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Holistic Dog Food: A Trend or A Healthy Approach To Feeding Your Dog?

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What Is Holistic Dog Food?

The main objective and purpose of holistic dog food (and human food) is to create balance. Ideally, holistic dog food provides your pup with optimal nutrition as well as supporting overall well-being.

Different ingredients can provide varied benefits and purposes. Each ingredient in a holistic dog food plan would be selected based on the benefit or purpose that the ingredient serves. For example, some holistic dog foods provide high levels of fatty acids, while others might contain more easy-to-digest proteins.

A truly holistic approach to food means that the content of the food will meet the needs of your dog’s physical, mental, and emotional health. It doesn’t just focus or direct its nutritional properties to one specific system. Each dog, just like each human, is different. Their needs will vary, so the type of holistic food you choose for your dog will need to be based on their individual nutritional needs.

It is important to keep in mind that there is no legal definition of the term “holistic” that the pet food industry has accepted. There are also no regulations for labeling dog food as “holistic,” so be sure to do diligent research on the particular brand you might be considering purchasing.

Holistic dog food doesn't have a set definition

Holistic Food vs. Low-Quality Dog Kibble

Have you ever had a nice juicy burger at a nice restaurant? The ingredients are fresh, local, and delicious. Now compare that to a burger you might order through a drive-thru window. It might suffice, but the ingredients are bought in bulk, and the burgers are pumped out in mass production. That’s a bit like the difference between a high-quality holistic dog food versus your run-of-the-mill dog kibble from the grocery store.

Low-quality dog food brands often focus on low-cost ingredients and production costs. This, of course, will result in a low-quality end product. Just like people, when dogs consume low-quality ingredients over a long period of time, poor nutrition is reflected in their overall health.

When dogs are fed low-quality kibble regularly, they may have a flat, dull coat, a lack of energy, digestive issues, dull, lackluster eyes, flatulence, or diarrhea.

Excessive bowel movements or diarrhea could mean that the dog’s current food has too many fillers, or they might be unable to process the type of carbohydrate used – like corn or wheat.

When not caused by an obvious issue, any of these symptoms could mean that your dog is not receiving the proper amount of vitamins, nutrients, or minerals.

On the flip side of this equation, kibble is not all bad. It’s just the low-quality versions to worry about. A high-quality kibble (not necessarily ‘holistic’) can provide many health benefits for your dog. More on types of holistic dog food below!

Does Holistic Mean Grain-Free?

In a short answer: no. Many people these days have started to equate grains with something that their dog shouldn’t have. That is just not the case. Not all holistic dog food is grain-free, and not all grain-free dog foods are holistic.

Unless your dog has a known grain allergy (in which case a grain-free diet is obvious), grains can be completely healthy and beneficial when eaten in limited quantities.

What Ingredients Are In Holistic Dog Food?

As mentioned earlier, not all holistic dog foods are created equal. Different brands may contain different ingredients — what they do have in common is the nutrients that they provide for your dog, such as:

  • High-quality protein: such as fish, pork, or chicken
  • Wholesome grains: like oats or brown rice for energy
  • Natural fiber: which helps keep your dog “regular”
  • Vitamins and minerals: to help maintain healthy bones, heart, and vital organs
  • Digestive enzymes: which help break down protein, carbs, and fat
  • Antioxidants: keep your dog’s immune system working properly, prevents cancer and other diabetes
  • Prebiotics and probiotics: help your dog’s digestive system and help with the absorption of nutrients
  • Herbs: that can help with inflammation

Is Holistic Dog Food Expensive?

As a general rule, holistic dog food is made with high-quality ingredients. Many times, holistic dog food contains “human-grade” food. Both of these factors results in a bit more of an expensive product. But the fact of the matter is you get what you pay for.

Low-quality kibble (as talked about above) is usually made with very low-quality products that would not be considered safe for human consumption; this could include nasty chemicals and diseased tissues and organs from other animals. Terrifying, right?

Since this is the case, many of these mass-producing, low-quality brands do not focus on quality control, leading to food recalls. In 2016 alone, there were 9 major dog food recalls in America. Sadly, 2017 is already quickly surpassing that number.

Here’s something to consider: chances are that you will be paying more for high-quality holistic dog food. However, you will likely pay far less in veterinary bills or medications from food-related health conditions.

Aside from having a healthy dog in the present, feeding your dog better food could result in a longer lifespan. What dog owner doesn’t want that?

Benefits of Holistic Dog Food

At this point, you might be thinking: “If I’m spending more money on my dog’s food, exactly what benefits will be dog experience through a holistic diet?” Don’t fret. We’ve listed all of the benefits for you below.

Healthier Coat

You can tell that a dog has a healthy coat by how it shines and how much they shed. (Of course, some dogs have a naturally dull coat) Even if you have a dog that is known as a “shedder,” they will shed less if they eat food that contains few to no fillers and the proper vitamins and minerals.

The best ingredient to bring about a healthier and shinier coat is fish oil. You might find that many holistic dog food brands commonly add this ingredient specifically for this purpose.  You can even buy pure Alaskan salmon oil for your dog if you want to do so directly! 

Holistic dog food leads to healthier coat

Sharpened Eyesight and Eye Health

Another similarity to humans is that a dog’s eyesight will gradually decline as they get older. Some breeds might even be prone to eyesight or eye health issues. A holistic diet that is high in antioxidants isn’t only good for their overall health but is also extremely beneficial for healthy eyes and can prevent eye issues.

Holistic dog food sharpens eye sight

Healthy Skin

Healthy skin is different than a healthy coat. Some dogs may have a nice coat but their skin could be flaky, itchy, or dry. Oils that are found in holistic, and even raw, diets are great at keeping a dog’s skin hydrated and healthy. Fish oil and vitamin E (and many others) are wonderful ingredients to keep an eye out for when looking for holistic foods that help your dog’s skin.

