The 10 Best Organic Dog Foods in 2024

Guide to Buying the Best Organic Dog Food

Deciding on the best organic dog food for your pet can be difficult, especially when there are so many different options. To help you pick the most suitable organic dog food for your pet, we’ve put together this handy guide to help you in selecting an organic food for your dog.

Don’t worry, everything you need to know about organic dog food, from the most commonly used ingredients to the truth about grains in dog food is covered in this guide.

How Does Organic Dog Food Differ From Regular Dog Food?

Organic dog food only differs from regular dog food in the type of ingredients that are used and how these ingredients are grown. Organic dog food will only use ingredients that are grown, raised, harvested, and processed organically; this means without the use of pesticides, growth hormones, antibiotics, synthetic fertilizers, and genetic modification. Currently, pet food companies can only label their dog food as certified organic if their ingredients meet the same USDA guidelines that are applied to human food products. Countries that produce dog foods outside of the US are subject to slightly different guidelines.

Organic Certification and Labelling

In order to classify and advertise dog food products as organic, companies must adhere to both USDA meat and poultry regulations and FDA non-meat regulations and pet food labeling guidelines. These regulations ensure that any product labeled as ‘organic’ must contain at least 95% organic ingredients.

For this reason, certified organic dog food is more difficult to come by and generally more expensive than non-organic dog food. Unfortunately, many dog food products that claim to be organic are only partially composed of organic ingredients. To help clarify what USDA certification actually means when it comes to dog food, we’ve listed the key certification guidelines below:

• If the product is made up of 100% organic ingredients, the producing company can display the USDA seal and claim “100% organic” on the packaging.
• If the product is at least 95% organic (excluding salt and water), the company can display the USDA seal.
• If the product contains at least 70% organic ingredients, the company can list three of those ingredients on the front of the package and claim that the product is “made with organic ingredients.”
• If the product contains less than 70% organic ingredients, the company is not permitted to list the ingredients on the front of the product but can list them in the nutritional information panel. This product cannot legally describe itself as organic and is prohibited from using the USDA seal.

If you’re set on getting a USDA certified organic food for your dog, your best bet is Castor and Pollux’s Organic Butcher & Bushel Grain-Free Dog Food.

Benefits of Using Organic Dog Food

While the organic movement may be heavily debated around the dinner table, the scientific community is of the firm opinion that organic food is not only beneficial for the environment, but also for the health of your dog. To help you understand why we’ve listed four science-backed benefits of organic food:

• Higher nutrient levels: Organic foods will often contain higher levels of nutrients and antioxidants. This is particularly true for beneficial nutrients like Omega-3, an anti-inflammatory fatty acid that is known to help reduce hardened arteries. When vegetables are sprayed with pesticides and fertilizers, fatty acids like Omega-3 are produced in lesser quantities.
• No toxic additives: Organic dog foods are less likely to contain any of the toxic additives that trigger health issues or contribute to ongoing health concerns in dogs (i.e., osteoporosis or seizure). These additives include GMOs, synthetic growth hormones, antibiotics, artificial flavors, artificial preservatives, and artificial colors.
• Better for the environment: Not only is organic food better for your pet’s health, but it is also a more responsible choice for the environment. Organic foods are grown without harmful pesticides or fertilizers, promoting greater biological nutrient recycling, and minimizing the chemical run-off into nearby waterways.
• Better Taste: As organic food is grown without the use of toxic additives, organic products tend to have a more natural taste and scent. If your dog is a picky eater, the more natural taste of organic foods can be a gamechanger.

Types of Organic Dog Food: Wet or Dry?

Unless your dog has specific dietary requirements or they’re a finicky eater, it is advised to give your dog a mixture of both wet and dry food. Offering both varieties allows your pet to reap the maximum benefits that each food type has to offer. Read on for a brief breakdown of the respective pros and cons of wet and dry dog food.

Wet Food

Wet food refers to any type of pet food with high moisture content. Typically sold in cans or pouches, wet food is usually served as a pate style, with the protein, fat, and carbohydrates blended into a smooth, jelly-like consistency. While this can be more appetizing for dogs, wet texture food will not stimulate your dog’s teeth and jaw muscles. As a result, a predominantly wet food diet can contribute to dental issues or odorous oral hygiene.

At a glance, the benefits of wet food include:

• More easily digested
• More meaty texture/taste
• High moisture content (i.e., improved hydration)
• Long shelf-life

As well as being more palatable, wet food is also more easily digestible, making it a great option for fussy dogs or dogs with food sensitivities. One of the best organic wet dog foods on the market today is Castor and Pollux’s Organic Butcher & Bushel Grain-Free Dog Food.

Dry Food

Dry dog food, also known as kibble, comes in the form of crunchy biscuits or pods. There are many different types and sizes of kibble available on the market, making it highly customizable for anything from a large meal to a small snack. If you own a smaller pooch, opt for mini kibble biscuits to ensure your dog is able to easily eat and digest their meals.

At a glance, the benefits of dry food include:

• Reduces plaque/tartar build-up
• Reduces bad breath
• Doesn’t require refrigeration
• Can be left out throughout the day
• Cheaper than wet food

Beyond these benefits, kibble is also linked to superior oral health in dogs. The crunchy texture of kibble helps to break off plaque or tartar build-up on the teeth, keeping your dog’s mouth and breath fresher for longer between veterinary visits.

Dry food also tends to be more affordable than wet food as it contains a higher percentage of water. Note that, while this may be good for your wallet, it does mean that the food contains less protein and solid food ingredients.

