Heed Dog Food Review : Quality Pet Nutrition with Probiotics

What’s really in your dog’s food? You may think you know, but you haven’t done more than read the brand name and the recipe name, you’re probably in the dark.

The truth is pet food manufacturers can be misleading when it comes to the information on their packaging. Some brands are focused only on their own bottom lines and do what they can to make their products more appealing to pets and their parents without too much concern for the actual quality.

A reputable and trustworthy dog food company cares not only about the ingredients they use, but the nutrition they deliver. The digestibility of the dog food plays a key role as well.

Heed Foods is a dry dog food company that takes a unique approach to pet nutrition. Not only do they strive to use high-quality, natural ingredients to ensure complete and balanced nutrition, but they focus on digestibility as well. After all, what good do nutrients do if your dog can’t digest and absorb them?

It’s our goal to provide you with an honest review of Heed Foods to help you decide whether this brand might be the right fit for your dog. Read on to learn everything you need to know to make your choice.

Why You’ll Love Heed:

While some dog food companies are only focused on their bottom line, Heed is focused on your dog’s nutrition. Not only do they use the best ingredients nature has to offer, but they choose them for their digestibility. Heed dog food is designed to optimize your dog’s digestion, so he gets the maximum benefit from the nutrients he consumes – that means stronger immunity and better health. Though they only offer a limited selection of recipes at this time, it’s a brand well worth considering.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Heed Foods. You’ll learn everything you need to know to decide if this is the right one for you and for your dog. Read on!

History of Heed

The Heed Foods brand was started by two LA-based pet lovers, Rei and Melanie. Both business school grads, these dog lovers set out to solve a big problem with pet food – the fact that it’s difficult to judge the quality of what goes into the product itself.

Rei and Melanie got together with leading canine microbiologists and animal nutritionists to develop a line of products that is good for dogs, inside and out. At Heed Foods, everything is about gut health. Heed believes that what goes into your dog’s mouth is just as important as what you put in your own, and they strive to balance the scales.

Here’s what they have to say:

“Real, fresh meat will always be our #1 ingredient, and science will always be the foundation of our food. From the smallest vitamins to our largest sources of protein, everything in Heed maximizes nutrition. And is created with minimum waste.”

Simply put, if it isn’t nature, it isn’t Heed. Read on to learn more about this brand.

What Should You Know About Heed?

Now that you know a little more about the background of Heed Foods, it’s time to get into the details. Here’s everything you need to know about their dog food products and how to order:

What Products Do They Offer?

Heed does dog food differently. Rather than focusing on a specific flavor or ingredient, they focus on digestibility. The more digestible your dog’s food is, the more nutrients he’ll absorb and the healthier and happier he’ll be. After all, your dog’s digestion plays an important role in immunity and health.

Here’s what Heed has to say:

“Over 70% of your dog’s immune system lives in their gut. With prebiotic ingredients that improve immune responses after just one week, Heed will have your dog eating their way to immunity.”

Because Heed is so focused on making sure their recipes are formulated for digestibility and optimal nutrition, they don’t have as large a selection as some companies.

Here are the recipes Heed has to offer:

• Fresh Chicken and Ancient Grains Kibble
• Fresh Salmon and Quinoa Kibble
• Turkey, Banana & Carrot Freeze-Dried Topper
• Turkey, Apple & White Bean Freeze-Dried Topper
• Cod, Apple & Carrot Freeze-Dried Topper

Heed promises to have your dog’s best interest in mind. They comment that their recipes aren’t just about what goes into them, but also about what stays out. They don’t use any fillers or GMO meats and their products are completely free from artificial preservatives, flavors, and dyes.

Where is it Made?

All of Heed’s products are made in the United States. Though the company itself was created in LA, their products are made in Pawnee City, Nebraska. Heed produces their dry kibble through the process of extrusion and their food toppers and treats are freeze-dried.

Heed uses only non-GMO meat and seafood source in North America as the number one ingredient in every recipe. Furthermore, 99.9% of their ingredients are non-China sourced.

Here’s what Heed has to say about their formulations:

“We’ve partnered with the leading pet nutritionists to develop all of our recipes with an emphasis on digestive health and making sure your pup gets all the nutrients he/she needs to thrive. Our nutritionists created our base kibble recipe with a strong focus on: maintaining healthy digestive environment, maximizing food digestibility and efficiency, promoting beneficial bacteria development, and reducing pathogens presence.”

There is some concern about extruded dog food and the destruction of nutrients resulting from high heat. Heed maintains that their foods are exposed to elevated temperatures for only 5 to 10 seconds which maximizes the benefits of heating the food and minimizes the detrimental effect on nutrients.

That being said, the ingredients list for Heed dry food is fairly long. We noticed the addition of numerous vitamin and mineral supplements which is common in pet foods where processing results in significant nutrient destruction. It’s difficult to say how much this is really the case with Heed Foods, but it’s definitely something to consider when purchasing dry dog food.

