If you wouldn’t eat highly processed, artificial food every day, why should your dog? Many commercial dog foods— even ones labeled as “natural” — are packed with questionable ingredients, from low-quality meat by-products to artificial preservatives that extend shelf life but do little for your pup’s health. Natural dog food isn’t just a trendy buzzword—it’s a crucial shift toward better digestion, shinier coats, stronger immunity, and fewer vet visits. But here’s the catch: Not all “natural” dog foods are created equal. Many brands use clever marketing to appear healthier than they actually are. So, how do you separate the truly nutrient-rich, high-quality options from the ones that are just fancy packaging? In this guide, we’ll break down the best natural dog food brands, what to look for on an ingredient label, and how to find the right formula for your pup’s unique needs.
What Is Natural Dog Food?
Natural dog food refers to pet food made with minimally processed, whole-food ingredients that are free from artificial additives, preservatives, and synthetic chemicals. Unlike traditional kibble, which often contains low-quality fillers and highly processed ingredients, natural dog food prioritizes real meat, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to provide a more biologically appropriate diet for dogs.
While the term “natural” isn’t as strictly regulated as human-grade or organic, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) defines natural dog food as containing ingredients derived only from plant, animal, or mined sources, with minimal processing and no artificial additives. However, it’s important to note that some pet food brands may use “natural” as a marketing term, even if their products still contain synthetic vitamins, heavily processed meats, or questionable preservatives.
Why Feed Dogs Natural Food?
Natural dog food formulated as a balanced diet could positively impact your dog’s overall health, wellness, and lifespan. The most common health benefits include:
Healthier digestions
Better skin and coat
Helps with food allergies
No additives or harmful chemicals
Weight management
Better stools
Cleaner teeth
No bad breath
Great for picky eaters
Energy levels
Energy
How to Choose the Best Natural Dog Food
We followed a rigorous selection process to ensure that only the best natural dog food made our list. Here’s what we looked for and what you should look for when picking a natural dog food formula.
1. High-quality, whole-food ingredients: The foundation of any great natural dog food is its ingredient list. Prioritize brands that use:
✅ Real, whole proteins as the first ingredient (e.g., deboned chicken, beef, salmon) ✅ Nutrient-dense vegetables and fruits (e.g., spinach, pumpkin, blueberries) ✅ Healthy fats like salmon oil and flaxseed for skin, coat, and brain health ✅ Minimal processing to preserve natural nutrients
At the same time, we eliminated foods containing: ❌ Meat by-products, rendered meals, or unidentified “meat” sources ❌ Artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors ❌ Cheap fillers like corn, wheat, and soy
2. Gentle cooking & processing methods: Many traditional kibbles are produced using extrusion, a high-heat process that destroys vital nutrients. Instead, we prioritized natural dog foods that use:
Air-drying or freeze-drying to retain raw nutrients
Gently cooked or dehydrated methods to preserve vitamins and minerals
Minimal processing to ensure ingredients stay as close to their natural state as possible
3. Transparent sourcing & ethical standards: Where a brand sources its ingredients matters. We gave preference to companies that:
Use humanely raised, responsibly sourced meats
Prioritize non-GMO and organic ingredients
Are transparent about ingredient origins and supply chains
4. Nutritional balance & AAFCO standards: Selected brands that meet or exceed the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines for a balanced diet. This means every recipe includes the right mix of protein, fats, carbs, and essential vitamins and minerals.
5. Real customer reviews & vet recommendations: Don’t just rely on product labels—research real-world experiences. We test all the brands in our labs, so you don’t have to.
Before Changing Your Dog’s Diet
Always work with your vet before changing your dog’s diet. You can get personalized nutritional advice from an online registered vet nutritionist through Vetster anytime, anywhere. You can also chat with an online vet and ask them questions about your dog’s nutritional needs. Similarly, an at-home dog gut health test can provide valuable insights by analyzing your dog’s microbiome, helping you determine which nutrients their diet should contain. Additionally, an at-home dog allergy testing kit can help identify which ingredients may not be suitable for your dog. This information lets you confidently choose the right diet and care plan to support optimal digestion and nutrition.
