Enhancing Puppy Health The Benefits of Choosing Holistic Pet Food

Holistic Dog Food: Understanding Healthy Ingredients & Benefits (2024)

This site is supported by our readers. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through links.

When looking for holistic dog food, youll want to prioritize premium, natural ingredients that nourish your pets overall health and well-being.

Holistic dog food emphasizes whole, unprocessed proteins as the first ingredient, without artificial additives. It provides complete and balanced nutrition, with a focus on digestive health and premium quality.

While similar to natural dog food, holistic options tend to be more stringent in their ingredient selection.

Be sure to consult your veterinarian and research reputable brands to find the best holistic dog food for your canine companions unique nutritional needs.

By understanding the benefits of holistic dog food, you can make an informed decision.

Key Takeaways

• Holistic dog food emphasizes whole, unprocessed proteins as the first ingredient and provides complete and balanced nutrition with a focus on digestive health and premium quality.
• Holistic dog food is a type of natural dog food that emphasizes the use of whole, natural, and organic ingredients, designed to provide complete and balanced nutrition for dogs.
• AAFCO labeling guidelines provide a consistent method of displaying nutritional information on pet food labels, which simplifies product comparisons for consumers.
• When choosing the best holistic dog food, its important to talk to your veterinarian about your dogs specific nutritional needs and research the reputation and ingredient quality of different holistic dog food brands.

What Does Holistic Mean on Dog Food Labels?

Holistic dog food is a term youll often see on pet food labels, but what does it really mean? A holistic approach to pet food is all about nourishing the whole pet, not just their physical health. It involves using premium ingredients, such as real proteins and natural flavors, to create balanced and complete recipes.

Trusted manufacturers prioritize quality ingredients, ensuring your pet receives the best nutrition possible. Holistic dog food isnt just about the food itself, but also about the ingredients and their sources. Its about providing a balanced diet that supports your pets overall health and wellbeing.

Holistic Dog Food Vs. Natural Dog Food

Holistic dog food and natural dog food are two distinct categories of pet food. Holistic dog food is a type of natural dog food that emphasizes the use of whole, natural, and organic ingredients. Its designed to provide complete and balanced nutrition for dogs, with a focus on digestive health and overall well-being.

Natural dog food is a broader category that includes dog foods made with premium proteins and natural flavors, but may still contain some artificial ingredients or fillers.

When choosing between holistic and natural dog food, consider the specific needs of your dog, such as digestive health and any food sensitivities or allergies.

Industry Standards for Pet Food Labels

Understanding the significance of AAFCO labeling guidelines is essential for selecting the appropriate holistic dog food. AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) establishes the norms for pet food labeling, guaranteeing that the information on the label is precise and uniform across various states. This empowers pet owners to make well-informed choices when picking a suitable diet for their companions. Here are three key aspects of AAFCO labeling guidelines:

1. Standardized Nutrition Information: AAFCO guidelines provide a consistent method of displaying nutritional information on pet food labels, which simplifies product comparisons for consumers.
2. Clear Ingredient Statements: The guidelines stipulate the use of consistent terminology for ingredients, enabling pet owners to comprehend the composition of the food.
3. Storage and Handling Instructions: AAFCO recommends that pet food labels include storage and handling instructions to maintain product safety and quality.

Holistic Dog Food Ingredients

When looking for a holistic dog food, the first ingredient should be a real, high-quality protein. Additionally, holistic dog food should be free of artificial ingredients, fillers, and byproducts.

Real Proteins as First Ingredient

Holistic dog food aims to offer your pet the optimal nutritional experience. As far as protein is concerned, quality is paramount. Seek genuine proteins as the primary component of your dogs diet.

The amount and diversity of meat are essential, with animal protein playing a pivotal role. Holistic dog food companies prioritize these aspects, guaranteeing that your companion receives the advantages of premium, genuine proteins as their primary ingredient.

No Artificial Ingredients

When you opt for holistic dog food, youre rejecting the superfluous and welcoming the wholesome. Its like preferring a home-cooked meal to processed fare.

