| Website: | Earthborn Holistic |
| Available from: | Pet Circle |
05/05/2022 – Consider this a cautionary alert. Earthborn issued a voluntary recall in 2021 which was investigated by the FDA. The FDA has now terminated the recall alert, but a list of recalled batches can be found here.
The recall is in relation to elevated levels of aflatoxin, with a particular reference to corn.
More information from the FDA can be found on the alert here and the investigation here.
The grain free range from Earthborn Holistic is really good, with this being a cheaper option. We’ll take a look at the Adult Vantage formula.
The first ingredient is chicken meal, so it seems like we’re on the right track, but the next four ingredients are grains, and then two potato ingredients. That makes the food as a whole very grain and potato heavy, and the meat far less significant than we would ascertain from the label. It’s a run-of-the-mill protein and fat percentage with higher carbs than more premium options.
In fairness the selection of grains are decent, such as oatmeal, barley, and brown rice over nasties like wheat, but it’s far more grain heavy than I would like to see for an essentially carnivorous animal.
If you can afford the extra cost I recommend Earthborn Holistic Grain Free which is staggeringly better.
Ingredients
Chicken Meal, Oatmeal, Ground Barley, Ground Brown Rice, Rye Flour, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols, a source of vitamin E), Canola Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols, a source of vitamin E), Tomato Pomace, Whitefish Meal, Ground Flaxseed, Apples, Blueberries, Carrots, Peas, Spinach, Garlic, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Taurine, L-Lysine, DL-Methionine, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, Beta-Carotene, Vitamins, Minerals, Probiotics.
Hi-
I would just like to ask your opinion on Earthborn Puppy Vantage for my Labrador puppy, aged 4 months. I have him on this currently, but just worrying about the growth of a large-breed puppy… Do you recommend changing over to Earthborn Primitive Natural, now or prior to 12 months, or after, or are their other puppy foods for large breeds that you would suggest…?
I have my adults on Applaws Its All Good…
Hi Kelly, I’d definitely recommend sticking to a puppy diet for the first 12 months. Puppy formulas are often superior to adult formulas as they have a higher ratio of meat, fats, and essential nutrients. Puppy Vantage is very good. Canidae also offer a large breed puppy formula, and other puppy foods such as Ivory Coat would also suit a large breed. There’s nothing stopping you feeding a variety.
Thankyou so much for your swift reply.
I was just concerned with protein levels, as I want to reduce the risk of growth problems, if at all possible.
Your advice is appreciated.
Hi Kelly, generally I find health issues arise from feeding kibbles high in carbs and low in meat. This will much more likely cause issues with joints and overall health in the long term than feeding a decent meat-based high protein diet during the puppy/growth phase. There’s not substantial information which proves a high protein diet causes growth problems.
Bought a big 15kg Earthborn Holistic Puppy Vantage for my 6 month Aussie Bulldog.
I love the ingredients but unfortunately she doesn’t think it’s very tasty. Have been mixing it with chicken broth to get her to eat it…
I’ve started feeding the Earthborn Ocean Fusion cause it had the least ingredients & fish is the protein good for my boy skin allergies especially now its spring…. The Ocean Fusion has NO Peas, No Rice or Oats, No Tomato Pomace & No Probiotics….so far so good, my boy is still doing nice firm poos & isn’t farting… when a kibble doesn’t agree with him, the farts start….. & no itchy skin……
Ethoxyquin was a very nasty preservative, commonly used in the 1980’s. It caused major birth defects, in unborn puppies. One of the major supermarket dog foods at the time were using it. Top Breeders Recommend….was their slogan
Friends of mine got involved with a Vet University trial in the late 1980’s feeding the product with Ethoxyquin and mated 6 cocker spaniels, which birthed 36 puppies. From those puppies, only 15 survived to 8 weeks. Major birth defects, like missing eyes, limbs, & fading puppy syndrome. All 21 puppies had to be put to sleep. The food was changed and the following season cycle the bitches were put in pup again. The results were totally different, 100% healthy pups.
The University perused a court case, against the pet food giant, and won the case to have the Ethoxyquin removed. Yeah, a move in the right direction. At least today science & education has gone ahead in leaps and bounds.
Do you have any information regarding the levels of preservative in the selection of best dry dog food
Hi David, no we don’t – sorry.
The preservatives to watch out for include BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin, and Propyl Gallate. They’re not that common in pet foods these days. Any reference to tocopherol or ascorbate is a natural preservative and considered safe.