Best Tasting Diet Dog Food

Last Updated November 15, 2021

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A lot of folks consider a grain-free dog food to be simply the best for their pets. And why not? You simply cannot expect the ancestors of our pooches to exhibit natural cravings for grains, can you? The belief is that dogs in the wild are carnivorous. Additionally, there are a growing number of products in the shelves of pet supplies stores that feature grain free dog food. This is further strengthened by the growing popularity of human specialty diets, namely Paleo and gluten-free. The thinking is that, if eliminating grains from the human diet is beneficial for us, then it should also be beneficial for our pets. However, as we will explore later on, it is not all about being grain free that makes an exceptional diet for canines. As you will also see from our list of best grain free dog food, pooches will still rely on an amazing proportion of proteins, fats, and healthy carbs.

The 10 Top Grain Free Dog Food

1 Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Key features:

• Brand: Taste of the Wild
• First 5 ingredients: Water Buffalo, Lamb Meal, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas
• Primary Protein Source: Buffalo, Lamb & Chicken
• Calories: 370 kcal/cup
• Flavor: Buffalo
• Life Stage: Adult

Considered by many as the best grain-free dog food in the market because it truly understands what a real hypoallergenic doggie diet means, the Taste of the Wild High Prairie boasts of a unique formulation of high protein that is sourced from highly novel sources. This simply means that the meat-sourced proteins do not come from the usual meat proteins that we often see in many products. This is the key to a real hypoallergenic diet for dogs.

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2 Wellness CORE Grain-Free Original Deboned Turkey

Key features:

• Brand: Only Natural Pet
• First 5 ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Peas, Dried Ground Potatoes
• Primary Protein Source: Turkey, Chicken Calories: 417 kcal/cup
• Flavor: Chicken
• Life Stage: Adult

Following in the footsteps of Taste of the Wild is this grain-free doggie chow from Wellness CORE. Unfortunately, one of their variants simply misses the mark as it includes chicken in its formulation. The good thing, however, is that the Original Turkey & Chicken variant of the Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food also comes with another fowl which effectively reduces the allergenic potential of chicken. If you really want hypoallergenic food for your pet, then you should pick Wellness CORE's other variants like the Wild Game Duck, Turkey, Boar & Rabbit, and the Ocean Whitefish, Herring, & Salmon. These two variants come with novel proteins so your pet's immune system will not really identify them easily as allergenic.

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3 Blue Buffalo Wilderness Salmon Recipe Dog Food

Key features:

• Brand: Blue Buffalo
• First 5 ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Chicken Meal, Peas, Pea Protein, Menhaden Fish Meal
• Primary Protein Source: Salmon & Chicken
• Calories: 415 kcal/cup
• Flavor: Salmon
• Life Stage: Adult

BLUE Wilderness comes with its own proprietary blend of nutrients packed into each kibble. Called the LifeSource Bits, each kibble of the High Protein Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog Food is packed with the right amounts of minerals and vitamins that help ensure the correct oxidative balance in your pooch. However, do pick only the Duck and Salmon varieties as these can truly help make for a hypoallergenic diet for your mutt. You see, while BLUE Wilderness prides itself on not including corn, soy, or wheat in its formulation, one of its variants still contains chicken which we all know is allergenic. So, if you're afraid of gluten allergies, then you should also avoid chicken as it can be allergenic, too.

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4 Merrick Grain Free Dry Dog Food Recipes

Key features:

• Brand: Merrick
• First 5 ingredients: Deboned Beef, Lamb Meal, Salmon Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes
• Primary Protein Source: Beef, Salmon & Lamb
• Calories: 379 kcal/cup
• Flavor: Beef & Sweet Potato
• Life Stage: Adult

If you're after a really high-protein dog food without corn, soy, or wheat, then you should try Merrick's Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. It contains at least 38% of the dry weight of the kibble and comes with some really exceptional animal-based protein sources like buffalo, venison, rabbit, duck, salmon, and lamb. Unfortunately, it does come with Texas beef and chicken. The good news is that you can always choose not to get these variants if you want to take full advantage of the hypoallergenic properties of Merrick as one of the best grain-free dry dog food.

