10 of the best natural and organic dog foods

While our pooch pals can sometimes make some questionable food choices (fox poo, cat poo, actually any type of poo), it can be a comfort to know that your four-legged friend is getting a decent meal twice a day, at the very least. Good quality dog food should provide pups with all the nutrients they need, but many brands use additives and preservatives which your four-legged friend certainly doesn’t need. Our pick of the best natural dog food, along with some excellent runners-up, steer clear of any nasties to ensure your pooch pal fills up on the good stuff (plus anything else they snout out in the park… naturally!). And if you're after ways to treat your pooch without any added junk, check out these homemade dog treats.

Wondering how we’ve made this list of the best natural dog foods? First of all, we only include natural dog foods which comply with regulations made by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, that natural dog food must be made up of ingredients “derived solely from plant, animal or mined sources”. Therefore, all the natural dog foods you see on this list are free from artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. In addition to these regulations, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration adds that natural food products must have a moisture content of at least 70%, be minimally processed, and look like, well, real food. For this very reason, you will see more wet food than dry dog food on our list. 

Benefits of natural dog food 

As with humans, steering clear of ultra-processed foods which are often filled with additives and preservatives is generally a good idea for doggies. Natural dog food has fewer allergens than processed products (although you should still check the ingredients), and if your pup does have a reaction to something in the food, it’s far easier to narrow down the cause when you don’t have a long confusing list of ingredients to trawl through. Natural foods also have higher levels of protein and other nutrients as the ingredients are made up of whole foods rather than processed ones. Whole foods such as these help strengthen your pup’s immune system, promote better digestion, and improve their skin and coat health. Finally, it’s not only your four-legged friend that benefits from a more natural diet, natural dog foods often have a lower carbon footprint and are better for the environment than other dog foods. That’s a win-win for us!

Choosing the best organic dog food for your pooch

The first thing you should look for on any dog food label is a statement from the AAFCO to show it meets the industry standards. Choose a natural dog food that provides your pooch pal with the nutrients necessary for the stage of life your dog is at. Puppy food is specifically designed for muscle and bone growth, whereas senior dog food contains nutrients to support joint health and mobility. Consider whether you want to feed your dog dry kibble, wet food, or even dehydrated food, and make your decision based on what gets your pup’s tail wagging. 

Remember, it’s a good idea to consult your veterinary nutritionist when making the decision to change your pup’s food. They will be able to tell you if the dog food you’ve chosen will give your Fido everything it needs to be happy and healthy. They will also likely recommend introducing the new food little by little, often over a period of 9 days. 

Now that you know exactly what you’re looking for, let’s take a look at the best natural food for dogs and some close runners-up. 

Best organic food for dogs overall - Tender & True Organic Chicken Dry Dog Food

This one really steals the best-in-show biscuit, not only as the best natural dog food but as the best organic dog food too! In order to be labeled as organic by the US Department of Agriculture, 95% of its ingredients must be organic, and this Tender & True dog food does not disappoint. Made from a blend of organic ingredients (the first of which is cage-free chicken), antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, this dog food is free from nasty artificial colors or flavoring. You also won’t find any corn, wheat or soy in this dog food, making it easier to digest for sensitive tums! 

Best all-natural dog food - Spot & Tango

As wet food is generally processed at lower temperatures and contains fewer preservatives, it is generally the most natural choice. Next on our list of the best natural dog food, Spot & Tango makes small batches of fresh food using high-quality ingredients. Pet owners can choose between Turkey & Red Quinoa, Beef & Millet, and Lamb & Brown Rice, knowing that each recipe is free from artificial preservatives, fillers and additives. They also offer “UnKibble” recipes, following exactly the same ethos as the wet food, alongside the statement that “UnKibble is not extruded and contains no meat meals or powdered ‘mystery meats’,” unlike most dry kibble on the market. 

Best organic wet dog food - Castor & Pollux Organix Grain-Free Organic Chicken & Vegetable Recipe

Leaders in organic pet foods, Castor & Pollux handcraft their dog food in small batches in a certified organic kitchen. Free from corn, wheat, soy, preservatives, and artificial colors, this wet dog food has added probiotics to help support a healthy digestive system. 

Best organic dry dog food - Castor & Pollux Organix Dry Dog Food Organic Chicken Recipe

Sometimes dry dog food is the best option for your pup, so it certainly deserves a chance on this list of the best organic dog food. This nutrient-packed recipe is full of superfoods, including organic flaxseed, organic blueberries, and organic sweet potato (what an organic mouthful!). Alongside organic, free-range chicken, great care has been taken to include ingredients which are grown responsibly without the need for synthetic fertilisers or chemical pesticides.

Best natural wet dog food - Purina Beyond Natural Wet Dog Food

Everyone knows that the way to a dog’s heart is through its stomach. That’s why chicken is the number one ingredient in this tasty mix, but wait, it’s not just any old chicken, it’s chicken which has been raised without steroids or hormones (which definitely aren’t so tasty for your pooch pal). Rich in fibre and natural probiotics, this recipe is free from corn, wheat, soy, poultry-by products, and any other artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Yum!

Best natural dry dog food - Orijen Dog Original Recipe

Made from 85% premium animal ingredients, the first five ingredients of this dog food are fresh, raw animal-based proteins. Orijen believes in a Wholeprey diet, which nourishes pups with quality animal proteins that closely resemble those their ancestors would have eaten in the wild. Sounds pretty good to us!

Best natural dog food for senior dogs - Diamond Naturals Dry Senior Dog Food

A variety of vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables and antioxidant superfoods such as blueberries and spinach help to support the immune system, while glucosamine and chondroitin have been included in the recipe to help support your senior pup’s joints and cartilage. Complete nutrition for senior dogs is provided with cage-free chicken and other protein sources which help strengthen bones and muscles, and omega fatty acids like flaxseed and chia seed which keep your four-legged friend’s skin and coat healthy. 

Best organic dog food for puppies - Castor & Pollux Organix Puppy Recipe

Sigh, another Castor & Pollux product…organic, free-range chicken forms the base of this dog food, which provides puppers with all the nutrients necessary to grow into strong, healthy adult dogs. 

Best dehydrated natural dog food - The Honest Kitchen Human Grade Dehydrated Grain Free Dog Food

This dehydrated dog food couldn’t be simpler - just add a little water and wait three minutes, by which time Fido will definitely be drooling. Minimally processed and made with human-grade ingredients (although pet parents definitely shouldn’t try this at home!), this dog food is a delicious mix of real ingredients, from free-range chicken and green beans to organic flaxseed and organic kelp.

Best hypoallergenic dog food - Canidae Pure Limited Ingredient Premium Adult Dry Dog Food

If your pup is prone to a poorly tummy, it’s important to feed them a hypoallergenic dog food which minimises the risk of allergies and intolerances. Made with less than ten key ingredients, all of which are easily recognisable, this grain-free dog food is a nutritious blend of real salmon and sweet potato along with antioxidants and probiotics which are perfect for sensitive doggies.

As well as delicious dog food, our four-legged friends deserve a lifetime of love, care, and attention (something that these dog pancakes would do very nicely, thank you very much). If you’re jetting off on vacation sometime soon, find a pet sitter to take care of your beloved buddy while you’re away so that no one's tail stops wagging!