Best Grain Free Dog Foods

Grain free dog foods have become a favorite for those wishing to more closely mimic a dog’s natural ancestral diet… and to lessen the risk of food allergies.

And it’s easy to see why…

Compared to the typical kibble or canned food, the best grain free recipes contain more meat based protein as well as easy-to-digest animal fats.

And usually fewer carbohydrates, too.

Not only are grains like corn and wheat a frequent cause of canine allergies¹ they can also be more difficult for a dog to digest.

Why Grains Can Be
More Difficult to Digest

That’s because many plant-eating animals (known as herbivores) possess one powerful weapon many carnivores (like dogs) usually lack…

Salivary amylase.

Amylase is a special enzyme most herbivores and omnivores (like us humans) produce in their saliva. It’s needed to begin the break down of starchy carbohydrates into simple sugars…

Before they enter the stomach.

Now, dogs also produce amylase. But the enzyme is added further down the digestive tract… in the small intestine.

Because a carnivore’s saliva is mostly amylase-free, carbohydrates can be more difficult for a dog to digest.

What actually does make corn and other grains more digestible for a dog is the cooking process itself.

Why Kibbles Can Be Grain Free
But Never Carbohydrate Free

Compared to canned dog foods, kibbles cannot be made with just meat. That’s because the process used for making kibble requires a notable amount of carbohydrates to create a dough-like binder to hold everything together.

Since there can be no corn, wheat, barley, rice (or any other cereal grains, for that matter), novel carbohydrates must be used in their place to make grain-free kibbles possible.

And vegetables (like potatoes) appear to be the most common source of carbohydrates found in non-grain recipes.

The Bottom Line

Supporters of grain-free dog foods claim these products provide at least two important benefits…

They’re considered hypoallergenic
They attempt to mimic a dog’s natural ancestral diet

So, how can you find a quality grain-free dog food?

How We Selected the Best

If you’re looking for a quality grain free dog food, we’ve prepared two lists… one for dry dog foods and the other for wet.

To be selected, these products must meet two basic requirements.

First, they must have been rated at least four stars or five stars by the Advisor.

And lastly, the recipes (of course) must be grain free.

Best Grain Free Dog Foods

Choose a link below to access our lists of the best grain free dog foods…

Footnotes

White, S., Update on food allergy in the dog and cat, World Small Animal Veterinary Association, Vancouver, 2001 ↩

Shawna

We’re all a bit late in response here… I hope you get these..

German Shepherds have a known genetic predisposition to IgA deficiency (immunoglobulin A – part of the immune system). The Merck Vet Manual says this about German Shepherds.

“IgA deficiencies have been described in Beagles, German Shepherds, and Chinese Shar-Peis…. Some German Shepherds seem to have lower IgA levels than other breeds and a higher incidence of intestinal infections… Like the German Shepherds, affected Shar-Peis have more problems than expected with allergies.”

Taking probiotics (having a healthy gut flora) helps stimulate the production of IgA. Also foods that a dog, or person, is intolerant of will use up the IgA that the body does make. When the body can’t keep up with the demand for IgA (and mucin) symptoms will appear. They can appear days, weeks, months or even longer after the intolerant food is eaten. IBD is a symptom of food intolerance and colitis is a form of IBD. My Pomeranian gets colitis every time she is exposed to chicken for more than a few days.

Evaluate the food your GSD is currently on and look for a food with different protein and carb sources. Here’s a list of foods that are common triggers — all grains, all legumes (including soy, green beans and peas), eggs, chicken, potato and dairy. These are the most common but certainly not the only foods to cause issues.

