Why is organic pet food better

What Is Organic Dog Food?

You might think that organic foods are top-tier and better than nonorganic food. And if organic food is better for people to eat, is it the same for dogs? What does it actually mean if a dog food is organic?

This article will help you interpret dog food labels related to organic dog food, whether its 100% organic or made with some organic ingredients.

What Makes a Dog Food Organic?

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has not yet defined organic specifically as it relates to use of ingredients in pet foods. According to the USDAs National Organic Program (NOP), pet foods claiming to be organic must meet its human food regulations.

And according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), There are no official rules governing the labeling of organic foods for pets at this time, but the USDA is developing regulations dictating what types of synthetic additives, such as vitamins and purified amino acids, may be used in pet foods labeled as organic.

However, you may see still see the term organic on pet foods that are made with ingredients that are produced using standard organic practices as these regulations for pet food develop.

What Does Organic Mean?

Organic is a term used to describe food ingredients, for human consumption or for feed for food-producing animals, including meat, produce, and multi-ingredient processed foods, that are grown, raised, or produced according to a specific set of guidelines defined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). These federal guidelines cover a wide range of factors.

Organic Plants

For organic plants, the guidelines relate to:

• Not using certain prohibited synthetic pesticides or fertilizers

• Not using genetically modified seeds

• Preventing GMO contamination on the farm

Organic Meat-Producing Animals

For organic meat-producing animals, the guidelines include:

• Raising the animal in living conditions that accommodate its natural behaviors

• Feeding organic feed

• Not using antibiotics or hormones

• Processing the meat product prior to packaging in a certified facility to avoid contact with any prohibited substances

Organic Multi-Ingredient Processed Foods

Finally, for organic multi-ingredient processed foods, the guidelines relate to the exclusion of artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives; however, some approved nonagricultural ingredients may be included.

No, not all dog foods have the USDA organic seal.

There are a variety of different labels that you might see on a bag or can of dog food as they relate to organic ingredients. These are the three main categories that you might come across.

100% Organic

For a multi-ingredient food such as dog food to be considered 100% organic, the product must be composed of 100% USDA certified organic ingredients.

The label must include the name of the organic certifying agent (e.g., certified organic by) and may bear the USDA certified organic seal as well.

In the ingredient list, you may see the term organic preceding each organic ingredient or an asterisk following such ingredients that is referenced below the ingredient list.

Organic: 95% Organic Ingredients

Many organic dog foods fall into this category of general organic food.

In this category, at least 95% of the ingredients must be certified organic. No more than 5% of the ingredients may be nonorganic ingredients found on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.

These types of products must also include the name of the organic certifier on the label, and you may also see the USDA certified organic seal.

Made With Organic _______: 70% Organic

Finally, you may see a dog food product label that states, made with organic Such products must contain at least 70% organic ingredients.

In this case, the overall product cannot be labeled as organic, and as such, you will not find a USDA certified organic seal, but the name of the organic certifier must be on the label.

Only up to three ingredients or ingredient categories in the ingredient list can be labeled as organic, and similar to the above-mentioned category, any nonagricultural ingredients included must be on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.

What's the Difference Between Organic Dog Food and Natural Dog Food?

In contrast to the term organic, which applies to the production and handling requirements for specific ingredients in pet food, natural is an extremely broad term.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), defines natural as follows:

"A feed or ingredient derived solely from plant, animal or mined sources, either in its unprocessed state or having been subjected to physical processing, heat processing, rendering, purification extraction, hydrolysis, enzymolysis, or fermentation, but not having been produced by or subject to a chemically synthetic process and not containing any additives or processing aids that are chemically synthetic except in amounts as might occur unavoidably in good manufacturing practices.

Essentially, an unnatural ingredient is a chemically synthesized ingredient and can include things such as added:

• Vitamins

• Minerals

• Preservatives

• Artificial flavoring

Many ingredients used in pet foods, organic or not, can claim to be natural because they are derived from plant, animal, or mined sources.

Is Organic Dog Food Better?

