Types of Organic Dog Food

Our canine companions are often willing and even enthusiastic about wolfing down nearly any dinner. However, discerning pet owners in pursuit of the healthiest and most eco-friendly diet for their dogs may turn to organic dog food. The Organic Trade Commission states that the sale of organic pet food is growing almost three times faster than the sale of organic food for humans. Some of the major producers of organic dog food offer distinct products to meet the nutritional needs of the dog while meeting organic standards.

  1. Newman's Own Organics

    • Newman's Own Organics is known for providing quality organic products, and its repertoire now extends to dogs. Organic dog food from Newman's Own Organics contains natural chicken, chicken meal and chicken fat from animals that were raised without growth hormones or antibiotics. The food also contains organic grains and vegetable products that are certified by the USDA-National Organics Program. The food does not contain poultry byproducts, chemical fertilizers, antibiotics, steroids or chemical additives. It is also free from artificial preservatives, flavors and colors.

    ORGANIX

    • ORGANIX is a dog food produced by Castor and Pollux, a pet food company. The organic canine formula features organic, free-range chicken with organic grains and vegetables. The formula also includes organic fruit and vegetable purees to enhance the flavor. Corn, wheat, byproducts and ethoxyquin are strictly banned from this dog food. All of the ingredients in ORGANIX are approved for consumption by the USDA, and the food is certified as organic by the Organic Crop Improvement Association.

    Karma

    • Karma Organic Dry Dog Food is produced by Natura Pet Products. Karma dog food contains organic free-range chicken and organic grains. The food also contains organic fruits and vegetables including beets, spinach, broccoli and blueberries. Karma dog food is certified organic by OneCert, which follows the USDA National Organic Program.

    Other Brands

    • New brands of organic pet foods are coming on the market as companies realize how lucrative the business is. Organic dog foods typically sell for at least twice the price of standard dog foods. When selecting an organic dog food, the most important consideration at is the list of ingredients. The term organic implies that the ingredients have not been treated with chemicals or hormones. For an organic certification, the food must have at least 95 percent organic ingredients. Before changing your dog's diet to any organic dog food, consult your veterinarian.

    Natural Foods

    • Another term that is often used in reference to healthier dog food is "natural." While natural dog foods are similar to organic foods, they do vary slightly in their requirements. The American Association of Feed Control Officials states that natural products are those "not having been produced by or subject to a chemically synthetic process and not containing any additives or processing aids that are chemically synthetic except in amounts as might occur unavoidably in good manufacturing practices." Natural labels are not as stringent as organic labels, however. The main focus of natural foods is that they are minimally processed, as opposed to organic foods that may be highly processed, but that are processed using organic ingredients and methods.