There are so many different types of dog foods on the market. From “grain-free” to “holistic” to “human-grade,” how do you choose the best one for your canine pal? Many marketing terms are used on dog food labels nowadays, and they don’t always mean that the food is 100% suitable for your dog.

When it comes to feeding the purest, manufactured dog food you can, you may be searching for foods that do not have GMOs in them (genetically modified organisms). Non-GMO dog foods have ingredients that have evolved naturally rather than genetically modified in a lab.

In this guide, we’ve listed our top picks based on reviews and research to help you decide how to choose the best non-GMO dog food for your fur baby. We’ve also included a Buyer’s Guide to dive deeper into what to look for. Let’s check them out.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 10 Best Non-GMO Dog Foods

1. Ollie – Best Overall

 

Ollie’s provides fresh, human-grade recipes for doggies without GMO additives. All recipes are made in US facilities and slow-cooked to lock in nutrition, with all human-grade key ingredients sourced from reputable suppliers within the United States, Zealand, and Australia, including all produce, seeds, and oils. All recipes also contain quality protein as the first ingredient, and all protein used does not contain hormones or antibiotics.

Some  ingredients used in the recipes are carrots, rice, peas, spinach, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, blueberries, kale, pumpkin, butternut squash, and cranberries, depending on the recipe you choose. All recipes meet AAFCO’s nutritional standards for all life stages, and they use a proprietary algorithm developed by a veterinary nutritionist to determine the appropriate number of calories you should feed your dog daily. The information you provide about your dog, such as breed, weight, body composition, and activity level, is all taken into account to provide you with the most-specific caloric-suggested intake.

Ollie also offers a line of kibble with a choice of baked chicken or beef that’s made with real meat and veggies prepared in small batches for crunch.

The only downfall with Ollie is it’s more expensive than feeding kibble; however, you get what you pay for, and you can rest assured your dog is getting the finest and healthiest quality of dog food for optimum health. For this reason, we’re listing Ollie as the best overall non-GMO dog food.

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2. Tender & True Limited Ingredient Whitefish & Potato Recipe – Budget Buy

Almost all premium dog foods with quality ingredients are pricey; however, Tender & True Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Ocean Whitefish & Potato Recipe is a more affordable option and our pick for the best non-GMO dog food for the money.

This limited-ingredient dog food is potentially suitable for dogs with grain allergies that require a grain-free diet. Wild-caught fish is the first ingredient, and it’s certified sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council. It’s 100% complete and balanced for dogs of all breeds and life stages, and it comes in a 4-pound bag, 11-pound bag, and 23-pound bag. You can also select the salmon and sweet potato recipe, which is also non-GMO.

This food can have a pungent odor after opening due to the fish, which may deter some dogs’ appetite.

Disclaimer: We advise you to check with your vet to ensure a grain-free diet is necessary for your dog, as grains are beneficial to most dogs unless your pup suffers from an allergy.

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3. KetoNatural Ketona Chicken

KetoNatural Ketona Chicken is a high protein, low carb recipe, and more than 80% of the protein in this food comes from real chicken, which is the first ingredient. This grain-free food is designed to mimic a raw diet with low carbs, with 85% less carbs than other grain-free diets. All ingredients are sourced in the US, and it’s non-GMO.

This adult recipe is unsuitable for some dogs, as some cannot handle a high-protein diet, such as those with pancreatitis issues, liver or kidney issues, inactive dogs, or seniors. We recommend consulting your veterinarian before switching your dog to a high-protein, low-carb diet.

This food contains oat hulls and flaxseed for smooth digestion, and it’s complete and balanced with vitamins and minerals. A drawback is this food is expensive, and it doesn’t work for all dogs.

Disclaimer: We advise you to check with your vet to ensure a grain-free diet is necessary for your dog, as grains are beneficial to most dogs unless your pup suffers from an allergy.

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4. ORIJEN Amazing Grains Puppy Dry Dog Food

ORIJEN Amazing Grains Puppy Dry Dog Food is an excellent non-GMO option for your growing puppy. The first 5 ingredients are 90% fresh, raw animal protein specifically crafted for growing puppies with quality fish and poultry such as chicken, turkey, whole mackerel, whole herring, and salmon. All grains are sourced from non-GMO crops that include quinoa, millet, chia, and oats, and the DHA and EPA from the fish sources support healthy skin, coat, and immune system.

This food contains prebiotics and probiotics for a healthy digestive system and also provides soluble and insoluble fiber in a premium grain blend. This food is suitable for puppies of all breeds, and it’s nutrient-dense with all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and omega-fatty acids.

