
Looking for an updated Castor and Pollux dog food review? Here it is!
Castor and Pollux dog food is an all-natural brand of premium pet food compared to other dog food brands.
If you didn’t know anything about this brand, you might think that it was named after the founder’s pets but the names Castor and Pollux actually come from Greek mythology.
Twin brothers, Castor and Pollux appeared in several Greek myths but don’t worry – there is nothing mythological about the pet food. It is just wholesome and nutritious pet food, plain and simple.
The company was started by Shelley Gunton and Brian Connolly, loving parents of a lab/pointer mix named Joey. What started as a homemade dog food recipe has blossomed over the past twenty years into one of the top natural and organic pet food brands on the market.
Their pet foods are designed to nourish the bodies of pets from the inside out, providing them with all of the essential nutrients they need and nothing they don’t. It simply stands apart from other dog foods in the market today.
Manufacturer Information
The Castor and Pollux Natural PetWorks company was launched in 1999 with the release of the world’s first branded, premium-quality line of specialty pet food products.
The Organix line of organic pet foods and treats was released in 2003 and three years later, saw the debut of the Natural Ultramix line of products (now discontinued).
Though they began as a family-owned operation, the company was acquired by Merrick Pet Care, Inc. in 2012 in an effort to spread the brand across the country – Merrick is the only U.S. pet food manufacturer certified to product dry and canned organic pet food products.
In 2015, the Merrick Pet Care company was acquired by Nestle Purina, currently the second-largest pet food company in the world and the largest in the United States.
Because companies that set standards should always be ahead of the game, Castor & Pollux elevated Organix from simply being an organic line into a USDA-certified organic range in 2017.
They also introduced Pristine (a line dedicated to responsibly-sourced food) in that same year.
Castor And Pollux Dog Food Review
Castor and Pollux takes pet nutrition very seriously which is why they use only the freshest natural and organic ingredients in their pet food products.
This brand is the self-described “leader in organic and natural pet food” and one of the only pet food companies that offers certified-organic products.
This company makes some pretty lofty claims about the quality and nutrition of their products but these claims appear to be founded in truth.
A quick review of several their products reveals the use of organic meats and digestible carbohydrates, not to mention plenty of healthy fats and wholesome fruits and vegetables.
Organix
The Organix linedebuted in 2013 as a range that specializes in organic pet food. Every Organix product is not just organic, but certified as USDA Organic. What does this mean for you?
You can rest assured that every ingredient in every Organix food is produced without using synthetic fertilizers, chemical pesticides, added growth hormones or antibiotics, or artificial preservatives. All recipes are non-GMO and contain no soy, corn, or wheat.
The products under the Organix line is composed of dry kibbles, canned food, and treats.
1. Organix Grain-Free Chicken and Sweet Potato
First 5 ingredients:
Organic Chicken, Organic Chicken Meal, Organic Sweet Potatoes, Organic Potatoes, Organic Peas
Protein: 26.0% min
Fat: 15.0% min
Fiber: 3.5% max
Moisture: 11.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: Adult, All Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
This dog food features a blend of superfoods, omega fatty acids, and premium organic chicken, including fresh chicken, chicken meal, chicken liver, and chicken fat.
Being organic means it may offer more omega fatty acids and has lower salmonella risk compared to conventionally-raised poultry.
This grain-free formula uses sweet potatoes for carbohydrates and includes peas, chickpeas, and sunflower seed meal for additional protein and nutrients.
Sunflower seed meal provides fatty acids, Vitamin E, and trace minerals that support skin, coat, and brain health. The recipe also incorporates coconut oil, sunflower oil, and salmon oil for essential omega fatty acids.
With at least 95% organic ingredients, this food is a balanced and nutritious choice for dogs of all ages and breeds, providing a crude protein content of 26%.
2. Tiny Feasts Organic Chicken, Quinoa & Carrot Stew
First 5 ingredients:
Organic Chicken, Organic Chicken Broth, Water Sufficient For Processing, Organic Chicken Liver, Organic Spinach
Protein: 8.0% min
Fat: 3.5% min
Fiber: 1.4% max
Moisture: 81.0% max
Food Type: Wet, Stew
Best for: Adult, Extra Small – Small Breeds
This wet dog food is 95% organic and features high-quality chicken as the primary ingredient, providing essential protein for tissue repair and muscle maintenance.
