10 best holistic dog foods

Diet plays an important role in the life of a domestic dog. Every animal owner strives to ensure that his pet has everything necessary for full life and activity. The activity, mood and health of your pet largely depend on nutrition. Today on the market you can find a variety of types of food - dry, canned, containing an increased amount of vitamins, and so on. However, even with such variety, veterinarians cannot finally decide which one is the best.

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The fact is that such food contains absolutely all the ingredients necessary for the animal, and their sources are only products of natural origin, and of the highest quality. In general, speaking relatively speaking, all dry food for dogs can be divided into several key groups:

Holistics;
Super premium class;
Premium type;
Economical food.

For small breeds

Food for small breeds has a higher calorie content. The smaller the dog, the more often it freezes, since it is in the lower, cold layers of air. In addition, small dogs have a very fast metabolism. The increased caloric content of the food allows the dog to warm itself and remain active.

Popular holistic foods for small breeds:

NOW Natural holistic.
Belcando Finest Light – Holistic.
Barking Heads.
Acana Heritage Adult Small Breed.

Note! Most manufacturers produce food for small dogs with a small fraction of granules.

GO! NATURAL HOLISTIC (Canada)

The manufacturer uses products grown free-range in Canada. Thus, the ingredients contain those products that are suitable for human nutrition, with the only difference being that the ingredients for dogs undergo a different type of processing - low temperature and steaming. The meat undergoes triple safety checks.

Line GO! NATURAL HOLISTIC:

GO! FIT + FREE – grain-free food (separate ones for puppies and dogs of different breeds);
GO! REFRESH + RENEW (whole grain;
GO! SENSITIVITY + SHINE – a line for animals with allergies and sensitive digestion.

Classic composition:

45-55% meat;
15-25% other type of meat (usually turkey);
10% of another type of meat (usually fish or chicken);
vegetables (potatoes, peas, lentils, pumpkin, carrots, zucchini, broccoli, spinach and others);
fruits (bananas, black currants, papaya, guarantor, rose hips and others);
canola oil, coconut oil;
dried rosemary, green tea extract, mint, parsley, chamomile, dandelion, cedoaria, fennel, turmeric, juniper berries, licorice, calendula extract, cardamom, cloves;
alfalfa sprouts, dried chicory root, Aspergillus fermentation product, dried Aspergillus fermentation product, sodium chloride, taurine.

Does not contain by-products, dyes, hormones and GMOs.

The manufacturer not only supports farmers and buys meat from them, but also cares about the environment. The product packaging consists of starch, which dissolves in the natural environment in the same way as cardboard or paper bags.

Dry food for puppies

Holistic food is suitable for consumption not only by adults, but also by puppies, starting from one month of age. If the babies have not yet cut their teeth, then the food is soaked in water. Dry food for puppies is divided into categories according to breed: small, medium and large.

Before the age of one year, a balanced diet is extremely important for dogs. To do this, you should purchase food that contains minimally processed fresh meat, fish, fruits, vegetables and eggs. This diet contains a large amount of protein, which is useful for building muscle mass in puppies. But the amount of carbohydrates in such feeds is minimal.

List of the best holistic foods

Now Fresh food

This type of pet food is produced in Canada and delivered to domestic zoological stores through the network of an official distributor. The food formula is designed for most breeds, regardless of their age. The main difference from other products is that it is absolutely hypoallergenic and does not contain chicken meat or gluten. For the most picky animals, you can find formulations on sale that contain neither chicken nor gluten, and for the most demanding dogs in terms of nutrition, there is food containing salmon, venison and even duck. The range of feed is very wide. There are two types of food - dry and wet. This manufacturer’s approach allows you to choose the best option for the individual physiological needs of your pet. Another important factor is that this food is suitable for both puppies and pregnant and lactating females; even older dogs can be fed with it.

The food is completely balanced. It contains everything necessary for the normal development of the animal’s body, regardless of size and breed. There are no artificial colors, hormones, meat flour, soy or grains. You can be completely sure that the animal will receive only high-quality protein from food, which will be absorbed almost instantly. The composition contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which tidy up the dog’s coat and restore elasticity to blood vessels, muscles and tissues.

