7 Best Chicken Free Dog Food Poultry Grain-Free Canned Dry Food 2023

7 Best Chicken-Free Dog Food Poultry Grain-Free Canned & Dry Food 2023

There’s a reason a high percentage of dog foods are made with chicken. It’s a lean source of animal protein, loaded with healthy nutrients, and relatively inexpensive.

The problem is that chicken is one of the most common food allergens for dogs. This doesn’t necessarily mean you should start throwing away everything in your pantry that contains chicken, but if your dog has been showing signs of food allergies or sensitivities, it may be worth looking into.

We’ve compiled a list of the best dog foods without chicken but, before we get into it, let’s talk a little bit about healthy alternatives.

Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Grain-Free Recipe

This grain-free recipe is packed with fresh and smoked salmon along with probiotics to promote good digestion.Shop on Chewy

1. The Honest Kitchen Whole-Grain Turkey Dehydrated Dog Food

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Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Dehydrated Turkey, 2. Organic Oats, 3. Dehydrated Potatoes, 4. Organic Flaxseed, 5. Dehydrated Carrots

If you want a low-protein, chicken-free option for your dog, this may be your best option. This recipe is made from turkey, oats, potatoes, and flaxseed and has the perfect amount of calories for dogs that aren’t too active. It’s ideal for dogs with sensitivities or allergies. Every ingredient used is 100% human-grade. What’s more: It is a dehydrated formula that will give you the best value for your money.

2. Earthborn Holistic Venture – Duck Meal and Pumpkin Chicken Free Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: Duck Meal | Pumpkin | Peas | Tapioca | Sunflower Oil

Delicious duck meal sourced from the healthiest ducks from the French countryside and juicy pumpkins from California fields – these are the two secret ingredients that make this a tempting meal for every dog. With no chicken or chicken meal, this recipe is suitable for dogs that can’t or shouldn’t eat chicken but kind of like poultry-based recipes. Another good reason to choose this product is the eco-friendly bag made of 30% plant-based plastics and is resealable for maximum freshness.

3. Farmina N&D Ocean Codfish & Orange Ancestral Grain Chicken Free Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Cod, 2. Dehydrated Cod, 3. Herring Oil, 4. Whole Spelt, 5. Whole Oats

For dogs that love fish formulas, this is another option to try. Almost all of its protein content comes from quality cod. It is an extremely balanced recipe with the right balance of proteins and fat, and it is also lower in carbs. That makes it suitable for dogs with diabetes too. Herring oil and several other ingredients in this recipe are rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, which means it will also take care of your baby’s coat and skin.

4. Gentle Giants Canine Nutrition Salmon Dry Dog Food Chicken Free Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Salmon Meal, 2. Whole Dried Potatoes, 3. Whole Dried Peas, 4. Tapioca, 5. Salmon Oil

Gentle Giants brings us this delicious recipe made from salmon and an assortment of fruits and vegetables. It has just the right amount of fat, protein, fiber, and micronutrients to keep your baby healthy inside out. It has added prebiotics and probiotics to take care of your dog’s digestive tract and bowel. And if you are looking for a recipe with a healthy amount of taurine, this is it.

5. American Journey LID Grain-Free Venison & Sweet Potato

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Venison, 2. Sweet Potatoes, 3. Peas, 4. Pea Protein, 5. Venison Meal

Both lamb and venison-based recipes from American Journey are great chicken-free options for your pal. This one has venison, so the chances of allergies are minimal. Sweet potatoes add taste as well as quality fiber to make the meal easily digestible for dogs with sensitive tummies. Flaxseed and sunflower oil are the key source of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. Overall, an excellent formula for the nose-to-tail health of your dog.

6. Merrick Backcountry Grain-Free 96% Real Beef Recipe Canned Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Beef, 2. Beef Broth, 3. Beef Liver, 4. Dried Egg Product, 5. Dried Yeast Culture

With 96% real beef and no grains to disrupt digestion, Merrick Backcountry is a safe option for muscular breeds. The recipe is based on the ancestral diet of your furry friend. Deboned beef cooked in a savory broth along with beef liver and dried egg. It is a flavorful formula perfect for picky eaters. The aroma alone will make them run to the bowl tails wagging. All the ingredients are locally sourced, and the Texas-based Merrick facility prepares the recipe.

7. Canidae Grain Free Pure Real Salmon & Sweet Potato Chicken Free Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1.Salmon, 2. Salmon Meal, 3. Menhaden Fish Meal, 4. Sweet Potatoes, 5. Peas

The last, but in no way the least, on the list is another fish-based formula that is perfect for dogs with sensitive digestion. This limited ingredients option has quality proteins from salmon and menhaden fish meal. The inclusion of health fiber sources such as sweet potatoes further aids digestion. The formula may be fewer ingredients, but it is still rich in vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. That is what happens when you focus on quality, not the number of ingredients.

