We All Want A Dog Food Brand We Can Trust
With confusing labeling, misleading marketing, and a lack of transparency so common in the world of dog food, a brands integrity can sometimes be more telling than the ingredient list.
Finding the best dog food is a process that requires attention to all details. Its a delicate balance of being conscious of the brand while not allowing what looks like a great brand history, reputation, and production process to supersede awareness of ingredients and the foods appropriateness for your dogs unique needs.
Read on as we list what are the healthiest dog food brands in the market today.
Here at DogFood.Guide we have a dedicated mission to provide dog owners like you with well-researched information so they can provide the best care and nutrition to their dogs.
Our readers rely upon the dog food reviews, articles and recall alerts that we research and publish. We also routinely update and review our own reviews ensuring that any changes by manufacturers are brought to your attention.
DogFood.Guide is maintained by Mary Nielsen & her staff. Mary is an animal lover of both dogs and cats. She and her staff are passionate about animals and work hard to provide you with a wealth of information for you and your dog.
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Instinct By Natures Variety Raw Boost Grain
Rating:
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Peas, 4. Chicken Fat, 5. Tapioca
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
- Caloric content : 4427kcal
- Analysis: Protein 37%, Fat 20.5%, Fiber 4%, Moisture 9%
- Form: Dry Food, Freeze-Dried
This grain-free, raw formula by Instinct is a mix of kibble and real chicken and other amazing ingredients to provide your dog with the best of nutrition.
The recipe is not only delicious for your furry friends but is ideal for growth and maintenance at all life stages.
The Ancestral Dietcompared To Dry Kibble
No one can argue the dry baked pellets we call dog food arent convenient. Yet the nutrient profile of a dry kibble is nowhere near the nutrient content of a dogs ancestral diet.
Notice the higher carbohydrate content of the kibble compared to the dogs natural ancestral diet. Or how about the dramatically lower protein and fat levels?
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Is Raw Dog Food Safe
Is Raw Dog Food Safe When compared with the other commercially available pet foods accessible, a raw dog diet is undoubtedly the healthiest dog food for novices. A healthy, lively dog is one of the most important aspects of having a successful dog ownership life. Raw pet foods are packed with all the ideal naturalContinue reading Is Raw Dog Food Safe
Primal Chicken Formula Nuggets Grain
Rating:
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Chicken Necks, 3. Chicken Gizzards, 4. Organic Kale, 5. Organic Carrots
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
- Caloric content : 6067kcal
- Analysis: Protein 37%, Fat 37%, Fiber 1%, Moisture 2%
- Form: Freeze-Dried
The Primal Chicken Formula Nuggets Grain-Free recipe includes protein from high-quality fresh chicken for superior levels of essential fatty acids, amino acids, and optimal levels of calcium for stronger bones and teeth.
The raw, freeze-dried formula relies on organic produce to extract essentials vitamins and minerals for your hound. The special diet is crafted without grain, soy, wheat, and corn. Highly Recommended!
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Sojos Complete Turkey Recipe Adult Grain
Rating:
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Turkey, 2. Sweet Potatoes, 3. Whole Egg, 4. Broccoli, 5. Apples
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
- Caloric content : 3604kcal
- Analysis: Protein 28%, Fat 12%, Fiber 4%, Moisture 10%
- Form: Freeze-Dried
Sojos offers a complete and balanced diet, that doesnt disappoint. If your dog loves turkey flavor, you cannot go wrong with Sojos Complete Turkey Recipe.
A healthy option free from grain, fillers, soy, preservatives, and artificial flavoring
What Is Frozen Raw Dog Food
If you made homemade food in your kitchen, then put it in the freezer, that’s frozen raw dog food.
Now think of someone else doing that for you. Just as there are companies that make kibble and canned food, there are companies that make frozen raw food. Some of these companies make frozen in addition to kibble and canned, while other companies specialize in frozen.
You can buy frozen raw food from the freezer section of your local pet store or health food store. Or you can order it online and have it shipped to your house.
Obviously you store frozen food in your freezer. The day before you feed it, you move it from the freezer to the fridge to thaw. Once thawed, you put it in your dog’s bowl.
Oh, wait! It’s cold!
Some owners don’t care. They feed it cold and most dogs gobble it right up. That’s usually fine.
But I try to be kind to my dog’s digestive system by taking the edge off the cold before I feed it. I put a large pan in the sink, fill it with hot water, and float my dog’s bowl on top of the hot water for a few minutes until it warms up a bit. Then I feed.
Primal Nuggets, an example of freeze-dried dog food
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What About Dehydrated Dog Food
With all this talk about moisture and re-hydrating, you might be wondering about “dehydrated” dog food. Perhaps you’ve seen something called dehydrated on the shelf at the pet shop. The Honest Kitchen is a common brand of dehydrated food.
But dehydrated dog food is not raw. Instead of using a cold process, the manufacturer of a dehydrated food heats it. That’s cooking, which changes the nature of the nutrients.
Now, a dehydrated dog food might be okay if you’re interested in cooked food, but not if you’re interested in the benefits of raw.
