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Best Grain-free Dog Food of 2023*
The best grain-free dog food can depend on your dog's unique needs but should generally be wholesome and nutritious. Read on to discover more about Petco's best-selling grain-free food before you browse our entire selection of grain-free dog food.
What to look for in grain-free dog food
Health Status
It’s best to have a good understanding about your dog’s health status and any conditions or issues that may impact the food you choose. Consider whether they have any allergies or digestive issues as well as your pup’s age, activity level and preferences.
Ingredients
Look for high-quality sources of protein, especially in the first five ingredients. Find recipes with quality grain-free carbohydrates such as lentils, peas, white potatoes or sweet potatoes. These are high in fiber and other ingredients while also maintaining a low-glycemic index. Avoid ingredients like by-product meals, artificial sweeteners, corn syrup and more.
Quality and Value
Find the grain-free dog food solutions that work best for your pup’s taste palate and dietary needs. You’ll want ones offered in bag or can quantities that work well for your home and are available at a price you feel comfortable paying.
Pet parent faves
At Petco, our list of most popular grain-free dry dog food often includes raw dog food and veterinary diet food. If you want to go grain-free, why not start with some of our best-selling products?
Taste of the Wild
High Prairie Grain-free Roasted Bison and Venison Dry Dog Food
Grain-free can also be delicious, and this recipe proves it. The formula has lots of tasty veggies, and the top ingredient is real meat. Available in 5, 14 and 28-lbs. bags.
Features:
- Includes roasted bison and venison
- 32% protein per serving
- Recipe has superfoods, minerals and vitamins
- Omega fatty acids can help keep your dog's skin and coat lustrous
- No grain, corn, wheat or artificial flavors and colors
- Proprietary probiotics aid with nutritious digestion
Merrick Grain
Free Real Texas Beef and Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
With a wholesome blend of beef and veggies, this recipe is as flavorful as it is helpful to maintaining overall nutrition. Dogs can enjoy the taste of natural beef and sweet potatoes and benefit from substantial levels of Omega-3 and Omega-6. Available in 4, 10 and 20-lbs. bags.
Features:
- Top ingredient is real, deboned beef
- Recipe includes 65% protein and wholesome fats
- Includes glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health
- Features Omega fatty acids for coat and skin
- No artificial flavors or colors used
- All recipes are crafted in a Texas kitchen and cooked in the USA
Best Grain-free Dog Food for All Life Stages
WholeHearted
Grain-free All Life Stages Beef and Pea Formula Dry Dog Food
Not only does this natural grain-free dog food have no wheat or fillers, but also, the crunchy texture can appeal to a variety of pups. Plus, it's full of nutritious fatty acids for a balanced diet. Available in 5,14, 25 and 40-lbs. bags.
Features:
- Good for dogs at all life stages
- Real beef is the top ingredient
- Includes canine probiotic strains to help digestion
- No corn, wheat, soy, or other grains used
- Antioxidant formula with Vitamin E, Selenium and Zinc
ORIJEN
Original Grain-free High Protein Fresh and Raw Animal Ingredients Dry Dog Food
This recipe is designed to appeal to picky canine eaters. The top ingredients are real, fresh and raw for the most appetizing flavor and nutrition possible. Available in 4.5, 13 and 25-lbs. bags, or a 12 oz. quantity.
Features:
- Recipe features 85% quality poultry and fish ingredients
- Coated with freeze-dried liver for an appealing taste
- Protein-packed to provide energy
- First five ingredients are always real and fresh poultry or fish
- Made in the USA
Best Large-breed Grain-free Dog Food
Merrick
Backcountry Grain-free Raw Infused Big Game Dry Dog Food
Protein and carbs combine in this grain-free dog food to create an appetizing taste formulated for discerning pets. Dogs can get plenty of protein in this raw-infused dry food. Available in 12- and 22-lbs. bags.
Features:
- Real, deboned lamb is the top ingredient
- Freeze-dried, real raw meat adds to the taste
- Omega fatty acids included in recipe
- Cooked in the USA
- Recipe also includes sweet potatoes and peas for nutritious carbs
- 30% crude protein minimum in each serving
Instinct
Raw Boost Healthy Weight Grain-free Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food with Freeze-Dried Raw Pieces
This wholesome dog food without grain is full of real chicken, peas and tapioca to help provide a balanced diet. It's made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world. Available in 4- and 20-lbs. bags.
Features:
- Cage-free chicken is the first ingredient
- Includes freeze-dried, raw chicken
- 25% less fat than the traditional Instinct Raw Boost recipe
- Includes L-Carnitine to support metabolism
- No artificial colors or preservatives
Best Grain-Free Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs
CANIDAE PURE
Real Salmon and Sweet Potato, Limited Ingredient, Grain-free Recipe Dry Dog Food
This food can be great for dogs with sensitive stomachs as it's designed for pups with food sensitivities. However, any dog is likely to become a fan of the real meat and veggies in this recipe. Available in 4, 12 and 24-lbs. bags.
Features:
- 10 key ingredients or fewer in each recipe
- The top ingredient is always real salmon
- Skin and coat support
- Antioxidants can boost the immune system
- Filled with Vitamin E and Vitamin A
- Farm-grown veggies provide nutritious carbs
Best LID Grain Free Dog Food
Natural Balance
LID. Limited Ingredient Diets Salmon and Sweet Potato Formula Dry Dog Food
A wholesome life can be about balance, and so can good food. If your dog enjoys vet-approved food, this Natural Balance formula can help put your mind at ease. Your dog can enjoy the authentic flavors and natural ingredients packed with plenty of protein. Available in 4, 12 and 24-lbs. bags.
Features:
- Real salmon is one of the top ingredients
- Produced in the USA
- Made with easy-to-digest carbohydrates
- Recipe created with input from board-certified clinical veterinarians
- No filler or grains included
- 21% minimum crude protein
ACANA
Grain-free Red Meat Ranch-Raised Beef Yorkshire Pork Grass-Fed Lamb Dry Dog Food
Dogs that love red meat are likely to drool over this recipe. Real vegetables round out the beef- and pork-heavy ingredients and everything is sourced from trusted farmers and fishers. Available in 4.5, 13 and 25-lbs. bags.
Features:
- 60% animal ingredients and 40% real fruits, vegetables and botanicals
- No artificial colors used
- Ingredients are sourced from trusted farmers, ranchers and fishers
- 29% minimum crude protein in each serving
- First two ingredients are real meat
- Whole lentils and peas provide good carbs
- Coated in freeze-dried beef, pork and lamb to enhance the flavor
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Learn More About Grain-free Dog Food
This type of food does not use the whole grains that are commonly found in most dog foods. Specifically, grain-free food lacks wheat, corn, rice, oats, barley, rye and soy. Dog food without grain typically makes up for its lack of whole grains by using alternate ingredients that can provide similar nutritional value.
Grain-free and gluten-free are not always the same thing. For instance, dog food may be labeled gluten-free but still contain a grain like rice. Similarly, a grain-free food often eliminates the most common forms of gluten—whole grains—but may have some hidden sources of gluten in other ingredients.
If your dog can't tolerate gluten, grain-free foods may still contain ingredients that can aggravate their food sensitivity. Luckily, most natural grain-free dog food will have clearly labeled ingredients on the container that can help you identify elements that accommodate your pup's gluten intolerance.
Grains are not typically used as useless fillers. Instead, grains contain carbohydrates that can provide your dogs the energy they need to remain active and energetic throughout the day. When dog food manufacturers remove whole grains from their formula, they usually replace grain-based carbs with other nutrient-rich ingredients.
Some common replacements for carbohydrates normally provided by grains can include:
- Potatoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Lentils
- Quinoa
- Peas
Thanks to these substitutes, dog food without grain can contain just as many carbs as regular dog food. In some cases, the carb count may even be higher in an attempt to provide extra energy to larger canines.
Grains also provide necessary protein for your dogs that should be replaced. If your pooch requires a high-protein dog food, it's recommended that the grain-free option you choose contain a substantial amount of meat or other protein-rich ingredients. Whole proteins can be commonly found in chicken, beef, fish, duck and eggs.
There is no one best grain-free puppy food or dog food. Ultimately, you and your vet will decide what type of food serves your pup's needs. Some common reasons a vet might recommend a dog food without grain include weight management issues, digestive problems and food sensitivities.
If your dog is experiencing issues with traditional food, providing a grain-free lifestyle might make a difference. Try and make sure that the recipe you choose replaces grains with other nutritious carbs and protein sources. For maximum nutrition benefits, proteins should be listed among the top five ingredients.
Is your natural grain-free dog food as good as it looks in advertisements? Just because dog food is absent of grains or gluten doesn't mean it doesn't contain fillers or insubstantial ingredients. Look out for the following elements that often provide no nutritional value:
- Corn syrup
- BHA
- Artificial colors
- White flour
- Sugar alcohol
- Vegetable oil
- Meal by-product
- Rendered fats
At Petco, we offer some of the leading grain-free dog food brands, including our list of best-selling dog food without grain. You can find these foods at your neighborhood Petco Pet Care Center or online.
*Based on petco.com sales data.