K9 Natural Dog Food Review: A Nutrient-Rich Choice for Your Canine

K9 Natural is an all-natural pet food brand specializing in free-range proteins from New Zealand. A lot of their foods contain high levels of protein and fats with low carbohydrates and no fillers.

All the food lines use real meat as the first ingredient with no by-products, GMO’s, or grain. The company offers freeze dried foods, canned, as well as dry.

The main thing that separates K9 Natural from a lot of other pet food brands is that their food contains 90% raw meat from a single source of protein. The goal of this company is to closely mimic what your pup would eat if they were still out in the wild.

In this article, we’re taking a closer look at K9 Natural to pick apart everything about this food so you can make an educated decision about whether or not you want to feed this to your pup.

Read on for our comprehensive K9 Natural Dog Food Review.

Brand Quick Look

• Parent Company: K9 Natural
• Founded in: 2006
• Made in: Christchurch, New Zealand
• Available at:  Chewy and Amazon
• Types of Food: Raw Freeze-Dried, Dry, and Canned
• Real Meat in First 5 Ingredients? : Yes
• Recalled in Past? : Yes

Behind the Brand

K9 Naturals food line got inspired by its New Zealand upbringing. The company's goal is to provide the best blend of nature into nutrition for all its customers.

They use high-quality local ingredients to pack a high protein and fat content into all their foods.

Each of their lines contains sustainable, free-range, and grass-fed ingredients.

The manufacturer says that New Zealand is the best place to find healthy pet food ingredients because of its abundance of real natural resources.

They also claim to employ the highest standards of production and world-class research alongside animal nutritionists to make sure your pups get only the best of the best.

K9 Natural Dog Food Review

 

1. Grain-Free Raw Lamb Feast

First 5 ingredients: Lamb, Lamb Liver, Lamb Heart, Lamb Tripe, Lamb Blood

K9 Natural aims to improve dogs’ quality of life by helping owners understand their pets’ true dietary needs. Believing that raw nutrition delivers the best results, this grain-free, freeze-dried dog food is made from 90% free-range, grass-fed New Zealand lamb, organs, and ground bone—providing rich flavor and essential nutrients for dogs of all life stages.

With 35% protein, it supports strong muscles and includes fresh lamb heart, tripe, liver, spleen, kidney, and blood for added nutrition. The freeze-drying process locks in raw nutrients while eliminating harmful bacteria and extending shelf life—no preservatives needed. It can be served dry, rehydrated, or used as a kibble topper, meal enhancer, or treat.

High in fat from sunflower oil, it’s ideal for active dogs and promotes healthy skin, a shiny coat, and heart function. Added New Zealand green-lipped mussels provide ETA, glucosamine, and chondroitin to support joint health. Instead of grains, it features low-carb fruits and veggies like flaxseed, kelp, apples, pears, cauliflower, and pumpkin for digestion and immune support.

Completely free from grains, gluten, peas, potatoes, legumes, and artificial additives, this nutrient-dense lamb recipe offers a clean, natural diet perfect for sensitive dogs.

Nutritional Breakdown:

• 35.5% Protein
• 37% Fat
• 2.5% Fiber

The only type of dogs that should have this type of food is highly active, pregnant, or working dogs. If your pup does not have a large area to run around or if they are older eating food as this will result in weight gain.

It’s always important to consult with your vet before starting a diet high in protein and fat.

That said, you can’t go wrong in terms of feeding your dog the best of the best ingredients. Many customers are concerned by the high price, but we would recommend using this food as more of a supplement because of the high fat and high price.

If you add a little to the top of your dog's dry kibble, you’re giving them added nutrition without breaking the bank.

2. Lamb & King Salmon Freeze-Dried

First 5 ingredients: Lamb, Lamb Tripe, Lamb Heart, Salmon, Lamb Kidney

Another zero grain, freeze-dried raw dog food formulated for the nutritional needs of dogs of all breeds, sizes, and life stages. This high-meat, high-fat formula is packed with flavor and nutrition, as only the water content is removed during the freeze-drying process.

It blends the nutrition of a raw diet with the convenience of kibble. It’s complete and balanced, so it can be served dry, rehydrated, or used as a meal topper or training treat. The nutrient-dense pieces feature grass-fed lamb as the primary ingredient and deliver 38% protein to help maintain lean muscle.

Dogs love the rich lamb and salmon flavors, while owners appreciate the high-quality nutrition and visible health benefits. Though it’s a premium-priced food, its high meat content means dogs eat less while still getting more nutrients per serving. Some pet parents note a strong fish smell, so an airtight container is recommended.

