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In general, the best grain-free dry dog foods contain more protein than their grain-containing competitors.
But…
Many are made using ingredients that can upset the delicate amino acid balance of the finished food.
Which is why the best grain-free kibbles typically contain…
More Meat and Less Plant Protein
By design…
Grain-free dog foods use either potatoes or legumes (like peas, beans and lentils) to replace the cereal grains found in conventional recipes.
Yet even though both make adequate grain substitutes…
Legumes provide an additional benefit.
They’re naturally rich in protein.
But compared to meat, plant protein tends to be less complete in its essential amino acid content.
Which is why we selected the 18 grain-free kibbles below … where meat remains the primary source of protein in each recipe.
Best Grain-Free Dry Dog Foods December 2024
Here are The Dog Food Advisor's best grain-free dry dog food brands for December 2024.
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1. pawTree
pawTree Grain-Free Real Turkey & Sweet Potato is one of seven recipes in our review of this dry product line.
The recipe derives the bulk of its protein from turkey, which is low in fat and naturally rich in the 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life. Dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 34% protein, 17% fat and estimated carbohydrate content of 41%. The fat to protein ratio is 50%.
Developed by veterinarians and PhDs in animal science and pet nutrition, this antioxidant-rich formula contains no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Highly recommended.
Things we like
- Natural source of DHA
- Contains taurine
- Added preboitics
Main Ingredients Turkey, turkey meal, dried peas, dried chickpeas, chicken fat Texture Dry Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 34% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All dogs including puppies Sample buyer review...
"My dog loves his food. All products are of great quality."
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2. Taste of the Wild Wetlands Grain-Free Kibble
Taste of the Wild Wetlands is one of nine recipes included in our review of the Taste of the Wild dry product line.
Taste of the Wild Wetlands derives the majority of its animal protein from duck, duck meal and chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 20% fat and 36% estimated carbs… which produces a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.
A popular and impressive grain-free formula. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Taste of the Wild Dog Food range here
Main Ingredients Duck, duck meal, chicken meal, sweet potatoes, peas Texture Dry Protein Percentage 36% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adults only (not for puppies) -
3. Tender and True Salmon and Sweet Potato Grain-Free Recipe
Tender and True Salmon and Sweet Potato is one of eight recipes included in our review of the Tender and True dry product line.
Tender and True Salmon and Sweet Potato derives most of its meat protein from salmon and whiting meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 18% fat and 41% estimated carbs… which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 53%.
An above-average product made without grain.
Read our review of the full Tender and True Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Salmon, whiting meal, dried sweet potato, tapioca starch, dried potato Texture Dry Protein Percentage 33% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All adults + small or medium breed puppies -
4. Go! Carnivore Grain-Free Lamb and Wild Boar Dog Food
Go! Carnivore Lamb and Wild Boar is one of five recipes included in our review of the Go! Carnivore dry product line.
Go! Carnivore Lamb and Wild Boar derives the bulk of its animal protein from lamb, lamb meal, salmon meal and herring meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 18% fat and 39% estimated carbs… yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.
Enthusiastically recommended.
Read our review of the full Go! Solutions Carnivore Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients De-boned lamb, lamb meal, de-boned salmon, herring meal, lentils Texture Dry Protein Percentage 36% -
5. Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Beef with Apples
Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Beef is one of five recipes included in our review of the Nulo Freeze-Dried product line.
Nulo Freestyle Freeze-Dried Beef derives most of its animal protein from beef and beef organs. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 44% protein, 30% fat and 18% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 67%.
A great choice for an adult dog. Enthusiastically recommended.
See all five available recipes
Read our review of the full Nulo Freestyle Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food (Freeze-Dried) range here
Main Ingredients Beef, beef heart, beef liver, beef kidneys, ground beef bone Type Grain-free, freeze-dried Protein Percentage 44% -
6. Instinct Original Grain-Free with Real Rabbit
Instinct Original with Real Rabbit is one of five recipes included in our review of the Instinct Original Grain-Free dry product line.
Instinct Original with Real Rabbit derives the bulk of its animal protein from rabbit, salmon meal and menhaden fish meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 41% protein, 23% fat and 29% estimated carbs… which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.
An quality all life stages option. Highly recommended.
See all five available recipes
Read our review of the full Instinct Dog Food range here
Main Ingredients Rabbit, salmon meal, menhaden fish meal, chickpeas, canola oil Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 41% -
7. Canidae Pure Real Duck and Sweet Potato Recipe
Canidae Pure Real Duck and Sweet Potato is one of 11 recipes included in our review of the Canidae Pure dry product line.
Canidae Pure Real Duck and Sweet Potato derives the majority of its meat protein from duck, duck meal and turkey meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33.3% protein, 16.7% fat and 42% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.
An excellent grain-free option for adult dogs.
Read our review of the full Canidae All Life Stages Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Duck, duck meal, turkey meal, sweet potatoes, peas Texture Dry Protein Percentage 33.3% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adults only (not for puppies) -
8. Health Extension Grain-Free Buffalo and Whitefish Recipe
Health Extension Buffalo and Whitefish is one of nine recipes included in our review of the Health Extension Grain-Free dry product line.
