Our top grain-free picks
1. Orijen — A (90/100)
Biologically appropriate and grain-free by design, Orijen uses whole prey ratios with multiple named animal proteins. Consistently the highest-scoring food on KibbleIQ. The first fourteen ingredients are all animal-sourced — fresh chicken, turkey, eggs, organ meats, and multiple fish species before a single legume appears.
No legume-heavy fillers that have raised FDA concerns in other brands. The protein diversity is unmatched: six distinct animal species in the top fifteen ingredients, including organ meats that provide naturally occurring taurine — the amino acid at the center of the DCM conversation. If your budget allows it, Orijen is the gold standard for grain-free feeding. Shop on Amazon →
2. Stella & Chewy's — A (90/100)
Raw-coated grain-free kibble that delivers exceptional protein quality. The raw coating adds nutrient density that standard kibble processing destroys, and the ingredient list is clean and transparent. Named animal proteins lead the formula, and the freeze-dried raw pieces mixed into the kibble provide enzymes and amino acids in a more bioavailable form.
What makes Stella & Chewy's stand out in the grain-free category is the raw element. Freeze-dried raw coating preserves heat-sensitive nutrients that conventional kibble extrusion destroys. A premium option that justifies its price with genuine ingredient quality. Shop on Amazon →
3. Nulo Freestyle — A (90/100)
High meat content, grain-free formulas with patented BC30 probiotics for digestive health. Nulo avoids the legume-heavy approach that concerns some veterinarians, focusing instead on quality animal proteins like deboned turkey, salmon meal, and menhaden fish meal.
The calorie density is appropriate for active dogs, and the probiotic inclusion is a genuine functional benefit rather than marketing filler. Nulo's commitment to low-glycemic ingredients also sets it apart — no white potatoes or tapioca starch padding out the formula. Shop on Amazon →
4. Taste of the Wild — B (78/100)
One of the most popular grain-free options at a mid-range price. Features novel proteins like bison and venison that can be helpful for dogs with common protein sensitivities. Solid ingredient quality for the price point, making grain-free feeding accessible to more dog owners.
The protein diversity is a real advantage — rotating between their formulas gives your dog a broader amino acid profile than sticking with chicken-only kibble. Taste of the Wild also includes species-specific probiotics, a feature usually reserved for premium-tier brands. Shop on Amazon →
5. Diamond Naturals — B (78/100)
A budget-friendly grain-free option that doesn't sacrifice too much on ingredient quality. Real meat first with no corn, wheat, or soy. Diamond Naturals proves you don't need to spend premium prices to avoid grains — the ingredient list is straightforward and honest.
Best value pick on this list, and a good entry point for owners who want to try grain-free without committing to a $90 bag. The formula includes superfoods like chia seed, quinoa, and dried kelp that you wouldn't expect at this price point. Shop on Amazon →
A Note on Grain-Free Diets and Heart Health
The FDA began investigating a potential link between grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs in 2018. The concern centers on grain-free foods that rely heavily on legumes — peas, lentils, chickpeas — as their primary carbohydrate source. The theory is that high legume content may interfere with taurine absorption, an amino acid critical for heart function. As of 2026, the FDA has not established a definitive causal link, and the investigation remains ongoing.
However, the concern is real and worth discussing with your vet, especially for breeds predisposed to DCM (Golden Retrievers, Dobermans, Great Danes). If you choose grain-free, look for brands that don't lean heavily on legumes as their top ingredients — the picks above were selected with this in mind. None of our top three recommendations use legumes as their primary carbohydrate source, though all grain-free foods include some legumes as a necessary binder and fiber source.
What to look for in grain-free dog food
The most important factor is a named animal protein as the first ingredient — not "meat meal" or "poultry by-product meal," but a specific animal like chicken, beef, turkey, or salmon. After that, check where legumes fall on the ingredient list. A grain-free food where lentils and peas appear in the top three ingredients is a very different product from one where animal proteins dominate the first five or six positions. You also want to see a complete nutritional profile with omega fatty acids, chelated minerals, and ideally probiotics — grain-free doesn't automatically mean nutritionally complete.
It's also worth asking yourself why you're choosing grain-free. If your dog has a diagnosed grain allergy or sensitivity, grain-free makes clear medical sense. If you're choosing it because it sounds healthier, that's a different calculation — grains like brown rice, oatmeal, and barley are perfectly healthy for most dogs and provide slow-release energy and fiber. There's no nutritional reason to avoid grains unless your dog specifically needs to. Talk to your vet about whether grain-free is the right choice for your dog's specific situation, breed, and health history.
Honorable mention
Blue Buffalo Wilderness (B/75) is the most accessible grain-free option from a mainstream brand. It leads with deboned chicken and chicken meal in a high-protein, grain-free formula. The legume load is heavier than the A-grade options above, which is the trade-off — but for owners who want a grain-free recipe from a familiar brand at a non-premium price point, Wilderness is a reasonable B-tier pick.
The bottom line
Grain-free dog food can be excellent — if you choose quality brands that prioritize animal protein over legume fillers. Orijen is the gold standard with its whole prey philosophy and unmatched ingredient list, while Stella & Chewy's and Nulo are close behind. If your dog doesn't have a specific grain sensitivity, discuss with your vet whether grain-free is truly necessary — many dogs thrive on high-quality foods that include whole grains.