If you are one of the many pet owners making the switch to feed your furry friend an all-natural dog food diet, you may be wondering which specific wholesome ingredients are best to look for. While natural pet food brands like Nextrition have their own unique recipes, here are some of the most common, nutritious, dog-approved components you will find in high-quality natural formulas.
Premium Proteins
Protein from real, whole food sources should make up the foundation of any quality dog food, and natural brands deliver by using premium animal proteins rather than hard-to-digest rendered by-product meals.
Some of the top proteins found in natural diets include fresh or dehydrated meats like chicken, turkey, beef, bison, lamb, and fish such as salmon. You will also find easily digestible egg and milk proteins in many recipes as well.
Healthy Fats
In addition to providing concentrated energy, dietary fats from natural sources offer essential fatty acids that support everything from skin and coat condition to brain development and inflammation control.
Look for animal-based fats like chicken fat and fish oils abundant in anti-inflammatory omega-3s. Plant sources like flaxseed, coconut oil, and canola oil provide a balanced blend of omegas for overall health.
Complex Carbohydrates
While dogs’ ancestors were primarily carnivores, modern canines have developed the ability to digest a variety of nutritious fruits, veggies, and whole grains, which provide crucial fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Common carb ingredients in natural dog foods include whole oats, brown rice, quinoa, sweet potatoes, carrots, blueberries, cranberries, and pumpkin, among many others. These minimally processed complex carbs are preferable to refined grains and sugars.
Natural Prebiotics and Probiotics
A thriving population of beneficial probiotic gut bacteria is essential for proper digestion, nutrient absorption, immune function, and overall health for dogs. Prebiotics act as nourishing food sources that help those good bugs flourish.
Natural prebiotic fibers often found in these diets include chicory root, beet pulp, and inulin from plant sources. Fermentation-derived probiotics like those from pumpkin and yogurt may also be included.
Fresh Fruits and Veggies
While whole produce is not usually a main ingredient, many natural dog foods incorporate fresh or dehydrated fruits and vegetables to provide natural sources of key vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber.
You will often see nutrient-rich picks like blueberries, cranberries, spinach, carrots, peas, tomatoes, kelp, and alfalfa used to nutritionally fortify these premium formulas.
Herbs and Botanicals
For added benefits beyond just basic nutrition, some natural pet food makers include concentrated herbal extracts and botanical sources of natural compounds like antioxidants in their recipes.
Popular inclusions are turmeric for inflammation control, rosemary for preservative properties, chamomile and ginger for soothing digestion, and oregano oil, which has antimicrobial effects.
No Artificial Anything
What you will not find in any reputable all-natural dog food are artificial preservatives, colors, flavors, or synthetic nutrient sources. Instead of chemical preservatives, natural mixed tocopherols from vitamin E or rosemary extract are used.
Rather than natural flavor from non-descript sources, they use real broths, fats, and juices from identifiable meat, vegetable, or fruit components for a savory taste dogs love. Whole food ingredients provide all the nutrients in their natural form with no synthetic boosting.
Conclusion
With so many fresh, high-quality, recognizable ingredients in the best all natural dog food formulas, it is no wonder even some of the pickiest pups go absolutely bonkers for these powerhouse dishes. From premium proteins to probiotics, nutrient-dense produce, and herbal boosters, these wholesome, minimally processed recipes are designed to optimize your dog’s overall health, longevity, and zest for life in the most delicious way possible.