Health Extension Grain-Free Buffalo and Whitefish derives most of its animal protein from buffalo, buffalo meal, whitefish and whitefish meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 28% protein, 17% fat and 48% estimated carbs… which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 60%.
A superb all life stages selection. Easily recommended.
See all nine available recipes
Read our review of the full Health Extension Grain Free Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Buffalo, deboned whitefish, whitefish meal (source of omega 3 fatty acids), whole sweet potatoes, pork meal Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 28% -
9. Farmina N&D Grain-Free Chicken Formula Dry Dog Food
Farmina N&D Grain-Free Chicken Formula is one of eight recipes included in our review of the Farmina N&D Grain-Free dry product line.
Farmina N&D Grain-Free Chicken Formula derives most of its animal protein from chicken and dehydrated chicken. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 41% protein, 20% fat and 32% estimated carbs… which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 49%.
An excellent grain-free option for adult dogs.
See all eight available recipes
Read our review of the full Farmina N&D Prime Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, dehydrated chicken, sweet potatoes, chicken fat, dried whole eggs Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 41% -
10. Wysong Epigen Grain-Free Dog Food
Wysong Epigen is the only recipe included in our review of the Wysong Epigen dry product line.
Wysong Epigen derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken and poultry meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 67% protein, 17% fat and 9% estimated carbs… which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 25%.
An protein-rich, grain-free option. Easily recommended.
Read our review of the full Wysong Epigen Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Organic chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, potato protein, meat protein isolate Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 67% -
11. The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Beef Recipe Dehydrated Dog Food
The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Dehydrated Beef is one of eight recipes included in our review of The Honest Kitchen dry product line.
The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Beef derives the bulk of its animal protein from dehydrated beef. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 34% protein, 15% fat and 43% estimated carbs… which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 45%.
A great option for dogs of all sizes and ages.
See all eight available recipes
Read our review of the full The Honest Kitchen Grain Free Dog Food (Dehydrated) range here
Main Ingredients Dehydrated beef, dehydrated sweet potatoes, dehydrated potatoes, organic flaxseed, dried organic coconut Texture Dry Type Grain-free, dehydrated Protein Percentage 34% -
12. Orijen Regional Red Dog Food
Orijen Regional Red is one of nine grain-free recipes included in our review of the Orijen dry product line.
Orijen Regional Red derives most of its meat protein from beef, pork, wild boar and lamb. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 43% protein, 20% fat and 28% estimated carbs… which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 47%.
A biologically appropriate, all life stages recipe. Highly recommended.
See all nine available recipes
Read our review of the full Orijen Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Beef, wild boar, lamb, pork, beef liver Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 43% -
13. Wellness Core RawRev Original Recipe
Wellness Core RawRev Grain-Free Original is one of three recipes included in our review of the Wellness Core RawRev dry product line.
Wellness Core RawRev Original derives the majority of its meat protein from poultry and poultry meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 38.9% protein, 11.1% fat and 42% estimated carbs… producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 29%.
An exceptional, protein-rich recipe. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Wellness Core Grain Free Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Deboned turkey, turkey meal, chicken meal, lentils, peas, Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 38.9% -
14. Acana Wild Atlantic Dog Food
Acana Wild Atlantic is one of four recipes included in our review of the Acana Regionals dry product line.
Acana Wild Atlantic derives the majority of its meat protein from various types of fish and fish meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 38% protein, 19% fat and 35% estimated carbs… which produces a fat-to-protein ratio of about 52%.
A superb, all life stages selection. Easily recommended.
See all four available recipes
Read our review of the full Acana Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Whole mackerel, whole herring, whole redfish, whole silver hake, mackerel meal Texture Dry Protein Percentage 38% -
15. Grandma Lucy’s Artisan Venison Formula
Grandma Lucy’s Artisan Venison Formula is one of four recipes included in our review of the Grandma Lucy’s Artisan dry product line.
Grandma Lucy’s Artisan Venison derives most of its meat protein from venison. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 16% fat and 46% estimated carbs… which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 54%.
Highly recommended.
See all four available recipes
Read our review of the full Grandma Lucy’s Artisan Dog Food (Freeze-Dried) range here
Main Ingredients Venison, potatoes, flax, sweet potatoes, carrots Texture Freeze-dried Protein Percentage 30% -
16. Diamond Naturals Grain-Free Skin and Coat All Life Stages Dog Food
Diamond Naturals All Life Stages Skin and Coat is one of 13 recipes included in our review of the Diamond Naturals dry product line.
Diamond Naturals Skin and Coat derives the majority of its meat protein from salmon and fish meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 28% protein, 16% fat and 49% estimated carbs… producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.
A quality, budget-friendly option. Enthusiastically recommended.
Read our review of the full Diamond Naturals Grain Free Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Salmon, fish meal, potatoes, lentils, peas Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 28%
More Top Picks
To view more top dog foods by category… click the link below that best meets your personal feeding needs.
Final word
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