• No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives: Only pure, uncorrupted goodness.
• Limited ingredients: Each is a standout, meticulously chosen for its nutritional worth.
• Premium ingredients and high-quality proteins: The true champions, offering natural flavors and vibrant health.

Choosing the Best Holistic Dog Food

When choosing the best holistic dog food, its important to talk to your veterinarian about your dogs specific nutritional needs. Additionally, research the reputation and ingredient quality of different holistic dog food brands to make an informed decision.

Talk to Your Veterinarian

When making the shift to a holistic diet for your dog, its imperative to seek advice from your veterinarian to guarantee a seamless and healthy adjustment. Your vet can offer direction on the most suitable holistic dog food for your pets unique requirements, considering factors such as breed-specific dietary needs, digestive issues, and allergy control.

They can also assist you in comprehending the advantages of holistic dog food, including its emphasis on unprocessed, natural ingredients and the exclusion of artificial additives. By collaborating with your veterinarian, you can make an educated choice regarding the optimal holistic dog food for your beloved companion.

Do Your Research on Dog Food Brands

When selecting the most comprehensive dog food, its essential to thoroughly investigate dog food brands. Here are some steps to follow:

1. Consider Quality: Seek premium ingredients and a reputable brand. Quality control is vital in safeguarding your dogs health and well-being.
2. Read Consumer Reviews: Examine online forums and pet store recommendations. Consumer reviews offer valuable insights into the products quality and its effectiveness for other pet owners.
3. Understand Nutritional Needs: Holistic dog food should be comprehensive and balanced, meeting your dogs nutritional requirements. Look for AAFCO-compliant labels to guarantee the foods nutritional balance.
4. Consider Wet vs. Dry: Wet and dry options possess distinct advantages. Wet food may be ideal for selective eaters, while dry food is often more convenient for feeding.
5. Consider Whole Grain vs. Grain-Free: Whole grain recipes can be beneficial for specific dogs, while grain-free options may be better for dogs with grain allergies.
6. Consider Specific Nutritional Needs: Some holistic dog foods are tailored for specific needs, such as joint health or skin health.
7. Choose a Respected Brand: Look for brands with a history of producing premium, natural pet food.

Holistic Puppy Food

As a responsible pet owner, you want the best for your growing puppy. Holistic puppy food is designed to cater to the unique nutritional needs of puppies, ensuring they thrive during their growth stages. These formulas often include a variety of ingredients to address the specific needs of small and large breeds.

The benefits of holistic puppy food extend beyond balanced nutrition, with some brands offering limited ingredient options for sensitive stomachs. Earthborn Holistic, for example, offers a range of puppy recipes made in the USA, nourishing your furry family member from the start.

Holistic Dry Dog Food

Holistic dry dog food is a comprehensive and balanced option for your furry companion, offering premium ingredients and health benefits. Its grain-free, which is ideal for dogs with allergies or sensitivities. Key aspects include:

• Absence of corn, wheat, or soy
• Whole grain and grain-free options
• Complete and balanced (AAFCO)
• Diverse protein sources

When selecting a holistic dry dog food, take into account your dogs specific requirements and consult with your veterinarian. Research different dog food brands to verify compliance with industry standards for pet food labels. Remember, all Earthborn Holistic recipes are complete and balanced, nurturing your pet from within.

Holistic Wet Dog Food

Delving into the realm of comprehensive wet dog food, youll discover a veritable banquet for your canine companion, particularly if they possess refined culinary preferences. These moist dog food containers and canned delicacies not only slake thirst, but also abound with wholesome fruits, vegetables, and even ancestral grains.

Perfectly suited for discerning palates, this holistic philosophy caters exclusively to canines but extends its nutritious provisions to felines as well. Meticulously crafted by a family-owned enterprise since 1926, each morsel embodies a legacy of unwavering love.

Holistic Vs Regular Dog & Cat Food

Now that weve explored the benefits of holistic wet dog food, lets examine the comparison between holistic and regular dog and cat food. Holistic pet food is all about providing premium quality, natural flavors, and ingredients that support your pets health and well-being.

