Top Picks: Leading Brands for Premium Natural Dog Food

As more pet owners become conscious about the ingredients in their furry friends' diets, the market for natural dog food has significantly expanded. These foods are often free from artificial preservatives and fillers, presenting a healthier alternative for dogs with sensitivities or those simply leading an active lifestyle. Brands like Blue Buffalo, Wellness Natural Pet Food, Merrick, and Taste of the Wild are renowned for using high-quality, natural ingredients that cater to various dietary needs and preferences. Curious to see how these brands stack up and explore a few more options for your pet's nutrition? Discover our detailed list below.

Illustration of natural dog food

Best brands of natural dog food in 2025

Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo, acquired by General Mills in March 2018 for approximately $8 billion, is a leading producer of natural dog food, known for its high-quality ingredients and innovative products. The brand has driven significant growth, increasing its U.S. distribution by four times and more than doubling its household penetration since the acquisition, with a compound annual net sales growth of 15%. Blue Buffalo's products, such as the Life Protection Formula, are formulated with high-quality protein sources, wholesome fruits and vegetables, and proprietary LifeSource Bits to promote overall health and wellness. The brand has also expanded its offerings, including the renovation of its Wilderness dry dog food line and the introduction of new Fresh and Tastefuls lines. Despite some recent sales declines, Blue Buffalo continues to grow its market share, particularly in dry feeding, which accounts for more than 60% of its net sales base.

Wellness Core

Wellness Core is a renowned brand in the pet food industry, known for its high-quality, natural dog food formulas that align with the nutritional philosophy that dogs thrive on a diet mainly comprised of meat. Their grain-free recipes, such as the Original Turkey & Chicken Recipe, contain no meat by-products, fillers, grain, corn, soy, wheat-gluten, or artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. These formulas are fortified with antioxidants, probiotics, vitamins, and minerals, including a fish and flax omega blend for healthy skin and coat. The carbohydrate content in their grain-free formulas is relatively low, with the CORE Grain-Free Original recipe containing approximately 29.47% carbs on an as-fed basis and 32.03% on a dry matter basis. This commitment to quality and nutritional balance makes Wellness Core a popular choice among pet owners.

Merrick Grain-Free

Merrick Grain-Free is renowned for producing high-quality, natural dog food, with an average protein content of 34% and a fat level of 17% in their dry food products. Their recipes, which include 11 different formulations, have earned ratings ranging from 4.5 to 5 stars. The brand is notable for using real, USDA-inspected deboned meat and fresh produce, ensuring industry-leading levels of protein and nutrients. Merrick's products are free from artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and by-products, making them a preferred choice for pet owners seeking wholesome diets. With over 25 years of experience in handcrafting their foods in their Texas kitchen, Merrick stands behind their products with a 100% guarantee. For more details, you can explore the comprehensive review of Merrick Grain-Free dog food.

Natural Balance

Natural Balance, founded in 1989 by Dick Van Patten, is a renowned producer of premium and natural dog food, known for its high-quality, protein-forward ingredients. The brand has a rich history, having been part of several notable companies, including Del Monte Pet Products and J.M. Smucker, before being acquired by Nexus Capital Management in 2020. Natural Balance generated revenues of $264 million in 2021 and is recognized for its Limited Ingredient (LI) and Original Ultra product lines. The brand's merger with Canidae in 2023 aims to enhance innovation and growth, leveraging their combined strengths in simple nutrition and sustainable operations. This merger highlights their commitment to improving pet well-being through responsibly sourced ingredients.

Canidae PURE

Canidae PURE is renowned for producing high-quality, natural dog food, with its grain-free dry product line boasting an average protein content of 32% and a mean fat level of 15%, along with a carbohydrate content of around 45%. This brand offers 11 recipes, all of which have ratings ranging from 4.5 to 5 stars, with an overall average rating of 5 stars. The nutrient profile indicates above-average protein, near-average fat, and near-average carbohydrates compared to typical dry dog food. Canidae PURE products are formulated with significant amounts of meat and include ingredients like legumes and flaxseed to enhance protein content. The brand is part of a larger market projected to reach a valuation of USD 80.5 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of 6.4% from 2024 to 2034.