Advantages:

Perfectly balanced composition;
Almost all dogs consume it with appetite;
Helps fight excess weight;
Returns the animal activity and cheerfulness.

Flaws:

It is almost impossible to find large packages of such food in pet stores.

Holistic food Now Fresh

Applaws food

The food has been produced since 2009, literally immediately from the moment it appeared on the market, it became widely known largely due to its natural composition and a significant amount of vitamins, minerals, microelements and simply nutrients. If you feed the animal only this food, it will receive the full amount of animal protein and the required amount of meat. The food manufacturing technology was developed with the involvement of experienced veterinarians and specialists qualified in the field of animal nutrition. Manufacturers initially positioned their products as food for dogs with the highest protein content of very high quality. Moreover, it is obtained from raw materials that meet standards applicable even to humans. It is worth noting that food from this manufacturer is much cheaper than its analogues. This is due to the fact that the company produces only food for dogs without producing any additional accessories - collars, shampoos and other animal care products.

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In general, this line includes 24 types of food at once - 11 dry and 13 wet. The last group includes mousses, pieces in jelly, pates, and so on. Most of the products produced are designed for adult dogs, but there is also food for puppies. The composition does not contain gluten derivatives - cereals and flour, since in many dogs this substance can lead to allergic dermatitis, and in particularly difficult cases, even cause ulcers in the digestive tract. Instead of such components, natural potato starch and corn flour are used.

Advantages:

Food from this manufacturer contains a significant proportion of natural protein;
Only the highest quality raw materials are used to produce food;
A very wide range for dogs of different ages and breeds;
The cost is lower compared to similar products from other manufacturers.

Flaws:

Some foods do contain ingredients that can cause an allergic reaction;
Veterinarians do not recommend giving this diet to animals with liver disease.

Applaws food

Feed Platinum

The products of this German company belong to the category of feed of the highest quality. It differs significantly from similar products in that it is not completely dry food. This mixture is much softer and wetter than compounds from other manufacturers. Largely due to this approach, it is possible to prevent the pellets from the animal’s stomach from swelling and, accordingly, a false feeling of fullness will not arise - this will protect the digestive tract from too much stress and overeating. The composition contains about 70% fresh meat, and it undergoes a unique processing technology. All ingredients fully comply with the very high requirements that apply even to human food. The food is digested almost completely, so the animal’s waste is minimal. There are practically no unnecessary components, so there will be no excessive load on the liver and kidneys.

This line of food contains cold-pressed oils and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which have a positive effect on the condition of the dog’s coat. The food is produced on the basis of several basic recipe formulas and directions. There are formulations for very small puppies, teenage dogs, adults, pregnant and lactating dogs, and there is also food for older animals.

Advantages:

A significant amount of meat in the feed;
Not completely dry food;
The composition contains only natural ingredients;
The animal never overeats;
Attractive packaging.

Flaws:

It's quite expensive.

Feed Platinum

Piccolo food

Food of British origin, which is absolutely hypoallergenic and completely safe and beneficial for the health of the animal. The composition contains over 70% meat, with most of it being fresh and heat-treated. In addition to meat, there is another source of protein, which is a dehydrated egg, which is also rich in protein. Therefore, you can be completely sure that most of the proteins contained in this food are of animal origin. This food does not contain grain crops. Potatoes, peas and sweet potatoes are used as a source of carbohydrates. The food contains a small amount of vegetables, fruits and medicinal herbs - they contain various vitamins and microelements that have a positive effect on the condition of the animal’s coat and digestive organs.

This food appeared on the Russian market not so long ago - about a year ago, but it immediately became very popular among domestic dog breeders. This food allows the dog to be satisfied even with a small amount of food. It contains a small amount of moisture, the food is crunchy - dogs eat it with great pleasure.

Advantages:

The main source of protein here is natural meat that has undergone full heat treatment, and not corn or by-products, as is the case in lower quality feeds;
A significant amount of minerals, vitamins and other useful substances;
The composition does not contain grain crops - minimal likelihood of allergic reactions;
Only natural preservatives are added, without dyes or flavors.

