The best organic dog foods are listed below, adhering to stringent guidelines set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Regrettably, due to the rigorous production regulations, finding organic recipes in stores can prove challenging.
Generally, organic dog foods fall into two categories: certified and partially organic. By law, certified organic dog foods must comprise at least 95% organic ingredients, making them easily identifiable by the official “USDA Organic” seal on their packaging.
However, certified organic foods are uncommon. In reality, most organic dog foods in the U.S. are partially organic, indicating varying proportions of organic ingredients as specified on the label.
This page will present our the best organic dog food brands and address the most frequently asked questions regarding organic dog food.
What is The Difference Between Organic And Natural Dog Foods?
When considering the best organic and natural dog food, it’s essential to grasp the distinctions between “natural” and “organic.”
- “Natural,” defined by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), indicates ingredients derived solely from natural sources without synthetic processing or additives. While it often implies the absence of unwanted substances, like corn, wheat, soy, and artificial colors, the term lacks regulatory oversight.
- In contrast, “organic” requires industry certification, aligning with USDA standards for human organic foods. This certification mandates adherence to strict guidelines regarding ingredient sourcing and farming practices, including avoiding pesticides, genetic modification, and the humane treatment of animals.
Due to the rigorous certification process and the higher cost of organic ingredients, organic dog foods typically have a higher price tag, although some affordable options exist.
The Best Organic Dog Food
Tender and True OBuying Tip
Tender and True OBuying Tip
Tender and True offers diverse flavors to cater to different canine palates, ensuring there’s something for every furry friend.
Pros
Certified USDA organic ingredients
Grain-free formulation
Varied flavor options.
Positive testimonials highlight health benefits.
Cons
Higher price point.
Limited availability in certain regions.
A grain-free diet may not be suitable for all dogs.
Tender and True Chicken and Liver Recipe stands out among the six dry recipes featured in our Tender and True Dry product range evaluation.
- Primary Ingredients: Organic chicken, organic chicken meal, organic tapioca starch, organic dried pea, organic chickpea
- Meal Types: Grain-free
- Varieties: Turkey, chicken, salmon, ocean whitefish, and more
- Price Range: $$$
- Explore available recipes
The predominant animal protein sources in tender and proper chicken and liver are chicken meal and fresh chicken. Our analysis of the dry matter label indicates a protein content of 29%, fat content of 18%, and estimated carbohydrate content of 45%… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of approximately 62%.
Tender and True holds USDA certification for organic products, making each recipe a rarity sought by conscientious dog owners.
A testimonial from a satisfied buyer reads, “My dog struggled with eczema and allergies. Her eczema has disappeared since transitioning to the pesticide-free chicken and liver flavor. I highly recommend opting for organic. Additionally, I appreciate the humane treatment of the chickens.”
Gather Free Acres Dog Food
Gather Free Acres Dog Food
Gather Free Acres offers a range of dry recipes crafted with organic ingredients, ensuring dogs receive quality nutrition for optimal health.
Pros
We have certified organic ingredients.
Grain-free formulation.
A balanced blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fats.
Positive testimonials highlight.
Cons
Higher price point.
Limited availability.
A grain-free diet may not be suitable for all dogs.
Gather Free Acres stands among the trio of dry recipes scrutinized in our assessment of the Gather product lineup.
- Primary Ingredients: Organic chicken, organic dehydrated chicken, organic peas, lentils, chicken fat
- Meal Types: Grain-free
- Price Range: $$$
- Discover all three available recipes.
Gather Free Acres’ meat protein is sourced from fresh and dehydrated chicken. Our analysis of the dry matter label indicates a protein content of 33%, fat content of 17%, and estimated carbohydrate content of 42%… yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of approximately 50%.
In addition to Gather’s certified organic components, each recipe boasts a well-balanced blend of beneficial omega-3 and omega-6 fats—a premier selection.
A satisfied purchaser shares, “My dog Daisy struggled with a sensitive stomach and faced numerous food-related issues, even disliking her previous food. Upon transitioning to this food, she’s experienced a remarkable turnaround for the better. I’m exceedingly pleased with this product.”
Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Dog Food
Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Dog Food
Honest Kitchen provides a diverse range of dehydrated recipes crafted with organic ingredients and processed in human-grade facilities, ensuring optimal nutrition and safety for your furry companion.
Pros
Incorporates organic ingredients.
Offers grain-inclusive options.
Positive customer testimonials highlight.
Cons
Higher price point.
Availability may vary in certain regions.
