Petaluma vs. Wild Earth: A Complete Comparison for Plant-Based Dog Owners
If your dog is currently eating Wild Earth, you've already cleared the biggest hurdle: you've committed to plant-based feeding. You know dogs don't need meat to thrive, and you've seen it work. But maybe you've heard about Petaluma's oven-baked food and wondered whether it's worth switching — or what would even be different. This post walks through exactly that: what separates the two brands, how the numbers stack up, and why a dog already on Wild Earth can typically make the switch with very little fuss.
Quick Answer
Petaluma and Wild Earth are both 100% plant-based and AAFCO-complete — but they differ significantly in how they're made. Wild Earth is extruded like conventional kibble; Petaluma is oven-baked, preserving whole food textures, natural flavors, and omega-3 fats that high-heat extrusion degrades. Because Wild Earth dogs are already adapted to high-fiber, plant-based eating, the switch to Petaluma is usually seamless — often just 3–5 days rather than a full week.
In This Article
Baked vs. Extruded: Why the Process Matters
Walk down any pet store aisle and every bag you pick up — regardless of brand, price point, or ingredient quality — was almost certainly made the same way: extrusion. It's the dominant manufacturing method in pet food because it's efficient. Ingredients are mixed into a wet mash, forced through a barrel under extreme heat and pressure, cut into those familiar round pieces, dried, then sprayed with fat and flavor coatings to restore palatability that was cooked out during processing.
Wild Earth uses extrusion. Their formulas are well-designed and use solid plant-based ingredients, but the manufacturing method is the similar as conventional dog food brands. With extrusion, all starches are fully gelatinized (which raises the glycemic response compared to baked food), omega-3 and omega-6 fats are more susceptible to degradation from the high heat, and ingredients are ground into a uniform paste before cooking rather than remaining as recognizable whole pieces.
Petaluma's baked food is made in conventional ovens — the same principle as baking at home. There's no extreme pressure, no gelatinization of all starches, no full homogenization of ingredients. The heat gradient moves from outside to inside, creating a browned, toasty exterior while the center sees less heat exposure. That gentler process means whole ingredients can survive intact: you can actually see visible pieces of carrot, oats, and peanut butter in every bag. The natural flavors in peanut butter and sweet potato aren't cooked out, so no synthetic flavor sprays are applied after baking. And omega-3 fats — which are particularly vulnerable to oxidation — stay intact in ways they can't under extrusion conditions.
| Petaluma (Oven-Baked) | Wild Earth (Extruded) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking method | Conventional oven, outside-in heat | High-pressure extrusion, inside-out heat |
| Ingredient texture | Whole pieces of carrot, oats, peanut butter visible in each bite | All ingredients ground into uniform paste before cooking |
| Glycemic impact | Lower — mix of slow- and fast-release carbohydrates | Higher — extrusion gelatinizes all starches to fast-release form |
| Omega-3 fats | Well preserved — low degradation and oxidation | Degraded and oxidized by high-heat processing |
| Flavor source | Natural flavors from peanut butter and sweet potato — no flavor additives needed | Contains "natural flavor" listed in ingredients |
| Water absorption | Absorbs water readily — can be softened by adding ⅓ cup water | Dense pellet structure resists softening |
Ingredient Comparison
One reason transitioning between these two brands is easy is that the ingredient profiles overlap substantially. Both use ingredients like potato protein, oats, and barley as core ingredients. Your dog's gut microbiome has already adapted to fermenting and processing these. The switch to Petaluma isn't starting from scratch — it's a variation on familiar territory.
Where Petaluma distinguishes itself is in organic sourcing and whole food density. Petaluma's adult baked food is made with 50% certified organic ingredients, and the senior formula contains 30% certified organic ingredients. Wild Earth does not use certified organic ingredients in any of its formulas. Petaluma also includes functional whole foods that wouldn't survive extrusion: diced carrots, organic pumpkin, and unsweetened applesauce appear as intact, visible ingredients rather than ground powders.
