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The Spruce / Chloe Jeong
Be thoughtful when it comes to purchasing natural dog food. There is no regulation when it comes to using the definition, and all foods that call themselves natural are not necessarily created equal, points out Jamie Richardson, the medical chief of staff at Small Door Veterinary, a NYC-based practice. Still, if you are eager for a dog food thats responsibly formulated, and free from potentially sketchy ingredientssuch as pesticides, artificial preservatives, and genetically modified ingredientsthere are options available.
Before purchasing, always make sure there is a statement from the Association of American Feed Control Officials [AAFCO] on the foods container, says Dr. Richardson. [That means the] food is formulated to be nutritionally complete for your pet and meets minimum standards, she says.
Here, our picks for the best natural dog foods available now:
All of the ingredients in this wet foodchicken, brown rice, fruits, and veggiesare organic and preservative-free.
Read ReviewFull of high-quality, nutrient-dense ingredients like meat and veggies, this pick has everything your dog needs to stay in shape.
Read ReviewThis large breed-friendly formula is high in glucosamine, a nutrient thats key for joint health, particularly for older dogs.
Read ReviewFormulated to cover small breed dogs' needs, this brand goes so far as to list its first five ingredients on the front of the bag.
Read ReviewThe top ingredient on this wallet-friendly, natural dog food is meat from chickens that have been raised in the U.S.
This pick is dehydrated to preserve the nutritional benefits of raw food, without the increased risk of food-borne illnesses.
Read ReviewThe food is cooked in California, frozen, then shippedand it's developed with input from veterinary nutritionists.
Read ReviewDespite being frozen, this protein-packed raw food is easy to serve and for dogs to eatit doesn't freeze into a brick.
Read ReviewCastor & Pollux Organix is recommended at Dr. Richardons practice, due to its GMO-free ingredient list. Its full of USDA-certified organic ingredients: chicken, brown rice, fruits, and vegetables. Its made in small batches, and never includes corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, or preservatives.
Owners should be thrilled with the healthy ingredient list, and the overall high quality of this food. After all, if youre serving yourself organic, fresh ingredients, why would you do anything different for your dog?
An important note: This food is high in calories, so best avoided if your dog has a weight problem.
Dr. Richardson recommends this brand as one made with good quality, nutrient-dense ingredients, such as meat and vegetables [kale, spinach, and more]. Plus, its fortified with vitamins and minerals that are key for your dogs health. All the ingredients are natural, and the food is free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, per the manufacturer.
It's also tastyeven picky pets gobble it down, which owners love because of the junk- and filler-free ingredient list.
Whats the best natural food for your large dog? Consider Diamond Naturals. Made in the USA, this dry food has cage-free chicken, whole grain brown rice, and fruits and vegetables. [Honestly, the ingredient list sounds tasty for anyonenot just dogs.]
Its full of nutrient-rich ingredients tailored for a large-breed dog, and does not contain artificial flavors, colors, or preservativesnor does it have any filler ingredients.This food is also high in glucosamine, a nutrient thats key for joint health, particularly as dogs mature.
Smaller dogs need food that comes in smaller pieces, so they can comfortably chew and swallow it. But its not just size that matterssmall breed dogs have different nutritional needs, as well. To serve those needs, Merrick is one of the brands that Dr. Richardson recommends when it comes to natural dog foods.
Merrick proudly lists the first five ingredients on the front of the packaginga tip-off that you're getting good-quality ingredients. Whole grains, such as brown rice and quinoa, are included as well to help with digestion.
Looking for a natural dog food that wont break the bank? Nutrish has real USA-raised meatnot filleras the number one ingredient. Also included in the formula are prebioticsthe kind of food that feeds the good bacteria in your pet's gutfor digestion. The brand prides itself on its wholesome ingredients, and explains what purpose the top ingredients serve in your pet's nutrition. Not on that list? Artificial flavors and artificial preservatives.
