What is Organic Dog Food?

Walk down the pet food aisle today, and you’ll see “organic” on more and more product labels. But what is organic dog food, and are organic dog food brands automatically better? With so many pet food options available today, it’s natural to have questions about what goes into your dog’s bowl. Understanding what makes organic pet food different can help you make the best choice for your dog.

What Does Organic Dog Food Mean?

Organic dog food refers to products made with ingredients that meet certified organic agricultural standards. What qualifies as “organic” can vary depending on the certification rules followed in the market where the food is sold. Under USDA guidelines, a widely recognized organic certification standard, products labelled “organic” must contain at least 95% certified organic ingredients to display the USDA Organic seal. These ingredients must be grown or raised according to specific organic production requirements, including:

• Without prohibited synthetic pesticides or fertilizers
• Without genetically modified organisms
• Without sewage sludge or ionizing radiation
• For animal-derived ingredients, without the use of prohibited antibiotics or growth hormones

What are the Benefits of Organic Dog Food?

For pet parents who prefer organic ingredients, some potential benefits of organic dog food include:

• Cleaner ingredient profiles: Fewer additives, artificial preservatives, and synthetic substances
• No antibiotic residues: Organic livestock standards prohibit the use of antibiotics and growth hormones in animals raised for organic products.
• No GMOs: For pet parents who prefer non-GMO ingredients for their dogs
• Support for environmental sustainability: Organic farming practices focus on soil health, biodiversity, and ecological balance

Overall, these benefits mainly relate to how organic ingredients are produced and sourced. They do not necessarily mean that organic dog food is healthier or more nutritious than conventional dog food.

Do All Organic Dog Foods Have the USDA Organic Seal?

No. Under USDA guidelines, organic labelling rules are divided into different tiers:

• 100% organic: All ingredients and processing aids are certified organic
• Organic: At least 95% of ingredients are certified organic; may display the USDA Organic seal
• Made with organic: Between 70-95% organic ingredients; cannot display the USDA Organic seal
• Less than 70% organic: Can only reference organic ingredients in the ingredient list; no organic claim on the main label

What's the Difference Between Organic Dog Food and Natural Dog Food?

This is one of the most common points of confusion for pet parents. Here's the difference between organic and natural dog food:

• Organic dog food: Regulated by the USDA, it requires third-party certification, covers how ingredients are grown and produced, and prohibits GMOs, synthetic pesticides, and antibiotics.
• Natural dog food: According to AAFCO, a “natural” food simply cannot contain ingredients made or caused by humans, with an exception allowed for synthetic vitamins and minerals. No certification or inspection is required to claim “natural”.

Is Organic Dog Food Better?

The label “organic” mainly tells you how certain ingredients were produced. It does not, by itself, tell you whether the finished food provides better or more complete nutrition. Organic dog food may appeal to pet parents who prefer ingredients produced under organic standards, but there are several factors to consider:

• Organic does not automatically mean better: A dog food’s quality depends on its overall nutritional profile, whether it provides complete and balanced nutrition, and whether it fits your dog’s specific life stage.
• Higher cost and limited availability: Organic dog foods tend to be significantly more expensive and harder to find consistently in local pet stores.
• Conventional diets are completely effective: Most dogs thrive on high-quality conventional diets that fulfill their daily nutrient requirements.
• Nutritional balance outweighs marketing labels: Always check for an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement on the package to ensure the recipe supports total canine wellness, regardless of whether it carries an organic seal.

Why Complete and Balanced Nutrition Matters Most

Whether you choose an organic dog food brand or not, what matters most is giving your dog complete and balanced nutrition daily. Dogs have unique nutritional needs, so their food should provide the right nutrients in the right amounts. Overall, a complete and balanced diet should provide:

• The right balance of essential nutrients: Including protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals to help support your dog’s everyday health.
• Nutrition for every life stage: Puppies and adult dogs have different nutritional needs, so it’s important to choose food that is suited to their age and life stage.
• Reliable nutrition every day: Look for dog food that is formulated to meet recognized nutritional standards, so you can feel confident your dog is getting the nutrition they need with every meal.

At the end of the day, whether a dog food is organic matters less than choosing a dog food brand that can fully support your dog’s nutrition.

Making Informed Feeding Choices

As pet parents, it’s natural to be mindful of what goes into your dog’s bowl. When choosing dog food, prioritize options that provide complete and balanced nutrition to help meet your dog’s nutritional needs and support their everyday health. If you want to learn more about making the right feeding choices for your dog, explore the PEDIGREE® blog for more advice on dog nutrition, care, and everyday feeding.