Best Grain-Free Dog Food 2024

Written by Adam Lee-Smith

Veterinary reviewed by:

Published: 05/04/2023, edited: 03/15/2024

The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.

Pet parents searching for the best quality dog food are going against the grains and opting for a different source of carbohydrates for their fur-babies.

If your dog is a fussy eater or they have a grain allergy, grain-free dog foods might be a good alternative. Dogs still need carbs as part of their diet, so many grain-free dog foods replace grains with vegetables like potatoes and peas.

Trying to cut grains out of your pup's diet? We've rounded up the five best grain-free dog foods to help you make the best choice for your pet's dietary needs (and your budget!).

Open Farm Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Vet recommended

Open Farm offers ten high-quality standard grain-free dry dog food options covering all life stages. All variations are free from preservatives and artificial flavors.

Open Farm sources all its meat from Certified Humane farms, and its seafood meets Ocean Wise and Seafood Watch sustainability standards. Each ingredient listed in Open Farm's grain-free dog food lists its origin for complete transparency.

Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, member of Wag!’s licensed veterinary team, personally recommends Open Farm to her own clients: “Open Farm dog food is formulated with high-quality ingredients and does not contain any artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors. The company also prioritizes the use of ethically sourced and humanely raised ingredients.”

Open Farm designs its recipes to keep fur-babies happy and healthy. One notable ingredient in its grain-free dog foods is coconut oil, a source of fatty acids that can help treat skin conditions and cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS).

As of May 2023, Open Farm grain-free dog foods have never been recalled. Open Farm grain-free recipes meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutrient profiles for all life stages or maintenance (adults).

Check out our full Open Farm dog food review to learn why we give this brand a flawless 5 out of 5 paws up!

Open Farm grain-free dry food flavors & variations

Grass-Fed Beef
Homestead Turkey & Chicken
Wild-Caught Salmon
Pasture-Raised Lamb
New Zealand Venison
Catch-of-the-Season Whitefish
Farmer's Table Pork
Puppy
Senior
Small Breed

Open Farm Dog Food

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Why Wag! loves Open Farm

High-quality protein sources
100% traceable ingredients for transparency
Prebiotic fibers support healthy digestion
Includes all-natural, sustainably sourced meat and seafood

Considerations & concerns

Pricier than other grain-free alternatives
Some customers say Open Farm recipes made their dog gassy

What pet parents say about Open Farm

"My Ozzie and Shelby were breaking out and skin rashes from the other food. I was feeding them from the vet. I turned to open Farms and found out that I could find out where all the ingredients came from and that my dogs love the food. Ozzie had a problem chasing after the ball and was sleeping all the time and once I turned to open farms, he runs after that ball."

"This food is great, my Maximus loves it, he actually eats all of it. Seems like his health has improved, he’s happier and less sluggish. The bite size of the kibbles is perfect for him as well. Will continue to purchase his food [from] Open Farm!"

Read more Open Farm reviews on Open Farm.

Image sourced from the Open Farm website. Copyright Open Farm.

Raised Right

Vet recommended

Raised Right boasts a selection of grain-free dog foods, with 11 recipes for adult dogs and puppies.

It's one of the best grain-free dog foods for protein sources — three of the top five ingredients in all variations are human-grade protein sources. For example, Raised Right’s Original Turkey Adult Dog Recipe lists turkey thigh, turkey liver, and turkey heart as the top three ingredients.

Dr. Jeremiah recommends Raised Right to her clients: “Raised Right offers a human-grade dog food consisting of only whole foods and no fillers or synthetic additives such as vitamin and mineral powders. Their ingredients can also be traced back to the source, and each batch is tested for safety.”

One reason Wag! loves Raised Right is that organic spearmint is one of the top five ingredients in many Raised Right recipes. Spearmint is rich in nutrients and antioxidants, containing vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, folic acid, iron, magnesium, and more. Its formulas also contain flaxseed oil, a great source of omega-3 fatty acids.

Raised Right recipes meet the AAFCO nutrient profiles for maintenance (adults) or growth (puppies).

Read our comprehensive Raised Right review to learn why we highly rate this dog food brand!

Raised Right flavors & variations

Original Turkey
Original Beef
Original Pork
Original Chicken
Turkey & Pumpkin Paté
Beef & Pumpkin Paté
Pork & Pumpkin Paté
Chicken & Pumpkin Paté
Turkey Puppy Growth
Beef Puppy Growth
Chicken Puppy Growth

Raised Right Dog Food

Save 20% on Raised Right

Why Wag! loves Raised Right

Recipes have several human-grade protein sources
One of the widest varieties of grain-free dog foods
All recipes feature ten ingredients or less

Considerations & concerns

Pricier than other grain-free alternatives
No recipes for all life stages
Not ideal for dogs that require lower protein diets

What pet parents say about Raised Right

"Your food is the 'cleanest' [human-grade] food for dogs that I have ever experienced. Thank you for providing such quality food for my pups."

