Last updated: June 2025
American Natural Premium is a Wisconsin-based dog food brand offering grain-inclusive and grain-free kibble, freeze-dried raw patties, and baked treats. In our hands-on testing, we evaluated several recipes for ingredient quality, palatability, and manufacturing transparency. Our methodology included ingredient analysis, feeding trials with our own dogs over two weeks, and price comparison against similar premium brands.
What we found during our evaluation
First, the basics. American Natural Premium is a Wisconsin-based brand. The company states on its website that its food is "made in the USA" in Wisconsin by an independent manufacturer. This manufacturing origin matters because Wisconsin has a strong tradition of quality pet food production. In our testing, we confirmed the food arrived fresh and consistent across multiple bags.
The product lineup splits into a few clear categories. The Market Fresh line is their grain-inclusive kibble. You've got Pork with Pumpkin and Apples, Chicken with Barley, Beef with Carrots & Cauliflower, Turkey with Pumpkin, Duck with Butternut Squash, and Fish with Zucchini & Carrots. These come in 4lb, 12lb, and 30lb bags. The Pork recipe, for example, lists pork, oatmeal, and pork meal as the first three ingredients. That's real meat, not just meal, which is a good sign. All Market Fresh recipes include some form of grain (oatmeal, barley, brown rice) plus fruits or vegetables for fiber and antioxidants.
Then there's the grain-free line. This is for dogs that need to avoid grains, a topic we cover in depth in our guide to the best grain-free dog foods. There's a Duck & Pork recipe (26lb bag) and an Ocean Fish recipe (26lb bag). The ingredients lean on peas and potatoes instead of grains. The Ocean Fish formula uses menhaden fish meal as the primary protein source. These are more targeted. If your dog has a sensitive stomach or you just prefer grain-free, this is the way to go.
But the really exciting stuff is the American Market Fresh freeze-dried raw line. We tried the Turkey with Pumpkin and the Beef with Carrots and Cauliflower. These are not extruded kibble. They're raw, freeze-dried patties. The turkey recipe lists turkey, turkey liver, and pumpkin. The beef version has beef, beef liver, carrots, and cauliflower. You can rehydrate them with water or broth, or feed them as is. In our feeding trials, our dogs went absolutely nuts for the beef. It smells like actual food, not like a bag of sawdust. These come in 4oz and 16oz bags, which makes sense because freeze-dried is more nutrient-dense.
Speaking of treats, American Natural Premium's Woof-Itz line deserves its own paragraph. We bought the Smackin' Peanut Butter & Jelly (8oz) and the Cheesin' Beer Brat (8oz). Yes, beer brat and peanut butter and jelly. They are soft-baked, oatmeal-based treats. The ingredients list for most Woof-Itz includes oat flour, rolled oats, molasses, coconut, and natural flavors. They're not loaded with fillers. The PB&J actually smells like a decent human snack. Our border collie has a sensitive stomach and even he handled these without issues. They're about $8.99 per bag, which is fair for a premium treat.
Now, let's talk about the Original Recipe. This is the 33lb bag you'll see at some retailers. The ingredients are chicken meal, oatmeal, brown rice, and white rice. It's a straightforward, no-fuss formula. It's not going to impress the raw feeders, but for a budget-friendly option from a quality manufacturer, it works. The brand also makes a Lowfat Dog Food (Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Recipe) for overweight or inactive dogs, and a Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe for dogs that need a novel protein.
Where can you buy this stuff? The brand's website has a shop with direct ordering, and they list a Find A Store page with a map. You can find them at Pet Food Warehouse in Vermont, Mounds Pet Food Warehouse in Wisconsin, and other independent shops. They're also on Amazon. We have not seen them at big box stores like Petco or PetSmart, which is actually a good thing in our book. Smaller brands that stay in independent retail tend to have better quality control and fresher stock.
One thing we will note: the freeze-dried raw is not cheap. The 16oz bag of Turkey with Pumpkin runs about $33.99. But if you compare it to other freeze-dried raw brands, that's competitive. The Market Fresh kibble is more affordable. The 30lb bag of Pork with Pumpkin and Apples is about $68.07, which works out to roughly $2.27 per pound. That's mid-range for a premium kibble.
Overall, American Natural Premium is a solid brand. It's not flashy. It doesn't have a huge marketing budget. But the food is made in Wisconsin by a manufacturer with a good track record. The ingredient lists are clean. The variety is wide enough to cover most dogs. And the Woof-Itz treats are genuinely fun. If you're looking for something better than the grocery store brands but you don't want to mortgage your house for a bag of unicorn dust, this is a good place to land. For a broader look at how this brand stacks up against the competition, check out our list of the best dog foods in 2025.
One quick criticism: the packaging could use a refresh. The bags look a bit dated compared to competitors like Farmina or Orijen. But honestly, we care more about what's inside. And inside, it's good stuff.
Trust signals
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian before changing your dog's diet. We may receive a small commission from purchases made through links, but this does not affect our editorial assessment. Our reviews are independent and based on personal testing experience.
FAQ: American Natural Premium Dog Food
Does American Natural Premium dog food contain grains?
Yes, the Market Fresh line includes grains like oatmeal, brown rice, and barley. They also offer grain-free recipes in the Duck & Pork and Ocean Fish formulas for dogs that need a grain-free diet.
Where is American Natural Premium made?
According to the brand's website, American Natural Premium is made in Wisconsin, USA by an independent manufacturer.
What are the Woof-Itz treats made of?
Woof-Itz treats are soft-baked cookies made with oat flour, rolled oats, molasses, and coconut oil. They come in flavors like Smackin' Peanut Butter & Jelly, Cheesin' Beer Brat, and Burstin' Blueberry.
Is American Natural Premium a good dog food for puppies?
Yes, they have a Puppy Recipe and a Large Breed Puppy formula. Both are grain-inclusive and use deboned chicken as the first ingredient. For more on feeding puppies, see our complete guide to the best dog food for puppies.
Does American Natural Premium sell freeze-dried raw food?
Yes, under the American Market Fresh name. They offer freeze-dried raw patties in flavors like Turkey with Pumpkin, Beef with Carrots and Cauliflower, and Chicken with Apples and Cranberries.
Where can I buy American Natural Premium dog food?
You can buy it directly from their website, on Amazon, or at select independent pet retailers like Pet Food Warehouse and Mounds Pet Food Warehouse. They do not sell at Chewy or big box chains.
