Organic foods have gained popularity not only among humans but also among their beloved pets. The reason behind this is that organic food is cultivated and produced without the use of artificial chemicals, hormones, antibiotics, and genetically modified organisms. To be classified as organic, these foods must adhere to rigorous USDA guidelines. Nonetheless, locating certified organic dog food can be a challenging task, which is where our assistance comes into play.
In order to begin shopping for organic dog food, it is crucial to be aware of your dog’s specific nutritional needs. These needs are influenced by factors such as age, size, level of activity, and overall health. It is recommended to seek guidance from your veterinarian to determine the appropriate quantities of protein, fat, carbohydrates, and other essential nutrients that your dog requires.
In order to ensure the quality of the product, it is important to carefully examine the label for organic certification from a trustworthy organization. Additionally, it is necessary to thoroughly review the ingredient list, which should be clear and comprehensible. It is recommended to select foods that consist of genuine and unprocessed components like meat, vegetables, and grains. Conversely, it is advisable to stay away from products that contain by-products, fillers, or any artificial preservatives.
We have a list of the top organic dog foods that we approve of!
Gather Dog Food
Petcurean’s Gather product line offers pet owners who desire optimal nutrition for their dogs an outstanding option. This line incorporates certified organic and responsibly sourced ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, and protein-packed meats. As a result, it delivers a delicious and nutritious meal without any artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. Given the brand’s dedication to sustainability and high standards, you can confidently provide your pet with this exceptional line of dog food.
Gather dog food varieties:
- Free Acres Organic Free-Run Chicken
- Endless Valley Vegan
- Contains high-quality ingredients.
- Contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
- Has limited ingredients, great for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
- Is environmentally conscious.
Tender and True Organic Dog Food
Tender and True’s organic dog food line is among the limited number of dog food lines that possess USDA certification for being organic. Utilizing exclusively top-notch organic ingredients, Tender and True is an excellent option for pet owners seeking to provide their dogs with a nutritious and unprocessed diet. Devoid of artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors, this dog food is rich in vital nutrients and is kind to your dog’s digestion.
In addition to your dog’s tummy, Tender and True also prioritizes sustainability by utilizing eco-friendly packaging and obtaining ingredients from reliable farmers and suppliers.
Tender and True Organic dog food flavors:
- Small breed organic chicken recipe
- Organic chicken and liver recipe
- Organic turkey and liver recipe
- Has never had a product recall.
- Is supplemented with chelated minerals for optimal nutrient absorption.
- Does not contain fillers, by-products, or artificial additives.
Castor and Pollux Organix Dog Food
Castor and Pollux dry food varieties:
- Organic Chicken & Oatmeal Recipe
- Grain Free Organic Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe
- Grain Free Organic Small Breed Recipe
Castor and Pollux wet food varieties:
- Tiny Feasts Grain Free Organic: In Chicken, Turkey, Chicken & Potato, and Turkey & Potato recipes
- Tiny Feasts Organic: In Chicken, Quinoa & Carrot Stew or Turkey, Quinoa & Carrot Stew recipes
- Grain Free Organic: In Chicken & Vegetable Recipe and Turkey & Vegetable recipes
- Organic Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
- Butcher & Bushel Grain Free Organic: In Turkey, Carrots & Sweet Potatoes or Turkey, Chicken Liver & Peas recipes
- Is made from premium organic ingredients, including real organic meat, fruits, and vegetables.
- Is free from artificial preservatives, flavors, and colors.
- Offers a variety of formulations to meet different dietary needs, including grain-free, limited ingredient, and senior formulas.
- Is made with ethically sourced ingredients and is committed to sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
Primal Freeze-Dried Nuggets Dog Food
By using Primal’s Freeze-Dried Nuggets for Dogs, you can provide your pup with the advantages of a raw diet without the inconvenience and untidiness. Additionally, this product is crafted with certified organic fruits and vegetables, and consists of fresh, hormone and antibiotic-free whole muscle meat, organ meat, and meaty bones.
- Made with high-quality ingredients.
- Is convenient to store and transport.
- Has a long shelf-life
- Can improve your dog’s digestion.
- Comes in a wide range of flavors.
Petaluma
Petaluma surpasses the majority of dog food brands when it comes to being environmentally friendly. With its recent debut in 2021, this B Corporation concentrates on sustainability. Petaluma is affiliated with 1% for the Planet and holds a Climate Neutral certification, ensuring the complete compensation of its greenhouse gas emissions. Its kibble production occurs in Illinois, utilizing solar energy, and its objective is to create a brighter future for pets, the planet, farmworkers, and farm animals.
Petaluma provides a baked, plant-based formula for adult dogs of all breeds, containing over 50% organic ingredients and sourcing all ingredients from non-GMO sources. This dry food is appropriate for adult dogs of every breed, with small breeds being recommended for dogs 9+ months old, medium breeds for those 12+ months old, and large breeds for those 1.5+ years old.
