The Best Natural Food For Dogs & Puppies

Find the Perfect Natural Dog Food for Your Pup

The best natural dog food can work wonders in terms of ensuring the health of your pets. We’ve checked out a number of different brands for you to help you find what you need to provide for your dogs’ nutritional requirements. At DogGear we believe that the food you choose to feed your dog will have a significant impact on long term health and quality of life. Our team of experts is here to help you find the perfect all-natural food for your dog.

First, find out what category your dog belongs in based on his weight. Please refer to our guide below in order to determine the most appropriate food for your dog:

Small
2-20 pounds
Medium
20-50 pounds
Large
50 pounds and above

The DogGear team’s favorite natural dog foods are grouped according to these size categories to save you time. Check out the section that applies to your dog to find the best option!

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5. Blue Buffalo Natural Adult Small Breed Dry Dog Food, Chicken and Brown Rice
6. Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Natural Dry Dog Food
7. Natural Balance Original Ultra Whole Body Health Dry Dog Food
8. Rachael Ray Nutrish Dish Natural Dry Dog Food, Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe With Veggies & Fruit
9. Diamond Naturals All Life Stages Real Meat Recipe Dry Dog Food With Premium Ingredients And Real Cage Free Chicken

Best Natural Food for Dogs

Best Natural Dog Food for Small Dogs

Our top picks by your dog’s needs

The Scoop

Pros and cons

Expert Choice

Wellness Core

Price Check

The Scoop

This is as complete a wellness diet as you could hope to find for your small-breed dog. It contains only the highest quality natural ingredients, and is formulated to the most stringent standards.

Pros and cons

The small-sized kibble is intended specifically for small mouths. Each is packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals, all of which ensure the health of your dog. We really appreciate the wealth of nutrition that this food contains. The fruits and vegetables provide adequate amounts of antioxidants, which many members of our team find to be an important quality in dog food. Some particularly picky eaters will refuse to eat this, but most take to it right away.

Contender

Blue Buffalo

Price Check

The Scoop

Blue Buffalo is a high-quality dog food that always lists real meat as the primary source of protein. Deboned chicken is used in this formulation, ensuring that small dogs are able to develop lean muscle mass. It also contains whole grains, vegetables, and fruit, making for a well-balanced dog food ideally-suited for small dogs.

Pros and cons

Many dog owners opt to feed their small dogs this brand exclusively, after having been disappointed by others. The use of chicken as the primary ingredient gives pet owners the reassurance of knowing that they have a high-quality protein source. Some owners are wary of the grain content of the product, but the absence of corn or wheat that could cause allergies was sufficient for most owners to place their trust in this dog food.

Bargain

Wellness

Price Check

The Scoop

This is an absolutely nutrition-packed protein powerhouse that contains everything a small-breed dog needs to grow strong and healthy.

Pros and cons

This Wellness Core food has a taste that most dogs will love immediately, and most will continue to enjoy it for the long-term. This brand contains 80% more meat than competing products, and it is totally free of grains and animal by-products. Antioxidants, omega fatty acids, and probiotics ensure the optimal health of small-breed dogs. Quite a few DogGear team members have been feeding their dogs Wellness Core a number of years now. The food seems to have a beneficial effect on the skins and coats of dogs that subsist on this exclusively, and even persistent allergies have cleared up for good.

*Medium-sized dogs need optimum nutrition in order to grow healthy and strong. Keep reading for our favorite natural foods for medium dogs.

Best Natural Dog Food for Medium Dogs

Our top picks by your dog’s needs

The Scoop

Pros and cons

Expert Choice

Natural Balance

Price Check

The Scoop

The effectiveness of this dog food is due largely to the limited list of ingredients.

Pros and cons

Highlighted by premium protein and carbohydrates, this formulation gives medium-sized dogs optimum nutrition for their day-to-day needs. This is a grain-free duck and potato blend that helps ensure digestive health and improves the condition of the skin and coat. Those of us with picky eaters are able to feed their dogs this brand without any issues.

Contender

Blue Buffalo

Price Check

The Scoop

This is a high-quality dog food that contains premium meat as the primary ingredient.

Pros and cons

The deboned chicken is perfect for the nutritional needs of medium-sized dogs, giving them the protein they need to develop lean muscle mass. The formula is further enhanced with natural ingredients that provide essential vitamins and minerals, ensuring optimal health and physical condition. A few DogGear team members feed their medium-sized dogs only this brand after other dog food brands were rejected by their pets. The absence of corn and wheat is a welcome factor for those of us who have previously dealt with allergies in their pets. We've also noticed much better digestive functions after a few weeks.

