Weight Control Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Verified Jun 10, 2026
This is a low‑fat, grain‑free dry dog food designed for adult and senior dogs who need help managing their weight. It uses chicken meal as the main protein source, supported by egg and fish meals, with peas and sweet potato providing carbohydrates and added fiber. The formula includes L‑carnitine, taurine, omega fatty acids, and a blend of fruits, veggies, and probiotics to support overall nutrition while keeping calories and fat controlled.
A well-formulated, lower-fat dry diet that can suit many adult and senior dogs needing weight control while still getting adequate protein. It offers a moderate 25% protein with relatively low fat and calorie density, plus added L-carnitine and fiber to help with satiety. It is grain-free and pea-heavy, so it may not be the best choice for dogs from breeds with emerging heart concerns related to certain grain-free diets.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Protein comes from chicken meal, eggs, and multiple fish meals, supporting good-quality amino acids for adult maintenance.
- Lower fat and calorie density can help dogs who need weight control or are prone to weight gain.
- Includes L-carnitine, taurine, and added omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to support metabolism, heart, skin, and coat.
- Contains prebiotic fiber, pumpkin, and probiotic cultures that can support healthy digestion and stool quality.
Considerations
- This is a grain-free, pea-rich formula, and peas appear high on the ingredient list. For some dogs, especially at-risk breeds, I would discuss DCM concerns with your vet.
- Chicken, egg, and multiple fish ingredients make this unsuitable for dogs with allergies to any of those common proteins.
- Fiber is relatively high, which helps with fullness but may cause softer stools in some sensitive dogs if switched too quickly.
- Formulated to AAFCO maintenance levels, so it is not appropriate for growing puppies or pregnant or nursing dogs.
Full Ingredient List
Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.
Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.
Top 5 Ingredients Explained
01
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
02
Pea
Pea is a plant-based ingredient used in pet foods as a source of protein, soluble and insoluble fiber, and micronutrients (often included as whole peas, pea flour, or pea protein concentrate) to boost protein content and improve texture. While peas can provide digestible carbohydrates, fiber, and some plant protein useful especially for dogs, they are not a complete protein for obligate carnivores like cats and — when overused, particularly in concentrated forms or as a major component of grain‑free diets — have been scrutinized for a possible association with canine dilated cardiomyopathy and can contribute to nutrient imbalances or excess calories, so balanced formulation and compliance with AAFCO nutritional profiles are important.
03
Sweet Potato
Sweet potato is used in pet foods as a digestible carbohydrate and source of soluble fiber, vitamins (notably beta‑carotene), minerals and antioxidants, often helping with stool quality and serving as a binder or energy ingredient. It is generally well tolerated by dogs and can support gut health, but because cats poorly convert beta‑carotene to vitamin A and require preformed vitamin A from animal sources, sweet potato is not a substitute for meat-based nutrients; its relatively high carbohydrate content also means portion control is advised for overweight or diabetic pets and it should be cooked for best digestibility.
04
Tapioca
Tapioca is a processed starch from the cassava root commonly used in pet foods and treats as a gluten-free carbohydrate, binder and thickening agent, providing easily digestible calories but very little protein, fat, vitamins or minerals. While useful in hypoallergenic or grain-free formulations, it has limited nutritional value and a high glycemic index, so it should be used in moderation—especially for overweight or diabetic dogs and cats—and only in properly processed form to avoid cassava-related toxins.
05
Pea Starch
Pea starch is used in pet foods primarily as a carbohydrate binder, thickener and texture agent to help form kibble and provide readily digestible energy, rather than as a protein or fiber source. It is a gluten‑free, highly digestible starch that can increase calorie density and glycemic load (important for overweight or diabetic pets) and, like other pea/legume ingredients used in high amounts in some grain‑free diets, should be part of a balanced formulation chosen with veterinary guidance for pets with special health concerns.
Nutritional Breakdown
How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter
As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.What is calorie density
How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.Product Details & Brand
Product Specs
AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional
adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.Brand
A premium natural pet food brand focused on holistic nutrition, sustainability, and environmentally friendly packaging. Products often highlight grain-free and limited-ingredient recipes targeting health-conscious pet owners.
Visit Earthborn HolisticManufacturer
Midwestern Pet Foods manufactures its products in company-owned facilities located in Monmouth, Illinois; Evansville, Indiana; Chickasha, Oklahoma; and Waverly, New York. The company oversees production and quality control internally, using established safety and testing protocols. It has been subject to FDA oversight and recall processes, most notably in 2020–2021.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Earthborn Holistic Weight Control Grain-Free Dry Dog Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Earthborn Holistic ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Earthborn Holistic. We monitor the FDA Pet Food Recall Database daily.
How does KibbleLab rate foods?
Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.
Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?
No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.
KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.
Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.
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