10 Best Holistic Dog Foods – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks
By Kit Copson
Updated on
We all want top-notch nutrition for our dogs, which is why we’re always on the lookout for the healthiest and most highly-reviewed foods on the market. For this reason, in recent years, more and more dog parents are turning to foods with labels like “all-natural” or “holistic”.
The word “holistic” means to focus on the whole. In dog food terms, the label hints at the inclusion of high-quality ingredients that support overall health. That said, it’s important to note that the “holistic” label is not AAFCO-defined, so any brand can include it on its packaging without regulation.
If you’re curious about holistic dog food brands, here are some bestselling formulas with many positive reviews.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall
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Annamaet Original Extra |
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Check Price |
Best Value
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Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula |
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Check Price |
Premium Choice
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Earthborn Holistic Great Plains Feast |
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Check Price |
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Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy |
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Check Price | |
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Annamaet Original Senior Dry Dog Food |
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Check Price |
The 10 Best Holistic Dog Foods
1. Annamaet Original Extra Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Formula – Best Overall
| Main ingredients: | Chicken meal, brown rice, sorghum, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols) |
| Protein content: | 26% min |
| Fat content: | 16% min |
| Calories: | 3992 kcal/kg, 425 kcal/cup |
The Annamaet Original Extra Chicken Meal and Brown Rice Formula is our best overall holistic dog food pick. This vet-formulated, USA-made recipe contains omega-3 fatty acids in the form of marine microalgae, L-carnitine for lean muscle maintenance and cognitive function, DHA for brain development, prebiotics for digestive health, and chelated minerals for immunity.
This formula has garnered largely glowing customer reviews, with praise for its high quality and enjoyment factor, even for the pickiest of eaters. It also comes in a variety of bag sizes ranging from 5 pounds to 40 pounds, so it may be a good option for those who want to try it out without buying a huge bag the first time. On the downside, it’s a pretty pricey option.
- Formulated by vets and nutritionists
- Made in the USA
- Supports lean muscle mass, immunity, digestion, and brain health
- Contains marine microalgae as an omega-3 fatty acids source
- Sustainable packaging
- Pricey
2. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe – Best Value
| Main ingredients: | Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley |
| Protein content: | 24% min |
| Fat content: | 14% min |
| Calories: | 3,618 kcal/kg, 377 kcal/cup |
Though far from the cheapest dog food, Blue Buffalo’s Life Protection Formula is our best holistic dog food for the money pick because it’s a very popular and highly-reviewed product that’s less expensive than some of its holistic competitors.
The Life Protection Formula is made with deboned chicken and supports bone and tooth health with calcium, phosphorus, and essential vitamins, joint health with glucosamine, and immune health with antioxidants and chelated minerals. It also contains a variety of vegetables and fruits, including sweet potatoes, carrots, blueberries, and cranberries.
This product is very highly-reviewed overall, though one issue that has been mentioned is that some dogs pick out the LifeSource Bits that are included in the kibble.
- More affordable than some of its competitors
- A variety of bag sizes are available
- Supports joint, immune, bone, and tooth health
- Formulated to keep the skin and coat healthy
- The first ingredient is deboned chicken
- Some dogs may pick out the LifeSource Bits
3. Earthborn Holistic Great Plains Feast Grain-Free – Premium Choice
| Main ingredients: | Bison meal, peas, pea protein, tapioca |
| Protein content: | 32% min |
| Fat content: | 18% min |
| Calories: | 3,780 kcal/kg, 400 kcal/cup |
Note on grain-free diets: Foods containing grain are beneficial for the majority of dogs, excluding those with allergies. Please check with your vet whether or not a grain-free diet would benefit your dog.
Note on legumes: Peas make up one of the main ingredients of this formula. Legumes as a main ingredient are currently under FDA investigation for potential heart disease concerns. No conclusions have yet been made, but it’s good to be aware of this.
If your pup isn’t a fan of chicken and you’re in need of an alternative, Earthborn Holistic’s Great Plains Feast recipe, which is chicken-free (but not egg-free), might be worth looking into. This recipe contains bison meal in addition to other protein sources like beef meal and pacific whiting meal. It’s grain and gluten-free and supports weight control and muscle mass with L-carnitine.
In addition, it contains both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids to help keep the skin and coat in good condition, and a variety of fruits and veggies including spinach, carrots, and apples. The large majority of reviews are very positive, and some customers have mentioned that it has been helpful for their dogs with sensitive stomachs or itchy skin. On the other hand, as mentioned, grain-free recipes might not benefit every dog.
- Contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
- Supports healthy weight and muscles
- Might benefit dogs with sensitivities
- Suitable for dogs with grain allergies
- Peas are one of the primary ingredients
4. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
| Main ingredients: | Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, oatmeal |
| Protein content: | 27% min |
| Fat content: | 16% min |
| Calories: | 3,797 kcal/kg, 400 kcal/cup |
If you’d like to try the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula but have a little mouth to feed, good news: there’s a version for puppies, too. The chicken and brown rice puppy formula contains calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins to maintain tooth and bone health, DHA for the eyes and brain, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
It also supports the immune system with antioxidants and chelated minerals, and the kibble is small enough for puppies to handle. Most user reviews attest to this formula being well-received by canine connoisseurs in development but, like the adult formula, some puppies might be picky about the LifeSource Bits.
- Supports bone, tooth, coat, and skin health
- DHA supports brain and visual development
- Smaller kibble size just for puppies
- Deboned chicken is the first ingredient
- A variety of bag sizes are available
- Picky puppies might leave out the LifeSource Bits
5. Annamaet Original 31% Senior Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Lamb meal, millet, whitefish meal, brown rice |
| Protein content: | 31% min |
| Fat content: | 13% min |
| Calories: | 3390 kcal/kg, 366 kcal/cup |
Our vet’s choice on this occasion is the Annamaet Original 31% Senior formula. Made with lamb meal, whitefish meal, and millet, this vet and nutritionist-formulated, USA-made recipe is formulated to maintain brain function in senior dogs with medium-chain triglycerides and aid in digestion with prebiotics, probiotics, and pumpkin.
It’s also formulated with anti-inflammatory long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, and to support the immune system. Though a pricey option, this recipe is very highly-reviewed, especially for its high protein levels.
- High in protein
- Supports aging dogs’ cognitive functions and immune systems
- Aids in digestion
- Contains anti-inflammatory ingredients
- Vet and nutritionist-formulated
- Expensive
6. Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Grain-Free Sensitive Skin & Stomach
| Main ingredients: | Herring meal, peas, dried eggs, canola oil |
| Protein content: | 32% min |
| Fat content: | 19% min |
| Calories: | 3,780 kcal/kg, 400 kcal/cup |
Note on grain-free diets: Foods containing grain are beneficial for the majority of dogs, excluding those with allergies. Please check with your vet whether or not a grain-free diet would benefit your dog.
Note on legumes: Peas make up one of the main ingredients of this formula. Legumes as a main ingredient are currently under FDA investigation for potential heart disease concerns. No conclusions have yet been made, but it’s good to be aware of this.
Another Earthborn formula for our list—this time, the Coastal Catch recipe for dogs with sensitive stomachs and skin. This fishy recipe contains a selection of superfoods, including blueberries, flaxseed, cranberries, and spinach to support digestion and Taurine for heart health. It’s also free of grains and gluten, so it’s an option to consider if your dog is allergic to either of these.
The majority of customers are more than satisfied with this formula and have praised its high quality, and some say it has benefitted their sensitive dogs. As mentioned above, just be mindful of grain-free products—if your dog isn’t allergic to grains, such a diet might not be right for them.
- An option for dogs with gluten and grain allergies
- Contains a range of superfoods
- Formulated for sensitive dogs
- Supports heart health, immunity, and digestion
- Supports lean muscle mass
- Not all dogs benefit from grain-free diets
7. Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Holistic Dog Nutrition Coldwater Recipe
| Main ingredients: | Salmon meal, brown rice, pearled barley, oatmeal |
| Protein content: | 25% min |
| Fat content: | 13% min |
| Calories: | 3,548 kcal/kg, 430 kcal/cup |
Dr. Gary’s Best Breed coldwater recipe is a hypoallergenic formula that contains salmon and whitefish meal in addition to ancient grains and vegetables for an antioxidant boost. It also contains green mussels from New Zealand and glucosamine for joint support, and omega-3 and omega-6, which contribute to a healthy coat and skin.
According to several customers, this formula has been great for their sensitive dogs and has a high enjoyment factor. That said, it’s quite an expensive formula, but its quality seems to be greatly appreciated by the majority of customers.
- May benefit dogs with sensitive stomachs
- An alternative to chicken-based recipes
- Contains high-quality ingredients
- Supports joints, digestion, and immunity
- Made with digestible ingredients
- Pricey
8. Halo Holistic Wild-Caught Salmon & Whitefish Recipe
| Main ingredients: | Salmon, whitefish, oats, brewer’s dried yeast |
| Protein content: | 27% min |
| Fat content: | 15% min |
| Calories: | 3,862 kcal/kg, 439 kcal/cup |
Halo Holistic’s Wild-Caught Salmon and Whitefish recipe is made in the USA and contains real salmon and whitefish as the primary ingredients. It’s formulated with a special focus on digestive health and contains prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics. It also helps maintain skin and coat condition and contains non-GMO ingredients.
An overwhelming number of reviews are positive in nature, and some users have said that they really appreciate the inclusion of real meats as the first ingredients. There’s no getting around the fact, however, that this is a very pricey option and only three bag sizes are available—3.5 pounds, 10 pounds, and 21 pounds.
