13 Best Grain-Free Dog Food Diets [2023 Reviews]

9. Blue Wilderness

Blue Wilderness is a high-protein kibble designed to meet your dog’s needs. It contains Blue’s signature LifeSource Bits which are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Additionally, sweet potatoes and peas are included to provide fiber and energy, ensuring your canine remains fueled for their next adventure.

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• Deboned meat or fish is the top ingredient
• Doesn’t contain chicken or poultry by-product meals, corn, soy, or wheat
• High protein supports lean muscle development
• Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients

The options available are Grain-Free Salmon, Grain-Free Duck, and Grain-Free Chicken.

10. Wellness Complete Health Canned Stew

Wellness Complete Health Canned Stew is a grain-free wet food that satisfies your sniffer with a hearty bowl, consisting of lean protein, organ meat, and vegetables. This meaty option mimics the taste of your favorite Sunday stew and meets the AAFCO standards for all life stages.

Characteristics:

• Blends real chunked meat, veggies, and broth for a tasty, nutritious meal
• Doesn’t contain corn, soy, or wheat
• Balanced to be fed on its own or added to your dog’s dry diet
• Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients

The available options are Chicken Stew, Beef Stew, Lamb & Beef Stew, and Venison & Salmon Stew.

11. Merrick Classic Grain-Free Puppy Plate

Merrick Classic Grain-Free Puppy Plate is a combination of proteins and vegetables that is focused on meat and visible to the eye. This canned choice includes DHA for brain growth and excludes by-products and grain to form a well-rounded dish that can be given alone or combined with your puppy’s kibble.

Characteristics:

• Real deboned meat is always the first ingredient
• Meets the AAFCO standards for all life stages, including for the growth of large-breed puppies
• Doesn’t include any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
• Made in the USA

There are three options: Chicken, Beef, and Classic Recipe (which contains turkey, chicken, and duck).

12. CANIDAE PURE Limited Ingredient Diet

CANIDAE PURE Limited Ingredient Diet is a canned food option that aims to prevent surprises by containing seven key ingredients or less, depending on the recipe. It is free of common allergy triggers such as corn, soy, and wheat. This balanced wet food alternative includes lean proteins in a flavorful broth to enhance its taste.

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• Real meat or fish at the top of the ingredient list
• Soft, pate texture mixes easily into kibble or can be served on its own
• Meets AAFCO standards for all life stages
• Made in the USA

You have the option to choose from several recipes when it comes to CANIDAE canned diets.

• Salmon & Sweet Potato
• Puppy Chicken
• Lamb, Turkey & Chicken
• Lamb
• Duck & Turkey

13. Blue Wilderness Senior

Nourish your senior dog with Blue Wilderness Senior, which is a tasty combination of lean proteins and nutrient-rich organ meat. It also includes flaxseed and potatoes to provide fiber and energy. This blend is specially made to meet AAFCO standards for maintenance.

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• Omega fatty acids help keep your canine’s coat and skin looking and feeling great
• Can be fed on its own, used as an occasional treat, or mixed into your pup’s kibble
• Doesn’t contain grain, gluten, corn, wheat, soy, or artificial flavors and preservatives
• Made in the USA

The options consist of Turkey & Chicken Grill or Red Meat Dinner and they are available.

Are There Any Problems with Grain-Free Foods?

Mostly, grain-free foods are considered safe and healthy. Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that the concept of grain-free dog food is relatively recent, as people have not been feeding their dogs grain-free diets for a long time.

Scientists have not yet gathered a substantial amount of empirical data regarding grain-free foods for dogs.

One 2018 study conducted by the FDA has shown a relationship between heart problems in dogs and the consumption of foods containing potatoes and legumes. Further research is required as a single study does not establish definitive conclusions. However, this is a significant area of investigation that advocates of grain-free food should keep an eye on.

The only other apparent issue that grain-free diets have, besides being pricier than corn or wheat-based foods, is that they are often a bit more expensive.

When Are Grain-Free Dog Food Diets a Good Idea?

Many individuals choose to restrict their carbohydrate intake and may even completely avoid grains. The reasons for doing so vary; some do it for weight loss purposes, while others do it for general well-being. However, it is important to note that what works for a person might not be suitable for a dog when it comes to following a grain-free diet.

Owners often develop a strong emotional bond with their dogs, which results in a tendency to attribute human characteristics to them. This can lead to complications when it comes to choosing food, as individuals frequently prioritize their own preferences and requirements over those of their dog.

