Are you trying to find a dog food that fits your budget and that offers nutritional value for your pet?
Walking down the grocery aisle to find the perfect dog food can be an overwhelming and confusing task. Brands constantly throw around words like “holistic,” “organic,” and “all-natural,” to entice you to buy. But what do these words really even mean?
If you are considering switching to an organic dog food, don’t just grab the first bag you see off the shelf. First, you need to learn what organic really means before you buy.
Here’s everything you need to know:
What Does Organic Mean?
Organic is a word that gets thrown around a lot. However, most people don’t even know what it means.
For a dog food to be considered organic, it must comply with all the same USDA regulations human food manufacturers need to.
When a food qualifies as organic, it means it’s been raised pesticide-free for at least three years. Organic livestock must be given organic feed and access to the outdoors.
This can differ greatly from foods that are labeled as “natural” or “holistic.” Foods with this label may not have undergone chemical processes. However, their ingredients are not necessarily organic.
How Can I Tell If It’s Organic?
Organic foods will contain the USDA seal on the front. Typically, the color of the seal is black and white.
In order to receive the USDA seal of approval, the dog food must contain 95 percent organic ingredients. Dog foods that are labeled “100 percent organic” or simply “Organic” must also meet this 95 percent requirement.
Dog foods with the label “Made With Organic Ingredients” must contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients.
If you are going for 100 percent organic, it is important to read the labels carefully.
Why Buy Organic?
Dog foods that aren’t organic often contain a number of suspect ingredients. When you buy organic dog food, you can rest easy knowing that all the ingredients are natural and additive-free.
Here are some benefits to buying organic dog food:
- Improved quality of life
- Stronger immune system
- Fewer digestive disorders
- Reduction in skin ailments
- Allergy reduction
- Healthier coat
What are Some Trusted Brands?
If you are serious about making the switch to organic dog food, it may help to start with a few recommendations. The ones listed below are certified-organic and are available in most large pet food stores.
Castor & Pollux Organix
This company has won numerous awards since its founding in 2003. It offers an extensive line of premium-quality organic dog foods. All food is produced in the United States with organic chicken being their number one ingredient.
Natura Karma
Natura Karma uses extremely gently cooking procedures to ensure the quality of the ingredients isn’t compromised. They use 95 percent organic ingredients with chicken also being their number one ingredient.
Natural Planet
A family-owned pet manufacturer, Natural Planet offers a wide range of products that includes an organic line. Chicken, pumpkin, and brown rice are some of the main ingredients they use in their organic line. The brand is Oregon Tilth certified, which makes it at least 70% organic.
Of course, depending on your dog’s breed and size, it is important to take a look at more than one dog food buying guide.
Organic Dog Food: Wrap Up
Buying the right organic food can seriously make a difference in your pet’s life. So we hope this article helps you during your next trip to the pet food store.
Did we forget your favorite organic dog food? Let us know in the comments!