The scores
Nutro: B (77/100) — Wholesome Essentials Adult formula with chicken, chicken meal, whole brown rice, brewers rice, and rice bran as the top five ingredients.
Wholehearted: B (77/100) — Grain-Free All Life Stages formula with chicken, chicken meal, peas, pea starch, and pea protein leading the ingredient list.
How the ingredients compare
The first two ingredients are identical — chicken and chicken meal — which means both formulas start with a real animal protein followed by a concentrated protein source. Chicken meal is whole chicken that’s been rendered and dried, removing the water weight, so it’s actually a more concentrated protein source by weight than fresh chicken. Having both forms in the top two positions is a solid foundation that many mid-tier brands share.
Nutro: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Brown Rice, Brewers Rice, Rice Bran…
Wholehearted: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas, Pea Starch, Pea Protein…
After those first two positions, the formulas diverge completely. Nutro fills slots #3 through #5 with three different rice-derived ingredients: whole brown rice, brewers rice, and rice bran. Wholehearted fills those same slots with three pea-derived ingredients: whole peas, pea starch, and pea protein. In both cases, you’re looking at a single plant family dominating the carbohydrate and filler portion of the formula — just different plant families.
This is a classic case of “ingredient splitting” on both sides. If you combined Nutro’s three rice ingredients into one “rice” entry, rice would almost certainly outweigh chicken as the #1 ingredient by total volume. Similarly, if Wholehearted’s three pea derivatives were listed as a single “pea” ingredient, peas would likely dominate the formula. Both brands use the same labeling strategy — splitting a single source into multiple named ingredients to keep chicken at the top of the list.
Where Nutro pulls ahead
Grain-inclusive with a gentler digestive profile: Rice is one of the most easily digestible carbohydrate sources for dogs. Veterinarians routinely recommend bland rice-based diets for dogs recovering from digestive upset, and for good reason — rice produces minimal gas, is gentle on the gut lining, and is rarely associated with food sensitivities. Nutro’s rice-heavy formula is well-suited for dogs with sensitive stomachs or those transitioning from a different food. Brown rice in particular retains its bran layer, providing natural fiber and B vitamins that white rice lacks.
No DCM-linked carbohydrate concerns: The FDA’s ongoing investigation into a potential link between grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs has created legitimate concern around legume-heavy formulas. While the science is still inconclusive and no causal link has been definitively proven, the FDA has specifically flagged peas, lentils, and potatoes as ingredients of interest in DCM-reported diets. Nutro’s grain-inclusive approach sidesteps this concern entirely. For owners who want to avoid even the possibility of DCM risk, a rice-based formula is the safer bet.
More carbohydrate diversity within its grain base: While Nutro does stack three rice ingredients, there’s meaningful nutritional variety between them. Whole brown rice provides complex carbohydrates and fiber. Brewers rice is a more processed, quickly digestible energy source. Rice bran is the nutrient-dense outer layer, rich in vitamin E, manganese, and healthy fats. Together, they provide a broader nutritional profile than three forms of the same legume. Pea starch and pea protein, by contrast, are heavily processed derivatives of the same whole ingredient with much of the natural nutrition stripped out. Shop on Amazon →
Where Wholehearted holds its own
Higher total protein from plant sources: Pea protein is a concentrated protein isolate that significantly boosts the formula’s total protein percentage. While plant-based protein isn’t as bioavailable as animal protein for dogs, it does contribute to the overall amino acid pool. For active dogs or breeds with higher protein requirements, the additional protein — even from plant sources — provides more building blocks for muscle maintenance and repair. Wholehearted’s guaranteed analysis typically shows a higher crude protein percentage than Nutro’s, partly because of this pea protein inclusion.
Grain-free option for dogs with grain sensitivities: While true grain allergies in dogs are rare (protein allergies are far more common), some dogs do exhibit sensitivity to grains — particularly wheat, though rice sensitivities exist too. For dogs that have been diagnosed with a grain intolerance through an elimination diet supervised by a veterinarian, Wholehearted provides a complete formula that avoids all grains. The “All Life Stages” designation also means it’s AAFCO-formulated for puppies through seniors, offering flexibility for multi-dog households.
Petco’s house brand with strong availability and value: Wholehearted is Petco’s private label brand, which means it’s typically priced 15–25% below comparable name-brand grain-free formulas. For owners who have specifically chosen grain-free feeding and want to maximize ingredient quality per dollar, Wholehearted delivers a B-grade formula at a price point that undercuts most competitors. The Petco distribution network also means consistent availability — no hunting for stock at specialty retailers. Shop on Amazon →
The bottom line
This is a true tie between two B-grade formulas that represent fundamentally different feeding philosophies. Both use the same protein foundation (chicken + chicken meal) and both rely heavily on a single plant family for their carbohydrate base — rice for Nutro, peas for Wholehearted. The choice comes down to which approach you prefer for your dog.
If you want a grain-inclusive formula that avoids the DCM conversation entirely and offers gentle digestibility, Nutro is the pick. If your dog has been diagnosed with grain sensitivities or you’ve specifically chosen grain-free feeding after consulting your vet, Wholehearted delivers solid quality at a competitive price. Neither formula is a clear winner — they just serve different dogs and different owner preferences at the same quality level.