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Stella & Chewys Chicken Dinner Patties Freeze
Rating:
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken With Ground Bone, 2. Chicken Liver, 3. Chicken Gizzard, 4. Pumpkin Seed, 5. Organic Cranberries
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
- Caloric content : 4420kcal
- Analysis: Protein 48%, Fat 28%, Fiber 5%, Moisture 5%
- Form: Freeze-dried
Prepared from 100% organic fruits, vegetables and cage-free meat options, the healthy combination of sustainably-sourced ingredients guarantee maximum nutrition for your best friend.
Provide your dog the benefits of high-quality raw food nutrition while enjoying the ease of preparation. Stella and Chewys dinner patties are great for all breeds. Highly Recommended!
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Primal Turkey & Sardine Formula Nuggets
Primal Turkey & Sardine Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food is a convenient freeze-dried complete meal that features two sources of protein. This recipe is perfect for canine fish fans. It is rich in flavor and all the nutrients naturally found in its organic ingredients.
The first five ingredients of this grain-free recipe are turkey, turkey necks, whole sardines, turkey hearts or turkey gizzard, and turkey livers.
Primal Turkey & Sardine Formula Nuggets is very easy to prepare. If you want to put your dog on a raw food diet, but prefer easy feeding times, this may be the one for you. Simply break the nuggets into smaller pieces and rehydrate with water. You may also shred the nuggets if your dog prefers such texture. This turkey and sardine recipe pairs perfectly with Primals meal enhancers like bone broths, elixirs, and raw goat milk.
With fresh turkey as the main protein source, this recipe is rich in amino and essential fatty acids. Whole sardines are also included as a source of protein. Sardines are rich in omega 4 fatty acids that help dogs skin and coat health. Sardines also help promote joint health.
Aside from the flavor-packed sardines, turkey hearts or turkey gizzard, and turkey livers give this freeze-dried a rich and savory texture and flavor. All of these ingredients contribute to the 40% protein content of this recipe.
Food Focus: Primal Pet Foods
Look kids! Its a big box of Nutri-O cereal! Nutri-O is a complete meal with meaty-meat and grainy-grains. Plus, its fortified with all the necessary nutrients and vitamins your body needs. So grab your bowl and pour out a daily meal. Youre going to love it! The sharp crunchy taste of cardboard means its good for you. In no time you will have a great looking head of hair and sparkly white teeth. The best news is that you get to eat Nutri-Os again tonight and tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that, and again and again for the next 18 years! Doesnt that sound wonderful kids? Kids? Where did they go?
Are you still buying big bags of meaty cereal for your dogs and cats? Maybe its time to feed them what they really want. Dogs and cats both crave raw food. Their physiology is that of carnivores. They have sharp molars, hinged jaws, short intestinal tracts, and lack enzymes for plant digestion. These traits indicate that raw meat-based food performs well in their systems. While raw food for dogs and cats goes all the way back to caveman time modern science makes it an ideal option for today and Primal Pet Foods makes it easy.
All of this information is for you, the consumer, but lets not forget in the end consumer: your cat or dog. Our customers love the way their pets respond to Primal. Many of them report that ailments go away, digestion improves, and coats get healthier. We even hear that picky eaters step up to the bowl and polish it off.
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Is Out Of Date Dry Dog Food Ok
Food thats only a few months past the expiration is generally safe for dogs. While you may not touch a piece of expired food a day after it has expired, dogs can handle a lot more than humans can in terms of food and digestion. However, before feeding the dog this food, check it for mold and bacteria.
How Do I Start My Dog On Raw Diet
You cant abruptly switch your dogs diet from processed to raw. Prepare for a slow and steady transition. Start with easy to digest meat such as chicken or duck. Switch one of their days meal with raw and see how they respond. If they refuse to eat that meal, try serving them raw mixed with their kibble the next time. Change the quantity of meat with every meal and experiment with a different type of meat every week.
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Steves Real Food Freeze
Available as bite-sized nuggets or larger patties, Steves Real Food diets tout superior ingredients. Free range. Fresh. No antibiotics or hormones and fortified with raw goat milk. These foods are formulated to deliver complete and balanced nutrition in five protein-rich flavors.
Steve’s Real Food Frozen Dog Food
Steves Real Food offers both tater-tot sized nuggets and 8oz patties, both great options, for you to decide whats best for your dog.
Made with sustainably sourced ingredients, Primals freeze-dried formula comes in a range of protein choices with the option of either nuggets for regular meals or in treat form.
Primal Freeze-Dried Nuggets
Primals freeze-dried nuggets come in flavors like chicken, beef and lamb. Your dog can reap the benefit of dog food made of whole ingredients without you making it yourself.
About Primal Pet Foods
Primal Pet Foods is a U.S. based pet food manufacturer that is based in San Francisco, California.
The founding principle of the company is to improve your pet’s overall health and quality of life by offering top quality, wholesome raw food, highly digestible amino acids, vitamins and minerals.
The Primal Pet Food company uses fresh, human-grade meats that are antibiotic and steroid free.
The produce and minerals they use are also certified organic.
Primal Pet Food believes that educating pet owners about the importance of quality ingredients in pet foods will help pet owners make better choices for their beloved pet.
