The 5 Best Organic (Natural) Dog Foods
Not all dog foods are created equal. In fact, some dog foods offer much higher quality nutrition than others, so you need to be careful when shopping around.
When it comes to finding a good dog food, the quality of the ingredients matters. You should look for whole, natural sources of protein, fat, and carbohydrate to ensure optimal bioavailability. You might even consider buying an organic or natural dog food for your dog.
Keep reading to learn more about your dog’s basic dietary needs and to receive some tips for picking the best dog food to meet those needs. You’ll also receive our top 5 picks for the best organic and natural dog food.
Quick Look At Our Top Picks For Best Organic (Natural) Dog Foods:
- The Honest Kitchen Human-Grade Dehydrated Dog Food EDITOR’S CHOICE
- Newman’s Own Adult Dog Food BEST AFFORDABLE
- Castor & Pollux Organic Grain-Free Puppy Recipe BEST FOR PUPPIES
- Castor & Pollux Organic Grain-Free Senior Recipe BEST FOR SENIORS
- Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Dinner Patties BEST FOR ALLERGIES
| Image | Product | Features | |
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 | Editor's Choice |
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 | Best Affordable |
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 | Best for Puppies |
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 | Best for Seniors |
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 | Best for Allergies |
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What is Organic Dog Food?
The term organic is closely regulated by the FDA, but the term “natural” is not. In order to be certified organic, a dog food must be made with organic ingredients free from antibiotics, hormones, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and preservatives.
Organic dog food is all-natural by definition, but not all natural dog food is organic.
Here are some of the top things to look for in organic dog food:
- Organic Ingredients. If a product is labeled organic, you should see organic ingredients on the list. A “100% organic” product is made with all-organic ingredients while a product made with at least 95% organic ingredients is simply labeled “organic.”
- Quality Protein. Protein is the most important nutrient for any dog and the foundation of a quality organic dog food. Look for animal proteins like meat, poultry, and fish.
- Digestible Carbohydrates. Not all organic dog foods are grain-free, but they certainly exist. Look for whole-grain carbohydrates or grain-free options like beans, legumes, peas, and vegetables.
- Supplements. Because the nutritional quality of organic ingredients is very high, organic dog food often doesn’t come with a long list of synthetic vitamins and minerals. Even so, you should look for beneficial supplements like chelated minerals and probiotics.
Keeping all of these things in mind, you’re now ready to learn how to choose the best organic dog food. Here’s what you need to know:
How to Choose the Best Organic Dog Food
All dogs require a minimum of 18% crude protein and 5% crude fat in their diets – or 22% and 8% for puppies. Because dogs are primarily carnivorous by nature, the bulk of their nutrition should come from animal sources like organic meat, poultry, and fish.
Animal proteins are complete proteins which means that they contain all 10 essential amino acids that your dog needs. Animal fats are also easier for your dog’s body to metabolize than plant-based fats.
In addition to high-quality protein and fats, your dog needs healthy carbohydrates as well. Organic whole-grains like brown rice, oatmeal, and cracked pearled barley are all good option.
If your dog is allergic or sensitive to grains, however, you might try organic vegetables like peas and sweet potato or beans and legumes. Make sure your dog gets at least 3% dietary fiber but no more than 5%.
To ensure that your dog’s nutritional needs are met, most organic dog foods will contain beneficial supplements like vitamins and minerals. Chelated minerals are the best because they have been chemically bound to protein molecules to increase absorption. Probiotics are also a benefit.
Keep reading to see our top 5 recommendations for the best organic dog food.
The Top 5 Best Organic Dog Foods
Finding an organic dog food is fairly easy because it will say the word “organic” right on the label. Keep in mind that there are specific requirements to use this term, so check the label for the important information discussed above to make sure the claim is accurate.
Here are our top 5 picks for the best organic dog food that you should consider:
Best Organic Dog Food Overall: The Honest Kitchen Human-Grade Dehydrated Dog Food
Nutritional info:
- Protein – 24.5% Min
- Fat – 14% Min
- Fiber – 4% Max
- Moisture– 8% Max
- Caloric Content: 485 kcal/cup
When it comes to quality nutrition, you can’t do much better than The Honest Kitchen Human-Grade Dehydrated Dog Food. This dog food features organic carbohydrates like barley, flaxseed, oats, and peas with organic fruits and vegetables to provide nutritional balance and dietary fiber. The main ingredient is dehydrated chicken which is a rich source of complete protein as well as glucosamine and chondroitin. This particular recipe offers 24.5% crude protein with 14% fat and, because it is dehydrated and not cooked, the raw ingredients retain more of their original nutritional integrity.
