The Best Natural Dog Food: Our Top 6 Picks for 2023 Revealed

Pet owners on the lookout for quality dog food would most likely end up buying dog food that is made with all-natural ingredients, and it’s easy to see why.

Natural dog food, after all, is known for its chemical-free content with ingredients that come from natural resources. 

Unfortunately, the dog food options are limitless. And so we ask: which among them is the best natural dog food?

You’d most likely find yourself in a pickle when it comes to choosing the best natural and organic dog food out there, given the thousands of dog food options. But don’t worry. Help is here. 

Apart from providing you with a list of tried-and-tested natural and organic dog foods for your pup, we are also here to give you everything there is to know about natural dog foods, including the real deal behind natural dog food and if they’re really the best choice for your pets.

OUR TOP 3 PICKS FOR BEST NATURAL DOG FOOD

Organic Dog Food Vs. Natural Dog Food 

While labels are supposed to make things easier, it’s like a math problem that you need to decipher. That’s why we are here to give you the deets about the most confusing of them all – Natural and Organic food.

If you think about it, the words “natural” and “organic” food are so synonymous that it’s hard to tell one from the other. Both are derived from nature and are not man-made. So, what’s the difference?

When it comes to “Natural,” this dog food label is more of a marketing term thrown around to say that their product is free of meat byproducts, artificial colors and flavors, and other additives. At this point, there are still no regulations or criteria in place to clearly define this label when it comes to dog food. 

The dog food label “Organic,” on the one hand, is subject to US federal standards for manufacturing and handling. With organic dog food, you can be assured the food only uses USDA-certified organic ingredients. 

Organic food carries the “USDA Organic” seal. By law, organic food contains 95% organic ingredients. Since it’s not easy to pass this certification, certified organic foods are harder to come by.

Your next question would probably be: How much does organic dog food cost? Given the complex process involved to be “Organic” certified, you can expect dog food and organic food, in general, of an organic variety to cost more than regular dog food. 

How To Choose The Best Natural & Organic Dog Food

Whether you’re looking for the best natural dog foods or the best organic dog food, figuring out which one delivers can be downright confusing.

Good thing, there are a couple of things you can check to ensure that the dog food you’re planning to buy (whether it is dry food, wet food, or raw food) is indeed good for your dog’s health.

So, before you add that dog food product to your cart, make sure to get everything below checked. This will help put your worries aside because you know that what you’re buying is excellent value for money and the best food for your dog.

Check The Labels & Ingredients

While the labels can be confusing, knowing which specific dog food label to find can help narrow down your search. Dog foods labeled “Natural” are still a good choice. However, make sure to keep an eye on products with “100% organic” labeling.

And while you’re at it, look for products that are AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) approved. Dog foods with this label offer complete and balanced nutrition for a particular life stage according to AAFCO’s requirements.

Apart from the labels, it’s also a must for pet owners to check the ingredients. As a rule of thumb, foods with fewer ingredients are often a better choice. 

Quality dog food would list animal protein as part of the first three ingredients. The first ingredients show the food’s major components. Those with loads of fillers are potentially problematic, so it’s best to stay away from those. 

When checking the ingredients, take time to check for ingredients that may trigger food allergies. 

Some dogs are allergic to proteins like beef, chicken, and eggs. Other dogs are allergic to wheat. If this is the case, your dog is better off munching on salmon or natural grain-free dog food.

Make Sure It’s Made For Your Dog’s Size, Breed, & Age

Different dog breeds have various requirements. Also, the nutritional needs of a 10-pound dog would differ from those of a 100-pound dog. 

Besides that, dogs also have different amounts of calorie requirements at different ages. Younger dogs or puppies’ dietary needs often include additional caloric content compared to senior dogs. 

So, when looking for the best dog foods, always consider your pet’s dog breed, size, and life stage. This way, you’re assured that your dog is getting all the necessary nutrients.

Pick Reasonably Priced Products

While many natural and organic dog foods are somewhat expensive, some are still reasonably priced. As such, look for dog foods that are quality yet still affordable (don’t worry, they exist). This way, you’d be able to feed your dog natural food for longer.

 

1. Purina ONE SmartBlend Chicken & Rice
2. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Chicken & Brown Rice
3. Wellness CORE Small Breed Turkey & Chicken Recipe
4. Castor & Pollux ORGANIX Organic Small Breed Recipe
5. Purina Beyond Beef, Potato & Green Bean Recipe
6. Instinct Raw Boost Recipe with Real Chicken

Best Natural Dog Food: Our Top Choices

1. Purina ONE SmartBlend Chicken & Rice 

Rating: 4.7/5

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Rice Flour, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal

Guaranteed Analysis: 

Purina is a company that has been around for over 90 years. With so much history to back it up, it’s easy to see why this brand tops the list of best natural dog foods.

Apart from Purina ONE, this pet food manufacturer is also known for other dog food brands like Alpo, Beyond, and Dog Chow.

