Our pets are part of the family, so it makes sense that we want to feed them the very best. In the past, commercial dog food options were limited and contained a lot of fillers, preservatives, and unhealthy ingredients. Now, we have a wide range of holistic dog food options to give our dogs the best possible nutrition.
Of course, the term “holistic” isn’t regulated and means something different to everyone. You must be careful when selecting holistic dog food and check the ingredient list to ensure it’s high-quality food.
Fortunately, we’ve narrowed our picks for the 10 best holistic dog food in 2022 to help you decide. While the meaning of holistic may vary, we’ve chosen the best options based on reviews and ingredients.
A Glance at Our Winners in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Nom Nom Fresh Dog Food Subscription
Personalized meal plans
Delivered to your door
Human-grade ingredients
Click to Save 50%
- Free Shipping
Best Value
Diamond Naturals Chicken & Rice
Made in the US
Cage-free chicken as first ingredient
Vitamins and nutrients from real fruit and vegetables
Check Price
Ziwi Peak Beef Air-Dried Food
Whole animal sources
Natural and sustainably sourced
Dehydrated raw food with meat and mussels
Check Price
Best for Puppies
Holistic Puppy Grain-Free
Fish as first ingredients
Manufactured in the US
Formulated for sensitive stomachs
Check Price
Earthborn Coastal Catch
Grain and gluten-free
Fish as primary protein source
Well-rounded nutrition from natural sources
Check Price
The 11 Best Holistic Dog Foods
1. Nom Nom Fresh Dog Food Subscription – Best Overall
Click Here to Save 50% + Get Free Shipping with Nom Nom!
Formula: Fresh
Life stage: Adult
Breed size: Small, medium, large
Special diet: Grain-free, gluten-free
We recommend Nom Nom dog food as the best overall holistic dog food. Nom Nom is a quality dog food delivery service that has human-grade, fresh dog food in four different flavor varieties. Even the pickiest of dogs love Nom Nom fresh food, and the high-quality ingredients ensure that they are getting the best quality nutrition.
Nom Nom’s ordering process makes it easy to customize a diet plan that fits your dog. You simply fill out a profile, and you will receive personalized recommendations based on your dog’s needs.
However, Nom Nom dog food is on the pricey side. It’s worth it for the extra quality that you get but may not be an option if you’re pinching pennies. Your location will also determine whether you can buy Nom Nom food. At this time, delivery is not available in all states.
Pros
Fresh food
Personalized meal plans
Delivered to your door
Human-grade ingredients
Cons
More expensive than others
Delivery not available in all states
Diamond Naturals Chicken & Rice Formula All Life Stages Dry Dog Food is the best holistic dog food for the money. The food contains natural superfoods and probiotics to support digestive health, and cage-free chicken is the first ingredient. Plenty of real fruits and vegetables are included for antioxidants and vitamins, including kale, blueberries, and coconut. Omega fatty acids support coat and skin health.
Fresh food
Personalized meal plans
Delivered to your door
Human-grade ingredients
- Fresh food
- Personalized meal plans
- Delivered to your door
- Human-grade ingredients
More expensive than others
Delivery not available in all states
- More expensive than others
- Delivery not available in all states
Formula: Dry
Life stage: All
Breed size: Small, medium, large
Special diet: No corn, wheat, grain, or soy
Check Price on Chewy
All ingredients come from domestic and global sources, and the food is manufactured in the US. Diamond Naturals also uses the K9 strain proprietary probiotics for optimal digestion and nutrient absorption. The food is made with no corn, wheat, grain, or soy. This is an excellent bargain for natural or holistic food with quality ingredients, though some reviewers noted quality-control issues or that their dogs wouldn’t touch it.
Pros
Cage-free chicken as first ingredient
Vitamins and nutrients from real fruit and vegetables
Made in the US
Cons
Quality-control issues
Some dogs don’t like it
Ziwi Peak Beef Grain-Free Air-Dried Dog Food is a simple, holistic dog food recipe. Bringing the best of New Zealand, Ziwi Peak dog food has fresh meat, organs, and bones for well-rounded protein and green mussels with chondroitin and glucosamine for joint support. All food is dehydrated using a twin-stage air-drying process that preserves the ingredients and eliminates bacterial growth.