For top-quality natural dry food, we recommend The Honest Kitchen’s Whole Food Clusters.

Commonly Used Ingredients in Dog Food

Whether you use wet or dry food, all dog food is made up of a mixture of ingredients that are formulated to meet their nutritional needs. Generally, this means that most dog foods will include meat and meat byproducts, vitamins, minerals, cereals, and grains.

The type of meat used in dog food will vary depending on the flavor of the product you purchase. Meats commonly used in pet food include livestock, horse, poultry, or seafood. Animal byproducts, such as organs, carcass parts, and cheek meats, may also be used.

If you choose to buy pet food that contains grains, this will usually consist of soybean, cornmeal, barley, or wheat. These ingredients can then be mixed with water, salts, meat broth, blood, and sometimes preservatives and flavoring if the pet food is not organic or natural.

Alternatively, if you decide to use a grain-free pet food, your ingredient list will generally include food items like potato, sweet potato, or peas to ensure that your pet is getting enough carbohydrates.

If you’re on the hunt for a top-rated grain-free dog food, take a look at Ziwi Peak’s Air-Dried Dog Food.

Are Grains Bad for Your Dog?

While it is a common belief that grain foods are bad for pets, what limited evidence there is for this position has been largely dismissed by the broader veterinary community. Many dogs can reap the nutritional benefits from grains without having any adverse reaction.

In fact, including an appropriate amount of carbohydrates from grains in your dog’s diet is important in maintaining healthy skin and hair, as well as a strong immune system. A great dog food that includes grains is The Honest Kitchen’s Organic Whole Grain Dehydrated Wet Food.

That being said, some dogs can have an allergic reaction to certain types of grains. However, this type of allergy is present in less than 1% of dogs. If you think your pet may be allergenic, the best thing to do is to speak with a veterinarian. There are plenty of grain-free options available for dogs with grain allergies that still provide all the essential nutrients that your pet needs.

If you have been feeding your dog grain-free food and you’re worried they may not be getting enough carbohydrates, don’t panic! Most grain-free dog foods use alternative carbohydrate sources (i.e., potato or peas) to ensure your dog is consuming a balanced meal.

Breaking Down Dog Food Terminology

The confusing labeling between natural and organic dog foods is often what turns people off from using organic products. In an attempt to rectify this situation, we’ve listed some of the most commonly used dog food terminology to make understanding different labeling a breeze.

• Corn/grain-free: Corn or grain-free dog food refers to food products that do not contain corn, wheat, rice, or other grains.
• Kibble: Kibble is the shorthand term for the biscuits that make up dry dog food. Kibble bags come in a range of sizes, meaning they can accommodate both small and big dog breeds.
• Wet food: Usually manufactured in tins or pouches, wet food refers to a mixture of meat chunks and sauce. Wet food products are sold in either whole chunks or pate form.
• Complete nutrition: If a dog food product states that it contains complete nutrition, this implies that the food has all the essential vitamins and minerals your dog needs.
• Organic: A popular classification, organic food uses ingredients that are grown without pesticides, antibiotics, fertilizers, or GMOs.

Best Organic Dog Food 2024: Top 5 Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Makes Dog Food Organic?

Dog food can be classified as organic if between 95% and 100% of its ingredients are grown or raised without the use of pesticides, antibiotics, growth hormones, synthetic fertilizers, or genetic modifications.

2. Is Organic Dog Food Healthier for My Dog?

Strictly speaking, there is little to no difference in nutritional value between organic and non-organic dog food products. A non-organic dog food can still give your dog all the essential vitamins and minerals it needs to be healthy. Nevertheless, it is widely believed that organic pet food is still a healthier option, largely due to the reduced exposure to toxic pesticides, harmful growth hormones, and allergenic additives.

3. Is Dry or Wet Food Better for Dogs?

Whether you buy wet or dry food will ultimately come down to your dog’s health requirements and dietary preferences. Many pet owners prefer to buy wet food as it has a more natural texture and contains more visible ingredients (such as vegetables and meat chunks). However, some dogs will only eat dry kibble, which is still a great option, especially if your dog has dental issues, digestive problems, or allergenic sensitivities. At the end of the day, unless your dog is opposed to one option or the other, there is no reason why you can’t feed your dog both wet and dry food. If you’re looking for some dehydrated options, check out a list of our favorites here.

4. Can I Make My Own Organic Dog Food?

Yes, you can make your own organic dog food by purchasing regular organic produce from your supermarket or greengrocer. While this will ensure that you know exactly what ingredients are going into your dog food, it’s imperative that you’re making safe and nutritionally balanced meals.

If you’re set on making your own organic dog food at home, make sure to consult your vet first. Your vet will be able to give you a better idea of what sort of foods you should include in each meal, as well as any foods to avoid. It is especially important to consult your vet if your dog has a sensitive stomach, allergies, or any other medical conditions.

5. Are Organic and Natural Dog Foods the Same?

There are a few differences between dog foods labeled natural and dog foods that are labeled organic. More often than not, organic dog foods can also be labeled as natural, meaning they contain unprocessed and unrefined ingredients.

Note that unlike USDA certified organic dog food, there is no legal definition for “natural dog food.” This means that any company can label their product as natural, so be sure to thoroughly read the ingredients list if you’re considering a natural dog food for your pet.

Final Thoughts

While the research process may take a little longer, the bottom line is that investing in an organic dog food is an investment into your dog’s health and future. Nevertheless, if you have any concerns about incorporating a new food into your dog’s diet, just ask your veterinarian about introducing new foods to your dog