If you try to eat a lot of organic food, you might want to offer the same to your dog. “Organic” refers to the way agricultural products are grown and processed—typically without certain pesticides and fertilizers and with healthier living conditions. Although there aren’t many dog foods that are certified organic, there are some that contain organic ingredients. Just like when shopping for your human family, read the label.

In the United States, organic pet foods and treats must follow the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Organic Program regulations which cover ingredient sourcing, handling, manufacturing, and labeling. Certified organic foods must be made of at least 95% organic ingredients. You’ll recognize them by the “USDA Organic” logo on the packaging. You can also check the label for organic ingredients.

Here are the best organic dog foods:

Castor & Pollux Organix is our top overall choice because of their range of offerings and robust third-party certifications. Unlike other brands that might offer a few organic items in their lineup, all Castor & Pollux Organix dog and cat foods are USDA certified organic. Products feature organic free-range chicken or turkey and are produced without chemical pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, artificial preservatives, or any added growth hormones or antibiotics. There’s also no corn, wheat, or soy.

Best Overall

Castor & Pollux Organix Dog Food

Organix dog food options include six dry kibbles, six “small morsels” wet foods, and a dozen canned food flavors. About two-thirds are grain-free. There are special recipes for puppies, seniors, and small breeds.

Organic products are always non-GMO because the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) isn’t allowed in organic products. Ten of Organix’s recipes are also Non-GMO Project Verified, meaning they went through a third-party process to confirm products meet non-GMO testing standards.

Price at time of publish: $29

There’s a range of products from this pet food company including dry food, wet food, freeze-dried food, and treats. The full line of products has been certified as humanely raised by the Global Animal Partnership (GAP). Tender & True’s products are prepared in the United States with no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.

Best Overall Runner Up

Tender & True Dog Food

There are three dry and two canned flavors that are USDA Certified Organic, including chicken and liver, and turkey and liver. There’s also freeze-dried raw dog food made with organic produce. The rest of the company’s foods are from chicken and turkey raised without antibiotics or wild-caught seafood that has been certified sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council.

Price at time of publish: $59

There are three canned food flavors in the Newman’s Own line—chicken dinner, chicken and liver, and turkey—that are USDA-certified organic. The foods contain no artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, corn, or wheat.

Best Grocery Store Brand

Newman’s Own Organic Dog Food

While some organic foods can be difficult to find and you may have to wait for online delivery, these products are often at your local grocery store. They’re at Kroger, Publix, Walmart, and Target stores, and others. Compared to many other dog foods, they’re relatively inexpensive.

You’re not just doing good for your dog by buying these foods. The Newman’s Own Foundation uses 100% of the profits it receives from the sale of all its products for charitable purposes. As of 2019, the company has donated $550 million to thousands of charities all over the world.

Price at time of publish: $9

Founded in 1935, Evanger’s is an independent family-owned and operated pet food company. The company offers four flavors (beef, cooked chicken, chicken and turkey, and turkey with potato and carrot) of canned organic dog food. The proteins are all raised, processed, and sourced in the United States.

Best Grain Free

Evanger’s Organic Dog Food

All food is grain-free and gluten-free, with no preservatives or fillers. The food comes in a pate, not a chunky, form. It’s certified organic by Oregon Tilth, one of the primary USDA National Organic Program accredited certifiers.

Because there aren’t added vitamins and minerals in the cooked chicken recipe, it’s recommended that you feed this only as a supplement to other food instead of a standalone diet. The beef, turkey and chicken, and turkey formulas also have added supplements. This food is popular with picky eater pups, but like all new foods, should be introduced gradually.

Price at time of publish: $37

These raw food diets aren’t certified organic, but they contain USDA Certified Organic produce. The meats are fresh, antibiotic- and steroid-free with no added hormones. The animals are humanely raised and sustainably sourced. For example, beef is grass-fed and chickens are cage-free.

Best Raw

Primal Raw Dog Food

The recipes include beef, chicken, duck, lamb, pork, rabbit, turkey and sardine, and venison. The products are available as raw frozen bite-size chunks that just need thawing, or raw frozen nuggets and patties. There are also freeze-dried nuggets that are shelf-stable. To serve, just portion what you need, shred and rehydrate with water, bone broth, or raw goat milk.