Best Natural Dog Foods
Best Overall Natural Dog Food
4.9
★★★★★
The Farmer’s Dog
Who It’s For: Ideal for those who want the most natural optimal nutrition with potential health benefits.
Why we recommended it:The Farmer’s Dog fresh dog food recipes win the spot for the best natural dog food in the fresh dog food category. This brand uses human-grade ingredients to craft pre-portion recipes delivered directly to your doorstep. Feeding your dog The Farmer’s Dog comes with numerous scientifically-supported health benefits of fresh dog food, including longer lifespans, better digestibility, higher energy levels, and more. Fresh recipes are also ideal for dogs with food allergies, sensitive stomachs, or other dietary concerns because they avoid cheap fillers, additives, and harmful chemicals. Unlike traditional kibble, The Farmer’s Dog is gently cooked from scratch, ensuring all nutritional integrity is retained — this means that your dog will receive the healthiest and most nutritious meal with every serving.
What sets it apart from competitors: The Farmer’s Dog stands out from other dog food brands by taking a personalized approach to nutrition. Many dog food brands offer one-size-fits-all recipes, but The Farmer’s Dog takes the time to create a custom formula for each dog, considering factors like age, health, weight, and activity level to ensure your dog gets the perfect balance of nutrients for their unique needs.
Key Features
Caters to health-specific. Recipes are formulated to address your dog’s health concerns, such as food allergies, tear stains, bad breath, joint issues, and more.
Vet-designed. Formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists that comply with AAFCO standards.
Excellent sourcing. Ingredients are sourced from reputable food suppliers, local farms, and other human food purveyors that meet USDA standards.
Pros
The level of customization is unmatched
Packaged as daily portions for easy serving
Never use feed-grade ingredients
Cooked in human-grade kitchens
Cons
It’s on the expensive side
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Why we recommended it:The Honest Kitchen Clusters stand is the best natural dry dog food due to their human-grade quality, whole-food ingredients, and gentle processing methods. The Honest Kitchen Clusters use 100% human-grade ingredients, ensuring safety and higher nutritional value. This makes them a superior choice compared to conventional kibble. The Honest Kitchen whole food cluster recipes are roasted and dehydrated to preserve nutrients and flavor and maximize nutritional integrity. The Honest Kitchen is a superfood-powered kibble with functional ingredients that support and boost gut, skin and coat, immunity, heart, weight management, and more.
What sets it apart from competitors: Their preparation methods and facilities meet safety standards 7x those of feed-grade. Their food is made in a facility that produces human food.
Key Features
Vet recommended. Their human-grade dog food kibble is recommended by Leilani Alvarez, DVM, DACVSMR Director of Integrative & Rehabilitative Medicine, Animal Medical Center, NY, recommends their human-grade dog food kibble.
Digestive health. It contains naturally occurring pre and probiotics to help regulate the dog microbiome.
FDA human-grade. First pet food company to obtain approval from the FDA to use the term “human grade” on its products.
Pros
Made with USDA meat proteins, vegetables, and fruits
Exceeds industry standards
No artificial flavors, preservatives, or by-products
Cheaper than fresh dog food
Crunchy texture
Cons
It’s a bit more expensive than traditional kibble. NUTRO Ultra dry dog food is another great alternative if you want a more traditional dry dog food that’s less expensive.
My Video Review
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Best Natural Wet Dog Food
4.5
★★★★★
JustFoodForDogs
Who It’s For: Excellent for dogs who prefer the rich aroma, soft texture, and taste of wet food or those with sensitive teeth or dental issues.
Why we recommended it:JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh is our pick for the best natural dog foods because it offers fresh, whole-food nutrition in a shelf-stable, preservative-free format. Unlike traditional wet dog food, Pantry Fresh meals are made with 100% human-grade ingredients and are lightly cooked to retain nutrients while ensuring safety, digestibility, and optimal nutrition. Its high moisture keeps dogs hydrated, especially those in warmer climates. Additionally, they use a unique cooking process to make Pantry Fresh preserve the nutritional value and taste of the ingredients, making it a nutritious and tasty option for dogs.
What sets it apart from competitors: Aside from traditional flavors, they have specialized wet food for targeting health-specific problems, including joint, skin, sensitive stomach, renal, appetite loss, metabolism, and liver function.
