If you bumped into Pure Harmony on your search for the best dog food, you might be attracted by its delicious-sounding dry food recipes or its promises of delivering an organic form of pet food.
But before considering Pure Harmony’s recipes or dog treats, you should learn more about the brand and the best products that it offers, including its nutritional makeup and ingredients.
I’ll be breaking down this review in a similar fashion to my other dog food reviews. If you’re not familiar with the format, I’ll first talk about the company, then showcase five of its best recipes. So without further ado, here are my extensive Pure Harmony dog food reviews.
Rating
Pure Harmony dog food contains excellent ingredients, which sways me towards a high rating. But because of how difficult it is to find and the lack of information on their website, I have to give them 3.5/5 stars.
Pure Harmony dog food contains excellent ingredients, which sways me towards a high rating. But because of how difficult it is to find and the lack of information on their website, I have to give them 3.5/5 stars.*Find out more about our editorial & review standards
Pure Harmony Overview
Pure Harmony is a humble-sized company in the pet food industry that the massive Topco Associates LLC owns—one of the biggest businesses in Illinois and the vastest retail food organization in America.
Topco Associates LLC was founded in the 1940s, but I can’t find any information on when the Pure Harmony brand was founded, given their website and branding don’t display much info about the company’s roots or history. But my best guess is that it’s been less than ten years since it only started getting popular in recent times.
Although Pure Harmony pet food isn’t available on the website, you can find it in many retail stores owned by the parent company and other markets, such as Hy-Vee, Lin’s, Associated Grocers, and Big Y. However, you won’t find Pure Harmony dog food in larger nationwide stores like Walmart or Target.
About Pure Harmony Pet Food
As for the dog food itself, Pure Harmony makes some big promises on their small landing page, such as delivering the best possible formulas for a healthy diet and using lean animal protein sources, such as fresh chicken and beef, as the main composition of their recipes, followed only by fruits and veggies.
Moreover, they claim their food contains no animal “byproduct meals,” preservatives, flavors, or colors and that their recipes are rich in antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins, all delivered with an appealing taste.
The brand Pure Harmony also offers dry cat food packets, which makes it convenient if you want to buy it without searching for other cat food brands.
Is Pure Harmony Dog Food Good?
Pure Harmony makes some hefty claims on their website, and the notion that they don’t use animal byproducts is especially eye-catching, given how popular those are in the pet food industry. But do these claims actually hold up?
For the most part, yes, the Pure Harmony recipes contain a good chunk of lean animal protein, such as chicken, beef, and salmon. There are also plenty of fruits and vegetables, like cranberries, blueberries, carrots, and zucchini.
However, all the products I’ve tried also contain some animal meal, usually from the same animal that the recipe is based on.
This isn’t necessarily a red flag, though. Animal meal is a popular ingredient used by almost all dog food brands, and it can be a high-quality source of protein. My real concern is that it contradicts Pure Harmony’s statement on their website.
Other than that, Pure Harmony dog food meets the nutritional standards of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), and our nutrient analyses will show that their recipes can be good sources of fat and protein, even if they’re a bit high in carbs.
You can also find grain-inclusive recipes, such as the Pure Harmony beef brown rice recipe, and grain-free ones for allergic dogs, such as the grain-free lamb recipe or grain-free chicken. And the food is quite affordable too, though I would’ve been happier if I could buy it directly from the Pure Harmony website.
Pros
- Animal protein sources make up the primary ingredients
- Plenty of fruits and veggies on the ingredient list
- Most recipes don’t use plant-based protein sources as primary ingredients
- Reasonable and affordable prices
- All the recipes meet the AAFCO’s nutritional standards
- Small bags of 3.5-4 lbs are available at very low prices
- The recipes taste great to your dogs and provide plenty of protein, fat, and fiber
- Grain-inclusive and grain-free recipes are available
- They also sell cat food, making it easier if you have a dog and a cat
- No artificial preservatives, colors, or other additives
- Contains organic minerals and probiotics to improve digestion
Cons
- Relatively high carbohydrate content
- Most recipes contain some controversial ingredients
- They contain animal-based meal despite the website claiming otherwise
- Unavailable on the brand’s website and major retail stores
Best of Pure Harmony Dog Food Products
Now I’d like to show you five of the best products you can find on the Pure Harmony store page to help you make the best decision for your canine buddy.
