How Does Natural Balance Original Ultra Grain Free Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food Work
Original Ultra Grain Free Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food provides a complete and balanced nutrition. Crafted with farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient and plenty of vegetables for fiber, this recipe supports full-body health and is gluten-free. Rich in beneficial fats, Omega-6 and Omega-3, to help support healthy skin and a glossy coat
Feeding Dogs The Best Grain Free Dog Food Brands
By now, some may consider that it only makes sense that holistic, human-grade, organic dog foods are best for our pets. Not only that, but veterinarians and some studies are now saying that the best grain free dog food brands should also be the standard way of feeding dogs and where majority of pet owners should begin, while others argue that grain free foods are good only for dogs that specifically need this diet.
For this list of best grain free dog food recipes, I’ve used my years of experience, research into the pet food industry and top grain free dog food reviews from pet owners themselves to pin point using different methods what type of grain free dog food brands can be rated as most recommended for pet owners.
The truth is that no single dog food brand will be perfect for all dogs. This means that you’ll need toi do some of your own research, look at the ingredients, grain free dog food reviews from other dog owners and consider your dog’s personal situation, food sensitivities and more. Previously, we talked about the importance of feeding dogs grain free dog foods and reviewed another set of best dog food brands overall.
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Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat All Life Stages Dry Dog Food Ingredients:
Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat All Life Stages Dry Dog Food
Ingredients : Salmon, fish meal, potatoes, lentils, peas, pea flour, canola oil , dried yeast, tomato pomace, natural flavor, flaxseed, dicalcium phosphate, salt, potassium chloride, DL-Methionine, choline chloride, taurine, dried chicory root, L-Carnitine, kale, chia seed, pumpkin, blueberries, oranges, dried kelp, coconut, spinach, carrots, papaya, dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, niacin, calcium pantothenate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid
Calorie Content : 3,600 kcal/kg, 408 kcal/cup
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American Journey Lid Duck & Sweet Potato Grain
Best for Allergies
Ratings:
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Duck, 2. Peas, 3. Sweet Potatoes, 4. Chickpeas, 5. Dried Plain Beet Pulp
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable for: Small, Medium, Large Breeds
- Caloric content : 3,300 kcal
- Analysis: Protein 25% | Fat 12% | Fiber 6% | Moisture 10%
Cut down on ingredients and allergy risks with the limited ingredient American Journey Duck & Sweet Potato Recipe. The formula contains a single protein and carb source from duck meat and sweet potatoes that promotes muscle growth/repair and provides enough energy to support the most active breeds.
This recipe features omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed to make your dogs skin and coat healthier. It also contains omega-6 fatty acids from sunflower oil to reduce inflammation. Besides that, the recipe is completely free from common allergens like grains, wheat, corn, and soy, as well as some hard-to-digest ingredients like artificial preservatives and by-product meals.
Canidae Grain Free Pure Ancestral Dry Dog Food

Price: $79.99 / 20lbsGet It Here
Another one of the cheap grain free dog food options from Canidae, the PURE Ancestral salmon, mackerel, and Pacific whiting formula has no grains, no potatoes, no red meat, no chicken, and it includes 17lbs. of fish ingredients which means plenty of great omega fatty acids! This formula includes a freeze-dried raw coating which our dogs seem to find especially palatable!
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Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Dog Food Potato & Duck Formula
Price: $59.49 / 26lbs.Get It Here
Another limited ingredient formula food, Natural Balance Limited Ingredient foods have made quite a few of our food recommendation lists because of their unique formulation. This is an easily available food at most pet stores which is always a plus and its not a calorie rich food choice which makes it a great choice for your more sedentary pups too. However, it might be too expensive for people looking for cheap grain free dog food brands, and there are more affordable alternatives.
Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Formula
First five ingredients: Salmon, Fish Meal, Potatoes, Lentils, Peas
High-quality nutrition doesnt always have to come with a high price tag. If youre looking for a recipe formulated to resolve your dogs hair loss but you dont want to spend a fortune, consider this Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Formula.
This formula features wild-caught salmon as the main ingredient supplemented with fish meal as a concentrated source of animal protein. It contains a rich blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as well as digestible carbohydrates.
Youll find that this formula contains supplemental fiber as well as naturally occurring microorganisms to support healthy and regular digestion and it is supplemented with prebiotics.
Overall, this formula is a rich source of high-quality animal protein, healthy fats, and fiber but still low in calories at 337 calories per cup.