Dogs have a distinct biology that differs greatly from humans. It is unfair and can potentially cause nutritional issues to impose our own dietary beliefs onto our furry companions.

However, there are certain situations where grain-free dog foods might be a suitable option for your dog. These include the following noteworthy circumstances:

Anytime Your Vet Recommends Going Grain-Free

We consistently urge our readers to collaborate closely with their veterinarian to ensure their dog remains healthy and happy to the best of their ability.

Whenever you are making dietary choices, make sure to think step by step.

If your vet advises choosing a grain-free food, it is likely beneficial for your dog to follow this recommendation. Consequently, you might want to contemplate changing their diet.

You can think step by step and rephrase the given text without adding or removing any information while maintaining the same meaning. However, blind acceptance of your vet’s advice is not necessary.

In order to thoroughly comprehend the recommendation, it is important to break it down into steps and inquire about the reasoning behind your vet’s suggestion for a grain-free diet.

If you find the reasoning unconvincing, you might consider seeking a second opinion from another veterinarian.

If multiple vets are suggesting that you change your dog’s diet to grain-free, it is highly recommended to follow their advice.

Dogs Who Are Allergic to Corn, Wheat, or Other Grains

Although corn, wheat, and other grains are not as frequently the cause of food allergies as beef, pork, and dairy products, there is a small group of dogs that experience itchy skin when consuming grains.

It is important to carefully determine the specific allergic trigger in collaboration with your veterinarian instead of assuming that grains are the sole problematic ingredients.

To resolve the symptoms, first switch your dog’s diet to either limited-ingredient dog food or hypoallergenic dog food. Then, implement an elimination-challenge diet to accurately determine the specific allergen.

Dogs Who Don’t Like the Taste of Grains

Despite being high-quality ingredients, grains do not provide any essential value. Therefore, if your dog dislikes the taste or texture of foods containing corn, wheat, or other grains, there is no need to insist they eat them. Instead, you can opt for grain-free dog food to ensure your furry companion’s satisfaction.

There are numerous healthy grains available for dogs, including wheat, corn, barley, oats, and others, which dogs generally enjoy. Therefore, it is unlikely that this issue occurs frequently.

Dogs Who Don’t Digest Grains Well

While it is possible for some dogs to not be allergic to grains, they can still experience difficulties in properly digesting them. Grains have the potential to cause flatulence in dogs, which can create issues for the rest of the household, or they could result in frequent bouts of diarrhea for the dog.

This condition is commonly known as a food intolerance, which can cause significant discomfort for your dog.

If your dog experiences these issues, it is advisable to consult with your veterinarian. If the vet concurs that grains are the probable culprits behind your dog’s digestive problems, switching to a grain-free food or a specialized dog food for sensitive stomachs would be recommended.

What Do Grain-Free Dog Food Recipes Use for Carbohydrates Instead of Grains?

Although dogs can digest carbohydrates easily, your puppy does not require a significant amount of them. If given the option, your dog would likely prefer a diet primarily consisting of tasty proteins and fats.

Due to its cost, this type of diet would be quite expensive. Hence, grains are commonly included in most dog foods as they provide an affordable means of increasing the food’s calorie content.

In order to produce affordable dog food without grains, it is necessary to replace the calories typically provided by grains with other ingredients that are rich in carbohydrates. Commonly used healthy carbohydrates in grain-free dog foods are:

• Potatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Lentils
• Chickpeas
• Peas

Guide to Grain-Free Dog Food

In recent years, there has been increasing popularity in grain-free and gluten-free products among people, and pet food manufacturers have also begun to cater to this trend. However, one might question whether grain-free dog food is the optimal choice for their dog.

Are there any advantages of grain-free dog food compared to dog food that contains grain? Here is a detailed examination of grain-free diets for dogs and how they differ from dog food that contains grain.

What Is Grain-Free Dog Food?

In order to discuss grain-free dog food, it’s necessary to have knowledge about the grains that are commonly used in dog foods. These grains consist of:

• Wheat is a cereal grain.

• Corn is a type of cereal crop that is grown in many parts of the world. It is a staple food in many cultures and can be consumed in various forms, such as corn on the cob, popcorn, cornmeal, or corn syrup. Corn plants grow tall and produce ears with kernels that can be yellow, white, or multicolored. These kernels are rich in nutrients, such as carbohydrates and fiber, and can be used to make a wide range of food products. Additionally, corn is also used as animal feed and in the production of biofuels and other industrial products.

