Best Organic Dog Food: What Is It? And Why Should You Buy It?

Not only are there dozens of popular pet food manufacturers out there with hundreds, even thousands, of different recipes – there are also many different types of pet food.

For dog owners who want to provide their canine companions with the best of the best, organic dog food is an option to consider.

What you need to keep in mind, however, is that pet food is more loosely regulated than people food so you can’t always trust the marketing claims manufacturers print on their packaging.

Keep reading to learn more about organic dog food and to receive our top picks for best organic dog food brands.

Best Organic Dog Food Brands

If you want to give your dog the best of the best, organic dog food may be the way to go. You still need to pay attention to the ingredients list if your dog has any food allergies or sensitivities, but you can rest assured that any organic pet food product will be made with ingredients that meet the USDA requirements for organic foods.

To help you get started in your search for the right organic food for your dog, here are our top 10 picks:

 

1. Nom Nom Food Delivery

First 5 Ingredients for Turkey Fare: Turkey, Brown rice, Eggs, Carrots, Spinach

Nom Nom is a meal delivery service for your beloved pets. The company provides “care-grade” or “restaurant-quality” meals for your pets, which means that each dish they serve is made with quality, fresh, wholesome ingredients that is fit for your dog's caloric needs.

The company is committed to deliver the best nutrition possible for your four-legged companion. They offer made-to-order recipes that is formulated by a board certified veterinary nutritionist in the US. All meals have no fillers, by products or any artificial preservatives plus don't forget their door to door delivery service.

The meals themselves, however, contain no soy, corn or wheat and go through minimal processing, ensuring great quality and nutrients remain in every meal. And they taste great too!

All recipes are complete, balanced and meet AAFCO & USFDA standards. These certificates are actually not needed if you want to sell pet food in the US- but it is nice to know that the company is willing to go the extra mile just to ensure that their meals are nutritious and safe.

Now, Nom Nom is coming out with a new offering in the form of the Variety Pack. It’s a complete assortment of all of the company’s pet cuisines — 200g each of the Beef Mash, Chicken Cuisine, Turkey Fare, and Pork Potluck — so that it would be easier for you to find out which recipe your pup prefers without having to subscribe to a meal plan first.

Their food needs to be stored in the freezer to ensure freshness and before the first meal can be eaten by your dog, the particular food has been in the refrigerator for 12 hours. Every meal after that should be defrosted for around 24 hours and the packaging is not resealable, which is a bit of a nuisance.

2. The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Dehydrated Dog Food

First 5 Ingredients: Dehydrated Turkey, Organic Oats, Dehydrated Potatoes, Organic Flaxseed, Dehydrated Carrots

This brand is not strictly organic but they do use a number of organic ingredients in their formulas. What really sets The Honest Kitchen apart from the competition is the fact that they use human-grade ingredients in all of their recipes.

The term human-grade means that the ingredients are deemed fit for human consumption by the USDA. In order to use the term human-grade on their packaging, however, a pet food manufacturer must not only use human-grade ingredients but also manufacture their products in a human food facility – The Honest Kitchen meets both of those requirements.

This brand offers a selection of freeze-dried foods for dogs, both original and grain-free recipes. Because these products are dried and not cooked, the raw ingredients retain more of their original nutritional value.

The Honest Kitchen states that their recipes help to support improved energy levels, regular digestion, healthy skin and coat, reduced risk for allergies, and healthy bodyweight maintenance.

3. Whole Earth Farms Pork, Beef & Lamb Recipe

First 5 Ingredients: Pork Meal, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Pork Fat

Whole Earth Farms Pork, Beef & Lamb Recipe is a dry dog food specially formulated for adult dogs who are sensitive to poultry. This poultry-free dry food is also grain free, making it less likely to trigger allergies in sensitive pooches. It is designed to be gentle on the stomach as well

With pork meal as the first ingredient, you can be assured that your dog is getting a highly digestible, concentrated protein source. This recipe is 26% protein. Real pork, beef, and lamb are included as additional sources of protein and flavor. Organic alfalfa meal also contributes protein to this grain-free recipe.

This recipe’s main sources of carbohydrates are dried potatoes, sweet potatoes, and peas. It also has dried blueberries which are a good source of antioxidants that help boost the immune system.

It contains no corn, soy, or any type of grain. As this poultry-free recipe was developed with sensitive dogs in mind, it has none of the common triggers for allergies and upset stomach. It is also free from artificial enhancers such as colors, flavors, or preservatives.

