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:
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!
Take the Natural Food Quiz
To find the best natural dog food, select to begin by breed or by size
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CONTENTS
- Best Natural Food for Dogs
- 1.Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food Small Breed
- 2. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Small Breed
- 3. Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Small Breed Dog Food
- 4. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food – Potato & Duck Formula
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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
Top Pick
Clean Ingredients
Purina ONE SmartBlend Natural Adult Dry Dog Food
The Scoop
This 40-pound bag of dry dog food has a chicken and rice formula. It contains natural sources of glucosamine and features protein-rich meaty morsels.
Pros and cons
This Purina One dog food can improve your pet’s digestion and make their stool more solid while alleviating gas. It works well for boosting a dog’s energy levels and can help them become more active and lose weight as they have more mobility. However, the ratio of chicken and rice tends to change with each batch.
Most Nutritious
A Human Grade Formula
The Honest Kitchen Human Grade Dehydrated Organic Whole Grain Dog Food
The Scoop
This dog food is made without any preservatives, byproducts or GMO ingredients. All ingredients are sourced in the USA. The recipe is high-calorie and high-protein.
Pros and cons
This Honest Kitchen dog food has a tasty, natural flavor that appeals to picky dogs and can prompt them to lick the bowl clean. It’s ideal to serve to dogs with sensitive stomachs and is easy to digest. Testers did note that the packaging can fail to reseal properly, which can allow air in.
Small Dog Favorite
Great Balance for Small Breeds
The Scoop
This is as complete a wellness diet as you could hope to find for your small-breed dog.
Pros and cons
It contains only the highest quality natural ingredients, and is formulated to the most stringent standards. 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
Contender
Blue Buffalo
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.
Small Dog Runner Up
Tasty and Enjoyable
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 Small Dogs
Our top picks by your dog’s needs
The Scoop
Pros and cons
Effective Pick for Medium Dogs
Limited Ingredient Formula
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.
Honorable Mention
High Quality for Medium Dogs
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.
Most Nutritious
Healthy Ingredients with No Fillers
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.
Large Breed Favorite
Great for Overall Balance
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. Some dogs have gained weight after feeding on this for a few weeks.
Runner Up for Large Dogs
Feed Your Dog Throughout Their Life
The Scoop
Feed Your Dog Throughout Their Life Change the scoop to: 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.
*Medium-sized dogs need optimum nutrition in order to grow healthy and strong. Keep reading for our favorite natural foods for medium dogs.
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.
Related Posts:
Best Dog Food, Healthiest Dog Food, Best Natural Balance Dog Food
Take the Best Natural Dog Food Quiz
To find the best natural dog food, select to begin by breed or by size
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