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5 AvoDerm Advanced Sensitive Support Dog Food

Key features:

• Brand: AvoDerm
• First 5 ingredients: Duck, Duck Meal, Garbanzo Beans, Peas, Pea Flour
• Primary Proteins: Duck, Peas
• Calories: 446 kcal/cup
• Flavor: Duck
• Life Stage: Adult

AvoDerm has produced a balanced grain-free recipe that utilizes the high-fiber content in duck protein to promote a healthy digestive tract in dogs. Duch is a rich meat that packs a lot of flavors, so you can be sure your pup is getting exactly what they bargain for with these delicious biscuits. With avocado included, which provides the omega fatty acids that help to promote your pup's skin health, with the knock of effect of improving their coat too.

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6 ORIJEN Original Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Key features:

• Brand: ORIJEN
• First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Turkey, Flounder, Whole Mackerel, Chicken Liver
• Primary Protein Source: Chicken & Turkey
• Calories: 473 kcal/cup
• Flavor: Chicken, Turkey, Poultry, Seafood & Fish
• Life Stage: Adult

Orijen have taken a whole-prey approach when it comes to their grain-free food. If your pup can't have grains, then they can have the best of the meat instead, with only the most succulent high-quality meat being used. This high-protein recipe is on our list as one of the best grain-free dog food options available, owing to the fact that they have compiled their recipe of 85% meat. In the wild, meat would provide these natural hunters with the vitamins, minerals, and protein they would need to stay strong. Orijen has taken that fact into account and made animal protein the sole focus of their food.

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7 Ziwi Peak Beef Grain-Free Air-Dried Dog Food

Key features:

• Brand: Ziwi
• First 5 ingredients: Beef, Beef Heart, Beef Kidney, Beef Tripe, Beef Liver
• Primary Proteins: Beef
• Calories: 312 kcal/level scoop
• Flavor: Beef
• Life Stage: All

Ziwi is a proud New Zealand grain-free food that is ideally suited for dogs with grain allergies. They put ethics at the forefront of their campaign, with free-range, grass-fed, single-source beef as the primary protein. With none of the unnecessary grain fillers, they have been able to focus on providing your pup with a dense source of meat protein in their grain-free food. Ziwi grain-free dog food is 96% bone, meat, organs, and New Zealand green mussels. They have chosen their native mussel as an additional protein source because NZ green mussels also contain various anti-inflammatory nutrients, which include omega-3 fatty acids and chondroitin sulfate which protects connective tissue.

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8 Nulo Freestyle Senior Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Key features:

• Brand: Nulo
• First 5 ingredients: Deboned Trout, Turkey Meal, Salmon Meal, Yellow Peas, Sweet Potato
• Primary Proteins: Turkey, Salmon & Peas
• Calories: 396 kcal/cup
• Flavor: Trout & Sweet Potato
• Life Stage: Senior

Nulo's senior support dog food has made it onto our list for the best grain-free dog food thanks to its nutrient-filled formula. After careful study and analysis, Nulo was able to produce a grain-free option that is made to support senior dogs in their old age in almost every way possible. All this whilst protecting your older pup's digestive system. Dog foods with no grains are carefully thought out so as to find grain substitutes, whilst providing optimal nutrition and a balanced diet.

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9 Hill's Science Diet Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Key features:

• Brand: Hill's Science Diet
• First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Yellow Peas, Potatoes, Potato Starch, Chicken Meal
• Primary Proteins: Chicken, Peas
• Calories: 405 kcal/cup
• Flavor: Chicken & Potato
• Life Stage: Adult

Hill's Science has entered our best grain-free dog food list thanks to its credibility. This is vet-recommended dog food with grain-free formulation for senior and adult dogs. Hill's Science grain-free dog food has balanced nutrition and is filled with essential nutrients to support healthy digestion. This grain-free recipe contains omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E which are essential vitamins for flourishing skin, and therefore a smooth and shining coat.

