12 Best Grain Free Puppy Foods Compared & Reviewed

 

Top Rated Grain Free Food for Puppies List in 2023 + Buying Guide

 

You have started your quest for the best grain free puppy food and you are amazed to discover how many different types there are out there. That is why we’ve decided to make things a little less complicated for you and we have conducted our own research of the market. And, our first recommendation is the CANIDAE PURE Dry Food because it is made with real chicken together with other important ingredients like chickpeas, lentils, peas, and potatoes. Also, it is considered a perfect choice for sensitive pets because it doesn’t contain corn, wheat, or soy which can affect their digestion. Your dogs will not only get all the necessary nutrients that are critical to good health, but they will also love the delicious taste. And, if you are not able to find this grain free puppy food for sale, you should try another amazing product and that is the Love you Naked Essentials.

 

 

Comparison table

 

 

 

12 Best Grain Free Puppy Foods (Reviews) in 2023

 

You keep on asking yourself how to choose that good grain free puppy food from this multitude of options. In order to help you with this, we have analyzed multiple grain free puppy food reviews and we came up with some great products. We cannot say which one is the best grain free puppy dog food, as it is entirely up to you to decide.

 

 

1. Canidae Grain Free Pure Foundations Puppy Dry Formula with Fresh Chicken

 

Dogs are just like us, humans – they have their own sensitivities and preferences. You want to make sure that you don’t disappoint your furry little friend with poor food choices. That is why it is extremely important to pay attention to his/her reaction to certain ingredients. This product from Canidae, for example, has proved to offer amazing results for many delicate puppies.

And, on top of being healthy – made with natural meat and whole ingredients like sweet potatoes, peas, lentils, or chickpeas – it has received positive feedback regarding its delicious taste. Because it doesn’t contain wheat, corn or soy, your furry companion will not experience unexpected stomach issues and he/she will enjoy gentle digestion with healthy normal stools.

Also, no need to worry that you don’t understand what the components of your pet’s food are because this grain-free product has only 7-10 ingredients that are familiar to everyone.

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2. I and love and you Naked Essentials Dry Dog Food

 

This food contains lentils, chickpeas, and potatoes that are rich in nutrients – great substitutes for common allergens like corn, wheat, rice, and soy. Besides offering your pets essential vitamins and minerals, they also maintain healthy digestion. Also, it features Omegas 3 and 6 that will increase the softness of your pet’s coat and it will help his/her skin become healthier.

Your dog prefers real meat and that is why you should know that this formula has real meat as the number one ingredient. This aspect is extremely important because your furry companion needs plenty of energy and endurance for his/her daily adventures and activities. It also contains prebiotics and probiotics which have amazing benefits for your pet’s well-being.

As a cautious and loving pet parent, you want to avoid health issues like bad breath, rumbling tummies, loose tools, and gas. And, this product has great ingredients that will help your dog stay happy and healthy.

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3. Blue Buffalo Freedom Puppy Chicken Recipe Grain Free

 

This Blue Buffalo grain free puppy food offers your pet all the necessary nutrients for a complete diet. Real meat from deboned chicken is the main ingredient so that your furry companion can get the much-needed protein for the proper development of strong muscles. Also, this formula contains important fatty acids that are normally found in mother’s milk.

This is extremely important because your furry friend will enjoy the healthy development of cognitive learning and proper retinal function. This formula also has essential vitamins and minerals that your puppy needs in order to develop a strong immune system that will protect him/her against potential diseases.

You are happy if your pet is happy, and since food plays an important part in our lives, you are very cautious when choosing the right product. This delicious and wholesome recipe is made in the USA and it features high-quality ingredients that will help your dog enjoy life to the fullest.

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4. Wellness Complete Health Natural Grain Free Dry Puppy Food

 

This product contains deboned chicken and whitefish which are important sources of protein that provide your pet all the necessary energy for his/her day-to-day activities. It was formulated with your growing puppy’s nutritional needs in mind, especially during the first year when he/she needs proper whole-body nutritional support.

When they are young, puppies need certain minerals and vitamins for healthy normal growth, and this food has proved to have them all. The health needs of your pet are a concern for many pet parents, and it should be because you don’t want your beloved companion to experience any nutritional deficiencies – it can lead to major complications.

As a bonus, this recipe promises to satisfy the taste buds of your pet. Knowing that this product is manufactured in the USA by a family-owned company, you can rest assured that only natural ingredients were used and all the quality standards were met.

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5. Whole Earth Farms Pork Beef & Lamb Recipe

 

Don’t we all love our pets to the moon and back and we are so dedicated toward them because they mean so much to us? If you are one of those parents who are obsessed with the well-being of their furry companion, you should know that this product is a good ally in keeping your friend strong, beautiful, and happy.

