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Last updated: 8 Apr 2021

Reviewing The Best Natural Dog Foods

Top Pick
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Purina ONE SmartBlend Natural Dog Food
12245 reviews
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Most Nutritious
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The Honest Kitchen Natural Dog Food
1680 reviews
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Small Dog Favorite
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Wellness Core Natural Dog Food
2949 reviews
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Contender
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Blue Buffalo Life Protection Natural Dog Food
2011 reviews
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Amber Dover
By Amber Dover
Published 4:05 pm
Show contents
  • 1 Purina ONE SmartBlend Natural Dog Food
  • 2 The Honest Kitchen Natural Dog Food
  • 3 Wellness Core Natural Dog Food
  • 4 Blue Buffalo Life Protection Natural Dog Food
  • 5 Wellness Complete Health Natural Dog Food
  • 6 Natural Balance L.I.D. Natural Dog Food
  • 7 Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Natural Dog Food
  • 8 Natural Balance Original Ultra Grain Free Natural Dog Food
  • 9 Diamond Naturals Dry Natural Dog Food
  • 10 Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Fish Formula Natural Dog Food

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 Best Natural Dog Foods in 2021 for your dog.

Best Natural Dog Food

1

Purina ONE SmartBlend Natural Dog Food

– Top Pick
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Key Features

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.

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.

2

The Honest Kitchen Natural Dog Food

– Most Nutritious
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Key Features

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.

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.

3

Wellness Core Natural Dog Food

– Small Dog Favorite
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Key Features

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

THE SCOOP

This is as complete a wellness diet as you could hope to find for your small-breed dog.

4

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Natural Dog Food

– Contender
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Key Features

While it’s a shame not to see fish in this product, but for dogs that don’t like that recipe, this is a great alternative. There’s also no grain and it’s rich in protein. While it does use meal, like the previous option, this is not a “by-product meal” – it’s still made from high-quality chicken.

THE SCOOP

This product is grain free and is once again made from a combination of real chicken and chicken meal.

5

Wellness Complete Health Natural Dog Food

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Key Features

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.

THE SCOOP

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

6

Natural Balance L.I.D. Natural Dog Food

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Key Features

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.

THE SCOOP

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

7

Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Natural Dog Food

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Key Features

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.

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.

8

Natural Balance Original Ultra Grain Free Natural Dog Food

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Key Features

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.

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.

9

Diamond Naturals Dry Natural Dog Food

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Key Features

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.

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.

10

Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Fish Formula Natural Dog Food

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Key Features

Dogs seem a lot more enthusiastic about settling down for a meal with this variety. Some dogs actually prefer this exclusively, refusing to eat anything else. Dogs with food allergies seem especially tolerant to this formulation, although some owners have noticed food sensitivity issues. | The delectable flavor of this incredible dog food will have your dog wanting for more every meal. Your budget could be seriously at risk. But this product contains all the necessary ingredient to provide complete healthy nutrition to your beloved dog, and so it is worth every dollar you will spend. The ingredients of this dog food are from the finest and safest sources that are mixed in a grain-free formulation.

THE SCOOP

The Sweet Potato and Fish Formula dog food is rich in high quality protein and carbohydrates for a balanced nutrition.

Best Natural Dog Foods Buying guide

The best dog food is a balanced, wholesome diet with all the nutrients your dog needs. That said, it’s impossible to feed a dog every nutrient it needs on its own. The best foods contain a variety of food items that a healthy dog can thrive on. And if you want to be sure your pet is getting a quality meal, here‘s what you need to know.

Tips

Is your dog picky? Dogs can be pickier than cats, but it’s normal for some to have trouble picking out certain food items. Fortunately, you have options. Let your pooch's dietary requirements inform your choice of paid or free dog food. You can prepare dog treats in the kitchen and let him explore his new favorites. Regular dog kibble has a higher protein content than pureed foods. Pureed dog diets contain ingredients such as free chicken, turkey, or fish that your pup would probably not eat in its raw form. By preparing a mixed diet in your own kitchen, your pet will get all of the nutrients he needs while getting the taste and texture he prefers.

Considerations

There are a number of factors to consider when buying a dog food. Some of these concerns are specifically related to the type of food your dog likes. When buying for a mixed-breed dog, such as a Chihuahua the small breed or a Labrador the large breed, you have to decide how spicy or mild you want your food to be. You may want to buy a food that contains more natural ingredients, or you may not. For example, a puppy who is raised on a very spicy food might grow out of it, whereas a Lab might never outgrow a mild dog-food.

What about grain? Grain is added to some dog treats, but it is not the best ingredient. It contains a lot of minerals, vitamins, and other substances that your pet needs in order to thrive. If you choose a canned dog diet, look for one that has been grain-free. Look for ingredients like organic whole grains and fresh fruit. Also, choose foods that are low in sodium and sugar, as these are important for both dogs and humans.