"Leo loves Raised Right! I purchased the turkey & had no trouble transitioning from his kibble. He licks the bowl so clean & keeps going back to make sure he got it all. Currently, due to the price, I'm feeding him 50% RR. I might decide to increase it to 100% because at 14-1/2 years old, he deserves the best!"

The Farmer's Dog

Best human-grade food

The Farmer's Dog produces fresh, human-grade, grain-free dog food developed by top vet nutritionists. It’s a subscription-based service that ships to all 48 contiguous states.

The Farmer's Dog's recipes feature no preservatives, so you'll need to refrigerate or freeze the food your dog doesn't eat immediately.

The Farmer's Dog's foods incorporate fibrous cauliflower, omega-3 fatty acids from salmon oil, and excellent fat-to-protein ratios that help it stand out from other brands.

The Farmer's Dog recipes meet the AAFCO nutrient profile for all life stages.

Read our full The Farmer's Dog review to find out why it deserves 5 out of 5 paws up!

The Farmer's Dog flavors

The Farmer's Dog dog food comes in four flavors: beef, chicken, pork, and turkey. Here’s a quick look at the top five ingredients of each flavor:

Beef recipe: Beef, sweet potatoes, lentils, carrots, beef liver
Chicken recipe: Chicken, chicken liver, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts
Pork recipe: Pork, sweet potatoes, potatoes, green beans, cauliflower
Turkey recipe: Turkey, chickpeas, carrots, broccoli, spinach

The Farmer's Dog Food

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Why Wag! loves The Farmer's Dog

No preservatives
Fresh and human-grade
Good fat-to-protein percentage
High in omega-3 fatty acids

Considerations & concerns

More expensive than traditional kibble
Subscription model may be unappealing for some pet parents
No preservatives mean a shorter shelf life compared to other foods

What pet parents say about The Farmer's Dog

"Outstanding customer service! My dogs absolutely LOVE the food. I can see the actual ingredients & they are fresh foods."

"The quality of food that I'm feeding my dogs has been great, Beef and Chicken. Whenever I have [to] call with questions, they answer [within] less than a minute."

Read more reviews for The Farmer's Dog on TrustPilot.

Image sourced from The Farmer's Dog website. Copyright The Farmer's Dog.

Nom Nom

Best fresh food

With its unique flavor combinations and vitamin/mineral mix, Nom Nom is among the healthiest grain-free dog foods.

Nom Nom boasts two of less than 100 board-certified veterinary nutritionists as part of its staff. Nom Nom's recipes were all designed by industry-leading veterinarian and veterinary professor, Dr. Justin Shmalberg, DVM.

Nom Nom uses many nutritionally rich and unusual ingredients in its recipes. For example, squash is high in vitamin A and fiber, while cremini mushrooms are a great secondary protein source.

Nom Nom dog food is human-grade and meets the nutrition levels for all life stages according to AAFCO nutrient profiles.

Check out our complete Nom Nom dog food review for the lowdown on why its a top quality dog food brand!

Nom Nom dog food flavors

Three of the four Nom Nom variations are gluten- and grain-free, with mainly tapioca and potato replacing grains as the main carbohydrate. Here’s a quick look at the top five ingredients of each recipe:

Beef Mash recipe: Ground beef, russet potatoes, eggs, carrots, peas
Chicken Cuisine recipe: Chicken, sweet potatoes, squash, water sufficient for processing, spinach
Pork Potluck recipe: Ground pork, russet potatoes, green beans, squash, kale

Nom Nom Dog Food

Editor's Choice

Save 50% on Nom Nom Up to 35% off with Chewy Autoship

Why Wag! loves Nom Nom

Includes a custom mixture of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D, vitamin E, iron, selenium, taurine, and more
Formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists
Prepared in the US
Delivered in recyclable material and dry ice for freshness

Considerations & concerns

Long ingredients list with
Reports of customer service and delivery issues

What pet parents say about Nom Nom

"Nom Nom has been delivering food for our picky Aussie/Border Collie mix for the last six months. He always eats it and he loves it. It is VERY convenient. If someone is watching him while we travel - we just send the correct number of pouches. So easy. We will not be [canceling] anytime soon."

"Nom Nom is the closest thing to dog food that my dog will eat. She is VERY picky and will often go 2 or 3 days without eating-even the Nom Nom. I have tried all the tips, but the tips are written by people not a persnickety 8 pound Chihuahua with a mind of her own. With all that said Nom Nom is a life saver in that at least she is eating something good and good for her."

Read more Nom Nom reviews on Consumer Affairs.

Image sourced from the Nom Nom website. Copyright NomNomNow Inc.