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10 Natural Balance L.I.D. Grain-Free Dog Food

Key features:

• Brand: Natural Balance
• First 5 ingredients: Sweet Potato, Venison, Pea Protein, Potato Protein, Canola Oil
• Primary Proteins: Venison
• Calories: 370 kcal/cup
• Flavor: Venison, Sweet Potato, Meat, Fruits & Vegetables
• Life Stage: Adult

Natural Balance focuses its energy on creating some of the best grain-free dog food, whilst avoiding the use of artificial flavorings and colorings. They have also limited the number of needless carbohydrates to help your dog avoid any unnecessary weight gain, which is especially common in senior pups. Natural Balance provides only the best high-quality ingredients for balanced nutrition and a steady grain-free diet. This food is ideal for a pooch with food sensitivities, as the reaction is often caused by grain, which this food avoids.

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11 Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties

Key features:

• Brand: Stella & Chewy's
• First 5 ingredients: Duck With Ground Bone, Turkey, Turkey Liver, Goose, Turkey Gizzard
• Primary Proteins: Duck, Turkey
• Calories: 60 kcal/patty
• Flavor: Duck
• Life Stage: Adult

Stella & Chewy is a proud USA-based company that sources its protein by ethical means. Using only cage-free poultry for their protein element as well as strictly organic fruits and vegetables. These grain-free dog food patties are long-lasting and full of flavor. They can be eaten in their dehydrated form, or rehydrated with a measurement of ¼ cup of cool or warm water for every 2 patties.  They provide pups with a mineral and nutrient-rich diet that has all the benefits of a raw feed diet with massively reduced risk.

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12 Diamond Naturals Grain Free Premium Dry Dog Food

Key features:

• Brand: Diamond
• First 5 ingredients: Whitefish, Fish Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Lentils
• Primary Proteins: Peas, Whitefish
• Calories: 335 kcal/cup
• Flavor: Sweet Potato, Fruits & Vegetables, Seafood & Fish
• Life Stage: All

Delicious, grain-free dog food that is perfectly suited to sensitive pups with difficult skin. The use of fish in dog food provides a dense source of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids that specifically aid the health of your dog's skin, and therefore improving their coat condition. This all-natural grain-free diet is also filled with antioxidants and vitamins that can help strengthen and maintain your dog's immune system and overall health.

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13 American Journey Beef & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Food

Key features:

• Brand: American Journey
• First 5 ingredients: Deboned Beef, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Peas, Chickpeas, Sweet Potatoes
• Primary Proteins: Beef, Chicken & Turkey
• Calories: 380 kcal/cup
• Flavor: Beef & Sweet Potato
• Life Stage: All

America Journey is a proud, USA-based company that puts your dog's health above all else. Their carefully concocted grain-free dog foods are completely free from corn, wheat, and soy to create a more delicate kibble for sensitive stomachs. Their clever use of fruits and vegetables in this grain-free food means your dog is getting a rich and completely natural source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to help keep their immune systems strong and their body fit and healthy.

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14 Nature's Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Key features:

• Brand: Nature's Recipe
• First 5 ingredients: Salmon, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Tapioca Starch, Canola Meal
• Primary Proteins: Salmon, Chicken
• Calories: 330 kcal/cup
• Flavor: Salmon, Sweet Potato, Pumpkin
• Life Stage: All

Nature's recipe is proud to state that their first ingredient in this delicious grain-free formula is salmon. Salmon introduces a rich source of protein into your dog's diet and is perfectly placed in grain-free food. Dogs can be known to react to chicken meal and turkey meal in their food, with protein allergies becoming more and more noticeable, but the use of salmon and salmon meal eliminates that possible allergen. The inclusion of sweet potatoes and pumpkins in their grain-free foods provides pups with a natural source of carbohydrates for long-lasting energy.

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15 Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Dry Dog Food

Key features:

• Brand: Instinct
• First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas, Chicken Fat, Tapioca
• Primary Proteins: Chicken, Peas
• Calories: 508 kcal/cup
• Flavor: Chicken & Freeze-Dried Raw Pieces
• Life Stage: All

Instinct has based its grain-free recipes on the natural feeding habits of dogs in the wild. Dogs are naturally drawn towards meat and protein and it is a well-documented fact that they take well to raw feed diets. However, a raw feed diet for your dog can be expensive and risky, with bacteria being an ever-present danger. Instinct, therefore, has created one of the most raw-feed-friendly grain-free dog foods based on this knowledge.

