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Essence vs Holistic Select

Essence vs. Holistic Select

In this comparison article for Essence vs Holistic Select, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Essence and Holistic Select, we'll use up-to-date nutritional and price information.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best pet food brand for your pet. Factors such as ingredient quality, guaranteed analysis, product safety, brand history, and cost are among the most important factors to consider.

Throughout this Holistic Select vs Essence comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Essence Review Page or Holistic Select Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Holistic Select vs. Essence

According to AAFCO, all pet food labels must provide a guaranteed analysis of nutrient content. The analysis must provide guaranteed minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.

All percentages used in this comparison are averages reported on a dry matter basis.

Essence Dog Food vs. Holistic Select Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodEssenceHolistic Select
Crude Protein40.9%31.4%
Crude Fat19.3%15.9%
Crude Fiber5.7%5.8%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodEssenceHolistic Select
Crude Protein46.2%54.5%
Crude Fat32.6%27.3%
Crude Fiber6.0%4.5%

Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food

Protein is an extremely important part of your dog's diet. Without sufficient protein, dogs can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.

When you look at the average percentages of crude protein for dry dog food, it's clear that Essence provides significantly more protein. On average, Essence guarantees about 9.46% more protein than Holistic Select. Similarly, Holistic Select wet dog foods provide significantly more protein than Essence wet foods.


Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food

Fats are an absolutely vital component of a balanced canine diet. Not only do fats provide energy, but they also serve important roles in the normal development and function of your dog's body. For example, fats help dogs produce prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation among many other significant functions.

According to our data, Essence guarantees 3.41% more fat than Holistic Select. Although this difference is relatively small, it's still a notable difference. In addition, Essence wet dog foods also provide more fat than Holistic Select wet foods.


Essence and Holistic Select both provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet dog food, Essence and Holistic Select also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

Essence Cat Food vs. Holistic Select Cat Food

Dry Cat FoodEssenceHolistic Select
Crude Protein44.1%37.0%
Crude Fat18.5%18.1%
Crude Fiber4.8%4.3%
Wet/Canned Cat FoodEssenceHolistic Select
Crude Protein46.2%47.3%
Crude Fat31.8%30%
Crude Fiber4.8%4.5%

Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food

Protein is an extremely important part of your cat's diet. Without sufficient protein, cats can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.

Our analysis shows that Essence guarantees 7.04% more protein than Holistic Select dry cat food recipes. For wet cat foods, Holistic Select and Essence provide roughly the same amount of protein.


Crude Fat Comparison For Cat Food

There are many ways in which dietary fat contributes to the overall health of our feline friends. Here is a short list of benefits provided by fats (not exhaustive):

  • Fats help with the digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
  • Reduce inflammation associated with arthritis
  • Slow the growth of yeast infections
  • Prevent or reduce the likelihood of certain heart problems.
  • Aid in the development of the retina and visual cortex.

There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fat content of the two brands. With regards to wet cat food, Essence and Holistic Select also provide roughly the same amount of crude fat.


Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet cat food, Essence and Holistic Select also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

Essence Pet Food Ingredients vs. Holistic Select Pet Food Ingredients

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Holistic Select.

Canola Oil
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)

We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.

Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Holistic Select.

Menadione Sodium Bisulfite

Product Safety: Recall History of Essence & Holistic Select?

According to our records, neither brand has issued any product recalls. Therefore, consumers have no reason to question the safety of Essence or Holistic Select pet food products.

Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?

Dry Dog FoodEssenceHolistic Select
Per Pound$4.11$3.33
Per Calorie$0.0024$0.0020
Wet Dog FoodEssenceHolistic Select
Per Pound$4.99$4.87
Per Calorie$0.0090$0.0086

The average cost-per-lb is heavily influenced by the varying amounts of moisture present in each brand's food products (wet vs. dry food, dry vs. freeze-dried food, etc). However, the average cost-per-kcal eliminates the influence of moisture. Therefore, the average cost-per-kcal is the better metric to consider.

If you'd like to calculate the average cost-per-day or cost-pet-year of feeding Essence or Holistic Select, input your pet's weight into our cost analyzer widget.

Averages price data can identify whether or not there exists a significant price difference between two brands. However, the actual price that you'll pay for Essence or Holistic Select will depend on your shopping habits.

Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for Essence and Holistic Select. In addition, we currently have some great coupons for our readers.


Disclosure: PawDiet has an affiliate relationship with stores featured (or linked-to) in this article. We are compensated for referring customers. Thank you for shopping with our retail partners!

Where To Buy Essence Pet Foods

You can purchase Essence pet foods from the following stores:


12 Recipes In-Stock Today

13 Recipes In-Stock Today

Where To Buy Holistic Select Pet Foods

You can purchase Holistic Select pet food products from these retailers:


16 Recipes In-Stock Today

14 Recipes In-Stock Today

16 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductEssenceHolistic Select
Dry Dog Food6 Recipes16 Recipes
Wet Dog Food6 Recipes3 Recipes
Dog TreatsNoneNone
Dry Cat Food3 Recipes3 Recipes
Wet Cat Food3 Recipes5 Recipes
Cat TreatsNoneNone

Top Rated Essence Recipes

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Original Ranch & Meadow Recipe For Dogs
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Original Air & Gamefowl Recipe For Dogs (Canned)
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Original Air & Gamefowl Recipe For Cats
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Original Ranch & Meadow Recipe For Cats (Canned)
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Top Rated Holistic Select Recipes

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Adult Health Anchovy & Sardine and Salmon Meals Recipe
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Grain Free Canned Lamb Pate Recipe
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Grain Free Indoor Health / Weight Control Turkey Meal Recipe
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Grain Free Canned Ocean Fish & Tuna Pate Recipe
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