12+ Best Grain Free Dog Foods [2024]

Seeking the perfect diet for your furry friend? It's only natural to explore the world of grain-free dog food products. Why? They can help you provide great nutrition while also working for pets with sensitive stomachs and food allergies. While not all dogs need grain-free food, if your dog suffers from allergies, grains might be the culprit. 

As pet food experts, we’ve rounded up some of the best grain-free dog products. What do they all have in common? A commitment to quality and canine well-being.

Let’s start with the basics:

What is Grain-Free Dog Food?

Grain-free dog food excludes grains like wheat, corn, and rice, and instead focuses on alternative sources of carbohydrates such as potatoes. It typically emphasizes high-quality animal proteins and may be beneficial for dogs with grain sensitivities or dietary restrictions.

 

Grain-Free vs Gluten-Free Dog Food

While both grain-free and gluten-free dog foods cater to dogs with specific dietary needs, they differ in one main way. Grain-free diets eliminate all grains, whereas gluten-free diets only exclude grains containing gluten, such as wheat.

Gluten-free food might still contain grains like rice or corn. 

Do You Need To Feed Your Dog Grain-Free Dog Food?

If your dog is allergic to grains, they might experience symptoms like upset stomachs, food sensitivities, and even more severe allergic reactions. This is where grain-free dog food can offer a stable, nutritious diet that mitigates these issues.

Still, it's not necessary for all dogs. No single dietary option will meet every dog’s needs, and we always recommend you consult with a veterinarian to determine the best dietary choice for your dog's health and well-being.

 

The Best Grain-Free Dog Foods Brands

Where can you find the best grain-free dog food today? We’ve curated a list of the top grain-free brands available that are committed to canine well-being. 

 

1. KOHA Dog Food

KOHA Dog Food offers moisture-rich, minimal-ingredient recipes. Their grain-free products focus on high-quality meats for healthy proteins, and quality nutrition. 

Each grain-free option is especially well-suited for pets with food sensitivities, digestive issues, or picky personalities. KOHA provides various food formats like limited-ingredient, one-meat entrees, diverse-textured shreds, and digestion-friendly stews. 

They also offer many different proteins, including novel protein options, to appeal to a sensitive palate. KOHA caters to all dogs with varied food types, from homestyle soft stews and flavorful shreds to tasty toppers for picky eaters. They also have countless positive testimonials online for their variety, quality, and effectiveness in managing allergies.

Grain-free Dog Food Options:

Limited Ingredient Wet Dog Food Options: Pate-texture wet food recipes with meat-first ingredients like lamb, duck, or beef, best for stomach sensitivities and indigestion

Limited Ingredient Diet Options: Pate-texture recipes with one-meat options for better digestion

Pure Shreds: Wet food shredded chicken breast recipes in broth for extra hydration, including one-meat flavors like beef or blends like chicken and beef

Limited Ingredient Stews: Moisture-rich stews with pieces of meat in flavorful gravy

Slow-Cooked Stews: Flavorful, large wet food portions with combination recipes like Lone Star Brisket (Beef), Santa Fe Skillet (Beef and Pork), and Pike Place Platter (Beef and Salmon)

Explore all of KOHA’s grain-free dog food options.

 

2. Merrick Grain Free Dog Food

Merrick Grain Free Dog Food recipes feature up to 84% protein from animal sources. They use deboned meat along with foods like sweet potatoes and blueberries. Merrick’s product supports all stages of a dog's life, providing options for adult maintenance, all life stages, and breeds of all sizes.

Grain-free Dog Food Options:

• Slow-cooked stews with deboned meat like pork or beef, and vegetables like green beans
• Dry food options with vegetable-meat combos like Texas Beef and sweet potato, with puppy and adult breed options
• Jerky-style dog treats with deboned meat like turkey

 

3. Taste of the Wild

Taste of the Wild offers about 17 grain-free dog food options with proteins including bison, venison, fowl, lamb, fish, and wild boar. They also offer species-specific probiotics in their wet and dry food options to cater to small and large breeds alike.  

These protein-rich recipes are complemented by real fruits and vegetables, along with other whole ingredients like garbanzo beans and lentils. They offer nutritional analysis for each product, showing levels of vitamins like selenium, iron, and zinc. Finally, they prioritize antioxidants and omega fatty acids to support healthy skin, coat, digestion, and overall health.

Grain-free Dog Food Options:

• Dry food varieties with fish like salmon
• Dry food varieties with poultry options like quail, chicken, and fowl
• Dry food options with meats like venison, duck, and beef

 

4. Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free

Blue Buffalo offers a few dog food types: meat-first, minimal-ingredient, high-protein, grain-free, and special needs. The brand offers the following guarantees for all products: no artificial flavors, chicken by-products, preservatives, corn, wheat, or soy. They offer 7 varieties of grain-free products like grain-free turkey, chicken, and lamb recipes.   

Grain-free Dog Food Options:

• Dry, grain-free chicken recipes for puppies and adults
• Dry, grain-free lamb recipes for puppies and adults
• Chunky, wet formulas for puppies and adults

 

5. Nature’s Recipe Grain Free

Nature's Recipe’s dog food focuses on real meats and excludes non-essential additives, tailored for dogs of every size and life stage. They offer a few different varieties of wet and dry grain-free food options with omega fatty acids, healthy minerals, whole vegetables, and real meat. This company has over 35 years of experience in the dog food industry.  