Grain-inclusive formula may not be suitable for all dogs.
Honest Kitchen’s Whole Grain Chicken Recipe stands out among the eight dehydrated recipes examined in our Honest Kitchen product assortment evaluation.
- Primary Ingredients: Dehydrated chicken, organic barley, dehydrated potatoes, organic flaxseed, organic oats
- Meal Types: Grain-inclusive (barley, oats)
- Varieties: Fish, turkey, beef, assorted grain-free recipes, and more
- Price Range: $$$
- View all available recipes.
This Whole Grain Chicken formula primarily sources its meat protein from dehydrated chicken. Analysis of the dry matter label indicates a protein content of 27%, fat content of 15%, and estimated carbohydrate content of 50%… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 57%.
In addition to its numerous organic ingredients, each recipe undergoes processing in a human-grade food facility.
Furthermore, each component is non-genetically modified (non-GMO) and devoid of chemicals or preservatives. Additionally, all meat ingredients are free from hormones and antibiotics.
A pleased customer shares, “My German Shepherd is a picky eater with several allergies. I’ve tried various brands, but this one truly satisfies Shermy. It’s reasonably priced, easy to prepare, and incredibly filling for him. This is the first food brand where I don’t have to add anything or coax him into eating. I believe I’ve finally discovered the food we’ll stick with!”
Stella and Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Dinners
Stella and Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Dinners
Stella and Chewy’s offers a diverse range of freeze-dried dinner options, ensuring dogs receive high-quality nutrition in a convenient format.
Pros
High protein content.
Grain-free formulation.
Convenient freeze-dried format.
Cons
Higher price point.
Limited availability in certain regions.
Venison Blend may not be suitable for dogs.
Stella and Chewy’s Venison Blend stands among the thirteen raw recipes featured in our analysis of Stella and Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Dinner collection.
- Primary Ingredients: Venison, lamb, lamb liver, venison liver, venison lung
- Meal Types: Grain-free
- Varieties: Beef, chicken, duck, turkey, rabbit, and more
- Price Range: $$$
- Explore all thirteen available recipes.
This Venison Blend formula primarily sources its animal protein from venison and lamb. Our examination of the dry matter label indicates a protein content of 47%, fat content of 32%, and estimated carbohydrate content of 13%… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 67%.
Stella and Chewy’s ensures that all its frozen and freeze-dried raw recipes incorporate vitamins and minerals derived from 100% certified organic fruits and vegetables.
A highly regarded freeze-dried dog food suitable for those not explicitly seeking organic meat. It is recommended with confidence.
A satisfied purchaser shares, “My beautiful petite suffers from allergies to almost everything—beef, chicken, lamb, tomato (commonly found in most dog food), grains, etc. It was recommended that we switch to raw food. We’ve tried numerous venison, duck, bison, and wild boar brands, but this is undoubtedly her favorite. It’s convenient to store since most other brands require freezing. We feed her 2 1/2 ‘pucks’ broken up and mixed with grain-free dry food twice daily. We usually add water to the pucks, but she also enjoys them dry straight out of the bag.”
Carna4 Dog Food
Carna4 Dog Food
Carna4 provides diverse dry recipes crafted with high-quality ingredients, ensuring dogs receive nutritious meals for optimal health.
Pros
High protein content.
Grain-inclusive formulation
Incorporates organic ingredients.
Positive testimonials highlight.
Cons
Higher price point.
Availability may vary in certain regions.
Carna4 Chicken stands among the six dry recipes examined in our evaluation of the Carna4 product range.
- Primary Ingredients: Fresh chicken, chicken liver, eggs, organic sprouted barley seed, wild salmon
- Meal Types: Grain-inclusive (barley, rice)
- Varieties: Grain-free duck and grain-free fish
- Price Range: $$$
- Discover all three available recipes.
This Carna4 formula predominantly derives animal protein from fresh chicken and chicken liver. Our analysis of the dry matter label indicates a protein content of 32%, fat content of 17%, and estimated carbohydrate content of 43%… yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 52%.
Featuring a variety of plant-based, organic ingredients, this formulation is a quality option worth considering.
A satisfied customer shares, “You will notice the difference in your dog within a few days of switching them to this dry kibble. Our dogs (2 Seniors, 1 Adult, and 3 Puppies) adore the food. They are happier, healthier-looking, and acting (shiny eyes, shiny coat, more energy, no tummy troubles such as vomiting/diarrhea, no itching skin or scratching).”
