Although widely regarded to be man's best friend and a pet that makes the most loyal companion, dog owners give little thought to how they are fed. Many simply keep a stock of dry pellets or food tins, and in most cases such foods are mass-produced without any consideration for the nutritional well-being of the dog. If you truly value your faithful hound, then it is important for you to take his health seriously by feeding him natural dog food.

Yet with all due fairness, canned food and dry pellets are very convenient. Dry dog food can be left out for days in the feeding dish, which means there is no need to watch over the dog to ensure he finishes his meal. He or she can merely come and go at his stomach's urging. Canned food on the other hand, keeps fresh unopened and ensures a moist and tasty meal no matter how long they're been in the pantry.

That said there are some who would contend that natural dog food is merely a trendy fad spawned from the same hippie urges that have made organic produce and fair trade so fashionable. The reality of the matter is that the convenience of commercial dog food comes at a price. Most brands are filled with disgusting animal by-products, unhealthy gluten and other components not suitable for consumption by dogs.

Worsening matters is the fact that many companies conceal this fact through false advertising and roundabout labelling techniques. Because the term "natural" is interpreted very liberally by food labelling regulations, it is actually possible to sell cow brains and processed intestines and still proclaim it as "natural dog food." As such, you should pay attention to which companies actually deal in authentic natural products.

Honest Kitchen is one company that attempts to find a reasonable place between commercial convenience and healthy, natural food. They specialize in taking fresh natural ingredients such as real meat and organic grain and putting them in a dehydration process. You only need to rehydrate their products with warm water in order to get a wholesome, colorful meal packed with nutrition.

Merrick Dog Food, on the other hand, specializes in wholesome meals that have all the storage convenience of canned food, but with all the aesthetic qualities of human grade food. Their products are free of preservatives, hormones, animal by-products and chemical additives. Some of their varieties include a multi-grain and meat ensemble called Puppy Plate and a wholesome chicken and turkey combo for older dogs called the Senior Medley.