
Dogs can have food allergies just like humans can, and with human specialty diets, such as Paleo and gluten-free, on the rise, more and more dog owners are looking to switch their dog to a grain-free diet. In the wild, dogs are mainly carnivorous and the belief is that by switching them back to a more “natural” diet that their ancestors may have eaten, they will be healthier. However, most vet’s today recommend that carbohydrates and grains make up a small portion of a dog’s diet — 50% vegetables, 40% meat protein and 10% grains.
Dogs have little natural digestive support for breaking down and metabolizing complex carbohydrates and cereal grains, so over time, this can cause damage to their gut lining. Many grain-free dog foods, especially the moist and freeze-dried grain-free dog foods, contain more protein and animal fats and fewer carbohydrates than their grain-based competitors and are often more easily digested.
But where do you start when looking for a grain-free pet food? How do you know it’s safe to be feeding your dog a grain-free diet? Will they still be getting the nutrients they need? Below, we have complied a buying guide so you can make an informed decision about buying dog food and find the right grain-free diet for you pet.
Best Grain Free Dog Food – Comparison Table
Product Image | Product name | Features | Star Rating |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | 1) Taste of the Wild High Protein Dry Dog Food | Taste of the Wild with smoked salmon High quality protein recipe With smaller kibble | 4.7 out of 5 |
![]() | 2) Merrick Grain Free Dry Dog Food | Real deboned beef With 60% of protein from animal sources Help maintain healthy hips and joints | 4.8 out of 5 |
![]() | 3) Nature's Recipe Grain Free Easy to Digest Dry Dog Food | Real salmon is the #1 ingredient Easy-to-digest recipe With nutrient-dense, | 4.7 out of 5 |
![]() | 4) Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry Dog Food | Real Meat First For Adult Dogs With Lifesource Bits | 4.7 out of 5 |
![]() | 5) Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Dog Food | Supports digestive health Supports skin health for adult dogs Made with natural ingredients | 4.7 out of 5 |
![]() | 6) Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Dry Dog Food | High quality protein Made with wild caught salmon Zero grains | 4.6 out of 5 |
![]() | 7) Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food | Advanced Natural Nutrition Savory Food Dogs Love Leaner Body Mass And Muscle Tone | 4.6 out of 5 |
![]() | 8) Whole Earth Farms Grain Free Dry Dog Food | Dry food for dogs Contains high-quality proteins Like real pork, beef and lamb | 4.6 out of 5 |
![]() | 9) Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Premium Dry Dog Food | U.S. farm-raised chicken Added vitamins & minerals No poultry by-product meal | 4.7 out of 5 |
![]() | 10) Crave Grain Free Adult Dry Dog Food | Formulated to meet the nutritional needs Provides energy dogs need Grain free carbohydrate sources | 4.6 out of 5 |
![]() | 11) Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Dry Dog Food | Contains (1) 22 Pound Bag of Dry Dog Food U.S. farm-raised beef is the #1 ingredient No poultry by-product meal | 4.6 out of 5 |
![]() | 12) Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain Free Dry Dog Food | Packed With Real Salmon Healthy Ingredients With Lifesource Bits | 4.7 out of 5 |
![]() | 13) Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Grain Free Formula Dog Food | Contains (1) 4 Pound Bag of Dry Dog Food Real salmon is the main 1 ingredient Supported by Natural Balance’s ‘Buy With Confidence’ guarantee | 4.7 out of 5 |
![]() | 14) Purina Beyond Grain Free Dry Dog Food | Limited ingredient, Gluten and grain free With natural probiotics | 4.5 out of 5 |
![]() | 15) Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Adult Dry Dog Food | Formulated high in protein Meet the needs of highly active small dogs Fortified with guaranteed live probiotics | 4.7 out of 5 |
![]() | 16) CANIDAE PURE Grain Free Dog Food | 10 Key ingredients or less Packed with the goodness Healthy immune system supported by antioxidants | 4.5 out of 5 |
![]() | 17) Sojos Complete Grain-Free Dog Food | Raw Dog Food Natural and Raw Safe and Economical | 4.3 out of 5 |
![]() | 18) Nulo Adult Grain Free Dog Food | 100% All Natural Grain Free For Large, Small Dogs | 4.7 out of 5 |
Does my dog need a grain free dog food?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has found a potential link between canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and dogs eating certain “grain-free” pet foods after reviewing more than 500 recent cases of DCM. In nearly all of these cases, the dog had been regularly eating a mostly grain-free product, the FDA report said. So, if your dog is happy and healthy and does not have any issues with the food they are eating at the moment, always consult your vet before switching your dog to a grain-free diet. You can also check out the ingredients list on your dog food and ensure that protein is one of the main ingredients, such as chicken, rather than listing corn, wheat or soy as the first ingredients.