Should You Stop Feeding Your Dog Chicken?

Unless your dog is sensitive or allergic to chicken, there’s no nutritional reason to cut this ingredient out of their diet. Chicken breast contains about 26 grams of protein and a little over 2 grams of fat per 3-ounce serving, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It’s also rich in selenium, phosphorus, potassium, and iron.

If your dog starts to exhibit signs of an allergy to chicken, that’s another story. In dogs, food allergy symptoms are more likely to affect the skin than the digestive system, which can make them tricky to diagnose. Dry skin, excessive itching and scratching, hot spots, and recurrent ear infections are all possible signs of a food allergy and should be examined by your veterinarian.

Confirmation of a food allergy may require a food trial, or you might simply try switching your dog to a recipe that contains a protein other than chicken.

What Are the Alternatives? Chicken Free Dog Food

Protein is the foundation of a healthy diet for dogs, so you’ll need to find a safe and healthy alternative if your dog can’t tolerate chicken. Unfortunately, chicken is not the only protein known to trigger allergic reactions in dogs—others include beef, eggs, lamb, pork, rabbit, and fish.

Unless your dog is displaying signs of an allergy to one of these ingredients, however, you should be able to safely make the switch. To further reduce the risk for triggering an allergy, choose a novel protein—one your dog hasn’t eaten before.

Some of the best protein alternatives to chicken for dogs include:

Buffalo
Duck
Kangaroo
Lamb
Mackerel
Pork
Rabbit
Salmon
Turkey
Venison

As long as the product you choose features a high-quality source of animal protein that your dog can tolerate, you’re off to a good start. You also need to keep your dog’s other nutritional requirements in mind and choose a recipe made with wholesome, natural ingredients.

Keep reading to see our top picks for the best dog food without chicken.

The 12 Best Dog Foods Without Chicken Chicken Free Dog Food

The best dog food without chicken is one made with plenty of the animal-based protein your dog is able to tolerate as well as digestible carbohydrates, healthy fats, and essential nutrients. As long as your dog’s basic nutritional needs are met, the choice is up to you.

Here are our top picks for the best dog food without chicken.

Best Chicken-Free Foods for Dogs With Sensitivities or Allergies

Talk to Your Vet Before Choosing Any New Food for Your Dog

We’ve selected some great dog food options for dogs with chicken allergies or sensitivities. But before introducing any new foods into your dog’s diet, we suggest consulting with your vet. Your veterinarian can help you understand any health issues your dog may be experiencing and can recommend a dog food that’s going to best support their specific health needs.

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What is the best dog food without chicken?

Here are our top picks for the best dog food without chicken.

Zignature Kangaroo Grain-Free Limited Ingredient Formula. …
Acana Regionals Wild Atlantic Dry Food. …
The Honest Kitchen Whole-Grain Turkey Dog Food. …
Canidae Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Red Meat Recipe. …
Merrick Backcountry Canned Dog Food Without Chicken.

What dry dog food has no chicken in it? 10 Best Dog Foods without Chicken

Nature’s Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food (lamb meal and rice) …
Blue Buffalo Wilderness (salmon) …
Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Real Meat Recipe Dry Dog Food with Wild Caught Salmon. …
Merrick Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (real texas beef) …
Cesar Small Breed Dry Dog Food, All Flavors. …
CANIDAE All Life Stages, Premium Dry Dog Food.

What do you feed a dog with a chicken allergy?

Limited ingredient foods that your vet may recommend include Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Formula Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food. Hill’s® Prescription Diet® d/d® Canine Skin Support Potato & Salmon Formula.

Why grain-free dog food is bad? Chicken Free Dog Food

The FDA is investigating more than 500 reports that appear to link dog foods that are marketed as “grain-free” to canine dilated cardiomyopathy. Sixteen brands of dog food may be associated with a heightened risk of heart failure in dogs, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Should dogs eat grain-free? Chicken Free Dog Food

While your dog needs carbohydrates to produce energy, too many of them can contribute to obesity, the wrong bacteria in the gut, and a lack of energy. So, if a dog food is labeled “grain–free” but the grains are replaced with other ingredients, it’s not necessarily a healthier option for your dog.

What dog food has no chicken or chicken by products in it?

Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Grain-Free Recipe

Taste of the Wild specializes in dog food without chicken as a main ingredient, and most recipes contain little to no chicken products (but always check the ingredients for things like chicken fat).