Petaluma Adult Baked Food — Full Ingredient List
Organic chickpeas, potato protein, dried brewers yeast, organic oats, organic barley, pea protein, organic peanut butter (organic peanuts), organic sweet potato, organic flaxseeds, roasted peanut oil, sunflower oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), diced carrots, miscanthus grass, organic brown rice syrup, baking powder, dried parsley, calcium carbonate, marine microalgae, organic kelp meal, dicalcium phosphate, minerals (zinc amino acid complex, iron amino acid complex, copper amino acid complex, manganese amino acid complex, sodium selenite), vitamins (vitamin E, vitamin A, niacin, d-calcium pantothenate, vitamin D3, riboflavin, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin B12, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid), turmeric, choline chloride, dl-methionine, cinnamon, allspice, taurine, salt, potassium chloride, ginger, L-carnitine, rosemary extract
Petaluma Senior Baked Food — Full Ingredient List
Chickpeas, potato protein, dried brewers yeast, organic oats, organic barley, pea protein, pumpkin, peanut butter (roasted peanuts), unsweetened applesauce (water, apples, ascorbic acid), organic flaxseeds, miscanthus grass, diced carrots, marine microalgae, sunflower oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), baking powder, roasted peanut oil, organic brown rice syrup, dried parsley, calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, organic kelp meal, glucosamine hydrochloride, minerals (zinc amino acid complex, iron amino acid complex, copper amino acid complex, manganese amino acid complex, sodium selenite), vitamins (vitamin E, vitamin A, niacin, d-calcium pantothenate, vitamin D3, riboflavin, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin B12, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid), dl-methionine, taurine, cinnamon, turmeric extract, black pepper, potassium chloride, ginger, salt, L-carnitine, rosemary extract
Wild Earth Maintenance Formula — Full Ingredient List
Barley, brown rice, grain sorghum, dried yeast, potato protein, millet, canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), sweet potato, flaxseed, dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, natural flavor, salt, safflower oil, potassium chloride, choline chloride, turmeric, taurine, L-carnitine, mixed tocopherols, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, sunflower oil, zinc proteinate, selenium yeast, vitamin E supplement, black pepper extract, iron proteinate, manganese sulfate, niacin supplement, copper sulfate, manganese proteinate, d-calcium pantothenate, copper proteinate, riboflavin, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin A supplement, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride, calcium iodate, folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D2 supplement, rosemary extract
Wild Earth Performance Formula — Full Ingredient List
Dried yeast, barley, oats, grain sorghum, potato protein, millet, canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), sweet potato, flaxseed, sunflower oil, dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, natural flavors, salt, safflower oil, potassium chloride, marine microalgae, choline chloride, taurine, inulin (chicory root), zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, fructooligosaccharide, mixed tocopherols, L-carnitine, vitamin E supplement, blueberries, cranberries, pumpkin, spinach, vitamin A supplement, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, niacin supplement, sodium selenite, d-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D2 supplement, calcium iodate, folic acid, rosemary extract
Interactive Tool
Ingredient Comparison
Toggle formulas, filter by shared/unique, or search any ingredient.
Source: feedpetaluma.com & wildearth.com, March 2026. "Organic" prefixes normalized for matching.
Source: feedpetaluma.com & wildearth.com, March 2026.
>One data point worth highlighting: Petaluma publishes independent laboratory digestibility results. The guaranteed analysis on any pet food label tells you what's in the bag — not how much your dog can actually absorb and use. Petaluma's formulas have been independently tested and confirmed at >90% protein digestibility. Wild Earth has not published equivalent digestibility data publicly, so a direct comparison on that metric isn't possible.Pricing & Value
Both brands sit at the premium end of the plant-based dog food market, which reflects the ingredient quality and formulation rigor both bring to the category. The most meaningful way to compare pricing is cost-per-cup, since calorie density determines how long a bag actually lasts. We've included $/cup and $/100kcal in both tables below. The $/100kcal column is the most direct comparison: it normalizes for calorie density so you're comparing true cost of energy delivered, not volume. Petaluma's adult baked food has 395 kcal/cup and the senior formula 365 kcal/cup; both Wild Earth formulas come in around 250 kcal/cup — so the sticker price gap is smaller than it first appears when measured by calories fed.
Petaluma's subscription pricing makes the math even friendlier: your first subscription order saves 20%, and every subsequent order saves 5%. You can pause, adjust frequency, or cancel anytime. If you'd rather try before you buy, free samples of both the adult and senior formulas are available — just $5 for shipping, or free with any order over $45.
