The Organic Edge What Makes Organic Dog Food Stand Out
5 Best Organic Dog Foods (2024)
How to Choose the Best Organic Food for Dogs
When it come to the best organic dog foods, it is important to know that not all diets are created equally. The word organic itself has become somewhat of a buzzword as companies realize pet owners interests in feeding their dogs food that they believe to be the best for them.
Organic and natural dog foods typically are the best for dogs to consume since great care is taken to source ingredients that have been raised in the ideal conditions and that are free from pesticides and other harmful agents. However, there is a difference between what is defined as an organic food and a natural food, and it is important for families to understand this to make the best selection for their dog.
Under the regulations established by the Association of American Feed Control Offices (AAFCO), natural is defined as a feed or feed ingredient derived solely from plant, animal, or mined sourcesnot having been produced by or subject to a chemically synthetic process and not containing any additives or processing aids that are chemically synthetic.
What this typically means in terms of dog foods which are often filled with items that would seemingly defy this description is that a natural food must be free from corn, wheat, soy, and artificial colors to be designated as natural. It is also important to note that currently there are no specific rules that companies must adhere to to market their diets as natural dog foods.
Organic foods are bound by a far more stringent set of guidelines. For a dog food to receive the designation of certified organic, all plants included in the food must have been cultivated without the use of any pesticides, artificial fertilizers, genetic modification, irradiation, or sewer sludge.
Any proteins included in organic diets are also required to be taken from animals which were fed organic materials, provided with the opportunity to roam outdoors, and to have never been subjected to treatment by antibiotics or hormones.
Receiving certification as an organic dog food is a lengthy process with many hoops to be jumped through to accomplish. Regulations surrounding the privilege of labeling a dog food as organic are very strict. As a result, sourcing ingredients of this quality as well as achieving certification is an extremely lengthy and expensive task, meaning the dog food itself is more costly for the consumer as a whole.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Organic Dog Foods
Organic dog foods are made from the best available ingredients thus meaning their quality is exceptional. Ingredients are most often included in their whole form, and as a result, the food is nutritionally dense. This means that though a food may come with a higher price tag less of it will need to be fed on a daily basis to achieve the same results as a lesser quality food. So though the initial financial output may be high, savings are realized through fewer health issues and a food that lasts longer.
The amount of the best organic food for dogs each dog will need will depend on a number of factors. Among the biggest considerations are age, weight, activity level, breed, and the type of food itself. As a general guideline, it is a good idea to follow the suggested serving sizes printed on the bag of food. These can be adjusted until the correct portion size is determined.
As with all foods, a dogs weight and appetite can help families to assess whether meal sizes should be increased or decreased.
Dietary Requirements for Organic Dog Foods
Even within organic dog foods, some differences do exist. It is important for owners to take the time to understand what is in any food they are considering purchasing for their dog.
One of the key distinctions in organic dog foods today is labeling. Some organic foods will be marketed as containing organic ingredients while others declare themselves to be all-organic. When a food is labeled USDA Organic, this means that the food was certified to contain a minimum of 95% organic ingredients as defined by the USDA. Foods that are simply made with some organic ingredients have a lower requirement imposed on them with only 70 percent of their ingredients required to be certified as organic.
It is also important to select a food that specifically labels its proteins. If an organic food simply lists things such as meats or animal fats, these diets are best avoided.
Within the United States, the FDA is responsible for ensuring a food is suitable for animal consumption. This authority is also regulated by the Department of Agriculture in each individual state. It is important to note that though inspections of food manufacturing plants do occur regularly, notices to comply are not always adhered to, and regulations are not always enforced. This means that not all dog foods that proclaim themselves to be organic truly are.
Always look for the title certified organic on any food that proclaims to be an organic diet. Many companies try to avoid this by stating they include certain ingredients that have received the designation of being a USDA organic product. These may contain one item that has been certified as USDA organic while the food as whole is not certified.
As with all dog foods, it is important that the first ingredient in any organic dog food be a meat with whole meats preferable. Carbohydrates may be from whole grains or fruits and vegetables with their main goal being providing excellent amounts of dietary fiber and antioxidants. Lastly, healthy fats provide dogs with the energy they need and are also a vital help in maintaining good skin and coat quality and promoting healthy joints.
Any food suited for the need of an adult dog should contain a minimum of 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat. Use this criteria as a basic rule of thumb when considering which diet is the best organic dog food.
