At Naked Dog Bistro, we create our own small-batch fresh dog food right here in our local dog bakery. If you live in or near Laguna Beach, we highly recommend that you consider trying our organic dog food, if you are out of the area, we do have a few tips to help you find the best organic dog food brands.
Why Organic Dog Food?
While organic food costs more than non-organic varieties, there are a few reasons to consider purchasing organic dog food brands. Organic food, according to several studies, tends to have a higher nutritional value than non-organic food. Additionally, organic food is grown without pesticides, and our bodies (and our furry friends’ bodies) are exposed to enough chemicals as it is, and we don’t need any extra in our food.
Why Fresh Dog Food?
At Naked Dog Bistro, we do sell a few organic dog food brands, but mostly we focus on creating our own fresh organic dog food. We love fresh food for several reasons. One huge reason why we love fresh dog food is that we can select the best fresh, organic ingredients and everything in our fresh dog food (and most other fresh dog food brands) is human-grade and high-quality.
Another reason why we love fresh dog food is that it usually contains no preservatives, gluten or grain. While many dogs have no trouble with gluten or grain, some do and it can be wise to find a grain-free dog food if your dog is having digestive issues or allergies. Preservatives are typically chemicals that help food stay shelf-stable for as long as possible, and while that is certainly convenient, dogs don’t need these chemicals, so fresh dog food is a great way to keep preservatives out of your dog’s diet.
Furthermore, dogs love fresh dog food. If you have a picky eater that turns his nose up at kibble or canned food, fresh dog food can be a great, healthy option to consider. We have several different delicious varieties, but if you don’t live in our local area, there are other brands to consider that ship nationwide, such as The Farmer’s Dog or Just Food For Dogs. Some of these companies can even design a special dog food just for your furry friend to address special dietary needs or restrictions.
Is Raw A Good Option?
Sometimes people confuse “fresh dog food” with “raw dog food.” Fresh dog food is cooked, but it generally contains human-grade ingredients and no preservatives, unlike canned food or kibble.
In general, we don’t really recommend raw food for dogs, although it’s all the rage right now. While many dogs love raw food, it can cause cross-contamination in your home which can be dangerous if you have children or anyone in your home has immune system issues. Additionally, if your dog has pancreatitis, we do not recommend raw food, as cooked food is better. We have several varieties of our fresh dog food that is pancreatitis-safe.
Choosing Organic Dog Food Brands
Whether you opt for kibble, canned or fresh dog food, here are a few tips to help you find the best fit for your furry companion.
1. Read The Label
For humans, it can be tough to read every food level because we eat such a wide variety of foods, although it’s still a good idea to read those labels. With dogs, however, they eat the same food and treats every day, so dog parents can and should spend some time reading food labels.
If you see a bunch of chemicals or words that you don’t understand or you see words like “chicken meal” or fillers such as corn, this probably is lower quality food, even if it is one of those organic dog food brands. While organic dog food might be free from pesticides, it still might contain some suspect ingredients, so be sure that your dog’s food is a pure and natural as possible.
2. Talk To Your Veterinarian
Your vet can be a fantastic resource if you want to pick out a new type of dog food. We know vets carry a few brands (such as prescription dog foods) in their offices, but they usually are happy to recommend other organic dog food brands. You can ask your veterinarian if your dog should be eating fresh dog food, canned or kibble or perhaps a combination. If you want to make your own fresh dog food from scratch, your veterinarian also can give you some ingredient recommendations such as healthy proteins and good sources of carbohydrates.
3. Don’t Compare Your Dog To Other Dogs
There are many organic dog food brands, and many that provide excellent nutritional support, but what works for one dog might not work for another. Some dogs need grain-free dog food, while other dogs need food without potatoes, beef or chicken. Dogs prone to pancreatitis need food that is lower in fat than other dogs. Additionally, puppies and senior dogs have different nutritional needs than regular adult dogs. If your dog is prone to allergies or stomach issues, we do recommend that your first step would be to talk to your vet about ingredients and dog food brands.
4. Start Small
Changing a dog’s diet shouldn’t happen overnight. If you want to try out a new food brand, start slowly and add just a bit of the new food for a day or two and slowly increase the new food while decreasing the old food. This provides your dog’s tummy with time to adjust to this change and you can see if your dog tolerates the new food well.
If you do change your dog’s diet, we recommend that you make no other nutritional changes for a few weeks after you swap foods. This isn’t a great time to try out a new type of treat or doggie bone broth, etc. If you change up several components of your dog’s diet and their stomach is upset, you won’t know if it’s the new food or the new treats.
If you live in Laguna Beach and are searching for organic dog food brands, we have a few varieties in-house, but, we also can provide you with local dog food delivery service for our fresh dog food. Give us a call at any time to check on dog food flavor availability or bring your furry friend for a visit to our local dog bakery and check out our selection in person as well as some of our homemade dog treats.