1. Beef & Brown Rice Recipe
I’ll start off with a grain-inclusive pick in the form of the Pure Harmony beef brown rice recipe, which does contain high-quality deboned lean beef and ground brown rice rather than rely on artificial flavors or byproducts.
There are also some additional protein sources here, such as fish meal and dried egg product. However, the overall protein content isn’t the highest, at just 22% when doing guaranteed analysis. This is the minimum protein content set by the AAFCO in dog food.
Still, the beef brown rice recipe is excellent for dogs that need to maintain or lose some weight, thanks to the low calories. And the additional ingredients in this formula can also help promote healthy skin with a shiny fur coat.
Nutrient Content
Method | Protein | Fats | Carbs | Fiber |
Guaranteed Analysis | 22% | 12% | N/A | 4% |
Dry Matter Basis | 25% | 14% | 56% | 5% |
Calorie Weighted Basis | 22% | 29% | 49% | N/A |
Ingredients List: Deboned beef, ground barley, ground brown rice, oatmeal, chicken meal, rice bran, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), peas, dried beet pulp, flaxseed, menhaden fish meal, chicken flavor, dried egg product, salt, canola oil, chicory root, dried kelp, coconut oil, dried apples, dried carrots, zucchini, powdered cellulose, and more.
Ingredients Analysis
The main source of protein in the beef and rice formula is deboned beef, but small amounts of chicken fat, peas, fish meal, and egg product supplement it a bit.
As for the grains, this recipe doesn’t hold back on them, as it contains ground rice and ground barley, oatmeal, and, more controversially, rice bran.
And although rice bran isn’t bad on its own, it can shorten the shelf life of your dog food, and adding too much of it into your dog’s diet can lead to inflammation in rare cases. But for most of them, it shouldn’t be an issue as long as they’re non-allergic.
The powdered cellulose in this dry dog food can also cause some concern because the label doesn’t disclose where it comes from. But the added cellulose can make your dog feel more full.
- Controversial Ingredients: Rice bran, chicken meal, fish meal, ground barley, powdered cellulose, chicory root
- Estimated Meat Content: Beef, chicken byproducts
2. Grain-Free Chicken and Sweet Potato Recipe
Next, we have the grain-free chicken and sweet potato recipe, which offers higher protein, fat, and fiber content than the beef brown rice recipe at a lower carb cost. And as the name suggests, the recipe is grain-free, making it perfect for those with allergic dogs or if you want to fine-tune their diet.
This formula also contains more calories per serving, making it an excellent puppy food since it boosts their growth.
And thanks to the sweet potato content, you can fulfill your dog’s carb demand without relying on grains.
Nutrient Content
Method | Protein | Fats | Carbs | Fiber |
Guaranteed Analysis | 27% | 16% | N/A | 5% |
Dry Matter Basis | 30% | 18% | 47% | 6% |
Calorie Weighted Basis | 25% | 36% | 39% | N/A |
Ingredients List: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, tapioca starch, sweet potatoes, grain-free turkey meal, peas, pea starch, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), dried beet pulp, flaxseed meal, dried blueberries, dried yeast, menhaden fish oil, salt, dried egg product, pea protein, dried cranberries, avocado, parsley, papaya, spinach, and more.
Ingredients Analysis
The high protein content in this recipe comes from three animal products: deboned chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal. Additionally, chicken fat, pea protein, and dried egg product add a boost to the label.
Pea protein is a bit controversial though, as many people don’t prefer plant-based protein in their dog’s dry food recipes. Thankfully, it’s pretty far down on the list and only makes a tiny portion of the formula.