Some medications, like NSAIDs, can cause colitis too. And, I believe intestinal worms can as well.
JennaP

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Fiber Response HF Dry Dog Food.
I have a collie with the same problem. Finally put him on prescription food and it worked wonders! No more explosive bloody diarrhea and vomiting.
Pattyvaughn

Seaweed also has micronutrients that otherwise don’t ever end up put in dog food.
Cashew mom

Thanks a lot for the suggestion. The seaweed is interesting. I can use that to replace the little salt I’m adding to his meat (very little, don’t worry). I’m thankful that my current dog is eating veggies. My previous dogs ate nothing but their meat soup and rice!
Hound Dog Mom

Rice isn’t low calorie so it’s not going to help with weightloss. If, however, you do want to include rice in your dog’s homemade food I’d suggest using germinated brown rice (they sell it in health food stores and on Amazon). For weight loss I’d replace 20% of the dog’s food with low calorie/low glycemic vegetables that have been cooked and pureed.
Pattyvaughn

Rice is not a good filler because of the calories. It can also cause insulin spikes that some nutrionists say leads to the body storing more fat. Try a high fiber veggie instead. Dark green veggie steamed and pureed add antioxidants to the diet, I even add in berries and some king of seaweed. I make a big batch and then freeze it in icecube trays or candy molds so I have the right portion ready to go. Add it slowly to find the right amount for your dog.
Cashew mom

Thanks for the info. I’m using rice as to control my dog weight when he has a big appettize – which means: he has enough meat for his energy need, but rice(cooked as for human) is doing as a filler. I practically don’t give him any kiddble at all. Homecook food strictly as he’s allergy to most of the food available in my country.
Can you suggest something that can do the same as plain cooked rice(steamed rice as you may see in some Asian restaurant)?
Hound Dog Mom

Hi Cashew Mom –

Rice does seem to be the least problematic grain in terms of causing food intolerances and food allergies in dogs. Oats are often cross contaminated with gluten which many dogs (and people) have sensitivities to. Grains are not a species-appropriate food for dogs and grains can result in long term health issues for many animals (including humans) unless properly prepared (soaked, sprouted).

Brown rice contains high levels of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an anti-nutrient that inhibits the body’s ability to absorb zinc, magnesium, iron, calcium and phosphorus. In order to eliminate the phytic acid, brown rice should be milled to remove part of the bran (the most harmful portion of the grain) and soaked in an acidic solution for 8 hours and/or germinated prior to cooking and consuming.

White rice doesn’t have the level of anti-nutrients that are present in brown rice (because it does not contain the bran and outer hull), but it offers little in the way of nutritional value and is basically empty calories.

It also should be mention that dogs technically have no nutritional requirement for carbohydrates. As long as their diet is comprised of adequate amounts of protein and fat, they can subside without carbohydrates.

Taking into consideration these facts – that grains were not part of the canine’s natural diet, that dogs have no requirement for carbohydrates and that grains (unless properly prepared and most dog foods don’t utilize properly prepared grains) contain high levels of anti-nutrients – I would conclude that grains are not a healthful addition to a dog’s diet. Ideally, a dog’s diet should be high in animal-based protein, moderate in animal-based fat, low in carbohydrates and free of grains and other starches (i.e. tapioca, potato, legumes).
Cashew mom

Hi,
May I ask why rice should be excluded? Traditionally in Asia we give dog meat + rice. And apparently rice doesn’t cause any problem in allergy like other grain (wheat and such you use in the West)
Also, what about oatmeal?
InkedMarie

Glad you found something that works!
SS

Our dog had chronic diahrea since he was a pup. After spending a small fortune on treatments, food, tests etc we gave up. I almost went back to the basic PurinaOne or Iams stuff because it did make a difference to him, he loves to eat anything. Then we ended up talking to the owner of a small pet food place. By that time I’d swore I wouldn’t try anything different that claimed to work on these things. She said to just bring the food back if it doesn’t help in two weeks. The food was expensive as heck but it did the trick. We couldn’t believe it and I had to go back to her to thank her and tell her that what the vets couldn’t fix she did it and I’m so glad I listened to an advice one more time. The food was Grandma Lucy’s Artisan in Chicken Flavor. The reason it works is not because it’s grain free it’s not processed like the normal dog and cat food. It’s dehydrated sort of like the Mountain House backpacking and hiking food. It’s expensive (are you listening Grandma Lucy?) but I’m a believer.
Hound Dog Mom