Mentioned above, dogs are naturally carnivorous and so it is not in their nature to eat so many grains. That being said, they are not as carnivorous as cats and have actually learnt to adapt to eat fruits and vegetables. So, while they would choose to eat meat and meat-based proteins, it doesn’t mean they need them to survive and can actually survive on a plant-based diet. Although there are numerous studies proving the opposite, many people believe that grains and the main cause of allergies within dogs. We will go into this in more detail below, but, like the belief that all dogs are carnivorous, this is actually untrue.
Breaking Down Grains
What is true, is that dogs don’t have the enzyme amylase in their saliva to effectively break down the carbohydrates in grains like humans do. The enzyme amylase is needed to break down these carbohydrate molecules into starch to prepare these molecules for further digestion within the stomach. Therefore, a lot of people believe that dogs shouldn’t be eating grains. However, while dogs don’t have the amylase enzyme in their salvia, it is present in their small intestines, typically supplied by the pancreas in the form of pancreatic amylase, so carbohydrates can still be digested and and used within their bodies.
However, that being said, if your dog is allergic to grains or something within dog food that contains grains, it’s no-brainer to be switching them to a grain-free diet. Some dog breeds have a higher chance of developing food allergies, such as Retrievers, Boxers, Collies, Dachshunds, Dalmatians and Springer Spaniels, and, although it may be different ingredients they are allergic to, if you feel switching your dog to a grain-free diet is right for them, then you can.
There are some benefits to switching to a grain-free diet, too. Some owners reported that their dog had more energy, as well as smaller and fewer stools and reduced flatulence. They can also have a shinier coat, healthier skin and better breath.
Is it true that dogs are allergic to grains?
Mentioned above, there is a wide belief that grains are the biggest cause of allergies within dogs, but this is actually untrue. Allergies are an organism’s way of protecting itself from the invasion of foreign materials like bacteria and viruses. Science has shown that it is normally proteins that are the cause of allergies in dogs, although some contain more allergenic potential than others. These include ingredients such as beef, dairy, egg, chicken, wheat, corn and soy. However, not all grains can be allergenic. There are a few that are considered wholesome, such as brown and white rice, oatmeal, buckwheat, amaranth, millet and quinoa.
So, while dogs can be allergic to grains, it is much more likely that they are actually allergic to one of the products listed above. You should look to be removing these things form your dog’s diet too if you are worried about a food allergy, or work out which ingredient is giving them an allergy by a process of elimination. Some common symptoms of allergies within dogs include excessive flatulence, loose stool or diarrhea, rash and skin irritations, chronic licking, chewing or biting to relieve an itch, vomiting or frequent ear infections.
The bottom line is, if you are worried your dog is suffering from a grain allergy, you can switch your dog to a grain-free diet but make sure you carefully read the product label before buying. You can also speak to your vet and see what they recommend, as they will be able to carry out some tests on your pup to see what the source of the allergy is.
What makes a good grain free dog food?
Grain-free dog food is not so much about the absence of grains, but about what other wholesome ingredients are in the food that make a good dog food.
Animal Protein
A good grain-free dog food should have a whole animal protein as it’s first main ingredient. Dogs need higher amounts of protein and fats in their diet as these help support the building of tissue and organ development as your dog grows, as well as helping with the nervous system. In the wild, a dog will eat around 65% protein and 30% fats, with the remainder being divided among carbohydrates and other nutrients.
If you’re worried about an allergy, you should look for a dog food that has less allergenic meat proteins as the main ingredient. Chicken and beef are considered to be highly allergenic, so you should consider other animal ingredients. This could be meat from bison, venison, boar, rabbit, waterfowls and other “unusual” or uncommon animal protein sources. This is the best way for your pup to get protein in their diet without having any allergenic grains on the ingredients list.
You should remember that, while meat meals are acceptable, they should never be the first ingredient in your dog food. If there is, for example “lamb meal” present, this should be the secondary ingredient, with a whole protein as the first ingredient.