Petaluma Baked Food (Adult & Senior — same price)
| Size | One-Time | $/cup | $/100kcal | First Sub (20% off) | $/cup | $/100kcal | Ongoing Sub (5% off) | $/cup | $/100kcal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 lb (~20 cups) | $36.95 | $1.85/cup | $0.47/100kcal | $29.56 | $1.48/cup | $0.37/100kcal | $35.10 | $1.76/cup | $0.44/100kcal |
| 10 lb (~40 cups) | $68.95 | $1.72/cup | $0.44/100kcal | $55.16 | $1.38/cup | $0.35/100kcal | $65.50 | $1.64/cup | $0.41/100kcal |
| 18 lb (~74 cups) | $98.95 | $1.34/cup | $0.34/100kcal | $79.16 | $1.34/cup | $0.27/100kcal | $94.00 | $1.27/cup | $0.32/100kcal |
| Sample | Free + $5 shipping — or free with any order over $45 | ||||||||
Wild Earth Dog Food
| Formula & Size | One-Time | $/cup | $/100kcal | Sub (orders 1–2: 15% off) | $/cup | $/100kcal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maintenance — 4 lb (~25 cups) | $24.99 | $1.00/cup | $0.40/100kcal | From $21.24 | $0.85/cup | $0.34/100kcal |
| Maintenance — 28 lb (~175 cups) | $125.00 | $0.71/cup | $0.29/100kcal | From $106.25 | $0.61/cup | $0.24/100kcal |
| Performance — 4 lb (~25 cups) | $29.99 | $1.20/cup | $0.48/100kcal | From $25.49 | $1.02/cup | $0.41/100kcal |
| Performance — 18 lb (~112 cups) | $99.00 | $0.88/cup | $0.35/100kcal | From $84.15 | $0.75/cup | $0.30/100kcal |
Certifications & Mission
Both brands exist because their founders believe food choices have consequences beyond the bowl. But the third-party verification of those commitments differs meaningfully.
Petaluma is a Certified B Corporation, which requires meeting rigorous independent standards across environmental, social, and governance criteria — not just a self-reported claim. Petaluma is also Climate Neutral Certified and a member of 1% for the Planet. The company is a family-owned and operated business based in Oakland, CA, founded and run by married co-founders Garrett Wymore and Caroline Buck. It's a bootstrapped, mission-driven small business where the founders are as invested in what goes in your dog's bowl as you are.
Wild Earth is venture-backed and has received significant media attention since its Shark Tank appearance. The company is passionate about plant-based feeding and sustainability, and has done meaningful work to grow the category. Petaluma differs in holding independent third-party certifications — B Corp, Climate Neutral, and 1% for the Planet — and in sourcing certified organic ingredients, which Wild Earth currently does not.
Why Transitioning from Wild Earth Is Easy
Digestive transitions happen when a dog's gut microbiome encounters something unfamiliar — different proteins, different fiber types, different fermentation substrates. When a dog moves from a meat-based diet to a plant-based one, there can be a real adjustment period of a week or more as the gut bacteria community shifts to handle higher fiber and different protein sources. That is not what's happening when a Wild Earth dog switches to Petaluma.
Your dog's microbiome has already adapted to fermenting potato protein, brewers/dried yeast, flaxseed, oats, and barley — all present in both diets. The same types of prebiotic fibers are present in both. The protein sources overlap significantly through grains and yeast. Petaluma is baked rather than extruded, which actually makes it more digestible per gram of protein — but that's a beneficial change, not a disruptive one. The most noticeable adjustment is likely to be the texture and the calorie density: baked food looks and feels different in the bowl, and you'll be feeding fewer cups. Most Wild Earth households find the transition takes three to five days rather than a full week.
Suggested transition schedule
| Day | Wild Earth | Petaluma |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–2 | 75% | 25% |
| Days 3–4 | 50% | 50% |
| Day 5+ | 0% | 100% |
One important note on cup quantities: because Petaluma has higher calorie density (395 kcal/cup for adult) than Wild Earth Maintenance (~248 kcal/cup), you will feed noticeably fewer cups per meal. Don't replicate your current Wild Earth cup amounts — use Petaluma's feeding guide and adjust over the first two weeks based on your dog's body condition.
