NUTRITION

Navigating the Pet Food Industry

We have done all the research, interviewed board certified canine nutritionists, and consulted with some nutrition focused vets for all the best tips!

01

WSAVA Compliant?

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association or WSAVA has provided a set of questions to help pet owners pick a reputable and safe pet food brand. To be WSAVA compliant is important for store bought foods like kibble and fresh options, however it is rare for brands to meet or exceed all the criteria. All the food brands we list meet or exceed WSAVA guidelines after thorough analysis, scroll to chart below for demonstration. (Best viewed on Laptop or Tablet)

WSAVA Guidelines

02

AAFCO

Have you heard of the Association of American Feed Control Office or AAFCO? AAFCO requirements are nutritional requirements, ingredient standards, and definitions of labeling that may be written into state law. Every pet food sold must at least meet AAFCO requirements. On pet food labels, you will see where AAFCO has approved the food to be suitable for the life stage and growth of your dog. Large breed puppies MUST have food that is suitable for the growth of dogs over than 70 pounds, otherwise it risks their longterm health.

Reading AAFCO Labels

03

Ingredients, Brands, Marketing... Oh My!

The goal is to feed your dog foods that they are not allergic to, that are biologically appropriate, and that are functional for their daily needs. Understanding how to interpret a label can be a great starting point to improving your dog's diet, ultimately improving their life. With each food we recommend below, we put the protein percentage below its description. Picking a food with a higher protein percentage is important for growing puppies, overweight dogs, seniors, cancer patients, and active dogs. AAFCO recommends that dog diets contain at least 22% protein for puppies, and 18% protein for adult dogs. You will see we recommend a wide range for various needs!

Book a Consult to Discuss Your Dog's Needs Calorie Calculator for Your Dog!

04

BEG and Raw

BEG diets or Boutique, Exotic, and Grain Free foods as well as Raw diets have been extremely controversial amongst the pet food industry, many general practitioners say these diets cause health issues like DCM. However, Board Certified Nutrition Specialists, both that we consulted and other experts' published work, explain that there is no true correlation as long as the food is formulated by a an expert in the field (see studies below). When in doubt, purchase foods with limited pea ingredients. In regards to raw food, reputable brands utilize HPP (High Pressure Processing) as an all natural way to kill off harmful bacteria while preserving the nutritional value of the food. For homemade meals, you want to always work under the guidance of a Veterinarian who has specialized in canine nutrition, not just a general practitioner or a 'holistic' vet. Our recommendation is Tula Veterinary Nutrition.