Hi Linda -

You should always feed a puppy a food labeled for “growth” or “all life stages” – foods labeled for “maintenance” are generally too low in protein for a growing puppy and can be deficient in key nutrients. The idea of recommending “adult” foods for large breed puppies is a misguided attempt to prevent orthopedic disease because adult foods tend to be lower in calories. Jut feed less of a puppy food and make sure the food has appropriate levels of calcium – excess calcium has been linked to growth abnormalities in large and giant breed puppies. Here’s a link to the large breed puppy forum, there are several articles and a list if appropriate grain free foods: http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/forums/topic/large-and-giant-breed-puppy-nutrition/
http://www.facebook.com/linda.gilligan.5 Linda Gilligan

Hi everyone, this is my first time posting here.I have read a lot of the comments below, and I also thought I knew a lot about Dog foods, but always find there is more to learn. I recently lost a Cocker Spaniel to Pancreatitis…I still have one Cocker Spaniel and a Saint Bernard..They are both on Purina Smartblend, the Saint is getting Large breed Puppy….they are both losing a lot of hair and constantly scratching and chewing. I want to get them onto something else. Have recently read…a Saint shouldnt be on Large breed but a Giant Breed formula and never given a Puppy formula only a good meat based adult food….the more I read the more confused I get. My dogs are my babies….I have always had them on the best quality I can afford…not going with real cheap, crappy qualities but Im paying $30.00 a bag now and I dont think I am getting a good quality, thinking of switching to Grain Free…andy help would be appreciated…Thank you in advance…Linda Gilligan
Nancy

Yes I was talking about Prime. Thank you so much for the suggestions.
http://www.dfwpugs.com/ sandy

Are you talking about Innova Prime? If so, there is Horizon Legacy/Pulsar/Amicus that are lentil based like Innova Prime. Acana Regionals, Grandma Mae’s Country Naturals GF, Precise Holistic Complete GF. Get some canned pumpkin puree or ground psyllium to give with the new food to help with the transition.
Nancy

Help! I have a 3 yr old and 5 month old miniature poodles. They are on Innova Grain Free Chicken and Innova Puppy. With the recall, I need to switch. Unfortunately I was at the end of both bags and don’t really have much left to transition them as much as I’d like. Any suggestions what grain free would be best that is similar and won’t cause upset? After reading comments about a lot of the brands that are available near me I was thinking about Merrick. I need to get something quick and get them started on it.
Pattyvaughn

Hypoallergenic dog foods should have a single protein source, a single carb source, and hopefully limited other ingredients. There is no guarantee that any given dog won’t be allergic to any given hypoallergenic food. It’s just supposed to be easier to figure out what your dog can and can’t handle if the food has a limited number of things in it that can cause problems. So if the food has grains, it should only have one grain and should not have other carb sources as well. Though some foods do actually have two proteins or two carbs.
Bonny

Are hypoallergenic dog foods also grain free?
Michelle

sorry I forgot to say that she is eating Hills Ideal Balance now.
Michelle

Does anyone have any experiences with Canidae Grain Free Natural Dry Dog Food – Duck & Turkey? My 1 yr old Golden Retreiver has dry, flaky skin with crusty sores. She is losing her hair and is itchy. Help!
carla

Many shepherds have digestive issues. When mine did, my vet put her on probiotics and enzymes (Vet Classics). It worked wonders. You can find them over the counter also – make sure the product contains all four enzymes (amylase, protease, cellulase, and lipase). I also found that plain, canned pumpkin helps because it is high in fiber. For my girl, it prevents loose, slimy, stinky stools – just a couple of tablespoons daily works for her. Good Luck!
dianne1089

Another great addition is Pumpkin. Organic canned. NOT pumpkin pie filling. When I open a can my dog is right beside me with her head up and mouth open – LOL