Bargain

Rachael Ray Nutrish

Price Check

The Scoop

This dog food contains real turkey as the primary ingredient. The lean and high-quality meat source is easily-digestible, and reduces the risk of food allergies and sensitivity.

Pros and cons

Nutrish Zero Grain also contains turkey meal that provides medium-sized dogs with amino acids and B vitamins that help ensure proper muscle development and enhance organ health. Other ingredients such as whole potatoes, tapioca, peas, and beet pulp provide added nutritional benefits. DogGear team members who have been dealing with health issues in their pets noticed a marked improvement after feeding them Nutrish Zero Grain for a few weeks. You may have to moisten the kibble to make it more manageable for your dog.

*Giving your dog the proper nutrition is essential for ensuring continued good health, especially for large dogs. Our favorite natural foods for large dogs are up next.

Best Natural Dog Food for Large Dogs

Our top picks by your dog’s needs

The Scoop

Pros and cons

Expert Choice

Natural Balance

Price Check

The Scoop

This is a well-balanced nutritional source that large-breed dogs will enjoy eating regularly. Specifically formulated by expert nutritionists, it contains high-quality chicken and duck protein.

Pros and cons

This dog food is formulated with an entire body approach to nutrition, providing everything that large dogs need to stay strong and healthy. It also contains plenty of fiber, as well as antioxidants. This brand of dog food has proven to be an effective nutrient source for large dogs. It also has the added benefit of clearing up skin conditions in some dogs. We also appreciate the grain-free and gluten-free blend that helps prevent allergies from reoccurring.

Contender

Rachael Ray

Price Check

The Scoop

Nutrish Dish contains only real ingredients that have been proven to be beneficial for large dogs.

Pros and cons

All the ingredients in this food have been selected for a specific purpose, from the high-quality beef, chicken, and seafood to the wholesome vegetables. The food also contains vitamins and minerals that provide added health benefits. The taste of real meat is one that large dogs will definitely enjoy, and the texture ensures that dogs will like chewing on it. The dry formulation is perfectly suited Some dogs have gained weight after feeding on this for a few weeks.

Bargain

Diamond Naturals

Price Check

The Scoop

This dog food contains high quality protein from cage free chicken, making it suitable for large breed dogs.

Pros and cons

It also contains amino acids that enhance muscle development, along with antioxidants and probiotics that provide additional health benefits. No corn, wheat, or filler is included in this formulation, and there are no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives either. We couldn’t be more pleased with this dog food, which has an excellent reputation among pet food research companies. Some DogGear experts have actually been feeding this to their dogs for many years, and they wouldn’t think of changing to any other brand. The all-natural ingredients also make it a popular choice for owners that wish to ensure quality nutrition for their pets.

DogGear Philosophy

Making sure that your dog gets the right nutrition will ensure optimal health. If you’re still not sure what kind of natural dog food to get, try our quiz to get a more personalized recommendation based on your dog and their needs. Also, check out our other specialty dog foods.

What Type Of Best Natural Dog Food Should You Get?

How to Choose the Best Natural Dog Food for Your Dog

When choosing a dog food, it is important to find one that provides for his nutritional needs at every stage of his life. All-natural ingredients are a must, and you will also want to ensure that they contain essential vitamins and minerals.

You will also want to ensure your dog is getting the optimal balance of necessary fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. We generally follow the 40/30/30 model. This means 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fat. Individual needs vary based on size, age and health conditions.

You will also want to think about the process of transitioning your dog from his current food to the natural dog food. This is a process and our team recommends phasing in the new food slowly. Some of our team recommends this process take as long as a month.

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The Best Natural Food For Dogs & Puppies

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CONTENTS

Best Natural Food for Dogs

The Scoop

Pros and cons

Wellness Core

The Scoop

Pros and cons

Blue Buffalo

The Scoop

Pros and cons

Wellness

The Scoop

Pros and cons

Best Natural Dog Food for Medium Dogs

The Scoop

Pros and cons

Natural Balance

The Scoop

Pros and cons

Blue Buffalo

The Scoop

Pros and cons

Rachael Ray Nutrish

The Scoop

Pros and cons

Best Natural Dog Food for Large Dogs

The Scoop

Pros and cons

Natural Balance

The Scoop

Pros and cons

Rachael Ray

The Scoop

Pros and cons

Diamond Naturals

The Scoop

Pros and cons

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DogGear Philosophy

What Type Of Best Natural Dog Food Should You Get?

How to Choose the Best Natural Dog Food for Your Dog

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