Healthier Carbs
We mentioned above some healthier carbohydrates that your dog could eat, including brown and white rice, oatmeal, buckwheat, amaranth, millet and quinoa. Remember, not all grains are allergenic and these grains above can be an essential source of amino acids for your pup that helps give them a well-balanced, nutritional diet. You could also always look for a dog food that contains healthy fruits and vegetables as they are packed with vitamins and minerals that help keep your pooch at their best. Vitamin C has great antioxidant properties, as well as vitamin A and vitamin E. Minerals like calcium, iron and phosphorus are also important.
Artificial Ingredients
There should never be any artificial flavors or ingredients in your dog’s food. Manufacturers include them to keep the food tasty, but they are unhealthy and can actually end up harming your dog. Only natural ingredients should be used within dog food to ensure your dog is getting the right nutrition they need.
If you’re thinking of switching your dog to a grain-free diet, take a look below at the best grain-free pet food we recommend, all available to you on Amazon.
The Best Grain Free Dog Food
1) Taste of the Wild High Protein Dry Dog Food
In the Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream dry dog food, real salmon is the number one ingredient, with an optimal amino acid profile and rich in protein for lean and strong muscles. Also rich in fatty acids, the salmon is high in omega-3 and omega-6 that not only makes the food highly digestible and easy on your dog’s stomach, but also work together to maintain healthy skin and a shiny coat. With no grains, there is no issue if your dog has a grain-allergy and the ingredients all come from trusted and sustainable sources so your pup is getting the best diet they can.
There are fruits and vegetables included in this food such as tomatoes, blueberries and raspberries and potato fiber, giving plenty of antioxidants to protect your dog’s overall health as well as vitamins and minerals to keep them active. Dried chicory root is present in this food as a source of probiotics, again promoting healthy digestion if your dog suffers from allergies, and also helping their immune system. If you are unsure whether you want to switch your dog to a grain-free diet, this food is also available with grains.
Key Features:
- Taste of the Wild with smoked salmon
- High quality protein recipe
- With smaller kibble
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
2) Merrick Grain Free Dry Dog Food
This Merrick dry dog food uses real deboned beef as the main ingredient with 34% protein in every bowl you feed your pup. This protein provides healthy energy levels, building muscle mass and giving a great taste your dog will love. Alongside beef, there is lamb meal and salmon meal, both of which are protein-rich for lean muscles. Grain-free, there are no fillers, corn, wheat, soy or gluten included in this food so you can be sure your dog is on a grain-free diet. There are also real, whole foods like sweet potatoes, peas, apples, blueberries and zero preservatives, so you know your pup is eating only the most finest, natural food.
This dry food contains levels of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids to support healthy skin and coat, plus leading levels of glucosamine and chondroitin to maintain your dog’s hip and joint function. This food is for all breeds of adult dogs, both small breed and large breeds, but there are versions of this dry dog food for dogs at other stages of their life, such as puppies or senior dogs, so you have the option to put your pups on the same type of food for ease. This food also comes in a beef and texas beef flavor.
Key Features:
- Real deboned beef
- With 60% of protein from animal sources
- Help maintain healthy hips and joints
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
3) Nature’s Recipe Grain Free Easy to Digest Dry Dog Food
In this Nature’s Recipe dry dog food, nutrient-rich salmon is the first ingredient. As a high source of protein, salmon helps maintain muscle health and keeps your dog lean so they can live their most active lifestyle. Sweet potato and pumpkin are also present, giving valuable carbohydrates to your dog without grains and in a form of fiber that will not disrupt the digestive system. This easy to digest dog food helps to support the immune system and glucosamine also added supports healthy hips and joints, whatever age your dog is.
There are active ingredients and antioxidants, as well as calcium and phosphorus in this dry dog food to ensure strong bones and teeth. With no added corn, wheat, soy, poultry by-product meal, artificial colors or flavors, you can ensure your dog is eating only the nutritious food that will keep them in good health. This dry dog food also comes in chicken and lamb flavor — so your dog has options!
Key Features:
- Real salmon is the #1 ingredient
- Easy-to-digest recipe
- With nutrient-dense,
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
4) Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry Dog Food
This Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula dry dog food for adult dogs comes in a lamb and brown rice recipe, with the first ingredient being a real, deboned lamb. This high-quality protein helps your dog build and maintain healthy muscles and the garden veggies and fruit help promote a healthy immune system. The essential proteins and carbohydrates in this food help meet the energy needs of your active doggo and this food also features fish oil containing omega-3 & 6 fatty acids to promote a shiny coat and healthy skin. Also included in this dry dog food is BLUE’s exclusive LifeSource Bits.