To date, there is no convincing research in humans confirming a significant nutritional difference in foods produced conventionally or via organic farming practices, and no such studies comparing the nutritional content and potential health effects of organic dog food have been performed in dogs.

While there may be some small increases in certain nutrients such as antioxidants or fatty acids in some organic ingredients, a dog food thats formulated to be complete and balanced according to AAFCO requirements already meets your dogs minimum essential nutrient needs (and often exceeds the minimum). So, an increased amount of a specific nutrient provided by an organic ingredient is not necessarily better for health or nutrition.

Important aspects to evaluate on a label regarding a dog foods nutrient qualityinclude:

• AAFCO statements that ensure that the product meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for a specific life stage

• Whether an AAFCO feeding trial has been performed

• Whether the food is only intended for intermittent and supplemental feeding (meaning that it is not complete and balanced and cannot be fed as a regular diet)

The product should also contain the manufacturers name and contact information, so that you or your veterinarian are able to contact them if you needed to ask questions about:

When in doubt, your dogs veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist is your best resource in choosing the right food for your dogs individual needs.

Featured image: iStock.com/YakobchukOlena

The 10 Best Organic Dog Foods in 2024

Owning a dog is a lifelong commitment, and it requires constant love, care, and attention. While this means guaranteed snuggles and lots of fun, it also means ensuring that your dogs needs are being met. One of the most important components in this process is providing your pooch with a varied, satiating, and nutritionally satisfying diet.

If you personally prefer organic foods and appreciate the health and environmental benefits, you may also be interested in incorporating organic foods into your dogs diet. While this may seem simple enough, finding high-quality organic dog food is not always straightforward. With no official governing body for organic dog food production, labeling for organic pet products can often be confusing and, at times even misleading.

While the research and buying process may be a little more complicated, the benefits of organic dog food are clear. If youre someone who advocates for a more holistic lifestyle, incorporating organic foods into your dogs diet will not only ensure your pooch is getting all their essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, itll also reduce your dogs exposure to pesticides, fertilizers, and GMOs.

Features to Consider in Good Organic Dog Food

Before jumping straight into the best organic dog foods on the market, its important to consider what qualities make a good organic dog food. If you find yourself feeling befuddled by all the different dog food jargon, you can consult our handy organic dog food terminology guide.

With so many different certifications, product variants, and ingredients, it can be difficult to know which type of organic dog food is right for your pooch. To give you a better idea of how these ingredients and regulations all fit together, weve put together a brief guide to what we believe are the three most important things to remember when buying organic dog food.

Ingredients

Every dog is different, so knowing what ingredients make up your dog food will help to ensure youre meeting the specific nutritional needs of your pet. Generally speaking, most organic dog foods are made up of a mixture of protein, carbohydrates, water, vitamins, and minerals this is standard across both wet and dry dog food. If a pet food product is labeled as organic, it means that its ingredients are grown without the use of pesticides or fertilizers, growth hormones, or antibiotics.

Below is a brief breakdown of the basic constituents of most dog food products:

• Protein: The type of protein used in dog food will depend on the price and intended flavor of the product. The most common proteins are poultry, livestock, or seafood. Animal byproducts may also be included for additional protein; this usually includes carcass parts, organs, blood, or meat broth.
• Carbohydrates: When it comes to dog food, carbohydrate content typically comes by way of one or more grain products. Some common grains used in dog food are corn, wheat, soybean, and barley. You may also encounter grain alternatives like potatoes or peas.
• Other: In order to better meet your dogs nutritional needs, organic dog food may be fortified with additional vitamin and mineral content (i.e., added Omega-3 or Omega-6).

Certification

While youd be forgiven for thinking that organic certification is a simple enough topic, the complexity of regulatory restrictions and industry marketing tactics means that organic product labeling is rarely straightforward.

As there is no governing body for the production of organic dog food, animal food companies follow the same basic organic certification principles that are applied to human food by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In lieu of more concrete pet food guidelines, the USDA has specified that use of the USDA organic certification seal is only permitted for products that are made up of at least 95% organic ingredients.