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16 Acana Wild Atlantic Grain Free Dry Dog Food

Key features:

• Brand: ACANA
• First 5 ingredients: Whole Mackerel, Whole Herring, Whole Redfish, Silver Hake, Mackerel Meal
• Primary Protein Source: Fish
• Calories: 392 kcal/cup
• Flavor: Mackerel, Seafood & Fish
• Life Stage: Adult

Coated with freeze-dried cod liver for added flavor, this USA-made grain-free dog food packs a punch of flavor for your pup to enjoy. Their formula pointedly avoids the use of wheat, sot, corn, tapioca, or any other cereal grains, providing grain-free options that are suitable for sensitive dogs at all life stages. Acana is one of the healthiest dog food options due to its eclectic use of vegetables such as collard greens, butternut squash, pumpkin, and much more.

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17 NUTRO Limited Ingredient Diet Adult Dog Food

Key features:

• Brand: Nutro
• First 5 ingredients: Deboned Lamb, Lamb Meal, Chickpeas, Dried Potatoes, Dried Sweet Potato
• Primary Proteins: Lamb
• Calories: 475 kcal/cup
• Flavor: Lamb & Sweet Potato
• Life Stage: Adult

Nutro Natural Choice has created a grain-free dog food that is perfectly suited to your larger dog's needs. It is not only filled with protein and fiber, but it's also a rich source of chondroitin and glucosamine and to support healthy hips and joints. Nutro uses only all-natural products, from carefully selected reliable sources, that will help to strengthen your pooch's immune. They don't use any by-products, soy, or wheat in this delicious grain-free recipe, which makes it a great choice for dogs with grain allergies.

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18 CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Limited Ingredient Dry Food

Key features:

• Brand: CANIDAE
• First 5 ingredients: Bison, Lamb Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Lentils
• Primary Protein Source: Bison
• Calories: 462 kcal/cup
• Flavor: Bison, Lentil & Carrot
• Life Stage: Adult

This grain-free, dry dog food has been created by Canidae to ensure that your beloved pooch gets all of the vitamins and minerals needed to ensure they stay healthy and happy. This grain-free option comes from a pet-loving, family-owned company that dates all the way back to 1996. Canidae grain-free pure dog food is formulated at the company's facility in Texas using very few all-natural ingredients including animal protein and healthy vegetables for balanced nutrition.

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19 The Honest Kitchen Human Beef Recipe Dog Food

Key features:

• Brand: The Honest Kitchen
• First 5 ingredients: Dehydrated Beef, Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes, Dehydrated Potatoes, Organic Flaxseed, Dried Organic Coconut
• Primary Proteins: Beef
• Calories: 514 kcal/cup
• Flavor: Beef
• Life Stage: Puppies & Adult

Your dog's diet deserves to be rich in nutrients and flavor and The Honest Kitchen is so confident in their dehydrated grain-free formula that the company offers a money-back guarantee. This ranch beef, kale, and sweet potatoes mix is suitable for dogs of all breeds and sizes, from puppies to adults, and is gently dehydrated to make sure all of the essential nutrients are kept intact for optimal digestion.

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20 Farmina Natural & Delicious Ancestral Grain Dog Food

Key features:

• Brand: Farmina
• First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Dehydrated Chicken, Whole Spelt, Whole Oats, Chicken Fat
• Primary Proteins: Chicken
• Calories: 400 kcal/cup
• Flavor: Chicken
• Life Stage: Adult

This Italian healthy blend of dog food mixes all of the high-quality ingredients necessary for optimal nutrition. From vitamins and minerals to support their immune systems to high protein content such as deboned chicken and other high-quality animal ingredients to provide a balanced diet. Farmina Natural & Delicious Ancestral grain differs from other dog foods thanks to a unique blend of spelt and organic oats along with pomegranate and berries which are packed with antioxidants to support your dog's immune system.