How Much Does It Cost?

Cost is a factor for many pet parents, and you should know Heed is a fairly pricy brand. It costs more than the average kibble by a lot and it may not be within the budget for every pet parent.

When it comes to shopping for pet food, it’s important to consider more than just price. While price and quality are often equated, a high price tag doesn’t necessarily guarantee a high-quality product and you can certainly find dog foods that are affordable and decent in terms of nutrition.

So, how much does it cost to feed your dog Heed Foods?

Because Heed offers dry dog food, you purchase it by the bag – the cost is $34.99 for a 5-pound bag or $65 for a 10-pound bag. You can save an additional 10% by subscribing for regular deliveries. Your monthly or weekly cost will depend on your dog’s size and activity level which determines his daily calorie requirements. Heed can help you decide how much food you need per month.

Does Heed Have Any Recalls?

Though the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is usually the trusted organization when it comes to nutrition in pet foods, the FDA is still more in charge of monitoring safety.

If a pet food product doesn’t meet certain standards for quality or labeling, it may be subject to recall. The FDA has the authority to recall a product in response to customer complaints or their own testing, but a company can voluntarily recall a product if they discover the issue first. A dog food company with a lot of product recalls should raise your suspicion but remember that accidents do sometimes happen.

The good news is Heed Foods doesn’t have any recalls in their history. Again, this isn’t necessarily a guarantee of a quality brand, but it is certainly a good sign.

How Do You Order Heed?

One thing that separates Heed Foods from many of the fresh dog food companies we’ve reviewed is that you don’t necessarily need to start a subscription. Heed gives you the option to make a one-time purchase if you simply want to try the food out and you’re not ready to make a commitment. If you decide you like the food, you can subscribe to save an additional 10% per order.

If you choose to subscribe to Heed, you can choose from 5-pound or 10-pound bags of either recipe. Indicate how often you’d like to receive your order – every 3 weeks up to every 8 weeks – and adjust your order as needed by logging into your customer account. You can also contact customer service directly if you have questions or need to change your order.

Heed Dog Food Pros and Cons

Every dog is different and the best dog food for one pup may not be the perfect pick for another. Heed Foods is a great option for dogs with digestive issues due to its focus on gut health. Every recipe is made with real animal protein and nutritious grains, formulated to deliver complete and balanced nutrition. That being said, there are downsides to every dog food brand out there.

We recommend you do your own research on any brand of dog food you’re considering, but we’ve done our best to give you an honest and unbiased look at Heed. Here’s a quick overview of the pros and cons for the brand so you can get a big picture of Heed:

Here are some of the pros for Heed:

• High-quality, 100% natural ingredients and balanced nutrition
• Real meat sourced from North American as the first ingredient
• Formulated to support digestive health and immunity
• No fillers, GMO meats, artificial preservatives, flavors, or dyes
• Choose from a one-time purchase or subscribe and save for 10% off

Here are some of the cons for Heed:

• One two recipes for kibble and no grain-free options available
• May be significantly more expensive than some kibble brands
• Shipping isn’t free (standard shipping fee is $5 in the U.S.)

What it really comes down to is deciding whether the benefits outweigh the potential drawbacks for you and your dog. Heed Foods is a great product, but it is a little on the expensive side and may not be within the budget for every dog owner. If your dog suffers from digestive issues, however, it’s definitely worth considering either way. Best of luck!

Heed Raw Dog Food FAQs

Is Heed grain-free?

No, Heed doesn’t offer grain-free dry food recipes. They have two recipe choices at the moment, one chicken and one fish, both made with grains like pearled barley, brown rice, and oat groats. Though these recipes aren’t grain-free, many dogs tolerate them well because ancient grains are more nutritious and digestible than low-quality grains like corn, wheat, and soy.

Is Heed a good option for dogs with food allergies?

It really depends what your dog is allergic to. Some of the most common dog food allergies are for common proteins like chicken and fish – if your dog is allergic to these, Heed Foods isn’t for him. Heed may also not be the ideal choice if your dog is sensitive or allergic to grains. If you know what your dog is allergic to and these ingredients aren’t an issue, however, Heed may help your dog recover his healthy digestion which will improve his overall health.

How do I get samples of Heed dog food?

Heed doesn’t offer free samples, but they do offer a satisfaction guarantee on their products. Simply make a one-time purchase or start a subscription and if you don’t like it, return the product. Heed offers a full refund on your first bag if returned within 14 days.

Can I control my subscription online?

Yes, you’ll create a customer account when you place your first order and you can log in later to adjust the frequency of your delivery or make changes to your recipe selection, bag size, or number of bags. You can also contact customer service directly with other concerns.

Is Heed Foods good for puppies?

Yes, Heed Foods is formulated to exceed AAFCO food nutrient profiles for dogs in all life stages, including puppies. That being said, Heed doesn’t recommend their products for large-breed puppies (over 70 pounds). You can always contact customer service before ordering to double-check.