Being a pet owner means you have to treat your pet like a child. Just like you do your absolute best to ensure your child gets the best care in the world, you have to take care of your pet dog’s every need as well. From arranging a comfortable bed for your dog to sleep into selecting the best dog food, you have to pay attention to your dog’s smallest needs. Speaking of dog food, the latest food that has taken the world by storm is grain-free dog food. It has become increasingly popular over the last few years- and rightly so.
As grain-free dog foods contain more proteins than dog food, including grain, people are slowly inclining towards the former dog food. But there is a problem with their popularity. Many brands have started using ingredients that do not sit well with a dog’s stomach. Due to this reason, you have to make sure that the grain-free dog food you choose to buy is made of the best ingredients. Finding such dog food would have been an exhausting task for you. That is where we come in.
In this article, we are going to discuss the best grain free dog food you can purchase:
5 Best Grain-Free Dog Food for your puppy
1. Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food:
When buying dog food, you have to make sure that the ingredients present in it are not only good for your dog’s health but his overall well-being as well. For instance, Instinct Raw Boost consists of probiotics that not only help dogs digest better, but they are better for the dog’s skin and coat as well. It doesn’t have any harmful ingredients like by-products, potato, corn, or wheat. What you get is a grain free dog food that has all the essential nutrients, so your dog leads a healthy life. The brand has been making dog food for the last 15 years, so it is safe to say that the brand is well aware of its practices.
It doesn’t matter which flavor of dog food you are buying from Instinct; one quality you would get in all the flavors is an excellent recipe. Each recipe has high-quality ingredients that would make your dog a fan of the food. Each recipe is created in a kitchen in Lincoln, Nebraska. The brand makes sure that quality, safety, and cleanliness meet the highest standards. That is how committed Instinct is to providing quality dog food. Raw dog food makes your dog more energetic and active. If your dog is picky and doesn’t like every dog food you offer him, then your dog is going to love this best grain free dog food as it has a smell that dogs often find attractive.
Pros:
- It uses only premium ingredients
- It has an excellent range of nutrients
- It does not cost a lot
Cons:
- The brand keeps changing the formula of the dog food
2. Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food
The next dog food on our list is also by the brand Wellness. But don’t be surprised. The brand has been making quality dog food that dog owners have been giving their dogs for a long time. As the name suggests, the Large Breed is for dogs that are larger than average dogs. You cannot feed large breed dogs the standard dog food. Due to their size, their nutrient consumption is also different. They need a higher level of nutrients so they can remain active throughout the day. Luckily, the Wellness CORE Large Breed contains high levels of protein, chondroitin, and glucosamine.
Another quality we should mention about this best grain free dog food is the source of proteins: chicken and turkey. You would be glad to know that the brand does not use any by-products to get the required ingredients. Although the brand sources ingredients from all over the world, the recipe is created in a USA facility. One thing we would like to mention here is that Wellness Core dog food consists of several ingredients. Your dog might be allergic to some of them. That is why it is better to determine which ingredients your dog is allergic to and then buy a packet.
Pros:
- It has a higher number of proteins to satisfy large dogs
- It sources protein from chicken and turkey
- It promotes healthy heart life
Cons:
3. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Canine Grain-Free Recipe
The last dog food on our list is for those people who own adult dogs. If you are still undecided whether this food will provide your dog with the energy he needs, perhaps this fact will help you make a decision: this dog food consists of roasted venison and roasted bison. Combining these ingredients gives this food such a unique taste that it would be hard for you to find something even remotely similar to the taste of this dog food. This recipe consists of 32% protein.
The amount might seem low to you at first, but it is more than enough to energize your adult dog for the whole day. Other antioxidants that help the overall health of a dog include vegetables and fruits. The balanced omega-three and omega-six fatty acids work together to give your dog a comfortable skin and a shiny coat. You should know that your dog does not only need a healthy immune system to live a healthy life; he needs a strong digestive system as well. The K9 strain probiotics this dog food contains, does precisely that for your dog.
Pros:
- It is best for adult dogs
- It contains 32% protein
- It contains antioxidants
Cons:
- The taste of the kibble is now different than what it was before
4. Nulo Adult Grain Free Dog Food
The characteristics of dogs vary, depending on the dog’s nature. For instance, some dogs prefer to spend their day relaxing in their bed while others just cannot sit down. As soon as they wake up, they keep jumping from here and there throughout the day and the only time they lie down is when they sleep at night. If your dog belongs to the latter category, then Nulo Adult Grain Free Dog Food would be best for him. Whether you choose to buy canned food or dry food, every recipe by the brand Nulo has enough proteins to keep your dog healthy every day.