4. Castor & Pollux PRISTINE Wild-Caught Salmon Recipe

First 5 Ingredients:Salmon, Lamb Meal, Organic Pea Protein, Organic Peas, Organic Chickpeas

The Castor and Pollux company was founded more than twenty years ago by a husband and wife pair who sought to take advantage of the increasing availability of natural and organic ingredients by using them to create a line of healthy, natural pet foods.

Pristine is the only complete range of pet food that is made entirely from ingredients that have been responsibly sourced by suppliers. This recipe, like all recipes from the Pristine line, features wholesome and delicious food that pups won’t get enough of.

Wild-caught salmon that has been caught by a sustainable-certified fishery starts off the list. While salmon may not contain as much protein as beef or chicken, it more than makes up for it with plenty of omega fatty acids, specifically Omega 3 and 6.

One other thing that is always a part of any dog food recipe is fat. In this particular formulation, Pristine decided to go with pork fat. Don’t be concerned. Fat is not bad. Dogs need it for stamina, to keep them warmer in case of cold weather, and for their metabolic needs.

Besides, pork fat (and anything pork) is less likely to cause an allergic reaction than other protein sources.

5. Gather Endless Valley Vegan Dry Dog Food

First 5 Ingredients: Organic Peas, Organic Barley, Organic Oats, Lentils, Organic Sunflower Oil

Petcurean is a Canada-based pet food manufacturer that was founded with the goal of producing premium-quality, nutrient-rich pet foods to help pets and their parents enjoy long, happy lives together.

This company is independently owned and operated which means that they have a great deal of control over the quality of their ingredients as well as their manufacturing processes.

Petcurean offers five different brands of dog food including Gather, their new line of pet foods made with certified and organic ingredients. In creating the Gather brand, Petcurean sought to develop a new kind of pet food – one made with certified and organic ingredients that was blended and balanced to provide pets with premium-quality, natural nutrition.

In addition to using certified and organic ingredients, Gather also follows a commitment to sustainability. Simply put, their products are made with whole food from the earth and ocean with nothing added that isn’t needed.

6. Newman's Own Organics Adult Formula

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Organic Barley, Organic Oats, Organic Peas, Chicken Meal

The Newman’s Own company was founded in 1982 as a food and beverage company run by the Newman’s Own Foundation. Though this company is primarily known for their human food products, they also offer a limited selection of pet food products.

According to the website, Newman’s Own pet foods are made with a unique blend of proteins, whole grains, vitamins, and minerals. For dog food, Newman’s Own offers two dry dog food formulas and fourteen canned food formulas.

The two dry dog food recipes are made with several organic ingredients, though not enough to carry the certified organic seal. Of their canned food options, seven recipes currently carry the USDA certified organic seal. The remaining products are also made with some organic ingredients.

7. Party Animal California Chicken & Oats Recipe

First 5 Ingredients: Organic Chicken, Chicken Meal, Organic Oats, Organic Barley, Organic Peas

Party Animal offers wet & dry foods containing all-natural ingredients and meat as the first. The company does a great job of using organic ingredients and additional vitamins to really pack a nutritious punch into their canned foods.

This delicious, wholesome recipe features USDA-certified organic chicken as the very first ingredient for a healthy source of protein to help maintain your pup’s lean muscle mass.

Organic fruits and vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds provide great sources of natural antioxidants, fiber, vitamins and folic acid to keep your best friend dancing through the day. Committed to delivering clean, premium-quality nutrition, Party Animal foods never contain any corn, wheat or artificial stuff.

They make no jokes when talking about their ingredients though because Party Animal has a top of the line list of ingredients, especially for their moist foods. We find that dry kibble tends to get the best of the best because it’s easier to disguise bad ingredients in canned foods.

Overall, this dry food got Chewy's most coveted 5/5 stars, so check them out!

8. Primal Lamb Formula Nuggets

First 5 Ingredients: Lamb Hearts, Lamb Livers, Ground Lamb Bones, Organic Kale, Organic Carrots

Primal Lamb Formula Nuggets is a highly nutritious raw dog food that has been freeze-dried for your convenience. It has all of the nutrients of a raw diet, without the short shelf life or risk of unwanted bacteria. This lamb recipe can be served on its own, or as a kibble-topper.

It has fresh lamb hearts and livers as the main protein source. These ingredients make up most of this recipe’s 39% protein content. They come from ethically raised lamb that is free from steroids, added hormones, and antibiotics.

This highly palatable lamb recipe is quite versatile. As it is nutritionally complete and balanced even without synthetic supplements, can be served on its own as a meal.

