Northwest Naturals is a family-owned business operating as a meat manufacturing facility since 1956 under the name Morasch Meats. They were pioneers in producing raw frozen pet food, adhering to USDA human food guidelines and employing environmentally friendly process controls. The company, located in Portland, Oregon, offers both raw and freeze-dried foods, with raw options available in nugget, chub, and 25 lb bulk “dinner bar” formats. Notably, Northwest Naturals utilizes High Pressure Pasteurization (HPP) as a kill step, which does not negatively affect the product score. This review delves into the ingredient quality and safety of each Northwest Naturals food line to determine if it is a good choice for your dog.
Is Northwest Naturals a Good Dog Food?
Northwest Naturals dog food is considered a low-risk food based on established criteria. The brand features three lines of food encompassing 25 recipes: Raw, Freeze-Dried, and Dinner Bars. These foods undergo light processing, minimizing nutrient loss. The average carbohydrate content is very low across the product lines, although beef products tend to have slightly higher carbohydrate levels than expected. It’s important to note that carbohydrate levels are calculated using the Guaranteed Analysis, which provides minimum levels of protein and fat. Actual protein and fat levels could be higher, thus reducing the calculated carbohydrate level.
The protein content in Northwest Naturals foods averages 45%. However, some recipes exhibit a higher fat content than protein, which raises concerns about potential negative impacts on gut health and the storage of toxins in fat tissues. The company sources produce locally, but apples, a food known to be sprayed with pesticides, are among the top five ingredients in some recipes. Furthermore, the recipes include several added minerals, which can indicate lower food quality. It is generally preferred that nutrients come from whole food ingredients. Northwest Naturals, like many other companies, does not specify the omega-6:omega-3 ratio in their recipes. This is a concern because AAFCO allows a very inflammatory ratio of 30:1, and diets rich in omega-6 fats can contribute to chronic inflammation.
Northwest Naturals Raw: Detailed Analysis
Score: 8.8/10
The Northwest Naturals Raw line includes nine recipes and is considered a low-risk food. These recipes average 44% protein and 5% carbohydrates. The light processing involved does not detract from the score. However, two recipes contain more fat than protein, which, as mentioned previously, is a concern. All recipes in this line have added minerals. The salmon used in these foods is wild-caught in Alaska, but other fish, including fish oil, may be sourced from farmed fish.
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Ingredient List Example (Whitefish & Salmon Recipe): Whitefish with ground bone, salmon with ground bone, broccoli, sweet potatoes, apples, ground flaxseed, fish oil*, salmon oil, apple cider vinegar, blueberry, cranberry, inulin, dried kelp, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, ginger, parsley, garlic, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, vitamin E supplement, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, mixed tocopherols (as preservative), vitamin D supplement.
Raw Benefits:
- Lightly processed
- Low in carbohydrates
- Generally, less fat than protein (except for two recipes)
- Contains wild-caught salmon
- Made in-house
Raw Concerns:
- May contain farmed fish and fish oil
- Two recipes are high in fat
- Contains added minerals
- Does not provide omega-6:omega-3 ratio
Northwest Naturals Freeze-Dried: Detailed Analysis
Score: 8.9/10
The Northwest Naturals Freeze-Dried line consists of seven recipes and is also considered a low-risk food. These recipes average 47% protein and 3% carbohydrates. The freeze-dried foods utilize the same formulas as the raw line, offering a convenient alternative to raw feeding. The light processing is a positive aspect. Similar to the raw line, two recipes have a higher fat content than protein. The inclusion of added minerals results in a loss of quality points, as whole food sources are preferred for nutrient provision. Produce in these recipes is locally sourced but not organic. The salmon is wild-caught in Alaska, but other fish and fish oil may be farmed, which is less nutritious.
