Every time my dog ate a meal, he would suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, and skin irritation. It was a very frustrating and scary experience, so I contacted my vet who said my furry friend was suffering from serious allergies.
He recommended that I change dog food. This was when I realized that not all dog foods are created equal as there are some that have higher nutritional values as compared to others.
When I went on a hunt for the best dog food, I realized that the majority of brands contain grains, by-products, fillers, and artificial ingredients. Many of the dog foods also contained ingredients that were sourced from China. Every time I fed these foods to my pooch, she ended up vomiting.
I also read that there were many cases of pooch foods that were getting recalled. That left me feeling paranoid and it was getting harder to find a good p food that could satisfy the carnivores instincts of dogs..
Again I contacted my vet asking for recommendations on the best dog food. He suggested that I try organic foods. That’s when I began my research on the best organic dog food brands on the market today.
Just as a quick note, the FDA regulates the use of the term ‘organic’. For a dog food to be certified as organic, it has to be made using organic ingredients and should not contain hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or preservatives.
After a thorough search, I was able to come up with a list of the best organic dog food brands.
Benefits Of Organic Pet Foods
If you want to keep your furry friend happy and healthy, you need to feed him with organic food. Remember that a good diet is a key factor in promoting the health of your pet. Here are some reasons to feed your pooch with natural food.
Weight Management
Many dogs suffer from obesity. The majority of commercial dog foods have carbs and starch which often cause obesity. On the other hand, organic pooch foods contain high nutritional value and less filler which help in managing the weight of your canine friend.
Elimination Of Allergies
Many of the commercial brands contain artificial ingredients, chemicals, and fillers that can cause allergies in dogs. Organic foods have superior ingredients and do not contain allergy-triggering ingredients such as corn and wheat.
Prevention Of Diseases
There are many health conditions that are caused by improper nutrition. Some foods contain inadequate nutrition, dangerous chemicals, toxins, or additives which can be harmful to your pooch. When you feed your pooch with quality organic food, this will improve their overall health.
Improved Digestibility
Organic products have no artificial fillers and chemicals and this enhances the ability of your pooch to digest them.
Improved Energy Levels
Many of the organic pet foods have all the essential ingredients which can go a long way in boosting your canine’s energy levels. When you feed your dog with natural foods, you can keep your pooch active all day long as they contain calories that are filled with nutrients.
How To Find The Best Organic Dog Food Brands
One of the best things you can do for your canine friend is to get him quality and wholesome nutrition. In order to do that, you will need to look for natural or even organic dog formulas.
It can be tough choosing organic dog food. This is because there are many brands out there. Fortunately, I have created a list of factors to consider before making a choice. These include:
Ingredients: Make sure you go through the ingredients. These are usually listed by amount, from the highest to the lowest.
Price: Many people associate organic foods with a high price. But with a bit of research, it is possible to feed your dog on an inexpensive organic diet.
Grain and gluten content: Choose pooch foods that are gluten-free and grain-free.
Organic or natural: Natural foods do not contain any chemical or synthetic ingredients. Organic dog food, on the other hand, is produced 100% from natural and non-processed artificial components.
Strange components: Consider whether you know all the ingredients and whether the product has unknown terms. Look up any unknown terms and you will be sure that your pup isn’t eating unwanted products.
Raw, dried or canned: Dry food is usually the cheapest, while canned food offers delicious and complete meals. Raw dog food is a good organic alternative as it is served dehydrated or frozen.
Breed-appropriate: Choose an organic dog food that is appropriate for the breed and size of the dog, as well as considering your dog’s age.
Top 5 Best Organic Dog Foods
Here is my detailed organic dog food review that will help you make the right choice:
1. Organix Castor & Pollux Dry Dog Food
It is not often that you come across a dog food that is prepared in an organically certified kitchen. The Organix Castor & Pollux Dry Dog Food is one of those and has been certified to be organic by the USDA.
This pooch formula has free-range chicken as the main ingredient which contains essential nutrients such as minerals and amino acids. It is also a highly digestible source of protein. It is fortified with probiotics and prebiotics that help to support healthy digestion.
The ingredients in the dog food can be termed as a perfect blend of superfoods. This is because it contains organic flaxseed, organic coconut nut, and organic blueberries. It contains no antibiotics, artificial fertilizers, growth hormones, or antibiotics.
It is also a great choice for puppies and small breed dogs as it has bite-sized kibble. Even if your dog doesn’t like it, they have an awesome return policy. However, the majority of dogs love it and you will never need to return it.
The dog food comes in a great package that helps to keep the food fresh all day long. There is no doubt that this is the best organic dog food which can be seen from its high ratings. The only downside of the dog food is that it is made of little kibbles that may be unsuitable for large breeds.
