Pet Circle

    Last Updated: 07/05/2025

    Best Natural Dog Food

    What makes a pet food 'natural'? What are the benefits of a natural diet for your dog? Find out all the answers along with the best natural dog foods.

    Author: Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)

    Reading Time: 9 minutes - short read

    Posted by
    Pet Circle Team
    TAGS
    natural dog food, natural diet, food label, meat meal,
    cereals
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    Have you ever looked at the ingredients on the bag for your dog's food and seen words you don't recognize? While it can be tempting to make your canine companion's food at home to avoid indecipherable ingredients, it is very difficult to ensure that home made diets contain adequate and balanced nutrition. There is now a wealth of high quality, complete and balanced natural dog foods available making it easy, convenient and economical to feed your dog a diet that is both natural and balanced without the fuss.

    What is a Natural Dog Food?

    Natural pet foods are defined by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) as those made from only natural ingredients derived from plant, animal or mined sources with no chemical alterations or synthetic additives, including ingredients like artificial colours, flavours and preservatives.

    Benefits of Natural Dog Foods

    Many high quality natural dog foods are formulated with a holistic approach to your dog's health, using wholesome, natural ingredients with known beneficial properties.

    • Essential Fatty Acids
    • Essential fatty acids including omega 3 and 6's can offer a host of benefits for your dog. Diets enriched with essential fatty acids from natural sources including fish, green lipped mussel or flaxseeds can help to support healthy skin and a shiny coat as well as joint health and mobility.
    • Antioxidants
    • Antioxidants are found in many natural ingredients, particularly fruits and vegetables including blueberries, cranberries, tomatoes, carrots and spinach. Antioxidants protect the body's cells from the destructive effects of free radicals, helping to support a healthy immune system and fight premature ageing.
    • Prebiotics & Probiotics
    • Many natural diets for dogs include prebiotics or probiotics, to help support the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. The right balance of beneficial bacteria can help to improve digestion, helping to prevent problems like diarrhoea and flatulence.
    • Alternative Protein & Carbohydrate Sources
    • Another benefit of natural diets is that they are often formulated with alternative protein and carbohydrate sources like duck, fish, venison and sweet potato. This can make natural diets a good choice for some dogs who may have developed sensitivities to ingredients commonly found in other foods like beef, chicken or soy.

    In summary, if you prefer to feed your dog a diet made from only natural ingredients, a high quality, natural dog food from top brands like Canidae, Taste of the Wild or Hill's Ideal Balance may be the choice for you. Not only do these products save you hours slaving in the kitchen, they also mean your precious pooch reaps the benefits of complete and balanced holistic nutrition.