"The Pulse of It" Study "Four Custom-Formulated Diets" Study

Brand	Do they employ a Nutritionist?	Who formulates the diet?	What is the quality control process for ingredients and finished products?	Are diets formulated using AAFCO feeding trials or by formulation to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles?	Who makes the food?	Why We Love
A Pup Above	"All A Pup Above recipes are formulated and reviewed by veterinarian nutritionists to ensure they meet appropriate AAFCO guidelines for complete and balanced nutrition for Adult Maintenance. We employ a specific decorated group of veterinary nutritionists that advise on each of our formulas. This nutritionist group information can be provided upon request."	"A team of veterinarian nutritionists (boarded with the ACVN) formulates and reviews all of our recipes. Each has more than 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine, is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition (AAVN), and their respective state Veterinary Medical Associations. Names are available upon request."	Food is made in a USDA inspected human food facility and all recipes use 100% human grade ingredients. They test each batch for pathogens to ensure it is safe for your kitchen and your pup.	"All of our recipes are developed according to the nutritional profiles established by AAFCO. They are Complete & Balanced for Adult Maintenance and meet AAFCO nutrient profiles by formulation and by analysis of the finished product."	Made in a USDA Human Food Facility (Texas)	Human-Grade ingredients, gently cooked, sous vide food in bone broth...it smells amazing, and the dogs love it. The one down side is that it is very pricey.
Dr. Harvey's	Brand employs full time Ph.D. with a degree in animal nutrition.	The recipes were formulated and reviewed by veterinarians, Independent Veterinary Specialists, and Independent Nutrition Consultants.	"Dr. Harvey’s is proud to have earned the NASC Quality Seal, one of the most coveted – and hardest to attain – quality certifications in the pet industry!"	"Dr. Limoges and her team follow AAFCO feed guidelines and NASC supplement guidelines to ensure the highest levels of nutritional integrity. Dr. Harvey works in conjunction with his research and development department to ensure the highest quality human-grade ingredients are sourced for the formulations. Before any product is released to market, the formulation is reviewed by several holistic veterinarians whom our company works with closely."	Everything is made in their family owned commercial kitchen.	If you want to home cook, or truly enjoy preparing your dog's food, this is the easiest/most affordable way! While Dr. Harvey is a human doctor who simply loves dogs, his team of amazing Veterinary Professionals make this a trusted product we hope you try!
The Farmer's Dog	"Yes. The Farmer’s Dog employs PhD, board-certified nutritionists."	"Dr. Ryan Yamka, PhD, MS, PAS, FACN, Dipl. ACAS (companion animal nutrition) and Dr. Joseph Wakshlag, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (nutrition) both formulate The Farmer’s Dog’s foods while overseeing the initial formulations from concept to commercialization."	"We require that our food is made to human-grade “ready to eat” standards in human food facilities that carry a USDA establishment number. In addition, we require that all kitchens be certified to GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) standards. Not only do we look to third parties to audit the kitchens, our internal Food Safety, Quality and Regulatory team conducts annual Food Safety Audits at each kitchen to ensure our standards are upheld. As with human food, we require the kitchens to have environmental monitoring for pathogen control programs and a documented allergen program, which not only has pet related allergens and hazards but also human allergen controls to protect the pet owner. Every lot of food must meet our strict analytical specifications to ensure each lot adheres to our guaranteed analysis. In addition to analytical testing, our food must pass microbiological tests, including pathogens such as Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, prior to being released. High risk ingredients such as our vitamin and mineral premix are tested for nutrients like vitamin D prior to being shipped to our kitchens."	"All of our foods are complete and balanced according to AAFCO standards. We have conducted a feeding trial to ensure our food is complete, balanced, and bioavailable. Results of those trials are available upon request. Additionally, we have conducted third-party digestibility and Relative Supersaturation (RSS) studies on all our foods. All of our results are available upon request or can be found in the Nutrition Guide and the Veterinarian Portal online."	"We require each facility to hold a USDA grant of inspection and have on site inspectors employed by the USDA. In addition, we require all locations to maintain GFSI certification and register with the FDA for pet food. Our internal Food Safety, Quality and Regulatory group has extensive experience in human food safety requirements and pet food nutrition, and holds our manufacturing partners to the same safety standards as human food with the vitamin and mineral accuracy required for pets."	They exceed WSAVA guidelines, and to our knowledge, are the only subscription food service that does!
Farmina N&D	Yes, employs several types of "Nutritionists" as well as 100 licensed Veterinarians.	"Leadership of our international formulation team includes a veterinarian with both a PhD and master’s degree in Animal Nutrition. Other members of the formulation team include 5 additional veterinarians (one with a specialized nutrition focus), 6 members with a master’s degree in Animal Feed Technology and 3 members with a bachelor’s degree in Food Technology."	"Each production site is equipped with state of the art quality control labs2 (3 in total) operated by 4 Chemists, 3 Biochemists, 2 Master of Science degrees in Animal Feed Technology and 1 Bachelor of Science degree in Food Technology plus 2 Biologists, 1 Biotechnologist, and 6 lab technicians."	"All formulations occur in house and are developed in accordance with both FEDIAF and AAFCO guidelines. Farmina Pet Foods has a long working relationship with the Chair of Animal Nutrition at the University of Naples Federico II. Through this relationship, we have developed several lines of research that were published by certified high bibliometric international journals. All clinical findings were set up and led by impartial public entities, who confirmed our scientific validity and testified to the effectiveness of our food products. Farmina Vet Life and N&D products are scientifically developed and certified as effective by third parties. One of the unique characteristics of the clinical trials set up by Farmina Vet Research (FVR) is our full respect to the animal's welfare. We collaborate with dozens of independent veterinarians in Italy to offer nutritional solutions for cats and dogs that are affected by a disease. These pets have the chance to improve their health while remaining with their families throughout the trial period. The only change made to their lifestyle is their diet."	"Farmina Pet Foods is a family owned and operated Pet Nutrition Company with 4 proprietary production facilities, including 3 dry food extrusion plants and one wet food manufacturing plant."	This is Louise's favorite! If you know her, you already know this as she cannot help herself. It is so highly studied, formulated mainly with whole foods, and relatively affordable.
The Honest Kitchen	"We work with a team of renowned veterinarians, including a veterinary nutritionist, to create each and every recipe."	"In formulating our diets, we work closely with several Veterinarians and a Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionist. Based on our formulations, nutritional profiles, independent laboratory data as well as a comprehensive review of all the currently available research, we continue to have the highest confidence that our foods are properly made and formulated in accordance with the peer-reviewed research that exists to date."	"Since our foods, supplements, toppers are actually made in facilities that conform to all human food standards, our quality assurance program is designed to attest to the necessary standards that would apply if a human were to be the end consumer. We have an extensive sampling program for our finished goods, and test at an independent third-party laboratory to make sure every batch is free and clear of pathogens, such as E. coli, salmonella, and listeria. The laboratory also checks numerous other food safety and quality indicators. Our strict Test, Hold and Release Program means no finished goods are released into distribution until the test results come back."	"We’re excited to announce that we have completed comprehensive in-home versions of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) feeding trials that included our Whole Grain Dehydrated, Grain Free Dehydrated and Grain Free Whole Food Clusters foods for dogs. The feeding trials were conducted by a third-party veterinarian group, fluent in both AAFCO standards and The Honest Kitchen’s products, spanning over six months and including eight healthy dogs in each trial (24 total). The trials showed overall excellent results and substantiated nutritional adequacy of The Honest Kitchen’s diets. "	The Honest Kitchen recipes are made in the USA at a processing facility that is graded for human food.
Medicus Veterinary Diets	Employs full time Veterinarians and consults with Board Certified Nutritionists.	"We consulted with leading minds in the industry, including Independent Veterinary Specialists and Independent Nutrition Consultants, to formulate these therapeutic diets."	"We source our foods locally and from trusted food suppliers committed to the quality and safety of their ingredients. The same ones who provide for restaurants. All of our ingredients are grocery-grade, including grass-fed meats, wild-caught fish, and organic produce."	All diets are formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles.	"The food is made and manufactured in Wisconsin in a cGMP facility using the highest Quality Control and Food Safety standards. Dr. Chris Bessent owns Medicus along with the facilities in Wisconsin where the food is made."	We have seen it work first hand. Many specialty clinics and treatment facilities use their products to help heal sick pups.
