Best Fresh Dog Food: Top Natural & Organic Picks

Fresh dog food is a much healthier alternative to dry kibble and processed canned foods, but many pet owners don’t have the time to prep balanced meals from scratch every day. That’s why brands that offer fresh, natural, organic meal packages have become a practical solution for busy households that still want high-quality nutrition.

To help you find a perfectly suited option for your pet, we’ve put together a complete guide to the best fresh dog food brands. Below, we’ll break down what makes each one worth considering, from ingredient quality and formulation standards to convenience, customization, and overall value for money.

What to Look for in Fresh Dog Food

We’ll get to the rankings shortly, but first, take a peek at what you should be primarily looking for. These are the key factors you’ll want to shift your attention towards:

• Fresh, human-grade ingredients: The best natural dog food is made of fresh and locally sourced ingredients that you’d trust yourself with. The same quality standard should apply as with picking human-grade ingredients.

• Veterinary formulation: All the recipes and meal plans should be crafted by certified pet nutritionists and veterinarians.

• Minimal processing: Methods like slow cooking or steam cooking still preserve most of the nutritional value without compromising food quality.

• Transparent sourcing: Ensure the company you’re using sources its ingredients from local farms.

• Food standards’ guidance and compliance: It’s always a huge plus if a pet food brand follows the guidelines set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

1. Pawy: Best Fresh Dog Food Brand Overall

Pawy is a complete package when it comes to the best all natural dog food brands. It follows strict, vet-formulated recipes, with all ingredients sourced from nearby farms, ensuring the food is always fresh and healthy.

It also offers complete transparency and invites you to reach out and get a specific meal plan for your dog, based on its breed, age, and condition. All the ingredients are sustainably sourced, and there’s an entire team of pet nutritionists and veterinarians involved in preparing the freshest meals.

All the ingredients are human-grade, and most of the preparation methods involve slow-cooking. Pawy also champions animal shelters in Switzerland, and it’s the first plastic-neutral certified pet food company in the country.

Pros:

• Offers personalized meal plans with vet support

• Trial box satisfaction guarantee

• Chance to get 30% off on your first order

• Vet-formulated recipes 

Cons:

• Deliveries mainly available in Switzerland

  
  

2. The Farmer’s Dog: Flexible and Personalized Plans

The Farmer’s Dog is a top-rated, all-natural dog food brand with tried-and-true recipes. It also comes neatly packaged for easy serving, while vet-developed plans can be customized to your dog’s needs.

All the meals are gently prepared, mostly slow-cooked, which helps preserve their nutritional value. They also have their own Snap Sticks, which are handy for pet owners looking to reward their dogs with natural, tasty treats.

Pros:

• AAFCO-compliant

• Fresh food delivered in days

• Meal portions suit your dog’s caloric needs

Cons: 

• Custom plans can be quite expensive

• Mainly available in the US

• Limited choice of recipes

  
  

3. Ollie: Great for Protein-Based Diets

Ollie places a strong focus on food quality, with meals that are vet-approved and made from human-grade ingredients. Similar to Pawy, you can simply reach out to Ollie’s team of veterinarians and share some details on your dog and its health condition.

From there, the team’s experts will make sure that you get the best organic dog food delivered to your doorstep. They focus on personalized meals and even bring pet gifts to make food storage and serving easier. 

Pros:

• Great option for picky dogs with high-quality fresh ingredients

• No preservatives or artificial ingredients

• Competitive pricing

• Up to 50% discount on the first order

Cons:

• Smaller recipe list than that of competitors like Pawy

• No retail availability

  
  

4. Freshpet: Best Retail Option

Freshpet is the best organic dog food you can get in retail stores. You can also order it in the US via Freshpet Delivery and get 50% off on your first order. All their recipes are freshly made and crafted by real veterinarians and pet health experts.

All their ingredients are completely natural, with no chemicals or additives. They source fresh fruits and veggies from local farms in the US and use real meat with no powders or processed ingredients.

Pros:

• Available in major retailers and pet stores

• Doesn’t require a subscription for purchases

• More affordable plan pricing than that of premium pet food brands

Cons:

• Limited meal plan customization options

• Needs to be properly stored and refrigerated

• Some recipes contain grains, which may not suit dogs with certain dietary sensitivities

  
  

5. Raised Right: Family-Owned Quality

Raised Right is a family-run company that works with veterinarians to craft fresh, balanced recipes. They focus on limited-ingredient recipes with a high protein and low carbohydrate content.

Recipes are straightforward, most containing just a few ingredients. There are no processed or artificial substances here, which makes it yet another human-grade option for quality pet food.

Pros:

• Chance to get 20% off on your first box

• AAFCO-compliant 

• Customizable meal plans suitable for dogs with food sensitivities

Cons:

• Higher price range

• Limited availability

• Only offers several recipe options

  
  

Make the Healthy Switch to Fresh Food Today

Switching from dry kibble or heavily processed food to fresh dog food can be a smart move for pet owners who want simpler, whole-food ingredients in their dog’s diet. Fresh, whole ingredients like salmon, chicken, veggies, and fruits improve digestion and reduce the risk of your dog developing cardiac issues or kidney disease.

The brands reviewed above all use lean proteins and carefully portioned meal plans that can support convenience and overall diet quality. 

They also use leafy greens and root veggies to support digestion and reduce the risk of serious health issues. With that in mind, Pawy’s recipes and meal plans stand out as the best option, and we’ll be happy to assist you on your way towards a custom meal plan suited for your furry friend.