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.
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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 -
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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 -
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Best Natural Wet Dog FoodInstinct Original Grain-Free Real Chicken Natural Wet Canned Dog Food $24 on Chewy -
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Best Affordable Natural Wet Dog FoodPurina Beyond Beef, Potato & Green Bean Recipe Ground Entree Canned Dog Food $28 on Chewy -
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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
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Fussy dogs
Both of my dogs love this particular combo. Tried another flavor and the did not like it as much. I’ll stick with the pumpkin and lamb
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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
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GREAT NEW FOOD
OUR GIRL DOGS LOVE THIS FOOD ITS SO GOOD FOR THEM ALL AND ITS NOT GRAIN FREE WHICH IS WONDERFUL TOO
Best Natural Grain-Free Dog Food
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Grain Free -Great Taste-Fresh
A grain free food my dog ate up! No hesitation to eat and no allergic reactions. Love it is one of the first bags I could find that was available over 25lbs and the bites were more for bigger dogs.
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Chuncked full of great flavor and nutrition!
He absolutely gobbles down this favorable Kibble. He eats it plain and with some extra protein like chicken, liver or beef added to it.
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Grain Free
My dog was having skin issues so I thought I would try a grain free kibble. He loves this, and it also helped with his skin.
Best Natural Wet Dog Food
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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.
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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.
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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
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Wally loves it!
He isn’t a finicky eater, but we tried another food and he didn’t really care for it and neither did is digestive system. We went back to this food and he is a very happy boy again.
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the ingredient list and variety.
I like to vary my dog's food. I don't believe in feeding my dogs the same over and over. Just like people pets need variety!
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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.
Best Affordable Natural Dry Dog Food
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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.
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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
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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
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My dog loves these
I use these as a topper for my dog's food once a day. She gobbles this stuff up. It was started originally as one of the options my vet suggested to give her probiotics daily.
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Best of Best
Dogs love them! Super healthy. Put a few in your hand they’ll follow you anywhere and do whatever you want them to do.!
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Fresh Quality
Both of my dogs love this! I add some water my senior dog & she loves it! With my younger guy I just mix it with his Stella & Chewys food or use it as a treat for training.
Best Natural Freeze Dried Dog Food
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Popular flavor
My dog loves these patties; I have not opened package yet to see it these patties are crumbled like the others in this order
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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.)
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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
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Simple ingredients
I was looking to get something for my dogs that would be a more balanced diet, and would also be better for them than kibble. Even the pickier one of my bunch enjoys this food, and I feel more comfortable knowing what they're eating!
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Nothing but good stuff
I give a scoop of this to mix with water in my girls meals to make gravy and provide some extra good stuff and they love it. Its also very versatile and can be made into a stiff paste to put in their kongs for a treat or flattened out on a sheet pan, cut and baked for tasty healthy treats.
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Easy to make
My dogs devoured it and it kept them full. In fact, they loved it so much they knocked my glass container off the counter and ate the entire bag! Highly recommend!!!
Best Natural Senior Dog Food
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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!
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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:-)
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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
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PUP FOOD WITH PIZAZZ
ONYX, OUR 5 MONTH OLD LAB MIX, REALLY LIKED THIS PRODUCT. IT HAD REAL CHICKEN CHUNKS AND SMALLER BITE KIBBLE JUST THE RIGHT SIZE FOR LITTLE MOUTHS. IT WAS GIVEN AS A MAIN MEAL AS WELL AS A TOPPER FOR OUR REGULAR FOOD.
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Picky Puppy Success
My puppy is a very picky eater but she gobbled this up! We’ve tried no less than three other brands and she would eat them reluctantly, but this she just dives in the bowl for.
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Kibbles with treats!
So, my dogs love this food. They especially love the freeze dried pieces. The kibble is tiny, which is great for my older Chihuahua mix. All 4 of my dogs ate it without walking away. Be prepared for them to pick out the bigger pieces (they must think they're treats), but they'll go back and finish the kibble. At least mine did. And I have 2 picky eaters!
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.
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