Nature's Logic	Yes, Dr. David Dzanis, DVM, PhD, DACVN.	"All diets are formulated by Nature’s Logic owner and founder Scott Freeman. Mr. Freeman has more than 25 years of experience in formulating animal diets. All Nature’s Logic regulatory information and declarations are critically evaluated by board certified veterinary nutritionist David Dzanis, DVM, PhD, DACVN. All formulas are also run through specialized formula software on-site at production facilities and analyzed at 3rd party labs for accurate declarations."	"All incoming raw material is checked that it meets correct specifications and requirements. As the product is being manufactured, 18 different product data checks are continually done over 40 times to ensure the product is meeting all specifications and guarantees. Then the product is not released for sale until a 3rd party lab analyzes for pathogens."	"All diets are tested through AAFCO Feeding Trials and are substantiated for all life stages."	"All Nature’s Logic diets are produced and manufactured in the U.S. The main facilities are CJ Foods and Simmons Pet Foods."	We love this kibble because it is eco-friendly, all natural, and affordable!
Open Farm	"Core to this team are an Animal Nutritionist who holds a Master Degree in Animal Science, Formulation and Animal Nutrition and a PHD Food Scientist. These experts ensure that our recipes are formulated to meet the nutrition pets need to optimize their health and longevity."	"All our recipes our formulated at our head office in Toronto with the support of various nutrition, animal science and food manufacturing experts."	"Our foods and treats are tested by 3rd party accredited labs for nutritional profile, pathogens, heavy metals and other contaminants, to ensure they meet our strict nutritional and food safety standards. We take great pride in sourcing only the highest quality ingredients, maintaining significant control and traceability throughout our supply chain, and in ensuring that the foods we make are not only extremely healthy, but also safe."	"All our recipes are formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by AAFCO In addition to formulating our recipes to meet AAFCO standards and requirements, we have many check and balances in place to ensure the nutritional integrity of our recipes."	"We are a Canadian company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. All of the work to develop, formulate and distribute our recipes happens here in Canada. Our manufacturing facility, located in Minnesota in the United States, to facilitate our local vegetable program and access to our audited and certified partner farms."	Open Farm is the first ethically raised and sourced pet food. Their recipes are prepared with 100% Certified Humane™ meats, ocean-caught fish sourced in accordance with Seafood Watch™ standards, and non-GMO vegetables. Their entire farm-to-bowl supply chain is audited and certified by third-party organizations specializing in humane animal care and sustainable farming practices. They have also partnered with TerraCycle to create the very first North American pet food bag recycling program.
Primal Pet Foods Inc.	"Yes, we currently employ a a PhD Companion Animal Nutritionist. James Templeman, PhD is on-staff with us full time."	"James Templeman (PhD, Companion Animal Nutrition)."	”Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP’s), Approved Supplier Program, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s), A Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP) program, and lot segregation. Our ingredients are sourced only from USDA inspected facilities, and/or facilities regulated by the FDA. Our manufacturing facilities are FDA, USDA and California SDA inspected. Regular testing to ensure AAFCO nutrient profiles continue to be met. Strict Test & Hold policy for salmonella, e coli, and listeria at a 3rd party food safety laboratory for all finished products."	"All our diets are formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles by formulation & analysis of the finished product. Our PhD companion animal nutritionist uses advanced software to formulate these recipes to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Nutrient Profiles for the specific life stage. Additionally, our team conducts post-production nutrient analysis on the finished product in partnership with a third-party laboratory. We’re working with the University of Illinois to facilitate sponsored research. Currently, 2 of 3 works are published in the Journal of Animal Science."	"All balanced formulas are produced by our own manufacturing facilities in California and Texas."	SO HIGH PROTEIN. Also, they produce everything under the sun. A great brand to use and snag, especially if on sale.
Purina Pro Plan (Nestle Purina)						Purina Institute is a WSAVA Diamond Partner. This means they meet or exceed all these questions automatically. It is very affordable, the 30/20 line is great when you are on a budget. You can add dog safe food scraps to it for a nutrition boost!
The Simple Food Project	Owner, Chris Bessent, DVM, MSOM, Dipl. OM, L.Ac. has over thirty years of experience in veterinary medicine.	Dr. Bessent also received her degree in veterinary nutrition and began to formulate recipes fit for a carnivore from nothing but whole foods.	"We bring in USDA-inspected meats and grocery-grade produce (from the USA only!) directly to our facility, and rigorously check the quality of each ingredient before allowing it to come through our doors."	All diets are formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles. They also do feeding trials with personal pets.	"All our recipes are crafted in small batches with USA-sourced ingredients at our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Wisconsin."	While expensive, it is super simple to work with. Dogs love it and it is super healthy!
Stella & Chewy's	Stella & Chewy work with a highly qualified 3rd party nutrition team to create their products and then the recipes are reviewed by a veterinarian.	" Our products are formulated under the guidance of a PhD animal nutritionist and reviewed thoroughly by our cooperating team of veterinarians."	"The safety of our products is managed through our FSMA required Food Safety Program which includes a specific HACCP program for each variety of food product produced. Each of our co-manufacturing partners also operates under their FSMA required Food Safety Program. We continue to verify the products have met the food safety program requirements by requiring finished goods microbiological testing. All results continue to be published on our website."	"Our complete and balanced diet pet food products meet AAFCO Dog Food Nutritional requirements. This is verified through review of the diet recipe and product by the animal nutritionist and testing of the food product for those required nutrients. We continue to verify that our diets meet the nutritional adequacy expected at a prescribed frequency. We do not feel that feeding trials are the best, or the most scientific way to ensure that our products are complete and balanced. To be considered a “complete and balanced diet,” pet food must either meet one of the Dog or Cat Food Nutrient Profiles established by AAFCO or pass a feeding trial using AAFCO procedures. We do the former. Our products proudly meet appropriate AAFCO requirements based on the nutrient profile (formulation). We feel that this is the most precise and consistent way to provide pets with the premium nutrition they deserve. In addition, WSAVA also states in their recommendations that, “While feeding trials help to test for the food’s nutritional adequacy, the use of feeding trials does not guarantee that the food provides adequate nutrition under all conditions.”	"Our raw food products and baked kibble products are manufactured in our own facility in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Our Stella’s Essentials and cat kibble products are manufactured at our co-manufacturers in Utah and Nebraska. Our wet food products for cats and dogs are made in a human-grade facility in Wisconsin."	This brand is the holy grail for picky eaters!
ZIWI Peak	Employs full time Nutritionist with a PhD degree in animal nutrition	Nutritionists with a PhD degree in animal nutrition and Veterinarians	"For our air-dried products we use a modern take on centuries old meat preserving techniques. Our dual stage Z-TWINTECH® technology removes pathogens with the movement of air. Air-drying is substantially more gentle than other pet food preparation methods, such as extrusion or baking. Our canned recipes use a retort method which means the core temperature reaches a level to kill pathogenic bacteria. The temperature is held for a short period of time necessary to meet all regulatory requirements to produce a safe, low acid canned food. As part of our commitment to quality, we test all our products to ensure they are safe and free of harmful pathogenic bacteria, prior to them leaving our kitchens."	"All ZIWI Peak products meet or exceed the stringent New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries and AAFCO-approved standards." "ZIWI exports to over 30 countries around the globe and meets or exceeds all of their import regulations. Below are just a few of the regulator bodies overseeing importation of ZIWI products: Ministry of Primary Industries (New Zealand) AAFCO (USA) FDA (USA) FSMA (USA) CFIA (Canada) MARA (China) FEDIAF / European Union’s published regulations (EU) Permit to import into Australia." "ZIWI Peak complies with the New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) approved risk management programme based on a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan. Production samples are tested to ensure they meet the specified range for food quality and safety. We conduct laboratory testing on all production products to ensure compliance with stringent EU regulations and to meet our own strict in-house requirements. There are strict limits imposed for these tests, and MPI maintains an overview of the results. ZIWI conducts feeding and palatability trials working with Massey University in New Zealand, who are recognised for their veterinary program. ZIWI does not undertake any invasive animal testing."	"ZIWI Peak foods are made in New Zealand in our own state of the art kitchens."	If you do not have a budget in mind, this is arguably the best food you could possibly feed your dog! They are ethical as a bonus!