The Honest Kitchen (Kindly)
Founded in 2002, The Honest Kitchen has become a globally recognized brand, ranking near the top for sustainable, healthy, and ethical dog food. The inspiration behind starting this company stemmed from Lucy Postin’s own experience of creating dehydrated food for her allergenic dog.
The Honest Kitchen relies on dehydrated, high-quality food mixes as its main source. While some of these mixes are nutritionally complete on their own, others like the Kindly Grain-Free Veggie, Nut & Seed Base Mix and the Fruits and Veggies Base Mix require additional protein to meet AAFCO standards.
Chippin Dog Food
Chippin, a dog food company, has a mission to disrupt the industry. This company, owned by a woman, is known for its innovation in using crickets and silver carp (an invasive species) to make dog treats and food, as well as producing vegan dog treats from spirulina. Chippin is certified plastic-neutral, and although they use somewhat recycled packaging that is not recyclable, they prioritize carbon-neutral shipping. Their wholefood formulas are manufactured in the United States and are free from questionable additives. Sharon has written a comprehensive review of Chippin’s sustainable dog treats, expressing her admiration for them.
Chippin, which is located in Arlington, Virginia, was established in 2018 by Haley Russell and Laura Colagrande. To oversee product development, the two women sought the expertise of Doctor Beth Hamper, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist at VCA Advanced Veterinary Care Centers in Indiana. The main focus of Chippin is to create vegetarian dog food, and all their products are guaranteed to be free of proteins or byproducts derived from mammals.
Lily’s Kitchen
If you are looking for food options for your dog that are made with fresh and high-quality ingredients, without any derivatives, fillers, or preservatives, Lily’s Kitchen is a good choice. Their dry food formulas not only provide nutrition but also include joint care nutrients, which make it a great all-in-one option for senior dogs. They also have a Veggie Feast option and support Meatless Mondays for dogs, although it should be noted that this particular option contains cheese and eggs, so it is not suitable for vegans. Most of their product range consists of meat-based foods.
Lily’s Kitchen is among my top choices because they not only create nutritious dog food but also consistently attain a perfect score of 100/100 on the Ethical Company Index by the Good Shopping Guide. Additionally, they are a founding member of B Corp in the UK and hold the distinction of being the solitary pet food company certified as a B Corp.
Steve’s Real Food
Steve’s Real Food mistakenly labels dogs as carnivores and has a questionable ‘Classroom’ feature on their website, which claims to provide a Raw U education. However, their pet food, which is approved by AAFCO, offers a convenient means of feeding your dog a raw food diet. It is commendable that they source their ingredients from the US and support the reduction of emissions. Additionally, Steve’s Real Food selects suppliers with US facilities who strive to minimize their carbon footprint. They are also actively involved with the Pet Sustainability Coalition, collaborating to enhance their B Corp certification and sustainability practices.
By adhering to a step-by-step approach, the following text can be rephrased without altering its meaning, adding or removing information: The nuggets created by this brand are nutritionally balanced and complete, utilizing only human grade, USDA inspected meat from free-range animals in combination with whole foods. Additionally, this brand has been in operation since 1998, making it one of the initial commercial raw pet food brands. Furthermore, they are comparatively more cost-effective than other raw brands that receive excessive promotion, as they focus on simplicity by maintaining low operational costs and avoiding extravagant marketing strategies.
Wild Earth
Wild Earth, one of the most widely available vegan dog food brands in the U.S., now offers cruelty-free dog food packed with superfoods and nutritionally complete. It can be found on Walmart and Amazon.
Wild Earth’s formula is comprised of omega fatty acids, all essential amino acids (which make up a complete protein), enzymes that aid digestion, prebiotics, and superfoods, along with supplemental vitamins and minerals. The protein portion mainly consists of specialized dried yeast, chickpeas, peas, oats, and potatoes. This formula contains a crude protein content of 31%, crude fat content of 10.5%, and fiber content of 5%.
Wild Earth’s treats and supplements are packaged in recyclable materials. However, the kibble bag, which is currently made of a multi-layer laminate plastic, cannot be recycled. The company is actively searching for an alternative bag that is recyclable while also ensuring optimal freshness of the food.
Sundays Air-Dried Beef Dog Food
Sundays, an American company owned by a family, provides dog food that resembles jerky and is primarily made from cow ingredients. The sources of beef, cow bones, and organ meats are a local family farm situated in the Midwest, and they are guaranteed to be of high quality for human consumption. Sundays ensures all food production takes place in a kitchen closely monitored by the USDA, and the processing techniques employed adhere to FDA safety regulations for human food.
Sundays dog food adheres to AAFCO guidelines for complete and balanced nutrition, utilizing solely natural sources. It is appropriate for adult dogs and large-breed puppies who will attain a weight exceeding 70 lbs. in adulthood. The product offers at least 35% crude protein, 20% crude fat, and a maximum of 2% crude fiber, while maintaining a moisture content of 15%.