Grain-free Dog Food Options:

• Grain-free dry formulas for various ages with chicken, sweet potato, and pumpkin

 

6. Purina One No Grain Dog Food

Purina offers over 10 options for no-grain dog food, with a wide variety of protein options like salmon, venison, turkey, beef, cod, and more. Most food options are ground up to support easy digestion. Each product features meat with no hormones and added natural ingredients for nutrients. The company guarantees easy links for ingredients to their trusted sources.

7. Open Farm Premium Grain Free Dry Dog Food

Open Farm offers several grain-free dog options among their roster of dog food, which includes ancient grains, raw, and freeze-fried options. They offer various protein sources like venison, lamb, and turkey, though keep in mind some of their grain-free ingredients include a popular filler protein (peas). 

Still, all products include protein from the meat itself as well as ground organs and bones. They also advertise ethical sourcing and premium proteins like 100% Animal Welfare certified meats and sustainably sourced fish, free from growth hormones, antibiotics, or by-products.

Grain-Free Dog Food Options:

• Dry dog food formulas with varied protein options like whitefish, lamb, or chicken
• Dry dog food formulas for puppies, small, and large breeds

 

8. Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach and Skin Grain-Free

Hill's Science grain-free options are filtrable by health condition, helping you select foods that cater to pets with arthritis, loss of appetite, indigestion, diabetes, and more. The company employs nutritionists and veterinarians to back all products before release.

Grain-Free Dog Food Options:

• Dry formulas for sensitive stomachs
• Soft baked formulas with varied protein options
• Dry, crunchy dog food option with chicken and apples

 

9. True Acres Grain-Free Chicken and Vegetable Dog Food

True Acres Grain-Free Chicken and Vegetable Dog Food, crafted in California offers USA-raised chicken or beef. It offers a meal with no grains, artificial colors, or flavors, featuring farm-grown veggies like peas and carrots.

Designed for all life stages, this food supports digestion, skin, and coat health with natural fibers, antioxidants, and omegas. They also have zero history of food recalls.

Grain Free Food Options: True Acres Grain-Free Chicken and Vegetable Dog Food

 

10. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free

Natural Balance offers 22 grain-free varieties with wholesome, recognizable ingredients without unnecessary additives. Most options include potatoes or sweet potatoes with proteins like duck, salmon, and beef. The brand has over 30 years of experience in the field and regularly backs products with veterinary insights. 

Additionally, grain-free options cater to dogs of all sizes, including combinations meant for small jaws and teeth. Keep in mind that Natural Balance only offers dry versions of grain-free dog food.

Grain Free Food Options:

• Dry food formulas for small breeds and puppies
• Dry formulas with meat-vegetable combos like sweet potato and venison

 

11. American Journey

American Journey Grain-Free is a food line from popular pet brand Chewy, formulated with high-quality, nutrient-dense ingredients, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

It's designed for dogs at all life stages, prioritizing a meat-rich diet. Still, most combinations include sweet potato alongside popular meats like venison, lamb, chicken, and beef. This line is free from corn, wheat, soy, or poultry by-products, making it a great choice for pets with food sensitivities.

Grain-Free Options:  Salmon and Sweet Potato Recipe

 

12. Dr. Tim’s Grain-Free

Dr. Tim's offers only three varieties of dry, kibble-based, grain-free dog food. The options include tapioca, potatoes, and peas as a replacement for grains, along with proteins like pork, fish, and chicken. Unfortunately, you won’t find any wet food options that are grain-free, which might be a dealbreaker for some dogs with indigestion. 

They also include fish oils, dried eggs, and omega-3 fatty acids, which support brain health in your pups. Finally, Dr. Tim’s does not include artificial additives or common allergens in their food lines.



 Grain-Free Dog Food Options:

•  Kinesis Grain-Free
• Metabolite Grain-Free
•   RPM Salmon and Pork Grain-Free

 

Learn More About Grain Free Dog Food

Exploring grain-free options? This section dives into vet recommendations, highlights top grain-free picks, and addresses foods to avoid for optimal health.

 

Is it really healthier for a dog to eat grain free?

Grain-free diets can be beneficial for dogs with specific grain allergies or sensitivities, promoting better digestion and skin health. However, not every dog needs to eat a grain-free diet. 

 

Do vets recommend grain free dog food?

Vets may recommend grain-free diets for specific dogs with food allergies or sensitivities, and conditions like IBD or IBS. Still, they generally advise a balanced diet suited to each dog's individual needs. 

 

What is a great grain-free dog food?

KOHA offers high-quality, grain-free dog food with single protein sources and carefully selected ingredients for dogs with constipation and other food sensitivities.

 

What dog food do vets not recommend?

Vets typically do not recommend dog foods with low-quality fillers, artificial additives, or insufficient nutritional profiles.

 

Choose The Best Grain Free Dog Food For Your Dog

We know you love your furry friends, and seeing them uncomfortable with loose stool, lack of appetite, constipation, or allergic reactions can be hard on the heart. 

That’s why the right diet and high-quality dog food mean so much to pet owners. Grain-free dog food helps you care for your pet’s health, so their tails keep wagging. We’ve got a flavor and recipe for every picky pooch, with minimal ingredients that promote health in every bite. 

Ready to see your pet thrive? Buy your dog’s next entree with KOHA! Explore our grain-free dog food options.