Moreover, the patented BC 30 Probiotic is quite helpful when it comes to helping your dog in digestion. If your dog is not a fan of protein coming from chicken and eggs, then you would be delighted to know that this dog food gets it protein from other sources like lamb, turkey and salmon. The dog food consists of eighty-five percent protein. This ensures that your dog’s bones are strong enough to let him play feeling energized throughout the day. Another thing that we like about the brand was that it was crystal clear about the ingredients it puts in dog food. You will not find any kind of mystery ingredient in the food.
Pros:
- It sources protein from lamb and turkey
- It helps build strong muscles
- The brand does not miscommunicate any ingredients
Cons:
- Some dogs started vomiting after eating it
5. Diamond Naturals Grain Free Real Meat Recipe Premium Dry Dog Food:
Not many people know this, but contrary to popular belief, dogs don’t need to eat grain to remain healthy. What they need is real meat that comes from animal-based sources and not by-products. The primary ingredient of this dog food is chicken, which happens to be a great protein provider. For other supporting nutrients, the dog food has sweet potatoes that help your dog build strong muscles. Secondly, other ingredients, such as vitamins from real fruit and vegetables, help your dog’s overall health. Usually, brands use corn, wheat, and soy as food fillers. Some dogs can be sensitive to these ingredients.
If your dog also has a history of being allergic to these ingredients, you don’t have to worry about anything when purchasing Diamond Naturals Grain Free Dog Food. It does not contain any of these ingredients. And not just this flavor, you will never find an ounce of these ingredients in all of Diamond Natural dog foods. Dog foods that have probiotics included in them do a better job of allowing dogs to digest the food properly. You will be delighted to find out that this dog food also contains probiotics, thus, ensuring your dog’s digestion system never becomes a problem.
Pros:
- It uses fruits and vegetables as superfoods
- Dogs can easily digest it
- It does not contain artificial flavors
Cons:
- Not suitable for dogs with dry skin
Buying Guide to Best Grain Free Dog Foods:
One of the best things about living in the modern world is getting to choose from various products. Unfortunately, that is also the worst thing. With so many options, you are bound to feel confused. But there is one thing that you can do to narrow down your choices: consider a few factors that you deem essential in dog food. After that, you would have no trouble purchasing one. What are those factors?
Age:
The first factor you need to consider is the age of your dog. Depending on your dog’s age, the dog food is going to vary. The number of vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates- it all boils down to the age of your dog. If you have a less than one-year-old puppy, make sure the food you buy for him has a mixed amount of proteins and fats. This will help with the growth of the puppy.
If your dog is anywhere between one to six-year-old, he still needs the right amount of protein and fat. This is done to provide him with the energy he needs for his daily activities.
If your dog is quite active, then what your dog needs is antioxidants and proteins and fat.
If you own an adult dog, then the ration of protein and fat should be high in dog food. Higher than what usually is present in dog food.
Ingredients:
The age might be the first factor to consider, but the ingredients are the main factor to consider when buying dog food. The dog food must have some meat in it. It could be anything- meat, lamb, chicken, salmon, or turkey. The reason why we are saying this is because we have already mentioned many times how important protein is for a dog’s proper development. And the meat is responsible for providing the proteins.
The grain is another ingredient present in dog food, but there have been arguments that grain causes inflammation in a dog, so you should stay clear from the ingredient. The best way to go is to choose a grain-free dog food. It is good for healthy dogs and suitable for those who have an allergy to different ingredients. Grain free dog food is more expensive than dog food containing grain, but you shouldn’t risk your puppy’s life to save a few bucks.
Dry/Wet:
When you go to the market to buy dog food, you will have to choose from two options: dry or canned/wet food. Your dog will feel naturally attracted to the canned food since it gives off a pleasant smell. But there is more moisture in the food, which can cause your dog to gain weight faster. On the other hand, dry dog food does not create the same mess as wet dog food. The downside of dry dog food is that you will have to put a lot of effort into making your dog eat it.
Wrapping it up:
Dogs are adorable furry creatures that deserve the best from their owners. And ensuring that your dog gets healthy food is an effective way of showing affection for your dog. We hope this list of best grain free dog food would help you in making a decision. Remember to consider a few factors and your dog’s allergies to ingredients. Happy buying!