Key Features
Ready-to-serve nutrition. A team of veterinarians and canine specialists formulate every recipe.
Gently cooked. This process maximizes the nutritional value and promotes a healthy immune system.
Travel friendly. 2-year shelf life and transportable Tetra Pak® packaging make it easy to store and travel with.
Pros
USDA-certified meats
Organ meats
A convenient way for busy people to feed their dogs a fresh diet
A variety pack for picky eaters
Provides the benefits of fresh dog food
Cons
More expensive than traditional wet dog food
Best Dehydrated Natural Dog Food
4.7
★★★★★
The Honest Kitchen
Who It’s For: A great pick for dogs with digestion or chewing problems. The soft and moist texture favors easy digestion and offers optimal flavor. It’s also great for traveling.
Why we recommended it:The Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Dog Food takes the first place in this category. Unlike most conventional kibble, which is highly processed through extrusion, The Honest Kitchen’s gently dehydrated meals retain more natural nutrients, flavors, and enzymes, making them closer to a fresh or raw diet but in a shelf-stable form. Instead of boring chunks of kibble or smelly old pâté, this food is made with dehydrated, human-grade ingredients. Add warm water and wait three minutes for a tasty, homemade meal you and your pets will love.
What sets it apart from competitors: Made using real, whole food ingredients, like free-range chicken, that are gently dehydrated to maintain nutrients and taste.
Key Features
Convenient. The packaging and dehydrated nature make it easy to transport and store anywhere, making it ideal for on-the-go dog parents.
100% human-grade standards. Use the same whole food ingredients you’d recognize in your kitchen, and make this recipe in a human food facility.
Pros
Exceeds industry quality standards
Much more affordable than competitors on this list
A wide variety of recipes are available
Grain-inclusive and grain-free options
Cons
Not as fresh as some other human-grade dog foods
Preparation is required before serving, but it’s not bad at all
Re-hydrated leftovers would need to be refrigerated
My Video Review
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Best Natural Raw Dog Food
4.9
★★★★★
We Feed Raw
Who It’s For: Dog owners who want the highest-quality raw meats and ingredients packed in perfectly balanced raw meals for optimal nutrition.
Why we recommended it: As more dog parents opt to raw feed their dogs, it’s essential to understand the ins and outs of a raw diet for dogs. If you are in the market for the most natural raw dog food, We Feed Raw formula is our top pick for the best raw dog food delivery brands. This formula is protein-packed with 80% meat and organs and 15% non-GMO fruits, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals to give your dog a complete BARF diet. It’s minimally processed, never cooked, pure, natural nutrition to keep your best friend strong. You can pick between a personalized plan or buying the box. The personalized plan might be the better choice if you want convenience and a long-term solution. Buying the box is a great option if you prefer flexibility and want to try the meals first.
What sets it apart from competitors: We Feed Raw stands out because it offers the best bulk raw dog food delivery option. This lets dog owners save a lot of money while helping to reduce their carbon footprint. Another unique factor of this food is that it includes a high-quality vitamin and mineral premix for an added boost of nutrition.
Key Features
Human-grade meats: USDA meats sourced from free-range cattle and poultry that are humanly raised without antibiotics, steroids, or added hormones.
HPP (high-pressure processing): This all-natural technology employs high water pressure to neutralize food-borne pathogens such as Listeria, E. Coli, and Salmonella. Because this process uses pressure rather than heat, the nutritional value of the food is not affected.
Pre-portioned meals. Meals are portioned to your dog’s daily needs for easy serving and to reduce food waste.
Pros
Great for adults, puppies and senior dogs
Free and flexible shipping. Easily change addresses, delay, cancel, or skip an order, or edit your pup’s portions and recipe selection
Only the lamb and venison are sourced from New Zealand. Everything else is sourced within the USA
Stacks and stores easily in a standard freezer
Six animal protein options, more flavors than most competitors, including novel proteins. You can mix and match in any plan
Sustainable dog food company practices. Delivers food in an insulated, eco-friendly, compostable cooler with dry ice.