On the other hand, regular pet food may contain artificial ingredients, fillers, and grain-based formulas that can compromise your pets nutritional value. By selecting holistic pet food, youre ensuring your furry friend receives the best possible care, with no compromise on their health or happiness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the benefits of holistic dog food?

Wouldnt you love to give your pup the best? Holistic dog food provides complete nutrition from real, high-quality ingredients no fillers or artificial additives. It supports overall health and well-being for your furry companion.

How does holistic dog food differ from regular dog food?

Holistic dog food typically contains higher-quality, natural ingredients without any artificial additives or fillers. Its designed to nourish your pups overall wellbeing, not just fill their belly. Think of it as a wholesome, balanced diet specifically designed for your furry friends needs.

What are the key ingredients to look for in holistic dog food?

Ever wondered what makes holistic dog food stand out? Look for high-quality proteins, real ingredients like fruits and veggies, and no artificial additives. Its nutrition at its finest.

How can I transition my dog to a holistic dog food diet?

Youll want to shift gradually over 7-10 days, progressively blending in more new food while reducing old. Observe for digestive problems. Stay patient sudden changes can upset their tummies. With care, your pup will happily dig into their health-boosting holistic diet.

What are the industry standards for pet food labels?

You want pet food labels to accurately list ingredients, nutritional info, and meet AAFCO standards. But dont overthink it trust respected brands focused on quality, not marketing claims.

Conclusion

Prudently prioritizing premium, pure provisions, pursuing a path of holistic dog food, fosters flourishing furry friends. Consult credible canine caretakers, conduct thorough research on reputable brands. Responsibly investigating holistic dog food ingredients guarantees your pup receives robust, restorative nourishment suited to their unique needs.

References

• k9ofmine.com
• dogfood.guide
• worlddogfinder.com

Best Holistic Dog Food: What to Look for in a Holistic Food

Reading the health claims on a pet food package is like reading the headlines from the tabloids that line the checkout aisle at the grocery store you cant always believe what you read.

Pet food manufacturers do their best to make their products as appealing to pet owners as possible and they use some pretty clever tricks to encourage you to pick their brand over another brand.

One of the tactics pet food manufacturers use is plastering their product labels with words and health claims and that give you a positive impression of the product the word holistic is an example.

Keep reading to learn what holistic means in its application for pet food and to receive some tips for shopping for a holistic pet food product for your dog.

What Are the Top 7 Brands of Holistic Dog Food?

If youre looking for a pet food product that will nourish your dogs body from the inside out, a holistic dog food might be the way to go.

Holistic pet foods may not have a standard definition but you can count on them to offer high-quality, natural nutrition in complete and balanced formulas. To help you get started with your search for the ideal holistic formula for your dog, here are some quick reviews for our top six choices in holistic dog food brands:

1. Nom Nom Fresh Pet Food

If you want to give your dog the best of the best, consider Nom Nom Fresh Pet Food Delivery. Nom Nom delivers freshly prepared dog food right to your door. Simply fill out some information about your dog online and choose a recipe the pros at Nom Nom will do the rest!

Nom Nom is a premium dog food company making gourmet dog food when you order it. They have a variety of recipes to choose from that are suitable for all breeds and life stages.

You wont find many ingredients at all, and never colors or dyes. Every recipe is hand made from the highest quality ingredients, used in part and in whole.

You can customize your dogs meals to his unique calorie requirements, and you can rest easy knowing that they use only the highest quality ingredients.

Keep in mind that fresh food is fairly pricey, and youll be paying quite a bit if you feed your beloved dog Nom Nom as a staple diet, but its hard to beat the quality and the difference you see in your dogs overall health status will be noticeable!

Nom Nom has recently come out with the Fresh Variety Pack, which I think is a marvelous idea. With this food pack, you can get 200g of each of Nom Nom's four pet cuisines so you can try each out and see which flavor your dog might take to the best. (Its also always a good idea to trial food first to see how your pup does on it.)

As a devoted fur parent, my dogs health is foremost on my mind. That's why I've been a regular customer of Nom Nom for quite some time now. I can truly say that Its fresh recipes have made a huge difference in my pets' health and vitality.

