The 5 Best Holistic Dog Foods

When it comes to dog food, there is an endless variety to choose from. Each product is unique, though they may look very similar until you take a closer look.

Dog food can be divided into many categories and understanding those categories is the key to picking out a healthy and high-quality dog food for your dog.

Holistic dog food is one of the best options out there because it is made with wholesome, natural ingredients and designed to provide your dog with completely and balanced nutrition.

Keep reading to learn more about your dog’s basic dietary needs and to receive some tips for picking the best holistic dog food. You’ll also receive our top 5 picks for the best holistic dog food.

What is Holistic Dog Food?

There is no legal definition for the word “holistic” when it comes to dog food, so don’t believe everything you read on a dog food package.

Generally speaking, however, holistic products are made with all-natural ingredients with no artificial additives. They are also usually made with whole-food ingredients and supplemented to ensure nutritional balance.

Here are some things to look for in a holistic dog food:

• Natural Ingredients – A holistic dog food should be made with all-natural ingredients rather than by-products and unnamed proteins or fats. Look for a high-quality source of animal protein and fat at the top of the list with digestible carbohydrates.
• Nutritional Balance – All dog foods use synthetic vitamin and mineral supplements to ensure complete and balanced nutrition, but a good holistic dog food will also contain fresh fruits and veggies to provide natural sources for some of those nutrients.
• Beneficial Supplements – In addition to vitamins and minerals, a good holistic dog food will contain other beneficial supplements to support your dog’s whole-body health. Examples include prebiotic fibers, probiotics, and joint-supporting nutrients.
• No Additives – Just as important as the ingredients included in holistic dog food are the ingredients not included. Holistic dog food should be free from artificial additives including colors, flavors, and chemical preservatives.

Also Read: The 5 Best Organic (Natural) Dog Foods

Keeping all of these things in mind, you’re now ready to learn how to choose the best holistic dog food. Here’s what you need to know:

How to Choose the Best Holistic Dog Food

When it comes to choosing the best holistic dog food, you need to consider your dog’s basic nutritional needs as well as the quality of the product itself. All dogs require a protein-rich diet to support their lean muscle mass.

This protein is best when it comes from animal-based sources because they are complete proteins that provide all 10 essential amino acids. Your dog needs at least 18% protein.

After protein comes healthy fat, a rich source of energy and essential fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. Again, this should come from animal-based sources, though plant oils can be used to provide a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Your dog needs at least 5% crude fat in his diet, more depending on his breed size and activity level.

Your dog has no specific requirements for carbohydrates in its diet other than they be digestible. Holistic dog food usually contains whole grains or grain-free carbohydrates like sweet potato, peas, and chickpeas. In addition to carbohydrates, holistic dog food should contain vitamins and minerals for nutritional balance and other supplements like probiotics for healthy digestion. Again, all of these ingredients should be completely natural and the recipe free from artificial additives.

Also Read: Best Grain Free Dog Food

Keep reading to see our top 5 recommendations for the best holistic dog food.

The Top 5 Best Holistic Dog Food

Image	Product	Features
	Editor's Choice Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food	Made with all-natural ingredients, no artificial additives Supplemented with prebiotics and probiotics for healthy digestion Digestible whole-grain carbohydrates for fiber and energy	View Best Price
	Best Affordable Nutro Max Farm-Raised Chicken Recipe	Real chicken as the first ingredient No artificial additives or low-quality fillers Highly digestible recipe with whole grains	View Best Price
	Best for Puppies Holistic Select Puppy Vantage Grain-Free Recipe	Single source of high-quality animal protein (chicken) Made with digestible grain-free carbohydrates Fresh fruits and veggies as natural sources for nutrients	View Best Price
	Best for Seniors Halo Holistic Grain-Free Natural Dog Food	Made with fresh turkey as the main ingredient Digestible grain-free carbohydrates for energy and nutrients Probiotics for healthy digestion and nutrient absorption	View Best Price
	Best for Allergies Solid Gold Sensitive Stomach Dry Dog Food	Designed for digestibility in dogs with food allergies or sensitives Whole-grain carbohydrates for nutrients and fiber Supplemented with dried fermentation products for probiotics	View Best Price

A good holistic dog food starts with all-natural ingredients. Look for premium sources of animal protein and fat, digestible carbohydrates, and fresh fruits and veggies as well as vitamin and mineral supplements to ensure whole-body health.

