10 Sustainable &amp; Eco-Friendly Dog Food Brands [&amp; Why Buy Them]

Sustainable Protein

Wild Earth

Best Carbon Neutral

Chippin

Best Human Grade

The Farmer’s Dog

Best Dehydrated

The Honest Kitchen

Best Affordable

Canidae Sustain

Read R eview ↆ

Best Raw

We Feed Raw

Best Renewable Energy

Freshpet

Sustainable Packaging

I And Love And You

Best Wet

Nature’s Logic

Click this link to go to the reviews
(We encourage you to keep reading to make a more educated decision)

What Is Sustainable Dog Food?

Sustainability is defined as the ability to maintain or improve living standards without damaging or depleting natural resources for present and future generations.^[1] Sustainability encompasses three core pillars: economic development, environmental health, and social equity. By embracing sustainable practices, we can help foster thriving, diverse, and resilient communities for present and future generations.

Sustainable dog food brands follow these sustainability principles and leverage green practices and technologies that lessen the land and water used and greenhouse gasses emitted during food manufacturing. Eco-friendly pet food manufacturers promote economic and social development in their communities while understanding the importance of conserving finite resources for long-term sustainability.

Why Feed Sustainable Dog Food? The Impact On Our Planet

Like human food production, pet food is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Animal agriculture, which is involved in pet food production, is a leading cause of climate change, habitat destruction, and resource exploitation.

Here are research-based statistics highlighting the negative environmental impact of pet food manufacturing and the importance of feeding your dog sustainably.

Pet meat consumption impact. In the United States, over 163 million dogs and cats consume animal products, accounting for approximately 25-30% of the environmental impacts of meat production. This includes using land, water, fossil fuel, phosphate, and biocides. The consumption of dog and cat meat products contributes to the release of up to 64 million tons of carbon dioxide (methane and nitrous oxide) annually, which are potent greenhouse gases.^[2]
The impact is equivalent to 14 million cars. UCLA professor Gregory Okin links the environmental impact of pet meat consumption in the US to the equivalent of 13.6 million cars annually driving. The US pet population would rank fifth in global meat consumption if considered an independent country. The environmental impact is significant, with over 844 million pet dogs and cats worldwide.^[3][4]
Affected land during food production. The arable land needed to produce dog feed ranges from 10 to 20% of national land resources. Approximately 24.1 million hectares of arable land are required in the USA for dog food production, equating to around 2000 m² of land per dog.^[5] This land allocation for animal agriculture leads to biodiversity loss, plant loss and contributes to deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions.
Meant protein demand. Pet food primarily consists of meat as the central ingredient, with protein levels ranging from 18 to 50 percent, despite the minimum protein requirement for adult dogs being 18% according to AAFCO. This excess protein is wasted as it is excreted. The consumption of meat by humans and dogs is increasing rapidly, and by 2050, we will require 1.5 planets to meet the demand.^[6] The livestock used to produce this protein is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
Transportation and shipping. Transportation is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, surpassing agriculture. According to the EPA, commercial goods transportation contributes about 7% of human greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while industry and agriculture transportation contribute 23% and 10%, respectively.^[7]
Energy. It is estimated that humans have feed energy requirements equivalent to the requirement of 3 dogs. However, dogs are often overfed so actual feed consumption may be higher. Livestock also demands a significant amount of water for production, with 1 pound of beef requiring approximately 1,800 gallons (8,182 liters). Additionally, it takes about 10 kcal of fossil energy to produce one kcal of plant protein for livestock. Next time you pick up a 5-pound bag of dog food, now you know the energy and water involved in its production.
Livestock and farming. Raising animals for food generates more greenhouse gases than all the cars and trucks in the world combined, says the United Nations.^[8] In fact, the New York Times notes that animal agriculture, specifically factory farming, accounts for 18% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.^[9]

What to Look For In The Best Sustainable Dog Food Brand

Today, pet companies are striving to reduce their collective carbon footprint, making their practices more sustainable and eco-friendly

Here are sustainable dog food companies’ key characteristics, practices, and trends. Look for these factors when choosing a dog food brand.

Partnerships and certifications. Sustainability certifications demonstrate commitment and credibility to sustainable practices and standards.
Locally sourced. Using local ingredients reduces transit pollution.
Organic agriculture. Organic farming is generally more sustainable as it avoids synthetic pesticides, promotes soil health, conserves resources, and contributes to climate change mitigation.^[10]
Sustainably harvested fish. Sustainably raised fish cause no harm to the marine environment. It is the most eco-friendly protein source. In the US, wild-caught and farmed fish and shellfish are managed responsibly.^[11]
Humanly raised, grass-fed, or cage-free. Certified meat is natural, nutrient-rich, and produced responsibly. It requires fewer inputs, and no hormones or antibiotics, resulting in lower carbon emissions.
Sustainable proteins. Opt for more sustainable proteins. Vegan dog food reduces deforestation, soil degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions from meat production, supporting climate change mitigation and global food security. Insect-based dog food, using protein from mealworms and crickets, is a sustainable alternative for dogs. It requires minimal resources and emits no harmful gases. Finally, cultured meat dog food is an exciting development in sustainability. It is bioidentical to traditional meat, with the same nutritional value and composition, but without the negative impacts of conventional meat. It is grown from a small collection of animal cells in a nutrient-rich laboratory environment.
Renewable energy. Opt for dog food manufacturers that use clean energy, like solar and wind, to power manufacturing plants, offices, and appliances.
Electric vehicles. Use of electric vehicles for transportation and shipping. They produce 43% fewer greenhouse gases than diesel vehicles.
Donations & social responsibility. Donating to environmental causes, shelters and offsetting carbon emissions by planting trees are some of these companies’ social sustainability responsibilities.
Recyclable packaging. Using recyclable or recycled materials in the packaging to minimize waste and plastic use – including compostable bags.
Cooking methods. Using low-emission processing and cooking techniques, such as freeze-drying, gently cooked, raw, or dehydrating food.
Pesticide-free produce: Approximately 30% of greenhouse gas emissions come from pesticides, which can harm the planet.
Ethically sourced (animal welfare). Includes high standards of farm animal welfare, ensuring animals are treated with kindness and respect, provided with a natural, nutritious diet (no antibiotics or hormones), and given ample space to roam and engage in their natural behaviors.

Sustainable Dog Food Benefits

Feeding sustainable dog food can help the environment and much more.

Did you know dogs are exposed to 40% higher levels of chemicals than humans? According to a study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), pets have become involuntary sentinels of widespread chemical contamination. The study found that dogs were contaminated with 48 out of 70 industrial chemicals, including plastics, food packaging chemicals, heavy metals, fire retardants, and stain-proofing chemicals.^[11] Feeding your dog sustainable food can help them avoid ingesting these harmful chemicals in traditional kibble. Sustainable practices prioritize the use of pesticide-free and environmentally-friendly ingredients. As a dog owner, supporting a sustainable dog food system can lead to significant benefits, including reducing your dog’s exposure to harmful chemicals, minimizing its ecological footprint, and promoting its overall health and well-being.

Here are the top reasons you should consider buying from sustainable dog brands.

Reduces CO2 production
Reduce methane and nitrous oxide production
Save large amounts of water
Avoid further pollution of streams, rivers and oceans
Reduce fossil fuels
Produces less waste
Reduce destruction of topsoil and tropical rainforest
Preserves and uses fewer planet resources
Reduce the destruction of wildlife habitats and endangered species
Reduces the environmental footprint required to raise these animals
Reduction of operating costs for the manufacturer
Sustainable proteins stop animal suffering and slaughter
Ingredient traceability and transparency
Less carbon footprint from locally sourced ingredients

Best Sustainable Dog Food

Our team of researchers has reviewed the best sustainable dog food brand on the market.

We based our ranking on several factors, including environmental impact, carbon footprint, social contribution, overall sustainability practices, ingredient quality, customer reviews, price, and more. We also categorized brands by needs or specific sustainable criteria.

Select a brand whose recipe better aligns with your pup’s diet and the environmental practices you support. All of them are super tasty and can satisfy the pickiest dogs ever.

Best Overall: Open Farm
Best Sustainable Protein: Wild Earth
Best Carbon Neutral: Chippin
Best Humane-Grade: The Farmer`s Dog
Best Dehydrated: The Honest Kitchen
Best Affordable: Canidae Sustain
Best Raw: We Feed Raw
Best Renewable Energy: Freshpet
Best Sustainable Packaging: I And Love And You
Best Wet: Nature`s Logic
Other Mentions

Best Overall Sustainable Dog Food — Open Farm

Our rating: 4.8

★★★★★

VIEW ON WEBSITE

Why We Picked & Recommended It

Open Farm wins the best overall sustainable and eco-friendly dog food brand medal. The company has clear climate objectives outlining a 10-year roadmap for reducing its carbon footprint and emissions by 42% by the Paris Agreement. Their dedication to sustainability and eco-friendly practices have set the bar high for most of the competition. Open Farm offsets emissions driven by direct operations and product manufacturing by carefully selecting meaningful, high-impact programs that provide verified carbon offsets. These programs include Grasslands Portfolio, USA; Darkwoods Forest Conservation Project, Canada; and Teak Afforestation, Mexico. The brand’s mission is to produce ultra-premium pet food that is ethically sourced and made from start to finish with sustainable and human-grade ingredients. They don’t use GMOs, antibiotics, or added growth hormones.

Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Practices

Transparency report. Open Farm publishes annual emissions data and provides ingredient traceability by scanning lot codes on their bags.
Green packaging. Partners with Terracycle for nationwide dog food bag recycling.
Ingredient purveyors. The company audits every provider to meet high environmental and health standards.
Locally sourced. Nearly 90% of fruits and vegetables are locally grown, reducing their carbon footprint.
Sustainable fishing. Open Farm uses sustainable fishing practices in accordance with Oceanwise and Seafood Watch standards to minimize bycatch overfishing and protect the marine environment.
Animal welfare. No animal testing when testing their products

What We Like & What We’d Change

Pros

Every Open Farm bag is carefully sourced from the most humane and ethical farms, fisheries, and producers.
High environmental and health standards set by organizations like Certified Humane and Global Animal Partnership
They operate and formulate their recipes under four rigorous standards: pet nutrition, over-the-top ingredient tracing, meticulous ingredient sourcing/vetting and climate strategy commitment.

Cons

Higher price tag than the average
Few puppy specific recipes

Our readers have access to 20% off on their first subscription order with code CANINE20. Just use this link to get started!

Learn more: Read our full Open Farm dog food review

Best Sustainable Protein Dog Food — Wild Earth

Our rating: 4.6

★★★★★

VIEW ON WEBSITE

Why We Picked & Recommended It

Wild Earth achieves a much lower carbon footprint and less environmental damage by only using ultra-high-quality plant protein in their food and treats, requiring fewer resources to produce. This is increasingly important as the over-reliance on meat in kibble is responsible for 25-30% of the environmental impact of meat consumption in the United States. A study found vegetarian and vegan diets produced 49.6% fewer greenhouse gas emissions. The research revealed that plant-based dog food needed 26.9% less energy for food production and had a 41.5% smaller environmental footprint than meat diets. The company’s CEO, Ryan Bethencourt, founded Wild Earth to solve the most common problems associated with traditional dog kibble, including environmental impact, unethically sourced ingredients, and animal cruelty.

Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Practices

Plant-based formulas. Their food requires 95% less water and emits 96% less CO2 than meat-based kibble. Their treats require 90% fewer resources to produce than meat-based treats.
GMO ingredients used. GMOs are a safe, reliable, and sustainable way to produce food. As a result, they produce higher yields on less land, making them more sustainable than those grown organically. “World Health Organization, American Medical Association, and British Royal Society, among others, say GMO crops are safe.”^[13]
Meta-free & cruelty-free protein. Plant-based food production offers a lower environmental impact and a sustainable solution by reducing energy consumption, emissions, land usage, and water consumption.^[14] They do not use any animal products or do animal testing.
Lab-grown protein. Uses cultured protein made with human-grade Koji for their treats. They grow these proteins at Bonneville Labs in Berkeley.

What We Like & What We’d Change

Pros

Clean ingredients
No antibiotics or hormones
No fillers, mystery meats additives, or preservatives
Approved by AAFCO & FDA

Cons

Our readers have access to 30% off the first order. Just use this link to get this offer.

Learn more: Read our full Wild Earth dog food review

Best Carbon Neutral Sustainable Dog Food — Chippin

Our rating: 4.6

★★★★★

VIEW ON CHIPPIN

Why We Picked & Recommended It

Chippin is our top pick for the best carbon-neutral sustainable dog food. Every purchase made through the Chippin website has carbon-neutral shipping. They partnered with Pachama to offset the climate impact of your shipment. Pachama funds high-impact forest conservation and restoration projects worldwide to offset your order’s carbon footprint. The company uses sustainable protein sources to minimize its carbon footprint. Chippen uses overpopulated silver carp, improving water quality and protecting Great Lake communities. Human-grade cricket protein requires significantly less water and emits no methane. Spirulina, vegan blue-green algae, is high in protein and absorbs CO2. These protein sources provide a complete and highly digestible protein with all 10 essential amino acids. The University of Illinois, Department of Animal Sciences, concluded that Chippin protein sources have the same or better results for amino acid content (the building blocks of protein) and are more digestible for dogs.

Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Practices

Sustainable protein sources: Chippin is powered by proteins that use 80% fewer resources. This includes the land and water used and the greenhouse gasses emitted.
Packaging: Their packaging contains 29% post-consumer recycled materials (milk cartons and yogurt containers), giving a second life to items that would otherwise end up in landfills.

What We Like & What We’d Change

Pros

Chippin helps improve water quality for over 48 million people by using this fish, protects great lake communities, and restores fish and wildlife biodiversity.
It only takes 1 gallon of water to produce 1lb of cricket protein, but 2,000 gallons of water to produce 1lb of beef protein.
Hypoallergenic
Oven-baked
Sourced and made in the U.S.A.

Cons

Only one dog food recipe

Best Human-Grade Sustainable Dog Food — The Farmer’s Dog

Our rating: 4.7

★★★★★

VIEW ON THE FARMER’S DOG

Why We Picked & Recommended It

The Farmer’s Dog food is custom-made fresh to meet your dog’s specific dietary needs. Their recipes contain no fillers, artificial preservatives, or by-products. All meals are prepared using human-grade ingredients. The recipes are pre-portioned to your dog’s weight, breed, and activity level and are delivered directly to your door. Ingredients are sourced from small farms for a low carbon footprint, so you can trust it’s real food that looks after the planet. All their recipes are formulated by leading board-certified veterinary nutritionists and carefully crafted in USDA-certified kitchens to exceed industry nutrition standards established by the AAFCO. The brand is re-evaluating its entire product experience, from the moment you open the box until you’ve finished feeding your dog, aiming to make every element as sustainable — and delightful — as conceivably possible.

Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Practices

Recyclable boxes. They use cardboard packaging and plastic wrap to keep cold packs from melting during transit, and they can be recycled.
Dissolvable insulation: It’s made from corn starch and dissolves under running water.
Locally sourced: Its carbon footprint is lower since the ingredients are locally sourced and don’t travel as much.
Environmentally friendly packaging: Food packs are recyclable after rinsing, and the reusable container they provide in every box is made of biodegradable and recyclable materials. All of their bags are made from BPA-free materials and are non-toxic.

What We Like & What We’d Change

Pros

Caters to health conditions
Pre-portioned and ready-to-serve meals
Able to ship more food at one time to reduce the delivery frequency and environmental impact

Cons

More expensive than traditional kibble

Our readers have access to 50% off the first order. Just use this link to get this offer.

Learn more: Read our full The Farmer’s Dog food review

Best Dehydrated Sustainable Dog Food — The Honest Kitchen

Our rating: 4.6

★★★★★

VISIT THE HONEST KITCHEN

Why We Picked & Recommended It

If you’d like to spoil your dog with dehydrated human-grade food with a relatively low environmental impact, The Honest Kitchen is a perfect choice. Honest Kitchen’s mission is to provide socially and environmentally conscious dog nutrition. They use small, controlled batches and innovative, earth-friendly cooking practices (such as dehydration). They are one of the few companies we’ve seen with a social and environmental impact report on their website. Moreover, The Honest Kitchen is a Certified B Corporation (businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance). They are also certified by Amazon as a Climate Pledge Friendly company. This means Amazon recognizes the brand’s commitment to helping preserve the natural world. We love that the brand’s suppliers have put formal programs to protect wildlife habitats, reduce pesticide usage, and other environmental programs for superior land management, soil quality, and more.

Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Practices

Solar energy. 46% of their finished products are currently produced using solar power, with plans to increase this percentage.
Local sourcing. 70% of dehydrated recipes use domestically sourced ingredients, minimizing the carbon footprint associated with imports.
Non-GMO produce. Their supplier confirms 100% of the products they use are non-generically modified.
Community impact. Donates $100K+ to animal aid programs and employees volunteered over 263 hours to help these organizations. Committed to women/minority leadership in the company, 71% female workforce.
Remote working. Transitioned to 100% remote working (except for production crew) — to reduce the carbon footprint from fossil fuels.
Green packaging. 61% of their packaging is made from renewable materials that are recyclable or reusable.

What We Like & What We’d Change

Pros

Shipping dehydrated food consumes less energy and space, which reduces emissions
No ‘feed grade’ ingredients or meat meals
Their whole food clusters recipes use 97% local ingredients
Food the same strict standards as food for people
HACCP™ system
Production facility conforms to 21 CFR 117 (the FDA regulations for human food)

Cons

More expensive than other brands

Cheapest Sustainable Dog Food — Canidae Sustain

Our rating: 4.5

★★★★★

Why We Picked & Recommended It

Looking for the most affordable sustainable dog food? Consider Canidae Sustain. Canidae Sustains is the company’s environmentally conscious dog food line that features premium ingredients made with responsibly sourced proteins and the highest PCR% (post-consumer recycled) packaging available in pet food. They partner with US farmers who use regenerative agricultural practices which leverage cutting-edge technology in robotics, water usage, weed management, and pesticide usage to reduce the negative impact on farmlands and environmental impact. Within 10 years (by 2030), their goal is to source over 80% of all their ingredients from regenerative agriculture. Canidae believes regenerative agriculture is the future of farming. It aspires to protect the soil, reduce pesticide usage, increase carbon capture, reduce water runoff, and improve the nutritional density of the food we grow.

Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Practices

Sustainably proteins. Their wild-caught Alaskan salmon is sourced from fisheries that maintain salmon populations and minimize the impact on their habitats. Their chickens are raised humanely for animal welfare.
Plant-based recipe. Their plant-based recipe reduces carbon emissions and utilizes upcycled brewer’s yeast for essential non-animal-derived nutrients.
Packaging: Canidae Sustain products use 40% recycled material, equivalent to 4 plastic bottles per 18-pound bag.
Giving back. They donate pet food to the San Antonio Food Bank and support The Alliance of Therapy Dogs to promote the healing power of the human/pet bond.

What We Like & Don’t Like

Pros

Cuts down on truck delivery (less carbon output)
No animal by-product meals
Recipe including probiotics, omega fatty acids and antioxidants
Limited ingredients for sensitive stomachs
Committed to making food good for pets and the planet

Cons

Best Sustainable Raw Food — We Feed Raw

Our rating: 4.9

★★★★★

VISIT WE FEED RAW

Why We Picked & Recommended It

As more dog parents opt to raw feed their dogs, it’s important to understand the ins and out of a raw diet for dogs — We Feed Raw is our top pick for the best raw dog food delivery companies. Their sustainable practices include selling raw dog food in bulk. This lets dog owners save a lot of money while helping to reduce their carbon footprint. They use eco-friendly, biodegradable, compostable coolers. Run them under water in your sink, and they will dissolve within minutes. All ingredients come from trusted suppliers, and all meats come from USDA-inspected facilities.

Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Practice

Raw means less waste. Raw food creates smaller, firmer poops, reducing mess and waste bag usage.
Reduced processing. Their raw formulas use fewer processing methods like freeze-drying and raw, significantly reducing the brand’s carbon emissions.
Organically sourced protein. USDA, human-grade meats.

What We Like & Don’t Like

Pros

Premium ingredients sourced from reputable USA farms
Lamb and venison sourced from New Zealand, pasture-raised, grass-fed, and grass-finished
No fillers or artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors
Complete and balanced for cats as well

Cons

It does not offer other raw dog products, such as treats

Our readers have 25% off the first order when they subscribe and use the code CB25 at checkout. Just use this link to get started.

Best Renewable Energy Dog Food — Freshpet

Our rating: 4.6

★★★★★

Why We Picked & Recommended It

Freshpet’s wins our top pick for using the best renewable energy sources for manufacturing their recipes. Their food is made in kitchens powered by wind or solar energy and stored in fridges powered by the same renewable energy. These efforts help them reduce their CO2 footprint and achieve carbon neutrality. As a result of their renewable energy commitment, they prevented 46,567 metric tons of CO2e emissions in 2020 – equivalent to taking 10,208 cars off the road for a year. All Freshpet recipes are gently cooked in USDA kitchens at low temperatures to protect ingredient integrity and then vacuum-sealed. Freshpet sources over half its ingredients within 200 miles, uses SmartWay trucks for transportation, and partners with Terracycle for 100% recyclable plastic packaging. They use up to 20 times less packaging than wet food competitors to feed a 30lb dog daily.

Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Practices

Zero landfills. All Freshpet Kitchens waste is recycled, reused, or turned into energy. Cardboard recycling alone saved 1,345 metric tons of CO2e emissions, 2,811,200 gallons of water, and 6,827 trees in 2020.
Water conservation. Their manufacturing process is designed to reduce water usage, and rainwater is collected for irrigation, minimizing stormwater runoff.
Wastewater treatment. On-site filtration and anaerobic digestion prevent organic waste from ending in landfills, preventing 108 metric tons of CO2e emissions and reducing the burden on water facilities.
Sustainable chillers. Freshpet uses energy-efficient lighting, compressors, and nonozone-depleting refrigerants for a more sustainable electric grid.

What We Like & Don’t Like

Pros

Advocates and partners with no-kill shelters, anti-cruelty programs, and for healthcare, recovery and rehabilitation
Over 12 million meals were donated and up
Humane farming and protein sourcing
Freshpet kitchens are registered with APHIS & FDA
All meals undergo over 20 quality and safety tests

Cons

Requires refrigeration

Sustainable Dog Food Packaging — I And Love And You

Our rating: 4.5

★★★★★

Why We Picked & Recommended It

I And Love And You is our top pick for the best sustainable dog food packaging. They proudly use 100% sustainable (reduced, reused, recycled) packaging and shipping materials, partnering with TerraCycle to ensure recyclability. Additionally, they prioritize sustainable practices on their packaging labels through a partnership with The Clean Label Project (CLP), which tests for over 130 harmful contaminants and toxins in pet food, reassuring customers of the sustainability and safety of their products. Even in their office, the company notes they use recycled paper in printers, reusable silverware and dishes in the Kitchen, and non-toxic cleaning supplies. They recycle and compost as a team, and some employees bike to work.

Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Practices

Partners: “I and Love and You” partners with Climate Collaborative, Clean Label Project, Colorado Patry, XcelEnergy, Pet Sustainability Coalition, and Impact Assessment to help foster their sustainability mission and reduce carbon PawPrint.
Giving back to the community. Since 2015, they have donated over one million meals to pets in need, including during natural disasters such as hurricanes, fires, floods, and more. They are committed to providing food assistance to pets nationwide in times of crisis.
Waste management. They donate surplus products to animals in need rather than throwing them in a landfill.

What We Like & Don’t Like

Pros

Non-GMO protein, vegetables, and legumes
Beef is grass-fed and free-range
Wheat and gluten-free
No artificial flavors, colors or preservatives

Cons

Best Sustainable Wet Dog Food — Nature’s Logic

Our rating: 4.6

★★★★★