When it comes to keeping your doggy happy and healthy as a fur parent, providing the best grain free dog food is essential if your dog has allergies, sensitivities or intolerances to grain. From cereals to rice, these ingredients in dog food can cause a whole host of potential problems for your pooch. Grain intolerances can be distressing for your dog, and as a pet owner, it's important to seek clarity and guidance. Speaking with your vet can help you identify and address these issues. If your dog is allergic to grain, our guide below offers the top options for a safe and nutritious mealtime.
There are differing opinions about grain-free dog food. Most vets are aware of certain risks with excluding grain from a dog's diet, some of which can be a cause for concern. When it comes to the question of grain-free diets, veterinarians recommend that dogs should be fed a grain-inclusive diet unless there is a reason that makes it unsuitable.
But what is grain free dog food? Essentially, grain-free dog food excludes any sort of grain. This is not to be confused with gluten-free dog food, which is absent of wheat. Typically, grains are carbohydrates, like wheat, rye, barley, oats, corn and rice. These give our furry friends energy. However, alongside the usual ingredients, companies will include other carbohydrates in their dry or wet dog food to make sure the meal is still balanced, delicious and nutritious.
Best grain free dog food at a glance:
• Best overall grain free dog food: James Wellbeloved, Adult Dry Turkey and Veg - 1.5kg - View on Amazon UK
• Best wet grain free dog food: James Wellbeloved, Wet Variety Pack - 12 - View on Pets at Home
• Best grain free dog food for sensitive stomachs: Lily's Kitchen, Lamb Dry Food - 2.5kg - View on Amazon UK
• Best grain free dog food multipack: Lily's Kitchen, Adult Wet Dog Food Multipack - 6 x 150g - View on Lily's Kitchen
At Take a Break, we've made it our mission to help your pooch find its favourite meal. We've pulled together a list of the best grain free dog foods, whether wet or dry or food for senior dogs or puppies. We've made sure to include as many types as we can. Hopefully, one will be the best dog food for your pooch - paw-fect. Just make sure to chat with your vet before changing their food, as you will likely need a diagnosis before you consider this diet.
Best grain free dog food
Best overall grain free dog food
First up, we have James Wellbeloved's adult Turkey and Veg doggie food, which is packed full of goodies for your pooch. These include Yucca Extract for less smelly poos and Linseed, which is a great source of Omega 3. Not only will your pup's stomach be settled, but its skin and coat will glow. Made with high-source turkey, you can't go wrong.
Customer Review: "We have been giving our dog this food for over a year now and he has been fit and well. Tried a lot of alternatives but he had an upset stomach from the other types of food. As a rescue dog, we had no idea about his diet before we got him. This bag (10kg) lasts us a little over a month. (Our dog weighs 21.90kg) Our dog loves the Turkey and Vegetable bag. I'm sure if he could speak (or type) he would tell you that he really enjoys it. We also take it out with us to help train him when he meets other dogs and it has worked really well. Great food, good results."
Pros
- Contains a balanced blend of dietary fibres
- Omega 3 and 6 oils promote healthy skin and coat
- Prebiotics and antioxidants for the immune system and gut health
Cons
- No variation in flavour
Best wet grain free dog food
www.petsathome.com
Alternatively, if your adult dog prefers wet food, we recommend James Wellbeloved's multipack. Packed with high-source chicken, turkey and lamb, why not treat your dog to a hypoallergenic, nutritious and grain-free meal? Made with natural ingredients, this wet food promotes healthy skin and a glossy coat, as well as healthy digestion and immune support.
Customer Review: "My boys love it - they can be a bit fussy when I try new food, but this went down a treat."
Pros
- Good selection of meat in multipack
- No soya, eggs, dairy, grain or wheat
- Perfect for dogs with sensitive skin and digestion
Cons
- A little firm for licking mats
Best wet grain free dog food for seniors
www.petsathome.com
Made with a hypoallergenic formula, we couldn't recommend James Wellbeloved's senior wet food enough. Alongside the dry foods, this wet food has been developed with a grain-free recipe, using alternative carbohydrates to help ensure that even sensitive dogs can enjoy this wholesome dish. It has been carefully developed to offer complete balance for your dog, using nutritious vegetables that all provide their own individual benefits.
Customer Review: "Quick and efficient delivery, the end consumer (my dog) is very happy with it so even though I've not tasted it I'm assuming it's good."