Flaws:

Expensive;
There is little food for small breed dogs;
Rarely found in regular pet stores.

food holistic Piccolo

Grandorf feed

The products belong to the highest class of food for dogs - they contain exclusively natural ingredients. Due to this, the food is as close as possible to the natural diet of animals. The composition is produced in Belgian and Italian production facilities. The formula is carefully balanced - with its help it will be possible to maintain not only the health of the animal, but also its attractive appearance for many years. The nutritional composition was developed taking into account the opinions of experienced veterinarians and professional breeders, and the wishes of customers are also taken into account. Only the most modern equipment and the latest technologies are used in the production process. According to the owners of the enterprise, the result is the healthiest food for dogs.

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Contains no ingredients such as beets or corn. There are no low-quality meat products here either, as well as chicken and chicken fat - the latter components often cause allergic reactions. The food contains a decent amount of natural meat of various origins - lamb, veal, rabbit, duck, fish and turkey. In the line you can find types of food, where four or even five types of meat products are combined at once. Each food in this line contains a certain amount of rice, which is a source of complex carbohydrates and does not cause allergic reactions. All vitamin supplements are natural; turkey fat, rich in fats and saturated acids, is added to the feed. One of the distinctive qualities of the product is Antarctic krill - a small crustacean that is added as a kind of filler, but it has useful qualities: it allows the product to be better absorbed in the animal’s intestines.

Advantages:

Very useful food for digestion;
The dog returns to health, the coat acquires a natural shine and silkiness;
Even for a large animal, a small amount of food is sufficient;
There are no digestive tract disorders.

Flaws:

A little expensive.

Grandorf feed

Acana food

Another Canadian product that has been on the market for about 30 years. During all this time, the company's employees have been improving the food formula for dogs, bringing it to the ideal. The composition of the food is optimal for all breeds and ages - each type contains whole meat, fresh sea fish, which contains large amounts of phosphorus and iodine, healthy vegetables, and many vitamins. There are no grains in the food, instead only animal protein and vegetables. The dosage of food varies - in this case, you need to take into account the age of the dog, its size and the activity of the breed. The percentage of proteins and animal fats here is quite high, so you need to give your pet food in strict accordance with the table indicated on the package, otherwise there is a possibility of overfeeding the animal. This effect often leads to serious health problems - obesity causes problems with the heart and circulatory system.

Often, products are produced in the form of granules, which are filled with meat and vegetables inside; herring oil acts as a source of fat. The food contains no genetically modified products. The food has a gentle effect on the gastrointestinal tract, is well absorbed in the intestines, producing a minimal amount of waste. Some foods contain oats, which stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent the formation of fatty deposits.

Advantages:

Significantly improves the appearance of the animal;
The dog becomes more energetic;
Does not cause allergic reactions or digestive disorders.

Flaws:

The animal can become much more sexually active.

holistic food Acana

Canagan feed

British products, and the manufacturer produces food not only for dogs, but also for cats, as well as for a number of other pets. The line includes both dry and wet food of several types. The sources of protein here are carefully ground flour from dried chicken meat, as well as chicken fillet, from which even the smallest bones are selected. The source of protein is a dehydrated egg, which also contains a whole range of other nutrients. Animal protein is supplemented with vegetable protein - it is represented by pea protein, the content of which is at least 3%.

Sources of carbohydrates are potatoes, peas and sweet potatoes; there is also a sufficient amount of fiber, which is represented by alfalfa. A significant percentage of fats and fatty acids are represented by salmon oil and chicken fat. Vitamin and mineral complexes are completely natural. In addition to alfalfa, there are small amounts of carrots, apples, spinach, plantain seeds, chamomile, mint - all of them help to fully saturate your pet's body with the right amount of fiber.

Advantages:

Chicken and fish are sources of protein;
Quite a significant amount of auxiliary substances - minerals, vitamins;
Preservatives here are only of natural origin;
Quite a large range of different foods for many dog breeds.

Flaws:

Chicken meat is often the cause of allergic reactions;
Not too common in stores;
Expensive.

Canagan dog food

Orijen food

In third place in our review of the best holistic dog foods is another Canadian-made product, which has been on the market for more than 20 years. Production and packaging of food takes place only in one single enterprise, where product quality is strictly monitored. This helps prevent counterfeits, so the dog will fully receive the required amount of all nutrients - calories, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Throughout the life of the company, the feed has been improved and a unique formula has been developed. In particular, products that have gone through the freezing process are not used here, nor are powdered or pre-dried components used. The product line is represented by a set of solid and freeze-dried foods; there are also special treats for animals that will be very useful during the training process.