Nutritional Breakdown:

• 38% Protein
• 38% Fat
• 2.5% Fiber

Made with New Zealand lamb, salmon, eggs, and green mussels, this high-protein, high-fat (38%) recipe is best suited for active dogs. It’s rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from salmon and sunflower oil, supporting healthy skin, coats and heart function.

Instead of peas, potatoes, or lentils, it uses low-carb fruits and veggies like flaxseed, kelp, broccoli, apples, and pumpkin for fiber and natural vitamins. The added EPA and DHA promote brain and eye health, while pumpkin aids digestion and stool quality.

Completely free from corn, wheat, soy, and artificial additives, this nutrient-packed food offers clean, natural fuel for energetic dogs—but may be too rich for less active or senior pups.

3. Hoki & Beef Freeze-Dried

First 5 ingredients: Hoki, Beef, Beef Tripe, Beef Liver, Beef Spleen

This is a grain-free, raw recipe made with grass-fed New Zealand beef and sustainably caught hoki. Perfect for dogs of all breeds and life stages, it delivers rich fish flavor and 46% protein from its first nine animal-based ingredients, including beef organs like tripe, heart, spleen and liver.

Dogs love its strong aroma and meaty taste, making it ideal as a complete meal, topper, or training treat. The recipe is high in fat (35%), fueled by sunflower oil for omega-6 fatty acids and hoki for omega-3s—supporting skin, coat, heart, and joint health. New Zealand green-lipped mussels add ETA, glucosamine and chondroitin for improved mobility and reduced inflammation.

Nutritional Breakdown:

• 46% Protein
• 35% Fat
• 2.5% Fiber

Instead of peas, lentils or potatoes, it uses low-carb superfoods like flaxseed, kelp, cauliflower, cabbage, pears, and pumpkin for fiber, vitamins, and immune support. Naturally grain-, gluten-, and preservative-free, the freeze-drying process locks in nutrients and flavor while keeping the food safe and shelf-stable.

4. Chicken Feast Raw

First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Eggs, Flaxseed Flakes, Hoki Oil, Brown Kelp

This is a grain-free, single-protein recipe made with 90% chicken, ideal for dogs allergic to beef. It’s highly palatable, easy to digest, and delivers 48% protein for lean muscle maintenance, with eggs adding extra richness and nutrients.

Loved by picky eaters for its real chicken flavor, it’s versatile enough to serve as a meal, topper, or treat, though some owners note the kibbles can crumble into powder.

The recipe uses hoki oil as its main fat source, providing omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin, a shiny coat, and reduced inflammation. New Zealand green-lipped mussels add joint-supporting nutrients like glucosamine and chondroitin.

Nutritional Breakdown:

• 48% Protein
• 34% Fat
• 2.0% Fiber

Carbs and fiber come from low-carb fruits and veggies such as flaxseed, kelp, cabbage, broccoli, apples, and pumpkin to promote digestion, immunity and overall wellness.

This high-protein, low-carb meal is free from peas, potatoes, legumes, grains, and artificial additives. The freeze-drying process preserves nutrients naturally for a safe, long-lasting raw-inspired diet.

5. Beef Feast Raw

First 5 ingredients: Beef, Beef Liver, Beef Tripe, Beef Kidney, Beef Heart

Another grain-free food formulated for the nutritional needs of all breeds and sizes of dogs in every life stage. This recipe is from the brand’s line of single-source protein freeze-dried dog foods.

This is a good food to try for pet parents who wish to switch their pups to a raw diet. It combines the high nutritional value of a raw diet with the convenience of dry kibble. This versatile recipe has all of the vitamins and minerals required by dogs for a complete and balanced diet. This means that it can be served on its own as meals.

The nutrient-dense pieces are 90% beef, organs, and ground bones, so dogs don't need a big serving to keep them sustained till their next meal. It can be served dry, or rehydrated with some water. This also make great treats and meal toppers. The flavorful pieces can be broken into smaller bits if you need training rewards.

This beef feast has grass-fed, free-range beef as the most plentiful ingredient. Beef liver, tripe, spleen, blood, kidney, and heart, as well as eggs makeup the rest of its 35% protein content. All of these ingredients give this recipe a rich and meaty flavor that dogs crave. It also has ground beef bone as a source of calcium and phosphorus.

It features beef tripe, a nutrient-rich ingredient packed with omega fatty acids, enzymes, and protein that support digestion and immunity. With 37% fat from sunflower oil, it provides energy, promotes heart and skin health, and appeals to picky or active dogs.

The grain-free, low-carb formula includes superfoods like flaxseed, broccoli, apples, cauliflower, and kelp for fiber, antioxidants, and digestive support. Naturally preserved and freeze-dried to lock in nutrients and flavor, it’s free from grains, legumes, soy, and artificial additives.