There’s also chicory root, which can cause some digestion problems in your dog, such as an upset stomach or flatulence, especially if they have a sensitivity.
- Controversial Ingredients: Chicory root, pea protein, pea starch, chicken meal, turkey meal, flaxseed meal
- Estimated Meat Content: Chicken, chicken byproducts, turkey byproducts
3. Chicken, Barley, and Pea Recipe
The Pure Harmony chicken, barley, and pea recipe is another great option for bulk or puppy food due to its high caloric content and its carb-rich formula with 52% dry matter content.
At 24% protein of the guaranteed analysis, it’s above the AAFCO threshold of 22%, but I’d have liked to see it a bit higher. But it all comes from excellent sources, such as chicken, chicken meal, and peas.
The yeast culture in this package also promotes healthy skin with a shiny coat in dogs, along with promoting liver function.
Nutrient Content
Method | Protein | Fats | Carbs | Fiber |
Guaranteed Analysis | 24% | 12% | N/A | 6% |
Dry Matter Basis | 27% | 13% | 52% | 7% |
Calorie Weighted Basis | 24% | 29% | 47% | N/A |
Ingredients List: Chicken, chicken meal, oats, barley, peas, brown rice, natural chicken flavor, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), flaxseed, dehydrated alfalfa meal, tomato pomace, sweet potatoes, dried apples, dried blueberries, dried carrots, garlic powder, chicory root, taurine, yeast culture, fish oil, and minerals.
Ingredients Analysis
The dehydrated alfalfa meal can cause a ruckus in some people because it’s mainly used in horse feed. And although alfalfa is alright in small amounts of dry dog food, I recommend you check with your vet because too much of it can cause thyroid issues in our furry companions.
Also, tomato pomace isn’t one of the ingredients you want to see on a dry dog food label. It’s basically a byproduct of tomato that’s left over after those fruits are used for other purposes, and it’s often used as a filler in dog and cat food.
And although this recipe isn’t grain-free, it still contains peas and sweet potatoes, which increase its carb content to 52% of the dry matter basis.
- Controversial Ingredients: Alfalfa meal, tomato pomace, chicory root, chicken meal, yeast culture
- Estimated Meat Content: Chicken, chicken byproducts
4. Grain-Free Lamb, Pea, and Chickpea Recipe
I really liked the grain-free lamb recipe with its pea and chickpea mix, which gives it a protein boost to 28% of the guaranteed analysis and 31% of the dry matter basis. It’s also high in fats and fiber, which is a bonus in well-rounded dry dog foods.
There are some protein supplements in there that bump the number up, such as fish meal, pea protein, and dried egg product. But they’re in small quantities, and the animal sources make up the majority of the protein makeup.
And although Pure Harmony’s salmon, pea, and chickpea recipe (which I’ll review next) contains more protein, this one has a lower cost per gram, which makes it more cost-effective.
Nutrient Content
Method | Protein | Fats | Carbs | Fiber |
Guaranteed Analysis | 28% | 18% | N/A | 7% |
Dry Matter Basis | 31% | 20% | 41% | 8% |
Calorie Weighted Basis | 26% | 40% | 34% | N/A |
Ingredients List: Lamb, lamb meal, peas, chickpeas, menhaden fish meal, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), pea starch, pea protein, flaxseed, chicken meal, dried yeast, dehydrated alfalfa meal, dried egg product, natural chicken flavor, salmon oil, tomato pomace, carrots, cranberries, apricots, taurine, and minerals.
Ingredients Analysis
The main ingredients that comprise most of the recipe’s protein content are lamb, lamb meal, fish meal, chicken meal, peas, and chickpeas. The latter two also contribute to the formula’s carb content, which is around the perfect level for most dogs at 41% of the dry matter content.
Some of the controversial ingredients here are the dried alfalfa meal, tomato pomace, and pea byproducts, such as pea protein and starch. And there are three types of animal meal here.