Cage-free chicken as first ingredient
Vitamins and nutrients from real fruit and vegetables
Made in the US
- Cage-free chicken as first ingredient
- Vitamins and nutrients from real fruit and vegetables
- Made in the US
Quality-control issues
Some dogs don’t like it
- Quality-control issues
- Some dogs don’t like it
Formula: Dehydrated
Life stage: Adult
Breed size: Small, medium, large
Special diet: Limited ingredient, non-GMO, high protein
Though raw, the dehydrating process makes the food safe for human handling, so it’s free from preservatives, sugars, and glycerines. The formula can be fed as a meal on its own or added to other food as a topper. All meats and fish are free-range or wild-caught and sustainably sourced. This food is expensive, however.
Pros
Dehydrated raw food with meat and mussels
Whole animal sources
Natural and sustainably sourced
Cons
Expensive
Holistic Select Adult & Puppy Grain-Free Salmon, Anchovy & Sardine Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food is a healthy, natural option for puppies. Free from preservatives and fillers, the food has salmon, anchovies, and sardines as the primary protein sources and plenty of omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat development. For pups with sensitive stomachs, the food has probiotics and fiber to support optimal digestion.
Dehydrated raw food with meat and mussels
Whole animal sources
Natural and sustainably sourced
- Dehydrated raw food with meat and mussels
- Whole animal sources
- Natural and sustainably sourced
Expensive
- Expensive
Formula: Dry
Life stage: Puppy
Breed size: Small, medium, large
Special diet: Sensitive digestion
Vitamins, nutrients, and fiber come from whole fruits and vegetables like pumpkin, papaya, cranberries, beet pulp, and flaxseed. Along with healthy ingredients, the recipe is specially formulated to be delicious and appetizing for puppies, even if they’re picky. All ingredients are from trusted sources and the food is manufactured in the US. Some reviewers noted that their puppies didn’t like the food or experienced digestive upset.
Pros
Fish as first ingredients
Formulated for sensitive stomachs
Manufactured in the US
Cons
Some puppies don’t like it
May cause digestive upset
Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Grain-Free Natural Dry Dog Food is great holistic dog food because of its high-quality protein. Herring meal, salmon meal, and whitefish meal are the first ingredients and primary protein sources. The food also supports nutrition with apples, carrots, blueberries, apples, cranberries, and spinach, which contain antioxidants for immune health. L-carnitine and omega fatty acids are also included for healthy muscle mass, skin, and coat.
Fish as first ingredients
Formulated for sensitive stomachs
Manufactured in the US
- Fish as first ingredients
- Formulated for sensitive stomachs
- Manufactured in the US
Some puppies don’t like it
May cause digestive upset
- Some puppies don’t like it
- May cause digestive upset
Formula: Dry
Life stage: Adult
Breed size: Small, medium, large
Special diet: Grain-free, gluten-free
The food is free of grain and gluten for sensitive dogs and uses natural fruit and vegetable fiber to support maximum digestibility and absorption. Ideal for all breeds, this adult formula is dry and may be combined with wet food or food toppers. Despite plenty of good reviews, some reviewers’ dogs didn’t like the food.
Pros
Fish as primary protein source
Grain and gluten-free
Well-rounded nutrition from natural sources
Cons
Some dogs don’t like it
Instinct by Instinct Be Natural Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Dog Food is made with cage-free chicken for all-natural protein and excellent support for muscle mass and bone health. Each piece of kibble has a raw coating of chicken that’s freeze-dried for taste, texture, and food safety. Vitamins and minerals are added to ensure complete nutrition.
