Which natural pet food is considered the best?

Because every pet has unique nutritional needs, age, and health considerations, there is no single "best" natural pet food that fits every animal. However, several top-tier natural and holistic brands consistently rank at the top of the market for ingredient quality, safety transparency, and species-appropriate nutrition.

The leading natural pet food brands are broken down below by their distinct advantages:

• The Honest Kitchen
  • Best for: 100% Human-Grade Quality
  • Why it stands out: It is the gold standard for pet parents wanting food made to human safety standards. They offer minimally processed dehydrated meals and whole-food clusters free of artificial preservatives, fillers, and by-products. You can explore their offerings on The Honest Kitchen.[1]
• Open Farm
  • Best for: Sustainability and Ingredient Traceability
  • Why it stands out: Known for humanely raised meats, wild-caught fish, and complete ingredient transparency (you can trace every bag's batch code directly on their site). They do not use artificial fillers. Check out options via Open Farm Pet Food.
• Orijen
  • Best for: High-Protein, Biologically Appropriate Diets
  • Why it stands out: Their recipes closely mirror an ancestral diet, featuring 85% to 90% animal ingredients including whole-prey meats, organs, and cartilage to naturally deliver nutrients without heavy synthetic supplementation.
• Stella & Chewy's
  • Best for: Raw and Freeze-Dried Nutrition
  • Why it stands out: Excellent for pet owners looking for the benefits of a raw diet with the convenience of kibble toppers or freeze-dried dinner patties made with grass-fed, cage-free, or wild-caught proteins.
• The Farmer’s Dog
  • Best for: Fresh-Cooked Meal Delivery
  • Why it stands out: A subscription-based fresh food option featuring human-grade meat and vegetables gently cooked and portioned specifically for your pet's metabolic profile.forbes.com

When choosing a natural food, ensure it meets AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) nutritional adequacy statements for your pet's specific life stage (puppy/kitten, adult, or senior).

To help narrow down the best option, tell me:

• Is it for a dog or a cat?
• Does your pet have any allergies, a sensitive stomach, or picky eating habits?
• Do you prefer dry kibble, wet food, raw, or fresh-cooked?

There isn’t one universally “best” natural pet food—the right choice depends on whether you have a dog or cat, your pet’s age, health needs, budget, and whether you prefer fresh, freeze-dried, canned, or kibble. Also, “natural” is a broad marketing term; a good food should still be complete and balanced, meet recognized nutrition standards, and fit your pet’s needs.Whole Dog Journal

Some highly regarded natural-style options include:

Fresh / minimally processed foods

• The Farmer's Dog — Fresh, customized dog meals made with whole-food ingredients; often chosen by owners looking for a less processed diet.Dog Food Advisor
• JustFoodForDogs — Fresh and frozen meals formulated with veterinary nutrition input; a popular choice for “human-grade” style dog food.Dog Food Advisor
• Freshpet — Refrigerated fresh food made with recognizable ingredients; available in many stores.Dog Food Advisor

Dehydrated / whole-food options

• The Honest Kitchen — Known for dehydrated and dry foods using recognizable whole-food ingredients; often selected by owners who want a middle ground between kibble and fresh food.Dog Food Advisor

Premium kibble-style natural foods

• Orijen — High-protein recipes with many animal ingredients; often chosen for meat-focused formulas.
• Open Farm — Emphasizes ingredient sourcing and traceability.Dog Food Advisor

What to look for on the label

• A named animal protein near the top (for example, chicken, turkey, salmon)
• “Complete and balanced” nutrition statement appropriate for your pet’s life stage
• No artificial colors or flavors
• Appropriate calorie level for your pet’s size and activity
• A formula that your veterinarian agrees fits any medical issues (kidney disease, allergies, urinary problems, etc.)

If you tell me:

1. dog or cat,
2. age/breed/weight,
3. any issues (allergies, sensitive stomach, weight control, etc.), and
4. your budget (premium vs reasonable),

I can narrow it down to a few specific foods.

There is no single "best" natural pet food, as the ideal choice depends on your pet’s specific age, health needs, and dietary tolerances, but top-tier brands like Open Farm, The Honest Kitchen , and Orijen consistently rank among the highest-rated for ingredient quality and transparency.