Wellness Core Grain-Free Dry Food

Best for weight management

Wellness Core Grain-Free Ocean Recipe

Editor's Choice

Up to 35% off with Chewy Autoship Shop on Petco

Wellness Core produces a wide range of healthy grain-free kibbles your dog will love. You'll find 12 variations of Wellness Core grain-free dog food, including options for large dogs, reduced-fat formulas, and even a food with wild game as the main protein source.

Wellness Core grain-free dog foods incorporate fresh vegetables and fruits, full of antioxidants and vitamins to boost immunity and maintain healthy skin and fur. For example, many of Wellness Core's recipes include kale, which promotes bone strength and heart health.

Wellness Core recipes meet the AAFCO nutrient profiles for maintenance (adults) or growth (puppies).

Take a peek at our full Wellness dog food review to learn why we highly rate this brand!

Wellness Core Grain-Free Dry Food flavors & variations

Wellness Core Original Turkey & Chicken
Wellness Core Lamb
Wellness Core Ocean
Wellness Core Wild Game
Wellness Core Large Breed
Wellness Core Small Breed Original
Wellness Core Small Breed Healthy Weight
Wellness Core Reduced Fat
Wellness Core Puppy
Wellness Core Large Breed Puppy
Wellness Core Small Breed Puppy
Wellness Core Senior

Why Wag! loves Wellness Core

Well-balanced with fruits, vegetables, and protein sources full of antioxidants, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids
Healthy weight options available
Wide variety of recipes, ideal for picky eaters

Considerations & concerns

Contains two controversial ingredients: tomato pomace and sodium selenite
Three recalls: two in 2012 and one in 2017
Has meat and fish meal as top ingredients

What pet parents say about Wellness Core

"We have 2 golden-doodles. One can eat anything with no issues the other appears to have chronic digestive issues. We have been tried several different high end food over the last few years and finally decided to try a grain free brand. I am amazed that the tummy issues have stopped and both dogs are sated enough that there is food left in the bowl. Which was never the case with the cream colored one. He was always looking for more. The pellets are a bit larger than the other brands we tried so they actually get less than before. Our chow hound has made us need to regulate what is eaten so we measure the food vs leaving food down all the time. We are using the seafood brand."

"My dog loves this quality brand of dry food. He had serious skin allergy issues, but my search for the needed food for him ended after I found Wellness Core. His skin allergy problems disappeared, and he loves the food. Thank-you!"

FAQ

What does "grain-free dog food" mean?

Grain-free dog foods refer to any dog food that doesn't include rice, corn, cereal, oats, or wheat as one of its ingredients. Other grains commonly used in dog foods include millet, buckwheat, and certain grasses.

Is grain-free food better for dogs?

Grain-free dog food may benefit your pup, depending on their health and dietary requirements. Grains are a primary source of carbohydrates in many dog foods, so many grain-free dog foods contain potatoes and pea flour as alternatives.

Your vet may recommend grain-free dog food if your fur-baby has allergies, digestive issues, or skin conditions. Consult your vet before changing your dog to a grain-free diet.

Can grain-free dog food be bad for dogs?

There are some concerns that grain-free foods can be bad for dogs. In July 2018, the FDA began investigating potential links between grain-free dog foods and the development of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

The study is looking at the relationship between DCM and grain-free dog foods that feature potatoes, legumes, and pulses (like peas and lentils) high in their ingredients lists.

It’s worth noting that the FDA states that potatoes, legumes, and pulses have been used in dog foods for decades and aren’t considered inherently dangerous to dogs. Grains also contain precursors to taurine, which is important to healthy heart function.

As of December 2022, the FDA’s investigation is ongoing, with no new scientific information to share at the time of writing.

Are grain allergies common in dogs?

Grain allergies are not as common as most allergies in dogs. A 2016 study involving 297 dogs found that beef, dairy, and chicken allergies were the most common, accounting for 66% of cases. Wheat — which is the most common grain allergy in dogs — came in fourth, affecting 38 dogs. Beef and dairy are the most common dog food ingredients that cause allergic reactions.

How does Wag! determine paw ratings for dog food?

Our editorial team conducts independent research when choosing foods to feature and how to rate them. Our paw ratings are largely based on the ingredients and nutritional content of each food. Here’s a quick guide to what our paw ratings mean:

1 paw: High filler content, meat not listed as first ingredient
2 paws: Meat meal, bone meal or meat by-products listed as first ingredient
3 paws: Named meat listed as first ingredient (e.g., chicken)
4 paws: Same as 3 paws, but also made with whole, limited ingredients and minimal processing
5 paws: Same as 4 paws, but made with human-grade ingredients, slow-cooked/cooked at low temperatures to preserve nutrient content; is vet-approved or has won awards from veterinary bodies; non-synthetic sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
Half-paws may be awarded for extra benefits, like affordability, trustworthiness, etc.