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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 January 2025
Here are The Dog Food Advisor’s best grain-free dry dog food brands for January 2025.
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.”
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) |
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Final word
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