5 Best Goat Dog Foods in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks
By Oliver Jones
Updated on
Can dogs eat goat meat? Did you know goat meat is one meat that reduces allergic reactions in dogs? It is! Therefore, it is one of the up-and-coming meats to be used in dog foods across the board. It is a lean meat, meaning it won’t have the issues fattier meats do for weight gain.
Is goat meat good for dogs? Because it is leaner it has fewer calories than beef or chicken for dogs who need to shed a few pounds while staying full. It is also an environmentally friendly way to feed your dog, as goats require less space than cattle do. If you have a picky eater, then goat’s meat may be the best way to entice your furry friend to eat.
If you are looking for a quality change for your dog, look at our reviews for the best goat dog food for your four-legged friend.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall | CANIDAE Grain-Free Pure Ancestral |
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Best Value | Zignature Goat Limited Ingredients |
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Premium Choice | ORIJEN Tundra Grain-Free |
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Brothers Goat Meal & Egg Formula |
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Zignature Goat Limited Ingredients |
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The 5 Best Goat Dog Foods
1. CANIDAE Grain-Free Red Meat Formula – Best Overall
In our number one spot, we have the CANIDAE Grain-Free Pure Ancestral Red Meat Formula with red meat. It is a freeze-dried raw coated dog food that preserves the taste of the meat for your dog. This food was created to give your dog the best food possible without the meals or meat byproducts that so many other brands have. It is as close to a raw food diet but in kibble form that you can get. It takes the prep work of the raw food diet out for you, leaving you with more time to play with your friend than prep their meals. Each 20-pound bag has 14 pounds of red meat ingredients that are regionally and ethically sourced as well. If your dog isn’t a fan of the goat formula this one is, there are three other flavors for your dog to try.
- Probiotics added to support health
- Wild-caught meats
- 6-7 meats in every formula
- Great for dogs with sensitive stomachs
- Clearly labeled ingredients
- Expensive for 20-pound bag
- Not all dogs love the goat taste
2. Zignature Goat Limited Ingredient Formula – Best Value
If you are looking for the best goat dog food for the money, then look no further than the Zignature Goat Formula. This dog food is great for those who have dogs with allergies or food sensitivities but want a balanced diet for them without the sacrifice of quality. This formula is dedicated to have a lean source of protein that is high in iron but low in calories and saturated fat to keep the energy of your dog up. This food helps improve your dog’s overall health and leaves them with a shiny coat and healthy skin. There are no grains in this food, meaning your dog won’t just be eating fillers or unhealthy food supplements.
- No grains or potatoes
- Balanced diet for all dogs
- Great for dogs with sensitive stomachs
- Hypoallergenic formula
- Expensive for 25-pound bag
- Known to make dogs gassy at first
3. ORIJEN Tundra Grain-Free – Premium Choice
With our premium choice, we have the ORIJEN brand that is made in the USA. The ORIJEN brand wants to get back to our dogs’ roots, by including the raw meats that dogs love. This diet is protein focused and biologically appropriate for your dog’s needs. Rather than having the raw meat you have to prepare, this food is freeze-dried and the outer layer is a liver-based coating for taste. With 85% animal ingredients, each bag will give your dog much-needed protein, vitamins, and minerals in the best form possible. There are at least 15 fresh ingredients in every recipe, making this the closest thing you can get to a raw diet without prepping the raw meat yourself.
- 85% quality meat in each bag
- Balanced diet for all dogs
- Made in the USA
- As close to a raw diet as possible
- Expensive for a 25-pound bag
- Sensitive stomach dogs have a slow adjustment period
4. Brothers Complete Goat Meal & Egg Formula
At our fourth spot we have Brothers Goat Meal and Egg Formula. This is the first brand on our list to include eggs in the formula. This dog food had those with allergies in mind when it was created. While it features meat, it is a goat meal product which many dog owners say isn’t the same. The most impressive thing, though, is the fact that this brand uses peas and tapioca to provide the carbohydrate content. There are no traces of corn, wheat, or potatoes, which are some of the top causes dogs to gain weight easily. Another unique ingredient for your dog is the dried algae, which is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. It stays out of our top three because it isn’t using actual goat meat.
- No grains or potatoes
- Algae for omega-3 fatty acids
- Allergy based formula
- Expensive
- Made with goat meal
5. Zignature Goat Grain-Free Canned Dog Food
While this is our only canned dog food on this list, we know that many owners with older dogs need a canned food. While we love the canned food, not all dogs love the pate texture that comes with it. Just like the kibble formula, real goat meat is the first ingredient on the list. This also contains goat meals, which not all dog owners are thrilled about. The main carbohydrate content is peas and chickpeas that are great for dogs with allergies. Since there are no grains in this formula, there are fewer opportunities for allergies to come up. Unlike other food brands, this one uses water to keep the ingredient list as simple as possible.
- No grains or potatoes
- Hypoallergenic formula
- Expensive for a can
- Goat meal is included
- Pate texture is not for every dog
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Goat Meat for Dogs
Things to Look For in Goat Meat
Once you’ve decided that goat-based dog food is the right option for you, or you just want to try it with your dog, there are things you need to be aware of before you buy the first one you see. Dog food differs in terms of quality and you want to make sure that you get the best quality you can for your dog. Not every food is going to be a great fit for your dog, and that is okay, but with the prices of different meats you want to get the right one as quickly as possible.
Protein at the Beginning
Dogs are omnivores, but a meat-based diet is going to keep them healthy. If you are looking at the ingredient list, you should see a protein at the start. In this case, it would be goat meat. If there is anything but a protein listed first, then put it back and walk away. Many brands will claim they have meat first, but in reality, it is either a meat byproduct or corn. With one on our list, it is goat-meal, but that still counts as the protein.
No Unidentified Meat Meals or Byproducts
If you can’t tell which meat the meat is coming from, then it isn’t a quality dog food. You need to stay away from products that list “meat meal” or “meat byproducts”. Why? Well, you don’t know what meat that is, and it could easily be low quality for your dog. If it is not clearly labeled, then the chances it upsets your dog’s stomach goes up and the quality of the food goes down. Always check the label for these, as they can even be lower down on the list.
No Artificial Colors or Flavors
While these aren’t harmful to your dog, they aren’t doing anything either. For some dogs, the colorings can cause food allergies to come up. If your dog has skin allergies, then stay away from brands that have artificial colors or flavorings.
High Quality and Safety Standards
Just like with your food, you don’t want it to be tainted with chemicals or contaminated with bacteria or fungi. It is impossible to completely eliminate the possibility of your dog’s food being recalled, but there is a way to make sure it happens less often. Stick to foods made in the United States, Australia, Canada, Western Europe, or New Zealand for best quality control. These countries have extensive quality control that gives you peace of mind for your dog.
Conclusion
The winner on our list of reviews is the ORIJEN Tundra Grain-Free brand. This has the highest quality at the best price for you and your dog. For our best value brand, that is the Zignature Goat Formula. While each brand comes with a price tag, you know you are getting quality ingredients and control for your dog. Hopefully, we’ve made it easier to see which goat dog food brand will work for you and your pup. It’s difficult to start out, but with our list, we have the best of the best.