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The short answer: Holistic Select wins by 11 points (A/90 vs B/79). The gap is structural: Holistic Select carries triple marine omega-3 sources (sardine meal, anchovy oil, salmon oil), live Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium probiotic cultures, and superfood inclusions (pumpkin, papaya, aloe vera) that Dave's Naturally Healthy does not match. Dave's holds value on turmeric inclusion and family-mill heritage but lands a clear tier below on supplement depth.

The scores

Dave's Pet Food Naturally Healthy Adult Dry: B (79/100) — Chicken Meal, Ground Barley, Ground Oats, Ground Brown Rice, Chicken Fat.

Holistic Select Adult Health Anchovy, Sardine & Salmon Meal: A (90/100) — Sardine Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Chicken Meal, Pearled Barley.

How the ingredients compare

The top-five ingredients reveal the formulation split between these two brands:

Dave's: Chicken Meal, Ground Barley, Ground Oats, Ground Brown Rice, Chicken Fat

Holistic Select: Sardine Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Chicken Meal, Pearled Barley

The 11-point gap (Holistic Select wins by 11 points) shows where the v15 rubric weights ingredient breadth, protein density, and supplement depth differently.

Where Dave's pulls ahead

Turmeric inclusion: Dave's Naturally Healthy is one of the few B-tier kibbles to include turmeric (curcumin) for anti-inflammatory and oxidative-stress support. Holistic Select Adult Health does not include it. Shop on Amazon →

Whole chicken in the top six: Dave's carries fresh chicken at #6 in addition to chicken meal at #1, giving the formula both meal-density and fresh-muscle protein in the top positions. Holistic Select leads with sardine meal followed by brown rice and oatmeal before reaching chicken meal at #4.

Lower price point: Dave's Naturally Healthy typically prices roughly 15–25% below Holistic Select Adult Health per pound. For owners shopping the quality-value segment without ready budget for the A-tier premium, Dave's is the more accessible price point.

Where Holistic Select holds its own

Triple marine omega-3 sources: Sardine meal at #1, anchovy oil, and salmon oil supply three independent marine EPA/DHA sources. Dave's relies on salmon at #12 and flaxseed for the omega-3 contribution — meaningfully shallower marine omega-3 delivery. Shop on Amazon →

Live probiotic cultures: Holistic Select adds live Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium animalis, and other named bacterial fermentation products to the formula. Dave's relies on yeast culture for digestive support without named bacterial strains. For dogs with GI sensitivity, this is a real difference.

Superfood inclusions: Pumpkin (digestive fiber), papaya (digestive enzymes), and aloe vera supplement the Holistic Select panel in ways Dave's does not. The whole-food vegetable inclusion is broader on Dave's (carrots, sweet potatoes, berries), but the digestive-support superfoods are a structural Holistic Select advantage.

The bottom line

Holistic Select wins by a clear 11 points (A/90 vs B/79). The gap is real: triple marine omega-3 sources, live named probiotic cultures, digestive-support superfoods. Dave's Naturally Healthy is a defensible B-tier pick at its lower price point with turmeric and whole-chicken-at-#6 as the within-tier highlights. For owners prioritizing functional supplement depth and marine omega-3 coverage, Holistic Select earns the price premium. For owners shopping the family-mill segment at the quality-value price point, Dave's remains a sensible B+ choice.