Cons
It does not offer other raw dog products, such as treats
Not as convenient as feeding dry dog food. Open Farm freeze-dried raw dog food is an excellent alternative for a more convenient way to feed raw
It’s slightly more expensive than traditional kibble, but you can buy raw food budget
My Video Review
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Best Canned Natural Dog Food Brand
4.6
★★★★★
Pet Plate
Who It’s For: Ideal for dog owners who prefer the convenience of easy storage, serving, and avoiding doing extra dishes.
Why we recommended it:PetPlate is the best canned natural dog food brand because it delivers chef-crafted meals using real, whole-food natural ingredients in a versatile plastic container. Pet Plate meals come in pre-portioned, easy-to-serve microwavable plastic containers, which you can use as a bowl if needed. PetPlate appeared on the popular TV show Shark Tank in 2016; since then, they’ve become one of the most popular natural canned dog food brands.
What sets it apart from competitors: PetPlate is designed to be highly convenient to store and use. The food container can easily be sealed back and stored with the remaining food in your fridge or freezer for later use.
Key Features
Personalization. Each meal plan is customized to suit your dog’s size and age.
Long storage.It can be stored in your freezer for up to one year
Pros
Crafted in a human-grade kitchen
Novel protein recipes
Flexible subscriptions
Super tasty
Cons
Slightly lower protein content than other, comparable foods
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Best Grain-Free Natural Dog Food
4.7
★★★★★
Open Farm
Who It’s For: Ideal for dogs with grain allergies or sensitivities.
Why we recommended it:Open Farm’s grain-free dry dog food is your best dog grain-free natural kibble. We picked it because of its high-quality, ethically sourced ingredients, superior nutrition, and commitment to sustainability. Unlike many grain-free kibbles that rely on fillers like peas, soya, legumes, or corn in excess, Open Farm uses premium animal proteins, nutrient-dense vegetables, and science-backed superfoods like non-GMO pumpkin, carrot, leafy greens, and coconut oil for a balanced and complete diet that provide antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support dog’s nutritional needs.
What sets it apart from competitors: It’s made responsibly from ethically sourced and sustainable ingredients free from antibiotics, hormones, and artificial preservatives, making it one of the most sustainable dog food brands.
Key Features
100% traceable ingredients. Instantly trace the origin of every ingredient through the QR code on the bag.
Premium ingredients. Locally sourced non-GMO fruits and veggies.
Ethically sourced protein. Only ethically sourced and humanely raised meats are used.
Pros
No rendered poultry or meat meals
Meats from audited higher welfare farms
High in protein
Local carbon footprint per bag
Cons
It can be more expensive than other brands on the market
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Why we recommended it:Wild Earth Dog Food stands out as the best vegan natural dog foodbecause it provides a balanced, nutrient-rich, and cruelty-free recipe using plant-based, sustainable ingredients without compromising protein quality or essential nutrients. Wild Earth is vet-developed and formulated to meet AAFCO standards, ensuring it provides all the essential nutrients dogs need to thrive.
What sets it apart from competitors: It uses only clean, sustainable, and tasty plant proteins that offer more protein by weight than traditional dog foods. It’s boosted with superfood ingredients, including chickpeas, sweet potato, spinach, pumpkin, oats, and more.
Pros
Has the same essential nutrients found in diets with meat as the primary protein source
High-quality brown rice, oatmeal, and highly digestible potatoes
Balanced omega fatty acids help support healthy skin and a shiny coat
No artificial flavors or colors
Highly digestible, energizing, and rejuvenating
Backed by science
Cons
One flavor is available. We wish they had more options for picky eaters
A bit pricey but offers discounts with a subscription
Get 25% OFF your first order. Just use this link to get this offer.
Why we recommended it: The Gently Cooked Open Farm puppy recipe is the best natural dog food for puppies. This puppy-specific formula provides the necessary nutrients for the optimal growth and development of puppies, including prebiotic fiber like pumpkin and chicory root, supports healthy digestion and calcium iodate as a source of energy production, and also promotes muscular and cognitive development in puppies.
What sets it apart from competitors: This formula is designed specifically for puppies and has a purposeful blend of three proteins to help prevent allergies. It also has added collagen for healthy joint development.
Key Features
Human-grade meats. High-quality meats are raised without antibiotics or added hormones.