Nutritional Breakdown:

• 35% Protein
• 37% Fat
• 2.0% Fiber

It is another hit among picky pups. Its higher fat content seems to give the freeze-dried pieces a lot of rich, beefy flavor that dogs enjoy. Owners of the dogs love the high quality ingredients, and the health benefits that come with them. While some find it expensive to serve as meals, they still find good value in purchasing the product for its impeccable quality and nutritional value.

To save on costs, they give this recipe to their pups as treats, or as meal toppers. This way, the dogs still get the health benefits and get to enjoy the tasty pieces without breaking the bank. However, like the Chicken Feast, it has also received feedback about being too crumbly

Overall, it is a highly recommended dog food for pups who need a meat-rich, high fat diet. It has stellar quality and nutrition, and is also highly palatable.

6. Grass-Fed Beef Feast Canned Food

First 5 ingredients: Beef, Beef Liver, Beef Tripe, Beef Kidney, Beef Heart

Another grain-free, single-protein wet food made for dogs of all breeds and life stages. Featuring 90% free-range, grass-fed beef with liver, kidney, heart, blood, spleen and tripe, it delivers rich flavor and natural nutrition without any gelling agents, thickeners, or carrageenan—just pure whole foods and fresh New Zealand water.

Finely ground beef bones provide calcium and phosphorus for strong bones, while green-lipped mussels add glucosamine, chondroitin and ETA for joint health.

Nutritional Breakdown:

• 8.5% Protein
• 9.0% Fat
• 0.6% Fiber

Flaxseed, kelp, broccoli, apples and pumpkin offer fiber, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids to support digestion, immunity, skin, and coat health. Sunflower oil supplies extra omega-6s for energy and heart support.

This soft, hydrating pâté is easy to chew and digest, making it ideal for picky eaters and senior dogs. Pet parents love its clean ingredients and high palatability, finding it well worth the premium price for a meal that keeps their pups happy, nourished, and excited for dinner.

7. Lamb Green Tripe Booster Freeze-Dried Topper

Only ingredient: New Zealand Lamb Green Tripe

This grain-free nutrient booster is made from raw freeze-dried lamb green tripe: perfect for dogs with sensitivities to grains, gluten, poultry or other proteins.

Sourced from free-range, grass-fed New Zealand lamb, it contains no grains, vegetables, or additives—just pure, flavorful tripe rich in omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, digestive enzymes and protein.

Known to support digestion, immunity, skin, and muscle health, this topper is an easy way to stimulate appetite and boost nutrition. Serve it on top of meals, mixed in, or as a tasty treat. Just be sure to reseal the bag, the irresistible aroma might be a bit much for humans.

Nutritional Breakdown:

• 62% Protein
• 18% Fat
• 2.4% Fiber

It is a certified hit! If you need an extra tasty training reward for those higher level tricks, this may be the one to motivate your pup. It is packed with so much flavor, and pet parents love its clean, single-ingredient list.

However, while dogs are completely happy with these nutritious food topper/ supplement/ treat, a few pet parents just couldn't take its strong smell.

The scent does linger on your hands so you may need to wash your hands right away, and make sure you don’t touch your clothes beforehand.

8. Healthy Bites Lamb Dog Treats

Ingredients: Lamb, Lamb Heart, Lamb Kidney, Lamb Liver

These are grain-free treats that are made with free range, grass-fed New Zealand lamb and organs. This flavor-packed bag of treats is ideal for dogs allergic to grain, gluten, poultry, and other protein sources. Many sensitive pups do well on lamb-based foods and treats.

The high quality treats have fresh lamb as its most plentiful ingredient. These high-protein treats also have lamb heart, kidney, and liver which give each piece a meaty lamb flavor and a rich texture.

At 40% protein, you can feel good about giving extra treats to your pup without worrying about their weight. Its high quality ingredients are freeze-dried raw to ensure maximum retention of their natural flavors and nutrients.

Lamb is packed with essential amino acids that dogs need to keep their muscles lean and strong.Its vitamins and minerals support muscle development, and promote optimum skin and coat health in dogs. It is also a good source of dietary fats, which help sustain energy.

They are cut in small pieces which make them highly motivating training rewards. They are just the right size for any size of dogs. They can be easily broken into smaller pieces for tiny toy breeds if preferred.

These treats are free from any artificial enhancers such as flavors, colors, or preservatives. The low carb bites are grain, gluten, pea, legume, and potato-free.

Nutritional Breakdown:

• 40% Protein
• 38% Fat
• 2.0% Fiber

This is another highly rated product from the brand. Dogs of all ages, cats, and even some ferrets love these tasty lamb bites. Some pet parents use this as special rewards for their pups.