Elevated Levels of Energy

Again, just like humans, dogs will naturally have more energy when they eat food made with high-quality ingredients. If your pup eats a low-quality food, their body will need to expend more energy trying to digest the byproducts and unhealthy carbohydrates. This will lead to less energy to use for play. High-quality food allows your dog to absorb the nutrients more easily because those ingredients do not exist.

Active dogs need extra energy

Improved Heart Health

The quality of proteins that goes into holistic dog food is a huge priority. Using leaner proteins, dogs fed holistic foods have a better chance at avoiding any weight-related issues. This can, in turn, prevent heart disease. Lean meats could include chicken, lean ground beef, and fish.

Greater Intestinal Health

Since a holistic diet tends to have probiotics, they are designed and formulated to help create healthy bacteria in your dog’s tummy and intestinal tract. This bacteria will aid in digestion and also prevent diarrhea or upset stomachs.

Fewer Bowel Movements

After switching to a holistic diet, you might notice the number of #2 bathroom trips your dog takes. Their bowel movements may even be smaller. When a dog eats a low-quality diet, their body flushes out a lot more “waste material” from fillers than a high-quality diet; this causes more frequent bowel movements. A holistic dog food could eventually scale your dog down to only 1 or 2 bowel movements a day.

Fewer Allergies

Some dog owners have found that their dogs have completely done a 180 regarding their allergies after moving to a holistic diet. Allergies that can cause itching, dry skin, hair loss, flaking skin, etc. can all be managed with the vitamins and nutrients, such as fish oil and vitamin E, found in a more holistic diet.

Dogs that suffer from grain allergies or sensitivities can benefit greatly from a grain-free holistic diet. Bringing in the proper amount of vitamins and nutrients to ensure healthy digestion.

Where Do I Buy Holistic Food & Which Brands Are The Best?

Check your local pet store for holistic dog food (wet or dry). Smaller boutique or “natural” pet stores may have more choices. Another great place to buy your dog food is online. Check out Amazon, which has a great selection of holistic dog foods. You could also make your own!

It’s up to you to research which holistic dog food brand is best for you and your dog. Be sure to check the ingredients to be confident that you’re giving your dog the nutrients that work the most harmoniously for them. And don’t forget, be wary of the term “holistic” on the packaging as it has not yet become regulated. Again, it’s up to you to do the proper research before purchasing. Since each dog is different, you’ll want to ensure you’re picking an ingredient combination that will enrich your dog in the most balanced and complete way.

Our Favorite Holistic Dog Foods

Canidae uses great ingredients and refrains from using corn, wheat, soy, certain grains, fillers, and other by-products. They make their products in the US, and their foods are FDA and USDA approved.  Dog’s love both the wet and dry formulations.

Eagle Pack
has been around since the 1980s and is one of the first companies out there to advocate for pets to be on holistic diets.  Their products are also FDA and USDA-approved, so you’ll never have to worry about quality.  There are lots of options, so check them out\!

Eagle Pack Holistic Select

Castor and Pollux’s Organix and Ultramix brands have been mainstays of the holistic dog diet for years, and they still make high-quality products that are super healthy for any dog’s diet.  It’s hard to go wrong with this popular holistic dog food brand.
Castor and Pollux's Organix UltramixOne of the first companies to offer any sort of holistic dog food, Solid Gold offers USDA-grade meats and grains mixed with natural ingredients to keep your dog as healthy as possible.  They have an awesome selection and the food does not contain corn, soy, or preservatives.
Solid Gold Holistic Dog Food
Weruva is a funny-sounding name for a pet food company, and even though they started out making food just for cats, they also make an excellent line of canned dog food.  Weruva’s dog food only uses human-grade ingredients that your dog will love.

Weruva Grain-Free Dog Food

Thinking About Moving Your Dog to a Holistic Diet?

Finding the perfect holistic diet for your dog might take some time as well as trial and error. Here are a few tips and insights to consider for your next steps:

  • Find support: online or within your circle. One of the best ways to get some good insight to starting your dog on a new holistic diet would be to pick the brain of someone who has already done it! Talk to your friends or find online forums and discuss some of the ways to start your dog on their new food regimen
  • Write it down: Keep a journal or log regarding your dog’s food, their behavior, and any physical changes you might notice. You might not see changes right away but after a couple weeks the changes might seem more significant. Same goes for the opposite — if nothing is changing or helping your dog’s health, maybe it’s time to try something different
  • Prevention is the best medicine: Don’t forget that your dog’s health is greatly dependent on their nutrition. What you feed your dog today may have long-lasting consequences on their health down the road. Paying more attention to quality ingredients could prevent a world of heartache (and vet bills) in the future
  • Something is better than nothing: A fully holistic dog food diet might seem a bit out of reach at the moment. Maybe it’s out of your budget. Maybe you don’t have the time to dive into researching brands and ingredients. Whatever the reason — try taking baby steps. Incorporate some fish oil into their current food. Add some lean proteins. Even small changes can make a big difference
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Ashley Brewer

Ashley Brewer

Ashley Brewer is from beautiful and green Portland, Oregon. Writing has been her passion since she first wrote her own children’s book at the age of 6 years old – “Attack of the Killer Clothespins.” Ashley has always been in love with animals of all kinds since she can remember. Growing up with Labrador Retrievers and Tabby cats, she currently has a black cat whom she adores – named Mr. Beep Boop. Going by the nickname “Ash”, she has been writing professionally for over a decade with a focus mainly on pets and travel. When she’s not writing, traveling, or hanging with Mr. Beep Boop you can find Ashley camping or hiking with her husband in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest.

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