Although our canine companions sometimes make less than desirable food choices (such as consuming feces from various animals), it is reassuring to know that they are receiving a satisfactory meal twice a day at the very least. While high-quality dog food should provide all the necessary nutrients for our furry friends, many brands include unnecessary additives and preservatives. Fortunately, our top choice for natural dog food, as well as a few other notable options, are free from any harmful ingredients, ensuring that your beloved dog consumes only the best. Additionally, if you are interested in spoiling your pooch without any unhealthy extras, take a look at these homemade dog treats.
Curious about how we created this compilation of the finest natural dog foods? To begin with, we exclusively consider natural dog foods that adhere to the regulations set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, which stipulate that natural dog food should consist solely of ingredients obtained from plant, animal, or mined sources. Consequently, all the natural dog foods featured on this list are devoid of artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Moreover, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires that natural food products have a moisture content of at least 70%, undergo minimal processing, and resemble actual food. Hence, our list includes a greater proportion of wet food compared to dry dog food for that very reason.
Best organic food for dogs overall – Tender & True Organic Chicken Dry Dog Food
This dog food is the winner when it comes to being the top pick for both natural and organic options. To qualify as organic, the US Department of Agriculture requires that 95% of the ingredients in the dog food meet organic standards, and this Tender & True brand meets that requirement. It is made from a combination of organic ingredients, with cage-free chicken as the primary ingredient, along with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Additionally, this dog food does not contain any artificial colors or flavors. Furthermore, it is free from corn, wheat, and soy, which makes it suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Best all-natural dog food – Spot & Tango
Wet food is usually processed at lower temperatures and has fewer preservatives, making it the most natural option. Spot & Tango is next on our list of the top natural dog foods. They make small batches of fresh food using high-quality ingredients. Pet owners can choose from Turkey & Red Quinoa, Beef & Millet, and Lamb & Brown Rice. Each recipe is free of artificial preservatives, fillers, and additives. They also offer “UnKibble” recipes that align with the same principles as wet food. They emphasize that UnKibble is not extruded and does not contain meat meals or powdered ‘mystery meats’ like most dry kibble on the market.
Best organic wet dog food – Castor & Pollux Organix Grain-Free Organic Chicken & Vegetable Recipe
Castor & Pollux, leaders in organic pet foods, produce their dog food in a certified organic kitchen in small batches. This wet dog food is free from corn, wheat, soy, preservatives, and artificial colors, and also includes probiotics to aid in promoting a healthy digestive system.
Best organic dry dog food – Castor & Pollux Organix Dry Dog Food Organic Chicken Recipe
Giving dry dog food a chance on this list of the best organic dog food is well-deserved because sometimes it is the top choice for your dog. This recipe is packed with nutrients and contains superfoods like organic flaxseed, organic blueberries, and organic sweet potato (it’s a mouthful indeed!). The inclusion of responsibly grown ingredients, free-range chicken, and avoidance of synthetic fertilizers or chemical pesticides shows great care.
Best natural wet dog food – Purina Beyond Natural Wet Dog Food
The fact that the way to a dog’s heart is through its stomach is widely known. This is why the number one ingredient in this delicious mixture is chicken, but not just any chicken. It is chicken that has been raised without the use of steroids or hormones, which are not appetizing for your furry friend. This recipe is also abundant in fiber and natural probiotics, and it is free from corn, wheat, soy, poultry-by products, or any other artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. How delightful!
Best natural dry dog food – Orijen Dog Original Recipe
The first five ingredients of this dog food are fresh, raw animal-based proteins, which are made from 85% premium animal ingredients. Orijen follows a Wholeprey diet philosophy that aims to provide pups with high-quality animal proteins similar to those their ancestors would have consumed in the wild. We find this quite impressive!
Best natural dog food for senior dogs – Diamond Naturals Dry Senior Dog Food
Support for the immune system is provided by various fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamins, as well as antioxidant superfoods like blueberries and spinach. The recipe also includes glucosamine and chondroitin to assist in supporting the joints and cartilage of senior dogs. Additionally, complete nutrition for senior dogs is achieved through the inclusion of cage-free chicken and other protein sources, which help in strengthening bones and muscles. The skin and coat of the dog are kept healthy by omega fatty acids such as flaxseed and chia seed.
Best organic dog food for puppies – Castor & Pollux Organix Puppy Recipe
Once again, it is a Castor & Pollux product, containing organic, free-range chicken as the main ingredient. This dog food supplies all the essential nutrients required for puppies to develop into robust and fit adult dogs.
Best dehydrated natural dog food – The Honest Kitchen Human Grade Dehydrated Grain Free Dog Food
You can easily prepare this dehydrated dog food by adding a small amount of water and then waiting for three minutes, during which Fido will surely start salivating. This dog food is made with high-quality ingredients that are minimally processed and suitable for human consumption (although it’s not advisable for pet parents to taste it). It is a tasty blend of actual ingredients, including free-range chicken, green beans, organic flaxseed, and organic kelp.
Best hypoallergenic dog food – Canidae Pure Limited Ingredient Premium Adult Dry Dog Food
If your puppy often has stomach problems, it is crucial to give them a hypoallergenic dog food. This type of food reduces the chances of developing allergies and intolerances. It is made with fewer than ten ingredients that are easily identifiable. This grain-free dog food contains real salmon and sweet potato, along with antioxidants and probiotics. These components are ideal for dogs that are sensitive.
How to determine the best food for your dog
When choosing your dog’s food, the most important factors for their health are if it is nutritionally complete and balanced, and if you are giving them the right amount based on their size and weight. Dr. Megan Shepherd, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and owner of Veterinary Clinical Nutrition, PLLC, emphasizes the importance of considering both the information on the label and additional information when selecting your pet’s food.
