Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

KOHA Dog Food Review 2024: Pros, Cons & Recalls

Written by: Greg Iacono

Last Updated on August 15, 2024 by Dogster Team

Review Summary

Our Final Verdict

We give KOHA Dog food a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

KOHA Pet Food manufactures premium food for dogs with allergies and food sensitivities. Several things set KOHA apart from most premium dog food brands. First, KOHA doesn’t sell dog food through retail stores like PetSmart or online retailers like Chewy. Instead, KOHA sells directly to consumers. Also, KOHA focuses on wet dog food rather than dry kibble. Lastly, KOHA manufactures its dog food in three countries: the United States, Canada, and Thailand.

The biggest difference between KOHA and other brands is the price. On average, a 13-ounce can of Koha is approximately $4.20, which is about 35% higher than most other premium canned dog foods. Is KOHA worth the extra money? Read on to find out if KOHA is the right food for your dog. (Hint; we think it’s excellent!)

divider-dog paw

At a Glance: The Best KOHA Dog Food Recipes

Rating Image Product Details
Winner
KOHA Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey Entrée KOHA Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey Entrée
  • Easy to digest
  • Low in carbohydrates
  • Very high moisture content
  • Second place
    KOHA Minimal Ingredient Rabbit Stew KOHA Minimal Ingredient Rabbit Stew
  • Great for picky eaters
  • Several excellent, high-quality plant ingredients
  • Ideal for dogs with food sensitivities and digestive issues
  • Third place
    KOHA Lone Star Brisket Canned Food KOHA Lone Star Brisket Canned Food
  • Contains salmon oil
  • No preservatives or fillers
  • High in protein from a good source
  • KOHA Limited Ingredient Duck Diet Entrée KOHA Limited Ingredient Duck Diet Entrée
  • Ideal for extreme food sensitivities
  • Only one meat per recipe
  • Limited Ingredient Diet
  • KOHA Pure Shreds Shredded Chicken Breast & Beef Entrée KOHA Pure Shreds Shredded Chicken Breast & Beef Entrée
  • Ideal for picky eaters
  • Excellent choice for weight control
  • Protein-rich meal
  • KOHA Dog Food Reviewed

    In the last few years, many dog owners have been turning to “premium” dog foods to feed their pets rather than buying standard kibble from the local grocery store. Many folks want to give their dog high-quality, healthy dog food made from nutritious ingredients and not stuffed with fillers, additives, and preservatives.

    KOHA’s dog food recipes use high-quality proteins as their first ingredient, including the usual beef, pork, chicken, salmon, and lamb. However, KOHA also uses several proteins you won’t find in many dog foods from other brands, including duck, venison (deer), rabbit, guinea fowl, and even kangaroo. Most of the novel proteins are used in the recipes for dogs with allergies and sensitivity to certain foods.

    KOHA makes only canned, wet dog food and doesn’t have a dry kibble in its product line. They have four main dog food lines: Limited Ingredient, Minimal Ingredient, Slow Cooked Stews, and Pure Shreds. All four lines have at least three recipes, while their Stews have seven recipes.

    The recipes are high in protein and low in carbohydrates, and the Pure Shreds are also low in fat. All KOHA recipes are reviewed by a nutritionist with a Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition. Also, the staff involved in formulating the recipes have a degree in either animal science or nutrition.

    Who Makes KOHA Dog Food, and Where Is It Produced?

    KOHA Pet Food is the maker of KOHA dog food. Their parent company, Nootie, manufactures wellness products for pets. The KOHA company was founded by Lonnie and Jennifer Schwimmer, who wanted healthier dog food for their dog Ellie. Their corporate headquarters is located in Boca Raton, Florida. Although the HQ is in the USA, the canneries where KOHA dog food is made are in Canada and Thailand. The company openly admits this on their website1, saying that they do so to get the highest quality, texture, and protein in their dog foods.

    They also say exactly where the ingredients are sourced on their website. Some ingredients are sourced in the US, while others come from Canada, New Zealand, Thailand, France, Germany, Denmark, and the United Kingdom. Lastly, the lamb in their recipe is free-range, and the salmon is wild-caught.

    Which Type of Dog Is KOHA Dog Food Best Suited For?

    All four dog food lines manufactured by KOHA are made for dogs with allergies and food sensitivities. KOHA’s Limited Ingredient Diet Entrée line is for dogs with extreme food allergies and features one meat per can. The company’s Minimal Ingredient Stew recipes are for dogs with food allergies and have single meat options.

