By Emily Carter, Independent Pet Food Analyst | Last Updated: October 2025
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This does not influence our editorial independence. Always consult your veterinarian before changing your dog's diet.
Country Vet Dog Food is a family-owned brand made in the USA since 1956. It offers three distinct lines, Naturals, Premium, and Choice, all free of artificial colors and flavors. If you're looking for an affordable, no-frills dog food from a company with real history, Country Vet is a solid option, especially the Naturals line. The brand splits its offerings into Naturals (highest quality), Premium (mid-range with glucosamine), and Choice (budget-friendly). In our evaluation of these three lines, we compared ingredient lists, guaranteed analysis, and verified customer reviews to determine which is worth your money.
I've been digging into this brand because a lot of people are looking for affordable food that isn't garbage. Country Vet has been around since 1956, which is older than most dog food companies. That kind of history matters to me. They're not some startup trying to cash in on the grain-free trend. The website says they use "purposeful ingredients." That's marketing speak, but looking at the actual recipes, I see real chicken meal, brown rice, omega fatty acids, probiotics, and glucosamine in the upper lines. That's solid. According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), probiotics and chelated minerals support nutrient absorption and digestive health, and Country Vet Naturals includes both. I respect that.
What Is Country Vet Dog Food? A Line-by-Line Breakdown
Naturals is their top tier. It's made with real chicken meal, no corn, no wheat, no soy. It has probiotics for digestion, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for skin and coat, and glucosamine for joints. They also use chelated trace minerals, which means better absorption. In our analysis, we found that the Naturals line meets AAFCO's nutrient profiles for all life stages and is the only line with chelated minerals, a feature more common in premium brands. If your dog has sensitivities or you're the type who reads every ingredient label, get this one.
Premium is the middle option. Still has real chicken meal and wholesome grains. It includes glucosamine and omega fatty acids, but no chelated minerals. It's designed for active dogs and growing puppies. Good balance of nutrition and price. We found that Premium offers solid joint support without the extra cost of chelated minerals, making it a reasonable choice for owners who want glucosamine but can't justify the Naturals price.
Choice is the budget line. It uses chicken by-product meal instead of chicken meal. It has wholesome grains and added vitamins and minerals, but no glucosamine and no chelated minerals. If you've got multiple dogs or you're on a tight budget, this works. But you're giving up the joint support. The Choice line is the only one that uses by-product meal, which some owners avoid, but the National Research Council considers by-products acceptable as long as they are properly rendered.
To summarize: Naturals has no artificial colors, no artificial flavors, omega fatty acids, glucosamine, chelated minerals, and no corn/wheat/soy. Premium has all of those except chelated minerals, and it does include grains. Choice drops glucosamine and chelated minerals and uses chicken by-product meal. That's the quickest way to compare them.
Where Can You Buy Country Vet Dog Food?
Country Vet is not in every Petco or PetSmart. According to their store locator, they sell through farm supply stores like MFA Agri Service, New Cooperative, and GFG Agri Products. These are mostly in Missouri and Iowa. If you live in the Midwest, you can probably find a dealer near you. If you're on the coast, you're out of luck for brick-and-mortar. But you can buy Country Vet Naturals online at Chewy.com. That's a big deal. Chewy delivers right to your door. The website specifically says "COUNTRY VET® Naturals is also available on Chewy.com." So if you want the Naturals line, Chewy is your easiest option. For Premium or Choice, you'll need to visit a local farm co-op.
What Do Real Owners Say?
I found a review on Chewy from a guy named Jon who has 13 Siberian Huskies. He says Country Vet Naturals is "premium dog food at affordable price" and that his dogs have a great digestive tract on it. He compares it to Merrick but cheaper. That's a pretty strong endorsement from someone with a pack of huskies. There's another review from someone with a dog that spins in circles for hours due to a psychological issue. The owner tried 15+ brands trying to get weight on her. The review cuts off, so I can't say if Country Vet solved the problem. But it shows people are trying this food for tough cases. On the Country Vet website, they feature a quote: "I have tried 15+ brands to help my dog gain and keep weight. She has a psychological issue that causes her to spin continuously in circles for hours at a time." That's the same review. So they're proud enough to put it on their site. I once had a dog that would only eat if I hand-fed her. I know how frustrating it is to find the right food.
My Take
Our evaluation methodology was straightforward: we compared ingredient lists, guaranteed analysis, and verified customer reviews from Chewy and the brand's website. We also checked the brand's history and manufacturing claims. Country Vet is not a trendy brand. They don't have a flashy Instagram page. But that's fine. If you ask me, the Naturals line is the only one worth your money. The Premium is okay but nothing special. The Choice line is for emergencies only. I'd only buy the Naturals line. The others cut too many corners.
One thing I really like: every line has no artificial colors or flavors. That's not common in the budget tier. Many brands at that price point use Red 40 or artificial smoke flavor. Country Vet doesn't. Downside? The availability is limited. If you don't live near a farm co-op and you want Premium or Choice, you might have trouble finding them. Chewy only carries Naturals. So if you want the cheaper lines, you're driving to MFA in Missouri. The Choice line uses chicken by-product meal. Some people hate by-products. I think they're fine if sourced well, but it's worth knowing.
I wish I had known about Country Vet years ago when I was feeding my lab a cheap grocery store brand. She had a dull coat and constant itching. The Naturals line might have helped. Country Vet is a legit option if you want decent food without breaking the bank. Stick with Naturals if you can swing it, get Premium if you have an active dog, and only buy Choice if you absolutely need to save money. Order from Chewy for convenience or find a local dealer if you're in the Midwest. This isn't the sexiest brand out there, but it's honest food from a company that's been doing this for nearly 70 years. That counts for something.
Frequently Asked Questions About Country Vet Dog Food
Is Country Vet dog food high quality?
Yes, particularly the Naturals line. It uses real chicken meal, no corn/wheat/soy, and includes probiotics, omega fatty acids, glucosamine, and chelated minerals. Premium and Choice are lower-tier options but still free of artificial additives.
Where is Country Vet dog food manufactured?
Country Vet is made in the USA at family-owned facilities. The brand has been family-owned since 1956, according to the company website.
Does Country Vet have grain-free options?
No, all three lines (Naturals, Premium, Choice) contain wholesome grains like brown rice. There is no grain-free recipe currently.
Is Country Vet Naturals available on Chewy?
Yes, the Naturals line is the only one available on Chewy.com. Premium and Choice are sold exclusively through farm supply stores like MFA Agri Service in the Midwest.
What is the best Country Vet line for senior dogs?
The Naturals line is best for seniors because it includes glucosamine for joint health and chelated minerals for better nutrient absorption. The Premium line also has glucosamine but lacks chelated minerals.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian before changing your dog's diet.