Superfoods. Boosted with chia seeds, kale, flaxseed, and other wholesome ingredients.
Who It’s For: Owners of senior dogs who want a formula with the appropriate nutrients to support their pets in their older years and promote healthy aging.
Why we recommended it: We chose JustFoodForDogs Senior dog food as the best natural senior dog food because of its high protein and fat content, designed to meet the needs of senior dog breeds. The formula supports lean muscle mass and optimal fat metabolism, which are essential for the vitality of aging dogs.
What sets it apart from competitors: JustFoodForDogs is made with only the highest quality, natural, and fresh ingredients and is free from preservatives, artificial colors, and flavors.
Key Features
Human-grade meats. No rendered poultry or meat meals.
Bones and joint support. It incorporates type II collagen to aid with cartilage wear and tear as your pet ages.
Pros
85% quality animal ingredients.
Great feedback from senior dog parent
Certified humane for animal welfare.
Cons
A bit expensive.
Best Natural Food For Dogs With Allergies
4.7
★★★★★
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diet
Who It’s For: Dog owners seeking an affordable yet effective option to manage their dog’s allergies or sensitivities.
Why we recommended it: Natural Balance’s LID formulas focus on novel protein sources such as duck, bison, salmon, or lamb, combined with easily digestible carbohydrates like sweet potatoes and other high-quality ingredients to reduce the risk of triggering allergic reactions. Despite its premium-quality ingredients, it remains budget-friendly compared to other limited-ingredient diets.
What sets it apart from competitors: Designed for dogs with specific sensitivities, the formulas avoid common allergens like beef, or grains. By using a short list of carefully selected ingredients, LID dog food minimizes the risk of exposure to allergens. Simple recipes are gentle on sensitive stomachs, reducing symptoms of allergies like vomiting or diarrhea.
Other Natural Dog Foods
Best natural dog food topper.Portland Pet Food Company Human offers a fantastic variety of tasty, natural, fresh dog food flavors you can add as a topper to your dog’s kibble meals.
Best naturalhealth-specific custom diet food.JustFoodForDogs makes creating a custom natural recipe for your fur baby easy. They work with your veterinarian to create a custom recipe if your dog has a medical need for a restricted diet.
Bestnaturaldog food to gain weight. With 484 calories per cup, Purina Pro Plan Performance is ideal for helping your dog gain lean muscle mass.
Best naturaldog brand for small dogs.Ollie’s bake recipes are our pick for this category. The kibble size is ideal for the small mouths of small breeds.
Best naturalbulk dog food. Even though Evermore is not as popular as The Farmer’s Dog, NomNomNow, Pet Plate, and Ollie, it delivers high-quality, lightly cooked dog food. We love the most about this company because you can buy their food in bulk and save money. You can opt for the 16 or 32-case option. Each case comes with 1lb of food. They also offer a subscription option.
Best naturalholistic dog food. Chi Dog takes a unique approach to feeding dogs fresh food—its food is based on the Eastern Medicine principle “Food Is Medicine.”
Best naturaldog food for large dogs.The Pets Table has a great recipe designed for large dogs, and their low pricing is ideal because larger dogs tend to eat more and cost more.
The Bottom Line
Choosing the best natural dog food is one of the most important decisions you can make for your dog. With many brands claiming to offer “natural” ingredients, it’s essential to look beyond the label and prioritize high-quality, wholesome nutrition that aligns with your dog’s unique needs. From grain-free options and limited-ingredient diets to organic and sustainably sourced formulas, the best natural dog food brands focus on transparency, quality, and nutritional balance. Brands like The Farmer’s Dog, The Honest Kitchen, and Open Farm have set the standard for providing meals that are delicious and packed with the nutrients your dog needs to thrive.
Remember, every dog is different, and what works for one may not work for another. Consider your dog’s age, size, activity level, and any dietary sensitivities when choosing. By investing in natural, high-quality dog food, you’re not just feeding your pet—you’re supporting their overall well-being, energy, and longevity. So, take the time to explore your options, consult with your veterinarian, and choose a brand that reflects your commitment to your dog’s health.
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Sources
Canine Bible uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process and product review methodology to learn more about how we fact-check, test products, and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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