What is the best natural dog food?
Natural dog food is increasingly sought after, but what does "natural" really mean? Discover what sets these foods apart.
The demand for natural dog food has grown significantly in recent years. Pet owners are increasingly informed and attentive to the quality of what they put in their pet's bowl, and rightly so - food has a direct impact on a dog's health, longevity, and quality of life. But what exactly does it mean for a kibble to be "natural"? And how do you choose the best option?
What is natural dog food?
The concept of natural dog food is not uniformly regulated across the industry, which can lead to some confusion. Generally, natural dog food uses animal and plant-based ingredients without artificial colours, flavourings, or preservatives. The goal is to make the kibble's composition similar to what would be a dog's ancestral diet - rich in animal protein, with quality fat sources, and recognisable ingredients.
This differentiates it from conventional kibble, which often uses lower-quality animal by-products, synthetic additives, and high amounts of grains as fillers.
Is natural the same as grain-free?
One of the biggest misconceptions in this area is confusing natural dog food with grain-free dog food. While many natural dog foods are indeed grain-free, the two concepts are different. A dog food can be grain-free and still contain questionable quality ingredients. On the other hand, some dog foods with quality grains - such as oats, brown rice, or barley - can be perfectly suitable and considered natural, as long as the other ingredients meet quality criteria.
What matters is the quality and origin of the ingredients, not just the absence of a specific group.
What distinguishes good natural dog food?
When evaluating natural dog food, there are several aspects to consider:
- Protein should be first on the ingredient list and should come from identified animal sources - chicken, lamb, salmon, turkey, duck, etc. Ingredients like "meat meals" or "animal proteins" without specified origin indicate less transparency.
- The percentage of meat is also an important indicator. Higher quality dog foods usually state the percentage of fresh or dehydrated meat used.
- Functional ingredients also make a difference. Herbs, fruits, and vegetables like blueberries, pumpkin, spinach, or pomegranate are often added to these formulas for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory value.
- The absence of synthetic additives - artificial colours, flavourings, and preservatives like BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin - is another essential criterion. Natural dog foods preserve food with vitamin E (tocopherols) or other natural antioxidants.
Best Natural Dog Foods
| Product Name | Brand | Description | Price/kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weego Dog Food Original Chicken & Pomegranate (12 kg) | Weego | Natural recipe with chicken and pomegranate, no artificial colours or preservatives. | €3.08/kg |
| Weego Dog Food Original Turkey & Blueberries (12 kg) | Weego | Formula with turkey and blueberries, natural ingredients from controlled sources. | €3.08/kg |
| Weego Dog Low Grain Food Adult Chicken & Rice (12 kg) | Weego | Low-grain recipe with chicken and rice, balanced for adults. | €3.93/kg |
| Brit Fresh Dog Great Life (2.5 kg) | Brit | Dog food with fresh chicken and sweet potato, no refined grains. | €4.47/kg |
| Natures Variety Dog No Grain Medium Maxi Adult Chicken (10 kg) | Natures Variety | Grain-free with free-range chicken for medium and large breeds. | €5.85/kg |
| Carnilove Dog Adult Grain-Free (1.5 kg) | Carnilove | Grain-free with fresh chicken and rabbit, inspired by the ancestral dog diet. | €7.17/kg |
| Acana Dog Adult (6 kg) | Acana | High content of fresh animal protein, grain-free, for adults. | €8.30/kg |
| Orijen Dog Original (11.4 kg) | Orijen | 85% animal-derived ingredients, premium biological formula. | €8.68/kg |
| Acana Singles Dog Grass-fed Lamb (11.4 kg) | Acana | Single protein from grass-fed lamb, ideal for dogs with sensitivities. | €8.69/kg |
| FARMINA N&D Dog Ancestral Mini Chicken (2.5 kg) | Farmina N&D | Formula with ancestral grains and chicken for small breed dogs. | €9.59/kg |
| Orijen Regional Red Dog (11.4 kg) | Orijen | Recipe with various red meats and fish, grain-free, highly proteinaceous. | €11.06/kg |
| N&D Brown Dog Lamb, Spirulina & Carrot Adult Mini (2 kg) | N&D | Formula with lamb, spirulina, and carrot for small breed dogs. | €12.52/kg |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is natural dog food suitable for all dogs? In most cases, yes, as long as it is appropriate for the animal's life stage, size, and specific needs. Dogs with particular health conditions should have their diet supervised by a veterinarian.
How do I know if natural dog food is good for my dog? Positive signs include shiny and soft fur, firm and moderately odorous stools, good energy levels, stable weight, and a regular appetite. If the dog frequently has diarrhoea, dull fur, persistent itching, or weight loss, it indicates that the food may not be the most suitable.
Is natural dog food more expensive? Generally, yes, but not necessarily proportionally. The cost per meal can be more balanced than it seems at first glance because these foods have higher nutritional density - meaning the dog needs to eat less to meet its needs. The comparison should be based on the daily feeding cost, not just the package price.