- Controversial Ingredients: Alfalfa meal, tomato pomace, pea protein, pea starch, chicken meal, lamb meal, fish meal
- Estimated Meat Content: Lamb, lamb byproducts, chicken byproducts
5. Salmon, Pea, and Chickpea Recipe
The Pure Harmony salmon recipe, which also contains peas and chickpeas, has the highest protein content out of the five recipes I tried, with an incredible 30% protein at guaranteed analysis.
This is because it uses salmon meat as the primary source of protein, alongside others like menhaden fish meal, dried egg product, and chickpeas.
The chickpeas also work with the peas to enrich this recipe with enough carbs to make up for the absence of grains, making this a well-rounded meal for your dog.
Nutrient Content
Method | Protein | Fats | Carbs | Fiber |
Guaranteed Analysis | 30% | 16% | N/A | 6% |
Dry Matter Basis | 33% | 18% | 42% | 7% |
Calorie Weighted Basis | 28% | 36% | 36% | N/A |
Ingredients List: Salmon, menhaden fish meal, peas, chickpeas, salmon meal, dehydrated alfalfa meal, sunflower oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), flaxseed, pea starch, salmon oil, natural salmon flavor, dried egg product, tomato pomace, carrots, cranberries, apricots, and minerals.
Ingredients Analysis
The bulk of the protein in this meal comes from three ingredients: salmon, salmon meal, and menhaden fish meal. There are no plant-based protein sources here except for chickpeas, which also contribute a great deal of carbs.
There’s also dehydrated alfalfa meal and tomato pomace here, which, as I mentioned before, aren’t ideal in dry dog food.
Lastly, this recipe contains pea starch, which is fine in small amounts due to its high iron and protein content, but avoid overfeeding it to your dogs since their bodies prefer animal protein sources.
- Controversial Ingredients: Dehydrated alfalfa meal, tomato pomace, pea starch, salmon meal, fish meal
- Estimated Meat Content: Salmon, salmon byproducts
Product Recalls – 0 Recalls
After researching and checking on the FDA’s recalls database, I couldn’t find anything to hold against Pure Harmony in this regard.
However, Save Mart, a popular retailer, records one recall of a Pure Harmony chicken, barley, and pea package in 2019. This isn’t due to any food safety issues, though, but rather because of a foul smell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pure Harmony Dog Food Approved by the AAFCO?
Yes, all the dog food recipes sold by Pure Harmony were designed to meet the nutritional criteria set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) for dogs up to 70 lbs (about 31 kg).o, both formulas of Wild Earth dog food contain grain products. However, not a single product in the line contains corn, soy, or wheat.
Is Chicken Meal Controversial in Dog Food?
Chicken meal, which consists of ground parts of hens like chicken liver, skin, bones, and some meat, is a frequent ingredient in dog food.
However, it can be controversial because the ratios of these ingredients aren’t fixed, and they can sometimes be full of fillers like chicken beaks and feet. However, high-quality chicken meal also exists.
Is the Grain-Free Lamb Recipe Better Than Recipes With Grains?
Unless your dog has allergies, then grain-free options won’t make a difference. In fact, small amounts of grains can be healthy for non-allergic dogs, and despite that, there are numerous popular myths about the harmful effects of grain-inclusive recipes on them, but none have been proven by science.
Is Yeast Culture Bad for My Dog?
Yeast cultures, which occur after yeast fermentation, can sometimes be added to dog food recipes to improve the availability of nutrients and assist with digestion, among other benefits.
However, yeast culture can be a controversial ingredient because labels rarely disclose what surface the yeast grew on.
The Bottom Line
Pure Harmony is an excellent dog food brand and can help you fulfill your pet care routine, but actually finding their products in a nearby market can be an off-putting struggle because, while I’ve heard of many of their dry food and wet food products, I couldn’t find much near me.
In any case, consider the nutrient contents of each package carefully before opting and think about how it suits your dog’s diet. For example, if your dog needs to lose a few pounds, you can go for the beef and brown rice recipe, which is low on calories.
In contrast, if you’re feeding a growing puppy, look for something high in carbs, such as the chicken, barley, and pea recipe.