The Gold Standard Food Guide

Our Favorite Products, From Our Favorite Brands

The prices listed are real life cost ranges, from the lower end, feeding a 5 pound Chihuahua, to the upper end, feeding an 140 pound Great Pyrenees; most dogs fall somewhere in the middle. We included treats, toppers, meal hydrations, and supplements too, which will just include the cost of the item total. You can schedule a consult and get a personalized feeding schedule with associated costs adhering to your budget if confused on what to choose, or if you are curious about other brands/foods we didn't list. Just click on "Book a Consult to Discuss Your Dog's Needs" above in section 03. Since there are so many great brands out there, we only are listing brands we have personally used here at the rescue, that we seriously recommend! Most every brand, except Purina, utilizes human-grade, whole food ingredients. It would be silly if we did not acknowledge the oldest living dogs on Earth ate diets mainly comprised of human-grade, whole food ingredients. HOWEVER genetics, environmental factors, and so much more play extremely valuable roles in life expectancy! Fed is best, remember that, and take pride in it, no matter what you feed your dog. Price Range examples are averages for all sized pups: $2.00 and under daily (Affordable), $3.00-$6.00 daily (Moderate), $7.00 and more (Expensive).

Kibble for Everyday

Farmina N&D Pumpkin line and their Ancestral Grain line are our personal favorites for everyday use. They are the two most affordable Farmina lines. Over 90% of all the protien in these formulas are from animal sources, still including a mix of fruits and veggies in the recipe. The first 9 ingredients in this pictured recipe are as follows: quail, dehydrated quail, sweet potatoes, chicken fat, dried pumpkin, dried whole eggs, herring, dehydrated herring, herring oil. There is a reason this kibble brand is what Louise feeds her dogs (as their base). Not only does Farmina satisfy WSAVA guidelines, but it meets AAFCO and FEDIAF (Europe's version) requirements. All research conducted by Farmina is certified cruelty free too! (Photo is just one demonstration of their pumpkin line)

30% Protein
$0.21 to $3.32 daily
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Kibble for Allergies

The majority of food allergies, 90%, are caused by protein in meat sources. Fish tend to be a less likely culprit for most allergy prone dogs (in comparison to chicken protein or beef protein). It is important to note that chicken fat or beef fat do not cause allergies. Grain allergies account for the remaining 10% of food allergies, so opting for a grain free food is a smart call for your sensitive pup, unless you want to try an elimination diet to pinpoint the exact source. The first seven ingredients in this recipe are as follows: cod, dehydrated cod, sweet potatoes, herring oil, dehydrated herring, dried pumpkin, dehydrated shrimp. You will continuely see real, whole foods in Farmina's recipes.
(photo is just one demonstration of their ocean line)