Taste of the Wild

Taste of the Wild is a highly regarded brand in the dog food industry, known for its focus on natural and high-protein ingredients. Introduced in 2007, the brand offers a range of grain-free and ancient grain formulas, with an average protein content of 32% and a mean fat level of 18% across its products. Each recipe is formulated to meet the nutrient profiles established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and features novel proteins like bison, venison, and salmon. The brand has earned a 4.5-star rating from the Dog Food Advisor and is praised by customers, with 95% recommending it. Taste of the Wild is part of Diamond Pet Foods, a family-owned company based in the U.S. For more details, check out their review on Dog Food Advisor.

Instinct Raw Boost

Instinct Raw Boost is a highly regarded brand in the natural dog food market, acclaimed for its grain-free and high-protein formulas. With a dry matter protein content of 41% and a fat level of 23%, this brand stands out for its above-average protein and fat levels, along with below-average carbohydrate content. The product line includes 11 dry dog foods, all of which meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages, except for the growth of large size dogs. Instinct Raw Boost has earned a 5-star rating from DogFoodAdvisor due to its use of named meat meals as the dominant source of animal protein. Despite some recall incidents in the past, such as in 2015, 2013, and 2012, the brand remains a top choice for pet owners seeking natural and nutritious dog food. Explore more about their offerings by visiting their product page on PetSmart.

Orijen

Orijen is renowned as one of the best producers of natural dog food, offering a range of grain-free, high-protein diets that align with a dog's natural dietary needs. The brand features an average protein content of 44% and a mean fat level of 19%, with carbohydrates making up only about 29% of the overall product line. Each recipe starts with the highest quality meats sourced from regional farming partners, delivered fresh daily, and includes organs and bone to mimic a whole prey diet. Orijen's products are formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by FEDIAF for All Life Stages and are free from recalls as of December 2024. The brand's commitment to biologically appropriate nutrition and top-quality ingredients has earned it a 5-star rating. For more information about their natural dog food offerings, check out their product details.

Nutro Ultra

Nutro Ultra is renowned as one of the top producers of natural dog food, offering a premium range with 22 wet and dry food recipes that cater to all ages and sizes. The brand features a notable amount of named meats as its dominant source of animal protein, with a dry matter protein reading of 31% and a fat level of 21.1% in its dry food line, and 36.4% protein and 22.7% fat in its wet food line. Nutro Ultra products are highly rated, earning an average of 4.5 stars for their wet food and 4 stars for their dry food, and are praised for their sustainability practices and inclusion of 15 superfoods. The brand has a long history, having been acquired by Mars, Incorporated in 2007, and continues to innovate with quality ingredients like lamb, eggs, and superfoods such as blueberries and spinach. This commitment to quality and nutritional value makes Nutro Ultra a highly recommended choice for pet owners. For more information, check out their Nutro Ultra dog food review.

Earthborn Holistic

Earthborn Holistic is a highly regarded brand in the natural dog food market, known for its high-quality, grain-inclusive, and grain-free products. The brand's Unrefined line features an average protein content of 27% and a mean fat level of 17%, with a carbohydrate content of 49%, earning it a 4.5-star rating from the Dog Food Advisor. The Grain-Free line boasts an even higher protein content of 36% on a dry matter basis and a fat level of 20%, receiving a 5-star rating. Earthborn Holistic products are formulated to mimic a dog's ancestral diet, incorporating named meat meals, fruits, and vegetables, and are free from common allergens like corn and wheat. With rigorous quality standards and a 100% happiness guarantee, Earthborn Holistic stands out as a top choice for pet owners seeking natural and nutritious dog food. For more details, visit the Earthborn Holistic Grain-Free review.