Puppy Pantry Picks Essential Ingredients for Organic Dog Food

Best Organic Dog Foods

• Tender and True Chicken and Liver Recipe is one of 6 dry recipes included in our review of the Tender and True dry product line.

  Tender and True Chicken and Liver derives the vast majority of its animal protein from both chicken meal and fresh chicken. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 29% protein, 18% fat and 45% estimated carbs producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 62%.

  Tender and True is USDA certified organic which makes each recipe a rare find for discerning dog owners.

  

  Read our review of the full Tender and True Dog Food (Dry) range here

  Main Ingredients	Organic chicken, organic chicken meal, organic tapioca starch, organic dried pea, organic chickpea
  Texture	Dry
  Type	Grain-free
  Protein Percentage	29%

  Sample buyer review...

  "My dog had eczema and allergies. Since switching to the pesticide free dog food, chicken and liver flavor, her eczema is gone. I highly recommend going organic. I really like that the chickens were humanely raised as well."

  Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com

• Gather Free Acres is one of 3 dry recipes included in our review of the Gather product line.

  Gather Free Acres gets the lions share of its meat protein from fresh chicken and dehydrated chicken. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 17% fat and 42% estimated carbs creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.

  In addition to Gathers certified organic ingredients, each recipe also contains a balanced blend of healthy omega 3 and omega 6 fats. A top choice.

  

  Read our review of the full Gather Dog Food (Dry) range here

  Main Ingredients	Organic chicken, organic dehydrated chicken, organic peas, lentils, chicken fat
  Texture	Dry
  Type	Grain-free
  Protein Percentage	33%

  Sample buyer review...

  "My dog Daisy has a sensitive stomach and has been having all sorts of problems due to her food that she didnt even like. I switched her to this food and she has made a 180 turn around for the better. Im very happy with this product."

  Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com

• Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Chicken Recipe is one of 8 dehydrated recipes included in our review of the Honest Kitchen product line.

  This Whole Grain Chicken formulation derives the bulk of its meat protein from dehydrated chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 27% protein, 15% fat and 50% estimated carbs which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 57%.

  In addition to its multiple organic ingredients, each recipe is processed in a human grade food processing facility.

  And each component is non genetically modified (non-GMO) and free of any chemicals or preservatives. All meat ingredients are hormone and antibiotic free, too.

  See all available recipes.

  

  Read our review of the full Honest Kitchen Dog Food (Dehydrated) range here

  Main Ingredients	Dehydrated chicken, organic barley, dehydrated potatoes, organic flaxseed, organic oats
  Texture	Dry
  Type	Grain-inclusiv
  Protein Percentage	27%

  Sample buyer review...

  "My German Shepherd is a fussy eater, with his fair share of allergies. Ive tried all different brands and this one makes my Shermy happy. Its a great price, easy meal prep and super filling for him. This is the first brand of food I dont have to add anything or convince him to eat what I put down for him. I think I finally found a food we will be sticking with!"

  Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com

• Stella and Chewys Venison Blend is one of 13 raw recipes included in our review of the Stella and Chewys Freeze-Dried Dinner product line.Venison, lamb, lamb liver, venison liver, venison lung

  This Venison Blend recipe derives the largest share of its animal protein from both venison and lamb. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 47% protein, 32% fat and 13% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 67%.

  Stella and Chewys promises all its frozen and freeze-dried raw recipes include vitamins and minerals sourced from 100% certified organic fruits and vegetables.

  A top-rated, freeze-dried dog food for those not requiring organic meat. Recommended with confidence.

  See all 13 available recipes

  

  Read our review of the full Stella and Chewys Freeze Dried Dinners Dog Food (Freeze-Dried) range here

  Main Ingredients	Venison, lamb, lamb liver, venison liver, venison lung
  Texture	Raw
  Type	Grain-free
  Protein Percentage	47%

  Sample buyer review...