Pros
- Good value pack
- With glucosamine - believed to help support joint mobility.
- Omega 3 and 6 for healthy skin and glossy coat
Cons
- Only one choice of flavour
Best dry grain free dog food for seniors
www.petsathome.com
Specially crafted for senior dogs who are sensitive to cereals, James Wellbeloved has taken a sprinkle of nature's nourishing ingredients and combined them with sustainably sourced fish for a delicious meal. Coming in a 10kg bag, this fish and veg dry food has proved a lifesaver for many pups around the country, settling lots of tummies. With prebiotics and antioxidants, as well as glucosamine, this meal contains vital nutrients to support your senior pooch.
Customer Review: "Our 11-year-old Labrador has had pancreatitis her whole life. We have to give her low-fat food only. For most of her life, she has been on chicken and rice dry food. This proved to be the best food for her pancreatitis. However, over the years she's had many ear infections and anal gland problems.
"Eventually, a couple of years ago we made the hard decision to remove her anal glands. They were constantly infected and causing her a lot of pain and distress. After a tense time following this delicate operation, she is back to 'normal'. We looked into allergies and so changed her food from chicken to fish, hence the James Wellbeloved Senior Fish and Vegetable review. It has proved to be absolutely brilliant for her. It's low fat, and she's not had any ear infections. Her stools are slightly different but no upset tummy at all. We are very happy. It's been a long and difficult journey, especially as a lot of food has chicken in it, or is higher fat, so we haven't had a big choice. We are really happy with this food and will happily keep her on it."
Pros
- Sustainably sourced, predominantly ocean white fish
- Subscribe and save at James Wellbeloved
- With glucosamine - believed to help support joint mobility
Cons
- Better suited to larger breeds
Best wet grain dog food for puppies
www.poochandmutt.co.uk
And for the puppies, we recommend this wet food from Pooch & Mutt, which is bursting with goodness from fresh free-run chicken and nutritious vegetables - all sourced from British farms. Not only is it high in protein, but this food is rich in added prebiotics to aid healthy growth, development and digestion. This Pooch & Mutt recipe has been formulated with no artificial flavours, colours, preservatives, grain, cereal, gluten, beef and soy. Happy and healthy!
Customer Review: "Willow gobbled up the wet food, unlike her previous food which she just picked at when she felt like it. I love that fact that the ingredients are all nutritious and natural. My dog has more energy and her coat is becoming so glossy."
Pros
- 100% recyclable packaging
- Locally sourced in the UK
- Rich in vitamins, minerals, fibre and prebiotics
Cons
- You'll need to make sure you've got somewhere to store it properly as you'll get more than one serving per carton
Best dry grain free dog food for puppies
James Wellbeloved has formulated a balanced, nutritious meal for your pup. If your young pooch prefers a dry meal, then why not grab a 1.5kg bag? It'll last, for sure. Made with turkey and a whole host of natural ingredients, this is a great option to help your puppy grow, develop and stay happy through its formative years. Packed with Omega 3 and 6, prebiotics, antioxidants and DHA, this dry food is grain-free and fantastic for a fussy pup with a tricky tummy.
Customer Review: "My dachshund puppy has a sensitive tummy and my friend recommended a grain free diet - best decision ever! This food has made my pup who was toileting 6-7 times per day down to 3! He also loves the taste of this food - always excited at meal times."
Pros
- Sourced and made in the UK
- Prebiotics and antioxidants for the gut and immune system
- Supplemented with natural DHA
Cons
- Wet food is typically better for sensitive tummies
Best grain free dog food for sensitive stomachs
From B-Corp-certified Lily's Kitchen, we recommend this adult dry food that contains lamb and potatoes, alongside plenty of nutritious ingredients, helpful botanicals and added joint and digestive support. Does your pup love a Shepherd's Pie? Well, we couldn't recommend this recipe more. It's delicious, healthy and great for doggie diets.
Customer Review: "My 2-year-old Boston Terrier is VERY fussy. Wet food and fresh chicken gave her wind and runny stools. I tried all dry foods because of her sensitive stomach and she would not eat them. Then I found Lily's Kitchen... she is now on this dry food diet only. She eats it very well and has solid stools and her energy level has tripled. Can't wait for her to try the other flavours."