Fish as primary protein source
Grain and gluten-free
Well-rounded nutrition from natural sources
- Fish as primary protein source
- Grain and gluten-free
- Well-rounded nutrition from natural sources
Some dogs don’t like it
- Some dogs don’t like it
Formula: Dry
Life stage: Adult
Breed size: Small, medium, large
Special diet: Corn, wheat, soy-free
No fillers, corn, wheat, soy, chicken, or byproducts are used in the food, but it does have barely and brown rice. All food is manufactured in the US with ingredients sourced from all over the world. According to reviewers, some dogs didn’t like it and others experienced digestive upset.
Pros
Raw chicken coating
High protein
Made in the US
Cons
Some dogs don’t like it
May cause digestive upset
Nature’s Logic Chicken Meal Feast is a completely natural and nutrient-rich dog food that has high-quality chicken as the first ingredient. Fruits and vegetables are added to provide vitamins and nutrients for overall health. All kibble is coated with digestive enzymes and protein with vitamins, minerals, albumin, and globulin.
Raw chicken coating
High protein
Made in the US
- Raw chicken coating
- High protein
- Made in the US
Some dogs don’t like it
May cause digestive upset
- Some dogs don’t like it
- May cause digestive upset
Formula: Adult
Life stage: All
Breed size: Small, medium, large
Special diet: High-protein, gluten-free, no wheat or soy
The food has high-quality grains like millet and grass seed with no corn, wheat, soy, or rice. All ingredients are minimally processed, such as spinach, cranberries, blueberries, and dried kelp. In addition to being manufactured in the US, the processing uses renewable electricity for environmental sustainability. Several reviewers said their dogs didn’t like it and they experienced quality-control issues.
Pros
Chicken as first ingredient
Made in the US
No corn, wheat, soy, or rice
Cons
Some dogs don’t like it
Quality-control issues
Orijen Tundra Grain-Free Dry Dog Food offers biologically appropriate nutrition for your dog, complete with ranch-raised venison, grass-fed lamb, Boer goat, pork, duck, and fish. Using the most nutrient-dense parts of the prey animal, the food offers whole animal protein for natural nutrition. Each individual piece of kibble is coated with freeze-dried liver for a superior taste.
Chicken as first ingredient
Made in the US
No corn, wheat, soy, or rice
- Chicken as first ingredient
- Made in the US
- No corn, wheat, soy, or rice
Some dogs don’t like it
Quality-control issues
- Some dogs don’t like it
- Quality-control issues
Formula: Dry
Life stage: Adult
Breed size: Small, medium, large
Special diet: Grain-free, natural, raw
The first five ingredients are fresh or raw animal protein, and the food has no corn, wheat, soy, or gluten. There’s no chicken, which is a common source of food allergies or sensitivities in dogs. Though most reviewers were pleased, some dogs wouldn’t touch this food.
Pros
Whole animal sources as first ingredients
Novel proteins
Freeze-dried raw coating
Cons
Some dogs don’t like it
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Original Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal & Chicken Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food is a balanced, grain-free dry food that’s specially formulated for high-protein needs. Turkey and chicken are the first ingredients, followed by salmon oil for fatty acids. Vitamins and nutrients come from whole food sources like fruits, vegetables, and wholesome grains.
Whole animal sources as first ingredients
Novel proteins
Freeze-dried raw coating
- Whole animal sources as first ingredients
- Novel proteins
- Freeze-dried raw coating
Formula: Dry
Life stage: Adult
Breed size: Small, medium, large
Special diet: Gluten and grain-free, high protein
The food is free from fillers, corn, soy, wheat, gluten, and preservatives. Despite this, it’s manufactured in a facility that processes grains, which means some can be on the food. Be mindful of that if your dog has a known allergy or food sensitivity. Some reviewers noticed dandruff with this food, which resolved when they switched back to their original food.
Pros
Turkey and chicken as first ingredients
Free of fillers, soy, corn, or wheat
Cons
Manufactured in a facility that processes grains
Some dogs had poor coat quality
If you have a small breed or a dog that prefers small bites, Nutro Natural Choice Small Bites Adult Dry Dog Food Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe Dog Kibble is a great choice. Real lamb is the first ingredient and provides high-quality protein for muscle and bone health. The food contains essential antioxidants for immunity and fiber for optimal digestion.