  "My pretty pittie is allergic to everything, beef, chicken, lamb, tomato (which is in most dog food) grain, etc. It was also recommended that we go with raw food. We have tried many brands of venison, duck, bison and wild boar. This by far is her favorite food. It is easy to store because most of the other brands were frozen. We feed her 2 1/2 "pucks" broken up and mixed with grain free dry food 2x a day. We typically add water to the pucks but she also enjoys them dry right out of the bag."

  Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com

• Carna4 Chicken is one of 6 dry recipes included in our review of the Carna4 product line.

  This Carna4 formula derives most of its animal protein from both fresh chicken and chicken liver. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 32% protein, 17% fat and 43% estimated carbs producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 52%.

  Features a number of plant-based, organic ingredients. A quality formulation worthy of consideration.

  

  Read our review of the full Carna4 Dog Food (Dry) range here

  Main Ingredients	Fresh chicken, chicken liver, eggs, organic sprouted barley seed, wild salmon Type: Grain-inclusive (barley, rice)
  Texture	Dry
  Type	Grain-inclusive
  Protein Percentage	32%

  Sample buyer review...

  "You will notice the difference in your dog within a few days of switching them to this dry kibble. All of our dogs (2 Seniors, 1 Adult and 3 Puppies) all love the food. They are happier, healthier looking and acting (shiny eyes, shiny coat, more energy, no tummy troubles ie. vomiting/diarreah no itching skin or scratching)."

  Read more buyer reviews at Amazon.com

• Organic Chicken and Liver Recipe is one of 2 wet products included in our review of the Tender and True Canned product line.

  This Tender and True organic formula derives the bulk of its meat protein from fresh chicken. Based on dry matter, this recipe contains 39% protein, 23% fat and 31% estimated carbs which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 59%.

  A smooth, finely-chopped pate consistency. Its 100% complete and balanced nutrition with added vitamins, minerals and other trace nutrients.

  Fully organic. Contains no grain, GMOs, corn, wheat, or soy. Also free of artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. A quality wet diet. Recommended with confidence.

  

  Read our review of the full Tender and True Dog Food (Canned) range here

  Main Ingredients	Organic chicken, water sufficient for processing, organic pea Flour, organic chicken liver, organic chicken heart
  Texture	Wet
  Type	Grain-free
  Protein Percentage	39%

  Sample buyer review...

  "My dog is the pickiest dog i have ever had, never wanted to eat anything, always turning his nose up at everything I put him in front of him. Someone suggested Tender and True and it has been a complete turnaround, he cant wait to eat. Cleans the bowl as if her were starving. I highly recommend this product."

  Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com

8 Best Organic Puppy Foods in 2024: Reviews & Top Picks

Puppies require healthy, high-quality foods as theyre growing through this developmental stage. One of the best ways to ensure that your puppy gets clean and nutritious food is to look for dog food with the USDA Organic Label.

In truth, its quite challenging to find purely organic puppy food on the market these days, despite what brand labels and product names say. Some pet foods contain human-grade food, while others boast free-range, ethically-sourced ingredients.

So, to make your search easier, weve scoured the ingredient lists of many dog food brands and compiled a list of reviews of both completely organic puppy foods as well as those that use majority organic ingredients to source their puppy fuel.

Weve also included additional helpful information that clears up the confusion between different food labels and keywords that pet food companies will use to describe their recipes as healthy, high-quality food.

A Glance at Our Winners in 2024

The 8 Best Organic Puppy Food

1. Castor & Pollux Organix Healthy Grains Puppy Food Best Overall

Castor & Pollux is one of the only pet food companies that have a line of pet food bearing the coveted USDA Organic Label. If you look at the ingredient list for this formula, youll see that every ingredient has organic preceding it.

Along with being certified as organic, this recipe uses organic chicken and organic chicken meal as its first two ingredients, so your puppy would be consuming a good amount of protein in its diet. Since its a special formula for puppies, it also contains essential ingredients for developmental growth, such as DHA, an omega 3 fatty acid vital for brain development.