If you don’t want to immerse yourself in the full raw experience, there are “toppers” of raw food to supplement dry kibble. An interactive tool on Primal’s website can help you find the food, topper, or other recommended add-on (goat milk, power greens) to boost your dog’s diet.

Available in kibbled, dehydrated, or wet versions, about one-third of the ingredients in Honest Kitchen pet products are certified organic. They use almost 3 million pounds of organic produce annually, and this pet food contains no GMOs, preservatives, or fillers. Proteins include humanely raised free-range chicken and MSC-certified fish. It’s made in the United States with human-grade ingredients.

We Also Like

The Honest Kitchen Dog Food

Although Honest Kitchen pet foods aren’t completely organic, we are very impressed with this company and its commitment to sustainability and the Earth. The company has an impact report online that explains in detail its commitment to everything from organic ingredients and supporting biodiversity, to using solar power and renewable materials for packaging. More than half of the employees in management positions identify as female.

Price at time of publish: $80

These USDA Organic dog treats come in yummy flavor combos like Peanut Butter & Banana, Carrot & Sweet Potato, and Apple & Ginger. Wet Noses offers grain-free versions of several of its flavors. The treats are crunchy and a good size for bigger dogs, but are easy to snap into pieces for smaller dogs, and appeal to even pickier pups. All the ingredients are sourced from the United States, and the recipe contains no additives or preservatives. 

Best Organic Treats

Wet Noses Organic Crunchy Dog Treats

Price at time of publish: $13

Why Trust Treehugger?

To make this list, we carefully reviewed ingredients lists, organic certifications, and manufacturer reputations. We also interviewed dog food makers about their sustainability practices. All of the recommended products on this list are fully certified organic or contain a significant quantity of certified organic ingredients.

For a true organic diet, our top pick is Castor & Pollux Organix, which has the greatest selection of organic products including seven dry kibbles, six “small morsels” wet food, and a dozen canned food flavors.

Although the foods aren’t completely organic, we also really like Honest Kitchen pet foods. The company’s commitment to sustainability is commendable.

  • What is organic dog food?
  • Pet food uses the same organic standards as food for people, which are set by U.S. Department of Agriculture. That means at least 95% of the ingredients must have certified organic ingredients and can’t contain any artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. Organic crops—which become ingredients—are grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and/or pesticides. Pet food is largely made from the same supply chains as human food, sometimes even preventing certain meat products that are less popular with people from going to waste.
  • Is organic dog food better for dogs?
  • There has been almost no rigorous scientific research that examines the health effects of an organic diet for dogs. What we do know is that research into human food has that organic food is higher in certain nutrients. For example, organic meat in particular is higher in healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. However, it’s unclear if these additional nutrients will make a difference to your pet’s overall health.What we do know is that organic farming is better for the environment, which in turn is better for all of our health, including our pets.
  • Does organic dog food contain GMOs?
  • No. Foods and products that contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs) cannot carry USDA Organic label.

Pet food uses the same organic standards as food for people, which are set by U.S. Department of Agriculture. That means at least 95% of the ingredients must have certified organic ingredients and can’t contain any artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. Organic crops—which become ingredients—are grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and/or pesticides. 

There has been almost no rigorous scientific research that examines the health effects of an organic diet for dogs. What we do know is that research into human food has that organic food is higher in certain nutrients. For example, organic meat in particular is higher in healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. However, it’s unclear if these additional nutrients will make a difference to your pet’s overall health.

No. Foods and products that contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs) cannot carry USDA Organic label.

The proud mom of a rescue dog, Mary Jo DiLonardo has fostered more than 30 dogs and puppies. She has had dogs with all sorts of health and nutrition needs, so she is always searching for the best products for their well-being.

For more than 25 years, Mary Jo has covered a wide range of topics focused on nature, pets, health, science, and anything that helps make the world a better place. She has spent six years with Treehugger, formerly under the Mother Nature Network brand.