Simply break into smaller pieces, shred and rehydrate with water. To save money, some stretch out the portions by serving it as a kibble-topper. This is perfectly fine as your dog can still have the multiple health benefits of raw food.

9. Stella & Chewy's Duck Duck Goose Dinner Patties

First 5 Ingredients: Duck With Ground Bone, Turkey, Turkey Liver, Goose, Turkey Gizzard

Next, we want to take a look at the dinner patties from Stella & Chewy's to see if there is much difference other than its shape. The patties are larger and closely resemble something you would give your dog as a treat. Some reviewers of the product say they use them as raw treats every now and again.

These also contain all natural grass-fed protein with 100% organic fruits and vegetables. You can serve the freeze-dried patties frozen or rehydrate them using water.

Everything about this food screams health and nutrition. With chicken and organs taking center stage, you immediately get a good feeling about this formula just by reading the ingredients.

10. PetGuard Organic Chicken & Vegetable Entree

First 5 Ingredients: Organic Chicken, Water Sufficient For Processing, Organic Brown Rice, Organic Oats, Organic Carrots

PetGuard has been making pet foods with natural ingredients for over 40 years. Before natural recipes were widely available for pets, they were creating healthy, balanced diets with clean proteins and healthy grains, vegetables and fats without preservatives or artificial colors, sweeteners or by- products.

This brand knows that great canine nutrition starts with the most wholesome ingredients. They use only antibiotic-free chicken, beef and turkey and sustainable seafood for protein. Specially chosen grains, veggies, fruits and healthy oils provide loads of easily digestible energy and the nutrients your pup needs to feel his best.

Lastly, it is with vitamins and chelated minerals and healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, every bite is formulated to help support your dog’s heart, kidneys, liver, skin, coat and overall health.

What Does “Organic” Really Mean?

When you pick up a package of food at your local grocery store, you’ll find several things on the label. In addition to the product name and the manufacturer, the label should also include nutrition facts and a list of ingredients. Something else you might look for are dietary claims such as “natural” or “organic”.

While definitions for some dietary claims are fuzzy, the USDA has set forth specific requirements that a human food product must meet in order to carry the “organic” label as well as the certified organic seal.

These federal requirements include things like pest and weed control practices, soil quality, animal raising practices, and the use of additives.

In order for a product to carry the USDA certified organic seal, all plant ingredients must be grown in soil that hasn’t been treated with prohibited substances for at least 3 years prior to harvest – prohibited substances include pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.

For meat products to be labeled organic, they must be raised on 100% organic feed and raised in conditions that accommodate for natural behaviors – they must also be free from hormones and antibiotics.

Multi-ingredient foods must meet these same standards for individual ingredients and should also be free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Organic foods are allowed to contain some non-organic staples like baking soda or enzymes while still carrying the organic seal.

Depending how closely a food product adheres to the requirements listed above, the package will carry one of the following labels:

• 100% Organic – Made with 100% organic ingredients.
• Organic – Made with at least 95% organic ingredients.
• Made with Organic Ingredients – Made with at least 70% organic ingredients (and adhering to additional restrictions on the remaining 30%).

In addition to using one of the claims listed above, food manufacturers are allowed to use the USDA certified organic seal on their packaging if they meets federal regulations for organic ingredients and have an organic-certified manufacturing operation that is inspected annually.

 

What is Organic Dog Food?

When it comes to dog food, there are many similarities from one brand to another. What really sets one recipe apart from another, however, is the quality of the ingredients.

Many pet food manufacturers load up their products with low-quality fillers like corn, wheat, and soy ingredients because they are cheap – the ultimate goal is to sell their product for as much as they can while keeping their own costs low.

As a dog owner, this means that you need to be cognizant of the shortcuts pet food manufacturers sometimes take so you can weed out the good products from the bad.

One of the quickest ways to narrow down your options if you’re looking for a high-quality dog food is to choose a product made with all natural ingredients. You still need to keep an eye out for fillers, plant proteins, unhealthy fats, and artificial additives, but a natural dog food is a good place to start.

If you want to step things up even more, reach for an organic dog food. Organic dog food is just like any other dog food except that the ingredients are subjected to more rigorous standards.

Though the USDA has yet to define the word “organic” as it applies to pet food, pet foods made with ingredients that meet the human standard for organic are allowed to carry the seal.

Remember, just because a product label carries words like “natural” or “holistic” doesn’t mean that you can make any assumptions – you still need to do your due diligence and review the product information to determine its quality. If you want to take a shortcut, choose one of the top-rated organic dog food brands we’ve reviewed above.

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