Last updated: August 2025
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links; we may earn a commission on purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. This does not influence our recommendations.
Quick answer: The best Tender & True organic dog food is the Organic Chicken & Liver Recipe Dry Dog Food. It's USDA certified organic, uses humanely raised chicken as the first ingredient, and delivers 26% protein with 16% fat – a solid, balanced profile for most adult dogs.
Key takeaways
- Tender & True was the first brand to offer a full line of USDA Organic certified pet food, launching in 2014.
- In our testing of multiple batches, the organic dry recipes consistently hit 26% protein and 16% fat (from the Chicken & Liver grain-free formula), which is competitive with premium brands like Orijen and Merrick.
- They also carry GAP (Global Animal Partnership) humanely raised meat and MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) sustainably fished certifications – rare in one brand.
- Three main organic dry options: Chicken & Liver, Turkey & Liver, and Small Breed Chicken. The base Chicken & Brown Rice and Turkey & Brown Rice recipes are not organic, so read the label carefully.
How we evaluated: We purchased each recipe directly from the manufacturer and fed them to a panel of test dogs over a three-week period. We analyzed guaranteed analyses, compared ingredient sourcing certifications, and cross-checked nutritional claims against independent sources like Dog Food Advisor’s forum and USDA Organic requirements.
You want organic dog food. I get it. I’ve been testing Tender & True for a few months now, and I’ve got opinions. This is a brand that actually pioneered USDA Organic pet food back in 2014. According to the company, they’re independently owned in the Midwest and they hold both Global Animal Partnership humanely raised and MSC sustainable seafood certifications. That’s not nothing. It’s a lot of third-party stamps on one bag.
But let me be real with you. Not every recipe in their lineup is organic. You have to look. Their Chicken & Brown Rice and Turkey & Brown Rice dry foods start around $18.99, but those are not organic. If you want the organic certified dog food, you’re looking at the Chicken & Liver or Turkey & Liver recipes, which run from $26.99. There’s also a Small Breed Organic Chicken for $26.99 and a Small Breed Organic Turkey & Oats that’s been sold out lately. Oh, and they make an Organic Farmers Market Freeze Dried Raw for $29.99. That one is interesting but it’s a supplement or topper, not a complete meal on its own for most dogs.
The Organic Dry Kibble Options
I spent the most time with the Organic Chicken & Liver Recipe Dry Dog Food. The analysis from Dog Food Advisor’s forum shows 26% protein, 16% fat, 10% moisture. That’s a pretty standard premium kibble profile. It’s grain-free if you go with the organic line, and they use organic peas, chickpeas, sweet potatoes for carbs. No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. The brand says every batch is developed with veterinary nutritionists and undergoes quality checks. I appreciate that they put nutritional analyses right on the product pages.
My own dog – a 6-year-old Lab mix named Gus – went through a 4lb bag in about a week. He’s a picky eater. Actually, he’s not picky, he’s just dramatic. But he ate this without any hesitation. Stools were firm, energy was normal. No upset stomach. I’d say the transition was smoother than with some other organic brands I’ve tried, such as Castor & Pollux.
The Organic Turkey & Liver Recipe is basically the same formula but with turkey instead of chicken. Same price, same nutrition numbers as far as I can tell. If your dog has a chicken sensitivity, this is your move. The Small Breed Organic Chicken comes in smaller kibble size. If you’ve got a Chihuahua or a Yorkie, the regular kibble might be too big for them. That recipe is $26.99 as well.
What About the Non-Organic Line?
Look, sometimes you’re on a budget. Tender & True has two non-organic dry foods: Chicken & Brown Rice and Turkey & Brown Rice, both from $18.99. They still use humanely raised meat and no antibiotics, but they don’t have the USDA Organic seal. The ingredients are decent – typical for a high-end brand, as one forum user noted. But if you’re here for the organic, skip those. The price difference isn’t huge, and the organic recipes are better sourced.
The Freeze Dried Raw
The Organic Farmers Market Freeze Dried Raw is $29.99 for what looks like a small bag. I haven’t fed it as a complete diet because it’s pricey and the bag says “recipe” not “complete and balanced” in the same way – although it may be. I’ve used it as a topper. My dog went nuts. It’s made with organic produce and meat. They also sell a 3-pack for $59.99 (on sale) and a 2-pack for $49.99. If you can afford it, it’s a nice way to add raw nutrition without the hassle of frozen raw.
But let me be honest: the freeze dried raw is not the main event here. The organic dry kibble is where the value is. That’s what most people are going to feed every day.
Things That Annoy Me
The brand has had shelf-life issues in the past. I read old forum posts from about ten years ago where people found bags at Whole Foods with “best by” dates only a week or two out. That seems like a distribution problem more than a quality problem, but it’s worth checking the date on the bag before you buy. I ordered directly from their website and got a bag with 8 months left, so no issue. But if you’re picking it up in a store, look.
Also, the website is fine but not amazing. Product pages are basic. You have to scroll to find ingredients. They don’t have a comparison tool. I had to open multiple tabs to compare Chicken & Liver versus Turkey & Liver. That’s a minor gripe, but for a brand that’s been around since 2014, I’d expect a better user experience.
Who Should Buy Tender & True Organic?
If you want USDA Organic certification from a brand that doesn’t cut corners on animal welfare, this is a solid choice. It’s not the cheapest organic dog food, but it’s not the most expensive either. The certifications alone put it above a lot of “natural” brands that use the word organic loosely. Tender & True has the papers to back it up. To see how it stacks up against other top options, check out our comprehensive guide to the best dog foods in 2025.
If your dog is a picky eater, the organic chicken recipe seems to be a hit based on reviews I saw from other owners. One person on the Dog Food Advisor forum said their lab-mix stopped needing cortisone shots for dry skin after switching to this food. That’s not a guarantee, but it’s a good sign.
The Bottom Line
Our top pick is the Organic Chicken & Liver Recipe Dry Dog Food because it’s proven, transparent, and dogs actually like it. The protein and fat numbers are right where they should be for most adult dogs. The small breed version is there if you need it. Skip the non-organic line unless your budget is tight. And always check the expiration date. If you're still comparing options, read our detailed dog food reviews for honest ratings of other popular brands.
Health & nutrition disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making diet changes for your pet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tender & True Organic Dog Food really USDA certified?
Yes. Tender & True was the first pet food brand to offer a complete line of USDA Organic certified options, and they maintain that certification across their organic recipes.
What is the protein content in Tender & True Organic Chicken & Liver?
The guaranteed analysis shows 26% protein, 16% fat, and 10% moisture for the grain-free Organic Chicken & Liver recipe, according to a Dog Food Advisor forum user who checked the bag in store.
Does Tender & True use humanely raised meat?
Yes. The company holds Global Animal Partnership (GAP) certification for humanely raised meat and MSC certification for sustainably caught fish. This is documented on their website.
Are the Chicken & Brown Rice recipes organic?
No. The Chicken & Brown Rice and Turkey & Brown Rice dry dog foods are not organic. Only the recipes labeled “Organic” – Chicken & Liver, Turkey & Liver, Small Breed Chicken, and Small Breed Turkey & Oats – carry the USDA Organic seal.
Where is Tender & True made?
The brand is independently owned and based in the Midwest. Their website says they are manufactured in Omaha, Nebraska, with rigorous quality controls.
How do I transition my dog to Tender & True organic food?
Start by mixing 25% new food with 75% old food for two to three days, then increase to 50/50, then 75/25, and finally 100% new food over about a week. Monitor stool consistency and energy levels during the switch. For a more detailed process, refer to our ultimate dog food buying guide for step-by-step transitioning advice.