    Then there are KOHA’s Slow Cooked Stew recipes, which the company says are for picky eaters. Lastly, Pure Shreds are also made for picky eaters, are low in fat, and are all made with shredded chicken. In short, if your dog suffers from allergies, food sensitivities, or is a picky eater, KOHA dog foods will likely be an excellent choice.

    fluffy white dog with blue collar eating Ollie dog food chicken recipe

    Which Type of Dog Might Do Better with a Different Brand?

    The KOHA dog food brand was founded to provide high-quality food for dogs with allergies and pups that are fussy about their food. You can feed all of KOHA’s foods to dogs regardless of their sensitivity, allergy, or digestive issues. However, because of the methods, sourcing, and manufacturing of the KOHA products, they are expensive and aren’t available at normal retail outlets. That can be problematic for some people since the cost of shipping KOHA to your home increases the price even further, depending on where you live. If your dog doesn’t suffer from allergies or health problems, we suggest trying the following brands. All, like KOHA, feature quality ingredients and are canned, wet meals, including:

    Discussion of the Primary Ingredients

    Below we will take a closer look at the ingredients from our favorite KOHA recipe: Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey Entrée. We list them as they are listed on the ingredient label, starting with the first ingredient:

    • Turkey: Excellent protein that is rich in 10 essential amino acids.
    • Water: Water adds moisture and is a common and healthy ingredient, but it is not a nutrition source.
    • Pumpkin: This veggie is high in beta-carotene, which is great for your dog’s eyes. It also has fiber for digestion and complex carbs.
    • Flaxseed: Flaxseed has fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. One thing to note is that flaxseed also has a lot of protein, which could skew the protein analysis.
    • Turkey liver: Lean protein and a wide variety of vitamins and minerals are in turkey liver.
    • Chickpeas: Another healthy veggie with lots of fiber but also protein like flaxseed.
    • Aga: It is a natural, plant-derived thickener.

    The rest of the ingredients in the recipe are all in minuscule amounts and typically don’t affect the overall nutrition or rating of this KOHA recipe. However, there are three ingredients that we feel you need to know about:

    • Sodium selenite: Although it’s a common dog food ingredient, sodium selenite is problematic. It may cause toxicity in the blood, skin, liver, and central nervous system of dogs and other animals. Luckily, it’s a minimal ingredient used as a flavor enhancer.
    • Chelated minerals: Chelated minerals are easier to absorb and found in better dog foods.
    • Green-lipped mussels: The mollusks are very high in glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids: nutrients that provide long-term joint health for your dog.

    Canned Food Only

    KOHA doesn’t produce dry kibble; if your dog likes dry meals, you’ll have to purchase another brand and mix it with KOHA. Also, canned food doesn’t last as long after opening as dry food, which could be problematic if you have a smaller dog that doesn’t eat an entire can in one meal.

    Few U.S. Ingredients

    Very few of the ingredients are sourced from the United States. For some pet parents, that might be a sticking point, while it won’t make a big difference for others. However, the company is 100% transparent about its ingredient sources and manufacturing plants in Canada and Thailand, which we believe makes them an even better dog food company.

    bulldog eating fresh food
    Image By: Kabo, Unsplash

    Extra Protein

    KOHA uses several ingredients, including flaxseed and chickpeas, which are high in protein. The extra protein can distort the protein numbers on the ingredient and nutrition label. Dogs with kidney and liver disease and bladder stones might be negatively affected by dog food with too much protein.

    No Puppy Formulas

    As of now, KOHA does not produce recipes specifically for puppies. However, several of their recipes can be fed to puppies with no problem and provide adequate nutrition.

    divider-paw

    A Quick Look at KOHA Dog Food

    Pros
    • High-quality protein used in all KOHA Recipes
    • Various proteins are specifically included to help dogs with allergies, sensitive stomachs, and “picky” eaters.
    • 100% transparent company that explains everything about their ingredient sources and manufacturing on their website.
    • All KOHA recipes are made with the assistance of a nutritionist with a Ph.D. in animal nutrition.
    • All KOHA recipes are made with limited ingredients.
    • No grain, soy, corn, or potatoes are used in any of KOHA’s recipes
    • No preservatives or artificial colors
    • Easy to digest
    • Low in carbohydrates
    Cons
    • Not manufactured in the United States
    • One of the more expensive dog food brands
    • No recipes made for overall healthy dogs
    • No recipes are explicitly made for puppies
    • Unavailable to purchase at retail
    • No dry kibble recipes

    Recall History

    As of June 2024, KOHA Pet Food has no history of recalls of any kind recorded by the FDA.

    divider-paw

    Reviews of the 3 Best KOHA Dog Food Recipes

    Below we take a closer look at our three favorite KOHA dog food recipes of the 22 recipes that they currently offer:

    1. KOHA Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey Entrée

    KOHA Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey Entrée

    KOHA’s Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey Entrée is a nutritious dog food packed with quality ingredients. Like all KOHA recipes, it is grain-free, high in protein and healthy fats, and made from one meat, which in this case is turkey. The recipe is excellent for dogs with severe allergies and extreme food sensitivity. The turkey is sourced from the United States and Canada and is the first ingredient on the label. Turkey liver is the 4th ingredient, providing an excellent source of protein for your furry friend.