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21 American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Dog Food

Key features:

• Brand: American Journey
• First 5 ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Peas, Sweet Potatoes
• Primary Proteins: Salmon, Chicken & Turkey
• Calories: 390 kcal/cup
• Flavor: Salmon & Sweet Potato
• Life Stage: All

Packed full of nutritious goodness, this grain-free dog food from American Journey has created a unique ingredients list that will wonder for your pup. Perfect for dogs with sensitive stomachs, those who are allergic to poultry and the usual fillers, or simply for those whose pet parents want the best for their dogs.

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Best Grain Free Dog Food Buying Guide

With so many doggie foodstuffs that are labeled as 'grain-free', it's not difficult to see people getting frustrated at which brand to choose. We have prepared a comprehensive guide for you to understand some aspects of choosing and buying a grain free dog food. We've included a discussion on whether there really is a need for such kinds of dog food and whether or not dogs are really allergic to grains. We will also be presenting to you some of the more important characteristics of a good grain free dog food as well as some tips on how to feed your dog that has allergies.

Does My Dog Really Need a Grain Free Dog Food?

It is but natural to ask this question especially if you hear and see a lot of commercials and advertisements creating a loud buzz about the many health benefits of going for a grain free dog food. A lot of pet parents are made to believe that because a gluten free diet is good for us then it should also be good for our dogs. This is a very common observation shared by many in the scientific community who frown at these rather 'creative' marketing practices.

Let us try to look at the reasons why people consider grain free diets to be superior to other types of doggie chow and what science has to say about it. Hopefully this will help you arrive at the answer to the question of whether your dog really needs a grain free diet or not.

• Dogs are naturally carnivorous so eating grains is definitely not in their genes

The ancestral diet of dogs is not strictly carnivorous. In fact, cats are more carnivorous than dogs. Studies have shown that members of the canid family are actually omnivores that they can thrive on other animals or even plant species. Of course, the preference is for animal sources. However, given the fact that they will have to go out on a hunt, prey animals have also learned to adapt, making them especially difficult to prey on. As such, ancestral dogs have learned to consume fruits and vegetables as well as grains in order to survive in the wild. As such, thinking that dogs are inherently carnivorous is a grave mistake.

Given that the scarcity of prey animals have led ancestral canids to look for other means of sustenance, it can thus, be considered that they have learned to adapt. This also means that, if given an animal-based diet and a plant-based food, they will almost always instantly choose the former over the latter. However, if the animal-based diet is removed, dogs can still survive as they can still consume the plant-based diet.

• Cereal grains are considered to be the most common cause of food allergies in dogs

Despite numerous studies proving the contrary, a lot of folks still insist that cereal grains are the most common cause of canine food allergies. Unfortunately, like the notion that dogs are carnivorous, this is erroneous. We will have a separate and more detailed discussion about this in the succeeding sections. Suffice it to say, there are other non-grain foods that are equally allergenic yet are the principal ingredients in many wheat free dog food.

• Dogs don't have amylase in their saliva to effectively break down the carbs in grains

The enzyme amylase is needed to break down carbohydrate molecules into starch to prepare these molecules for further digestion in the stomach. Amylase is present in the saliva of humans but not in dogs. It is for this reason that many people believe dogs should not eat cereal grains because it doesn't have the capability to break these down safely enough. What they fail to realize is that this line of reasoning is also faulty. Given that amylase is an enzyme that is needed for the more efficient breakdown of carbohydrates then all other types of carbohydrates, not only cereal grains, should not be consumed by our canine friends. But the fact is that dogs eat vegetables and fruits, too.

There is another point that people miss about amylase in dogs. While it's true they don't have amylase in their saliva, this enzyme is nevertheless present in the small intestines, typically supplied by the pancreas in the form of pancreatic amylase. Technically, what this means is that the carbs – including cereal grains – are still digested and absorbed for cellular utilization.

Trying to sum up what we have just presented, the main reason why a lot of people consider grain free diet to be superior to other types of doggie food is that these possess lower allergenic potential. If you believe that your dog is allergic to certain types of food, then it is best not to give it. However, it should be understood that, as we have already explained in point number 2 and which we will be discussing a bit further in the next section, cereal grains like wheat, corn, and soy are not the only foods that have allergenic potential. This simply means that if you really want your dog not to suffer from any food allergies, then it is crucial that you perform an allergy test on them. Otherwise, your dog might already be missing a variety of nutrients that only these cereal grains can provide.

So, does your dog need a grain free diet? It actually depends. If your veterinarian can establish with absolute certainty that the allergies your dog is experiencing is directly caused by these grains, then, by all means, go for a grain free diet. However, if the allergy does not point to a very specific food primarily because you are giving it mixed ingredients, then you will have to start with an allergy test.

Is it True that Dogs are Allergic to Grains?

Since the main issue in going for a grain free diet is that it can cause food allergies to dogs, we should take a closer look at how allergies develop in the first place.

Allergies are an organism's way of protecting itself from invasion by foreign materials like bacteria, viruses, and other non-self components. The immune system releases its immunoglobulin E in response to the presence of an allergen. The first time the immune system is exposed to such a substance, some of its cells effectively disable the threat while other cells make a copy of the threat so that it can produce defensive cells in the event that the same substance resurfaces. As such, the second time the organism is exposed to such a substance its immune system will already be able to mount an effective reaction against this threat. This reaction is what we call an allergic reaction.

Now here's the thing about food allergies. Science has shown that proteins are almost always considered as food allergens. However, science has also shown that not all food proteins have allergenic potential. This is primarily related to the complex biochemical characteristics of these food proteins. While they all contain proteins, some are more allergenic than others.

According to studies, the most common food allergens include the following.

• Beef
• Dairy
• Egg
• Chicken
• Wheat
• Corn
• Soy

So, is it true that dogs are allergic to grains? Yes, some dogs may be allergic to certain types of grains but they are equally allergic to animal-based proteins like chicken and beef. So, if you are really concerned about food allergies in dogs then you should also remove from their diet the other food items that have been listed above such as beef, chicken, dairy, and egg.

It should be understood that not all grains have allergenic potential. In fact, there are other grains that are considered as wholesome. Examples of this include the following.

• Brown and white rice
• Oatmeal
• Buckwheat
• Amaranth
• Millet
• Quinoa

That said, the label 'grain-free' is grossly misleading as it generalizes this particular food group as especially allergenic. A more appropriate labeling should be 'gluten-' or 'wheat- free', 'corn-free', and/or 'soy-free'. It really makes no sense labeling all types of grains as inherently allergenic.

It is for this reason that you need to carefully read the label of the product you're buying. If it says it is 'grain-free', then it should specifically state what kinds of grain are excluded in its formulation. Hopefully, you will also find some healthier ones.

What Makes a Good Grain Free Dog Food?

We now know that grain free dog food is not really about the absence of these 'allergenic' grains but rather about the wholesomeness of the ingredients used in the formulation of these canine nutritional products. We shall now try to understand what makes a good grain free dog food.

• Its principal ingredient should be whole animal protein

A good grain free dog food should have a whole animal protein as its principal ingredient. Animal proteins are easily digested and used by the cells of our canine friends. While plant proteins are digested and used, too, most will require extensive processing before these are effectively utilized by the different tissues. What we would like to add, on the basis of what science has shown, is to look for whole animal proteins that are considered novel or those that have low allergenic potential.

Since chicken and beef are considered to be highly allergenic other animal proteins should be considered. The more novel the protein the better it is. You can try the proteins from bison, venison, boar, waterfowls, rabbit, and other 'unusual' or uncommon animal protein sources. This is your best chance of making sure your pooch will derive all the hypoallergenic benefits of not including cereal grains into their diet.

While meat meals are acceptable, these should only be considered as secondary ingredients. For example, if the product you are considering on buying contains lamb meal, then there should be another whole meat protein, say venison, as its primary ingredient. The lamb meal should only come in second.

• It should include healthier and more wholesome carbs, including grains

Remember what we said about not all grains are allergenic? Technically, what we are saying is that you should also consider wholesome grains in the diet of your pet as many of these come complete with essential amino acids as well as other beneficial nutrients. Quinoa, brown rice, and oats are just examples of these wholesome grains.