This is a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals carefully selected by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists, to support immune system health, life stage requirements and a healthy oxidative balance. Included in this dog food are the wholesome whole grains such as brown rice, oatmeal and barley, giving your dog the nutrition they need. There is also calcium, phosphorus and a essential vitamins to help support strong bones and teeth. This dog food is available in three different sizes and also comes in a fish and brown rice recipe or a chicken and brown rice recipe.
Key Features:
- Real Meat First
- For Adult Dogs
- With Lifesource Bits
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
5) Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Dog Food
This grain-free dry dog food from Hill’s Science Diet is formulated for dogs with a sensitive stomach and skin, and supports digestive health and skin health for adult dogs. With a grain-free formula, this food is easily digestible for better nutrient absorption and stool pick up, making it both easier on your dog and on you. Chicken is the number one ingredient in this dog food, with no chicken by-product meal and only natural ingredients made in the USA.
There is prebiotic fiber to support beneficial gut bacteria and a balanced microbiome as well as vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids for a silky smooth coat and healthy skin. With clinically proven antioxidants and no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, you know your dog is getting only the best food. This food also comes in a non-grain-free flavor as well as a variety bundle.
Key Features:
- Supports digestive health
- Supports skin health for adult dogs
- Made with natural ingredients
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
6) Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Dry Dog Food
Made with high-quality protein from wild caught salmon, this Diamond Naturals dog food is designed for all life stages, to help your dog build strong, healthy, lean muscles. With no grains, this food is perfect for dogs who have skin sensitives or a grain allergy, with carbohydrates coming from lentils, peas and carrots instead. This food is also beneficial to the upkeep of healthy skin and shiny coat with superfoods such as flaxseed, chia seed and coconut that are a great source of fatty acids.
The protein from the salmon also gives great omega-3 fatty acids to support the skin, as well as providing selenium. Kale, pumpkin and blueberries are a source of key nutrients such as antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to provide overall nutrition alongside a healthy immune system and a healthy lifestyle. A blend of soluble and insoluble fibers and prebiotic fiber from dried chicory root also helps support a healthy digestive system. This food is made in the USA without any artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, so your dog is eating only the best.
Key Features:
- High quality protein
- Made with wild caught salmon
- Zero grains
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
7) Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food
The Wellness Core Natural dry dog food comes with a list of guaranteed ingredients, so you know you’re giving your dog only the best nutrition. Formulated with turkey and chicken, this high protein delivers not only a great taste, but also visible benefits such as a shiny coat and great energy. It has optimum fat and calorie levels and is perfect for every day food to keep your dog at a healthy weight. Glucosamine and chondroitin help maintain healthy hips and joints, as well as each kibble being coated with priorities after cooking to ensure a healthy digestive tract.
Alongside the meat, essential minerals and vegetables such as spinach, broccoli and kale are present in this food, giving your doggo great nutrients. Omega-3 fatty acids from ingredients such as flaxseed and salmon oil help maintain skin and coat health, too. There is no wheat, wheat-gluten, corn or soy in this food, making it perfect if your dog has a grain allergy, and no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
Key Features:
- Advanced Natural Nutrition
- Savory Food Dogs Love
- Leaner Body Mass And Muscle Tone
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
8) Whole Earth Farms Grain Free Dry Dog Food
This Whole Earth Farms Grain Free dog food recipe is crafted to support the nutritional needs throughout all life stages of your dog. With real wholesome, rich proteins of pork, beef and lamb, this is a dog food that provides all the nutrients and natural goodness your dog needs. There are also healthy fruits and vegetables such as potatoes, peas, sweet potatoes, flaxseed and apples to give your dog essential vitamins and minerals, helping to keep them healthy and supporting their immune system. Also included in this food are flavorful dried blueberries, rosemary, sage and thyme.
There is no corn, wheat or soy, as well as no poultry by-product meal or artificial colors or flavors. This food is also poultry-free, which is great if you suspect your dog might be suffering from a common poultry allergy too. All the natural ingredients in this food combine together to support easier digestibility, less shedding, shinier coat, increased energy, stronger nails and healthier skin. The Whole Earth Farms dog food also comes in a chicken and turkey, salmon and whitefish and turkey and duck flavors.