The carbohydrates used in this formula are also rather nutritious. However, we do have some hesitation with the number of ingredients inside the recipe. A complex recipe may be difficult for some puppies to digest. The inclusion of brown rice is also a concern because although it can be a great source of fiber, its also another food that can be difficult to digest.

If your puppy doesnt have food allergies or sensitivities, this recipe can be a great option. On top of being organic, its also relatively affordable, making it the overall best organic puppy food in the market.

Pros

• Organic chicken and chicken meal are the first ingredients
• Uses nutritious carbohydrates
• Relatively affordable

Cons

• Contains a lot of ingredients
• Brown rice can be difficult to digest

2. Tender & True Organic Grain-Free Chicken & Liver Best Value

Although this Tender & True organic puppy recipe isnt priced as low as Castor & Pollux recipe, its still a relatively affordable option compared to other organic dog food. The reason why we placed this recipe at a lower ranking than the Castor & Pollux recipe is because of the overall ingredient list.

Both recipes list organic chicken and organic chicken meal as the first two ingredients, and then the following ingredients diverge significantly. While the Castor & Pollux recipe has healthy whole grains and nutritious fruits and vegetables, the Tender & True recipe seems to contain a lot of fillers, such as tapioca starch and chickpeas.

However, this recipe is still a considerable option because it contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals that puppies need for healthy growth. Adults dogs can also enjoy this food, so if your puppy enjoys eating it, you dont have to worry about transitioning your dog to another recipe.

Because this recipe is still cheaper than most other organic dog food, and it covers all the bases for a puppys nutritional needs, we consider it to be the best organic puppy food for the money you spend.

Pros

• Organic chicken and chicken meal are first ingredients
• Nutritious for all life stages
• Relatively affordable

Cons

• Contains several filler ingredients

3. Side By Side Complete & Balanced Pork & Rabbit Wet Dog Food Premium Choice

This Side By Side dog food recipe is a premium option and retails at a relatively expensive price compared to other wet dog foods. However, the preparation of this food is quite meticulous, so its understandable why its so expensive.

The food is prepared in small batches and is gently cooked over low heat to preserve nutritional value. The recipe is also packed with a ton of protein, which is essential for puppies. It doesnt contain any animal by-products, peas, corn, wheat, or soy. All the animal proteins in the recipe are pasture-raised and hormone-free.

Another benefit is that this food is great for all life stages, so your puppy can enjoy this meal and also continue to eat it as an adult. However, it can get pretty expensive to feed this food to your dog for every meal, especially for large dog breeds. So, you can also use it as a meal topper to save on costs.

Pros

• Slow-cooked to preserve nutrients
• Made in small batches for quality control
• High-protein diet
• Suitable for all life stages

4. Evangers Organics Turkey with Potato & Carrots Canned Dog Food

This dog food contains a high-quality recipe with a very simple ingredient list thats easy for puppies to digest. It meets the requirements for nutritional levels for dogs of all life stages, so your puppy can enjoy this food into adulthood.

Evangers recipe doesnt have the USDA Organic Label, but it has received organic certification from Oregon Tilth, which is an Accredited Certifying Agent (ACA) for the USDAs National Organic Program. It also has been certified and endorsed by the Chicago Rabbinical Council (CRC) as kosher.

The vegetables used in this recipe are vegetables that most dogs prefer to eat, so picky eaters can also enjoy this meal.

However, the biggest issue you might come across is the texture of the food. Its a smooth pate, so its great for senior dogs, but its not the most fun texture for young dogs to eat. Some customer reviews also mentioned that the pate can be a bit dry, and they sometimes have to add additional water.

Pros

• Very simple ingredient list
• Approved as Kosher
• Contains ingredients most dogs enjoy eating
• Suitable for all life stages

Cons

• Bland texture
• Some cans may contain drier pate

5. Natural Planet Organics Chicken & Oats Adult Dog Dry Food

Natural Planet Organics Chicken & Oats Adult Dog Formula Dry Food is another recipe thats certified organic by Oregon Tilth. It contains organic chicken as its first ingredient and other nutritious foods, such as organic oats and organic flaxseed.