Dog owners are delighted to keep their pups happy and motivated with these training rewards. They also feel good about giving these treats as it is low carb and contains absolutely no harmful ingredients.

Overall, it is a highly recommended bag of treats for any dog. It is delicious, nutritious, and perfect for sensitive pups.

What Types of Dog Food Do They Offer?

K9 Natural offers raw freeze-dried and wet dog food; raw freeze dried and wet food toppers and supplements; and dog treats. All of their products are minimally processed and formulated to be packed with nutrition. They are also all grain, gluten, pea, potato, and legume-free.

K9 Natural’s canned foods are free from gelling agents or preservatives. The only thing they add to their wet foods is fresh, all-natural New Zealand water.

Freeze-Dried:

• Lamb Feast
• Beef Feast
• Chicken Feast
• Hoki and Grass Fed Beef
• Lamb and King Salmon Feast
• Beef Feast with Hoki Oil Puppy

Canned:

• Lamb Feast
• Beef Feast
• Chicken Feast
• Hoki and Grass Fed Beef
• Lamb and King Salmon Feast

Why a Raw Diet?

We wanted to touch briefly on something that makes this food different from many. Raw food diets for dogs has become a popular fad, and it has pros and cons.

Raw foods consist of muscle meat, ground bones, organs, raw eggs, and some dairy. Experts say this type of diet can help your dog maintain a shinier coat, healthier teeth, and higher energy. Some people also say this type of food is easier to digest.

Of course, when you’re dealing with raw food, there is the possibility of human contamination when you’re handling this food, but sometimes when there is ground bone in the foods, it can cause an internal puncture in your pup if everything does not get crushed well enough.

Many raw foods also contain an unnatural balance of protein and fat versus carbohydrates. A high-protein and fat diet is tough on dogs’ kidneys and can cause them to gain a lot of weight if they are not active. This diet is commonly used for working dogs and show pups.

If you wish to consider switching your pup to a raw diet, you can start with freeze-dried raw foods. Slowly transition the dogs according to the brand’s instruction.

Once they are used to this diet, you can also transition them to fresh raw food. If you are unsure about the best way to feed raw food to your pup, it is always best to consult your vet, especially if your dog has special dietary needs.

Recall History

• Currently, there is one recall of K9 Natural dog food from April of 2018.
• K9 Natural voluntarily recalled four batches of its Frozen Chicken Feast for possible Listeria contamination.

Customer Reviews

We find that the best way to know if a dog food will work for your pup is to try it for yourself and find out. Every dog has a different palette, and there is no one-size-fits-all for anyone. The next best thing you can do is read reviews from customers who have already tried the product.

Most of K9 Naturals foods have four stars or better on Chewy with many of the positive reviews stating that their dogs loved the flavor and that it works great for picky eaters. Some users also say that the formula helped their dogs dry and itchy skin.

Some of the critical reviews center around the price, but they are few and far in between.

Here are some reviews from real customers who tried K9 Naturals.

Positive

Bulldog approved

I got this for my bully in the hopes it would help with his skin issues, as I've read a lot about how a raw diet is best. It's only been a week or 2, and I'm only using it as a topper to his regular food at the moment, but I do see some improvement in his skin. Also, he appears to love it! His normal food will sit untouched most of the day, but he eats the Lamb Feast immediately. – Chewy Customer

It’s a hit with our picky eater.

As a picky mom, I love that the first six ingredients are all from the lamb. I'm also pleasantly surprised that blood is the second ingredient! I am starting to learn that blood is very important in a dog's diet. We feed fresh, but my tiny is a VERY picky eater. And she has been eating this no problem for the past few weeks with no complaints! Happy mom and happy dogs! Also, SUPER fast shipping! Pricey, but worth it. – Chewy Customer

Negative

Not as a primary food

The dogs like this product but it’s not cost-effective as a primary source of food or even as an addition to every day feeding. The product is bulky, so the amount supplied doesn’t last very long. Having 2 Golden Retrievers, there are more cost-effective options to supplement the kibble. I will buy this product once in a while as a treat. – Chewy Customer

High calorie

My toy poodle gained weight with this food, But I do think it's good quality just not for small dogs. – Chewy Customer

 

Just Add a Little on Top

We’ve said it throughout this article, and we’ll throw it in here one more time. K9 Natural is a high-quality food consisting of some of the best ingredients we have ever seen in freeze-dried dog food.

The downside to human-grade ingredients is, the food contains a high concentration of fat, and it comes at a hefty price tag.

The company recommends using the food as a topper for a more affordable, lower-quality, dry kibble and we would also suggest doing that.

If you’re concerned about the amount of nutrition your pup is getting every day, consider adding K9 Natural to their diet.