Pros:
- Made with organic whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
- Dehydrated not cooked to preserve nutritional integrity
- Chelated minerals for optimal nutrient absorption
Cons:
- Not a grain-free recipe, some dogs may be sensitive
- Very expensive to feed as a staple diet
Best Affordable Organic Dog Food: Newman’s Own Adult Dog Food
Nutritional info:
- Protein – 30% Min
- Fat – 18% Min
- Fiber – 5.5% Max
- Moisture– 10% Max
- Caloric Content: 438 kcal/cup
If you’re looking for a decent quality organic dog food that won’t break the bank, try Newman’s Own Adult Dog Food. This recipe offers the ideal ratio of protein-to-fat to support lean muscle mass while also meeting your dog’s needs for energy. Made with organic grains, fruits, and vegetables, this recipe is complete and balanced for adult dogs. It features chicken as the primary protein with chicken fat as a nutritious source of healthy fats. It also contains dried fermentation products for probiotic support as well as chelated minerals.
Pros:
- Affordable in comparison to other organic brands
- Made with organic grains, fruits, and vegetables
- Rich in animal protein and healthy fats
Cons:
- Not a grain-free recipe, some dogs may be sensitive
- Some dogs may be sensitive to chicken ingredients
Best Organic Dog Food for Puppies: Castor & Pollux Organic Grain-Free Puppy Recipe
Nutritional info:
- Protein – 25% Min
- Fat – 14% Min
- Fiber – 5% Max
- Moisture– 11% Max
- Caloric Content: 362 kcal/cup
Choosing an organic puppy food like this Castor & Pollux Organic Grain-Free Puppy Recipe is a great way to start your puppy off on the right food. Made with organic, free-range chicken as the first ingredient, this recipe also features organic sweet potatoes, organic chickpeas, and organic coconut oil. All in all, it provides 25% protein and 14% fat with 5% crude fiber for digestion. It also contains DHA for healthy brain development and superfoods for nutritional balance.
Pros:
- Made with organic free-range chicken as first ingredient
- Supplemented with superfoods for a boost of nutrition
- Grain-free and highly digestible recipe
Cons:
- Fairly expensive to feed as a staple diet
- Main source of fat is a plant-based fat
Best Organic Dog Food for Seniors: Castor & Pollux Organic Grain-Free Senior Recipe
Nutritional info:
- Protein – 26% Min
- Fat – 13.5% Min
- Fiber – 5% Max
- Moisture– 11% Max
- Caloric Content: 360 kcal/cup
As your dog gets older, his metabolism will slow down, but his need for quality nutrition won’t change. This Castor & Pollux Organic Grain-Free Senior Recipe is a great choice because it is formulated specifically for seniors and made with wholesome organic ingredients. The main ingredient is organic, free-range chicken and it is accompanied by organic grain-free carbohydrates and healthy fats. It is also supplemented with plenty of fiber for healthy digestion and superfoods for nutritional balance.
Pros:
- Formulated specifically for the nutritional needs of senior dogs
- Organic, free-range chicken as the first ingredient
- Grain-free recipe made with organic fruits and vegetables
Cons:
- Fairly expensive to feed as a staple diet
- Contains some plant proteins and fats
Best Organic Dog Food for Allergies: Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Dinner Patties
Nutritional info:
- Protein – 38% Min
- Fat – 38% Min
- Fiber – 5% Max
- Moisture– 5% Max
- Caloric Content:60 kcal/patty
If you’re looking for an allergy-friendly dog food made with organic ingredients, try Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Dinner Patties. These freeze-dried patties feature fresh duck and turkey as the primary proteins with organic fruits and vegetables for nutritional balance. Every ingredient is of the highest quality with proteins being cage-free and inclusive of meat, organs, and bone. This recipe also features chelated minerals to ensure optimal nutrient absorption as well as probiotics for healthy digestion. The best part, however, is the fact that it is freeze-dried instead of cooked. This means that the ingredients retain more of their original nutritional integrity which gets passed on to your dog.
Pros:
- Dehydrated to preserve nutritional integrity
- Made with novel protein sources to prevent allergies
- Grain-free fruits and veggies for carbohydrates and nutrients
Cons:
- Very expensive to feed as a staple diet
- Some dogs dislike the freeze-dried texture
How Much Should You Feed Your Dog?
The amount you feed your dog depends on its age, weight, and breed. Large-breed dogs eat more food than smaller dogs, but small dogs require more calorie-dense food to support their fast metabolism.
The best thing to do is choose an organic dog food formulated for your dog’s breed size. From there, check the feeding instructions on the label according to your dog’s age and weight. This will tell you how much to feed your dog each day, and you can divide it into two or three meals. Feed large dogs two meals a day and small dogs or puppies three meals a day.
What About Food Allergies and Sensitivities?
Any dog can develop a food allergy or sensitivity, though some breeds are more highly prone than others. Low-quality grains and fillers like corn, wheat, and soy are some of the most common food allergens, as are proteins like beef and pork. Sensitivities can also be triggered by artificial additives.
Fortunately, organic dog food is usually free from artificial additives, but you still need to look out for potential allergens. If your dog has allergies, try a limited ingredient or grain-free organic dog food.
Final Remarks
If you can afford to feed your dog organic dog food, by all means, go for it! Though you still need to shop smart, you can rest easy knowing that the quality of most organic dog foods is very high. You also need to keep your dog’s individual preferences in mind.
To make sure your dog gets the best organic dog food you can find, try one of the products we’ve reviewed above. Best of luck!