Additionally, you will have to look for products that contain healthy fruits and vegetables as these are packed with antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that can help promote better health for your pooch. For example, vitamin C is always an exceptional micronutrient for its antioxidant properties as well as its role in collagen synthesis. Vitamins A and E are also important for additional antioxidant action. The family of B vitamins can help in a variety of processes particularly those that involve macronutrient metabolism. Minerals like calcium, iron, and phosphorus are also important.

• It should not contain any artificial or harmful ingredients

Some dog food manufacturers incorporate a variety of flavor enhancers in their preparations to increase the palatability of the kibbles or even the wet dog food. It is technically all right to have flavor enhancers as long as these are certified to be made of natural ingredients. Unfortunately, this can be quite costly. As such, companies may have to resort to using artificial ingredients, additives, sweeteners, or even coloring into their formulation to help improve the overall 'quality' of their products. Under no circumstances should you pick any product that contains any of these artificially synthesized ingredients.

Some Tips to Feeding a Dog with Food Allergies

We do recognize the fact that you may be concerned about your dog having food allergies. While giving a grain free diet can help reduce the anxiety of provoking an allergic reaction in your dog, there are other things you can do to help feed your pooch with food allergies. Here are some tips.

Perform a food allergy test – If you're not sure what specific food protein your pooch is allergic to, you will need to perform an allergy test which typically runs from a few weeks to several months. What you will be doing is to stop what you're feeding your doggie and give it a novel protein. You should see improvements in its condition. Once your mutt has fully improved, you can then slowly start introducing one ingredient at a time from its previous diet. Make sure to give a single ingredient for at least a few weeks to check for any reaction. If there's no reaction, you can then move to the next ingredient and so on. The key is to eliminate the possible food allergen.

• Research different brands: With so many types of dog food out on the market today, it can be extremely hard to tell which is the perfect food for your pet. That's why we recommend starting off researching brands first. By performing some research on different brands, you'll be able to filter down your options and narrow your choices down to decide what the best food for your dog will be. We recommend you check out our Best Dog Food Brands guide to get started.
• Consider giving novel or hydrolyzed proteins: Novel proteins are completely new to your dog. This can greatly reduce the immune response. Sometimes you may also want to give proteins in their simplest form – amino acids – to help trick the immune system into recognizing these molecules as non-allergenic. These are available as hydrolyzed proteins.
• Always provide high-quality dog food: Everything starts with good nutrition. Aside from going for a product that has a good proportion of high-quality proteins, fats, and carbs, you may also want to provide them with probiotics as these can help improve the overall functioning of the canine digestive system which also functions in its immunity. Be sure to read our guide to the best dog food for allergies.

You may also like our review of the Best Probiotics for Dogs.

• Seek the advice of your vet: Your veterinarian is still the best person to go to if there is any concern about your pet, whether it is food allergy or some other condition. Unfortunately, many pet owners would rather listen to what celebrity endorsers say about a particular product. Most also listen to what other people say. The point is that, while some of these food allergy management practices may work on the pooches of other people, it doesn't automatically mean that it works with your pooch as well. Each dog is inherently different. That's why it's best to have a veterinarian take a closer look at your pooch's food allergies.

It is perfectly all right to give our dogs grain free diets if this can give us peace of mind over their welfare. However, we should also make it a point that the products we choose are not only grain free but are also made of high quality animal proteins, wholesome and healthy carbs, and don't contain harmful or unnecessary ingredients.

Sources:

1. Grain-Free Pet Food: Helpful or Harmful Diet?, ASPCA
2. What Is Grain Free Pet Food, Really? – Lorie Huston, PETMD

Eloise Hands

Eloise is the owner of a Malamute/Akita cross, a first-time mum, and an animal enthusiast from England. She comes from a family which has never gone a day without a pet (or 3!), and over the years has learned all the best tips and tricks to raising a difficult pet. A knowledge that she has put to good use, to help others navigate the limitless world of pet care.

Best Tasting Diet Dog Food

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