It also contains chicken liver for added protein, vitamin A, and fat, making it suitable for dogs needing to gain or regain weight due to its higher calorie content (96 kcal/bowl).
The formula also incorporates peas for protein, along with carrots, cranberries, flaxseed, and spinach. These ingredients provide antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and plant-based nutrition.
Dried egg product is a high-quality, digestible protein source that supports muscle development and maintenance, while flaxseed supports skin health, digestive health and joint mobility.
Its bioavailability ensures dogs efficiently absorb the nutrients, making it a valuable ingredient for balanced nutrition.
Pristine
Responsibly-sourced ingredients is what the Pristine range is all about. The first ingredient in Pristine product line is always a meat or poultry that was responsibly-raised. For fish recipes, they are always wild caught.
Responsibly-raised means the animal the meat comes from has lots of access to natural light, fresh air, and space to roam. They’re also given a healthy diet that makes no use of hormones or antibiotics.
The fish in every Pristine recipe is most assuredly wild caught and MSC-certified (MSC stands for Marine Stewardship Council). Only fisheries with environmentally-sustainable practices are certified by the MSC.
Because Pristine recipes also contain fruits and vegetables, only those responsibly-grown are used. They’re all organic — no chemical pesticides, no synthetic fertilizers, and no GMO. Organic food = healthier pet.
3. Grass-Fed Lamb Stew Small Breed
First 5 ingredients:
Lamb, Beef Broth, Water Sufficient For Processing, Beef Liver, Dried Egg Whites
Protein: 9.0% min
Fat: 6.0% min
Fiber: 1.4% max
Moisture: 81.0% max
Food Type: Wet, Stew
Best for: Adult, Extra Small – Small Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
This stew recipe features fresh, pasture-raised lamb as the primary ingredient, supplemented by beef liver and dried egg whites for added protein. The recipe also includes beef broth and water for moisture and flavor.
It contains carrots, dried peas, spinach and apples for gluten-free and grain-free carbohydrates, which support digestion.
Key ingredients include sunflower oil, which contribute omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for skin, coat, cognitive function, and overall health.
Beef broth enhances palatability and hydration, with a moisture content of up to 81%. Beef liver adds additional nutrients like iron, vitamin A and vitamin B12.
The fats used are plant-based and appear late in the ingredient list. It also contains synthetic vitamins and minerals, which offer limited bio-availability compared to chelated minerals.
Overall, the stew offers balanced nutrition suitable for dogs of all life stages but could be improved by replacing pea protein with additional meat-based ingredients, incorporating animal-based fats and adding chelated minerals and probiotics.
4. PRISTINE Grass-Fed Beef Bone Broth
Ingredients:
Beef Broth, Beef Fat, Salt, Natural Flavor
Protein: 0.5% min
Fat: 0.05% min
Fiber: 0.05% max
Moisture: 98.0% max
Food Type: Bone Broth, Food Topping
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
Lately, a new trend has been emerging in dog food. More and more pet owners are using bone broths in their pups’ meals. What is it and why is it important?
Bone broth is a superfood stock liquid that’s made from simmering bones for a long time. It’s a relatively inexpensive way to augment a dog’s diet with lots of nutrition.
It is loaded with glucosamine and collagen that are vital for bone and joint health. It’s great for convalescing dogs that don’t have much appetite, and it’s an excellent way to detoxify the liver with its glycine content.
You can also feed this to your dog on cold days when a warm liquidy treat is in order or whenever you feel that your dog needs extra nourishment.
The ingredients list for this beef bone broth recipe is relatively straightforward. There are only four ingredients, namely beef broth, beef fat, salt and natural flavor (in that order).
Because this is merely broth and does not have solid chunks of meat, the protein content is only .5%. The moisture level, though, is at a high 98%. If you feel your dog needs more hydration but he’s not so keen on water, you can entice him with this instead to make sure he stays hydrated.
Beef fat adds an additional tasty flavor, and during cold weather, it adds an extra layer of warmth for canines. And because beef fat makes this broth highly palatable, you can try adding the beef bone broth to regular meals as a way to entice finicky eaters or to add variety.