The principle of similarity between a domestic dog and a wild wolf, as well as analogies in their nutritional needs, was adopted as the basis for the manufacture of products. In general, this is partly correct, since the digestive system of these animals is similar to each other and is initially adapted for digesting raw meat with a small amount of carbohydrates and plant fiber.

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Advantages:

The ingredients of the food are completely natural;
There are no flavorings, dyes, or flavor enhancers;
Preservatives of natural origin;
The food formula is as close as possible to the natural diet;
Quite often found on sale.

Flaws:

The food particles are quite small - they often slip between the dog’s teeth, which is why the eating process is delayed.

Orijen dog food

Riverwood food

The only product in our review is Czech-made. This diet is based on meat meal made from duck, turkey and pheasant. All these products are a source of high-quality animal protein. The food also contains a small amount of pea protein, but it is very small - 2% of the total food mass. Dried poultry meat does not contain bones or cartilage, only fillet parts. There is no grain at all; instead, as already mentioned, peas are used, as well as pea starch, which also acts as a thickener and also helps the feed granules retain their shape.

Dried summer apple pulp serves as a source of fiber. Hydrolyzed protein is a natural flavor and aroma additive. There are a number of artificially synthesized substances - chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate. They are very beneficial for joints, restore cartilage tissue, and improve digestion. There is also yucca, a substance that reduces the odor of animal excrement, as well as calendula extract with its bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties. A very original decision on the part of the manufacturer was to add crushed dried cranberries, which contain a very large amount of antioxidants.

Advantages:

Meat and fish serve as a source of protein;
A significant amount of vitamins, minerals and a number of other beneficial substances;
Preservative of natural origin;
There are no grain crops here;
Quite a large range of food.

Flaws:

It is practically not found on the open market - you need to order it online.

Riverwood food

Food Essential

Personally, we are not at all surprised that the leaders in the review of the best holistic dog foods were these British-made products. The fact is that here the source of protein is noble and rare meat - lamb and venison, and many varieties of such food are supplemented with dehydrated lamb, a whole egg and a small amount of dehydrated boneless chicken. There are practically no plant proteins here - almost all protein is of animal origin. Its composition of amino acids is quite large, and the food itself is produced at a temperature of about 90 degrees, which allows it to retain the maximum amount of useful compounds. The composition does not contain grain crops, instead legumes are added - sweet potatoes, peas, there is a small proportion of potatoes, which is also a source of fiber. Flaxseed oil is much richer in its beneficial qualities than ordinary vegetable oil: it contains many unsaturated fatty acids and fiber.

This food contains many trace elements, minerals and vitamins. All of them are useful for the general condition of the animal’s body: they improve digestion, restore joints, cartilage tissue, which is very important for large breed animals. The diet also contains seaweed, which contains a significant dose of iodine; they also have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Complies with the BOF principle, which optimizes your pet's blood sugar levels. This promotes good functioning of the whole body, improved health and longevity. 90 percent of this food's ingredients are grown, harvested or sourced in Scotland, Wales or England.

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Advantages:

Made from noble varieties of free-range meat: partridge, venison, lamb, black angus beef, wild pigeon, Scottish salmon;
Maintains stable blood sugar levels throughout the day;
Minimum amount of carbohydrates, large amounts of meat and vegetables;
Manufactured at low temperatures, this allows you to preserve the usefulness of all products;
The cost is lower than analogues from other manufacturers.

Flaws:

You will have to look in stores, but no other disadvantages were found.

BRIT CARE (Czech Republic)

The manufacturer positions its food as super-premium, but in terms of composition and quality it can easily be called holistic. There are no potentially harmful additives - soy, GMOs, flavors, flavor enhancers, grains, and so on. The food is exclusively hypoallergenic and made from easily digestible ingredients.

BRIT CARE line:

dry food for small breeds;
dry grain-free food for dogs of different ages and breeds, in which the source of animal protein is salmon;
gluten-free dry food;
products for special care (for show dogs, for weight loss, etc.);
complete canned food without added grains;
food additive Salmon Oil, made from salmon oil.