The Merrick Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is a good organic dog food that provides real value for money. It is free of wheat, soy, and corn.
The food is cooked in the US using natural ingredients that promise your pooch a complete and balanced meal. It is made using several protein sources such as whitefish and salmon. Other key ingredients include salmon oil, peas, organic alfalfa, and sweet potatoes.
To ensure that your canine gets enough antioxidants, blueberries are added to this top organic dog food. To provide your canine with all its nutritional needs, it is fortified with vitamins and minerals. Herbs and spices are added to improve the flavor.
The natural ingredients are a great choice for improving digestibility, increasing your dog’s energy levels and promoting a shinier coat. The high-quality proteins are also a good choice for supporting stronger nails.
The grain-free recipe is suitable for canines that have allergies or are sensitive to food. High amounts of grains in dog food can cause side effects such as seizures.
The only downside of this food is that there seems to be a change in the formulation after the Purina buyout in 2015. There are buyers who are complaining that the quality is not the same as it was before.
Dogs have an insatiable appetite for meat. This is why the Blue Buffalo Wilderness Dog Food is made using proteins to satisfy your canine’s natural craving for meat. The key ingredients in the pooch food are salmon, fish meal, and chicken meal to ensure that your pooch gets all the protein he needs.
This is among the best organic dog food brands as it contains LifeSource Bits — a perfect mix of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These are important for supporting your dog’s immune system and a good oxidative balance.
It does not contain any poultry by-products, wheat, corn, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives. If you are wondering if your dog will get enough carbs, the formula contains fruits and vegetables which are a healthy source of carbohydrates and vitamins.
It also contains DHA which helps to support the brain of your dog. Chondroitin and glucosamine help to improve joint mobility. This pooch food has omega-3 and -6 fatty acids which are helpful in supporting healthy skin and coat.
Many pet owners confess that their pets love the taste of this dog food and none of the ingredients are from China. However, cases of dogs suffering from diarrhea and vomiting after consuming the food have been reported.
The Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food is a pooch food that is completely grain-free and balanced ensuring that your dog gets optimum nutrition. It is made of rich and high-quality proteins such as chicken and turkey.
The delicious proteins are combined with vegetables, vitamins, and minerals. It is available in seven flavors and none of them contain any grains, by-products, fillers, or artificial preservatives.
The 100% natural dog food is fortified with flaxseed oil, fish oil, probiotics, and antioxidants. It is made using premium ingredients which will satisfy the carnivorous attribute of your dog. While there are things that dogs can’t eat, none of those are included in this dog food.
The Wellness Guarantee backs the quality of this pooch food and there are many pet owners who suggest that the food has helped to minimize shedding, reduce anxiety, and help overweight dogs lose weight. The only downside of the pooch food is that there are dogs that react badly to it.
While there are many benefits of organic foods, you need to choose a brand that contains the right ingredients for your dog to enjoy these gains. The Taste of the Wild Grain-Free High Protein Natural Dog Food is an organic and nutritious dog food that contains all the ingredients necessary for a well-balanced diet.
It is made using premium wild meat such as buffalo, wild boar, smoked salmon, lamb, roasted bison, and quail. The main ingredient, bison, is good for strong and lean muscles. All the ingredients are highly-digestible sources of protein that protect your pet from allergies.
The food also has Omega-3 oils from marine sources such as salmon oil, ocean fish meal, and smoked salmon. These omega-3s are balanced by the omega-6 plant sources. These two ingredients can help to improve the skin and coat of your pooch.
Additionally, this food has no grains, corn, wheat, fillers, or artificial preservatives. It does contain complex carbohydrates from legumes and sweet potatoes. The carbohydrates help to keep your dog full and energized all day long. To ensure that your dog is able to absorb most of the nutrients in the food, it contains chelated minerals.
The manufacturer realizes that 70% of the immune system of your dog is in its digestive system. This is why this top-rated organic dog food also contains prebiotics and probiotics — two bacteria that occur naturally in the digestive tract of your dog.
Once you feed your dog with this premium food, he will eat less food as it is nutrient-dense. Many pet owners also agree that their canines love the taste of this food. The only downside of this food is that there are some dogs that have bad reactions to it.
My Final Thoughts
I realized that while organic dog food may be more expensive as compared to the generic options, it is worth the money. In fact, you will end up saving in the long run as you will not have to spend money at the vet to treat diseases, allergies, or obesity.
However, it is worth noting that not all organic dog foods are created equal. Some organic foods have been reported to cause diarrhea and vomiting in dogs.
You can use the above review and buying guide to help you make the right choice. Remember that ultimately, your goal should be to buy dog food that meets the needs of your furry friend.