The Ingredients in Organic Dog Food

With owner demand for healthy pet foods on the rise, dog foods with the label "organic" are becoming more and more available. Organic foods are foods that have been raised or processed without chemicals or additives. These are sometimes considered healthier to eat. In dog food, ingredients must be individually listed as "organic." Some organic dog foods claim to be at least 75% organic, but others may be much less. If you plan to purchase organic dog food, check the label to see how many of the ingredients are truly organic.

  1. Meat

    • A real source of protein, such as animal meat, should always be the main ingredient in dog food. This is true of organic dog foods as well. Organically raised chicken, beef or lamb are common ingredients. But the percentage of meat in organic dog food brands may be less than in non-organic foods. This is because organic meat is more expensive to purchase. Be aware that, while the meat will be free of chemicals and additives, your dog may actually be getting much less protein. Eggs or soy protein may be included to compensate, but dogs often have allergies to soy, so watch your dog carefully for reactions if you feed it an organic food with high soy content.

    Carbohydrates

    • Organic dog foods should also contain organically grown carbohydrates. Rice, wheat and soy are common sources of carbohydrates used in organic dog foods. You might also find organic oats or barley in organic dog foods. Potatoes are another source of carbohydrates that can be organically grown and included in organic dog foods. If possible, purchase an organic food that contains rice or potatoes, as dogs often have an allergic reaction to wheat.

    Fruits and Vegetables

    • For a balanced diet, your dog needs a range of vitamins and minerals. To help include these in your dog's diet, many fruits and vegetables may be included in organic dog foods. Look for organically grown carrots, apples, beets, broccoli, cranberries or spinach. Some organic dogfoods include garlic. Be aware that dogs can have difficulty processing garlic and avoid foods with high garlic content if possible. Garlic in small amounts should be safe.

    Supplements

    • You are not likely to find a dog food that is truly 100 percent organic. The Associates of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) currently requires vitamin and mineral supplements to be included in dry dog foods. These cannot be organically produced. You will find ingredients such as vitamin A, vitamin B-12, riboflavin, thiamin, folic acid, iron and calcium in organic dog food brands. These supplements are added to ensure that your dog gets a healthy balance of vitamins and minerals.