For more information on USDA food certification, take a look at our breakdown of organic certification and labeling for dog food.

Dry vs. Wet Food

Another important factor to consider when purchasing organic dog food is whether your dog prefers wet or dry food. While your personal mileage may vary, neither variety of dog food is uniquely better than the other, and many owners like to feed their dog a mixture of both in order to keep their diet interesting and nutritionally varied. However, if your dog is a fussy eater, you may want to opt for one type of dog food over the other.

In most cases, the best way to determine which type of food your dog prefers will be through trial and error. Fortunately, many veterinary clinics and pet shops offer small sample pouches of dog food. Trialing a few of them will not only help you determine what your dog likes; itll also save you from spending a fortune on food that may not be eaten.

With so many factors to consider, selecting the best organic food for your dog can be a tricky and time-consuming process. Now that you know exactly what you need to find the perfect food for your pooch, lets take a look at the best options on the market today.

Guide to Buying the Best Organic Dog Food

Deciding on the best organic dog food for your pet can be difficult, especially when there are so many different options. To help you pick the most suitable organic dog food for your pet, weve put together this handy guide to help you in selecting an organic food for your dog.

Dont worry, everything you need to know about organic dog food, from the most commonly used ingredients to the truth about grains in dog food is covered in this guide.

How Does Organic Dog Food Differ From Regular Dog Food?

Organic dog food only differs from regular dog food in the type of ingredients that are used and how these ingredients are grown. Organic dog food will only use ingredients that are grown, raised, harvested, and processed organically; this means without the use of pesticides, growth hormones, antibiotics, synthetic fertilizers, and genetic modification. Currently, pet food companies can only label their dog food as certified organic if their ingredients meet the same USDA guidelines that are applied to human food products. Countries that produce dog foods outside of the US are subject to slightly different guidelines.

Organic Certification and Labelling

In order to classify and advertise dog food products as organic, companies must adhere to both USDA meat and poultry regulations and FDA non-meat regulations and pet food labeling guidelines. These regulations ensure that any product labeled as organic must contain at least 95% organic ingredients.

For this reason, certified organic dog food is more difficult to come by and generally more expensive than non-organic dog food. Unfortunately, many dog food products that claim to be organic are only partially composed of organic ingredients. To help clarify what USDA certification actually means when it comes to dog food, weve listed the key certification guidelines below:

• If the product is made up of 100% organic ingredients, the producing company can display the USDA seal and claim 100% organic on the packaging.
• If the product is at least 95% organic (excluding salt and water), the company can display the USDA seal.
• If the product contains at least 70% organic ingredients, the company can list three of those ingredients on the front of the package and claim that the product is made with organic ingredients.
• If the product contains less than 70% organic ingredients, the company is not permitted to list the ingredients on the front of the product but can list them in the nutritional information panel. This product cannot legally describe itself as organic and is prohibited from using the USDA seal.

If youre set on getting a USDA certified organic food for your dog, your best bet is Castor and Polluxs Organic Butcher & Bushel Grain-Free Dog Food.

Benefits of Using Organic Dog Food

While the organic movement may be heavily debated around the dinner table, the scientific community is of the firm opinion that organic food is not only beneficial for the environment, but also for the health of your dog. To help you understand why weve listed four science-backed benefits of organic food:

• Higher nutrient levels: Organic foods will often contain higher levels of nutrients and antioxidants. This is particularly true for beneficial nutrients like Omega-3, an anti-inflammatory fatty acid that is known to help reduce hardened arteries. When vegetables are sprayed with pesticides and fertilizers, fatty acids like Omega-3 are produced in lesser quantities.
• No toxic additives: Organic dog foods are less likely to contain any of the toxic additives that trigger health issues or contribute to ongoing health concerns in dogs (i.e., osteoporosis or seizure). These additives include GMOs, synthetic growth hormones, antibiotics, artificial flavors, artificial preservatives, and artificial colors.
• Better for the environment: Not only is organic food better for your pets health, but it is also a more responsible choice for the environment. Organic foods are grown without harmful pesticides or fertilizers, promoting greater biological nutrient recycling, and minimizing the chemical run-off into nearby waterways.
• Better Taste: As organic food is grown without the use of toxic additives, organic products tend to have a more natural taste and scent. If your dog is a picky eater, the more natural taste of organic foods can be a gamechanger.