Pros
- Added bone and joint support
- Prebiotics for healthy digestion
- Low in fat - great for a doggie diet
Cons
- Wet food may be preferred
Best hypoallergenic dog food
www.poochandmutt.co.uk
Pooch & Mutt's Superfood is the ultimate hypoallergenic kibble for your pooch. Alongside fresh chicken, this recipe contains a nutritious blend of spinach, cranberries and kale. These fruits and veg are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants - perfect for boosting immunity and overall health. With Omega oils for skin and coat, glucosamine for joints, prebiotics for digestion and chamomile for calm, this food is bursting with goodness. What a knockout!
Customer Review: "We are in the process of switching our dog over to the adult complete superfood. Our dog loves it and it seems to be agreeing with his tummy."
Pros
- Hypoallergenic and grain free
- Omega & Antioxidant rich
- Subscription services available
Cons
- For medium and large adults only
Best grain free dog food for small breeds
www.petsathome.com
For the smaller breeds, we recommend James Wellbeloved's dry food, containing tasty turkey - which has been made into smaller kibble, perfect for smaller mouths. Coming with Green Tea and Cranberry extract for antioxidants and organic acids, and prebiotics for gut health, as well as immune support, this is a winner for your perfectly tiny pooch.
Customer Review: "My Yorkies have always been fussy eaters, but this kibble is always well received. My older dog in particular can get an upset stomach, but since giving her this food, she's been fine. Love it!"
Pros
- Smaller kibble for smaller mouths
- Green tea and cranberry for antioxidants
- Natural, hypoallergenic UK-sourced ingredients
Cons
- A little hard for some teeth
Best grain free dog food with probiotics
www.poochandmutt.co.uk
Made to help your dog with its digestive health, we personally love this "Health & Digestion" salmon recipe from Pooch & Mutt. This dry dog food is brimming with prebiotics and probiotics, which give your dog the best gut and digestive health. This improves their stool quality and flatulence, too.
Customer Review: "I've not had any problems swapping over to this food and my Frenchie loves it. Great size for his mouth as he struggles with the larger pieces."
Pros
- Aids digestion, stools and flatulence
- Packed with probiotics and prebiotics
- Easy to transition from regular food
Cons
- Salmon is the main ingredient, so could have a stronger smell compared to other dry foods
Best grain free dog food multipack
www.lilyskitchen.co.uk
Now you can treat your dog to Lily's Kitchen with their multipack of grain-free recipes. This multipack includes "Sunday Lunch", "Wild Campfire Stew", and "Fishy Fish Pie". They are made with scrumptious, freshly-prepared ingredients: nutritious meat, vibrant veg and, of course, those lush botanicals for a tricky tummy. Balanced, tasty and packed full of goodies, Lily's Kitchen will be hard for your pup to pass up.
Customer Review: "My puppy loves Lily's Kitchen. I know he's getting good food with lots of nutrition. Would like a bigger selection of the grain free range."
Pros
- Lily's Kitchen provides portion size
- Healthy, fresh and nutritious
- Botanicals added for digestion
Cons
- Venison may cause tummy upset in some dogs
FAQs
How do I tackle dog allergies?
If your dog is allergic to grain, you should find an alternative. There are a few ways you can tackle a grain-free diet for your pooch, aside from buying ready-made grain free dog food:
If your dog has allergies or a sensitive stomach, you could feed your dog homemade chow. For this, you'll need to be clued up on your dog's nutritional requirements. Of course, that'll take a fair bit of research, and factors such as age, breed, lifestyle and life stage will influence their homemade diet. Also, you should be aware of certain foods that can be harmful to your pooch.
Or – you could consider a raw diet, however, with that comes more research and concerns. Again, it's risky as you'll need to get the balance right, and we'd recommend working with your vet on this one.
Is grain free dog food better than regular?
When you cut out grains, dogs can miss out on fibre, fatty acids, and protein. These are essential elements to your dog's diet, so they could have detrimental effects on your pup. If you are considering grain free food, always make sure the selection is high-quality and has all the nutrients your dog needs. There has been an investigation into whether a grain free diet could lead to some heart problems.
Not all dogs are the same – and some dogs may fare better on a grain free diet than others. Our advice, first and foremost, is to speak to your vet about whether this is the right move. Make sure to pay attention to your pup's health, as this is the best way you can monitor if their quality of life has improved.
Piper Huxley is a Homes, Garden and Wellness Product Writer for Take a Break, specialising in pet health. When she's not barking about dog supplements, she's online devouring cat content.