Key Features:
- Dry food for dogs
- Contains high-quality proteins
- Like real pork, beef and lamb
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
9) Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Premium Dry Dog Food
U.S. farm-raised chicken is the number one ingredient in the Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Premium dog food, to help support healthy organs and lean muscle mass. Although this food is free of filler, wheat and wheat gluten ingredients, brown rice is included as an excellent source of carbohydrates for essential B vitamins and minerals. Vegetables like peas give vitamins and minerals for healthy digestion and carrots are an excellent source of carotenoids, essential to help support immune system health.
Beet pulp, also present, is a wholesome fiber source, naturally providing prebiotics to also support healthy digestion. Chicken fat on the ingredients list is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that help a healthy skin and a shiny coat, too. There are no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives and no poultry by-product meal
Key Features:
- U.S. farm-raised chicken
- Added vitamins & minerals
- No poultry by-product meal
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
10) Crave Grain Free Adult Dry Dog Food
Made with 34% protein and real salmon as the first ingredient, the Crave Grain Free dog food offers your dog a diet their ancestors would have eaten. The high amount of protein, also from ocean fish, supports healthy, strong and lean muscles as well as giving them the energy to chase, just like in the wild. With no grains, no corn, no wheat and no soy, this food relies on quality carbohydrates for energy too, such as potatoes and chickpeas, as well as peas. There are no chicken by-product meals and no artificial colors or flavors, so your dog is only eating the best, most nutritious ingredients.
This food is perfect for all types of dog, of any size and both small breed and large breed. The food also comes in three other flavors — beef, chicken and lamb and vension — so your dog can choose what they eat!
Key Features:
- Formulated to meet the nutritional needs
- Provides energy dogs need
- Grain free carbohydrate sources
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
11) Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Dry Dog Food
In the Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain dog food, U.S. farm-raised beef is the number one ingredient, providing high-quality protein with essential nutrients to help support healthy organs and lean muscle mass. Also making up the protein in this food is U.S. farm-raised bison, a lean, nutrient-dense protein that contains essential amino acids to help support healthy muscle mass. Plus, bison is easily digestible and isn’t often used in dog food, which may make it less likely to aggravate food sensitivities.
With bison and no grains, you can be sure your dog won’t suffer any food allergies relating to these ingredients, giving you peace of mind that they’re staying healthy and eating only the best. Beet pulp included is a wholesome fiber source that naturally provides prebiotics to help maintain digestive health, alongside potatoes, tapioca and peas that are easily digestible alternative carbohydrates, carefully selected because they are naturally gluten-free and gentle on your dog’s digestive system.
Menhaden fish meal is present in this food and is a highly digestible rich source of amino acids and omega-3 fatty acids, helping your dog’s skin stay healthy and their coat stay shiny, alongside chicken fat and whole flaxseed that are also high in omega-3 and omeag-6. Cranberries are a natural source of potassium, fiber, vitamin A and vitamin C in this food, helping to support your dog’s immune system. There are no artificial colors or flavors and this food is also available in salmon and sweet potato flavor.
Key Features:
- Contains (1) 22 Pound Bag of Dry Dog Food
- U.S. farm-raised beef is the #1 ingredient
- No poultry by-product meal
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
12) Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain Free Dry Dog Food
Made to satisfy your dog’s natural love for meat, this high protein Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain Free dog food features real salmon to help build and maintain lean muscle mass. Chicken meal and fish meal also help strong muscles and meet energy requirements for an active lifestyle. This dog food is made without the grains that contain gluten, providing healthy carbohydrates including sweet potatoes and peas to help fuel your adult dog’s activity and ensuring they get all the nutrients they need.
There are also antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables present such as carrots, blueberries and cranberries to help support your pup’s immune system, alongside BLUE’s exclusive LifeSource Bits — a blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals — that support immune system health, life stage requirements and a healthy oxidative balance. Calcium and phosphorus are present to promote strong bones and teeth and glucosamine helps joint function and overall mobility.
There are also omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for a shiny coat and healthy skin. There are never any signs of chicken by-products, corn, wheat, soy or artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. This grain-free dog food also comes in chicken and duck flavors.