Things to Look for in the Best Organic Food for Dogs
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in an organic dog food:
- Whole meat or meat meal proteins heading up the ingredients list
- Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients
- Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
- Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
- Has been certified organic and bears this designation on its label
Best Natural Dog Food
The Farmers Dog Beef is one of 4 natural recipes included in our review of The Farmers Dog product line.
The example recipe here gets the lions share of its animal protein from USDA beef. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 39% protein, 29% fat and 24% estimated carbs producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 73%.
The full product line has been designed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. While each recipe includes human-grade ingredients.
Every Farmers Dog formula is 100% complete and balanced and suitable for puppies, adults or seniors. A healthy feeding option for those who can afford the brands premium price. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full The Farmers Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients USDA Beef, sweet potato, lentils, carrot, USDA beef liver Type Grain-free, fresh Protein Percentage 39 AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adults and puppies (including large breeds) Lamb Dish with Cranberries is one of 4 natural recipes covered in our review of the Ollie product line.
This Ollie recipe draws most of its animal protein from fresh lamb. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 37% protein, 30% fat and 25% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 82%.
A veterinarian-designed meal tailored to your dogs age, weight, breed, activity level, and allergies. Made entirely of human-grade ingredients.
A complete and fully balanced formula. Fresh-made and recommended with confidence.
Read our review of the full Ollie Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients Lamb, butternut squash, lamb liver, kale, rice Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 37 AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adults and puppies (including large breeds) Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at MyOllie.com"Leia has a sensitive tummy and used to not eat (or throw up) her dry kibble. She literally jumps for joy when we pull Ollie out of the fridge. What a huge difference Ollie has made in our dog's life."
Raised Right Adult Pork is one of 11 fresh recipes evaluated in our review of the Raised Right product line.
This Raised Right recipe obtains a better part of its meat protein from fresh pork. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 57% protein, 23% fat and 12% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 40%.
Each limited ingredient diet is created from a single source of animal protein. Which makes it easy to zero-in on possible food sensitivities. The entire product line is safety tested for disease-causing bacteria before shipping.
And the company posts full test results for each batch, which makes it simple for clients to verify before purchase.
One of the best fresh, high-protein dog foods on the market. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Raised Right Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients Pork, pork heart, pork liver, carrots, blueberries Type Grain-free, fresh Protein Percentage 57 AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at RaisedRightPets.com"I had been using gently cooked dog foods for a while when I came across Raised Right. I was astonished at how much higher in protein it was over all the other foods. I switched over and noticed right away why. It has absolutely no fillers in it. I'd never go back to anything else."
Nom Nom Turkey Fare is one of 4 natural recipes analyzed in our review of the Nom Nom Fresh product line.
This Nom Nom recipe draws much of its animal protein from ground turkey. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 18% fat and 38% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.
We also note the inclusion of zinc gluconate and 3 other chelated minerals, costly components typically found only in better quality pet foods.
An affordable (but not cheap) fresh-made option. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Nom Nom Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients Ground turkey, brown rice, eggs, carrots, spinach Type Grain-inclusive, fresh Protein Percentage 36 AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adults and puppies (including large breeds) Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at NomNomNow.com"Tula gets so excited when it's mealtime. She no longer has skin issues, her coat looks wonderful and her stools are the best they've ever been. I can't imagine ever feeding her anything but Nom Nom!"
Turkey Pawella is one of 4 fresh recipes included in our review of the A Pup Above product line.
This particular example recipe obtains the bulk of its animal protein from fresh turkey. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 43% protein, 22% fat and 27% estimated carbs producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 51%.
A fully-balanced, fresh food formula that meets 100% of AAFCO nutrient profile requirements for adult maintenance. Designed by a team of board-certified veterinary nutritionists. Each professional has more than 10 years of clinical experience in veterinary medicine.
A top natural dog food selection. Enthusiastically recommended.
Read our review of the full A Pup Above Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients Turkey, turkey liver, tomatoes, carrots, green peas Type Grain-free, fresh Protein Percentage 43 AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at APupAbove.com"Mealtime is so much more fun with A Pup Above! Grizzly can sometimes be a picky eater, but watching him chow down his food when I add this to his meal is just so satisfying. Thanks for making mealtime so easy and delicious for us!"
Unkibble Chicken and Brown Rice is one of 3 dry recipes included in our review of the Spot and Tango product line.
Spot and Tango Unkibble derives the majority of its animal protein from fresh chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 26% protein, 17% fat and 49% estimated carbs [producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 64%.
The quality of fresh ingredients just dry. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Spot and Tango UnKibble Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, brown rice, sweet potatoes, carrots, apples Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 26 AAFCO Standards All Life-Stages Best For Adults and puppies (including large breeds) Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at SpotAndTango.com"I always worry that the regular dry kibble isnt enough nutrition for Hoagie. This is a good alternative that doesnt require me feeding him a full meal of raw food (which gives me sticker-shock and I worry if I dont feed it to him fast enough for it to still be fresh)"
Carved Turkey Dinner is one of 5 wet recipes evaluated in our review of the Castor and Pollux canned product line.
Castor and Pollux Organix Butcher and Bushel gets the dominant portion of its animal protein from fresh organic turkey. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 42% protein, 21% fat and 29% estimated carbs which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.
This USDA certified organic product is made with minimally processed fruits and vegetables. Its also a quality source of antioxidants and balanced minerals. Readily recommended.
Read our review of the full Castor and Pollux Organix Butcher and Bushel Dog Food (Canned) range here
Main Ingredients Organic turkey, organic chicken broth, water sufficient for processing, organic chicken, organic chicken liver Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 42 AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult dogs Beef, Potato and Green Bean Recipe is one of 10 wet formulas covered in our review of the Purina Beyond product line.
Purina Beyond Natural Pate recipes draws most of its meat protein from fresh beef. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 27% fat and 28% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 75%.
This high-protein wet dog food is made with real Texas beef. Contains no corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. The pate consistency makes it ideal for use as a tasty topper. Adds real flavor and life to any processed dry kibble.
Budget-priced. A solid natural option. Easily recommended.
Read our review of the full Purina Beyond Dog Food (Canned) range here
Main Ingredients Beef, beef broth, chicken, liver, potatoes, green beans Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 36 AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My two dogs love this can food because it is ground, NOT in chunks like most can dog food. It works GREAT when mixing with dry food or when mixings with meds."
Chicken and Rice is one of 13 dry recipes evaluated in our review of the Diamond Naturals product line.
Diamond Naturals Chicken and Rice obtains the better part of its meat protein from fresh chicken. 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%.
This fully balanced, grain-free formula is also an ever-popular member of our Best Budget-Friendly Dog Food list. A top choice for those looking for exceptional value. A perennial favorite with value-conscious dog parents. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Diamond Naturals Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, white rice Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 29 AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adults and puppies (including large breeds) Orijen Original is one of 9 dry recipes analyzed in our review of the Orijen product line.
Orijen Original receives the better part of its animal protein from fresh chicken and turkey. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 43% protein, 20% fat and 28% estimated carbs delivering a fat-to-protein ratio of about 47%.
Formulated with 85% premium animal ingredients including poultry and fish, for a complete and fully balanced mixture of essential protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
Freeze-dried coated delivers a burst of raw flavor. An ever-popular brand. Enthusiastically recommended.
Read our review of the full Orijen Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, turkey, flounder, whole mackerel, chicken liver Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 43 AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adults and puppies (including large breeds) Whole Grain Chicken is one of 8 dehydrated recipes included in our review of The Honest Kitchen product line.
The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Chicken acquires much of its animal protein from dehydrated chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 27% protein, 15% fat and 50% estimated carbs which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 57%.
Made with real human-grade (not feed-grade) ingredients. Complete and fully balanced nutrition for adults and puppies of all breed sizes.
Add warm water and the product rehydrates to 4 times its packaged weight. Ideal as a topper for dry kibbles. A 10-pound box makes 40 pounds of fresh dog food. Enthusiastically recommended.
Read our review of the full Honest Kitchen Grain Free Dog Food (Dehydrated) range here
Main Ingredients Dehydrated chicken, organic barley, dehydrated potatoes, organic flaxseed, organic oats Texture Dehydrated Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 27 AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adults and puppies (including large breeds) Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"This is a great product that my dog loves. She sees the box and gets excited. Great nutritional value and my dog loves it."
Salmon and Sweet Potato is one of 10 dry recipes rated in our review of the Canidae product line.
This Canidae recipe draws the better part of its animal protein from fresh salmon. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 16% fat and 41% estimated carbs delivering a fat-to-protein ratio of about 44%.
A limited ingredient design thats made with just 8 real ingredients. Complete and fully balanced nutrition contains no soy, wheat, corn, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.
A top natural dog food pick. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Canidae Grain Free Pure Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Salmon, salmon meal, menhaden fish meal, lentils, sweet potatoes Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 36 AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My dogs are very picky eaters. I have a Chihuahua and a German Shepherd. I typically buy separate food for them but both Dogs LOVE this! I would highly recommend."