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• Oats are to be rephrased step by step while keeping the same meaning, without adding or removing any information. One can rephrase the text about oats as follows: – Step 1: The food item known as oats should be rephrased thoughtfully, maintaining the original meaning. – Step 2: While rephrasing, it is important to avoid introducing new information or removing any existing information mentioned about oats.

• Barley is a type of grain that is widely cultivated for various purposes worldwide, including as livestock feed, food ingredient, and ingredient for producing alcoholic beverages such as beer and whisky.

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• Soy is a text you need to rephrase.

Are Grain-Free Dog Diets Free of Carbohydrates? 

Although grain-free dog foods exclude grains, they do contain alternative sources of carbohydrates, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, lentils, peas, or quinoa. Thus, it can be concluded that grain-free diets still contain carbohydrates. Notably, certain grain-free foods may even have an equivalent or higher carb content compared to dog foods that comprise grains.

Is Grain-Free Dog Food Also Gluten-Free?

Grain-free and gluten-free are not interchangeable terms.

Gluten-free foods lack grains that contain gluten, such as wheat, barley, and rye. However, they may still include other grains. On the other hand, grain-free diets can be devoid of gluten as long as they do not contain any concealed sources of gluten.

Moreover, evidence indicates that commercial dog foods frequently experience cross-contamination while being manufactured, which suggests that these products might not be entirely devoid of the ingredients they purport to be.

Grain-Free vs. Grain Dog Food

Whole grains offer essential nutrients for your dog, encompassing B vitamins, iron, magnesium, selenium, energy-producing carbohydrates, and digestion-aiding fiber.

Grain-free dog food is often believed to contain more meat to compensate for the absence of grains, but it is important to note that these diets are not solely comprised of meat. Although they may have a greater proportion of meat, they also replace some grains with alternative carbohydrates.

You might also think that grain-free dog diets exclusively consist of high-quality ingredients. However, this notion is no more accurate than it is for grain dog food.

In some cases, your veterinarian might suggest a grain-free diet as an alternative to feeding your dog with grain-based food. For instance, if your dog is suspected of having food allergies (also called an adverse food reaction), your veterinarian may recommend trying a grain-free diet to observe if there is any improvement in symptoms.

However, it is crucial to acknowledge that only a small number of dogs experience allergies towards the grains present in dog foods. The vast majority of food allergies are primarily caused by the protein source (meat) in the food.

Does Grain-Free Dog Food Cause Heart Disease?

The safety of grain-free foods and their potential link to heart disease in dogs has raised concerns recently. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has initiated an investigation into cases of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs that have been fed grain-free diets.

Dilated cardiomyopathy entails the enlargement of the heart and thinning of the heart muscle, thereby causing the heart to weaken and potentially resulting in heart failure and death.

Given the increasing occurrence of dilated cardiomyopathy, the FDA initiated an investigation. In their examination of over 1100 dogs, it was discovered that 90% of the diets fed to them were labeled as grain-free.

During a virtual scientific forum, there was an update provided by “scientific experts from academia, industry, and veterinary medicine” who came together to discuss their research on DCM. Dr. Steven Solomon, the Director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at the FDA, made it clear that this update was not meant for investigation purposes and delivered the following statement during the opening remarks.

Based on the adverse event reports we have received, I believe our approach so far demonstrates that there is a connection between certain diets and DCM. However, this has not warranted a recall or market withdrawal because the issue of DCM appears to involve additional factors beyond the food itself.

In the ongoing investigation, he mentioned that the FDA expresses their hope to:

We have requested pet food manufacturers to provide us with diet formulation information, which can greatly contribute to our understanding of the role of diet. In order to identify any common factors, we will systematically investigate ingredient levels, nutrient bioavailability, ingredient sourcing, and diet processing through exploring additional avenues.

He recommended that pet owners communicate with their veterinarian regarding their dog’s dietary requirements, considering their health and medical history.

Should You Switch Your Dog to or From a Grain-Free Diet?

It is important to consult with your veterinarian about the optimal dietary choices for your dog.

The FDA has not issued any recommendations regarding whether or not you should feed your dog a grain-free diet, as their study is still ongoing.

When choosing dog food, the main factor to consider is whether it offers complete and balanced nutrition.

Before switching your dog to a grain-free diet, it is advisable to have a discussion with your veterinarian about the risks and benefits associated with feeding a grain-free diet.

If your dog is currently consuming a grain-free diet and you’re considering switching to a dog food containing grains, consult your veterinarian to determine the optimal dog food choice for your specific dog.