2. Earthborn Holistic

With a name like Earthborn Holistic, you shouldnt be surprised to learn that this brand follows a wholesome approach to pet nutrition, designing each product to nourish your dogs whole body from the inside out.

Every recipe features premium ingredients for balanced nutrition that supports your dog physical health and total wellbeing. Earthborn Holistic offers an assortment of original and grain-free dry dog foods as well as several canned food formulas they also offer moist grain-free dog treats and oven-baked grain-free dog treats.

For their dry foods, Holistic Select has several life stages formulas for puppies through adult dogs as well as recipes made for small breed dogs. No matter what your dogs needs may be, this brand has a product to match.

3. Holistic Select

The Holistic Select brand of pet food has been in business for just over ten years but they have already made a name for themselves in the natural pet food industry. This brand makes it their mission to provide natural nutrition for dogs and cats, believing strongly in a philosophy that total-body health begins with digestive health.

All of Holistic Selects products are supplemented with their Unique Digestive Health Support System which includes natural fibers, prebiotics, probiotics, and digestive enzymes as well as other healthy and natural ingredients.

Holistic Select dog foods come in dry food and canned food form including original and grain-free recipes. This brand also offers a selection of formulas for dogs in all life stages as well as breed size and healthy weight recipes.

4. Annamaet

The Annamaet pet food company was founded by Rob Downey in 1986 and it has remained a family-owned and -operated company. This brand offers holistic pet food products that are made in the USA using premium ingredients.

Every recipe is an example of complete and balanced nutrition, formulated using the finest quality ingredients to ensure that your dog gets more of the nutrients he needs and less of the things he doesnt.

Annamaet currently only offers dry dog food formulas and there are eleven recipes to choose from. This brand uses premium proteins like wild-caught salmon, free-range venison, breast meat chicken, and fresh duck in recipes that offer anywhere from 23% to 32% protein.

Annamaet offers a selection of original and grain-free recipes as well as formulas for working or performance breeds and breeds of different sizes.

5. Halo Holistic

Halo Holistic line of dog foods which they describe as, the best dog food ever. Every recipe is designed to promote the health and happiness of pets throughout their entire lifetime. Halo Holistic dog foods are made with real meat proteins, wholesome carbohydrates, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

They offer a blend of omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, not to mention plenty of antioxidants and other healthy nutrients. Halo offers a selection of original and grain-free formulas featuring real WHOLE meat, poultry, or fish, and no meat meal of any kind.

Many of their recipes are designed for puppies and dogs of specific sizes as well, so you can choose the formula that best suits your dogs individual needs.

6. Fromm Gold

A family-owned and -operated business, Fromm follows a holistic approach to pet nutrition in their Gold line of products. This product line features recipes in three categories Heartland Gold (grain-free red meat), Gold Coast (grain-free ocean fish), and Fromm Gold (an original recipe with duck, chicken, and lamb.

Every recipe in the Gold lineup is made in small batches in company-owned facilities in Wisconsin to ensure quality and safety. Choose from a dozen different recipes for dry food products and seven canned food formulas.

The products in this lineup are formulated for dogs in all life stages including puppies, adults, and senior dogs. There is also a weight management and a reduced activity recipe, plus formulas for small and giant breeds.

7. Solid Gold

The Solid Gold pet food company was founded in 1974 by Sissy Harrington McGill, an animal lover who made it her mission to create a nutritious, natural food that would keep her own dogs happy and healthy.

The brands first product, Hund-N-Flocken was a big success and the company now offers a well-developed line of natural and holistic dry dog foods. Solid Gold makes what they call pet food with purpose and their products are made with powerful proteins, digestible carbohydrates, and vitamin-rich super foods.

Every recipe is designed to unlock your pets healthiest self, so they dont use any corn, wheat, or soy ingredients and their products are free from artificial additives as well. Simply put, Solid Gold offers healthy, holistic formulas that deliver quality nutrition the way nature intended.

What Does Holistic Mean?

The FDA has a long list of specific definitions for the words food manufacturers use on their packaging. The American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) performs a similar role for animal feed and pet food that the FDA performs for people food. They monitor and regulate the manufacture and sale of pet food products, including the use of certain health claims.

