What is the Best Dog Food that is Grain-Free? Top-Rated Grain-Free Brands in 2020
Many of you may think that a grain free dog food is the best for your mutt. There is nothing wrong in thinking that way. After all, their ancestors would never opt for grains over meat, right? As a result of this, the number of grain-free products for dogs is growing at a steady rate. There is also the fact that more and more people are preferring gluten-free and paleo diets over traditional meals. The simple thinking is that, if a grain-free diet is beneficial for humans, then why not your beloved pet.
With quite a few grain-free dog foods available at the stores, it is very natural for dog owners to get confused and frustrated when it comes to choosing the right brand for their pets. A little research and going through the user reviews will help you chose the right dog food that is grain-free and also good for your dog in general.
Top 5 Grain Free Dry Dog Food Brands
Why Should You Opt For Grain-Free Dog Foods?
Many of you may wonder why you should opt for a grain-free dog food for your pet. This is a natural question to ask, especially when you notice quite a few advertisements and commercials talking about the health benefits for a dog when you feed the animal with a grain-free dog food. Here are some common reason behind people choosing grain-free dog foods for their dogs.
- Eating Grains Is Certainly Not In The Genes Of Dogs As They Are Natural Carnivores: You will be surprised to know that the ancestral diet of dogs was not 100% carnivorous. On the contrary, cats are more carnivorous as a compared to dogs. There have been numerous studies that prove that members of the canid family are basically omnivores. They can thrive both on plant species and other animals. The ancestors of dogs had to go out on a hunt. The prey animals also learned how to adapt, which made it tougher to hunt them down. Thus, dogs started looking for other means to survive. However, if given a choice between a plant based and an animal based meal, dogs will definitely choose the latter over the former.
- Cereal Grains Are Said To Be the Biggest Causes of Food Allergies in Dogs: There are many people who think that cereal grains are the biggest causes of food allergies in dogs. However, there are several studies that have proved the opposite. You will be surprised to know that there are several non-grain foods that are also allergenic. Nonetheless, these are still being used as the primary ingredients in several grain-free dog foods available in the market.
- Dogs Lack Amylase in Their Saliva That Can Properly Break down the Carbs in Grains: Amylase is basically an enzyme that is necessary to break down carbs into starch in order to prepare the carbohydrate molecules for further digestion. This enzyme is present in the human saliva. However, it is lacking in the saliva of a dog. This is one of the major reasons behind people not willing to give their pet dogs various cereal grains as they are unable to break down these grains further in their digestive process. However, it is important for you to remember that although amylase is missing in their saliva, it is present in their small intestines supplied by their pancreas in the form of pancreatic amylase.
Best Grain Free Dry Dog Food List
As discussed above, there are numerous brands of grain free dog food in the market. Which one is better than the rest, is really a tough challenge to fulfill. After all, since it is a matter of your own dog, you certainly cannot take any risks. This is why we have listed down some of the best quality grain free dog food that will be suitable for your pet. This list will also act as a guide while you shop for such a product.
① American Journey Salmon and Sweet Potato Recipe Grain Free Dry Dog Food
The formula used in the making of this dog food comprises of real deboned salmon, which forms the primary source of protein in the form of amino acids. It will help to build lean muscles in your pet’s body. The chickpeas and sweet potatoes form the primary source of energy that will help your dog lead an active and healthy life.
This dry dog food also contains various types of vegetables and fruits such as dried kelp, blueberries and carrots that provide the much needed fiber, antioxidants, and phytonutrients to your pet. The presence of flaxseeds and salmon oil form the root source of omega 3 such as DHA, which takes care of the eyes and brain.
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② Taste of the Wild Prairie Grain Free Dog Food
This dog food contains a balanced diet and made from novel proteins that includes the likes of bison and buffalo. The dog food is made from a grain free recipe and includes peas and sweet potatoes that provide the much needed energy to your dog to lead an active life. Various types of veggies and fruits provide the antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that are needed by your dog to remain healthy. Dried chicory root provides the prebiotics that help in the digestion process.
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③ Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Grain Free Dry Dog Food
This dog food has been designed to be exactly the same as those of ancestral wolves. It contains just the right amount of carbs, plenty of fruits that provide antioxidants, and tons of protein. The product is made with Blue LifeSource Bits, which is a precise mix of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This helps to boost the natural immune system of your dog and support the healthy oxidative balance.
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④ Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredients Diet Sweet Potato and Fish Formula Grain Free Dry Dog Food
This dog food has a grain free formula that makes the product suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs and for dogs with food allergies. It uses fish as the primary source of protein and it also provides the high quality carbs and potassium that dogs need to lead an energetic and healthy life.
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⑤ Merrick Grain Free Real Texas Beef and Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
As the name suggests, this dog food comes with beef as the primary source of protein along with sweet potatoes. It is basically a grain free dog food that also contains apples, peas, blueberries, and plenty more. It is a well-balanced dog food that provides protein, carbs, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to your dog in the right proportions.
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⑥ Nature’s Recipe Grain Free Salmon, Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog Food
Salmon is the primary source of protein in this dog food. It also contains pumpkin and sweet potatoes that provide carbs to your dog to lead an active lifestyle. It is very simple to digest this dog food due to the mild yet effective ingredients.
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⑦ Wellness CORE Grain Free Original Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal And Chicken Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food
This dog food is made with protein that is sourced from real turkey and chicken. It also provides all the essential vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals from real fruits and veggies. It is free from any type of grain such as corn and soy and does not contain any artificial flavors or colors.
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⑧ Diamond Naturals Skin and Coat Formula All Life Stages Grain Free Dry Dog Food
This dog food provides plenty of protein sourced from salmon. It is a highly suitable food for dogs that suffer from food related skin sensitivities. It also contains plenty of fruits and vegetables such as peas, papaya, blueberries, pumpkin, and lentils that provide the minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins to your dog.
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⑨ True Acre Foods Chicken and Vegetable Recipe Grain Free Dry Dog Food
This dog food contains USA-raised chicken along with real and naturally grown carrots and peas. This food product provides all the necessary nutrition that is needed by your dog