The label on pet food contains the AAFCO statement, which shows the nutrition adequacy and specifies the species and life stage the food is intended for. This statement can be backed up by either formulation or feeding tests. However, it is also crucial to consider what is not on the label. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has established the Global Nutrition Guidelines, which suggest looking into the brand to find out who is responsible for formulating and manufacturing the product. Additionally, it is important to determine whether the company regularly tests its finished products for nutrient content, pathogens, and other substances that should not be present in dog food.
Dr. Brian Roberts, a veterinarian certified by the board and serving as the regional medical director in the Mid-Atlantic region for VCA Animal Hospitals, emphasizes the significance of having veterinarians on staff or, to be more precise, veterinary nutritionists who are certified in that particular field. Furthermore, Dr. Roberts highlights the importance of brands investing in research to provide the best diets.
Here, we outline the essential factors that specialists recommend taking into account while purchasing top-notch dog food.
Meeting AAFCO nutrition standards
According to our experts, it is a consensus that all beneficial dog food will satisfy the nutrition standards set by AAFCO. “In order to ascertain whether a pet food fulfills the nutritional requirements of your pet, you can refer to the nutritional adequacy statement mentioned on the label. If this statement includes the phrase ‘complete and balanced,’ it indicates that the product is meant to be the pet’s only diet and should be nutritionally sound,” Roberts explains.
On the back label (in small font), you can find the statement which is considered one of the most important aspects of a dog or cat food label by the FDA. This statement ensures that everything you feed your dog is a form of dog food that is nutritionally complete, thanks to the AAFCO.
AAFCO has officials responsible for establishing standards, definitions, and policies for the sale and distribution of pet food and other animal feeds. However, it is important to note that despite being a voluntary membership association, AAFCO does not regulate, test, approve, or certify pet food. Therefore, it is incorrect to refer to any brand or product as “AAFCO approved.”
Ingredients and palatability
Dr. Richard Hill, an associate professor at the University of Florida Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences and a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, advised dog owners to shift their attention from the specific ingredients to the nutrients their furry friends derive from those ingredients when seeking the optimal food for their dogs.
According to experts, the ingredient list can provide insight into the nutrients your dog can obtain from their meal. The AAFCO mandates that the ingredient list must present all components in order of quantity, with the first three being the most important. This will assist you in distinguishing whether the formula is predominantly composed of vegetables such as corn and rice or centered around meat like chicken, fish, or lamb.
AAFCO has gone into depth about common pet food labels, as well as developing several safety standards for ingredients used in pet food.
- Organic food needs to follow production and handling requirements set by the USDA’s National Organic Program — which regulates all organic crops, livestock and agricultural products — to be recognized by the association.
- Human-grade has no real definition in any animal feed regulations because very few pet food products can be officially considered edible by humans, AAFCO says.
- Natural food has to be derived solely from plant, animal or mined sources and cannot be produced by a chemically synthetic process (although ingredients can contain trace amounts of chemically synthetic compounds and still be considered natural).
According to Roberts, some argue that natural ingredients such as whole chicken are superior to processed alternatives like chicken meal, but the truth is that both originate from the same source – chicken meal is simply chicken that has been dehydrated.
There are certain ingredients that you should steer clear of — one of the main ones commonly found in commercial pet food is garlic powder. Garlic is added to enhance the taste of the food, but it can be risky. Although the amount of garlic in pet food and treats may not be enough to cause anemia, it still leads to oxidation of red blood cells. Therefore, it is advised to avoid products that contain garlic powder.
Nutritional value and proportions
To ensure that your dog receives the correct nutrients and proportions, Shepherd advises checking the energy density of the food, which is indicated as kcal (calories) per cup, can or ounce, similar to the nutritional information provided on human foods, as well as its feeding guidelines. After determining these factors, you can monitor your pet’s weight using the Body Condition Score, a visual scale that assesses the level of fat on specific areas of the dog’s body (a score of 4 or 5 is considered ideal).
Regrettably, obesity is the leading nutritional disease in dogs, and certain breeds may have their lifespan shortened by up to two years because of this, according to Hill. The main issue with obesity in dogs is that owners often fail to comprehend their dog’s calorie consumption. Wakshlag explains that many owners only pay attention to the recommended serving sizes on the food package, which are typically meant for a typical, active dog, whereas many dogs do not fit that description. One important factor to consider for increasing your dog’s lifespan is not just what you feed them, but how much you feed them, as pointed out by Hill.
Your dog’s size, weight and life stage
In general, it is recommended that you provide your dog with food that is appropriate for their stage of life. For instance, puppies should be given food specifically labeled for puppies until they reach their adult body weight. According to the American Kennel Club, small breeds can transition to adult food between seven to nine months of age, while larger breeds usually make the switch between 12 to 14 months.
According to Shepherd, adult dogs can only consume puppy food if they can maintain a healthy weight on a higher calorie diet. Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine states that there is no need to change the food of a senior dog if it is healthy and consuming a nutritionally balanced diet.
You will frequently notice that certain dog foods are categorized for small, medium, and large breeds. These labels primarily indicate the size of the kibble and its ease of ingestion. Some brands, such as Royal Canin, provide formulas specifically designed for particular breeds, which can address their unique requirements. Manufacturers who adhere to nutritional science have formulated diets with ingredient content tailored for specific breed categories that may be prone to certain issues. Large and giant breeds, in particular, can develop joint problems throughout their lives, some of which may be linked to specific ingredients. Diets labeled as “giant breed” take this factor into account, according to Roberts.
Wakshlag advised considering whether the formulas are truly advantageous or simply marketing strategies, emphasizing the need to verify the ingredients list and nutritional content to ensure that the food effectively meets the needs of your breed.
