Organic dog food is growing in popularity -- are you looking for the best brand, or are you making the switch for your canine's diet? The best organic dog foods generally have fewer ingredients, most of which are recognizable. A high quality meat source should be the number one ingredient and should be named first. Fillers are designed to make dogs feel full without actually providing fully satisfying ingredients. Castor & Pollox offers the Organix line, which is purposefully lacking common fillers like corn, wheat, and soy. Taste of the Wild gives options suitable for all stages of a dog's development. For those concerned with puppy specific formulas, Wellness and Orijen have foods high in proteins that come in the right sized kibble for small breeds through giants. Read on to learn more about choosing the best organic dog food.
For starters, this organic dog food offers a completely balanced canine diet. The proper amounts of protein and fiber are in the formula whether it's primarily from salmon and peas, lamb and peas, or its Free Range Recipe with Raw Bites. Vitamins and minerals are abundant, along with omega-3 fatty acids that work their magic on the skin and coat. Corn, wheat, and soy are not to be found in Organix. It's one of the most nutritious high-protein organic dog foods available.
Senior dogs require less protein than younger dogs and puppies because they are not quite as active anymore. In place of the added protein, foods including glucosamine and chondroitin may be better options for seniors. Puppies are the inverse, with the higher energy breeds demanding even higher protein levels. Many organic dog foods formulated for puppies are split into recipes specific to breed size, as is seen with the Wellness puppy line.
Puppies under four months still need three evenly spaced feedings per day. After four months up through to adulthood, pups should be fed twice a day. One feeding should be first thing in the morning so a potty break can happen before work. Growing younger pups need that boost of energy mid-day, while older pups can wait until early evening for their next boost.
Taste of the Wild has several puppy specific formulas, but it can be tough to buy separate food for each dog. Luckily they also have formulas that are great for all stages of development. Taste of the Wild-Wetlands Dog Food is grain-free. Highly digestible energy sources from fowl, sweet potatoes, and peas. Fruits and veggies provide natural antioxidants that boost immune systems.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is actually responsible for quality of organic dog foods on the market. As far as keeping a check on proper levels of ingredients, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) are in charge of maintaining standards.
Once pet owners realize how much healthier organic dog foods are, they are often eager to switch right away. Switching overnight may cause a dog to refuse the new food. It is beneficial to make the transition over the course of at least a week, possibly two. With each meal increase the amount of new food as the amount of old food is decreased.
Many dogs with allergies suffer from sensitivities to common fillers like soy, wheat, and corn. These three fillers provide very little nutritional value and can lead some dogs into bouts of bloat or inflammatory bowel disease. Processed foods are not as easy for a dog's body to break down, so they miss out on some nutrients. Low quality food is missing the whole, unprocessed meats, veggies, and fruits commonly found in organic versions.
Organix has wet, dry (grain-free), and dry (grain-free) with freeze-dried raw meat. More than ten of their canned recipes are Non-GMO Project Verified. Newman's Own and Wellness are also top picks for real meat sources in both wet and dry options like chicken, salmon, and lamb.