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.
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.
* 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 Taste of the Wild
Taste of the Wild focuses on novel proteins and limited ingredient diets and has a quite few grain-free formulas, including High Prairie (Buffalo), Pacific Stream (Salmon), Sierra Mountain (Lamb), Wetlands (Duck), Pine Forest (Venison) and Southwest Canyon (Beef). A small breed diet is also available with their Appalachian Valley (Venison) formula. Their salmon formula is a great choice for dogs who have allergies, as well.
HIGHLIGHTS
Protein: 25%
Fat: 15%
Price: $29.99 for a 15lb bag
Our favorite wet grain-free dog food FreshPet Select
Wet dog foods are often fresher and more palatable for dogs. FreshPet offers a grain-free wet dog food diet made with chicken, potato and spinach for added fiber. FreshPet’s food is free of preservatives and does not include meat meals or by-product meals.
HIGHLIGHTS
Protein: 9%
Fat: 6%
Price: $15.99/5lb roll
Note: Because fresh food is less dense than processed kibble, protein and fat ratios will not be comparable.
Our favorite affordable grain-free dog food Nutro Max
Nutro Max grain-free dog food averages $1.55/pound, while some top competitors come in closer to $2 or $3 per pound. Nutro’s grain-free recipes are available in a few different recipes, including farm-raised chicken (which contains no chicken by-product meal) and lamb.
HIGHLIGHTS
Protein: 26%
Fat: 14%
Price: $37.04 for a 25lb bag
Our favorite fresh food plan NomNomNow
NomNomNow creates a custom meal plan for your dog. Take their quick online quiz to get matched with the right recipe for your dog and have it delivered to your home, fresh each week. NomNomNow uses only restaurant-quality ingredients and their recipes exceeds quality requirements for dog food.
HIGHLIGHTS
Protein: 8.5%
Fat: 6%
Price: Based on dog’s weight. We were quoted $29.64/week for a 30lb dog.
Note: Because fresh food is less dense than processed kibble, protein and fat ratios will not be comparable.
Our favorite grain-free dog treats Canidae
Grain-free organic dog treats are perfect for rewarding your furry friend without blowing their grain- free diet. Canidae offers grain-free chewy treats at just 26 calories apiece. And at only three calories per cookie, these treats compete with the best on the market.