This food is expensive but comes in a choice of two sizes: a 4-pound bag and a 22.5-pound bag. This food is high in protein but may cause some puppies diarrhea.

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5. Castor & Pollux ORGANIX Organic Chicken & Oatmeal Recipe Dry Dog Food

Castor & Pollux ORGANIX Organic Chicken & Oatmeal Recipe is a dry dog food with no GMO ingredients; instead, this dog food uses USDA-certified organic components that comprise a healthy and well-balanced blend of nutrients for dogs of all breeds. It contains a nice blend of superfoods, such as organic blueberries, organic flaxseed, and organic sweet potatoes, and it’s made in an organically certified USA kitchen.

Real, cage-free chicken is the first ingredient, and all chicken used is raised without added hormones or antibiotics. This food also supports sensitive digestive systems with a blend of oatmeal and organic barley, and you can purchase it in a 4-pound bag, a 10-pound bag, or an 18-pound bag.

This food is pricey, and it may cause some dogs to have unpleasant flatulence according to some customers.

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6. Inukshuk Professional 30/25 Dry Dog Food

Inukshuk Professional Dry Dog Food is a high-protein dog food of 30%, which means it’s geared more toward highly active or working dogs. Do you have an active herder in your family? If so, this food could be an excellent option.

The animal protein aids in muscle development and recovery, and the high-fat content promotes energy and fuel for top performance. It’s rich in DHA and other omega fatty acids, promoting a healthy coat, skin, and joint health for active dogs. It also contains prebiotics for a healthy gut and immune system to keep your active dog healthy and performing at his peak. All ingredients are also non-GMO.

This kibble may be too hard for some dogs, and it’s only recommended for active dogs—it’s not recommended for seniors or inactive pups.

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7. Nutro Natural Choice Adult Chicken & Brown Rice

Nutro Natural Choice Adult Chicken & Brown Rice contains real chicken as the first ingredient, and all ingredients are non-GMO. It’s crafted with essential nutrients and antioxidants to support a healthy immune system, and it contains sufficient fiber content (3.5%) for smooth digestion. It also contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to promote healthy skin and coat, and it’s suitable for pups 1 year and older.

The company has had a recent surge in prices as of late, and it seems to cause diarrhea in quite a few dogs; however, the food has more positive reviews than good, but it’s suggested to monitor your pup for gastrointestinal issues, and ensure you transition slowly to avoid tummy upset.

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8. Gentle Giants Natural Non-GMO Dog & Puppy Chicken Dry Dog Food

Gentle Giants Natural Non-GMO Dog & Puppy Chicken Dry Dog Food is complete and balanced nutrition for both puppies and adults, as well as dogs with sensitive tummies. Some of the non-GMO crafted ingredients consist of brown rice and pearled barley. It also contains a nice blend of fruits and veggies, such as blueberries, apples, cranberries, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, peas, carrots, and spinach.

A unique feature is added New Zealand green mussels loaded with a healthy punch of glucosamine and chondroitin that support healthy joints, reduce inflammation, and restore bone growth. This food also contains a balance of vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids, as well as prebiotics and probiotics for smooth digestion.

This dog food comes in fun packaging and is suitable for all dogs of all breeds and ages, even puppies, and it’s made in the US. However, some consumers claim this food gave their dog diarrhea, and some report their dogs got an itchy coat with more dander after eating this food.

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9. Purina Beyond Organic Chicken & Carrot Recipe Wet Dog Food

Some dogs prefer wet food over dry kibble, or you may choose to add wet food to dry kibble. In either case, Purina Beyond Organic Chicken & Carrot Recipe Wet Dog Food is an excellent choice of USDA-certified and non-GMO dog food. Real, cage-free chicken is the first ingredient, and it’s crafted by pet nutritionists to deliver a true, non-GMO dog food. All ingredients can be sourced back to trusted sources, and it’s made in Purina’s US facilities.

This food does not contain artificial preservatives of any kind, and the chicken is raised without hormones or antibiotics. It’s 100% complete and balanced, and it’s packed with vitamins and minerals. It’s also reasonably priced for a case of 12.

Some consumers claim that their picky eater did not like the food, and some dogs may acquire digestive issues with the food.