34% Protein
$0.26 to $4.05 daily
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Kibble for Large/Giant Breed Puppies

Puppies that are expected to be over 70 pounds require certain amounts of Calcium and Phosphorus for their bones to develop properly. It is imperative, if you suspect your pup will be close or over to this size, you pick a kibble that is suitable for large breed growth. Unfortunately, many puppies suffer permanent bone development issues, cancers, and lifetime pain when given the incorrect kibble. We love Farmina, and this is a great choice for those large breed owners. (Photo is just one demonstration of several available flavors and formulas for Medium/Maxi Puppies made by Farmina)

30% + Protein
Price Depends on Formula Chosen, Affordable to Moderate Price Range
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Kibble for Weight Loss

If you have ever heard someone say, "just feed your dog a lot less when they need to lose weight," PLEASE do not listen to them. Bump up the exercise, and make sure they hit all their nutritional needs on a low calorie food like this one! We have personally used this, and it works very well. The pups always leave satisfied, never knowing they ate fewer calories. While you may think a few extra pounds on your dog is no big deal, we have news for you! About 56% of all dogs in the United States are overweight or obsese. It is estimated that dogs lose 3 years off their life expectancy if obese or chronically overweight. Many people are unaware their pet is overweight, or even that it is an issue. Go to the calorie calculator above to find out if your pup is at an ideal weight or not.

28% Protein
$0.39- $4.50 daily
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Kibble for Preventing Tear Stains

If you care about keeping your white dog from turning into a white crusty dog, get this! If you don't mind, scroll on and enjoy the other picks! Many food companies will add in artificial food coloring, i.e. Purina One using Caramel Color in their recipes. Not only do our dogs not care what color their food is, but food dye can have negative effects on their health overtime, much more serious than dying their fur brown. While all Farmina N&D products do not contain any food dye, this formulation has no ingredients that are staining or inflammatory. The single animal protein recipe provides, limited levels of Phenylalanine and Tyrosine, limited Copper content, and Omega-3 Fatty Acids that enhance the overall health and vitality of your pet's coat.

23% Protein
Only for small dogs; $0.47 daily for 5 pound dog
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Kibble for Picky Eaters

Picky eaters love this, but anything from Open Farm, we will usually recommend. RawMix features their protein-packed kibble covered in a nutritious bone broth and freeze dried raw coating, with added chunks of chicken & turkey freeze dried raw. Crafted with a blend of 100% animal welfare certified chicken and turkey, this flavorful recipe includes nutrient-dense meat, organ, and bone with no grains, legumes or any byproducts. Open Farm is extremely transparent, sustainable, and humane... all things we love! This food is suitable for all dogs, EXCEPT Large/Giant Breed Puppies, estimated 70 pounds or larger as an adult. All this means is that it is too high in calcium and phosphorus for their skeletal development! Small and medium sized dogs, at any life stage, would be great candidates for this food,

30% Protein
Price Depends on Formula, Affordable to Moderate Price Range
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Synthetic Free Kibble for Everyday

Nature’s Logic Canine Chicken Meal Feast delivers 85% of its protein from high quality meat sources and features chicken meal as the first ingredient. It contains no peas, potatoes, corn, wheat, or soy. It is gluten free and includes prebiotics and probiotics to support healthy digestion. Like all Nature’s Logic kibbles, this recipe delivers its nutrition through wholesome and natural ingredients and contains no added synthetic vitamins and minerals. Every nutrient is pulled from dried fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods. It’s complete and balanced for dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds. There are nine different protein formulas you can choose from! This Chicken and the Beef ones are the most affordable.

36% Protein
$0.12-$2.63
(On Sale at Only Natural Pet)
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Synthetic Free Kibble for Allergies

Nature’s Logic Canine Sardine Meal Feast delivers 86% of its protein from high quality meat sources and features sardine meal as the first ingredient. This kibble is 36% protein, which we love!! It contains no peas, potatoes, corn, wheat, or soy. It is gluten free and includes prebiotics and probiotics to support healthy digestion. Like all Nature’s Logic kibbles, this recipe delivers its nutrition through wholesome and natural ingredients and contains no added synthetic vitamins and minerals. It’s complete and balanced for dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds. The grain in here is millet, gluten free is the key, and most every dog with allergies responds well, especially with no triggering protein source as part of this formula.

36% Protein
$0.14-$3.00
(On Sale at Only Natural Pet)
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Budget Friendly Kibble

How could a $90 bag of food be budget friendly?! Well, it is so high calorie, at a whopping 487 calories per cup, that if your pet is 60 pounds or under, or is eating at/under 1100 calories daily, you will be spending less than $1.00 daily on food (if you purchase the 50 pound bag). It is also important to note that Purina One, Blue Buffalo, and IAMS are more expensive per calorie and not as nutritionally beneficial compared to Pro Plan Performance 30/20. We should all calculate price of food based on calorie, not pound. You want to make sure you measure out the food based on calories needed for your dog, not cups daily, as to avoid overfeeding. If you have two or more medium/large breed dogs, this is the move, as you want them to finish the bag within 6 weeks. Bags of kibble that are kept open for longer often go stale, however if properly stored, (kept in the original bag, closed with a sandwich clip, in an airtight container) you can potentially push it to three months, as the brand states. There is a reason it is cheaper, the ingredients are not human grade nor are many whole foods, as compared to all the other brands listed. You can rotate in dog safe food scraps in the "colors of the raindow" throughout the week to boost this kibble. If you are using Purina One, switch to this!