It has as the main ingredient high-quality protein along with other essential nutrients for your pet’s good health. Also, it is considered a cheap grain free puppy food that offers its consumers amazing benefits among which we can remember healthy skin, shiny coat, and less shedding.

Your dog will not only look good on the outside, but he/she will feel good on the inside as well. The manufacturer has thought about everything and made this recipe poultry-free which is a perfect choice for all those delicate pets that have poultry sensitivities.

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6. Taste of the Wild Grain Free High Protein Real Meat Recipe

 

It’s time your beloved furry friend tried something new that will satisfy his/her cravings for a wild taste. After all, modern science proves that your puppy shares the DNA with the wolf. Besides this interesting taste of roasted bison and venison, this formula provides your growing puppy essential nutrients for healthy and normal growth.

Also, this recipe features fruits and vegetables that offer the necessary amount of natural antioxidants to boost your puppy’s immune system. The protein from its number one ingredient, real meat, will help your furry friend develop strong and lean muscles. And, for his/her healthy brain and vision, this formula contains DHA omega-3 fatty acid.

You will be happy to notice how much your puppy loves these small kibbles that were specifically tailored to fit his/her smaller mouth. Also, the fact that it doesn’t contain artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives makes this product a perfect choice for many sensitive pets.

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7. Nature’s Recipe Grain Free Chicken Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe Dry 

 

If you are looking for a product that has real chicken as its number one ingredient, look no more because you’ve found it. Containing high-quality protein, this recipe will help your furry companion develop strong and lean muscles. On top of being nutritious, this food is very tasty so that your puppy can enjoy his/her food while getting all the health benefits.  

You might think that because it’s grain-free, this formula doesn’t offer its consumers enough carbohydrates, but this is not true. The manufacturer found a better way to add these important nutrients in your puppy’s diet, by substituting those common allergens with ingredients like sweet potatoes and pumpkins that don’t cause any sensitivities.

This way, every puppy, even those with gluten allergies, can now enjoy this delicious formula that offers plenty of energy in order to keep him/her active. And, an active puppy is a healthy puppy!

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8. Wilderness Grain Free Dog Food Dry

 

Featuring real meat as its number one ingredient, this formula offers its consumers high-quality protein which helps to build and maintain strong muscles. It also contains wholesome fruits and vegetables – natural sources of antioxidants that enrich your dog’s overall well-being.

Food is an important aspect of your pet’s life, and you, as a caring parent, need to make sure that the daily diet meets all his/her nutritional requirements. DHA, for example, is essential for your puppy’s health because it supports the proper development of cognitive learning and retinal function. And, this recipe from Blue Buffalo contains this important fatty acid.

Enhanced with vitamins and minerals, this formula is everything your puppy needs to live a long and healthy life. You will love to see your furry companion enjoy his/her every bite, especially that this formula doesn’t contain any artificial flavors or preservatives – because what makes him/her happy, makes you happy!

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9. Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe

 

Your pet is your friend, and you want him/her to be next to you for years to come. That is why, his/her food needs to offer excellent nutrition that will support a healthy, strong, and long life. Thanks to the fact that it doesn’t contain grain and gluten, this recipe is much easier to digest and helps your dog stay active and energetic.

Its number one ingredient is real salmon that offers your dog key nutrients to help maintain healthy organs, as well as lean and strong muscles. The sweet potatoes have amazing benefits for your pet’s health. They provide all the necessary protein, vitamins, and antioxidants for a complete and well-balanced diet.

Other great ingredients like peas and tapioca are important sources of carbohydrates that offer your puppies plenty of energy for their everyday adventures. This formula is also considered a tasty option that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters.

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10. Merrick Grain Free Puppy Recipe

 

This Merrick grain free puppy food is specifically formulated to provide special nutritional and functional benefits. You love your furry friend so much and you want him/her to live a long and vibrant life. That is why, this formula has proved to be both healthy and tasty thanks to its number 1 ingredient, which is real deboned chicken.

Your growing puppy has special development requirements, and this product promises to meet all of those, for both large and small breeds. Also, in order for your furry companion to enjoy the healthy development of his/her brain, the manufacturer had the amazing idea to incorporate in this recipe an essential fatty acid, and that is DHA.

And, your dog is getting all the necessary carbohydrates from natural ingredients like potatoes, peas, and sweet potatoes. This is so great, especially for puppies with sensitivities – this way, they will get plenty of energy without their health being compromised.  

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11. Wellness Core Large Breed

 

If you are one of those parents who are focused on offering their beloved pet a healthy and happy life, then you should give this Wellness grain free puppy food a try. This product is a great choice for a complete and well-balanced everyday diet. The tasty combination of turkey and chicken offers your puppy a formula rich in premium proteins.