Tender and True Organic Dog Food
Tender and True Organic Dog Food
Tender and True offers a selection of wet products crafted with organic ingredients, providing dogs with nutritious meals in a convenient format.
Pros
High protein content.
Grain-free formulation.
Smooth pate consistency appeals
It is fully organic and free from GMOs, corn, wheat, or soy.
Cons
Higher price points.
Availability may vary in certain regions.
The Organic Chicken and Liver Recipe is one of the two wet products featured in our Tender and True Canned product line examination.
- Primary Ingredients: Organic chicken, water sufficient for processing, organic pea flour, organic chicken liver, organic chicken heart
- Meal Types: Grain-free
- Varieties: Turkey and Liver formula
- Price Range: $$
- Explore both available recipes.
This Tender and True organic formula primarily sources meat protein from fresh chicken. Based on dry matter analysis, this recipe boasts a protein content of 39%, fat content of 23%, and estimated carbohydrate content of 31%… yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 59%.
It has a smooth, finely-chopped pate consistency and offers 100% complete and balanced nutrition with added vitamins, minerals, and other trace nutrients.
Completely organic, this formula is free from grains, GMOs, corn, wheat, or soy. Additionally, it is devoid of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. A high-quality wet diet is recommended with confidence.
A satisfied customer shares, “My dog is the pickiest dog I have ever had, never wanting to eat anything, always turning his nose up at everything I put in front of him. Someone suggested Tender and True, and it has been a complete turnaround; he can’t wait to eat. He cleans the bowl as if he were starving. I highly recommend this product.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is organic dog food?
Organic dog food is crafted from ingredients cultivated sans pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), or ionizing radiation.
Moreover, animals contributing to meat, poultry, eggs, or dairy products mustn’t have consumed antibiotics or growth hormones.
What are the 3 types of organic dog food?
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) acknowledges 3 classifications of organic products:
- 100% Organic: Comprising solely 100% organic ingredients
- Organic: Consisting of at least 95% organic ingredients
- Made with Organic Ingredients: Formulated with a minimum of 70% organic ingredients, with stringent regulations governing the remaining 30% (including a ban on GMOs)
Dog foods containing less than 70% organic ingredients may list these components on the side panel but cannot make organic claims on the front of the package.
What’s the price difference with organic dog food?
The average cost of organic dog food is approximately 23% higher than that of a package comparable to regular dog food.
However…
This niche category of dog foods may occasionally be spotted retailing for up to 40% more than their conventional counterparts.
The reasoning?
- Organic farmers don’t receive federal subsidies like some conventional farmers
- Organic farming entails higher expenses compared to regular farming
- Organic farms tend to be smaller in scale, thus missing out on the cost efficiencies enjoyed by larger growers
Is organic dog food better than regular dog food?
Yes, organic dog food is better than regular dog food for some dog owners.
Based on three extensive studies, the nutrient differences between regular and organic dog foods appear minimal. However, USDA data shows organic foods contain fewer pesticide residues than conventionally grown produce.
This could be an essential advantage to demanding dog owners who prioritize minimizing their pet’s pesticide exposure.
What ingredients should I avoid when selecting dog food?
Here are some of the most contentious ingredients commonly found in many popular dog foods… along with the potential health risks associated with each:
| Ingredient | Type | Linked To |
| BHA | Preservative | Cancer |
| BHT | Preservative | Cancer |
| TBHQ | Preservative | Cancer |
| Ethoxyquin | Preservative | Liver pigmentation |
| Menadione | Synthetic vitamin | Hemolytic anemia |
| Artificial dyes | Colorant | Cancer |
| Propylene glycol | Moisturizer | Heinz body anemia |
| Generic “meat” | Unknown source | Food allergies |
To ensure you never inadvertently feed YOUR dog food containing any of these high-risk ingredients… opt for recipes rated 4 stars or higher by The Dog Food Advisor.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best organic dog food offers a holistic approach to canine nutrition, emphasizing natural and sustainably sourced ingredients that prioritize the health and well-being of our furry friends.
By avoiding artificial additives, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), organic dog food promotes overall health and vitality. With a focus on high-quality proteins, wholesome grains, and nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, organic diets support optimal digestion, immune function, and energy levels in dogs of all ages and breeds.
Moreover, choosing organic dog food aligns with a commitment to environmental sustainability and ethical farming practices. While organic options may come with a slightly higher price tag, the long-term benefits for your dog’s health and the planet make it a worthwhile investment.
Ultimately, by opting for organic dog food, pet owners can provide their canine companions with the nourishment they need to thrive, ensuring a happier, healthier life together.