We’re all looking to lead healthier lives, and that usually includes eating a more natural diet with fewer processed foods. As pet parents, we want the same for our dogs, and feeding a natural diet can offer up similar benefits. But how do you pick the best natural dog food for your pup?
First, you need to know what constitutes natural pet food. Natural pet food should contain ingredients derived from plant, animal or naturally occurring mineral sources, in their natural state or without having been produced chemically, according to the Association of American Feed Control Officers, which sets forth pet food’s nutritional standards. Though the “natural” label isn’t currently regulated by the FDA, choosing a natural dog food should help eliminate ingredients like artificial colors and flavors and man-made preservatives from your pup’s diet, making sure they get more whole ingredients and fewer chemicals.
We spoke to the experts to narrow down the vet recommended dog food options and help you find the best natural dog food for your dog. Just remember to consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pup’s diet.
-
1
Best Natural Dry Dog FoodACANA Singles + Wholesome Grains Limited Ingredient Diet Lamb & Pumpkin Recipe $99 on ChewyFREE 1-3 day shipping$99 on ChewyFREE 1-3 day shipping -
2
Best Natural Grain-Free Dog FoodNature's Recipe Grain-Free Salmon, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe $50 on ChewyFREE 1-3 day shipping$50 on ChewyFREE 1-3 day shipping -
3
Best Natural Wet Dog FoodInstinct Original Grain-Free Real Chicken Natural Wet Canned Dog Food $24 on Chewy -
4
Best Affordable Natural Wet Dog FoodPurina Beyond Beef, Potato & Green Bean Recipe Ground Entree Canned Dog Food $30 on Chewy -
5
Best Affordable Natural Dry Dog FoodPurina Beyond Simply White Meat Chicken & Whole Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food $44 on Chewy
Best Natural Dry Dog Food
-
High quality ingredients
My dogs have extreme allergies and stomach sensitivity towards so many different things this food helps with that I believe the probiotics in it do wonders also I like that it’s simple diesnt have a ton of different things it
-
GREAT NEW FOOD
OUR GIRL DOGS LOVE THIS FOOD ITS SO GOOD FOR THEM ALL AND ITS NOT GRAIN FREE WHICH IS WONDERFUL TOO
-
Amazing Food !
I have 3 English Bulldogs and this food has been amazing with them as they have sensitive stomachs and have allergies I highly recommend this food !!
Best Natural Grain-Free Dog Food
-
Agrees with my dog
My dog has a very sensitive stomach. Most dog foods are irritating and cause him distress. I tried many brands until I found the one dog food he can digest.
-
Grain Free Food
I like to feed my boy as much grain free food as possible because he is allergic to many grains.
-
Best dog food ever
My dog was losing his hair I been feeding my dog this switched from pedigree and his hair has grown in and he is big lol cause he loves it
Best Natural Wet Dog Food
-
Perfect for pupcicles!
This is my go to when filling the pupcicle molds. My 5 heelers all go crazy for this. Using it as an enrichment item instead of their main diet makes it much more economical.
-
Not loaf as listed
Lot to lot can vary on the consistency, this case was more like soup. The lots that are loaf are a great product.
-
Happy with this food.
Im trying to pick the healthiest foods I can for my dog and cats. This is one of the foods that fit the bill for me. And he likes it :)
Best Affordable Natural Wet Dog Food
-
Soft Food Supplement
I use this soft food to supplement the diet of a 17 year old Collie/German Shepherd Mix. He is doing great.
-
Adaptil vs Thunder Ease??
Hard to rate at this point. I hope it works as well or better. If not we’ll look for another source for Adaptil.
-
My dog loves this.
Seems like a good recipe, I've never heard anything bad about it. My dog loves it! I use it as a topper once in a while when I don't have time to fix something fresh.
Best Affordable Natural Dry Dog Food
-
Really Wish This Wasn't Discontinued
My dog was on this her whole life. Then Purina quit making it a year and a half ago, claiming "low sales". It has been a pain trying to find something comparable, ingredients-wise. It's not easy changing a 12-year old dog's food. I really appreciated the limited ingredient formula. Purina doesn't have many others that are truly limited ingredients, not even Pro-Plan.
-
Why is this dry food no longer available ?