Types of Organic Dog Food: Wet or Dry?

Unless your dog has specific dietary requirements or theyre a finicky eater, it is advised to give your dog a mixture of both wet and dry food. Offering both varieties allows your pet to reap the maximum benefits that each food type has to offer. Read on for a brief breakdown of the respective pros and cons of wet and dry dog food.

Wet Food

Wet food refers to any type of pet food with high moisture content. Typically sold in cans or pouches, wet food is usually served as a pate style, with the protein, fat, and carbohydrates blended into a smooth, jelly-like consistency. While this can be more appetizing for dogs, wet texture food will not stimulate your dogs teeth and jaw muscles. As a result, a predominantly wet food diet can contribute to dental issues or odorous oral hygiene.

At a glance, the benefits of wet food include:

• More easily digested
• More meaty texture/taste
• High moisture content (i.e., improved hydration)
• Long shelf-life

As well as being more palatable, wet food is also more easily digestible, making it a great option for fussy dogs or dogs with food sensitivities. One of the best organic wet dog foods on the market today is Castor and Polluxs Organic Butcher & Bushel Grain-Free Dog Food.

Dry Food

Dry dog food, also known as kibble, comes in the form of crunchy biscuits or pods. There are many different types and sizes of kibble available on the market, making it highly customizable for anything from a large meal to a small snack. If you own a smaller pooch, opt for mini kibble biscuits to ensure your dog is able to easily eat and digest their meals.

At a glance, the benefits of dry food include:

• Reduces plaque/tartar build-up
• Reduces bad breath
• Doesnt require refrigeration
• Can be left out throughout the day
• Cheaper than wet food

Beyond these benefits, kibble is also linked to superior oral health in dogs. The crunchy texture of kibble helps to break off plaque or tartar build-up on the teeth, keeping your dogs mouth and breath fresher for longer between veterinary visits.

Dry food also tends to be more affordable than wet food as it contains a higher percentage of water. Note that, while this may be good for your wallet, it does mean that the food contains less protein and solid food ingredients.

For top-quality natural dry food, we recommend The Honest Kitchens Whole Food Clusters.

Commonly Used Ingredients in Dog Food

Whether you use wet or dry food, all dog food is made up of a mixture of ingredients that are formulated to meet their nutritional needs. Generally, this means that most dog foods will include meat and meat byproducts, vitamins, minerals, cereals, and grains.

The type of meat used in dog food will vary depending on the flavor of the product you purchase. Meats commonly used in pet food include livestock, horse, poultry, or seafood. Animal byproducts, such as organs, carcass parts, and cheek meats, may also be used.

If you choose to buy pet food that contains grains, this will usually consist of soybean, cornmeal, barley, or wheat. These ingredients can then be mixed with water, salts, meat broth, blood, and sometimes preservatives and flavoring if the pet food is not organic or natural.

Alternatively, if you decide to use a grain-free pet food, your ingredient list will generally include food items like potato, sweet potato, or peas to ensure that your pet is getting enough carbohydrates.

If youre on the hunt for a top-rated grain-free dog food, take a look at Ziwi Peaks Air-Dried Dog Food.

Are Grains Bad for Your Dog?

While it is a common belief that grain foods are bad for pets, what limited evidence there is for this position has been largely dismissed by the broader veterinary community. Many dogs can reap the nutritional benefits from grains without having any adverse reaction.

In fact, including an appropriate amount of carbohydrates from grains in your dogs diet is important in maintaining healthy skin and hair, as well as a strong immune system. A great dog food that includes grains is The Honest Kitchens Organic Whole Grain Dehydrated Wet Food.