30% Protein
$0.09-$2.06 daily
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Air Dried Raw Alternative

Ziwi Peak is NICE. It is pricey if you feed it as a meal, so the fact that it is approved as a topper makes it more accessible. Honestly, there isn't enough space to go on about how much we love this brand. They take animal well-being seriously, and so do their farmers, fishers, and suppliers. That’s why they follow New Zealand’s Freedom Principles. These guidelines ensure their animals are farmed ethically and sustainably. All land animals are free ranged, grass-fed & grass finished, and fish are wild caught through sustainable practices. Formula wise, ZIWI Peak is comprised of the best nutrition possible using whole foods. Just take a peak on their website and be impressed.

44% Protein
Expensive Price Range
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Prescription Wet Food for Convalescence

I pray no one has to use this food, but it works wonders for the extremely critically ill. Often GP Vetinarians will prescribe Hills, Royal Canin, or Purina. However, this is a whole food alternative we simply like way more. When Hills, Royal Canin, and Purina use cheaper feed grade food, Farmina uses whole, human grade foods. They are still made by leading experts, and again, you do need a prescription. Ingredients include in order of amount...chicken, sweet potatoes, hydrolyzed fish, chicken liver, sardines, tuna, egg yolk, quinoa seed, herring oil, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), and flaxseed.

43% Protein
Price Not Available (Prescription Based)
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Prescription Wet Food for Kidney Stones

Often GP Vetinarians will prescribe Hills, Royal Canin, or Purina. However, this is a whole food alternative we simply like way more. When Hills, Royal Canin, and Purina use cheaper feed grade food, Farmina uses whole, human grade foods. They are still made by leading experts, and again, you do need a prescription. Ingredients are as follows in order of amount... chicken, hydrolyzed fish, eggs, sweet potatoes, chicken liver, sardine, tuna, quinoa seed, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), herring oil, and flaxseed.

36% Protein
Price Not Available (Prescription Based)
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Prescription Wet Food for Extreme Allergies

If you have a pet with extreme allergies, you know how much monthly medication costs. Often GP Vetinarians will prescribe Hills, Royal Canin, or Purina. However, this is a whole food alternative we simply like way more. When Hills, Royal Canin, and Purina use cheaper feed grade food, Farmina uses whole, human grade foods. They are still made by leading experts, and again, you do need a prescription. The ingredients for this recipe, and they have several different ones, are as follows in order of amount... duck, sweet potatoes, hydrolyzed fish, quinoa seed, and herring oil.

22% Protein
Price Not Available (Prescription Based)
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Frozen Fresh for Cancer

Medicus is by far the best nutrition you can give a pup with cancer. You want to feed the pup while starving the cancer. This food is low carb, formulated with real, whole foods chosen for their form and function. Beef, Beef Liver, Flaxseed, Egg, Beef Bone Broth, Cottage Cheese, Ground Krill, Beets, Broccoli, Spinach, Blueberries, Tomato Powder, Avocado Meal, Cranberry, Spirulina, Sweet Potato, Barley Grass, and Pomegranate make up 99% of the food.

55.5% Protein
$1.47-$25.00 daily
1 bag is $39.95
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Frozen Fresh for Temporary GI Issues

Did you know that the "boiled chicken and rice" diet is actually quite outdated in practice? Firstly, it is deficient in 17 essential nutrients, even if short term, it is never smart to nutritionally deprive an already unwell pup. Secondly, it is decently low in calories, which sick pets need higher calorie requirements when recovering. Thirdly, chicken is the most common allergen, not ideal especially if the GI upset could be allergen induced. Luckily, Medicus has this special diet for GI issues. It is always nice to have a bag on hand, since only for short term use. Let's give them the best when they are sick!

20.5% Protein
$1.47-$25.00 daily
1 bag is $39.95
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Frozen Fresh for Renal Support

This food is designed to nourish the body and protect the kidneys by lessening their workload. Conditions that would benefit from this diet include Chronic Kidney Failure with or without azotemia, Acute Kidney Failure, and other conditions requiring low dietary phosphorus.

24.5% Protein
$1.47-$25.00 daily
1 bag is $39.95
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Frozen Fresh for Sensitive Stomachs or Pancreatitis

Unlike the Bland Diet Formula, this is for chronic stomach or pancreas issues. It is expensive, but our pets our worth it! It really works better than anything we have ever seen/used.

24% Protein
$1.47-$25.00 daily
1 bag is $39.95
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Pre-Mix for Allergies

Dr. Harvey's for the win! If your pup still struggles with allergies, even after trying allergy safe kibble, switch them to this! All you add is water.

%19-%24 Protein Depending on Formula
$0.66-$10 daily
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Pre Mix for Weight Loss

Another just add water! It is more pricey than the Farmina Weight Loss Kibble option we love, but it is fresh. It involves slight meal "prepping," waiting 12 minutes to serve after adding water.

