Written By: Tiffany Ruiz Dasilva, VMD, cVMA | Professional Services Veterinarian, Wild Earth

With two new amazing formulas to choose from, you may be wondering which is best for your dog. In this article I will be breaking down the key differences between our Maintenance and Performance Formulas to help you make your decision.

The Similarities

Before diving into those differences though, let’s focus on how our formulas are similar. Well, both have complete & balanced nutrition for your adult dog. This means that both formulas are formulated to not only meet but exceed the nutritional requirements for adult dogs, providing the necessary protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals dogs need to thrive. Both of our formulas are also 100% plant-based and free from the top 5 main food allergens for dogs - that means no beef, chicken, dairy, wheat or lamb.

While they may differ in some of their ingredients, both contain healthy whole food ingredients. Dried yeast and potato protein contribute to the protein content of both foods. Interestingly, dried yeast contains all ten essential amino acids dogs need and is incredibly sustainable to produce. As for fat, both formulas contain flaxseed, safflower oil, and canola oil in order to provide the right balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. And to provide healthy energy and fiber, both Maintenance and Performance formulas contain sweet potatoes as well as ancient grains barley, sorghum, and millet which are nutrient packed. All of our formulas also contain L-carnitine, taurine and choline for heart and brain health.

At Wild Earth we not only want what’s best for your dog, but we care about the planet also, which is why our new formulas come in sustainable (and recyclable) packaging.

The Differences

Now that you know the similarities between our Maintenance and Performance Formulas, let’s take a closer look at their key differences because, after all, that will help you make your decision. When it comes to ingredients, our Maintenance Formula contains limited ingredients which may be better for those dogs more prone to food sensitivities. It also contains turmeric which has been shown to be linked to heart health. Our Performance Formula, on the other hand, contains a variety of ingredients such as blueberries, cranberries, spinach, oats, and pumpkin. Performance also contains prebiotic fiber for further support of digestive health.

Both of our formulas contain more than enough protein, with our Maintenance Formula containing 23% and our Performance Formula containing 28% protein. Higher protein is typically better for those more active dogs and those older dogs who may need a bit more help maintaining their lean muscle mass. Our Performance Formula can also help support older dogs as it contains DHA which supports brain development and function. As for fat, our Maintenance Formula contains 9% and Performance contains 11%.

Making the Right Choice

Whichever formula you choose, both are drool-worthy and formulated to meet your adult dog’s nutritional needs. Our Maintenance Formula comes in two mouth-watering flavors- classic roast which has strong notes of smokiness and black pepper that are commonly associated with beef, and golden rotisserie which has a poultry-like flavor with hints of rosemary. As for our Performance formula, it comes in a veggie chicken kabob flavor, similar to our golden rotisserie flavor. Don’t worry, all of our products are completely free of all animal sourced ingredients.

I hope I was able to help you make your decision. If you still can't decide, we have an amazing build your meal plan tool that will give you a product recommendation and a feeding recommendation based on your dog’s specific health goals.

No matter which you choose, you can be confident that we use only high quality ingredients to deliver the nutrients your dog needs to live a healthy and happy life. Please remember to follow the transition guide to ensure your dog’s tummy gets used to the food. Along the same lines, for those of you who are wondering whether you can switch between the formulas or mix them, it is best not to as their protein and fat contents are very different- and therefore switching between formulas can upset your dog’s stomach. The good news is that you can switch between flavors!