Grain-Free Dog Food: Is It Right For Your Dog?

Choosing the right food for your dog can feel like a daunting task, but if you’re considering a grain-free diet, you’re already on the path to giving your furry friend a nutritious, balanced meal that mirrors what their ancestors might have thrived on.

Grain-free dog food has become a popular choice among pet owners looking to provide their dogs with a diet closer to what their ancestors might have eaten. Whether your dog has a grain sensitivity or you're simply looking for a high-protein, low-carb option, grain-free dog food can be a great choice.

But with so many options available, how do you choose the best one for your pup? In this post, we'll explore the best grain-free dog foods available in Canada, the benefits of a grain-free diet, and what makes each brand stand out.

Benefits of Grain-Free Dog Food

Grain-free dog food is often touted for its high protein content and lower carbohydrate levels. This type of diet can be beneficial for dogs with grain allergies or sensitivities, promoting better digestion and reducing the risk of food-related skin issues.

Additionally, grain-free formulas that include high-quality ingredients like fresh meat, fish, and vegetables, offer a more nutrient-dense diet for your furry friend.

This isn't true for all grain free diets, so above all, quality is a vital consideration. Grain free dog foods, when made from poor-quality ingredients, won't offer any more benefits than a low-quality grain friendly option.

Key Benefits of Grain Free Dog Food:

• • Reduced Allergies: Helps dogs with grain sensitivities or allergies avoid problem ingredients.
  • Improved Digestion: Often easier to digest due to the absence of fillers like corn and wheat.
  • Low-Glycemic Ingredients: This can help ensure better digestion and calorie distribution.
  • Better Eating Habits: Complex carbohydrates can improve the satiety of food and result in less overeating.

Grain Free vs Grain Dog Food: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to choosing between grain-free and grain-inclusive dog food, understanding the differences can help you make the best decision for your dog’s health.

Both types of food have their pros and cons, and the right choice largely depends on your dog’s specific needs and lifestyle.

Grain-Free Dog Food:

Grain-free dog food eliminates cereal grain ingredients like wheat, corn, and rice, replacing them with alternative carbohydrate sources such as sweet potatoes and legumes.

These diets are often made with lower glycemic ingredients, which can contribute to better calorie use. Grain-free food is also a popular choice for dogs with grain allergies or sensitivities, as it can help reduce symptoms such as itching, digestive upset, and skin irritations.

If you are looking for a high protein or low carb option, you will find some under the grain free label, but not all grain free dog foods measure up to this. Removing grains from dog food doesn't always result in reduced carbohydrates or a higher protein content.

Instead, what you will find is a type of dog food that may be better suited to specific health needs or food allergies, that can allow you to eliminate known problem ingredients.

Shop our full selection of Grain Free Dog Food to find the perfect diet for your favourite pooch.

Grain-Inclusive Dog Food:

On the other hand, grain-inclusive dog food includes cereal grains like barley, oats, and brown rice, which are common sources of carbohydrates and fibre.

Grains can be a highly nutritious part of a canine diet, providing essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and energy, which can be beneficial for dogs that have no issues with grain digestion.

For many dogs, whole grains are easily digestible and can contribute to a well-rounded, balanced diet. Just remember that not all grains are healthy grains.

Cheaper dog foods will often use heavily processed grains or the leftovers of grain products from the human food or feed industry. These do not offer the same nutrition as whole grains, which is why it's always important to read your pet food labels thoroughly to identify these not-so-healthy ingredients.

Discover dozens of premium Grain Inclusive Dog Food Brands available at Homes Alive Pets.

To Grain or Not to Grain?

The decision between grain-free and grain-inclusive dog food should be based on your dog’s individual needs. If your dog has a known grain allergy or sensitivity, grain-free options might be the best choice to avoid adverse reactions.

However, in the absence of any signs of intolerance, a grain-inclusive diet can be just as nutritious and wholesome. Both types of dog foods have been vilified and praised over the years, but the real culprit of poor nutrition is poor ingredient quality.

Not all grains are good and neither are all grain alternatives. It's important to choose a diet that contains low glycemic and nutrient-dense whole foods. Regardless of whether you choose grains or choose to avoid them, stick to natural dog foods full of real and recognizable ingredients.

That being said, if grain free dog food is your choice, read on to learn more about our 10 best grain free dog food.

Top 10 Grain Free Dog Foods in Canada

When it comes to feeding your dog, choosing the right diet can make all the difference in their overall health and happiness. Grain-free dog foods have become a popular choice among pet owners, especially for dogs with grain sensitivities or specific dietary needs.