Adult or Senior: Which Formula Is Right for Your Dog?
Wild Earth offers two formulas — Maintenance and Performance — but neither is specifically designed for senior dogs. Both are marketed as appropriate for all adult dogs, regardless of age. Petaluma offers one formula for adults and a separate formula purpose-built for seniors, making it the only plant-based brand with a senior-specific recipe. If your dog is approaching their golden years, this distinction matters.
| Your dog | Recommended formula | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Active adult, under senior threshold | Adult Baked — Roasted Peanut Butter & Sweet Potato | 27% protein, 13% fat, 50% organic, 395 kcal/cup. High energy for active adult dogs. |
| Small breed 10+ yrs / Medium 9+ yrs / Large 7+ yrs / Extra-large 5+ yrs | Senior Baked — Baked Pumpkin & Peanut Butter | 150mg glucosamine/cup, 450mg DHA/cup, 100mg curcumin/cup, 365 kcal/cup (vs 395), 9.5% fat (vs 13%), reduced sodium and phosphorus, added fiber from pumpkin. |
| Not sure which fits your dog | Order free samples of both formulas | Just cover shipping — try before you commit to a full bag. |
Ready to try Petaluma?
We offer a full refund on your first bag if you or your dog aren't satisfied. Try a free sample first, or jump in — the switch is easier than you think.
Shop Adult Baked Food Shop Senior Baked FoodFAQ
Is Petaluma the same type of food as Wild Earth?
Both are 100% plant-based, AAFCO-complete dry dog foods with overlapping ingredients. The key difference is manufacturing: Wild Earth is extruded while Petaluma is oven-baked — a gentler process that preserves whole food textures, natural flavors, and omega-3 fats. The result looks, feels, and smells different — and your dog will notice.
How long does the transition from Wild Earth to Petaluma take?
Because both foods share many of the same core ingredients — potato protein, yeast-based protein, oats, barley, flaxseed — your dog's gut is already adapted to the diet. Most Wild Earth dogs transition in 3–5 days rather than a full week. Follow the gradual schedule above (25% → 50% → 100% Petaluma), and adjust Petaluma cup quantities to match calories rather than volume.
Why am I feeding fewer cups of Petaluma than Wild Earth?
Petaluma's adult baked food has 395 kcal/cup, compared to roughly 248 kcal/cup for Wild Earth Maintenance. That means your dog gets the same daily calories from about half the volume. This is normal and expected — a smaller portion in the bowl doesn't mean your dog is eating less; it means the food is more calorie-dense. Refer to Petaluma's feeding guide on the product page for the correct daily amount for your dog's weight.
Does Petaluma have a formula designed for senior dogs?
Yes — and it's the first plant-based senior dog food formulated specifically for aging dogs. The Petaluma Senior Baked Food includes 150mg of plant-based glucosamine per cup for joint support, 450mg of DHA omega-3 from algae for brain health and inflammation, 100mg of concentrated curcumin extract per cup, 365 kcal/cup (vs. 395 in the adult formula) with reduced fat (9.5% vs. 13%), reduced sodium and phosphorus to support kidney health, and additional fiber from pumpkin. Wild Earth currently markets both of its formulas for all adult dogs rather than offering a senior-specific recipe.
Can I try Petaluma before committing?
Yes — free samples of both the adult and senior formulas are available at feedpetaluma.com; you just cover shipping. If you prefer to order a full bag, Petaluma offers a satisfaction guarantee: a full refund on your first bag if you or your dog aren't happy.
Sources
Petaluma Adult Baked Dog Food: feedpetaluma.com/products/adult-baked-dog-food
Petaluma Senior Baked Dog Food: feedpetaluma.com/products/baked-pumpkin-peanut-butter-flavor-baked-food-for-senior-dogs
Petaluma Nutrition Page: feedpetaluma.com/pages/nutrition
Wild Earth Maintenance Formula: wildearth.com/products/maintenance-formula-dog-food
Wild Earth Performance Formula: wildearth.com/products/performance-formula-dog-food
Dr. Blake Hawley Q&A on Petaluma Senior Formula: feedpetaluma.com/blogs/blog
