More and more dog owners are paying attention not only to their own diet, but also to that of their pet. Organic dog food is enjoying growing popularity – and for good reason! Scientific research clearly shows that nutrition plays a crucial role in the lifespan and health of dogs. High-quality organic dog food, free from artificial additives, pesticides, and inferior fillers, can help dogs age healthily, be less prone to disease, and live longer. Therefore, anyone who wants their dog to stay healthy and by their side for as long as possible should rely on a natural, balanced diet. In this article, you'll learn everything you need to know about organic dog food and why it's a very good choice for your dog.
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Contents
Why is organic dog food healthier? 1. Fewer chemicals, more nutrients 2. Better tolerance for sensitive dogs 3. More flavor & better well-being Sustainability of organic dog food 1. CO₂ emissions: Organic vs. conventional dog food 2. Water consumption: Organic saves valuable resources 3. Soil and biodiversity: Organic farming protects ecosystems Organic wet food: Fresh ingredients for optimal nutrient supply Advantages of organic wet food for dogs Disadvantages of organic wet food for dogs Organic dry food: Sustainable, convenient, and nutrient-rich Combining organic wet and organic dry food Buying organic dog food: What to look for 1. Check for organic certification 2. High-quality animal protein as the main ingredient 3. No artificial additives 4. Origin and transparency of the manufacturer 5. The best production method for organic dog food 💡 Conclusion: Organic dog food – A worthwhile investment
About the author: Dr. Julia Lettow
Julia holds a PhD in biology, is a certified dog trainer, a dog nutrition expert, and an Alpenwuff ambassador. With her in-depth scientific training and years of experience, she shares her knowledge in our Alpenwuff blog.
Why is organic dog food healthier?
Organic dog food is the healthier alternative for your dog for three reasons:
1. Fewer chemicals, more nutrients
Conventional dog food can contain residues of pesticides, antibiotics, and synthetic additives. Organic dog food, on the other hand, relies on natural ingredients that are processed with exceptional care. This helps preserve vitamins and minerals—ideal for a strong immune system!
2. Better tolerance for sensitive dogs
Many dogs suffer from food allergies or digestive problems. Organic dog food is often well-tolerated by allergy sufferers because it generally avoids artificial additives, low-quality fillers, or problematic grains. This makes it particularly digestible.
3. More taste & better well-being
Dogs love the natural taste of fresh ingredients! High-quality organic meat and nutrient-rich vegetable ingredients not only ensure better acceptance, but also promote healthy digestion and a shiny coat.
Organic dog food naturally supports your dog's health, strengthens their immune system, and improves their quality of life. Many dogs with organic dog food experience fewer problems with flatulence, diarrhea, or skin irritations—as a result, dogs feel better overall.
Sustainability in organic dog food
Conventional dog food has a significant ecological footprint, particularly due to industrial meat production and the high energy consumption during processing. But how sustainable is organic dog food in comparison? Recent scientific studies show that organic dog food has a significantly lower impact on the environment.
1. CO₂ emissions: organic vs. conventional dog food
According to research, industrial dog food production generates 106 million tons of CO₂ annually (Alexander et al., 2017) . Organic dog food can reduce these emissions because:
- Organic meat comes from sustainable agriculture and causes fewer methane and CO₂ emissions than meat from factory farming.
- Organically grown plant ingredients do not use synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, which are associated with high emissions.
- Processing is often more energy efficient and involves fewer industrial steps.
2. Water consumption: Organic saves valuable resources
Another critical environmental factor is water consumption. Meat production is extremely water-intensive—especially for animal feed. According to UNESCO (2020), the production of 1 kg of beef requires an average of 15,415 liters of water ! (Mekonnen & Hoekstra, 2020) . Organic dog food can help reduce water consumption because:
- Organic feed is grown more sustainably and requires fewer water-intensive monocultures.
- Sustainable agriculture promotes humus-rich soils that can retain water better.
- Fewer chemicals are used, thereby reducing the pollution of water bodies by pesticides and fertilizers.
3. Soil and biodiversity: Organic farming protects ecosystems
A meta-analysis by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2021) showed that conventional agriculture is one of the main causes of biodiversity loss (FAO, 2021) . Organic dog food contributes to biodiversity conservation because:
- organic farming has up to 30% more biodiversity than conventional farming (Bengtsson et al., 2005) .
- Avoiding pesticides protects bees, birds and other pollinators.
- Sustainable grazing improves soil quality and prevents erosion.
With organic dog food, you are not only doing something good for your dog, but also for our planet.
Organic wet food: Fresh ingredients for optimal nutrient supply
Organic wet food is a popular choice for dog owners. Its high moisture content (approximately 70–80% water content ) supports your dog's hydration and can be particularly beneficial for dogs with sensitive digestion.
Benefits of organic wet food for dogs
✅ High meat content – Organic wet food often contains a higher proportion of high-quality meat or fish from sustainable farming.
✅ Less processing – The gentle production process ensures that vitamins and minerals are better preserved.
✅ Particularly tasty – The natural moisture and intense flavor make it more attractive to many dogs than dry food.
✅ Good for older dogs & dogs with dental problems – Soft consistency makes it easier to chew and digest.
Disadvantages of organic wet food for dogs
❌ Shorter shelf life after opening – Must be refrigerated and used within a few days.