By eliminating grains like wheat and corn, grain-free dog foods aim to provide a diet that is closer to what dogs’ ancestors would have naturally consumed.

Not only do grain-free foods cater to dogs with allergies or intolerances, but they also offer a more balanced diet for those needing to maintain a healthy weight or improve their coat and skin condition. With so many options on the market, it can be challenging to choose the best grain-free food for your dog.

That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 grain-free dog foods available in Canada. These brands have been selected for their quality ingredients, nutritional balance, and commitment to providing your dog with the best possible diet.

Let’s dive into the best grain free dog food options to keep your pup happy and healthy:

1. Acana Singles Dog Food

Acana Singles offers a range of limited-ingredient diets, perfect for dogs with food sensitivities. Each recipe focuses on a single animal protein source, making it easier to manage and eliminate allergens from your dog’s diet.

These Acana grain free dog food formulas are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are essential for maintaining a healthy coat and skin. Acana prides itself on using locally sourced ingredients, ensuring that every bag of food is packed with fresh, quality ingredients from trusted Canadian suppliers.

Key Features:

• • Single animal protein source.
  • Rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
  • Locally sourced ingredients in Canada.

2. Taiga Grain-Free Dog Food

Taiga provides a balanced, grain-free diet that focuses on Canadian-sourced ingredients. This brand emphasizes whole grains and fresh meat, ensuring that your dog receives a nutrient-dense diet free from fillers like corn, soy, and potatoes. 

Taiga formulas are also free from artificial preservatives and by-products, making it a clean, natural choice for your pet. The high protein content supports muscle development and energy, ideal for active dogs of all sizes. If you are looking to buy grain free dog food at an unbeatable price, Taiga's large bag size is a great way to stock up and save.

Key Features:

• • Canadian-sourced meat and fish.
  • No artificial preservatives or by-products.
  • High in protein and essential nutrients.

3. Orijen Dry Dog Food

Orijen is known for its biologically appropriate diets, with a focus on fresh, regional ingredients. Their grain-free formulas are packed with 85% meat content, offering your dog a diet that mirrors what their ancestors would have consumed in the wild. 

Orijen grain free dog food uses free-run poultry, wild-caught fish, and ranch-raised meats, ensuring high-quality protein in every bite. The freeze-dried coated kibble enhances the flavour, making it irresistible even to picky eaters.

Key Features:

• • 85% meat content.
  • Free from grains, tapioca, and plant proteins.
  • Freeze-dried coated kibble for enhanced flavour.

4. Zignature Dry Dog Food

Zignature offers a variety of limited-ingredient, grain-free formulas designed to meet the needs of dogs with food sensitivities. Their recipes are hypoallergenic and low glycemic, helping to maintain stable blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of allergies.

Zignature’s diverse protein options, such as lamb, kangaroo, turkey, and trout, cater to different taste preferences and dietary needs. This brand is a great choice for dogs with specific dietary restrictions, ensuring they get all the nutrients they need without the risk of triggering allergies.

Key Features:

• • Limited-ingredient formulas.
  • Multiple protein options (e.g., lamb, turkey, trout).
  • Hypoallergenic and low glycemic.

5. Weruva Wet Dog Food

Weruva grain-free wet dog food is perfect for dogs that prefer a moist, flavourful meal. Made with human-grade ingredients, Weruva provides a diet that is not only delicious but also nutritionally balanced for dogs of all life stages.

The high moisture content in Weruva’s recipes helps keep your dog hydrated, which is particularly beneficial for dogs that don’t drink enough water. The variety of flavours, including exotic proteins like lamb and fish, ensures that even the pickiest eaters find something they love.

Key Features:

• • Human-grade ingredients.
  • High moisture content.
  • Variety of flavour options, including exotic proteins.

6. Canada Fresh Dog Food

Canada Fresh focuses on high meat content and simple, natural ingredients to provide a nutritionally complete diet. Each formula is made with 95% animal protein, offering a high-quality, grain-free option that mimics your dog’s natural diet.

Canada Fresh sources its ingredients locally, ensuring freshness and quality in every can. With minimal ingredients and no fillers, this food is an excellent choice for dogs with dietary sensitivities or for owners who prefer a more straightforward, natural diet for their pets.

Key Features:

• • High in protein from real meat sources.
  • Minimal ingredients, no fillers.
  • Locally sourced and produced in Canada.