- Made with real salmon and whitefish
- Strong digestive health focus
- Contains prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics
- Contains non-GMO ingredients
- Supports skin and coat health
- High price tag
9. Earthborn Holistic Unrefined Smoked Salmon with Ancient Grains & Superfoods
| Main ingredients: | Salmon, quinoa, pumpkin, buckwheat |
| Protein content: | 24% min |
| Fat content: | 17% min |
| Calories: | 3,580 kcal/kg, 380 kcal/cup |
Earthborn Holistic’s Unrefined Smoked Salmon recipe contains ancient grains for fiber and 18 superfoods including blueberries, cranberries, kale, and broccoli for an antioxidant boost and improved digestion. Taurine is also added for heart health, and this recipe is worth considering if you’re on the lookout for a chicken-free recipe (though it does contain dried eggs).
This is another Earthborn Holistic product with top reviews and, though there are recipes with other protein sources (rabbit, lamb, and turkey), this one seems to be the most popular. Like many of its competitors, though, it doesn’t come cheap and only offers bag sizes up to 25 pounds.
- Contains 18 superfoods
- An alternative to chicken-based formulas
- Supports skin and coat health
- Expensive
- Large bag sizes only
10. Bench & Field Holistic Natural Canine Formula
| Main ingredients: | Chicken meal, ground brown rice, ground white rice oatmeal |
| Protein content: | 24% min |
| Fat content: | 15% min |
| Calories: | 3,746.10 kcal/kg, 393.348 kcal/cup |
This chicken-flavored recipe is full of vitamins and minerals in the form of quinoa, fruits, and veggies including pumpkin, cranberries, carrots, papaya, blueberries, and apples. It contains flaxseed, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat health, and antioxidants in the form of vitamins A, E, and beta-carotene.
This product has received mostly positive reviews. Some customers have said that they are impressed with its quality and ingredients. On the downside, the bag size options are limited to just 6.6 pounds and 12 pounds.
- Vitamin and antioxidant-rich
- Supports healthy skin and coat
- Contains various fruits and vegetables
- Limited bag size options
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Holistic Dog Food
Figuring out what kind of food to buy your dog can feel stressful and overwhelming. How can you know exactly what ingredients your dog needs? Luckily, the process of choosing a high-quality food for your dog doesn’t have to be complicated or frustrating. Here are a few things that you can do to make the shopping process easier on yourself:
Visit Your Veterinarian
The most important thing that you can do is visit your veterinarian to get blood tests for your pooch. These tests will show your vet exactly what nutrients are abundant and which are lacking in your dog’s system, so you can figure out what ingredients should be in the food that they will be expected to eat long term. Your vet can also use the results that they get from tests and consider your dog’s overall health condition to recommend a few high-quality dog foods for your furry family member.
Test Your Dog’s Taste Buds
What kind of quality protein will your dog like the most? The only way to find out is to ask them. You can do this by feeding your dog a bite of beef (steak, ground, etc.), chicken, fish, and pork to find out which they prefer the most. If your dog seems to favor one particular protein, chances are that they will most enjoy a food that features that protein as the main ingredient.
If your dog doesn’t seem to favor any protein over another, you can consider yourself lucky and make a choice based on your own interests. If you aren’t dealing with a picky dog, try something that features a mixture of proteins or that most resembles the diet that your family follows at home
Find Out What Others Think
Find out whether any of your friends or family members have had any experience with the holistic dog food that you’re thinking about investing in. If they have, they can provide you with invaluable insight that will let you know what to expect if you were to feed the same food to your own dog.
Also, take the time to read customer reviews to get an idea of what your dog might think about a food you’re considering. Ignore the shipping complaints and other issues that don’t really have to do with the food, and focus on what folks have to say about the food itself. How do the dogs like the food, and how has their health been affected, if at all? The answers to these questions can help you easily determine which food would be the best fit for your pooch.
Conclusion
For the best overall holistic dog food, we’ve selected the Annamaet Original Extra chicken meal and brown rice formula, which has a clear focus on overall health and has garnered many top-notch reviews for its quality. Blue Buffalo’s bestselling Life Protection Formula, which is a bit more affordable than many of its competitors, takes the best holistic dog food for the money spot.
Our premium pick is the Earthborn Holistic Great Plains recipe, which is a grain-free formula high in protein. We picked the puppy version of Blue Buffalo’s Life Protection Formula for young pooches and, finally, our vet’s choice is the Annamaet Original 31% formula, which is specially made for senior dogs.
We understand how hard it can be to choose the perfect recipe for dogs—each one has different needs and tastes. We hope these reviews have set you on the right path and, if in doubt, don’t hesitate to speak to your vet.
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Featured Image Credit: Przemek Iciak. Shutterstock