What many pet owners dont know, however, is that pet food is much more loosely regulated than people food, especially when it comes to what a manufacturer can put on their packaging.

Some of the words you see plastered across pet food bags dont actually have a set definition according to the FDA or AAFCO this means that pet food manufacturers can pretty much use them however they like.

But what does this mean for you? It means that you cant always believe what you read and you need to take the time to make your own evaluation of a pet food product before you buy it.

Though the word holistic doesnt have a specific definition according to the FDA or AAFCO, it does have certain connotations. According to Merriam-Webster, the word holistic means, relating to or concerned with wholes or complete systems rather than with the analysis of or dissection into parts.

To put it into context, holistic medicine involves practices that attempt to treat the whole person, both mind and body. Keeping this context in mind, you might understand holistic pet food to include products that are designed to support your dogs total-body health and wellness products that go beyond just meeting your dogs minimum nutritional requirements.

The ingredients in holistic dog food are selected carefully and with a purpose to ensure that your dog gets all of the essential nutrients he needs and nothing he doesnt.

What Should You Look for in a Holistic Dog Food?

Because holistic dog foods are designed to nourish your dogs total body health and wellness, it is generally safe to assume that they are high-quality products. Just remember, however, that you should always take the time to evaluate the quality of a pet food for yourself before you buy. The beauty of holistic dog food is that it doesnt just meet your dogs needs for energy and nutrients it ca provide other benefits which may include the following:

• Improved skin and coat health
• A stronger immune system
• Healthy and regular digestion
• Improved heart health
• Strong, healthy teeth and bones
• Sharp vision and hearing

In order for a holistic dog food to provide these benefits, however, it needs to be made with high-quality ingredients. When shopping around for a holistic dog food formula, that is exactly what you need to look for quality ingredients.

It is always a good idea to start evaluating a pet food product by looking at the guaranteed analysis to make sure that it doesnt just meet your dogs bare minimum requirements for protein and fat. Generally speaking, the higher the protein content of a dog food formula the better.

Higher fat content is usually a good thing as well, but only if it doesnt lead to an excess of calories. Your dog will need more fat in his diet while he is a growing puppy but his metabolism will slow down a little as he ages, causing his need for calories to decrease slightly as well.

Once youve determined that the dog food you are looking at has the right protein and fat ratios, you should move on to examining the list of ingredients. Holistic pet foods should always have a high-quality source of animal protein as the first ingredient consider it a bonus if the first two or three ingredients are all premium proteins.

You also want to see digestible carbohydrates near the top of the list, though they dont necessarily need to be grain-free. If your dog struggles with an allergy or sensitivity to grains you should by all means avoid those ingredients but whole grains can be valuable ingredients to include in a holistic dog food formula.

You should also look for high-quality animal-based fats like chicken fat or salmon oil these ingredients provide a concentrated source of energy as well as essential fatty acids to support your dogs brain, skin, and coat health.

In addition to knowing what ingredients to look for in holistic pet food products, you should also know what ingredients to avoid. If a product contains artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives it probably isnt a holistic recipe. You want to see all natural ingredients, no chemicals or by-products.

Holistic foods also tend to be free from hormones, antibiotics, and steroids as well as GMO ingredients. It is not necessarily a requirement but a bonus if the product includes organic or certified ingredients. Dont be too concerned if the brand doesnt qualify as a human grade pet food.

In order for a product to truly qualify as human grade they need to use human grade ingredients and manufacture their products in human food facilities there are only a handful of brands out there that meet this requirement.

All in all, a holistic pet food should start with a high-quality source of protein and carbohydrate then be supplemented with other natural ingredients and beneficial supplements.

Dog food comes in many different forms from dozens of different brands. To some degree, the words a pet food brand uses to describe their own products should be taken with a grain of salt but brands that describe their products as holistic generally mean it.

Holistic dog foods are made with the finest quality ingredients in healthy, wholesome formulas designed to support your dogs total health and wellness. If youd like to give holistic dog food a try, start your search with one of our top six choices reviewed above.