However, were concerned that organic brown rice is listed before organic oats, even though the recipe name lists oats instead of brown rice. As weve discussed before, brown rice can be difficult for some dogs to digest.

Overall, this dog food still provides balanced nutrition for dogs of all ages. Its also rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which help support healthy joints and skin and coat.

Pros

• Organic chicken is the first ingredient
• Suitable for dogs of all ages
• Rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids

Cons

• Contains a significant amount of brown rice

6. Newmans Own Dinner For Dogs Chicken Canned Dog Food

As we move down our list, youll start to see recipes that contain a mix of organic and non-organic ingredients. One of the main reasons why pet food companies have this mix is because they gather ingredients from different farms and growers, and some have certified organic food while others dont.

Newmans Own Dinner For Dogs Chicken Recipe Canned Dog Food uses organic chicken and organic brown rice, but the rest of the ingredients arent organic. However, theyre still nutritious, such as salmon and ocean whitefish.

Dogs of all ages, including puppies, can enjoy this food as a meal or meal topper. Its fortified with essential nutrients, and its free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.

Overall, its a pretty safe choice, but its not the cheapest canned dog food considering the fact that its not completely organic. There are some organic canned dog foods with lower prices, but at the same time, Newmans Own gives 100% of profits to charity. So, at the end of the day, your money is going to a good cause.

Pros

• Contains organic chicken and organic brown rice
• No artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
• All profits go to charity

Cons

• Not fully organic
• Can be expensive

7. The Honest Kitchen Beef Recipe Grain-Free Dehydrated Dog Food

The Honest Kitchen is another pet food company that doesnt fully utilize organic ingredients in its dog food. However, theyre slowly working towards adding more organic produce to their recipes. This particular recipe is still a high-quality recipe that uses non-GMO and hormone-free foods. It also contains organic flaxseed and dried organic coconut.

Although their recipes arent fully organic, The Honest Kitchen prides itself in using high-quality food prepared in human-grade facilities. The beef in this recipe is ranch-raised beef, and all the food is gently dehydrated to retain both nutrients and flavor.

The Beef Recipe is suitable for dogs of all ages, and puppies, in particular, will enjoy it because its relatively easy to digest. It also doesnt contain any chicken, so its completely safe for puppies with chicken allergies.

Pros

• Rich in flavor and nutrients
• Hon-GMO and hormone-free
• Chicken-free
• Contains organic flaxseed and dried organic coconut
• Prepared in human-grade facilities

8. Primal Chicken Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food

Primal Chicken Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food doesnt use organic meat products, but all the produce in the recipe is organic. Its comforting to see all the organic whole foods in the ingredient list, but its also a little concerning because its a long list of ingredients.

Many of the ingredients arent naturally tasty to dogs, such as ground alfalfa, apple cider vinegar, and kelp. With that being said, we cant confidently say that many puppies will enjoy eating this recipe.

However, you can rest assured in knowing that youre still feeding your puppy high-quality ingredients. Although the chicken isnt organic, its free of antibiotics, hormones, and steroids. The formula is a high-protein diet, which is what puppies generally need.

Due to the high percentage of protein, we would recommend consulting with your veterinarian first to ensure that this recipe is safe for your puppy to eat regularly.

Pros

• Uses organic produce
• Chicken is free of antibiotics, hormones, and steroids
• High-protein diet

Cons

• Complex ingredient list
• May contain too much protein
• Contains flavors dogs dont naturally like

Buyers Guide: Choosing the Best Organic Food for Puppies

What Makes Food Organic?

The organic food label is subjective as different countries have their own set standards of what conditions and procedures qualify food as organic. Heres a breakdown of the USDAs requirements for organic meat, organic produce, and mixed-ingredient organic food.

Organic Meat

The USDA acknowledges meat as organic when the animals are raised in living conditions that accommodate their natural behaviors, such as grazing and foraging. The animals must also only consume 100% organic feed and forage. Lastly, farmers cannot give the animals any antibiotics or hormones.