My dogs loved this dry food and I would like to know the reason this was discontinued. I don't know which dry dog food to order now. Sad
-
Beyond Dry Dog Food
I rely on your company for my dogs needs. Grateful you provided me with 5 small packages. But hoping next time I can go back to the 24 lb bag.
Best Natural Dog Food Topper
-
My dog is obsessed
Great as a meal topper or as a treat. I like to put these in a Kong style toy to make it last longer for my dog.
-
Happy dog
My finikey dog has to have a variety of flavors of food, along with raw or cooked meats. I just crumble up a few of these little nuggets and he gobbles his food down. Good choice for finicky eaters. Thank you again Chewy for another wonderful option.
-
Never failing goodness!
This is, like all the Stella and chewy’s products, a crowd pleaser! Rare to find a dog who turns his nose away, and even if so, it’s a temporary turn, before trying and loving it!
Best Natural Freeze Dried Dog Food
-
Easy Travel Food for a PICKY Eater
I have a dog who will eat almost NO dog food, and will almost always eat these dinner patties. (They are also VERY easy to travel with -- both close to home when out for a day or far from home on a plane.)
-
These are very helpful to my dogs health
These are very useful both as a snack as a meal topper. However the only thing I criticize is their incredibly expensive price
Best Natural Dehydrated Dog Food
-
I use the chicken recipe as a topper. It lasts for several months.
My girl Ellie likes both the chicken and beef dehydrated recipe. As soon as I start mixing it she comes to the kitchen
-
Picky pup eats it
I was feeding my 22lb chihuahua mix freshpet refrigerated food because it was the only thing he’d consistently eat. I was so surprised that, when he tried this food, he liked it and ate it again and again. I was able to switch him over entirely which has saved me money.
-
Dogs love, LOVE, LOVE it
We have three rescues that are suprisingly picky on food. Honest Kitchen, however, is a God send. Not only can you make it on its own but you can use it as a nice mix with kibble. Smells great and the dogs love it. Also the ingredients don't freak me out - BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin, corn gluten or whatever. I can actually read and understand. Highly recommend.
Best Natural Senior Dog Food
-
my dogs love Farmina!
both of my large dogs (ages 7 and 8) do great on this! i love farmina as a company and feel so comfortable feeding my dogs this food based on their ingredient sourcing and food processing. my dogs are getting a little older, plus one of them has somewhat of a sensitive stomach, so i like that the senior version has little bit lower protein and fat and more fiber. prior to switching to the senior version, we were just feeding the original chicken and pomegranate but my dogs do seem to do better with this formula at their age and with their current moderately active lifestyle!
-
Sam likes it
I've been feeding my Golden, Sam, this food for a few months now, he seems to like it a lot. I mix it with his "The Farmer's Dog" food and he seems to like that combination, he barks at me as I prepare this food:-)
-
Top Quality Dry Dog Food!
This is the highest quality dry dog food I have ever used. Our dog has maintained a healthy weight, coat, and general wellness. The impact was immediate once we switched. Of note, there is a senior option that has higher fiber for senior dogs, or a normal (non-senior) option.
Best Natural Puppy Food
-
Expensive Puppy Food
This brand was suggested by the breeder of our new wire fox terrier puppy. They were feeding all their puppies this food. Winnie loved it and I didn’t want to change brands in the beginning. I got a second bag because she’s still in that puppy stage. I will be changing to Blue buffalo wilderness mixed with Fresh pet.
-
Quality dog food that my picky dog will eat
My Lapponian Herder is very picky about his food but he will eat this food with no problem. We break up the soft bits and sprinkle them on the dry kibble and he thinks we are giving him a real treat.
-
My puppy loves this
He prefers this over everything, even useful as a healthy training treat. He loves this stuff way more than kibble and it much better for him as well.
When choosing the best natural dog food for your pet, there are more than a few good choices on the market, and your veterinarian can help you find the ideal diet for your pup. “Your veterinarian is going to know what sort of specific conditions, dietary needs and lifestyle your pet may have. Work very closely with them on choosing the right food,” says Dr. Nelson. With your vet’s guidance, you can transition your dog to one of the best natural dog foods for many years of health and happiness by your side.
Read More
Share:
