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Organic dog food is a great option for your dog. Since dog food is not highly regulated, a lot of food can be made with unhealthy and even dangerous ingredients. So a top quality organic dog food manufacturer is a great option because they only use healthy ingredients from trustworthy, ethical sources. Also since organic dog food manufacturers are so focused on quality, many of these foods are more nutritionally dense than other dog foods. So if you are looking to feed your dog a truly nutritious, healthy food, consider buying them an organic dog food.
What Makes A Dog Food “Organic”?
Just like with people food, organic dog food is made with organic ingredients. That means that any fruits, vegetables, or grains are grown without pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers. They are also GMO-free. While any meat ingredients come from animals that are raised without antibiotics or growth hormones and fed an organic diet. Organic dog food will use only natural ingredients listed with the label “organic.” However, unlike human food labeled “organic,” dog food has looser rules for proving their claims so it’s easy to buy a dog food you think is organic but is not.
Be Wary Of Organic Claims
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) determines the parameters for what qualifies as organic dog food in the United States. The AAFCO allows organic labeling in two ways. The first is “Made with Organic Ingredients,” which means 70% of the ingredients will come from organic sources. The second label says “100% Organic,” which means all ingredients come from organic sources. However the AAFCO has no power to test or regulate the claims made by organic dog food manufacturers, so it is difficult to know what you are actually buying. So instead of buying organic food solely based on label claims, you need to do a little research to ensure you are buying a truly organic product.
How Do I Know If A Dog Food Is Truly Organic?
In order to prove label claims you need to start by reading the ingredients further. Look for any chemical additives like artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. If any of these things are present, it is not truly an organic dog food. You also want to look for important keywords in the ingredients list like “GMO-free,” “human grade,” or “organic.” Next investigate the sourcing of the product. Any company that says they use organic sources will list those sources in detail on their website. Also you can look for certified labeling. USDA, AAFCO, and third party accredited certifying agencies will all certify companies that meet organic standard. In order to receive these certifications, the foods have to go through rigorous testing and quality standards, so they are guaranteed to be organic.
The Four Best Organic Dog Foods
Since it is difficult to ensure that you are really buying organic dog food, we have put together a list of high quality, vetted organic dog foods. Here are our top four organic dog food brands:
Castor & Pollux Organix Adult Dry Dog Food
Castor & Pollux is a leader in organic dog food. They use 100% organic ingredients made without chemical pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, antibiotics or added growth hormones. They also manufacture domestically, using human quality manufacturing methods and are certified organic by Oregon Tilth, a leading accredited certification organization. Castor & Pollux makes dry food, wet food, and treats, and are a great option if you are looking to feed your dog a healthy organic option.
Newman’s Own Adult Dog Food Formula
Newman’s Own is a market leader in all organic foods. A few years ago they started producing healthy, organic food for pets. Like their human food products, their dog food is made with 100% organic ingredients and fits the AAFCO organic guidelines. Their dog food is manufactured domestically with the same human-grade ingredients they use in all their foods. Newman’s Own is a trustworthy brand and offers a great range of both wet dog food, dry dog food, and dog treats.
Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Dog Food
Honest Kitchen uses 100% human grade food products and contains no byproducts, chemical additives, or GMO ingredients. It is made with cage-free, free-range, grass-fed, and wild-caught meats, with organically grown produce domestically on high quality manufacturing machinery. Honest Kitchen is a unique product that requires you to add water to reconstitute their food. They are a very high quality organic options for any dog owner.
Merrick Backcountry Raw-Infused Dry Dog Food
Merrick is a market leader in healthy dog food. Their backcountry line offers organic ingredients and game meats processed in their “Safe Quality Food Level 3 organically-certified kitchens.” They source all their ingredients locally and their food contains no chemical additives. Merric’s Backcountry line is not only certified organic but is holistically formulated for the whole health of your dog. So it is not only a great organic option, but it is a nutritionally-dense and fortified with all the necessary nutrients your dog needs for a healthy life.
Organic dog food is a great, healthy option to feed your dog. However, since dog food does not have much oversight, especially when it comes to organic claims, you need to do a little research to ensure that you are actually buying an organic food. If you do a little research and know what to look for you can guarantee that the food matches the label claims. So if you are looking for a great organic option, start with the four listed here today. Hopefully with a little effort, you’ll find a dog food that is not only organic but perfect for your pup.