Organic Produce

Organic produce has strict requirements as well. First, the produce must grow on soil that hasnt had any USDA-prohibited substances added to it at least three years before harvesting. Also, the whole process of growing the produce must not include any synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.

In some cases, a grower may have to use a synthetic substance. In order to use this substance, the grower must first receive approval from the USDA before administering it to the produce.

Mixed-Ingredient Organic Food

When it comes to organic food with mixed ingredients, the food must contain 100% organic ingredients. It must also be free of artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. There are some minor exceptions if a food contains non-agricultural ingredients. For example, in baked goods, baking soda doesnt have to be organic.

Be aware of some food packaging that has a Made with Organic label. This doesnt mean that the food is 100% organic. It means that at least 70% of the foods ingredients are organic.

Human-Grade vs. USDA Organic

Many pet foods boast the use of human-grade ingredients. While this sounds nice, human-grade food doesnt live up to the standards of the USDA Organic certification. For example, consider all the junk food options that humans can eat. There are also many types of foods that humans can eat that make dogs sick, such as garlic, grapes, and chocolate.

Its also important to note the term human-grade is unclear and doesnt have a set definition. According to the Association of American Food Control Officials (AAFCO), human-grade isnt an official standard found in animal feed regulations.

Therefore, human-grade food is still a bit ambiguous. However, whats clearly set is how the USDA defines edible. Edible food must be fully prepared in a manner thats completely safe for humans to eat.

Overall, if youre interested in buying human-grade pet food, just make sure that you read through the pet food brands ingredient information to get a clear understanding of how it defines its human-grade ingredients.

Non-GMO vs. USDA Organic

The difference between non-GMO food and USDA Organic food is rather simple. As weve mentioned earlier, USDA Organic food doesnt contain any GMOs, antibiotics, herbicides, toxic chemicals, and other prohibited products. All animals must eat certified organic foods and feed and must live in conditions that accommodate their natural habits.

Non-GMO foods simply mean that the food doesnt contain any GMOs. So, it doesnt necessarily have to pass all the strict requirements as USDA Organic food to receive a non-GMO label.

Does My Puppy Need Organic Food?

Receiving the USDA Organic stamp of approval takes a lot of work, and its also difficult to find pet food companies that sell completely organic dog food. So, is the search worth it?

The answer is nuanced. Dog food with the USDA Organic Label will only contain organic ingredients, but it doesnt necessarily mean that the ingredients are highly nutritious for dogs. For example, the Tender & True Organic Grain-Free Chicken & Liver Recipe lists organic tapioca starch as one of its main ingredients. Even if tapioca starch is organic, its still not very nutritious. Non-organic freeze-dried broccoli could add more nutritional value to a recipe.

As of today, there isnt enough research that definitively states that organic food is significantly better than other types of dog food. However, foods with the USDA Organic Label do give owners peace of mind in knowing that the food was prepared in high-quality conditions.

So, if you can afford the higher prices of organic dog food, then its no problem giving your beloved puppy high-quality food. Organic dog food can also be helpful for dogs with severe food allergies and sensitivities.

If youre having trouble accessing organic puppy food or are concerned about expenses, then its reasonable to buy food that contains high-quality ingredients at a more affordable price. There are plenty of non-organic puppy food recipes that exceed or adequately meet nutritional requirements.

Final Thoughts

Out of our reviews, our favorite organic puppy food is Castor & Pollux Organix Healthy Grains Organic Puppy Recipe. It contains a good amount of healthy ingredients, and it is relatively affordable. Tender & True Organic Grain-Free Chicken & Liver Recipe comes at a close second, but it contained a bit more fillers that didnt add much nutritional value to the recipe.

Overall, organic puppy food is a great option to consider if you want to give your puppy the best. However, just make sure to check the ingredient list to ensure that it contains nutritious foods.

Featured Image Credit: Switlana Sonyashna, Shutterstock