Also, natural vegetables have many benefits for your pet’s health, too. They provide your furry friend with all the essential vitamins and minerals that will help him/her thrive. Being a grain free large breed puppy food, you have the peace of mind that it was specifically formulated with a particular breed in mind.

The active probiotics, prebiotics, and fiber found in this formula will help your dog maintain a healthy intestinal tract. And, the Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids support proper cellular activity – your beautiful furry companion will feel so confident in his/her shiny coat.

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12. Victor Active Dog Puppy

 

This recipe promises to meet all the nutritional requirements of dogs of all life stages – including those of growing large-sized dogs that weigh 70 lbs. or more as an adult. It is complete and balanced so that your active furry friend can enjoy his/her daily activities with maximum confidence.

Keeping your pet healthy and happy has never been easier thanks to this tasty recipe that features a high meat content. The 33% premium protein (75% comes from a combination of beef, chicken, pork, and fish raised in the USA) will encourage your puppy’s body to function properly.

And, all the necessary energy your dog needs will get it from natural ingredients like peas and sweet potatoes, that were also grown in the USA. These sources of carbohydrates are a perfect alternative to those common allergens that can be found in some puppy foods. Your pet will not only look good, but he/she will feel good, too!

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Our Comprehensive Buying Guide

 

You might find it difficult to pick the right grain-free food for your puppy, but let us help you with a few tips that will make your search less time-consuming and tedious. In the section below we prepared a buying guide with the most important factors to take into account when choosing the right product.

Important ingredients

There are many benefits of a grain-free diet, but the fact that it doesn’t contain grains is not enough to offer your puppy a well-balanced nutrition. Your pets have specific nutritional requirements that are met only if they are fed all the essential nutrients. In other words, you must focus on both the ingredients a certain product has and those it lacks.

Nowadays, the market is flooded with so many different types of foods, for both humans and animals. There are a multitude of companies which sell products that promise to offer amazing results. And, it is entirely up to you to choose either the Fromm grain free puppy food or one that is manufactured by a different brand.

Today, most veterinarians agree that your dog should eat only small portions of carbohydrates and grains. And, we all know that most grain-free dog foods have fewer carbohydrates than those that contain grains and are therefore easier to digest. Also, your delicate friend, who is allergic to grains, will enjoy healthy and regular stools.  

But, in order to help your puppies enjoy balanced nutritional meals, their food needs to contain other nutrients like probiotics and prebiotics. They stimulate digestive health and also support the proper absorption of key minerals and vitamins. And, make sure that one or more protein sources come from animals or fish.

Another important aspect that needs maximum attention from all pet parents is to feed their furry companions food that has no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Furthermore, it is strongly recommended that the grains are to be substituted for vegetables and fruits because they are much healthier and more delicious.

 

Grain-free vs. gluten-free

We will start by saying that grain-free products and the gluten-free ones are not one and the same. It is important to know this distinction because there might be dogs that are sensitive to grains which means that a gluten-free diet will not necessarily work for them – it can contain grains without gluten like rice, corn, oats, millet, or quinoa.

But those delicate eaters who are sensitive to gluten, will not go wrong with a grain-free diet. The most common grains that contain gluten are wheat, barley, and rye, and if you know that your puppy is allergic to both grains and gluten they should not appear in the ingredients section of his/her food.

Low-gluten or gluten-free foods are recommended especially for dogs who have chronic health issues. Also, if you notice that your canine friend has intermittent or persistent diarrhea, or he/she has started to lose weight or to lose parts of hair, you might try to switch him/her to a gluten/grain-free diet. Keep in mind that you should always consult your veterinarian first.

Grain-free food trial

If you have decided to make some changes in your sensitive pet’s diet, more exactly to eliminate grains, you have to make sure that this is exactly what he/she needs. And how can you do that? Well, it is pretty easy! There is a non-invasive test that can help you discover his/her body reactions to certain ingredients.

What you need to do is to feed your canine friend a diet that consists of proteins that can be rarely found in common dog foods. Also, try to eliminate all foodstuff that your pet used to eat on a regular basis.

During this test, which shouldn’t take more than 10 to 12 weeks, your friend must only eat this new formula because he/she needs to clean his/her body of any potential allergens. This way, when you start introducing new ingredients into his/her diet you get to notice his/her reaction and detect any sensitivities or allergies.

Let’s say that after the test was completed, you decided to introduce grains in your pet’s diet. If you start noticing health issues like itchy skin, ear infections, gastrointestinal upset, or hair loss, you know for a fact that your dog will benefit more from a grain-free nutrition.