Here are our top 5 picks for the best holistic dog food that you should consider:

Best Holistic Dog Food Overall: Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food

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Nutritional info:

• Protein – 25% Min
• Fat – 15% Min
• Fiber – 4% Max
• Moisture– 10% Max

Caloric Content: 446 kcal/cup

The Holistic Select brand is dedicated to providing high-quality nutrition for dogs through the use of wholesome, natural ingredients. Their recipes are designed for digestibility to ensure that your dog gets the maximum benefit from the nutrients. This recipe features protein-rich chicken as the main ingredient with digestible carbohydrates like brown rice and oatmeal. It also contains fresh fruits and vegetables as natural sources for key nutrients and beneficial supplements for balance. Plus, it contains digestive enzymes and live cultures to ensure healthy and regular digestion.

Click here to see full list of Ingredients

Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Rice, Oatmeal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Oats, Pork Meal, Dried Molasses Beet Pulp, Flaxseed, Pumpkin, Cranberries , Apples, Brewers Dried Yeast, Salmon Oil, Potassium Chloride, Papayas, Choline Chloride, Blueberries, Pomegranates, Vitamin E Supplement, Inulin, Dried Kelp, Zinc Proteinate, Mixed Tocopherols added to preserve freshness, Zinc Sulfate, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Ground Cinnamon, Ground Fennel, Ground Peppermint, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride , Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Dried Lactobacillus bulgaricus Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus thermophilus Fermentation Product, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Dried Bacillus licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Trichoderma reesei Fermentation Product, Dried Rhizopus oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract

Pros:

• Made with all-natural ingredients, no artificial additives
• Supplemented with prebiotics and probiotics for healthy digestion
• Digestible whole-grain carbohydrates for fiber and energy

Cons:

• Some dogs may be sensitive to grains
• Fairly expensive to feed as a staple diet

Best Affordable Holistic Dog Food: Nutro Max Farm-Raised Chicken Recipe Adult Dog Food

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Nutritional info:

• Protein – 22% Min
• Fat – 13% Min
• Fiber – 3.5% Min
• Moisture– 10% Max

Caloric Content: 324 kcal/cup

If you’re looking for a holistic dog food but you don’t have a big budget to work with, try this Nutro Max Farm-Raised Chicken Recipe Adult Dog Food. This recipe contains 24% crude protein and 14% fat, primarily from high-quality animal sources like chicken meal and chicken fat. This formula is completely free from by-products, low-quality fillers, and artificial additives so you can feel good about feeding it to your dog. You’ll also be glad to know that it’s very digestible and supplemented with chelated minerals.

Click here to see full list of Ingredients

Chicken Meal (Source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Whole Grain Sorghum, Brewers Rice, Whole Grain Oatmeal, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Chicken, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Whole Brown Rice, Peas, Chickpeas, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Choline Chloride, Dl-Methionine, Zinc Sulfate, Niacin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin E Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Selenium Yeast, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract, Decaffeinated Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract.

Pros:

• Real chicken as the first ingredient
• No artificial additives or low-quality fillers
• Highly digestible recipe with whole grains

Cons:

• May not be high enough in protein for some dogs
• Some dogs may be allergic or sensitive to grains

Best Holistic Dog Food for Puppies: Holistic Select Puppy Vantage Grain-Free Dry Food

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Nutritional info:

• Protein – 28% Min
• Fat – 18% Min
• Fiber – 4.5% Max
• Moisture– 10% Max

Caloric Content: 400 kcal/cup

If you want to get your puppy started off on the right foot, try this Holistic Select Puppy Vantage Grain-Free Dry Food. It features chicken meal as the main ingredient and a concentrated source of protein with chicken fat for energy and nutrients. It contains dried fruits and vegetables to provide natural sources of key nutrients with chelated minerals to ensure optimal nutrient absorption. You’ll also be glad to know that it is completely grain-free and supplemented with probiotics for healthy digestion.

Click here to see full list of Ingredients

Chicken Meal, Peas, Pea Starch, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols), Whitefish Meal, Flaxseed, Pea Fiber, Natural Flavors, Dried Egg, Blueberries, Cranberries, Apples, Carrots, Spinach, Dicalcium Phopshate, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine, L-Lysine, Taurine, L-Carnitine, Beta-Carotene, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Folic Acid, Biotin, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Cobalt Carbonate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Rosemary Extract, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product.