%19-%23 Protein Depending on Formula
$0.44- $9.00 daily.
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Pre Mix for Balancing Raw Food

All dogs thrive on balanced diets. Most homemade or off brand raw diets are missing out on important nutrients that your pup needs to thrive. This is an easy way to make sure they are getting everything they need! Be careful where you source your raw meat. Dogs have the systems to handle more pathogens than us, but they still can get sick. If you strongly believe in feeding homemade raw, it typically is against Veterinarian guidance. At least this will make sure your pup is eating a balanced diet regardless

$1.25-$11.00 daily.
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Pre-Mix For Everyday

Dr. Harvey's has an amazing line of pre-mixes for all homecooks who want to make sure their pup's food is balanced. Their Paradigm recipe is also amazing. There are many inadequate, and sometimes dangerous recipes, available to pet owners on the internet. Many cause deficiencies, while others can lead to excess of certain nutrients. Unlike humans, dogs have much shorter lifespans, and nutritional deficiencies or overdoses affect them much more. While we don't "balance" our meals daily, we are a completely different species. This costs about as much as if you were to fully prepare your dog's food, however all this requires is the addition of cooked meat and a pet safe oil. If you hunt, (aka get your meat for free 'ish'), this is very affordable.

$1.25-$11.00 daily, unless "free" meat, then it would be 1/4 of the estimated cost!
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Freeze-Dried Raw Patties

When traveling, or just need a no mess/no bowl required meal, these are a great choice! They are perfectly balanced and can be fed as a whole meal or a snack for your pup.

41% Protein
Price Depends on Formula and Quantity, Moderate Price Range
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Freeze Dried & Dehydrated Raw

This is a fun way to see exactly what goes into your pup's diet. Dogs absolutely love this, and we feed it to our pups on special occasions like birthdays or gotcha days. Every ingredient is literally shown on the packaging, which is so important! Marketing for pet food brands is typically misleading, not the Simple Food Project!

35%-40% Protein
Price Depends on Formula, Expensive Price Range
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Eco-Friendly Gently Cooked

All of their gently cooked recipies are wonderful. While the "Gobble Til' You Wobble" recipe is our favorite to serve because it genuinely smells delicious, having a couple eco-friendly choices is hard to beat. Feel good about where your dog's food comes from when you choose to feed Open Farm.

37.5% Protein
Price Depends on Formula, Expensive Price Range
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Store Accessible, Grain Free, Synthetic Free Gently Cooked

We simply love Primal! Primal Gently Cooked recipes are precisely cooked low and slow to retain moisture and flavor and maintain the integrity and bioavailability of nutrients. Both adult and puppy recipes are complete & balanced with whole foods and can be served as a delicious fresh meal or topper. To make it cost effective, feed your dog this for 20% of their daily diet, the rest can be kibble. They will still greatly benefit from the whole foods.

50%-63% Protein
$4.00-$81.60 (This is why we recommend you use as a topper)
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Gently Cooked Subscription

If you have any social media, you probably have heard of the Farmer's Dog. It is by far our favorite gently cooked subscription. Other gently cooked subscriptions currently do not appear to meet WSAVA guidelines, yet! The Farmer's Dog Chicken Recipe is our favorite, with a protein content of 49%. Some dogs need a lower protein diet, but most thrive on higher protein. While we don't love them shaming pet parents for feeding kibble, many gently cooked foods do this to have an edge in the market saturated by kibble. The oldest living dogs to date ate fresh food diets, so something to consider. We find it important to note that compared to a completely homemade diet that is properly balanced, the Farmer's Dog is the cheaper option.

28%-49% Protein
$2.00-$12.00 daily
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Store Accessible Gently Cooked

A Pup Above is an amazing brand found in many pet food stores. The ingredients are ones you would even eat yourself. The food is made in a USDA human grade facility too! This high protein fresh food is great for the pickiest of eaters. They also have several different recipes so if your dog has allergies, you can find a protein that is suitable for them!

41%-43% Protein
$3.00-$50.00 daily
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Frozen Raw Nuggets

We simply love Primal and their Raw Line. Our favorite would be the nuggets, as they are so easy to count out and serve the proper portion to your dog. They of course use HPP and follow the highest safety standards. This is a raw food we trust and are very comfortable with serving.

44%-65% Protein
Price Depends on Formula, Expensive Price Range
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Topper for Picky Eaters

These are great for dogs with minimal appetite that need to be encouraged to eat their food! You can just use half over their normal food. It works every time! They also have multiple flavors, so many options to choose from.

$2.00-$3.00 Per Pack
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Meal Hydrator- Goat Milk

Re-hydrating kibble is actually pretty imporant! It is easier for dogs to digest their food when rehydrated. Goat milk, and all the flavors primal has available, also adds a fresh source of probiotics, vitamins, and antioxidants to your dogs diet. Goat milk, unlike cow milk, has smaller fat molecules, making it extremely easy for your dog to digest!

Price Depends on Quantity and Formula
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Meal Hydrator- Bone Broth

Another kibble rehydrator option! Bone broth gives a protein boost as well as a flavor boost. It can help dogs with tummy troubles digest their kibble more easily, especially if slightly warmed up.

Price Depends on Quantity and Formula
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Whole Food Toppers

These make adding fresh foods to your dog's food easy! Each one has a unique profile of fresh foods with different profiles of vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbs, fats and antioxidants.

$9.98 For Smaller Sizes
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Topper for Organ Health

One of the things that makes Bam's Beets unique is that it is wild fermented, which means your pet is getting a more diverse and unique range of probiotics in every bite. Organic red beets and purple cabbage fermented act as whole food source of probiotics, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.