PROS:

• Made with real chicken and has that listed as its #1 ingredient
• Veterinarian recommended
• Formulated to meet AAFCO’s nutritional requirements
• Prebiotic fiber helps improve digestion 
• Available in pouches and different bag sizes

CONS: 

• Some bags contain fewer chicken meat morsels compared to others
• Kibble size is large compared to other brands

Purina ONE Smartblend in chicken and rice formula is recommended by 97% of Chewy reviewers. With over a thousand reviews, 85% of them are 100% satisfied with this dry dog food’s quality, price, and more importantly, its effect on their dog’s health.

A good number mentioned that their vets recommended this dry dog food to them and had nothing wrong to say about it.

While there were a few dogs (like a handful) that disliked its taste, the majority of the dogs that tried this- from chihuahuas to golden retrievers – gobbled this up as if they’re treats.  

Health-wise, dog owners confirm how this food helped improve their dog’s bowel movement and digestion. Reviewers recount their dog’s shiny and smooth fur after eating this for a couple of weeks. This includes one reviewer with a dog suffering from allergies for several months.

Apart from better-looking coats, increased energy levels and brighter eyes were also witnessed by many fur parents.

While there were a few that complained about the size of kibble being a bit too large for their small dog to eat, a lot are happy that they made the switch. Some even mentioned that they’ve been feeding this food to their dog for years.

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2. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Chicken & Brown Rice

Rating: 4.6/5

First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Oatmeal

Guaranteed Analysis: 

A company that started in 2003, Blue Buffalo Pet Food was created to honor the founder’s beloved dog, Blue. At a young age, Blue had to beat cancer twice. Unfortunately, Blue died of lymphoma. 

Since that sad event, Blue’s fur parents, with the help of veterinary nutritionists, have been tirelessly creating dog food products that go through a 6-point quality check.

Currently, this brand is owned by General Mills – the same company that sells Cheerios and Pillsbury.

PROS:

• Includes high-quality meat and wholesome grains like brown rice
• Ingredients do not include corn, wheat, and soy
• It’s free of artificial flavors, artificial colors, and artificial preservatives
• Made in the USA
• It comes in 3-lb to 30-lb bags

CONS: 

• A few dogs didn’t like the antioxidant-rich LifeSource bits
• Some had problems with their bowel for a day or two

Recommended by 95% reviewers, Blue Buffalo’s Life Protection Formula in chicken and brown rice recipe (for adult dogs) is made with natural ingredients. This includes deboned chicken and antioxidant-rich veggies and fruits, as well as whole grains like brown rice.

Fur parents swore that this dry dog food had quality ingredients that did wonders to their pet dog’s coats and overall health.

From small- to large-sized breeds, dogs seem to have shinier fur, increased energy levels, and reduced tummy upsets. Compared to other dog food brands, this one also kept their dogs full.

When it comes to transitioning, a few dogs experienced GI problems. You might want to feed this in small amounts while transitioning to let your dog’s stomach adjust to the new food.

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3. Wellness CORE Small Breed Turkey & Chicken Recipe

Rating: 4.6/5

First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Lentils, Peas

Guaranteed Analysis: 

As the name suggests, Wellness aims to improve pets’ overall wellness through their thoughtfully-prepared recipes crafted with natural ingredients.

The company started in the 1990s and has been developing yummy protein-focused, grained, or grain-free dry and wet food, mixers, toppers, and treats for both cats and dogs ever since.

PROS:

• High in protein
• No artificial flavors and preservatives
• Made in the USA
• Contains Ingredients rich in omega fatty acids for healthier skin and coats
• Perfect kibble size

CONS:

• A bit pricey
• One dog got stinky breath after eating this food

If you’re looking for a natural grain-free dry dog food option that’s made of natural ingredients and high amounts of animal protein, check out Wellness CORE’s Grain-Free dry dog food. Despite being somewhat pricey, a lot agree that this dry food is value for money. 

A recipe specially made for small breed adult dogs, this treat is approved by dogs and recommended by 95% of its reviewers. In fact, most dogs enjoy its meaty taste – from picky eaters to food-lovings Shi Tzus, Boston Terriers, to Dachshunds.

Transitioning to this grain-free food is seamless, as mentioned by a good number of reviewers. Health-wise, this natural dry dog food got a two thumbs up.

Dogs who ate this became more active and looked healthier. One even added that their dog’s fur went from “pretty to spectacular.” 

Besides that, this grain-free food also did not cause any tummy problems (even for sensitive eaters). It also helped one diabetic dog lower its blood sugar.

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4. Castor & Pollux ORGANIX Organic Small Breed Recipe

Rating: 4.7/5

First 5 Ingredients: Organic Chicken, Organic Chicken Meal, Organic Sweet Potatoes, Organic Potatoes, Organic Peas

Guaranteed Analysis: 

A business that was founded by two pet parents who desired to keep their pet Joey satisfied and happy, Castor & Pollux Natural Petworks is now an industry leader in the realm of pet food. 