7. Open Farm Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Open Farm is committed to ethical sourcing and sustainability while offering premium, grain-free kibble. Their recipes are crafted using ethically sourced meat and fish, ensuring not only high quality but also humane treatment of animals. Open Farm also offers the best grain free puppy food in Canada.

Open Farm grain free dog food includes non-GMO fruits and vegetables, providing a well-rounded diet that’s free from artificial additives. Transparency is key for Open Farm, as they allow pet owners to trace every ingredient back to its source, offering peace of mind about what’s in your dog’s bowl.

Key Features:

• • Ethically sourced meat and fish.
  • Non-GMO fruits and vegetables.
  • Transparent ingredient sourcing.

8. Primal Freeze Dried Dog Food

Primal offers grain-free freeze-dried dog food that’s minimally processed and packed with raw nutrition. This freeze-dried option is perfect for pet owners who want to give their dogs the benefits of a raw diet without the hassle of preparation.

Primal’s formulas are high in protein, essential nutrients, and beneficial fats, supporting overall health and vitality. The freeze-dried nuggets are easy to serve—just add water to rehydrate and offer your dog a meal that’s as close to nature as possible.

Key Features:

• • Freeze-dried raw food.
  • High in protein and essential nutrients.
  • Convenient and easy to serve.

9. Smack Dog Food

Smack is a Canadian brand that offers grain-free, dehydrated raw dog food made with organic ingredients. Their dehydrated raw formulas are packed with high-quality protein and nutrients, making them an excellent choice for pet owners looking for a diet that’s both natural and nutrient-dense.

Smack products are free from fillers, preservatives, and artificial additives, ensuring your dog receives nothing but the best. Simply add water to rehydrate, and you’ll have a wholesome, nutritious meal ready in minutes.

Key Features:

• • Organic and natural ingredients.
  • Dehydrated for convenience.
  • High in protein, low in carbs.

10. The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Dog Clusters

The Honest Kitchen Clusters offers grain-free, human-grade dog food clusters made with minimally processed ingredients. These cold-pressed clusters are designed to retain the nutritional integrity of whole foods, providing a diet that’s as close to home-cooked as possible. You'll even find grain free small breed dog food among their offerings.

The Honest Kitchen uses only human-grade ingredients, ensuring that your dog’s food is made to the same standards as your own meals. This brand is ideal for pet owners who want to provide their dogs with a clean, wholesome diet without any fillers or artificial additives.

Key Features:

• • Human-grade ingredients.
  • Cold-pressed, whole food clusters.
  • High in protein, no fillers.

The Bottom Line on Grain-Free Choices

Choosing the best grain-free dog food for your dog can make a big difference in their overall health and well-being. Whether your dog has a grain sensitivity or you're looking to provide them with a high-protein, low-carb diet, the brands listed above offer some of the best options available in Canada.

From Acana Singles to The Honest Kitchen Clusters, each brand has unique qualities that cater to different dietary needs and preferences. When selecting a grain-free diet, always consider your dog’s specific health requirements and consult with your veterinarian to ensure it’s the right choice for them.

If your goal is to reduce unnecessary carbs in your dog's diet, opt for raw dog food, freeze-dried dog food, or canned dog food, as they can be formulated without grains or starches. These ingredients, though nutritious in moderation, are part of the structure of dry dog food, so this type of diet isn't always the most effective option for anyone looking to limit carbs and boost protein for their pets.

Grain Free Dog Food Frequently Asked Questions

Are grains bad for dogs?

Grains sometimes get a bad reputation, but the truth is many whole grains are loaded with nutrients and provide dogs with healthy fibre. When used in moderation, whole grains are a perfectly healthy addition to your dog's diet.

What is the difference between grain-free and grain-inclusive dog food?

The core difference between grain free and grain inclusive dog foods is the type of carbohydrates used in the diet. Dry foods swap out traditional grains with legumes or potatoes, while raw diets sometimes completely exclude grains and starches from the recipe.

Is grain-free dog food better for dogs with allergies?

Grain-free dog food can be beneficial for dogs with grain allergies, but it's essential to identify the specific allergen affecting your dog. Many limited-ingredient dog foods are also grain free.

Can grain-free dog food cause heart problems in dogs?

A potential link between grain-free diets and heart disease (DCM) in dogs has been studied, but no conclusive link has been determined. If you are concerned, consult with your vet before switching dog foods.

Why choose grain-free dog food?

Grain-free dog food is often chosen for dogs with grain sensitivities, food allergies, or chronic skin conditions. Grain free diets are often associated with limited-ingredient and specialized formulas that can be used to treat common issues in dogs.