Whole Story

The Official Whole Foods Market® Blog

New Food for Fido

By Private Label Team, August 18, 2008  |  Meet the Blogger  |  More Posts by Private Label Team
If you haven’t strolled down the pet food aisle lately, you may not know that we’ve expanded our private label line of pet foods. We continue to offer our 365 Everyday Value™ pet foods for a quality human-grade pet food at a value price and have added 365 Everyday Value™ Holistic pet foods for well-rounded nutrition without the use of by-products. Think all pet foods are the same? Think again. Pet food is divided into two separate categories: human and non-human grade. All of our 365 Everyday Value™ pet food products are human grade. Human grade pet foods are processed according to the same manufacturing standards as human foods and they contain ingredients that are free from contamination, disease or adulteration. This means that the meat sources used in our products, including any by-products, are NOT from animals that have been rejected for human consumption. The ingredients are inspected with the same care as if they were to be sold as human food. Our pet food brands offer choice and affordability: the original 365 Everyday Value pet food provides a safe, human grade product that meets pets’ nutritional needs at a great value. By using human grade by-products, we can provide a safe meat and protein source for your pets at an affordable price. Our Holistic selections are made without the use of by-products. Every ingredient used in our Holistic pet food is carefully selected to provide nourishment to the whole pet. Whether it’s oatmeal (promoting a healthy digestive system) or Menhaden Fish Oil (an excellent source of Omega 3 fatty acid), each ingredient in the Holistic pet formula supports important system functions and dietary needs. Additionally, our 365 Everyday Value™ Holistic food is baked and not extruded. Baking is done at lower temperatures over a longer period of time, which maintains the integrity and quality of the ingredients. Transitioning your pet’s food Maybe your puppy has grown into an adult. Perhaps your cat has gained some weight and your vet has suggested a diet regime. No matter what their stage of life, there will come a time to change your pet’s food. Pet food changes can affect digestion. In an effort to reduce the side effects, here’s a suggestion from our resident pet guru and pet food product development manager, Colleen Rogers, on introducing your pet to new foods using a set schedule to slowly ease them into the new routine. “I talked to my vet when my dog, Rudy, started to gain weight. He suggested I switch to a lean formula dog food. He also gave me these easy steps so Rudy’s stomach and taste buds could ease into the new formula making everybody comfortable in the process! On the first day of change, you should have plenty of the old dog food left. Use three quarters of their old food, and one quarter of the new food. You should do this for at least two days. After two days or so, add in another quarter, so you have half old food, half new food. Again, keep it at this level for another two days or so. Then add in a third quarter (one quarter old, three quarters new), and finally you can phase out the old food completely.” Please keep in mind, these are only suggestions. With anything regarding your pet and their food, please consult your veterinarian before you change any feeding methods.
Category: Trends & New Stuff

 