Pros:

• Single source of high-quality animal protein (chicken)
• Made with digestible grain-free carbohydrates
• Fresh fruits and veggies as natural sources for nutrients

Cons:

• Some dogs are sensitive or allergic to chicken ingredients
• Expensive to feed as a staple diet

Best Holistic Dog Food for Seniors: Halo Holistic Grain-Free Natural Dog Food for Senior Dogs

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Nutritional info:

• Protein – 23% Min
• Fat – 12% Min
• Fiber – 5% Max
• Moisture– 10% Max

Caloric Content: 387 kcal/cup

As your dog gets older, the quality of his diet matters even more. The nutrients he does or doesn’t get have a direct impact on his health and wellness, so choose a holistic dog food like Halo Holistic Grain-Free Natural Dog Food for Senior Dogs. This recipe features fresh turkey as the main ingredients with dried legumes and peas for carbohydrates. It is rich in healthy fats for energy and skin/coat health with chelated minerals for nutritional balance and probiotics for healthy digestion.

Click here to see full list of Ingredients

Turkey, Dried Chickpeas, Dried Lentils, Dried Peas, Dried Egg Product, Turkey Liver, Dried Sweet Potatoes, Duck, Pea Fiber, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavor, Flaxseed, Dicalcium Phosphate, Pea Protein, Soy Protein Concentrate, Calcium Sulfate, Dried Golden Algae, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Dried Blueberries, Dried Cranberries, Dried Carrots, Calcium Carbonate, Inulin, Salt, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin), Potassium Chloride, Minerals (Zinc Methionine Complex, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide), Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Taurine, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, L-Carnitine.

Pros:

• Made with fresh turkey as the main ingredient
• Digestible grain-free carbohydrates for energy and nutrients
• Probiotics for healthy digestion and nutrient absorption

Cons:

• Contains some plant protein (pea protein)
• Could be higher in fat for some puppies

Best Holistic Dog Food for Allergies: Solid Gold Sensitive Stomach Dry Dog Food

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Nutritional info:

• Protein – 18% Min
• Fat – 6% Min
• Fiber – 4% Min
• Moisture– 10% Max

Caloric Content:3,330 kcal/kg

If your dog suffers from food allergies, it may not be enough to feed him a holistic dog food – you might need a holistic dog food specifically designed for dogs with sensitive stomachs. This Solid Gold Sensitive Stomach Dry Dog Food is all-natural and made with digestible whole grains as well as premium animal proteins. It features oatmeal, pearled barley, and peas as well as ocean fish meal and chicken fat. It also contains dried fermentation products for probiotic support and fresh fruits and veggies.

Click here to see full list of Ingredients

Oatmeal, Pearled Barley, Peas, Ocean Fish Meal, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavors, Dicalcium Phosphate, Tomato Pomace, Dried Eggs, Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Salt, DL-Methionine, Choline Chloride, Salmon Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Chicory Root, Carrots, Pumpkin, Parsley, Apples, Cranberries, Blueberries, Lettuce, Celery, Beets, Watercress, Spinach, Broccoli, Spearmint, Almond Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Sesame Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Kelp, Thyme, Lentils, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Sulfate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Rosemary Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product.

Pros:

• Designed for digestibility in dogs with food allergies or sensitives
• Whole-grain carbohydrates for nutrients and fiber
• Supplemented with dried fermentation products for probiotics

Cons:

• High carbohydrate content, may be too high for some dogs
• Fairly expensive to feed as a staple diet

How Much Should You Feed Your Dog?

The amount you feed your dog depends on its age, breed, and body weight. Small breeds need more calories per pound of body weight than large dogs, so they may need three meals a day versus the two meals that is appropriate for medium to large dogs. In terms of the actual volume of food, that will depend on the product you choose because all dog foods have different calorie content. Choose a high-quality dog food formulated for your dog’s breed size then follow the feeding recommendations on the package based on its age and weight.

Also Read: Best Dog Food for Small Breeds

Also Read: Best Dog Food for Large Breeds

What About Food Allergies and Sensitivities?

All dogs have the potential to develop food allergies and sensitivities, but holistic as well as best Hypoallergenic dog food reduces those risks by removing low-quality ingredients and artificial additives from the equation. All-natural ingredients are easier for your dog’s body to digest, so make sure the holistic dog food you pick contains whole food ingredients. If your dog is allergic to a common protein or another ingredient, you may want to find a limited ingredient diet or switch it to a grain-free recipe.

Also Read: Best Dog Food for Skin Allergies

Final Remarks

While you can’t always believe what you read on a dog food label, it is generally safe to assume that holistic dog food offers quality nutrition. Take what you’ve learned here to start shopping for holistic dog food or try one of our top 5 picks for the best holistic dog food.