Benevo Organic Dog Food by Vegeco
Benevo Adult Organic Dog Food (View Price on Amazon) is an adult dog food that is nutritionally complete and balanced. It is made by a company that has been in existence since 2005. The Organic Food Federation UK certifies this dry kibble as organic, and it is manufactured under license from the Organic Farmers and Growers UK. This dog food is free from wheat, non-GMO, and does not contain any artificial flavors or colors.
Benevo, a brand of dry kibble, contains 20% protein and includes a prebiotic to aid digestion. It is described by Benevo as “animal-friendly animal food” due to its plant-based nature. Additionally, it holds certifications from the Vegan Society and is highly praised by Ethical Consumer magazine for its environmental and humanitarian efforts, as well as its commitment to product sustainability and animal welfare.
Beco
One of my favorite choices for sustainable and safe dog balls, as well as healthy and sustainable dog food, is Beco. However, due to its unavailability in the US, it is only ranked as a runner-up on this list.
Beco provides a lineup of four types of dog food, consisting of both wet food and dry kibble. All four varieties include animal ingredients such as chicken, boar, fish, and turkey. The fowl used are raised without constraints, although this term may not offer much comfort. On the other hand, the boar used is sourced from the wild. Among these options, the fish option is the only one I would suggest, as it has been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for sustainable catching methods.
Raw, BARF, Vegan – What to feed your dog
To begin, it is worth mentioning that dogs and humans have similar nutritional needs but their digestive systems are somewhat different. Dogs have a shorter digestive tract compared to humans, which means they have less time to extract nutrients from food. As a result, high fiber diets are generally not recommended for dogs. Nonetheless, a diet completely lacking in fiber (such as a meat-only diet) can lead to constipation and other digestive issues.
Contrary to popular belief, dogs are not classified as strict carnivores. Similar to humans, dogs are omnivores and can satisfy their nutritional requirements by consuming a mix of plant-based and animal-based foods. It is important to note that a diet solely consisting of meat is inadequate and cannot fulfill a dog’s nutritional needs.
If you opt for raw dog food, it generally consists of raw meat, and this poses certain health risks. Raw meat is highly susceptible to harboring harmful bacteria, so it is crucial to maintain a strict hygiene routine and thoroughly wash your hands, kitchen surfaces, food bowls, and similar items to prevent contamination. Thankfully, certain companies like Steve’s Real Food and Primal offer convenient and safer options for feeding your dog a BARF diet if that is your preference.
‘Meat meal’ and the 4Ds
If you choose to feed your puppy animal products, be cautious of certain terms such as ‘meat meal’ and ‘animal by-products’ on the labels. ‘Meat meal’ is a processed form of dried meat that is commonly found in kibble. It can consist of lower-quality cuts of meat, bones, hooves, feathers, and other animal parts. Additionally, due to the high temperatures used during the cooking process, this ‘meal’ becomes difficult to digest and less nutritious than fresher, higher-quality meat and fish options. Another factor to consider is the 4Ds of meat: dying, dead, diseased, or disabled. Companies that do not provide traceable ingredients may be using inferior animal products.
When considering sustainable and healthy dog food, there are several factors to take into account.
In conclusion, here are a couple of important factors to take into account when searching for a dog food that is both sustainable and beneficial for your pet’s health:
- Avoid meat-only diets (these are nutritionally incomplete, among other things)
- Don’t add too much fiber (this can upset your dog’s digestive tract)
- Avoid dairy (dogs produce very little, if any lactase enzyme)
- Add a little variety to your dog’s diet (small amounts of chopped kale, steamed carrots, peas, peanut butter, mashed chickpeas, blueberries, for example)
- Avoid overly salty foods or foods very high in potassium, such as coconut water
- Avoid overly fatty foods, such as coconut oil
- Check that foods aren’t toxic to dogs (common problem foods include garlic, onions, chocolate, and grapes/raisins)
Meat and dairy production demands more land, water, and energy resources compared to other types of food production. Moreover, it contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, displacement of people, loss of biodiversity, sewage run-off, antibiotic resistance, psychological harm to slaughterhouse employees, and other unintended negative effects. If you choose to adopt a puppy and then choose to feed them meat or other animal products, it’s worth considering the rationale behind your decision.
In the process of selecting an environmentally conscious dog food, it is important to contemplate:
- Ethics and animal welfare – how are workers and non-human animals treated in the production of this food? Is animal testing involved? How about factory farms? Is fish MSC-certified?
- Ingredients – what’s in it and how are ingredients sourced and processed
- Carbon footprint – how far away is the food produced (food miles) and how are production facilities powered? Is transport and packaging efficient? Does the food itself have a large environmental impact?
- Packaging – does the company use recycled and recyclable packaging from sustainable and renewable materials and eco-friendly inks?
- Organic and non-GMO – is food produced using organic agriculture, i.e. without pesticides and artificial hormones? Are crops non-GMO or are they potentially contributing to a loss of biodiversity and poor conditions for suppliers?
In order to avoid falling for greenwashing, it is important to consider the transparency of a company in its branding and communication, as well as its efforts and expenditures on gaining certifications and producing environmental impact assessments and reports.