Ingredient List Example (Chicken Recipe): Chicken, ground chicken bone, chicken liver, chicken gizzard, cantaloupe, carrots, broccoli, romaine lettuce, egg, ground flaxseed, fish oil*, apple cider vinegar, blueberry, cranberry, inulin, dried kelp, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, ginger, parsley, garlic, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, vitamin E supplement, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, mixed tocopherols (as preservative), vitamin D supplement.
Freeze-Dried Benefits:
- Lightly processed
- Low in carbohydrates
- Generally, less fat than protein (except for two recipes)
- Contains wild-caught salmon
- Made in-house
Freeze-Dried Concerns:
- May contain farmed fish and fish oil
- Two recipes are high in fat
- Contains added minerals
- Does not provide omega-6:omega-3 ratio
Northwest Naturals Dinner Bars: Detailed Analysis
Score: 8.9/10
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The Northwest Naturals Dinner Bars line includes nine recipes. These recipes average 44% protein and 5% carbohydrates. The Dinner Bars offer raw food in a bulk format, with 25 lb bars scored in 4 oz servings, making them suitable for multi-dog households with sufficient freezer space. The light processing is a positive aspect. Similar to the other lines, two recipes have a higher fat content than protein, and the foods contain added minerals. Produce is locally sourced but not organic. The salmon is wild-caught in Alaska, but other fish and fish oil may be farmed.
Ingredient List Example (Bison & Beef Recipe): Bison liver, beef, bison kidney, beef ground bone, bison heart, beef kidney, beef heart, carrots, broccoli, romaine lettuce, watermelon, ground flaxseed, fish oil*, apple cider vinegar, blueberry, cranberry, inulin, dried kelp, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, ginger, parsley, garlic, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, vitamin E supplement, copper proteinate, maganese proteinate, mixed tocopherols (as preservative), vitamin D supplement.
Dinner Bars Benefits:
- Lightly processed
- Low in carbohydrates
- Generally, less fat than protein (except for two recipes)
- Contains wild-caught salmon
- Made in-house
Dinner Bars Concerns:
- May contain farmed fish and fish oil
- Two recipes are high in fat
- Contains added minerals
- Does not provide omega-6:omega-3 ratio
Northwest Naturals Dog Food Recalls
Northwest Naturals Chicken & Salmon raw chubs were recalled in February 2018 due to potential listeria contamination. The company has not had any recalls or voluntary withdrawals since then.
Evaluation Criteria
Dog foods are evaluated and scored based on two primary criteria: ingredient quality and safety.
Are the Ingredients High Quality? Factors considered include:
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- Excessive carbohydrate content
- Unnamed proteins
- Cellulose as a fiber source
- Excessive added vitamins and minerals
- Excessive added amino acids or plant proteins
- Inflammatory processed seed oils
How Safe Are the Ingredients? Factors considered include:
- The extent of food processing
- Presence of genetically modified foods
- Ingredients known to be high in pesticides
- Presence of "natural flavor"
- Rice content (due to arsenic levels)
Each food is objectively evaluated based on these criteria, and a score is assigned using the average of ingredient quality and safety.
Additional Considerations
Northwest Naturals Freeze Dried Raw Diet Dog Food offers a convenient way to incorporate raw food into a dog's diet, either as a supplement to kibble or as a complete meal. All meat used in Northwest Naturals recipes is grass-fed, raised in the USA, and free of antibiotics and hormones. The freeze-dried diets mirror the raw frozen diets but eliminate the need for freezing. The company recommends starting with the recommended amount and adjusting to maintain ideal body weight, doubling the amount for puppies and pregnant females. Rehydration of the nuggets can be achieved by adding 2 teaspoons of water for every 5 nuggets.
Northwest Naturals aims to provide biologically appropriate nutrition through high-quality products, including raw frozen meals, freeze-dried diets, and functional toppers. These are made with USDA-inspected meats, fruits, and vegetables in their Oregon-based facility. Northwest Naturals avoids fillers, grains, and artificial additives, making their foods suitable for pets with sensitivities or those thriving on raw diets.