Our nutritionist-formulated dry and wet food recipes are created especially for dogs who shouldn’t eat this” and can’t eat that”; to support pets who could benefit from healthy skin, a shiny coat and a new attitude; and, for dogs who just can’t get enough of those delicious, drool-worthy animal proteins. That’s why we use real meat or fish first in our CANIDAE® Grain Free PURE limited ingredient formulas, 8 key ingredients for sensitive small dogs in our CANIDAE® Grain Free PURE Petite formulas, abundant amounts of animal proteins in our CANIDAE® Grain Free PURE Ancestral formulas, farm-grown ingredients in our grain free CANIDAE® Under The Sun® recipes, and nutritionally dense meat and fish meals in our CANIDAE® All Life Stages formulas. Wellness Complete Health formulas landed on Whole Dog Journal’s 2019 approved dry dog foods list Labrador Training HQ likes that the recipe is free from corn, wheat, soy, meat by-products, and artificial additives to ensure healthy nutrition and easy digestion. Pros: Ideal combination of quality and affordability, no low-quality fillers or by-products, no artificial additives, made in the USA, designed to support healthy digestion, made with high-quality animal proteins, formulas for different life stages and breed sizes, wide variety of dry foods and wet foods. Up-to-date pricing and reviews for Dog Food on the market can be found at the your pet hates you website.
Pros: US-based company, independent and family-owned, company-owned manufacturing facilities, fresh regional ingredients, wide variety of high-quality recipes, life stages formulas for puppies through senior dogs, grain-free and limited ingredient formulas for dogs with food allergies, separate brand for dog owners on a budget, recipes for small breed dogs. Always ensure that the dry dog food you buy include high-quality proteins, such as either whole, fresh meats or single-source meat meal (chicken meal” or beef meal.”) Avoid dog foods that use vague wording on the ingredients list, such as poultry meal” or meat meal.” Any label that simply says meat” should be disqualified as a low-quality source of protein. About: Blue Buffalo Life Protection dog food promises a healthy diet for your dog, with formulas that focus on real meats (the first ingredients in this formula are deboned lamb and fish meal – always great to see two meat proteins at the top of the ingredient list).
If you’re looking for a brand of dry dog food that offers a wide selection of high-quality recipes, our top choice is Canidae An independent and family-owned company, Canidae sources its ingredients from other family-owned businesses throughout the US, and the company produces every one of its nutritionally dense formulas in company-owned-and-operated facilities. Cons: No wet food products currently available, some recipes may contain plant proteins like peas and dried alfalfa, many recipes contain common proteins and other ingredients that may trigger allergies in some dogs (like chicken, beef, and fish) Each of Ollie’s dog food recipes (Healthy Turkey Feast, Hearty Beef Eats, Chicken Goodness, and Tasty Lamb Fare) are formulated by a professional veterinarian and source quality meats from US and Australian farms.
In researching these healthy dog foods, we found that even with dog food brands that had the best quality ingredients and highest endorsements, there were always some owners reporting that they dog’s stomach got upset or skin reacted strangely. According to pet nutrition expert Dr. Gary Richter, DVM, author of the Ultimate Pet Health Guide and member of Rover’s Dog People Panel, the single biggest thing you can do to keep your dog happy and healthy is provide them with optimal nutrition.” For many dogs, that could mean a high-quality grain-free dog food. SOLUTIONS Meal Mixer recipes that are formulated to support good gut health, put a little pep in your pet’s step, and can be a healthy way to help control your dog’s weight.
In July 2018, the FDA announced that it had begun investigating reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating certain pet foods, many labeled as “grain-free,” which contained a high proportion of peas, lentils, other legume seeds (pulses), and/or potatoes in various forms (whole, flour, protein, etc.) as main ingredients (listed within the first 10 ingredients in the ingredient list, before vitamins and minerals). Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Dog Food is great for toy and small breeds because it comes in seven grain-free formulas that are made with high-quality proteins, digestible carbohydrates, and healthy supplements. Available in original and small-breed formulas, Wellness Complete Health Senior Dog Food features high-quality proteins, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables to deliver complete and balanced nutrition optimized for senior dogs.