Don’t be concerned about the salt content. It’s pretty low. Sometimes salt is necessary for preserving food, improving palatability, making the food stable, and helping balance the electrolytes. Salt is good as long as it’s not used in excess.
We love the idea of bone broths, and this one from Pristine is absolutely nutritious. It’s a fairly uncomplicated recipe that can help warm up your pup on a chilly day or speed him up on his way to recovery
Good Buddy
The Good Buddy is a line of delicious snacks crafted for all occasions. They’re healthy, low in calories, and a great accompaniment to full meals.
5. Good Buddy Sausage Cuts Real Chicken Recipe
First 5 ingredients:
Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, Dried Cultured Skim Milk, Salt, Mixed Tocopherols
Protein: 41.0% min
Fat: 29.0% min
Fiber: 3.0% max
Moisture: 13.0% max
Food Type: Treats
Best for: Adult, All Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
These are bite-sized, grain-free and gluten-free dog treats available in beef or chicken varieties with a wood-smoked flavor that dogs love.
Chicken provides most of the protein (41%), while sweet potatoes add beta-carotene, fiber and calcium. Dried cultured skim milk contributes additional protein and calcium but may not be suitable for dogs with dairy sensitivities.
Salt is present in small amounts to aid in digestion and act as a preservative, while mixed tocopherols (vitamin E) serve as antioxidants and natural preservatives.
Each treat contains 25 kcal, so portion control is essential. These treats are easy to chew, making them suitable for older dogs, and are a favorite for their smoky flavor and nutritious ingredients.
Made in the USA?
Though the Nestle Purina PetCare has a global reach, the Castor and Pollux brand is produced and manufactured exclusively in the United States. Though the company has changed hands, their products are still developed by a team of experts in the field of animal nutrition and organic ingredients.
This company does more than just provide premium-quality organic foods for pets – they are also dedicated to giving back to the community, especially for pets in need.
The PetWorks Partner Program was created to provide pet rescue groups and organizations around the company with high-quality natural and organic foods. Since the program began, they donated more than 4 million bowls of food to pets in need.
Where do they Get Their Ingredients?
The Organix line of pet food and treats from Castor and Pollux was the first and most complete line of organic-certified pet food products in the United States. They continue to be a leader in the field of organic and natural pet food. This company believes in the power of quality nutrition which is why they use only the freshest natural ingredients in all of their products.
They believe in the power of organic ingredients to reduce allergies, to improve digestion, and to boost overall health in pets – that is why all of their ingredients are sourced right here in the United States.
Recall List
Not only are they dedicated to using the highest quality ingredients in each of their products, but they also take quality control and safety measures very seriously in the manufacture of those products.
In 2018, the brand voluntarily recalled two products under the Good Buddy range (Prime Patties Real Beef Recipe and Sausage Cuts Real Beef Recipe) after one of the products were found to contain elevated levels of a naturally-occurring beef thyroid hormone. (High levels of the hormone may cause increased urination, thirst, and heart rate; weight loss; and restlessness.
Only those with best before dates occurring between May 19, 2017 to September 1, 2019 were affected. Since then, no other recalls have been issued.
How expensive are their products?
Pristine and Organix have mostly the same price range. An 18-lb bag of dry kibbles may set you back $70 and up, while a case of 12.7 oz (12 cans inside) canned wet food may cost you $35 and up depending on the recipe.
Meanwhile, Good Buddy treats can cost around $6 upwards, depending on flavor.
Apart from the food mentioned above, Castor & Pollux also sells rawhide treats for pups that are determined to chew. These are sold under the Good Buddy line.
A Final Word
Over the years, Castor & Pollux has evolved significantly since its change of ownership, first under Merrick in 2012 and later under Nestlé Purina in 2015.
While the brand initially gained recognition for its commitment to offering a diverse range of organic pet food products, its evolution has brought both opportunities and challenges.
Under Purina's leadership, the focus on organic and responsibly sourced ingredients has continued, but some consumers feel that the brand has shifted away from its original ethos of small-scale, premium production.
Though still respected for its limited organic options, the changes in ownership and product lineup have left some longtime customers questioning whether the brand’s original vision has been fully maintained.
Comments are closed.