soft and silky. I also feel really good knowing that the food I am feeding my fur babies is a high-quality protein and not meat by-products. I would most definitely recommend trying it.

Melissa G. Verified Purchase, Wild Earth

Wild Earth Dog Food Bad Reviews

My complaint involves multiple factors; however, it boils down to the issue in receiving my refund. This is an online dog food company; I enrolled in a subscription-based delivery, and one month they withdrew funds without fulfilling the order. I’ve reached out to customer service via email, Facebook, and Facebook messenger. I have not received a response from customer service in an attempt to resolve the issue. After much research, I have discovered MULTIPLE individuals who have commented on social media have been dealing with the same issues—an overall lack of customer service and advertising. I’ve canceled my subscription and won’t be returning. 70$ is a lot of money to some, especially when we don’t receive the product and are unable to contact customer service to resolve the issue other than via email or social media.

Better Business Beurue, 03/03/2021

Our two smaller dogs pick the pieces out of their dish and spit them on the floor. Our neighbor’s German Shepherd and Husky won’t even pick up a piece. I called PAWS animal shelter Lynnwood, and they won’t use this, neither will HOWL, the wildlife rescue place. I thought a bear or raccoon might like it. They refused to take the new 18# bag I just received. I thought it might just work for treats, but no. I make dog treats with carrot pulp, oats, and one egg that my dogs love, so I assumed they would like these vegan pieces.

Verified Purchase, Chewy, 03/18/2021

Wild Earth Dog Food Reddit Reviews

Check these Wild Earth Reddit reviews to get more insights on this brand from real people.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line & Alternatives

Plant-based diets are definitely on the rise, despite being a controversial way to feed your pet. Our consensus is that Wild Earth vegan dog food is worth trying, as it is safe and nutritious for dogs. Our research and scientific studies show that vegan dog nutrition may be a great alternative to traditional dog food. The team at Wild Earth has worked hard over the years on research and development to bring fresh and wholesome plant-based ingredients together to give dogs healthier nutrition. Whether you are looking for an all-natural, chemical-free diet or trying something different to find relief from allergies and gastrointestinal issues plaguing your pup, Wild Earth’s clean vegan dog food is a great choice. Check out our best vegan dog food guide to learn more about the benefits of plant-based dog diets and other vegan dog food brands.

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Sources

Canine Bible uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process and product review methodology to learn more about how we fact-check, test products, and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. Wild Earth
2. Okin, G. S. (2017). Environmental impacts of food consumption by dogs and cats. PLOS ONE.
3. Wild Earth. (2024). The Wild Earth Effect. 
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5. Dodd, S. A. S., Cave, N. J., Adolphe, J. L., Shoveller, A. K., Verbrugghe, A., & Abood, S. K. (2022). Vegan versus meat-based dog food: Guardian-reported indicators of health. PLOS ONE,
6. Rubenstein, G. (2020, October 22). Lab-Grown Dog Food Is First Step to a Clean Meat Empire. Proto life.
7. Hamajima, H., Matsunaga, H., Fujikawa, A., Sato, T., Mitsutake, S., Yanagita, T., Nagao, K., Nakayama, J., & Kitagaki, H. (2016). Japanese traditional dietary fungus koji Aspergillus oryzae functions as a prebiotic for Blautia coccoides through glycosylceramide: Japanese dietary fungus koji is a new prebiotic. SpringerPlus, 5(1).
8. DACVN, C. R. H., VMD, MS, & DACVN, C. R. H., VMD, MS. (2016, July 21). Vegan Dogs – A healthy lifestyle or going against nature? Clinical Nutrition Service at Cummings School.
9. Axelsson, E., Ratnakumar, A., Arendt, M.-L., Maqbool, K., Webster, M. T., Perloski, M., Liberg, O., Arnemo, J. M., Hedhammar, Å., & Lindblad-Toh, K. (2013). The genomic signature of dog domestication reveals adaptation to a starch-rich diet. Nature, 495(7441), 360–364.
10. Griff. (n.d.). What we know about canine DCM and its link to diet? Wild Earth Help Center.
11. Statista. (n.d.). Average price of of dry pet food by type U.S. 2019.
12. Knight, A., & Leitsberger, M. (2016). Vegetarian versus Meat-Based Diets for Companion Animals. Animals, 6(9), 57.