Evolve is owned by Sunshine Mills Inc, which is a truly American family owned business founded in 1949. The company is based in Alabama and owns multiple manufacturing plants throughout the US. Their company slogan is “feeding the world’s love of their pets”. Originally, the company produced animal feed but over time shifted to only producing pet food. They focus on quality ingredients as well as affordable prices for consumers unable to drop hundreds of dollars on boutique organic brands.
Types of Evolve Dog Food
Evolve offers a relatively small selection of dog food. Most of their products are dry dog foods, with some wet food and treat options. Their line includes recipes that are grain-free and grain-friendly, though all are sufficiently balanced in terms of nutritional content that dogs need.
Their dry products include five original recipes for puppies, adults and senior dogs, in addition to specialty grain-free and limited-ingredient formulas for dogs with allergies or food sensitivities. Their wet recipes include a variety of unique recipes with both basic and more complex ingredients.
Check out our other recommendations for dog food for dogs with specialized dietary needs, including grain-free and low protein dog food. Additionally, we can provide recommendations for brands specifically formulated for small and large dog breeds.
Following is a complete list of Evolve’s dog food products:
Dry Recipes:
- Chicken & Rice Formula Puppy Food
- Chicken & Rice Formula
- Chicken & Rice Formula Senior
- Chicken, Sweet Potato & Chickpea Senior
- Lamb & Rice Formula
- Beef, Barley, & Brown Rice Formula
- Grain-Free Duck, Sweet Potato, & Venison
- Grain-Free Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe
- Grain-Free Turkey, Garbanzo Bean & Pea Recipe
- Simply Six Limited Ingredient Lamb Meal, Brown Rice & Pea
Canned Recipes:
- Chicken Formula Wet Food
- Lamb Formula Wet Food
- Turkey Formula Wet Food
- Nature’s Menu Chicken & Pasta Dinner in Gravy with Chicken & Spiral Pasta
- Nature’s Menu Hearty Stew with Beef, Carrots & Potatoes
- Nature’s Menu Holiday Harvest with Turkey, Duck, & Cranberries in Gravy
- Nature’s Menu Mountain Range Medley with Salmon & Venison in Sauce
Ingredients
All of Evolve’s dog food products are made with high quality, natural ingredients and no artificial colors or nasty by-products. They are also made without corn, wheat or soy. Like most high-quality dog foods, their recipes are centered around a variety of meats, carbohydrates and vegetables to ensure balanced nutrition for your pup. Chelated minerals, typically found in higher-quality dog food as they are attached to protein and easier to absorb, are included in their formulas. Dried fermentation products are also added, which are considered a high-quality ingredient and act as probiotics to support regular digestion and gut health.
Reading the ingredient list for their dog foods, it is easy to tell that each of their recipes are made up of primarily natural, whole foods. However, there are a couple of ingredients in their mixes that are sometimes considered “controversial”. Ingredients such as beet pulp and powdered cellulose are often considered to be cheap fillers, and brewers’ yeast can be an allergen for many dogs. However, we do not believe that any ingredients on the list are of any significant concern. It is also important to note that the brand uses more plant-based ingredients than some brands, mixing high-protein ingredients like peas and flaxseeds into their recipes as a supplement to animal proteins.
On average for Evolve’s dry food products, about 45 percent of calories are derived from carbohydrates, 25 percent from protein and 30 percent from fat. The fiver content is around 4.5 percent, which is on par for the recommended level in dog food. The brand does not provide any specific information on where their ingredients or sourced, or exactly where in the US they are manufactured.
Comparison to Other Leading Brands
Evolve is affordably priced for the quality. While they do not use the fanciest protein sources or superfood ingredients present in many high-end brands, this is a part of their commitment to keeping the brand affordable for their customers. Additionally, Evolve offers customers a 100% money back guarantee, so trying out their products is low risk. A 30-pound bag of original dry food costs between $35 and $50 and wet food costs about $2 per can. Their grain-free varieties are sold in smaller 12-pound bags for around $15.
Diamond offers comparable prices for similar quantities and formulas, with companies such as Taste of the Wild and Blue Buffalo being more expensive. Overall, Evolve is on the more affordable end of natural dog food brands.
Recall History
Evolve has not had any recalls in the recent past, and safety is one of the company’s top priorities. In fact, they have an impressively high safety standards and a top-notch quality assurance program. Their facilities boast SQF Level 3 Certifications, which is the highest level for food safety.
Coupons and Discounts
Evolve’s products can be purchased from a variety of online retailers, specialty pet stores and local chains. Large, online retailers such as Chewy and Amazon often offer the most competitive prices, as well as frequent sales and promotional deals. Purchasing directly from the Sunshine Mills online pet store is also a great option, and their newsletter, which you can sign up for on their website, often includes coupons sent right to your inbox.
Evolve Dog Food Review Conclusion
Overall, we give Evolve a rating of “great”. The company’s commitment to safety in every stage of production as well as keeping prices affordable shows their commitment to their customers. Their ingredients are for the most part exactly what you want to see in a natural dog food, without all the fancy ingredients that drive up costs. Evolve is a great brand that will provide everything most dogs need to be happy and healthy while having an affordable price tag.
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If you are still looking for more options, check out our other favorite dog food brands that really stood out across all categories.
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