Importance of Good Dog Food
If you’re on the hunt for the best natural dog food, you’re in the right place! Perhaps one of the most important aspects of their health, your dog’s diet makes up the building blocks of their day-to-day energy. In fact, your pet’s entire life builds from the food you use to feed them! Many pet parents opt for natural diets with wholesome ingredients.
Unfortunately, if you choose a cheap or poorly-made dog food, your pet’s health can suffer. Dogs have very specific nutritional needs, and some dog foods simply don’t make the cut when it comes to quality.
Thankfully, we have filtered through the various natural dog foods to help you choose the best fit for your pet. Some of the most important aspects to look for in your pet’s food is where their protein source comes from, and what the first few ingredients are (hopefully that protein source).
Five Best Natural Foods
As a certified dog trainer, I’ve experienced a number of different dog foods, both with my own dogs and through my clients. I’ve used that experience to provide you with an all-encompassing guide to the best natural dog foods on the market.
Each of these foods has a certain scenario or feature that sets it apart from the rest: taste, all-around use, value, etc. It is difficult to provide an all-encompassing choice of which is the best dog food, but we have ranked them in terms of quality, price, versatility, and more.
Here is our unbiased review of the top 5 best natural dog foods available!
Top Natural Food Choice
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Review Highlights:
“… my fussy dogs love it… they really like the Roasted Bison… very grateful! …”
“… I would certainly buy this again because she will certainly eat it and that’s surprising given the fact that she’s very picky… Wonderful!!! …”
“… My dog has no complaints! She loves this food …”
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We set this food as our top pick because it provides a unique protein source (less likely to cause allergic reactions) using only all-natural premium ingredients. It offers whole grains and a high protein percentage for the best nutrition for your pet.
Feature Highlights:
- Real bison is the first ingredient, pork and chicken meal are the second and third!
- Made with ancient whole grains.
- Contains an impressive 32% protein.
Overall, this food has impeccably high quality at a surprisingly low price. It has one of the highest protein percentages of the various natural dog foods. It also meets one of our favorite dog food standards, as the first three ingredients contain protein sources.
This brand uses all-natural ingredients to meet your dog’s energy needs. It has been formulated based on the latest research by the FDA to ensure your pet recieves only the best quality food and optimum nutrition. Recommended for: Labradoodles, Pitbulls, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and more.
Favorite Natural Limited Ingredient Food
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Review Highlights:
“… My [dog] practically inhales this dog food, he likes it so much. He has the energy of a puppy, and is in perfect health …”
“… My [dogs] just LOVE this stuff. WOW!!! They are still loving their food so much. It’s nice to see them dancing around for their meals …”
“… Both of my dogs love this food! I was amazed. They love it and that’s what matters. And I feel confident it’s got to be good quality ingredients …”
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If you are on the search for a natural dog food with limited ingredients, this product is a great choice. It provides everything your dog needs, without anything that your dog doesn’t need, including fillers and artificial preservatives!
Feature Highlights:
- Made with real lamb as the first ingredient.
- Limited ingredient diet doesn’t contain added fillers.
- Made without any corn, wheat, or soy.
Dogs with sensitive digestive systems or allergies often fare well on limited ingredient diets. The premise is simple, the fewer the ingredients, the less likely your dog reacts to any of them! This food is made with a small number of natural ingredients, providing top-notch nutrition for your dog.
With this food, your dog never gets any artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. It also leaves out pea and lentil ingredients, which researchers have connected to heart disease. This food truly has everything your dog needs and nothing else! Recommended for: Pitbulls, Bulldogs, Yorkies, Beagles, and more.
Best Value Natural Food
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Review Highlights:
“… Diamond Naturals is my go-to dog food from this point on! [Muy dogs] absolutely love the taste of the food. Their Veterinarian also greatly approves this brand …”
“… This is the only brand I will buy for my dog. This food has provided exactly what my pup needs to be healthy with a beautiful coat! …”
“… My dog was not digesting his previous food well at all. My dog has been adjusting very well to this new food, and he really likes it! No complaints here! …”
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When it comes to the best bang for your buck, Diamond Naturals is a great choice. This food provides your pet with quality nutrition at an amazingly affordable price. When you’re looking for natural dog food, you don’t get better value than this.
Feature Highlights:
- Made with real pasture raised lamb.
- Contains 23% protein to fuel your dog.
- No preservatives, by-products, or fillers.
This dog food uses real, wholesome ingredients without the price you would expect from quality food. Their all-natural formula doesn’t include any artificial flavors or preservatives, and they never add any corn, wheat, or fillers to their foods.
As an added benefit, this food also contains probiotics. The probiotics work with your dog’s digestive system to help them maintain their own digestive health. Recommended for: Huskies, Maltese, Golden Retrievers, Boxers, and more.
Top Natural Food for Puppies
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Review Highlights:
“… my dogs love their food, no more skin issues or ear issues. I checked out other ” natural” foods, but this one has real lamb and lamb liver …”
“… these ingredients are really high quality. My pets love the food. I highly recommend this food …”
“… My dog is a very picky eater. This is perfect for him! He’s a sheltie mix, he has a lot of fur, his coat is great. I will definitely be ordering again! …”
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A growing puppy has different nutritional needs than an adult dog. They need higher calories to fuel their growth, and the right balance of nutrients to keep them growing at a healthy rate. This food is a great all-natural choice for your growing pup.
Feature Highlights:
- Made with all-natural ingredients.
- Uses cage-free chicken as the first ingredient.
- Contains DHA for healthy brain development.
As far as puppy kibble goes, this product is a wonderful, all-natural choice. It provides everything your growing puppy needs to develop at the correct pace, without any artificial fillers, colors, or preservatives.
In addition to all their basic nutritional needs, this food goes one step ahead. Each bite has a freeze-dried raw coating to boost nutrients and taste, helping your puppy’s appetite and keeping their digestive system healthy. Recommended for: Shetland Sheepdogs, Pitbulls, Pugs, Golden Retrievers, and more.
Favorite Natural Food for Large Breeds
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Review Highlights:
“… this is the only food we will ever use. [My dogs] have the softest coats… Nice muscle definition, and no issues with digestion. I strongly believe this is one of the best foods for large breed dogs …”
“… My [dog] loves the Blue Buffalo large breed dog foods! He has a very sensitive stomach, and has had issues with throwing up in the past. Since starting this food, we have noticed a lot fewer problems. He really loves the taste …”
“… My dog has severe skin allergies… Once I switched to this food, his hives went away… It’s been amazing. This food is high quality and worth every penny …”
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Just like puppies, large breed dogs have specific dietary needs. This food is a great choice because it provides extra nutritional support for your dog’s joints without any unnecessary fillers, preservatives, or colors.
Feature Highlights:
- Made with real, high-quality deboned whitefish.
- Formulated with natural ingredients and fortified with vitamins and nutrients.
- Contains exclusive Life Source bits with added nutrients.
Formulated specifically with large breeds in mind, this food makes for a fantastic choice for your pet. It contains all-natural ingredients and doesn’t contain any artificial preservatives, flavors, or fillers. It is a perfect choice for quality nutrition for your large breed dog.
Another great benefit of this food is the Life Source Bits. These contain added vitamins and minerals that help boost your pet’s immune and digestive health. The food also contains added glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health. Recommended for: German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Boxers, Great Danes, and more.
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