    Pros
    • High-quality protein is the 1st and 4th ingredient
    • Turkey is sourced from the USA and Canada
    • Made for dogs with allergies and food sensitivity
    • Easy to digest
    • Low in carbohydrates
    • Very high moisture content
    Cons
    • Not manufactured in the United States
    • Contains sodium selenite, which can cause toxicity problems at high levels
    • Expensive

    2. KOHA Minimal Ingredient Rabbit Stew

    KOHA Minimal Ingredient Rabbit Stew

    KOHA’s Minimal Ingredient Rabbit Stew uses rabbit as the first ingredient. Rabbit is known to be a “clean” protein that is good for dogs with food sensitivities and digestive problems. It’s also a great protein for picky dogs since it has a delicious (and different) flavor than other meats. Several excellent vegetable ingredients are in this KOHA recipe, including pumpkin, fenugreek seed, kale, ginger, and rosemary. Like all KOHA recipes, this one has no grain, corn, potato, or soy.

    Pros
    • High-quality “clean” protein is the first ingredient, and pork liver is the 3rd
    • Several excellent, high-quality plant ingredients
    • Ideal for dogs with food sensitivities and digestive issues
    • Great for picky eaters
    • Easy to digest
    Cons
    • Not manufactured in the United States
    • Very high moisture content
    • Contains sodium selenite, which can cause toxicity problems at high levels
    • Expensive

    3. KOHA Lone Star Brisket Slow Cooked Stew Beef Recipe

    KOHA Lone Star Brisket Slow Cooked Stew Beef Recipe

    KOHA’s slow-cooked stews are perfect for picky eaters since they have a savory taste that dogs love. Beef and beef broth are the first two ingredients, and it also has salmon oil for the omega-3 fatty acids it provides. Like the rest of KOHA’s recipes, this one has no fillers, grains, corn, or potatoes and no preservatives or artificial ingredients. Xanthan gum is the 8th ingredient and has been known to cause bloating and gas in high amounts.

    Pros
    • Perfect for picky eaters and dogs with digestive issues
    • High in protein from a good source
    • Beef is sourced from the US and Canada
    • No preservatives or fillers
    • No grains, corn, soy, or potatoes
    • Contains salmon oil
    • Several quality vegetables in the recipe
    Cons
    • Not manufactured in the United States
    • Contains sodium selenite, which can cause toxicity problems at high levels
    • Expensive

    What Other Users Are Saying

    • PetFood Reviewer– “KOHA dog food provides excellent nutrition that is high in animal-based protein and fat and low in plant-based carbohydrates.”
    • Dog Food Advisor– “Highly Recommended.”
    • Amazon- We’re pet owners ourselves and always check with Amazon to see what other dog owners are saying about the dog foods we review. However, reviews are limited since only a couple of KOHA recipes are now sold on Amazon.

    divider-dog

    Conclusion

    KOHA specializes in canned, wet dog food and makes no dry kibble, which might be a drawback if your dog likes dry food. It is minimally processed, easy to digest, and has a high moisture content. KOHA uses high-quality proteins as the first ingredient in all of the recipes. Even better, not a single KOHA recipe uses fillers like corn, potatoes, soy, or grains.

    One look at all the glowing reviews online will tell you that many pet parents love KOHA and like the results they‘ve seen. We’re glad to give KOHA our full recommendation and would give the company five stars if the prices weren’t so exorbitant. We recommend purchasing KOHA in bulk to reduce your overall cost.

    Related Reads:


    Featured Image Credit: KOHA Dog Food

    How useful was this post?

    Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

    Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

    Your feedback really matters.

    What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

    Leave a Reply

    You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

    PangoVet Image Speak With A Vet Online

    Get Dogster in your inbox!

    Stay informed! Get tips and exclusive deals.
    Dogster Editors Choice Badge
    Shopping Cart

    Pangolia

    © Pangolia Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved.