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Proper canine nutrition is the number one factor in your dog's overall health and well-being. The most important product that you will ever select for your dog is the food that you feed him. This is a decision that should not be taken lightly, and that's why we've decided to do the research to find the best natural dog food options that are USDA-certified.
Choosing a healthy dog food brand is something that you should think about before bringing your pet home. What was his diet like before you adopted him? Whether he was on a dry puppy kibble or a 100% raw dog food diet, you need to know what he ate and decide whether or not you want to stick with that specific canine diet.
The first thing you'll need to do when making a choice on which natural dog food brand to pick is consult your veterinarian or a canine nutritionist.
They'll be able to give you accurate advice about which diet is ideal for your new Fido. They can also assist you in setting up a plan for transitioning your pet's diet if you decide to change his dog food.
5 Best Natural Dog Food That's USDA-Certified
1Grandma Lucy's Grain-Free Freeze Dried Dog Food
This unique dog food is made from a blend of freeze-dried chicken, fruits, and vegetables. This is one of the best natural dog food brands because it is all natural, grain-free, non-GMO and has no preservatives! This dog food from Grandma Lucy's is easy to prepare. You just need to rehydrated with warm water prior to serving.
The chicken that this dog food is prepared with is antibiotic and hormone free. It is easy to see that this is a great option for any pet with stomach allergies or a strict diet, due to its lack of additives. Dogs who often have stomach issues after eating are finally able to eat carefree once introduced to this dog food option.
Grandma Lucy's Grain-Free Freeze Dried Dog Food is easy on most dog’s digestive systems. Even the pickiest of dogs seem to love its high-quality ingredients. Pet owners who were tired of buying canned dog food to meet their needs found this a great alternative that their dogs could eat just as easily. Several point out that serving for serving is actually cheaper than many similar quality canned dog foods available.
Some pet owners say that the smell resembles a strong garlic-y odor and that their dog(s) refused to eat it. However, these customers were very few and far between. Some dogs seemed to pick around the vegetables and fruit and only eat the chicken. A few pet parents mentioned that the amount of chicken is not as abundant as they would have hoped.
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Most helpful dog owner’s review (read the full Amazon review): “My dog is over 14 years old, and has been on a prescription diet for years. After she eats, her belly has always been bloated and she has acted uncomfortable. She's had issues with diarrhea, so I finally decided to fore go my vet's opinion and try her on a high quality dog food…”
2Sojos Complete Raw Natural Dry Dog Food Mix
This all-natural dog food just needs water to create a meal of freeze-dried turkey. It has no artificial preservatives or additives. It is made with meticulous quality and with the highest safety standards. This makes it a great option for pet owners who are concerned with feeding their dog(s) only the freshest and best ingredients.
Coming in second on our list of the best natural dog food brands, this product from Sojos is made in the USA using small batch baking. All of the ingredients are considered human quality. Although the bag is 8 pounds, it actually makes 40 pounds of prepared dog food, making the price far more reasonable for most!
Customers say this food smells far better than most dog food available, and their dogs tend to go crazy for it as soon as they hear the package rattling! Although the food may seem more expensive than brands available in many stores, customers say that it is worth the price because of its high quality and the peace of mind it provides. Dogs with allergies, sensitive stomachs, and/or a picky palette could not be happier with Sojos Complete Raw Natural Dry Dog Food Mix, as they can finally enjoy eating worry-free.
From bag to bag, the consistency and make-up may change slightly, which is likely due to the fact that the company prepares batches in smaller quantities. Some pet owners say that this food may need to be supplemented with other food so that dogs stay in a normal weight range, as some seemed to lose too much when fed this alone. As with any dog food that requires preparation, this is not quite as easy as pouring dog food straight from the bag; however, many say it is worth the extra few minutes.
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Most helpful dog owner’s review (read the full Amazon review): “We have a 100lb 2 year old rottweiler who has had stomach/allergy issues his whole life. We have been to vet after vet, food after food, and nothing seemed to work. We finally found Sojos and he is like a new man…”
3Grandma Lucy's PUREformance Freeze-Dried Dog Food
This dog food is made with antibiotic and hormone free lamb with the highest quality USDA ingredients. The company says that they try to prepare dog food the exact same way pet owners would if they had the time to cook it themselves. The recipes from Grandma Lucy's are always grain-free, all natural, and made from the highest-grade ingredients.
There are no by-products or preservatives, so you can feel great about feeding the best natural dog food brands to your loved ones. The benefits of feeding your dog the lamb variety include knowing you are giving your pet the right levels of iron and zinc, which help your dog maintain a healthy immune system. Suggested daily serving amounts and instructions are included on the packaging, which makes it easy to be certain you are giving your dog the perfect amount of food.
As with many foods that are missing dangerous additives and chemicals, pet owners can feel good about feeding their dog Grandma Lucy's PUREformance Freeze-Dried Dog Food. The preparation is easy and quick, making it a great option for those who are constantly on the go! Pet owners notice their dogs scratching less and even having more energy after a few short days of using this food.
Grandma Lucy’s has a great reputation among pet owners and websites that compare dog food brands. That's one of the many reasons why we included it on our list of the best natural dog food brands! Some pet owners say that this food caused their dog to lose weight and/or muscle mass, so they chose to start supplementing it with healthy additions. As with any dog food, it is impossible to know whether or not your dog will enjoy it until he/she tries it and forms an opinion. It is quite expensive, but most customers agree that it is worth the cost because of the high-quality ingredients.
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Most helpful dog owner’s review (read the full Amazon review): “My dogs go crazy for this stuff. In our house it is called ‘sprinkles' – for dinner she has kibble with about a quarter cup of ‘sprinkles'. Add warm water, stir and you will have one happy dog…”
4Pet Guard Vegetarian Dry Dog Food, 4.4-Pound Bag
This dog food is one of the very few vegetarian options available on the market. It is made with wholesome organic grains, and it contains no wheat, yeast, corn, or soy. This dog food from Pet Guard is a great source of omega 3 and 6, and it is USDA organic.
This is a great option for customers who want to feed their pets the same quality of food they eat themselves and live a cruelty free life. Pet owners who previously made their food at home are happy after switching to this product due to lack of time, saying the convenience is unbeatable. Dogs seem to have better dental health, more energy, and a healthier look after eating this food. It's definitely one of the best natural dog food brands!
Pet Guard Vegetarian Dry Dog Food high quality ingredients significantly lower the chance of causing allergic reactions and upset stomachs, so dogs who are higher maintenance can eat this food with no issues! Many customers say this vegetarian food is the best option currently available, and, even those who doubted their dog would enjoy it are pleasantly surprised at their willingness to eat and enjoy it.
Negative comments regarding this dog food are almost impossible to find! One customer said that this dog food contains too much sodium; however, the nutritional facts are not listed. If sodium happens to be an issue for your dog, you may choose to contact the company and ensure that this will not be a problem before purchasing!
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Most helpful dog owner’s review (read the full Amazon review): “I feed my dogs organic and vegetarian now — mostly homemade. I add about 2/3 cup of this kibble to their homemade ration daily just so they will be used to it if I'm ever not able to cook for them. They prefer the homemade, of course, but eat every bite of this as well…”
5Grandma Lucy's Artisan Grain Free Premix Food for Dogs, 8lbs
Obviously, Grandma Lucy's is one of the best natural dog food brands, as it's made this list three times. The company was established when a pair of concerned pet owners were having a problem finding dog food their senior dog would eat. Because they were unsatisfied with the products available and the harmful ingredients found in common foods, they started to make their own dog food at home.
After perfecting their recipes, they decided to share their high quality homemade meals with others, leading them to open Grandma Lucy’s. This freeze-dried, grain-free dog food is a great addition to your dog food recipes. It provides an easy way to add fruits and vegetables to their diet without the hassle of cutting them or preparing them yourself.
Customers agree that the price of Grandma Lucy's Artisan Grain Free Premix Food for Dogs is very reasonable when considering the difference it makes in many areas of their dog's health. Dogs’ skin and coats are shinier, and most pet owners saw a large increase in the overall health of their pets.
Most picky and non-picky dogs both thoroughly enjoy this dog food additive, and dogs with food allergies are able to eat it with no problem! One dog out of hundreds refused to eat this pre-mix, so it is possible that your dog will not be fond of it. That being said, the chance is very slim, and you still have many of the best natural dog food brands to choose from. All other ratings were five stars and had no negative comments at all.
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Most helpful dog owner’s review (read the full Amazon review): “My dog is allergic to several common ingredients in dog food so our choices are extremely limited. Not only is this item one of the few she can have, it also allows me to supplement her low protein kibble with higher protein home “cooking.”…”
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