Pros:

improves immunity;
improves health;
prevents the development of diseases and allergies;
improves the condition of hair and teeth;
quality ingredients are used;
contains vitamins and minerals;
the required amount of natural fiber, proteins, fats.

Minuses:

brewer's yeast in the composition can be perceived differently by the body;
ash in the composition;
difficult to find in online stores.

The composition and nutritional value of BRIT CARE food is truly holistic, despite the brewer's yeast and ash. Therefore, you can be sure that the dog will eat naturally and healthy. The only question is whether the dog’s body will accept such nutrition. This can only be verified by personal experience.

Summary

If we compare the “super premium” class (which includes the Blitz Classic and Sensitive lines) with the “holistic” class, the latter is an even more useful and carefully balanced product. It is ideal for any pet, but is especially indicated for animals that need to constantly maintain shape or restore health, in particular, high-breed animals (which attract the sympathy of judges and spectators at exhibitions), with a sensitive gastrointestinal tract or weakened pets.

The advantages of Blitz Holistic wet food are interesting formulas, varied consistency and quality of raw materials: it contains fresh meat, natural fruits and vegetables, and is also as detailed as possible. And another important advantage is simple logistics, which allows us to maintain competitive prices and demand for products.

What to look for when choosing

First of all, on the composition and price category of the product. Good food cannot be cheap, just as an expensive product may not correspond in composition to the stated price. When buying food for your pet, you should ensure that meat or fish comes first in the composition, indicating the type of product and the percentage. These ingredients should be followed by vegetables, then grains and fruits.

Note! If the second place in the food composition is taken by rice, rice flour and other grains, then this product is far from holistic class, despite the stated price.

As for the cost, the average price for a bag weighing 11-15 kg (depending on the manufacturer) is 8,000 rubles.

Myth three

I don't buy holistic because it's expensive. And the benefits of holistic food are just marketing. And in general, all food is the same...

I repeatedly see publications by supporters of natural nutrition (which, by the way, I treat with great respect) saying that all ready-made food is the same. And they are all very... mmm... mediocre quality.

To prove these words, they cite photographs and video materials taken at some factories, which show that the ingredients used to make the feed are not fresh, of poor quality, and indeed there is no meat in it, but there are some incomprehensible components. By appealing to these materials, haters of ready-made diets are talking about the dishonesty of everyone without exception, say opponents of dry food.

Friends! We all work in one way or another to earn money, and this is no secret. There are probably few people in our world who can afford to work without pay at all, and yes, feed manufacturers are no exception.

MERA NATURE'S EFFECT (Germany)

Dry dog food is produced in Germany. The manufacturer guarantees that it uses exclusively natural ingredients, without adding flavor enhancers, dyes or preservatives. The ingredients on the packaging are accurate, so the buyer can be confident that the product is natural, environmentally friendly and beneficial for their pet.

The food contains at least 50% meat. Hydrolyzed protein is used. When waterproofing, complex proteins that can cause allergies are broken down into amino acids and become easily digestible and safe for the body. Additionally, liver hydroisolate is used. The liver is crushed into small particles and is not perceived as an allergen.

In addition to proteins, the food contains a balanced level of BJU, useful amino acids and vitamins are added.

Pros:

the main part of the protein is of animal origin;
good vitamin and mineral supplement;
source of carbohydrates – rice (wheat and corn are not used, or are used in small quantities);
varied line.

Minuses:

contains corn gluten;
It is not specified which antioxidants are used.

Reviews of MERA dog food are both positive and negative. Some pets cannot take protein hydroisolate. But for those whose body has accepted the composition of the product, MERA food is useful.

For large breeds

Food for large breeds should be balanced so that the dog has enough energy, but does not gain excess weight. For long-haired large dogs, preventative food is recommended to prevent skin problems.

Popular holistic foods for large breeds:

Acana Heritage Adult Large Breed.
Summit holistic.
NOW Natural holistic grain-free food “Weight control.
Barking Heads.

Important! When choosing a diet for large breeds, it is extremely important to prevent excess weight gain. Obesity in a large dog is a fast track to heart failure and arthritis.