That being said, some dogs can have an allergic reaction to certain types of grains. However, this type of allergy is present in less than 1% of dogs. If you think your pet may be allergenic, the best thing to do is to speak with a veterinarian. There are plenty of grain-free options available for dogs with grain allergies that still provide all the essential nutrients that your pet needs.

If you have been feeding your dog grain-free food and youre worried they may not be getting enough carbohydrates, dont panic! Most grain-free dog foods use alternative carbohydrate sources (i.e., potato or peas) to ensure your dog is consuming a balanced meal.

Breaking Down Dog Food Terminology

The confusing labeling between natural and organic dog foods is often what turns people off from using organic products. In an attempt to rectify this situation, weve listed some of the most commonly used dog food terminology to make understanding different labeling a breeze.

• Corn/grain-free: Corn or grain-free dog food refers to food products that do not contain corn, wheat, rice, or other grains.
• Kibble: Kibble is the shorthand term for the biscuits that make up dry dog food. Kibble bags come in a range of sizes, meaning they can accommodate both small and big dog breeds.
• Wet food: Usually manufactured in tins or pouches, wet food refers to a mixture of meat chunks and sauce. Wet food products are sold in either whole chunks or pate form.
• Complete nutrition: If a dog food product states that it contains complete nutrition, this implies that the food has all the essential vitamins and minerals your dog needs.
• Organic: A popular classification, organic food uses ingredients that are grown without pesticides, antibiotics, fertilizers, or GMOs.

Best Organic Dog Food 2024: Top 5 Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Makes Dog Food Organic?

Dog food can be classified as organic if between 95% and 100% of its ingredients are grown or raised without the use of pesticides, antibiotics, growth hormones, synthetic fertilizers, or genetic modifications.

1. Is Organic Dog Food Healthier for My Dog?

Strictly speaking, there is little to no difference in nutritional value between organic and non-organic dog food products. A non-organic dog food can still give your dog all the essential vitamins and minerals it needs to be healthy. Nevertheless, it is widely believed that organic pet food is still a healthier option, largely due to the reduced exposure to toxic pesticides, harmful growth hormones, and allergenic additives.

1. Is Dry or Wet Food Better for Dogs?

Whether you buy wet or dry food will ultimately come down to your dogs health requirements and dietary preferences. Many pet owners prefer to buy wet food as it has a more natural texture and contains more visible ingredients (such as vegetables and meat chunks). However, some dogs will only eat dry kibble, which is still a great option, especially if your dog has dental issues, digestive problems, or allergenic sensitivities. At the end of the day, unless your dog is opposed to one option or the other, there is no reason why you cant feed your dog both wet and dry food. If youre looking for some dehydrated options, check out a list of our favorites here.

1. Can I Make My Own Organic Dog Food?

Yes, you can make your own organic dog food by purchasing regular organic produce from your supermarket or greengrocer. While this will ensure that you know exactly what ingredients are going into your dog food, its imperative that youre making safe and nutritionally balanced meals.

If youre set on making your own organic dog food at home, make sure to consult your vet first. Your vet will be able to give you a better idea of what sort of foods you should include in each meal, as well as any foods to avoid. It is especially important to consult your vet if your dog has a sensitive stomach, allergies, or any other medical conditions.

1. Are Organic and Natural Dog Foods the Same?

There are a few differences between dog foods labeled natural and dog foods that are labeled organic. More often than not, organic dog foods can also be labeled as natural, meaning they contain unprocessed and unrefined ingredients.

Note that unlike USDA certified organic dog food, there is no legal definition for natural dog food. This means that any company can label their product as natural, so be sure to thoroughly read the ingredients list if youre considering a natural dog food for your pet.

Final Thoughts

While the research process may take a little longer, the bottom line is that investing in an organic dog food is an investment into your dogs health and future. Nevertheless, if you have any concerns about incorporating a new food into your dogs diet, just ask your veterinarian about introducing new foods to your dog