Organic wet food is particularly suitable for dogs who prefer a juicy, fresh diet or have sensitive digestion.
Organic dry food: Sustainable, practical and nutritious
Organic dry food is a good choice for dog owners who value long shelf life, easy feeding, and sustainability. It contains only about 10% moisture and is usually preserved through gentle drying.
Advantages
✅ High meat content – Organic wet food often contains a higher proportion of high-quality meat or fish from sustainable farming.
✅ Less processing – The gentle production process ensures that vitamins and minerals are better preserved.
✅ Particularly tasty – The natural moisture and intense flavor make it more attractive to many dogs than dry food.
✅ Good for older dogs & dogs with dental problems – Soft consistency makes it easier to chew and digest.
Disadvantages
❌ Less intense flavor – Picky dogs often prefer wet food.
❌ Can cause digestive problems – Some dogs have difficulty digesting dry food, especially those with sensitive gastrointestinal tracts.
❌ Lower water content – dogs need to drink more to ensure optimal hydration
Organic dry dog food is a sustainable, convenient, and nutritious choice—ideal for active dogs and owners who prefer easy feeding.
Combination of organic wet food and organic dry food
Many dog owners choose a mix of both feeding methods to reap the benefits of both. Wet food ensures high hydration, while dry food is convenient and nutrient-rich.
Recommendation: A ratio of 70% wet food and 30% dry food can provide a good balance, depending on your dog's individual needs.
Buying organic dog food: What you should pay attention to
Not every food labeled "organic" lives up to its promise. Here's what to look for when buying organic dog food, which ingredients are truly important, and how to assess the quality of the food.
1. Check organic certification
A genuine organic dog food should carry a recognized organic seal. These certifications guarantee that the raw materials come from controlled organic farming and are free of chemical additives:
- ✅ EU organic label (green leaf with stars)
- ✅ Demeter, Bioland or Naturland – stricter guidelines than the EU seal
- ✅ USDA Organic (if you are considering food from the USA)
2. High-quality animal proteins as the main ingredient
A good organic dog food should have a high meat content. Meat is the most important source of protein for dogs and should always be listed first on the ingredients list.
- ✅ Best choice : Organic chicken, organic beef, organic lamb or organic fish from sustainable catch
- ❌ Avoid : Animal by-products of unclear origin, artificial flavors or fillers (e.g. corn and dried beet pulp)
3. No artificial additives
A high-quality organic dog food contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Make sure the food uses natural preservatives, such as vitamin E (tocopherols) or rosemary extract.
4. Origin and transparency of the manufacturer
Reputable organic dog food manufacturers value transparency. Be sure to check the manufacturer's website. Does it provide information about the origin of the ingredients, are regional ingredients used, and are there independent quality seals?
5. The best way to produce organic dog food
To ensure the highest possible nutrient density in your dog food, you should choose cold-pressed dry food or cold-filled organic wet food when purchasing organic dog food. All ingredients are gently processed at low temperatures to preserve valuable nutrients, vitamins, and enzymes. This makes it particularly easy to digest and supports your dog's natural intestinal flora.
💡 Conclusion: Organic dog food – A worthwhile investment
If your dog's health is important to you, organic dog food is an excellent choice. It offers natural, high-quality ingredients, supports your dog's well-being, and contributes to sustainability. Your dog will thank you!
FAQs
What does "open declaration" mean?
The " open declaration " in the context of dog food refers to the transparent disclosure of information about the composition of the food in terms of the individual ingredients and their processed quantities.
"Open declaration" means that we transparently list all ingredients and their exact percentages in Alpenwuff food. So you always know exactly what's in every bag of Alpenwuff.
An open declaration serves to give pet owners clear information about the food so they can make informed decisions about their daily diet. By reading the declaration, pet owners can determine which main ingredients are contained in the food. This helps to rule out allergens, evaluate the quality of a food, and develop an understanding of a dog's behavior. For example, if a food consists primarily of corn, this is often reflected in its behavior. An open declaration therefore makes it possible to ensure that the food meets the dog's individual needs and promotes its health. In addition, the declaration ideally includes information about the manufacturer and the manufacturing process, which creates confidence in the product quality and traceability of the raw materials.
Why should cold-pressed food be better?
The comparison between extruded and cold-pressed dog food can be shown using several aspects that illustrate the advantages of cold-pressed food:
- Gentle manufacturing process: Cold-pressed feed is produced at lower temperatures (60°C). In contrast, extruded feed is produced at high temperatures (up to 200°C), resulting in a greater loss of natural nutrients.
- Better nutrient preservation: The gentle manufacturing process helps to better preserve the natural nutrients of the ingredients, similar to steam cooking. Due to the gentle temperatures, natural vitamins and nutrients in cold-pressed food remain largely intact.
- Better digestibility: Cold-pressed food breaks down quickly into its components in the dog's stomach and doesn't bloat when exposed to liquid like most extruded food briquettes. This means the nutrients are quickly accessible and digestible. The easier digestibility of cold-pressed food can help dogs experience fewer digestive problems. This leads to less bloating and an overall happier dog.
To what temperature is the food heated?
Our feed is gently cold-pressed at low temperatures to preserve nutrients. The cold press reaches a maximum temperature of approximately 60°C.
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