102 Comments

Comments

Jeff Gold says ...
Winnie: I like the value of the 365 Everyday Value dried food, but the only two varieties available at my local (Jericho, NY) Whole Foods store are Performance, which seems like it is for growing puppies, and Lean Formula, which appears to be for dogs that need weight control. I have an adult dog that does not have a weight issue. Is there a "regular" or "maintenance" variety of this product? I asked a grocery department employee at the store and he said that these were all they carried, but there might be more varieties coming out in a few months. Please advise. - Jeff
02/07/2009 11:50:21 AM CST
Laura Leppert says ...
I recently switched my cats to the 365 "Oceanfish & Tuna" canned cat food because I like that it uses human grade ingredients and minimal grains. However, my vet is trying to determine the number of calories per can of food since one of my cats is overweight. Can you tell the number of calories per can? Also, I would love to know the "As Fed" nutritional content as I've been told it is more accurate than the "Guaranteed Analysis," and the information would be useful in monitoring my cats' diet. Thanks so much!
02/23/2009 1:04:02 PM CST
Lynn says ...
I bought the canned food for my cat this past weekend and I read the ingredients, but I need to make sure there is no soy or corn. My cat seems to have problems with these ingredients. Thank you.
03/04/2009 8:27:23 PM CST
hsiaw says ...
@Lynn Our 365 canned cat foods do not contain any soy or corn products. We hope your cat enjoys them! :)
03/05/2009 10:25:19 AM CST
janice says ...
I just want to compliment you guys. My dog is very allergic to chicken, and your lamb/rice canned food is the only dog food I've been able to give her. Because most places have some chicken cross-contamination, I've had to make only my own dog food for her FOR YEARS!!! Now, whenever I want I can actually feed her your food and feel confident!! thank you. You guys rock. Pookie the pitbull says thanks too. -janice
03/13/2009 5:19:47 PM CDT
hsiaw says ...
@Laura There are 152 calories per 5.5 oz serving of the 365 Everyday Value Whitefish and Tuna Cat Food forumula.
03/23/2009 5:20:28 PM CDT
Lisa says ...
My cat has renal problems & it has been suggested to switch him to your 365 everyday value food. He is loving the Chicken & Rice. I am wondering about the 1)calorie count in the 5.5oz can; 2)am concerned about the rice as grain and the impact on kidneys; 3) the amount of sodium/salt/potassium; & 4) amount of phosphorous? Thanks! Lisa
03/31/2009 10:36:00 PM CDT
hsiaw says ...
@Lisa Here are your answers! (1) 192 calories, (2) you'll have to consult your vet on that one, (3) sodium - 310mg, potassium - 370mg, (4) phosphorous - 550mg. Hope that about covers it! Let us know if you need any more info.
04/01/2009 9:26:13 AM CDT
Kai - NYC/NJ area says ...
This may sound rude, but does Whole Foods carry any other company's dog food? I am going to try the 365 Brand, but I have also been told about some other very healthy and nutritious brands for dogs (ex. Innova, Orijen, Real Meat treats for dogs) that I assumed Whole Foods would carry, being the healthy food powerhouse that ya'll are, but which I cannot find on the website. Sorry if the question seems unfair since you do have healthy options already!
05/29/2009 12:53:55 AM CDT
hsiaw says ...
We do carry a variety of pet food options - please check with your local store for their selection as it will vary. For your nearest store, check out http://tr.im/allstore
05/29/2009 8:36:31 AM CDT
Lea says ...
Are animals tested on to develop this product?
07/30/2009 10:57:13 PM CDT
Amy says ...
Does the 365 brand have any plans for vegan pet food?
08/18/2009 1:37:49 PM CDT
Barbara Bible says ...
I recently started feeding my dog the 365 Holistic Baked Dog Food. My bag is almost empty but there was none at the store. Is it always out or do I have to ask for it ?
08/31/2009 9:53:46 PM CDT
kathy woods says ...
I just recently notice that whole foods carries a Lean dry kibble...Is there anywhere I can find the nutritional values online. I am most concerned with the fat levels
09/12/2009 7:30:36 AM CDT
Allison says ...
Just wanted to say thanks for offering 365 canned cat food at such a great price! I was impressed by the ingredients list. At Petco, I couldn't find any cat foods that were grain-free, even among the "premium" brands. I do not have a problem with human-grade meat by-products, and I appreciate that you went into more detail here about what the by-products are. My cats are picky, but they love the beef and liver formula! I'm even able to order it by the case and save a little money. Thanks again!
09/23/2009 10:41:12 AM CDT
Dr Sorai says ...
