Highly Recommended
DogFoodAdvisor is reader supported See how
All reviews are 100% impartial but if you buy using links on this page, we may earn a referral fee.
Our Verdict
Holistic Select dry product range consists of five recipes with ratings varying from 4.5 to 5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 5 stars.
This dry range caters to puppies and adults, including large and giant breeds, made solely from high-quality, wholesome, natural ingredients.
Pros
- Prebiotics & probiotics included
- Antioxidant superfoods
- No artificial preservative or flavors
Cons
- Not budget-friendly
The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
Recipe and Label Analysis
Holistic Select Adult Health Anchovy and Sardine and Salmon Meals Recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Holistic Select Adult Health Anchovy and Sardine and Salmon Meals Recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Brown rice, oatmeal, rice, anchovy meal, sardine meal, salmon meal (source of glucosamine), canola oil, oats, flaxseed, dried plain beet pulp, pumpkin, salmon oil, cranberries, apples, brewers dried yeast, potassium chloride, papayas, choline chloride, taurine, blueberries, pomegranates, vitamin E supplement, inulin, dried kelp, mixed tocopherols added to preserve freshness, niacin, zinc proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, iron proteinate, vitamin A supplement, yucca schidigera extract, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), ground cinnamon, ground fennel, ground peppermint, sodium selenite, copper sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, manganese sulfate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, d-calcium pantothenate, dried enterococcus faecium fermentation product, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, vitamin D3 supplement, biotin, dried lactobacillus delbrueckii fermentation product, dried streptococcus thermophilus fermentation product, calcium iodate, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid, dried bacillus licheniformis fermentation product, dried bacillus subtilis fermentation product, dried aspergillus oryzae fermentation product, dried trichoderma reesei fermentation product, dried rhizopus oryzae fermentation product, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product, rosemary extract, green tea extract, spearmint extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4.5%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 25% | 13% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 28% | 14% | 50% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 25% | 31% | 44% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food is brown rice, a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) can be fairly easy to digest. However, aside from its natural energy content, rice is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The second ingredient is oatmeal, a whole-grain product made from coarsely ground oats. Oatmeal is naturally rich in B-vitamins, dietary fiber and can be (depending upon its level of purity) gluten-free.
The third ingredient is rice. Is this whole grain rice, brown rice or white rice? Since the word “rice” doesn’t tell us much, it’s impossible to judge the quality of this item.
The next three ingredients include anchovy meal, sardine meal and salmon meal. Because they are considered meat concentrates, the fish meals contain almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself.
Fish meal is typically obtained from the “clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings” of commercial fish operations.1
The seventh ingredient is canola oil. Unfortunately, canola can be a controversial item. That’s because it can sometimes (but not always) be derived from genetically modified rapeseed.
Yet others cite the fact that canola oil can be a significant source of essential omega-3 fatty acids.
In any case, plant-based oils like canola are less biologically available to a dog than fish oil as a source of quality omega-3 fats.
The eighth ingredient includes oats. Oats are rich in B-vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.
The ninth ingredient is flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.
However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.
But realistically, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this Holistic Select product.
With four notable exceptions…
First, we note the use of taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.
Next, we note the inclusion of dried fermentation products in this product. Fermentation products are typically added as probiotics to aid with digestion.
We find salmon oil. Salmon oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, salmon oil should be considered a commendable addition.
And lastly, this food includes chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Holistic Select Adult Health Anchovy and Sardine and Salmon Meals Recipe looks like an above-average dry dog food.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 28.8%, a fat level of 15.2% and estimated carbohydrates of about 43.2%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 28.2% and a mean fat level of 16.3%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 42.9% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 58%.
Which means this Holistic Select product line contains…
Above-average protein. Near-average fat. And near-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.
Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the flaxseed and brewers yeast, this looks like the profile of a dry product containing a notable amount of meat.
Holistic Select Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Holistic Select through February 2026.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Holistic Select Dry Dog Food
Holistic Select is a grain-inclusive dry dog food using a notable amount of named meat meals as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 5 stars.
Those looking for a wet food from the same company may wish to visit our review of Holistic Select canned dog food.
About
Compare Holistic Select Dog Food
How does Holistic Select compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?
A Final Word
The Dog Food Advisor does not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.
However, we do receive a referral fee from online retailers (like Chewy or Amazon) and from sellers of perishable pet food when readers click over to their websites from ours. This helps cover the cost of operation of our free blog. Thanks for your support.
For more information, please visit our Disclaimer and Disclosure page.