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10. ACANA Rescue Care for Adopted Dogs Red Meat Sensitive Digestion

ACANA Rescue Care for Adopted Dogs Red Meat Sensitive Digestion is unique in that it’s designed to assist rescue/shelter dogs in adapting to their new environment upon being rescued or adopted into new human families. The ingredients are specific to nurturing newly rescued dogs through extensive research, containing non-GMO, high-quality sources, such as real beef, bone broth, and chamomile. It has all the vital ingredients for optimal health, including prebiotics and probiotics for smooth digestion, omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, antioxidants, and DHA and EPA for a healthy immune system.

The medium-sized kibble contains fruits, veggies, whole oats, and fresh beef or pork, and with every bag purchased, a doggie in a shelter receives a free meal.

The only potential downfall is this recipe contains whole green peas and lentils—there is an ongoing investigation into the possibility that peas and legumes could be linked to heart disease, but no conclusion has been made as of yet.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Non-GMO Dog Food

Choosing the right dog food can be challenging, and now with all the different types of dog foods on the market, it can become overwhelming to find the right fit for your pooch. Knowing how to read food labels is vital in choosing a healthy food, as well as knowing what each marketing term means, which brings us to GMOs. Let’s dive deeper into what exactly GMOs are and if you should worry if GMOs are in your dog’s food.

What Are GMOs?

GMO stands for genetically modified organisms. What this means is that a living organism’s makeup, or DNA, can be genetically modified by introducing a gene from a different organism to enhance the genetic trait of that organism. In the US, roughly 85% of products grown are genetically modified, meaning that you are probably eating GMOs in your own food.

GMOs became popular in the US in the 1990s; however, it has since been banned in other countries, particularly Europe. Some of the most common genetically modified foods include corn, soy, and canola—you’ll find that most dog foods specifying the food is non-GMO will have no corn, soy, or wheat in the ingredients.

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Should I Feed My Dog Non-GMO Dog Food?

When it comes to GMO products, there’s a bit of a gray area. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says GMOs are perfectly safe, but other countries have banned them. The FDA argues that implementing GMOs on crops creates resistance to pests, and the crops can withstand herbicides when genetically modified.

GMO ingredients have become a hot debate in the pet food industry, with many pet parents becoming wary of what’s in their pets’ foods. More and more pet parents are opting for dog foods made from human-grade ingredients prepared in human-grade, USDA-certified kitchens and staying away from altered ingredients, such as GMO ingredients. The only downfall is the price—these types of dog foods are considerably more expensive than their competitors, and some people simply cannot afford them. However, if there is truth to the health benefits of staying away from GMO pet food, the price will even out due to fewer vet bills.

We should note that the risks are simply not clear enough to pinpoint GMOs as being a health concern for humans or pets. We can’t definitively say that GMOs are harmful to dogs because the evidence is just not there. However, if you want to steer clear of GMOs, ensure the label specifies that the food is made from non-GMO ingredients or is 100% organic.

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Ingredients

It’s vital you understand how to read a pet food label to ensure you’re not feeding your pet something he shouldn’t have. When looking at the ingredients list, you’ll want to look for the very first ingredient because this is what the food will be mostly made of. For example, if real chicken is listed first, then chicken makes up the bulk of the recipe. The order of ingredients should descend according to how much of that ingredient is in the food.

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Protein and Fat Content

A few dog foods on our list are heavy in protein and fat, which is geared more toward sporting or working dogs. You don’t want to feed your inactive senior a dog food high in protein and fats because he won’t burn it off. Dogs with liver or kidney issues should not have high protein because it can escalate the progression of the diseased organs. Be sure to look at the analysis on the label to determine the nutritional content.

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Age Appropriate

Puppies, adults, and seniors all require certain diets. Puppies need a well-balanced diet of proteins, fats, calcium, and digestible carbs. If you want to feed non-GMO for your puppy, you can find non-GMO puppy foods, such as #4 on our list. Make sure any food you consider is age-appropriate—the label will specify if it’s just for puppies or if the food is appropriate for adults and seniors. You can also find dog foods specifically for seniors that are non-GMO, but we advise you to consult your vet before switching your senior to any new food. Remember to transition slowly to a new food to keep tummy issues at bay.

Conclusion

We hope our reviews of non-GMO dog foods help you make the best decision for your doggo’s health.

To recap, Ollie’s is made from human-grade ingredients without GMOs for the best overall, Tender & True Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Ocean Whitefish & Potato Recipe is a grain-free, non-GMO option that’s affordable for the best value, and KetoNatural Ketona Chicken provides a high-protein, low carb option for a premium choice.

ORIJEN Amazing Grains Puppy Dry Dog Food is nutrient-dense without GMOs, and Castor & Pollux ORGANIX Organic Chicken & Oatmeal is made from USDA-certified ingredients for our vet’s choice.