Cons: Some recipes could be higher in animal protein, many recipes contain common proteins and other ingredients that may trigger allergies in some dogs (like chicken, rice, and fish) Primal Pet Foods offers nine different recipes for raw frozen dog food, each featuring a premium animal protein that is free from antibiotics, steroids, and hormones. Cons: Company has had one recall affecting four products, many recipes contain common proteins and other ingredients that may trigger allergies in some dogs (like chicken, rice, and fish)
For a brand that offers dog food designed to suit your dog’s natural biological needs, our top choice is Orijen This brand creates pet foods that nourish your dog’s body just as nature intended, and it uses only locally sourced fresh and raw meats in an assortment of formulas catered to dogs in all life stages from puppy to senior. The quality of your dog’s diet is directly related to their health, so don’t settle for mediocre dog food, treats , or supplements All dogs have the same basic nutritional needs, so it’s possible to evaluate the quality of one product compared to another in terms of how well each one meets those nutritional needs. With 90% quality animal ingredients, and up to 58% protein, ORIJEN freeze-dried foods provide all the benefits of a raw diet in convenient dry form.
Conversely, if a list of dog food ingredients leads off with a quality protein source followed by whole, healthy foods, you know you’ve found a worthy product. ☐ Superior sources of protein: Look for dry dog foods that contain a lot of animal proteins—either whole, fresh meats or single-source meat meal. Tuffy’s Pet Foods , which produces NutriSource products, said the FDA put the company, and others, in a confusing situation about grain-free dog diets and their potential link to canine dilated cariomyopathy (DCM).”
Less expensive dog foods generally include less meat and more animal by-products and grain fillers Proponents of a natural diet criticize the use of such ingredients, and point out that regulations allow for packaging that might lead a consumer to believe that they are buying natural food, when, in reality, the food might be composed mostly of ingredients such as those listed above. Help your dog stay healthy with dry dog food for high-quality nutrition at the right price in conveniently sized bags for small to extra-large dogs. About: Wellness Core Natural Grain-Free food comes from the Wellness brand – a quality dog food manufacturer that produces protein-focused foods, with several lean meat options like chicken, turkey, and salmon.
Quality dog foods always have meat as the first ingredient – Canidae has several meats & identified meat meals are first ingredients, so you know your pooch is getting quality proteins. The recipes for wet dog foods are typically higher in protein and fat than the dry food counter parts, but because it’s already wet, more will need to be consumed for proper nutrition. Our CANNED SUPER PREMIUM DOG FOODS deliver high quality protein and scientifically advanced ingredients as our dry foods in tender, tasty formulas.
This grain-free, protein-rich recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition to help your dog stay healthy & fit. All of our Ancient Grains Dog Food recipes are gluten free and made with a combination of humanely raised animal protein, wholesome ancient grains and nutritious superfoods. Muenster Milling has historically processed all kinds of animal feed products, including ostrich feed, but is currently focused on extruded pet foods, freeze-dried diets and treats, and extruded horse feed.
The result is an excellent line of dogs foods made with the highest-quality, human-grade ingredients for maximum nutrition. We carry natural and organic dog food options, and special diets for pets with sensitive stomachs or nutritional requirements, like high protein or low fat dog food. This Merrick dog food uses high-quality, animal-based proteins like chicken, salmon, lamb, and beef with grain-free carbohydrates like sweet potato for fiber.
Not only is Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Dog Food ideally sized for smaller dogs and designed to promote dental health, but it comes in seven different recipes. The Whole Earth Farms brand is manufactured by the Merrick Pet Care Company, a company that receives Dog Food Advisor’s 4-star rating Whole Earth Farms pet foods are made in the US with fresh, natural ingredients to support your dog’s digestion while also boosting their energy levels and improving the health of their skin and coat. Cons: More limited selection of products than some brands, no formulas for large-breed dogs, recipes may be higher in calories than the typical dog food.
Not only does Whole Food Journal name Taste of the Wild on its 2019 list of approved dry dog foods , this brand also receives 4.5 stars from Dog Food Advisor What really sets this brand apart is its use of novel proteins like bison and venison, which are less likely to trigger food allergies in dogs and are a leaner source of protein than commercially raised meats. Cons: Numerous recalls in brand history, many recipes contain common proteins and other ingredients that may trigger allergies in some dogs (like chicken, rice, and fish), recent changes in recipe may cause digestive upset in some dogs. Pros: US-based company, wide variety of product choices, every recipe starts with high-quality animal protein, all-natural ingredients with no artificial additives, recipes designed with a holistic approach to nutrition, every formula contains LifeSource Bits for a boost of nutrition and flavor.
