Whole Paws is the private-label pet food brand of Whole Foods Market. It applies the same ingredient-quality standards Whole Foods uses for human food to dog and cat food — real meat as the first ingredient, no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, and no animal by-products. It’s sold in Whole Foods stores and on Amazon.
Key takeaways
- Whole Paws is Whole Foods Market’s own (private-label) brand, not a third-party manufacturer.
- Recipes lead with real meat — chicken, beef, lamb, salmon, or turkey.
- Whole Foods bans 230+ food ingredients company-wide, and that standard carries into Whole Paws.
- Available as dry kibble, wet tubs, and treats, with recipes for puppies through adults.
- Sold in Whole Foods stores and on Amazon (“Whole Paws by Whole Foods Market”).
Who is Whole Paws made by?
Whole Paws is made for Whole Foods Market as one of its exclusive store brands, in the same family as 365 by Whole Foods Market. It launched around 2013 to replace the pet food previously sold under the 365 Everyday Value label. For more detail, see who makes Whole Paws dog food.
What makes Whole Paws different from regular dog food?
The defining feature is the Whole Foods banned-ingredient standard. Whole Foods refuses to stock food containing artificial preservatives, artificial colors, artificial flavors, high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated fats, and similar additives — and that same rule applies to Whole Paws recipes. The result is a short, recognizable ingredient list built around real protein. See the full Whole Paws ingredients breakdown and the banned-ingredients list.
What types of Whole Paws dog food are there?
| Type | Description | Example recipe |
|---|---|---|
| Dry kibble | Everyday balanced nutrition, long shelf life | Chicken & Quinoa |
| Grain-free dry | For grain-sensitive dogs | Salmon & Sweet Potato |
| Wet tubs | Single-serve, high palatability | Lamb Dinner |
| Puppy | Higher protein + DHA for growth | Puppy Recipe |
Browse all options on the dry food and wet food hubs, or read our full Whole Paws dog food review.
Is Whole Paws a good choice for my dog?
For owners who prioritize clean, recognizable ingredients, it’s a strong mid-premium option. See our honest take in is Whole Paws dog food good?
Frequently asked questions
Is Whole Paws the same as Whole Foods? Whole Paws is Whole Foods Market’s in-house pet brand — owned and sold by Whole Foods, not a separate company.
Is Whole Paws grain-free? Some recipes are (like Salmon & Sweet Potato); others use whole grains like quinoa and brown rice. See the grain-free options.
Where can I buy it? In Whole Foods stores and on Amazon. See where to buy Whole Paws.