Turkey and chicken as first ingredients
Free of fillers, soy, corn, or wheat
- Turkey and chicken as first ingredients
- Free of fillers, soy, corn, or wheat
Manufactured in a facility that processes grains
Some dogs had poor coat quality
- Manufactured in a facility that processes grains
- Some dogs had poor coat quality
Formula: Adult
Life stage: All
Breed size: Small, toy
Special diet: GMO-free, chicken-free
Formulated without soy, wheat, corn, or chicken byproducts, this food is ideal for complete nutrition for adult dogs of small or toy breeds or larger breeds that need small kibble. This food is not appropriate for puppies or large breeds, however. Some reviewers said they saw poor results when this company switched their dog food formula recently.
Pros
Lamb as first ingredient
Antioxidants and nutrients
Perfect for small or toy breeds
Cons
Recently changed formula
Not suitable for large breeds or puppies
From the same line as the popular dry foods, the Rachael Ray Nutrish Chicken Paw Pie Recipe chicken stew is a mix of chicken and green beans with sweet potatoes in chicken gravy. The natural formula contains vitamins and minerals for complete and balanced nutrition, and real chicken is the first ingredient.
Lamb as first ingredient
Antioxidants and nutrients
Perfect for small or toy breeds
- Lamb as first ingredient
- Antioxidants and nutrients
- Perfect for small or toy breeds
Recently changed formula
Not suitable for large breeds or puppies
- Recently changed formula
- Not suitable for large breeds or puppies
Formula: Stew
Life stage: All
Breed size: Small, medium, large
Special diet: Gluten-free, no corn, wheat, or soy
There’s no corn, wheat, or soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives, making it a natural formula for dogs that like wet food or suffer digestibility issues. Unlike other foods on the list, this food is not made in the US. Reviewers also noted that it smells strong.
Pros
Chicken as first ingredient
Appetizing stew formula
Free from corn, wheat, or soy
Cons
Strong odor
Chicken as first ingredient
Appetizing stew formula
Free from corn, wheat, or soy
- Chicken as first ingredient
- Appetizing stew formula
- Free from corn, wheat, or soy
Strong odor
- Strong odor
Buyer’s Guide: How To Choose The Best Holistic Dog Food
As mentioned, holistic means different things to different people. The idea behind holistic dog food is that it focuses on whole-dog health, which aligns with the medical definition of treating the whole person mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Because of this, there’s no regulation for holistic dog food. Basically, any brand can include “holistic” on the label and get away with it. You must be diligent as a consumer and pet owner in checking labels and reading ingredient lists to understand what’s in your dog food.
The meaning of holistic may not be regulated, but the amount of truth in advertising is. Here’s what you should look for:
Real Animal Sources
Ideally, your food will have real chicken, turkey, fish, or some other protein source as its first ingredients. Dogs can survive without meat, but it’s not ideal for their health. Second to animal sources, look for proteins from free-range, wild-caught, ranch-raised, or other sustainable or ethical sources. These meats are of higher quality than meat raised on factory farms.
Grain-Free or Wholesome Grains
While there’s still debate about grain-free health benefits and risks for dogs, it’s a healthier alternative to low-quality grains like corn and soy. These grains aren’t biologically appropriate for dogs, so it’s better to choose nutritious grains like brown rice, barley, oats, and millet.
AAFCO Standards
Nutritional standards for dog food are developed by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). These guidelines are the basis for the nutritional content, which means that you can trust that your dog is getting the complete and balanced nutrition it needs. Make sure the food you choose meets AAFCO standards.
Conclusion
You want to do the best for your dog, but it can be difficult to choose a holistic or natural dog food that gives your pet everything it needs. Nom Nom Now is the best overall holistic dog food for its high-quality protein from real ingredients. If you’re on a budget, Diamond Naturals Chicken & Rice Formula All Life Stages Dry Dog Food is the best holistic dog food for the money and offers a wide range of micronutrients.
Featured Image Credit: alexei_tm, Shutterstock