With the introduction of their USDA organic pet food line – Organix, this business has set pet food standards to new heights. Among their best-selling products is the ORGANIX Grain-Free Organic Recipe for small breeds.

PROS:

• Carries the USDA Organic seal
• Made of non-GMO organic ingredients
• Contains zero corn, wheat, soy, chickpeas, and lentils
• Free from artificial preservatives and artificial colors
• Kibble size is perfect

CONS: 

• Somewhat expensive
• Does not come in a resealable bag

If you’re a big fan of organic dog food, the best organic dog food out there is none other than the grain-free Organic Recipe from ORGANIX.

Blended to meet the dietary needs of small breed adult dogs, this formula is also great for dogs with sensitive skin and tummies.

Dog owners particularly like that this grain-free food is made with wholesome, organic ingredients and has organic chicken (think cage-free chicken) and organic chicken meal as its first ingredient.

Dogs, on the one hand, approve its taste and lick their bowls clean. Transitioning to this food was also stress-free since most dogs who have tried it the first time didn’t show any adverse reactions.  

Besides its organic ingredients and pup-approved taste, this grain-free product significantly helps reduce flare-ups in dogs with allergies.

Less gas and firmer stools were among its benefits. Lastly, the majority of the dogs who have tried this got to flaunt their silky, shiny coats.

All this, however, comes with a price. Good thing, it’s not uber-expensive. And since it’s USDA-certified organic, you know for sure that you’re feeding your dog organic foods that are high-quality.

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5. Purina Beyond Beef, Potato & Green Bean Recipe

Rating: 4.5/5

First 5 Ingredients: Beef, Beef Broth, Chicken, Liver, Potatoes, Green Beans

Guaranteed Analysis: 

Apart from the pet food line called Purina ONE, this company is also known for its Beyond natural dog and cat food products. 

Both dry and wet dog food or canned food products in this line are made without artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. They are also free from soy and corn. 

PROS:

• Lists beef as its 1st ingredient
• Prebiotic fiber is added to help support healthy digestion
• Meat comes from cattle raised in Texas for a minimum of 100 days
• Reasonably-priced
• Available in various flavors

CONS:

• Formula change
• One reviewer said that “about 25% of the can is liquid”

Mixing wet food with your dog’s regular dry food adds moisture to its diet and also makes the food even more appealing. If you’re on the lookout for the best wet food, you might want to try Purina BEYOND’s ground entree canned dog food. 

Aside from beef and potato, this canned dog food is also available in various flavors including turkey and sweet potato, and chicken, salmon, and spinach.

Pet parents love how this wet canned food nourished their pet dogs who have allergies and digestive problems. One even added that it’s also a good dog food option for pups with tooth problems since it’s soft and easy to chew. 

A common complaint, however, is its pate-like consistency. Since this is a ground entree, expect to see mashed meat in the mixture instead of chunks.

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6. Instinct Raw Boost Recipe with Real Chicken

Rating: 4.5/5

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas, Chicken Fat, Tapioca

Guaranteed Analysis: 

Guided by raw nutrition, Instinct aims to provide pet parents with real, whole, and minimally processed pet food for their pals.

Their excellent rating in the Safe Quality Food (SQF) Food Safety says it all. With Instinct, expect their raw food to be free of pathogens and to offer life-changing pet benefits.

PROS:

• Packed with animal protein sourced from fresh chicken
• Made without low-quality meat byproducts, artificial preservatives & grains
• Anti-oxidant rich ingredients help support immunity
• Made in the USA 

CONS:

• A bit expensive
• Some complained about their dog’s having softer stools and GI problems

Made for all life stages, this grain-free raw meat recipe is a hit among many dogs and dog owners alike. If you wish to give your dog a raw meat diet but have limited time up your sleeve, you might want to consider buying this food for your dog.

According to a good number of reviewers, this dog food worked great for dogs with weight issues and skin sensitivities. Feeding this to their dogs was also easy. Dogs especially liked the freeze-dried raw or fresh chicken bits. 

In addition, pet owners were also pleased that this food gave their pals the energy they need for the whole day and considered the shinier, smoother coats a plus.

Unfortunately, not all dogs were able to adjust to this food. Despite transitioning slowly, some experienced gas and diarrhea.

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Is Organic Food Better For Dogs?

Organic foods have higher-quality nutrition and contain natural nutrients which can help improve your dog’s overall health. However, there is still no scientific evidence available to show that they’re indeed better. 

A Final Word

Natural dog food is great for dogs, but finding the best dog food that matches your dog’s taste and needs is pretty hard.

If you’ve tried all the foods on the list (including premium dog food and the best organic dog food) but failed, don’t be disheartened. Fact is, even the best organic foods will not work for all types of dogs.

Just be extra patient and try again. Keep your options open and ask around. You might want to consider having fresh food delivered for your dog. Among the best fresh food service providers is Nom Nom. Check them out if you’re interested.

Apart from that, it’s also great to talk to your local vet and co-dog lovers. Chances are the healthy meal and the RIGHT food for your dogs are just waiting close by.