Grains are awful for our dogs. While there are many pups that might not be impacted by wheat and grains in their food, there are plenty who suffer from bloat and upset stomachs as a result.
The recent realisation that grains aren’t good for our pups has led to a surge in companies producing these new grain free dog food.
You want a grain free dog food, and guess what? We have exactly what you need right here. Our team of dog food experts are here to help you find the best grain free dog food.
Sensitive stomachs, hypoallergenic, we cover every base so that you are able to find the perfect grain free dog food.
1. Editors Pick
Beco Cod and Haddock Dry Grain Free Dog Food
2. Budget Pick
James Wellbeloved Lamb Grain Free Dog Food
Contents
- Key Things to Look for
- 1. Beco Cod and Haddock Dry Grain Free Dog Food
- 2. James Wellbeloved Grain Free Dog Food Lamb Pouches
- 3. Barking Heads Poached Salmon
- 4. Skinner’s Field and Trial Grain Free Chicken
- 5. Lily’s Kitchen Senior Recipe Salmon and Trout
- 6. Orijen Puppy Food
- 7. Forthglade Grain Free Wet Food
- 8. Edgard and Cooper Grain Free Norwegian Salmon
- 9. Harringtons Grain Free Turkey and Sweet Potato
- 10. Taste of the Wild
- FAQs
- Final Thoughts
Key Things to Look for
Before you dive in and choose your next grain free dog food, there are a few questions you need to ask yourself and take into consideration. Thankfully, we have each of these listed for you below.
Age. It’s an important part of the process because the age of your dog dictates the level of grain free dog food that they need.
Older dogs will need less fat than adults, just as puppies require a load more calories and fats than other life stages because they are still growing and developing. Feeding a dog the wrong grain free food for their age group can result in them not getting the right nutrients.
Wet or Dry. Do you want to feed your dog wet or dry food? Many people like to mix the two together to create a healthy balance for their dogs, especially as wet food has a higher protein ration when compared to dry grain free dog food.
Feeding solely wet grain free dog food can lead to dental issues down the line if they don’t have something hard to chew, and dry food isn’t always as nutritious as its wet counterpart – this is why balance between the two is fantastic.
Meat Content. You want your chosen grain free dog food to have good meat content. Choosing grain free food with meat meal and derivatives won’t hurt your dog, but it’s not as nutritionally beneficial to them as something that contains actual human-grade cuts.
Where possible, go with true meat content and not the inferior meat meal.
Filler Ingredients. These are things like sweet potatoes and peas. They are fine in small amounts, but grain free dog food can be pretty terrible for overloading their foods with these filler carbs. While you don’t need to avoid foods that use them, always pay close attention to the percentage of them that is found in the grain free dog food.
Protein Levels. This is what gives your dog energy throughout the day and helps them to feel full. You want a food that contains a strong protein level so that your pup can thrive on good quality food.
In dry dog food, good protein content is around 20%, and in wet food you want around 10% as your minimum.
Allergies and Nutrition. In addition to your grain free dog food search, you also need to take into account any allergies and nutritional needs that your dog has.
Things like hypoallergenic foods as well as those that are rich in specific nutrients like omega 3 and 6. Whatever your dog’s individual needs, pay close attention to the ingredients and see which grain free dog food works best for you.
1. Beco Cod and Haddock Dry Grain Free Dog Food
Editor’s Pick
This tasty kibble is completely grain free dog food and gluten free, meaning that your dog is less likely to suffer from bloating, gas, and an upset stomach including Diarrhoea. It contains an excellent protein content of 22%, as well as 10% fat.
This keeps your dogs in shape while also providing them with a nutrition-rich diet. It’s packed with omega 3 for a healthy coat as well as omega 6 to boost the immune system, and each of the vegetables included has been picked because they add to things like urinary, bone, and joint health.
- Key Ingredients: Cod & Haddock, Potato, Peas, Broccoli, Salmon Oil
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Grain free, natural
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable For: All-rounder, natural
Should You Buy it?
Absolutely, this is one of the best grain free dog food that is full of natural ingredients and low on fillers.
Sample Buyer Review
— Ms Madeleine Grinyer
2. James Wellbeloved Grain Free Dog Food Lamb Pouches
Budget Pick
These moist and tasty pouches are full of flavour and low in price, providing you with an affordable grain free dog food for your best friend. Plus, each pouch is rich in omega 3 and 6 to promote a healthy coat as well as boost the immune system.
It contains a good amount of protein at 20%, and is relatively low in fat as we can see by the 11% marker. There are no artificial flavours or preservatives, and it has balanced functional fibres to aid digestion.
- Key Ingredients: Lamb, peas, carrots, potatoes, fish oil
- Texture: Wet
- Type: Grain free
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable For: Budget Pick
Should You Buy it?
Absolutely. This delicious wet dog food comes in perfectly portioned pouches and provides your dog with a delicious grain free meal that will leave them feeling happy and healthy.
Sample Buyer Review
— Christopher Hillyard
3. Barking Heads Poached Salmon
Best All-Rounder
Made from natural ingredients, this kibble is perfect for dogs who need something that is both grain free and delicious.
The fish oils include both omega 3 and 6, promoting a shiny coat as well as boosting the immune system to keep them as healthy as possible. It contains an excellent 22% protein as well as 15% fat.
Most of these fats are the good ones you find in fish, helping to keep joints, bones, and eyes functioning well. The ash content is a little high at 7%, but it’s certainly not the worst we have seen.
- Key Ingredients: Salmon, sweet potato, peas, salmon oil, seaweed
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Grain free, vet approved
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable For: All-rounder
Should You Buy it?
Yes, you should buy this grain free food. It comes at a reasonable price and is packed with nutritious goodness. There are also loads of great flavours to choose from.
Sample Buyer Review
— Sandra Cousins
Have a questions? Ask in the comments below
4. Skinner’s Field and Trial Grain Free Chicken
Perfect for Working Dogs
Made for working dogs, this grain free food will give them the slow-release energy they need to keep up throughout the day. It’s the perfect way to ensure that your pup can reach their full potential effortlessly.
Boasting 25% protein and 13% fat, it is balanced in such a way that you don’t need to worry about your working dog getting a little chunky after each meal. The ash content is a little high at 8%, but it is outweighed by the excellent nutritious benefits provided by this grain free food and the lack of artificial nasties.
- Key Ingredients: Chicken meat meal, Sweet Potato, Chicken fat, Peas, Linseed
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Grain free
- Life Stage: Adults
- Suitable For: Working dogs
Should You Buy it?
Yes, this is a good grain free food to buy. The sweet potato count is a little higher than other brands that we have here, but active working dogs are likely to benefit from the extra carbs.
Sample Buyer Review
— Sophie Newman
5. Lily’s Kitchen Senior Recipe Salmon and Trout
For the Older Gentleman/Lady
This delicious kibble is perfect for those who want their senior dogs to have something that they enjoy while also taking advantage of a grain free lifestyle. It contains an impressive level of protein at 24%, and the 13% fat content is quite good.
The ash levels come in at 7%, and it is rich in wholesome nutrients that will benefit the joints, bones, and eyes of mature dogs. Additionally, the salmon oil is rich in omega 3 to keep their coat shiny and skin healthy.
- Key Ingredients: Salmon and trout, turkey, potato, peas, salmon oil
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Grain free, joint care
- Life Stage: Senior
- Suitable For: Mature dogs
Should You Buy it?
Absolutely, this is a great dog food for older pups to enjoy and they can benefit from a grain free diet as well as improved bone and joint care.
Sample Buyer Review
— Trusted Customer
6. Orijen Puppy Food
For Growing Puppies
Orijen is all about feeding your puppy in the same way as their ancestors, providing them with enough dog food and nutrition to give them the best start to life and help them grow and develop.
All of the ingredients are fresh and carefully chosen for the health benefits they have for your dog. It contains a very impressive 38%, and while the fat content of 20% is a little high, an active and growing pup needs this to really thrive.
The ash content isn’t the best at 8% but this is massively outweighed by the health and development benefits of this grain free dog food.
- Key Ingredients: Chicken, turnkey, whole eggs, herring, chicken liver
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Grain free
- Life Stage: Puppy
- Suitable For: Puppy all-rounder
Should You Buy it?
Definitely. This grain free food is fantastic for puppies, providing them with excellent nutrition and high protein content that will benefit their health and growth as they continue to develop.
Sample Buyer Review
— Trusted Customer
Have a questions? Ask in the comments below
7. Forthglade Grain Free Wet Food
For Sensitive Stomachs
This scrummy wet dog food smells and looks like a human-grade serving of pate. Made with delicious natural ingredients, this is the best grain free dog food leaving your dog feeling healthier and happier in no time at all.
It contains an excellent level of protein at 11% and a fat level of 7.5%. The ash content is quite good at 4%, although this can be a little high for wet dog food. It’s packed with nutritious vegetables that will benefit digestion and overall health for a perfectly balanced and natural diet.
- Key Ingredients: Freshly Prepared Turkey, Carrots, sweet potatoes, peas, seaweed
- Texture: Wet
- Type: Grain free, sensitive
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable For: Sensitive stomachs
Should You Buy it?
Yes. This dog food is a fantastic choice for your pup and is one that they are sure to love. The fact that it is good for sensitive stomachs means that they can live a happier and more comfortable life.
Sample Buyer Review
— Andrew Banks
8. Edgard and Cooper Grain Free Norwegian Salmon
Best Hypoallergenic Pick
This is a fantastic natural dog food that combines everything your dog needs to thrive on a grain free diet, and it’s hypoallergenic so that they can eat comfortably and without reaction.
It’s packed with loads of fresh meat so that your dog gets excited over the smell and taste of their next meal, and the 24% protein content reflects this. It does contain 17% fat, but salmon contains those good healthy fats, and you also benefit from both omega 3 and 6 for a shiny coat and an improved immune system.
The ash content settles in at 7%, which isn’t too bad for grain free dry dog food.
- Key Ingredients: Fresh salmon, potatoes, peas, fish oil, vegetable gravy
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Grain free, hypoallergenic
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable For: Allergies
Should You Buy it?
Yes, this is a great choice for those who want a grain free hypoallergenic dog food to enjoy. Your dog is sure to benefit from this delicious natural dish as well as gobble it up quickly.
Sample Buyer Review
— Trusted Customer
9. Harringtons Grain Free Turkey and Sweet Potato
Top All-Rounder Pick
This excellent kibble is packed with all the grain free goodness that your dog needs to live a healthy and active life.
It contains an excellent level of protein at 23%, and is nicely balanced by 13% of fat. The ash level is bordering too high at a little over 9%, but there are plenty of reasons to pick this strong all-rounder for your dog.
It contains plenty of omega 3 and 6 for a healthy coat and immune system, and it has been specially blended for those with sensitive stomachs.
- Key Ingredients: Turkey Meal, Potato Flakes, Peas, Sweet Potato, Poultry Fat
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Grain free, sensitive
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable For: All-rounder
Should You Buy it?
Definitely, this is a great dog food to buy for your dogs. It’s an affordable grain free option that doesn’t use filler ingredients in high quantities so that you can still benefit from great protein levels.
Sample Buyer Review
— Trusted Customer
Have a questions? Ask in the comments below
10. Taste of the Wild
For the Little Predator
This food focuses on providing your dog with all the nutrients they need while also focusing it around what the ancestors of the domestic dog eat in order to thrive.
It contains an incredible 28% protein alongside 17% fat, allowing your puppy to get all the energy they need so that they can run, play, grow, and thrive. It’s packed with quality meat and also gentle on the stomach to avoid gas, bloating, and an upset stomach.
It’s also full of nutrient-rich blueberries, something that wolves naturally forage for in the wild.
- Key Ingredients: Bison, lamb meal, sweet potatoes, eggs, peas
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Grain free
- Life Stage: Puppy
- Suitable For: Natural, Puppies
Should You Buy it?
Yes, you should buy this food. It is a fantastic option for growing puppies who want to benefit from a diet that mimics that of their ancestors.
Sample Buyer Review
— Annette Macleod
FAQs
Is It Healthier for Dogs to Eat Grain Free?
Yes, it can be a lot healthier for dogs. This is because grains add extra carbs that dogs just don’t need and cannot digest properly.
When you are checking out grain free dog foods, it is important that you look at how many carbs, like sweet potatoes, have been added. A high percentage of these can be just as bad as grains, so just keep a close eye on the percentages.
How Do You Know Your Dogs Need Grain Free
If your dog needs to switch to grain free dog food, it is usually because you have noticed one of the following symptoms:
- Excessive gas
- Bloating after eating
- Upset stomach
- Chewing paws
- Itchiness
These symptoms are all reminiscent of a dog that needs to change their diet because there are ingredients that are upsetting their bodies. The most common cause is grains in the food, so this is the first thing you should change.
Does Grain Free Dog Food Contain More Protein?
Yes, most of the time grain free dog food contains more protein than grain foods. This is beneficial to your dog because they are getting energy from healthier sources as opposed to wheat and other carbs. This also makes the food easier to digest and leads to a massive decline in stomach upsets.
Do Dogs Need Grains?
No, dogs do not need grains. Their ancestors didn’t eat them as a regular part of their diet, and while many modern dogs have evolved to digest them, they still aren’t necessary. This is also why so many have problems eating grains. It’s all about determining what your dog is able to eat and what makes them feel less than well.
Final Thoughts
Grain free dog food can feel like a bit of a fad, and this can make you question whether or not your dog actually needs to go through the change. Really, it’s all about looking for the symptoms that we listed and seeing if a grain free diet makes them happier and healthier.
If you have decided that grain free is the way to go for your pup, the foods that we have listed above are perfect for keeping their bellies happy while also ensuring that they don’t get a load of filler ingredients instead of the missing grains.
Each of the brands we have chosen is top of the range, and they come at a variety of prices so that everyone can benefit.
What did you think of our guide to the best grain free dog food? Will you be switching up their diet, or are they happy with the food they are currently on? We love hearing from you, so leave us a message in the comments below.
For over a decade, Adrienne has been a freelance content writer and blogger who’s passion lies in anything related to dogs. Growing up, dogs were a very important part of family life in the Hardwick household. Now, Adrienne is the proud parent to two Swedish Vallhunds called Moose and Pumpkin.