It wasn’t so long ago that “organic foods” were considered the sole domain of hippies and health freaks. Thanks to a nationwide revolution in food consciousness, organic foods are now sought by anyone who is concerned about their health. In the last few years, organic foods have become much more affordable and accessible to everyday consumers.
We’ve come to the point that we can even put our dogs on a diet of organic dog food. But organic dog food options–their ingredients, their nutritional value, and their definitions of “organic”–can differ greatly, just like the choices for organic people food.
To help health-conscious pet owners make a more informed decision when buying organic dog food, let’s take a look at three of the leading organic dog food brands.
Natura Pet Foods Karma
Natura makes several boutique brands of pet food with edgy names like “EVO” and “California Natural.” Natura prides itself on being–for lack of a less blunt word–better than the major manufacturers. For example, in the wake of recent pet food recalls, Natura posted on its website that all of its products have been tested for melamine, and that none of their products are contaminated because they don’t ever use “protein supplements from non-US sources.”
Karma is Natura’s premium organic line, and it’s well worth looking into for a number of reasons. For starters, they proclaim to be the most organic of all organic dog foods, stating that, “Ninety-five percent of our human grade ingredients are USDA-Certified Organic–the most of any dog food today!”
Newman’s Own Organics Premium Pet Food
Newman’s Own is probably most famous for its high-mid-end salad dressings. Surprise: the Paul Newman-endorsed company also makes organic dog food.
A significant step down from the 95% mark set by Natura, Newman’s Own Organics Premium Pet Food states that “More than 70%” of all its ingredients are organic.
Don’t put it back on the shelf just yet–remember that Natura said that 95% of Karma’s “human grade” ingredients were organic, whereas Newman’s Own is referring to “all” ingredients with that 70% number. Without knowing about the ratio of “human grade” ingredients used (or what, even, these non-“human grade” ingredients are) Newman’s 70% may be comparable–or even higher–than Natura’s 95%.
Where Newman’s Own Organics Premium Pet Food really stands out as an organic dog food is in all the things it promises not to have. There are no poultry by-products, no chemical fertilizers, no antibiotics, no steroids, no chemical additives, no artificial preservatives, no wheat or corn (some pets may be allergic), and no artificial flavors or colors. All those things removed, there’s not a lot of room left for anything but organic materials!
Nutro Ultra Holistic Dog Food
Nutro Ultra Holistic Dog Food doesn’t boast about being the most organic or least added-to. Instead, it focuses on being the healthiest and best-tasting. It may, on some levels, be a compromise between that feel-good, all-organic purchase, and a dog food that is truly healthy and satisfying for your dog.
Nutro’s biggest marketing angle is its combination of proteins: it uses chicken, lamb, and salmon in the same formula, to make sure your dog gets all the necessary proteins and amino acids (as well as DHA from the salmon.)
As if the inclusion of three meats wasn’t enough to convince you that your dog is going to enjoy it, Nutro goes on to tell us that, “more dogs prefer Ultra than other comparable brands.”
Nutro is also a bit more friendly to modern consumers; it’s website includes a handy tool that allows to search for the Nutro Ultra Holistic Dog Food dealer nearest you.