Key Features:
- Packed With Real Salmon
- Healthy Ingredients
- With Lifesource Bits
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
13) Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Grain Free Formula Dog Food
You can stop worrying about what your dog eats when you opt for this dry food. The four-pound bag gives you enough food for multiple servings and allows you to see if your dog likes it before you buy a larger bag. Though it uses a combination of ingredients, real salmon is the first one on the label. Dogs that eat salmon develop healthy immune systems and have better coats than other dogs.
Other ingredients include sweet potatoes that add a sweet touch to the food and taurine. The addition of sunflower oil gives your dog a gorgeous coat and healthy skin due to the omega-6 fatty acids in that oil. Natural Balance promises that the food is free of the fillers and byproducts that similar foods have. It also lacks wheat, which makes it a popular gluten-free dog food.
Key Features:
- Contains (1) 4 Pound Bag of Dry Dog Food
- Real salmon is the main 1 ingredient
- Supported by Natural Balance’s ‘Buy With Confidence’ guarantee
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
14) Purina Beyond Grain Free Dry Dog Food
This Purina Beyond Grain Free dog food contains chicken as the number one ingredient, offering protein form a trusted source that helps your dog maintain strong and lean muscles. Egg is another source of protein in this food, supporting your dog’s energy levels so they can live an active lifestyle. This food is both grain-free and gluten-free, perfect if your dog suffers from either of these allergies, and there is no corn, wheat or soy. Added into this food are vitamins and minerals to keep your dog healthy, providing a complete and balanced meal.
All the ingredients are of high-quality so you can be reassured your dog is eating only the best, and the optimal blend of protein, fat, carbohydrates and essential nutrients support a long and healthy life. There are no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives and no poultry by-product meal, either. This food comes in beef and egg flavor, hake and lentil flavor and beef and lentil flavor, too.
Key Features:
- Limited ingredient,
- Gluten and grain free
- With natural probiotics
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
15) Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Adult Dry Dog Food
Owners of dogs with stomach issues often have a hard time finding food for their pets. Thanks to Purina and this dog food, you can now give your pup a type of food that it will love. Designed for dogs that have both sensitive stomachs and skin, the formula includes delicious ingredients that dogs love. The small breed formula uses both rice and salmon, which dogs can easily digest. You can add a 16-pound bag to your cart and get more than enough food for the next week. This food serves as the focal point of your dog’s diet and can also work with wet food.
Key Features:
- Formulated high in protein
- Meet the needs of highly active small dogs
- Fortified with guaranteed live probiotics
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
16) CANIDAE PURE Grain Free Dog Food
The CANIDAE Pure Grain Free dog food is made with eight key ingredients. Lamb, turkey meal, chicken meal, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, peas, chicken fat and menhaden fish meal. This limited ingredient list ensures your dog is not subject to any nasty artificial colors or flavorings. Nor grains such as corn, wheat or soy, so you can be sure your dog won’t be subject to an allergic reaction. This small ingredients list also ensures your dog only eats high-quality, natural ingredients for a healthy lifestyle. Each kibble has probiotics added to it after cooking to help support healthy digestion. Antioxidants are also added to help support a healthy immune system.
This grain-free dog food also contains omega-6 and 3 fatty acids. These help support your pup’s skin and coat and leave them looking and feeling great, no matter what age they are. This kibble also comes in chicken, duck, salmon and wild boar flavors. So you can find a flavor your dog loves, as well as there being formulations for all life stages and sizes.
Key Features:
- 10 Key ingredients or less
- Packed with the goodness
- Healthy immune system supported by antioxidants
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
17) Sojos Complete Grain-Free Dog Food
This dog food from Sojos Complete is a vet-recommended grain-free food. Freeze-dried raw beef is the first ingredient for the raw nutrition and muscle-boosting protein dogs thrive on. The complete and balanced blend of raw meat and uncompromised, human-grade ingredients in every bowl. Ingredients like sweet potatoes, whole eggs, flaxseeds. This means your dog is getting a healthy, nutritious diet with only the best ingredients. There are also raw superfoods, such as cranberries, alfalfa, kelp, fiber-rich pumpkin, papaya and ginger. These promote your dog’s overall well-being.
This food is freeze-dried to preserve the natural enzymes, vitamins and trace nutrients. With minimal processing to protect the natural nutrients. There are no grains present in this food and so it is perfect if your dog is showing signs of a grain allergy. You know you are giving them wholesome, natural ingredients instead without the appearance of any artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. All you need to do is add water, and it will be ready in 15 minutes. This food also comes in a range of other flavors, including goat, lamb, turkey, chicken, salmon and pork.