Primal Pet Food products follow the BARF principle . This principle believes that canines should eat foods similar to what their ancestors ate in the wild for optimum health.
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Vital Essentials Beef Entree Mini Nibs Grain
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Beef, 2. Beef Lung, 3. Beef Liver, 4. Beef Stomach, 5. Beef HeartGrain-free
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
- Caloric content : 4500kcal
- Analysis: Protein 51%, Fat 23%, Fiber 2.2%, Moisture 7%
- Form: Freeze-Dried
The grain-free mini nibs is a special beef entrée loaded with essential nutrients. The brand guarantees supreme quality and claims to retain all active nutritional elements in their exclusive freeze-drying process.
The recipe does not involve antibiotics, hormones, fillers, or artificial flavoring and coloring and therefore, provides your dog a more natural, healthy diet.
Petcubes Frozen Raw Dog Food
PetCubes is known to many pet parents for providing fresh dog food to the plate of for our dogs since 2013.
Interestingly, the reason why that they’re called PetCubes is their unique portioning of food into a tray of 4 cubes. This provides convenient feeding and easy for the pet parent to thaw the necessary feeding portion.
They have an excellent range of raw dog food with 7 flavours of single-protein formulas that are also suitable for diet-sensitive dogs.
A summary of PetCubes Frozen Raw Dog Food:
- 70% of fresh meat ingredients.
- 25% of organic vegetables or seasonal vegetables.
- 5% of supplements and fruits.
- Specify the parts of the meat used.
- Meat proteins are sourced from Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, and Norway.
- Organic vegetables are sourced from local hydroponic farms.
- Ingredients are gently cooked at 80°C to preserve their natural vitamins and minerals.
- Their raw dog food does not contain preservatives, fillers, additives, GMO ingredients, by-products, and grain.
- 100% complete & balanced meal.
We have also compiled some PetCubes reviews by pet parents who had let their dog tried their fresh food.
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The Foundational Recipe: Raw Diet Ingredients
Muscle meat is no different from the animal protein we eat ourselves. Boneless items like chicken breasts or thighs, ground beef or steak, and pork shoulder are all muscle meat options. Fortunately, when it comes to feeding meat to our dog we can utilize cheaper cuts of meat that are equally as nutritious. See below for a complete listing of animal protein options and cuts of meat you can feed your dog:
Animal protein, in the form of muscle meat, is the foundation of a raw diet and will make up the majority of your dogs raw meals. It supplies the nutrients necessary for a complete and balanced diet, including protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.
Primal Raw Frozen Dog Venison Patties
Sizes - 6lbs
Description
Primal Formulas offer the convenience and benefits of a well-balanced, safe and wholesome raw-food diet without having to grind, chop, measure or mix the ingredients yourself. At Primal Pet Foods, they've taken the time to sustainably source, carefully formulate and lovingly produce a nutritious, raw food diet that is easy for you to serve and delectable for pets to devour. The proof is watching them lick the bowl clean and thrive! PRONTO: Thaws in minutes and comes in a convenient, bite-sized, easy-to-portion formatjust scoop and serve! Made with high-quality protein and Certified Organic produce, crafted especially for your canine.
NUGGETS:
A complete & balanced raw food dietwithout having to grind, chop, measure, or mix the ingredients yourself. Made with high-quality protein and Certified Organic produce, crafted especially for your canine. PATTIES: Our complete & balanced Raw Frozen Formula in a larger portion thats ideal for larger dogs or multi-dog families. Made with high-quality protein and Certified Organic produce, crafted especially for your canine.
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Natures Logic Chicken Feast Patties Raw Frozen Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Chicken Liver, 3. Chicken Heart, 4. Montmorillonite Clay, 5. Herring Oil
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
- Caloric content : 1200kcal
- Analysis: Protein 12%, Fat 7%, Fiber 3%, Moisture 72%
- Form: Frozen
Regarded as a great source of natural calcium, Natures Logic raw diet is made from 90% poultry and is an excellent way to add the best protein and high-quality nutrition to your poochs diet.
Rich in all essential vitamins and minerals, the grain-free formula is one of the top picks for dog owners of all breeds.
Most Affordable Raw Dog Food
Feeding your pet raw food is bound to be more expensive than kibble, but weve compiled a list of optionsorganized by price, starting with the most affordable and concluding with the most expensive so you can keep an eye on your budget while making the best decision for your dog.
For the raw-curious but deeply budget-minded shopper, keep in mind that you can stretch some of these options as meal toppers or mix-ins to your dogs regular diet.
Instinct specializes in raw food and it has several variations of base proteins available, including beef, cage-free chicken, and grass-fed lamb. These recipes contain 85% meat and organs, which are frozen and cold-pressured to preserve freshness and nutrients. Instinct uses a USDA-recognized pathogen-reduction process called High Pressure Processing to ensure safe raw food.
Available in five protein choices, including rabbit and venison, these raw frozen patties are made with whole-food ingredients including single-source animal proteins and grain-free carbohydrates.
Natures Logic Raw Frozen Patties
Natures Logic frozen chicken patties are a great raw food option, including all whole food ingredients, 90% of which are poultry.
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