Prices

How much should you pay for a not free dog food? The price you end up paying depends largely on the quality of the ingredients, the brand name, and the overall cost. Natural dog treats generally cost less than synthetic dog snacks because of their natural ingredients and high nutrient content. You can expect to pay $0.10 to $2 per serving for natural dog diets that are made with whole foods rather than processed foods. For $1 to less that $3, you’ll find dog chews that contain natural flavors. These treats typically come in smaller packages. Some treats like fluffers and kibbles also fit in this price range. At $4 to about $6, there are a number of natural treats available. Many of them are freeze dried or canned, but you will also find some natural formulas made from scratch with little to no preservatives.

How We Chose Our Selection Of Natural Dog Foods

As we understand more and more about the beneficial effects of eating a dog food derived from plants, we wanted to ensure we only selected the best and most natural options for our readers. We used these criteria to narrow down our selection to the five natural dog treats you see above.

Brand

The brands we chose are well-known for their integrity and commitment to only use the highest quality ingredients, with each product having undergone rigorous testing to confirm it’s safe and effective for dogs. All products featured above are high quality, but they are not without fault, which is why we appreciate that our loyal readers want to get the benefits of these products without the problems that come with them.

Price

Price is an important consideration for everyone when it comes to purchasing any product. That‘s why the prices of our choices are realistic and transparent, to appeal to all budgets.

Reviews 

Reviews are an excellent way for us to determine whether or not a particular product is worth our money and how reliable it is. To make sure we select only the most reliable and useful natural products for you, the reviews we used included product owners who have used their selected products to see for themselves just how beneficial they can be for your dog's health.

Ingredients

Some dog owners believe that natural food is just as healthy as its conventional counterparts, and while it can technically be, there are some ingredients that are best avoided when looking for a natural treat. These are as follows:

Artificial flavoring or coloring

Added sugarHypoallergenic ingredientsKnown allergensOrganic ingredientsDietary supplementsAreas where there is a debate about GMOs Eating a plant-based diet has been linked to an increased risk of a host of health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and digestive problems. Therefore, if you're looking to give your pup the healthy benefits without any of the potential health risks, a food made from plant sources is the ideal way forward. Ingredients in a Natural Treats Quality Dog food should contain a wide variety of organic ingredients in order to provide your pet with the necessary vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids and fatty acids they need to stay healthy and strong. This means you don‐t have to worry about any preservatives, artificial colors flavors and additives or other junk foods that have been added to your food to mask any nutrients it doesn't contain.

Plant

While there's no point in purchasing a treat if it tastes bad, you might find a good natural pet food has some flavor that you enjoy. You should try out some of their treats to find out whether they taste good and if so, whether you prefer them as a supplement to what you normally eat. Also, try to compare the flavor of your natural treats with that of those made with a more conventional source of ingredients.

Quantity 

Natural dog treat recipes generally only require a small amount of food, usually around 2-3 ounces. However, it isn't always practical to eat this much at once, especially when your canine companion might be ravenously hungry. As such, some recipes call for feeding the treats in batches, so you can portion them out into smaller portions and still have enough to feed your furry friend for several days. When it came to choosing our natural ingredients picks, this was an essential feature we considered.

About

What is a natural dog food? A natural food is made without the use of any chemicals, synthetic ingredients, or other synthetic substances. The ingredients are selected to benefit the dog's body as a whole, without them having to compete for our dog’s attention. Natural dog snacks are sometimes made with ingredients that are also natural to dogs. Look for ingredients with a lower toxicity level, such as natural rice and peas, instead of high-toxicity ingredients like corn.

No animal testing

Natural pet foods are made from ingredients no animal has been trained to harm. All the dogs we recommend natural pet snacks for have been raised without any form of animal or animal byproducts in their diet. Some natural foods also exclude GMOs, preservatives, and artificial colors and flavors.

Natural Dog Food FAQ

Q: What is a natural dog food?

A: A natural food is one that has been created by nature to feed your dog and has all the nutrients your pet needs to stay healthy and happy. Many different plants are used in nature for this purpose and these plants also contain beneficial elements such as vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients that your pooch would not normally get even dry dog food.

Q: How can I tell if my dog has a food allergy?

A: It is important to find out if your canine companion has any food allergies or sensitivities. This is because it’s often impossible for a dog to have a reaction to a specific food like dry dog food. Instead, it is more likely that they have developed a sensitivity to certain ingredients present in the food you feed them. To confirm if you have found the problem, you can try giving your pup a portion of a particular food and see if they react negatively. If they do, then you know you should change their diet.

Amber Dover
By Amber Dover
Amber grew up having golden retrievers and will always have a special place in her heart for the breed. Her love for all things "dog" helped her become a general manager at a small kennel in Ohio for several years. Acquainting dogs and understanding both their needs and limitations have given her deep insights into the boarding process many dogs face in their lives. From consistent details to play time to food and bed time, Amber will always remember the small influences she was able to present to every pooch she cared for.
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Purina ONE SmartBlend Natural Dog Food
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