Want something truly different? In a sector of its own, Sundays Food for Dogs is a great dehydrated food brand, says Dr. Richardson. Heres how dehydrated food works: After its made, the food is air dried. This preserves all the nutrients, while killing off germs.It's a good option for pet owners who are intrigued by the idea of raw food diets, but are worried about potential bacteria in raw meat.
Everything in the food is 100 percent human-grade. That means its also safe for humans to eat [no gross fillers or meat byproducts included]. Its also formulated without common allergens [like chicken or wheat] and with ingredients that support digestion [like pumpkin].
Because its dehydrated, the food doesnt need to be stored in the fridge or freezer, and it also doesnt need to be heated up or cleaned up carefully after your dog eats.
If youre looking for fresh food, this is one that Dr. Richardson recommends. Heres why she approves of Just Food for Dogs: Its nutritionally well-balanced, adher[es] to strict quality controls, and developed under the care of veterinary nutritionists.
The food is cooked in California, frozen, then shipped. All of the ingredients in Just Food recipes are suitable for human consumption. The meal is low calorie, and the manufacturer notes its a good fit for dogs with skin-related allergies.
Looking to provide your dog with a primal experience that mimics life in the wild? Then you may be interested in providing raw nutrition. This Instinct raw food is chock full of animal meat protein and even the non-meat ingredients [fruits and vegetables] are GMO-free. The food is minimally processed and free from fillers, and doesnt contain artificial colors or preservatives.
So that your dog can safely consume raw food and take advantage of the nutrients, the ingredients are frozen then cold-pressured, according to the manufacturer. Unlike some frozen food, this one is easy to serve [it doesnt turn into one giant brick in the freezer] and easy for dogs to scarf down.
For the best natural dog food on the market, we recommend Castor & Pollux Organix Canned Dog Food [available at Amazon], due to its USDA-certified organic ingredients and lack of artificial flavors or preservatives. If you're looking for a dry food to feed you dog instead, we recommend Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Original Recipe Dry Dog Food [available at Petco].
What Natural Means
The term natural on dog food label simply means that the ingredients in the food arederived solely from plant, animal or mined sources, either in its unprocessed state or having been subject to physical processing, according to theAssociation of American Feed Control Officials. Natural dog foods are not necessarily organic [if they are, it will be stated on the label].
Life Stage
Choose a natural dog food formula that is intended for your dogs life stage. Foods labeled as maintenance are for adult dogs over 1 year of age. Foods labeled growth or growth and reproduction are for puppies under 1 year old and pregnant or nursing females. Foods labeled all life stages provide nutrition appropriate for any dog of any age, from puppy through adult.
AAFCO Statement
Choose a natural dog food that has a statement on the label that says the food is completed and balanced according to the nutritional levels established by theAssociation of American Feed Officials[AAFCO] for that life stage.
Type of Food
Natural dog food comes in many different forms, including dry kibble, canned, freeze dried, refrigerated, and fresh frozen. Choose the formula that your dog likes best and is most convenient and cost-effective for you.
According to theAssociation of American Feed Control Officials, the term natural simply means that the ingredient isderived solely from plant, animal or mined sources, either in its unprocessed state or having been subject to physical processing. Natural ingredients cannot be produced by or subject to a chemically synthetic process and not containing any additives or processing aids that are chemically synthetic.
That said, natural dog foods are not automatically better than dog foods that are not labeled as natural. The most important indicator of a healthy dog food is a statement on the label that says the food is complete and balanced for a particular life stage [maintenance for adults, growth for puppies, or all life stages, for any age dog].
Natural dog food comes in many different forms, including dry kibble, canned, freeze dried, refrigerated and fresh frozen. Dry kibble and freeze-dried food does not need to be refrigerated, even after opening the bag, though it should be stored in an airtight container. Canned food should be refrigerated after opening the can. Refrigerated food should be refrigerated before and after opening the package. Fresh frozen food should be thawed in the refrigerator and leftovers should be refrigerated.
Natural dog food is not the same thing as grain-free dog food. Natural simply means that the ingredients come from plant, animal or mined sources without chemical processing. Some natural dog foods are also grain free, which is clearly stated on the label, and some grain-free dog foods are not natural.