Since I first began shopping for pet food at WFM I have had three canines and five felines Currently 2 dogs - 15.7 yrs. and 12 yrs. and 4 cats – 19 ½ yrs, 16 ½ yrs. and 15 yrs. Only one dog, my eldest who passed away a few years ago, had been slightly overweight that’s when I began my journey for healthier food choices. That’s when I began 365 pet foods and fresh or frozen thawed vegetables. None of my other “kids” have been overweight. Eventually, I decided to search out higher quality pet foods and was pleased that WFM provided their own and some other brands. I prefer pet foods free from corn, wheat, fillers or packaged chicken products for my dogs and No corn, wheat fillers for my cats. The only chicken my cats consume is the canned 365. I never purchased dry foods with corn, wheat or chicken. My “kids” consume WFMI dry for dogs, canned and dry for cats plus some other brands of chosen pet foods such as semi cooked meats plus raw veggies in every meal: green beans, collard greens, turnip greens, spinach, broccoli (once in awhile), peas, carrots, cauliflower, herbs and much more. My felines love the canned 365 as well as another brand that has NO grains I puree veggies and mix with food. My eldest cat passed a few years ago at 21 years old. My oldest feline is 19 and doing quite well. When he was a kitten he was diagnosed with serious digestive problems and given the prognosis of about four years …HA! Now at 19 1/5 he even climbs all the stairs in the house (and there are many). My oldest dog (70 pounds) is 15.7 years and her health issue is some joint stiffness and sometimes hearing difficulty. Thanks to WFM conscientious effort on the pet food department my kids continue to enjoy a healthy active life. Every conscientious pet caretaker must consider the benefits of WFM pet food choices. Thank you.
10/08/2009 12:26:19 PM CDT
Nicki says ...
I threw out the bag with the info for feeding instructions on the 365 lean dog food. For a dog with a goal weight of 35, how many cup/cups per day should I be feeding him? I am feeding him 1/2 cup twice a day right now.
10/17/2009 4:11:29 PM CDT
Seven Burke says ...
You guys (Whole Foods) apparently fail to understand something fundamental about your dog and cat customers - we don't want ANY meat "by-products" in our animals' food products. NONE. If that's what we wanted we'd just buy Purina or Nestle or that awful Science Diet stuff. If this is your idea of quality pet foods, you guys need to start from scratch.
10/20/2009 11:21:00 AM CDT
Arthur says ...
I recently adopted two kittens, and everyone I've spoken with told me to buy only food that is grain free. I saw the 365 brand today at my local Whole Foods and did not see any grains listed in the ingredients. But I see in the responses here that there is rice and other grains. What is the case about grains in this food? The price is wonderful, if there is no grain.
11/01/2009 12:54:27 PM CST
Amy says ...
I'm learning that the vast majority of pet food on the shelves at petsmart, etc. are testing their products on lab animals and there are some mind blowing stories out there. I have researched a product called Artemis that is cruelty free; do you carry it? Furthermore, is your brand cruelty free? Thank you.
11/05/2009 7:58:13 PM CST
Eight Burka says ...
In response to Seven Burke: Wrong, Seven. Some of us are enlightened enough to realize that by-products are not manufactured or artificial or wrong for animals to eat. They are in fact likely the best, most naturally desired part of the animal to be eaten "in the wild." When carnivorous animals begin to eat the first mouthfuls of chewy yummy flesh are usually... by products, like the intestines, or the organs of the abdomen. The enlightened of the mamel world (bears coem to mind) even reserve this portion for their cubs. So despite your wrong-headed position, this WFM customer is greatly pleased over the ingredient list of the 365 brand food he has bought his cats for years. The cats are healthy, mentally intact, despite my abusing them with actual carnivorous diets. Kudos to WFM for putting up with such ridiculous demands for pet food and providing us with an affordable very healthy product. Some of the damnds make me laugh out loud: it should mimic wild animal food (Uh our animals are domesticated, people... not wild), it should be vegan (LOL!), vegitarian, contain ONLY meat, contain only meat *I* would consider eating- not by products, blah blah blah...
11/20/2009 2:27:37 PM CST
Opp says ...
Seven Burke, the WFM 365 'Holistic' brand pet foods do not contain any by-products. Only their 'Everyday Value' marked foods contain by-products. While there is plenty of evil out there in some pet foods, know that 'by-products' aren't necessarily one of them. It simply means its not muscle. As was mentioned on this page, its stuff animals in the wild eat first, the organs and such that most humans won't eat. When you think about it, this is a very green approach. Instead of throwing out all the other bits that humans won't eat, pets that prefer these items get them. The WFM 365 pet foods only contain components from 'human-grade' animals from the US.
11/27/2009 1:16:29 PM CST
ferdinand says ...
do you know how long the 365 canned dog food will stay fresh in the fridge once it's opened. i probably get 4 feedings from one 13 oz. can. i wish it came in a smaller size for my small dog. thanks!
12/14/2009 11:21:47 AM CST
sinewave says ...
What company manufactures the 365 pet food products? For some reason my previous question regarding this issue was "moderated".
12/17/2009 11:00:51 PM CST
hsiaw says ...
Hi Sinewave, I'm checking in with our Private Label team to see if we can disclose the manufacturer. In many cases, we have signed disclosure agreements with our Private Label vendors, but I'll see what we can tell you. Be assured that all products do meet our Quality Standards, regardless of manufacturer. Thanks!
12/18/2009 2:13:10 PM CST

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