Best Grain-Free Dog Food

Updated Sep. 11, 2023

Taste of the Wild and Freshpet

As a dog owner, you want to look for foods that focus on quality ingredients that add value to your dog’s diet. Certain grains, like corn, can actually be difficult for your dog to digest, which has led to the popularization of grain-free diets for dogs who suffer from allergies.

What's the best grain-free dog food?

Canidae Pet Foods

1.6(1,726)

Under the Sun Grain Free
Dry (kibble)
Single animal protein

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Freshpet

4.1(877)

Select Grain Free
Roll or semi-moist
Farm-raised meat and veggies

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Nom Nom

1.4(383)

Chicken Chow-Wow
Fresh
Whole food, restaurant quality ingredients

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Grain-free dog food questions

What is grain-free dog food?: Dog food is commonly made with grains like barley, buckwheat, corn, oats and rice. Grain-free dog food is simply dog food made without these grains, instead focusing on protein-rich diets with vegetables, minerals and supplements crucial to the health and wellness of your dog. While a dog food that contains grain is not necessarily better or worse than a grain-free diet, some dog foods include grain as “filler” ingredients that provide little-to-no value to your dog’s overall health.
Should dogs eat grain free?: Many dogs do well on a grain-free diet. However, it’s important to note “grain-free” does not necessarily mean “healthy.” If you think grain-free is the right choice for your dog, it’s important to find a grain-free dog food that provides complete and balanced nutrition. While many traditional dog foods use grains as fillers, grain-free dog foods may use plant-based fillers. Look for a grain-free formula that provides plenty of omega 3 fatty acids, and be sure to consult with your vet to make sure removing grains from your dog’s diet is going to be beneficial for them, as some dogs, especially less active dogs, may do better on a diet that includes grains.

Pros and cons of grain-free dog food

Grain-free dog food benefits:

High protein content
No fillers like cornmeal or wheat gluten
Helps maintain healthy weight
Easier to digest
Reduced flatulence
Less simple carbohydrates (good for diabetic dogs)
May provide allergy relief (itchiness, hot spots, excessive hair loss, etc.)

Grain-free dog food disadvantages:

Tends to be more expensive
Not suitable for less active dogs
Could cause weight gain
Can be high in carbohydrates
Lack of omega 3 fatty acids
Not always recommended for puppies

What is the best grain-free dog food?

The best grain-free dog food dog foods will have high protein content and nutritional additives like omega-3 fatty acids to replace the nutrients typically found in grains. As with all dog food, you want to look for a protein to fat ratio of 2:1 for a balanced diet. As grain-free food becomes more popular for dogs, availability increases, but some more niche brands may still only be available at pet stores.

Compare grain-free dog food


Availability	Petco; select retail pet supply stores; major online retailers	Major pet store chains; major online retailers	Petsmart; many grocery chains	Petco; select retail pet supply stores; major online retailers	Online
Price*	$39.99/12lb bag	$29.99/15lb bag	$15.99/5lb roll	$38.99/25lb bag	Based on dog’s weight. $29.64/week for a 30lb dog.
Protein**	32%	32%	9%	Wet: 7% Dry: 26%	8.5%
Fat**	18%	18%	6%	Wet: 5% Dry: 14%	6%
Unique claim	Contains soy and potato	Replicates ancestral diet	100% farm-raised meat and vegetables	Non-GMO ingredients; limited ingredient diet (LID)	Fresh, whole food ingredients exceed AAAFCO standards
Customer satisfaction	Read reviews	Read reviews	Read reviews	Read reviews	Read reviews

Availability	Price*	Protein**	Fat**	Unique claim	Customer satisfaction
Petco; select retail pet supply stores; major online retailers	$39.99/12lb bag	32%	18%	Contains soy and potato	Read reviews
Major pet store chains; major online retailers	$29.99/15lb bag	32%	18%	Replicates ancestral diet	Read reviews
Petsmart; many grocery chains	$15.99/5lb roll	9%	6%	100% farm-raised meat and vegetables	Read reviews
Petco; select retail pet supply stores; major online retailers	$29.88/case of 12 12.5 oz cans (wet); $38.99/25lb bag (dry)	Wet: 7% Dry: 26%	Wet: 5% Dry: 14%	Non-GMO ingredients; limited ingredient diet (LID)	Read reviews
Online	Based on dog’s weight. $29.64/week for a 30lb dog.	8.5%	6%	Fresh, whole food ingredients exceed AAAFCO standards	Read reviews

* Prices pulled from Chewy.com or brand’s website; valid as of 11/14/2018
** Because wet food is processed differently than dry kibble, protein and fat ratios will not be comparable

Our favorite dry grain-free dog food