Key Features:
- Raw Dog Food
- Natural and Raw
- Safe and Economical
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
18) Nulo Adult Grain Free Dog Food
This high meat and low carb Nulo Adult dog food is made from a grain-free recipe. It contains no corn, wheat, soy or artificial colors and flavorings. Made with salmon, 80% of the protein in this food comes from animal sources. With no eggs or chicken proteins, because many dogs don’t digest them well. There are also no allergy triggering grains like corn, wheat gluten or soy. BC30 Probiotics support healthy digestion. The low-carb, small kibble formula is crafted for both small and large breed, to keep a lean body mass.
A balanced amount of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids nourish your dog’s skin. It also helps to promote a beautiful, shiny coat. There are also peas in the ingredients list, working to support immune health. All the ingredients come from reputable sources and the food is made in the US. Giving you peace of mind that your dog is getting the best quality ingredients. This food also comes in lamb and turkey flavor, without any artificial additives, colors, or flavors.
Key Features:
- 100% All Natural
- Grain Free
- For Large, Small Dogs
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Tips For Feeding Dogs With Food Allergies
If you’re worried your dog is suffering from a grain allergy or any other allergy, there are a few things you can do to help them get their feeding back on track.
Perform A Food Allergy Test
By performing a food allergy test, you are finding out what your dog is allergic to by a process of elimination. This is typically done over the course of a few weeks or months. What you will do is stop feeding your dog their regular food and give them novel protein instead. With this, you will start to see an improvement in their condition. Then you can start introducing one ingredient at a time back into their diet. You should introduce one ingredient every few weeks and see their reaction. If there is no reaction, you can move on to the next ingredient until you find the one that seems to be causing the allergic reaction.
Consider Novel Or Hydrolyzed Proteins
Mentioned above, you can give your dog novel proteins when trying to figure out if they have an allergy. A novel protein is a protein your dog has never had before. They can sometimes come from an unusual source that is not always found in pet food, for example rabbit or waterfowls. The novel portion will greatly reduce the immune response from your dog and their body will not recognize them as allergenic.
Research Different Brands
There are so many dog foods and dog food brands on the market these days. It can be a bit overwhelming trying to find the right one for your dog. Especially taking into consideration their size, breed, age and weight. You should research brands and try to filter your options to a small list of foods that your dog can try.
Always Provide High-Quality Dog Food
You love your pup as much as the rest of the family, so you should only be giving them the best, high-quality food. This should contain all the main ingredients they need such as protein and vegetables. As well as vitamins and minerals and extra ingredients such as amino acids and probiotics. These help with their immune system and overall health. Always remember to stay away from artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
Switch Your Dog’s Food Gradually
When changing your dog’s food to a grain-free food, or any other food, remember to do this gradually. If you change it over instantly you can upset your dog’s stomach because they won’t be used to the food. The best way to transition any food is to do it over a period of time.
For example, if you normally give your pet 2 cups of food, you can give them 1.5 cups of the old food and 0.5 cups of the new food. Do this for the first three to five days and see how they take to the new food. Watching out for any bad reactions. Then you can slowly transition this to 1 cup of the old food and 1 cup of the new food over the next few days. Then 1.5 cups of the new food and 0.5 of the old, until your dog is comfortable just eating the new food.
Talk To Your Vet
If you suspect your dog has a grain allergy, notice any unusual behavior in your dog or any symptoms of an allergy, you should talk to your vet. Many pet owners only go to the vet when their dog is very sick or needs medication. The truth is that vets are very knowledgable about the general well-being of pets. They are the best people to advise you on what food you can be feeding your dog everyday based on their age and breed. Remember, each dog is different and what works for one might not work for another. So it is always worth speaking to your vet about what is best for your dog.
Conclusion
If you suspect your pup is suffering from a grain allergy, you can switch them to a grain-free diet. Grain allergies are uncommon within dogs. Your dog is much more likely to be allergic to the protein in your dog food such as chicken or beef. But you can perform a food allergy test to see what ingredient is causing the allergic reaction and switch to a grain-free diet if needed. There are wholesome grains available in dog food such as brown and white rice, oatmeal and quinoa. These are very beneficial to your dog, so you should still look out for these in foods.
A grain-free diet can help with your dog’s energy, stools, skin and breath, but always remember to do your research. That way you can be sure your canine friend is getting the nutrients they need to stay happy and healthy and live a long life.