The best grain-free dog food would typically have more protein nutrients and still have meat as the dominant source of protein in each formula. This is, as opposed to those made only with the grain. However, many that are made with grain substitutes, can upset the nutrient balance of the end product.
Now, this is because the 2 most common ingredients which are used in replacing the corn, rice as well as other cereal grains present in other dog foods include: potatoes, and legumes (peas, chickpeas, lentils, soybeans, etc.). Even though both are suitable, legumes are also rich in protein which is actually good.
But unlike meat-based protein plant protein can be deficient in certain important amino acids, which is the reason we are writing this article, in order to recommend the best grain-free dog food, to help you make an informed choice.
Here are our top picks:
NuloFreestyle Grain-Free Dog Food
Nulo Freestyle Adult Salmon and Peas is a grain-free dog food the derives the majority of its meat protein from salmon, turkey meal, and menhaden fish meal. Its ingredients include deboned salmon, turkey meal, menhaden fish meal, whole peas, sweet potato, puppy, small breed, adult, senior, etc. It has an estimated recipe content of 33% protein, 18% fat, and 41% estimated carbs and yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 53%. It comes highly recommended.
Wellness Core Grain-Free Kibble
Wellness Core Ocean Formula is a grain-free kibble that gets the bulk of its meat protein from fish and fish meals. It has the following lineup of ingredients: Whitefish, herring meal, salmon meal, menhaden fish meal, peas. Its dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe content of 38% protein, 17% fat, and 38% estimated carbs and produces a fat-to-protein ratio of about 44%. Wellness Core Grain-Free Kibble comes highly recommended with a five-star rating.
Taste of the Wild Grain-Free Dog Food
With a 4.5 star rating, Taste of the Wild High Prairie is a dog formula that gets most of its meat protein from buffalo, lamb meal and chicken meal. It has an ingredient lineup of buffalo, lamb meal, chicken meal, sweet potatoes, and peas.
Taste of the Wild Grain-Free Dog Food dry matter analysis, reveals an estimated recipe content of 36% protein, 20% fat and 36% estimated carbs, which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.
Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Dry
Instinct Raw Boost with Real Duck is a dog formula with a five-star rating. This dog food gets the majority of its protein from fresh duck and chicken meals. The ingredient blend includes duck, chicken meal, peas, egg product, and turkey meal. It contains an estimated recipe content of 38% protein, 23% fat, and 31%estimated carbs which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 61%. If you are looking for a protein-rich recipe, Instinct Raw Boost with Real Duck comes highly recommended.
Orijen Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Orijen Six Fish is a solid grain-free product line that is made up of whole Atlantic mackerel, whole Atlanticherring, monkfish, Acadian redfish, and flounder. This grain-free recipe formula derives the bulk of its animal protein from whole Atlantic mackerel, whole Atlantic herring, monkfish, and redfish. Its dry matter label analysis reveals an estimated 43%, 22% fat, and 28% estimated carbs, which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 47%. If you care for a solid grain-free product line, then OrijenSix Fish comes enthusiastically recommended.
Merrick Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Merrick Grain-Free Real Duck with Sweet Potato is a great option with multiple formulas. It is a top grain-free pick that is made up of deboned salmon, salmon meal, sweet potatoes, peas, potatoes. It gets the majority of its animal protein from salmon and salmon meals. It has an estimated recipe content of 38% protein, 16% fat as well as 38% estimated carbs which provides a fat-to-protein ratio of about 41%.
WeruvaGrain-Free Canned Dog Food
Weruva Funky Chunky Chicken Grain and Gluten-Free is an exceptional, grain-free wet dog food. Its ingredients include chicken, water, pumpkin, carrot, and green pea as well as several different meat sources. This grain-free recipe derives most of its animal protein from chicken. It has an estimated recipe content of 64% protein, 10% fat, and 18% estimated carbs which provides a fat-to-protein ratio of about 15%.
FarminaN&D Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
With a five-star rating, FarminaAdult Fish Medium Dog Formula is a portion of amazing dry dog food. It has an ingredient line up of herring, dehydrated herring, sweet potatoes, herring oil, dried whole eggs. This formula gets the bulk of its meat protein from fresh and dehydrated herring and has an estimated recipe content of 41% protein, 20% fat, and 32% estimated carbs which provides a fat-to-protein ratio of about 49%.
With a combination of Omega-3 herring oil for healthy skin, and free of all pea protein concentrates, Farmina Adult Medium Dog Formula is an excellent grain-free selection.
CanidaeGrain-Free Pure
Canidae Grain-Free Pure Real Lamb and Pea Recipe are made up of lamb, turkey meal, chicken meal, sweet potatoes, and garbanzo beans. This grain-free recipe gets the majority of its animal protein from lamb and poultry meals. With an estimated recipe content of 36% protein, 20% fat and 36% estimated carbs, and producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%, Canidae Pure Real Lamb and Pea Recipe is an excellent selection free of grains.
Dr. Tim’s Grain-Free Dog Food
With an amazing five-star rating, Dr. Tim’s Salmon and Pork RPM is a quality, grain-free brand, that derives the bulk of its animal protein from salmon and pork meals.
It has an ingredient lineup of salmon meal, pork meal, dried white potatoes, dried field peas, tapioca, and several grain-inclusive formulas. It has an estimated recipe content of 36% protein, 20% fat as well as 36% estimated carbs which yield a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%. If you need a quality, grain-free brand, Dr. Tim’s Salmon and Pork RPM comes readily recommended.
There you have them, it is now your call to make in choosing of these that sit well with your pups. Always inquire from your vet to get an expert to advise.