$7.99
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Superfood Topper

Adding a small amount (½-1 tbsp) of Golden Paste to your pet's bowl at meal time can aid in: Reducing inflammatory processes, including pain, relieving gastrointestinal distress, including diarrhea, and improve heart and liver function.

$14.99
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Single Ingredient Treats

The pickiest of eaters have always loved these. There are 9 different flavors, so you can find whatever suits your pup. Single ingredient treats are largely the only things we ever recommend. You do not want a ton of fillers, carbs, or chemichals in your dogs treats!

$16.49
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Organ Meat Training Treats

Liver treats are great for picky puppies. They are high protein and packed with essential nutrients for your dog! With any organ meat treats you do not really want this to exceed 5% of their daily caloric intake.

Price Depends on Quantity and Formula
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Goat Cheese Bites

We keep these frozen and feed them like little popsicle bites during the summer. We will even throw them in their warmed up wet food to cool it down. They are great on the go and add a nice probiotic boost to your pup's daily diet.

Price Depends on Formula
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Raw Marrow Bones

These are amazing for dogs who love stuffed treats! It takes all types of dogs awhile to finish. Primal even makes multiple sizes for different sized dogs. All dogs should be monitored when given bones, and evaluated beforehand (if they are super chewers, gobblers, and/or reckless around food, DO NOT feed bones). These bones are raw, so splinter risk is minimal. Teeth chipping can occur, so make sure this is a good fit for your dog before giving! We want them to lick and gnaw, not chomp and gobble.

Price Depends on Size and Quantity
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Fish Skin Wraps

Our dogs love these! They are great for teething puppies or bored adults. They even are great for cleaning their teeth as the scales help 'scale' off tartar as they chew. They are fully digestible as well and pose no risk for splintering, because it is just fish skin. The one downside is they smell so bad. Just let them enjoy it outside!

Use WELCOME15 for 15% Off (On Their Website) Pice Depends on Quantity
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Whole Fish Treats

We love throwing these on top of their kibble meals to add more whole foods into a processed diet. They are great on their own as well! It is a hit or miss if your picky ones will like these. Typically picky dogs do not enjoy them, but it is a great choice for our non picky eaters!

Use WELCOME15 for 15% Off (On Their Website) Pice Depends on Quantity
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Single Ingredient Training Treats

These are perfect for puppies and adult dogs as a lower calorie training treat. They are obviously healthy, protein packed, little fish morsels. They have a great crunch and all dogs love them!

Use WELCOME15 for 15% Off (On Their Website) Pice Depends on Quantity
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Treat for Enrichment

Please NEVER get rawhides, and opt for something like these instead. Rawhides pose a choking risk and obstruction hazard, while these ears are very digestible and not a byproduct of the leather industry (rawhides are). Pups still get the same gratification with these, and we know they will thank you with calmness after enjoying them. Chewing on them truly tires them out!

$14.38
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Calming Chews

Just like people, dogs can have axiety, fears, and other behavioral patterns that are uncomfortable. We have tried CBD and dozens of other brands, however this one stands out! These should only be used in combination with training! We cannot emphasize this enough. Teaching your dog what to do/where to go when they are stressed is fundamental to dog ownership. P.S. breed does not define behavior, just ask any Veterinary Behaviorist or actual behavioral scientist EVER.

Price Depends on Quantity
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Supplement for Environmental Allergies

We know how much allergy medications can cost, and suggest you try these before opting for a lifelong medication. Unlike those allergy mediations, there are no side effects with these. They have worked wonders for our sensitive pups. We are hopeful they work for yours too!

Price Depends on Quantity
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Probiotic Supplement

This, in combination with the Native Pet Pumpkin Topper, has solved even the worst cases of diarrhea for us! With parasites, stomach bugs, and food changes pretty common causes for loose stool, we tend to blow through these. You can get it at PetCo, Target, and Amazon, which makes life pretty easy. Dogs tend to love the taste as well, which is always a plus!

Price Depends on Quantity
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Treat for Teething Puppies

These completely edible, long lasting chews are PERFECT for teething puppies. Not only is there minimal to no risk of obstruction, but it takes even the toughest of chewers hours to days to get through just one Yak Chew! We love providing these to our pups. As in normal puppy fashion, they will often want to chew on you, furniture, or other inappropriate things to meet that mouthy need. Instead of getting frustrated, help them out by providing one of these!

Price Depends on Quantity
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Pumpkin Supplement

Pumpkin is a great source of fiber that can soothe the digestive tract. The issue is, in order to help our pets, you would need a LOT of canned or puréed pumpkin to come close to an effective dose of fiber. This is why this product exists! This, in combination with the Native Pet Probiotic Topper, has solved even the worst cases of diarrhea for us! With parasites, stomach bugs, and food changes pretty common causes for loose stool, we tend to blow through these. You can get it at PetCo, Target, and Amazon, which makes life pretty easy. Dogs tend to love the taste as well, which is always a plus!

Price Depends on Quantity
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Skin & Coat Supplement

They really should title it skin, coat, and nails! Active ingredients include Collagen Peptides (Bovine), Collagen (Porcine), DHA (Microalgae Based Omega-3), Salmon Oil, Vitamin E, Echinacea Angustifolia, Zinc Proteinate, Hyaluronic Acid, Biotin, Proprietary Probiotic Blend (Lactobacillus casei, L. fermentum, L. reuteri, Enteroccoccus faecium). They unfortunately include chicken as well, which is a common allergen for many dogs, so please avoid if your pet has a chicken sensitivity.

Price Depends on Quantity
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