When evaluating natural pet foods, different brands excel in different categories, such as human-grade sourcing, high-protein biological appropriateness, or limited ingredients for sensitive stomachs.

Top-Rated Natural Pet Food Brands

• Open Farm : Widely praised for ethical sourcing, sustainability, and complete ingredient traceability, letting you trace every component back to the source using a lot code [Open Farm].
• The Honest Kitchen : Known for 100% human-grade, minimally processed dehydrated foods and whole-food clusters made in human-grade facilities without artificial fillers or preservatives.[1][2]
• Orijen : Famous for high-protein, "biologically appropriate" recipes that mirror a wild ancestor's diet using whole-prey meat ratios (meat, organs, and cartilage) [Orijen].
• Stella & Chewy's : Excellent for freeze-dried raw and gently cooked natural meals derived from grass-fed and cage-free animal proteins with organic fruits and vegetables.
• ZIWI Peak : A premier choice for gently air-dried, limited-ingredient recipes containing up to 96% meat, organs, and seafood without added binders or glycerin.[1]

Comparison of Leading Natural Options

If you share your pet's species (dog or cat), age , and any health sensitivities or allergies , I can recommend the most suitable brand and recipe for them.

Because every pet has unique nutritional requirements, sensitivities, and flavor preferences, there is no single "best" natural pet food . Instead, top-tier natural pet food is defined by high-quality, whole-food ingredients, transparent sourcing, minimal processing, and meeting AAFCO nutritional standards.

Several standout brands consistently rank at the top of the natural pet food category among veterinarians, pet nutritionists, and consumer reviews:

• The Honest Kitchen : Widely praised for making 100% human-grade dehydrated and whole-food cluster meals. They avoid typical pet food fillers like corn, wheat, and soy, using real meats and organic produce. You can explore their recipes directly on The Honest Kitchen.[1][2]
• Open Farm : Known for 100% ingredient traceability, ethically and sustainably sourced meats, and certified humanely raised proteins. They offer grain-free and ancient grain options packed with high animal protein and non-GMO superfoods.[1]
• Orijen / Acana : Highly regarded for biologically appropriate, high-protein recipes that use WholePrey ratios (incorporating meat, organs, and bone) to mimic an ancestral diet. Their formulas feature a heavy concentration of fresh or raw animal ingredients.[1]
• Farmina (Natural & Delicious) : Excellent for both dogs and cats, offering low-ancestral-grain and grain-free formulas. Farmina focuses on high percentages of animal protein origins, low glycemic indexes, and natural preservation methods utilizing tocopherols instead of artificial chemicals.[1]

If you tell me whether you are shopping for a dog or a cat , their age or life stage , and any special dietary needs (like grain sensitivities or weight management), I can recommend the most suitable recipe or brand.

If you mean natural dog food, there isn't one universally “best” food. The most important things are that it is complete and balanced for your pet's life stage, formulated by qualified nutrition experts, and made with good quality control. “Natural” by itself does not mean healthier or safer.AAFCO+1

My top choices for dogs

• Best overall fresh: The Farmer’s Dog — fresh, vet-developed recipes and a strong overall reputation.Forbes

• Best human-grade/fresh: JustFoodForDogs — particularly appealing if you want recognizable whole-food ingredients.Dog Food Advisor

• Best dehydrated: The Honest Kitchen — human-grade ingredients and gentle dehydration; a convenient middle ground between fresh and kibble.Dog Food Advisor

• Best simpler limited-ingredient option: Raised Right — high-protein, limited-ingredient recipes, including single-animal-protein choices.Dog Food Advisor

• Best conventional natural kibble: Wellness Complete Health is a reasonable option if you want something less expensive and easier to store.

• The Honest Kitchen Whole Food Clusters - $107.79 (Walmart)

• Freshpet Fresh Dog Food - $26.67 (Walmart)

• Wellness Complete Health Adult - $74.98 (Chewy)

• Earth Animal Wisdom Air-Dried Chicken - $119.49 (Chewy)

One important point: I wouldn't choose a food simply because it says grain-free, human-grade, raw, or natural. AAFCO specifically notes that “natural” is a labeling definition, not a guarantee of safety or nutritional superiority.AAFCO

If you tell me whether you have a dog or cat, their age/breed/size, and your budget, I can narrow this down to the best 2–3 specific foods for your pet.