Blue Buffalo offers tons of great recipes for both wet and dry dog food, and its formulas are full of natural ingredients. Pros: Made in the United States and Canada, biologically appropriate diets, high-protein formulas, carbohydrate-limited and low-glycemic, formulated for different life stages, minimum 38% crude protein, traditional kibble and freeze-dried options, all grain-free recipes. Orijen only sells dry dog foods at this time, but it offers an assortment of kibbles and freeze-dried dog foods for puppies, adults, and senior dogs as well as a selection of treats made with 100% fresh meat ingredients.
While a dog’s diet should consist primarily of animal products, dogs do have a limited ability to digest plant materials, so digestible grain-free carbohydrates like fresh fruits and vegetables can be a valuable addition. Nourish your dog as nature intended with ORIJEN’s unmatched fresh regional meat inclusions that mirror your dog’s evolutionary diet, excluding vegetable proteins, and the long lists of synthetic supplements found in some dog foods. Chicken & Barley recipe with precisely balanced nutrition to keep adult dogs active and healthy.
Chicken & Beef recipe with precisely balanced nutrition to keep adult dogs active and healthy. The researchers tested six commercial dog foods from JustFoodForDogs, a company that claims to exclusively use USDA-certified ingredients in its diets. In response, some pet food companies are developing diets that more closely resemble human food, incorporating human-grade meat and vegetable ingredients that pass USDA quality inspections.
As any long-time reader knows, the pet food industry seeks to maximize its profits, not the health of the animals who depend on it. Most humans can’t access grass-fed organic meat for themselves, let alone their dogs, so find brands of kibble with decent ingredient lists which you are comfortable paying for. Research has revealed that higher-value ingredients in dry dog foods tend to be processed and stored more carefully (kept clean and cold) than lower-cost ingredients—including by-products.” And it’s just about impossible to ascertain the quality of by-products. For example, you want to see chicken meal” or beef meal” on the label, not poultry meal” or meat meal.” A dog food label listing simply meat” is an example of a low-quality protein source of dubious origin.
Nature’s Variety stressed that the company has fed hundreds of thousands of pets with safe, healthy and high quality recipes,” and that they are pet food experts committed to quality and safety.” Hypoallergenic diets for dogs with food allergies consist of either limited ingredients, 76 novel proteins, 73 or hydrolyzed proteins. Greater digestibility due to higher quality ingredients, in addition to lower protein concentrations within a diet, will help promote beneficial outcomes in assisting the health of a dog’s gastrointestinal tract.
PetSmart offers a wide selection of dry kibble for adults, puppies and senior dogs, with ingredients like beef, chicken, salmon, turkey, lamb, sweet potato and more, so that you can give them the complete nutrition they need at every life stage. We stock a number of high quality hypoallergenic and novel protein and chicken free dog food options including fish , kangaroo , salmon , duck and venison based recipes. One of the more popular ingredients in this dog food is the bison and venison (if your dog loves venison, you can even try dog foods that rely on venison as the single protein source ). These meats are lean and provide the protein and nutrition a dog needs.
Overall, there are some key ingredients to look for when choosing healthy dog foods for your pet. Not only will a dog’s overall quality of life be improved with healthy dog food with high-quality ingredients, but their coats will be shinier, their teeth in better condition, and their weight will be kept in check. It’s important for owners to find healthy food options for their dogs, providing them with the nutrition they need to lead a long, happy life.
Numerous people struggle to find a healthy dog food for their pets, since many brands contain unnatural ingredients and meat that isn’t real. If you’re looking to buy a healthy dog food, we have some recommendations on brands but if you’re looking independently, you’ll want to look through ingredient lists to find a specific animal protein at the top of the list, whole vegetables fruits and grains and a protein meal combined with any fresh or frozen protein. We narro∂wed our search down to 5 of the top-rated natural and organic dog foods pet parents can purchase to ensure a healthy diet for their dog. Be sure to visit your pet hates you for the best dog food on the market to buy.
9 recall of bags of Chicken & Potato dry dog food sold by retailers in eight states, Natural Life Pet Products said it became aware of the problem after three pet owners complained of vitamin D toxicity after consuming the product. Before any of our dog food recipes make it on the shelf, they go through a careful inspection by our most discerning of critics: the dogs at our global Pet Nutrition Center. We create dog food recipes with optimal levels of over 50 nutrients, providing the perfect balance of nutrition for your dog’s health – nothing more, nothing less.