Pros:
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Taste Of The Wild High Prairie Canine Grain
Most Popular Grain-Free Dog Food: Because there are so many options out there for dog food, it can be hard to make a decision. If youre not sure where to start, you can always go with a popular brand like Taste of the Wild. All of Taste of the Wilds recipes are grain-free and made with premium animal proteins. This Taste of the Wild High Prairie Canine Grain-Free Dog Food features real buffalo as the first ingredient, supplemented with lamb meal, chicken meal, roasted bison, roasted venison, and beef. It contains grain-free carbohydrates like sweet potatoes and peas with fresh fruits and vegetables to provide natural sources for key nutrients. It also contains chelated minerals for optimal nutrient absorption and probiotics for healthy digestion.
- Pros: Naturally grain-free, several premium animal proteins, highly digestible, fresh fruits and vegetables, blend of omega fatty acids, chelated minerals and probiotics, 32% protein
- Cons: Contains some peas and potatoes, contains some plant proteins
Which Types Of Dogs Might Do Better With A Different Brand
All dogs in any stage of life can benefit from the delicious and nutritious recipes offered by Blue Buffalo. However, when it comes to your dog, their preference is vital. While this company prides itself on providing only the most beneficial food for your pets, some dogs may simply not enjoy the taste.
If you find that your dog turns their nose up at the Blue Buffalo brand, you might try Pure Balance or similar food. This brand has many of the same benefits with different recipes, so you can find one that works best for your pooch.
In addition to canine preference, you may find that you simply cant commit to the cost each time you purchase food. Blue Buffalo is a premium dog food. While it isnt at the highest end of the scale, it is still somewhat costly.
If you are looking for a cheaper option thats still a healthy selection, you might try Diamond Naturals or a similar brand. They have a wide variety of delicious meals that your pet can benefit from.
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Nulo Senior Grain Free Dog Food With Glucosamine And Chondroitin
Price: $62.99 / 24lbs.Get It Here
Another fish-based grain-free dog food option, Nulo Senior Grain Free trout and sweet potato food is not ideal for all seniors, but if you have a grain-free pup who could use an immune system boost and has to avoid chicken and eggs, give this recipe a try and see how it does for your senior!
Diamond Naturals Beef Meal & Rice
Beef-based budget food
An affordable beef recipe with a decent amount of protein and healthy grains with no corn, wheat, or fillers.
About: Diamond Naturals is another affordable, yet fairly decent-quality dry dog food. Its formulated to contain all of the healthy ingredients youd want, while keeping out of the artificial junk youd rather not feed your dog.
Features:
Check out our in-depth review of the food here!
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Does Wild Earth Dog Food Meet Aafco Nutritional Requirements
Yes, Wild Earth Complete Protein dog food meets the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for Maintenance.We believe this is a baseline requirement and will always strive to exceed AAFCO guidelines.Furthermore, we have taken both AAFCO and European guidelines into account in the development of our formulation to ensure exceptional product quality and safety.
Top 10 Best Cheap Dog Foods

To make things simpler, we will review the 10 best budget dog foods below. The dry dog foods on this list may not necessarily be the cheapest ones.
However, they have the highest cost-to-value ratio. In more practical terms, this means they are offering the perfect balance between quality and affordability.
Get 30% Off The Honest Kitchen
Summary: The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Turkey Clusters is human-grade dog food made with carefully selected and nutrient-dense ingredients. The first item on the ingredient list is cage-free chicken features fruits and vegetables to round up the nutritional profile. It comes in the form of small, bite-sized clusters that promote chewing and healthy digestion. Customers can also get 30% off on their first orders of $30+ using code VETERINARIANS30.
Type: Dry dog food
Best for: Puppies and adult dogs
Flavor Options: Beef Chicken Turkey Beef & Turkey
Price: $6.99/pound
- 30% off on first orders of $30+ using code VETERINARIANS30
- Grain-free and human-grade food of maximum quality
- Cage-free turkey is the first ingredient
- Enriched with health-boosting superfoods
Summary:Blue Buffalo is the definition of quality dog food and is well-deserving of our choice as the best budget-friendly dog food. The Life Protection formula contains the brandâs patented LifeSource Bits, thus supporting the immune system.
Type: Grain-inclusive dry food
Best for: Adult dogs
Price: About $1.63 per pound
Type: Grain-inclusive dry dog food
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Best Affordable Dog Food For Seniors: Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Senior Chicken Dinner
If you have an older dog, what they eat is even more important. Many vets and pet owners will suggest transitioning into canned food for your senior dog. Its a lot easier for them to eat, especially if your pooch has dental issues.
Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Senior Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables Canned Dog Food is a great option, but its important to mention it only comes in this one flavor. Youll find healthy ingredients like fish oil, carrots, flaxseed, potatoes, chicken liver, and more!
These ingredients can help promote healthy skin, coat, and the entire immune system. Blue Buffalo wet food doesnt contain wheat, corn, soy, artificial flavors, by-products, or preservatives.
Spot Farms Human Grade Dog Food Grain
Price: $48.37 / 8lbs. to make 32lbs. foodGet It Here
If you prefer to stay away from more traditional kibble options and feed your dog a dehydrated diet, we recommend checking out Spot Farms dehydrated grain-free chicken food. Made with human grade ingredients and using antibiotic-free chicken, we cant say enough good things about a dehydrated dog food option, especially if youre on the road and dont have much space to accommodate a huge bag of kibble.
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Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food Grain Free Turkey
Price: $57.92 / 24lbs.Get It Here
Holistic Select grain-free turkey formula is a USA-made kibble that contains no meat by-products, wheat, wheat gluten, or artificial colors or flavors. We like this affordable kibble option because it includes pre and probiotics, yogurt cultures, digestive enzymes, and natural fiber, all of which contribute to a very healthy digestive system which is particularly beneficial in senior dogs.
Overall Best: Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Dry Dog Food
If youre trying to save money and still provide your dog with the best cheap dog food that will fill his belly while being high-quality and packed with nutrition, consider our winner, Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Dry Dog Food.
One of the reasons this one beat out the competition is because it has farm-raised chicken as the main ingredient. The other ingredients include things such as beet pulp and brown rice that give your pup plenty of fiber and prebiotics. Because this is a healthy option, it may take your pooch some getting used to before they enjoy it.
This dog food is great for your dogs digestive system, hair, vision, nails, and skin thanks to the healthy Omega fats found in the chicken. Many pet owners appreciate that Rachael Ray Nutrish doesnt contain corn, chemicals, soy, or preservatives that are unnecessary and harmful to our pets.
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Iams Proactive Lamb & Rice
Ingredients List
Lamb, Chicken By-Product Meal, Brewers Rice, Ground Whole Grain Barley, Ground Whole Grain Corn…,
Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Chicken Fat , Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Meal, Dried Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor, Brewers Dried Yeast, Dried Egg Product, Caramel Color, Potassium Chloride, Carrots, Flaxseed, Choline Chloride, L-Lysine Monohydrochloride, Fructooligosaccharides, Calcium Carbonate, L-Tryptophan, Vitamin E Supplement, Ferrous Sulfate, L-Carnitine, Mixed Tocopherols , Zinc Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate , Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Vitamin A Acetate, Niacin Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement , Inositol, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride , Vitamin D3 Supplement, Rosemary Extract, Manganous Oxide, Folic Acid, Potassium Iodide.
Why Is Dog Food So Expensive 2022
The cost of pet food has been on the rise in recent years, and it’s not showing any signs of slowing down. The main reason for this is the rising cost of ingredients.
With the world economy in a bit of turmoil, the prices of meat, grains, and other commodities have all increased. And since dog food contains a good amount of these ingredients, the prices have gone up as well.
Fortunately, there are still some affordable options out there for dog food. You just need to know where to look and what to look for when you’re evaluating different brands.
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Nutrisource Select Grain Free Seafood
Price: $61.59 / 30lbs.Get It Here
Made with salmon, the Nutrisource Select Grain Free Seafood formula is suited to all life stages. In addition to being grain-free, this kibble is also potato free and incorporates prebiotics and probiotics for healthy digestion. Made in the USA, this is another cheap grain free dog food choice that comes highly recommended by pet parents everywhere .
Determining The Food Allergy

If you suspect your dog has a food allergy, a strict elimination diet is usually advised by the vet because blood and saliva tests as well as skin testings are not reliable in cats and dogs.
What usually happens in an elimination diet is that you completely change your dogs diet into one hes never had before. For example, if your dog has never been exposed to rabbit meat or venison and hes never had grain-free dog food before, then these are the things you will feed him from now on.
Since elimination diets are very strict, your pet is only allowed to consume what is prescribed by your vet. No other food can be given, not even treats or supplements. This trial feeding normally lasts for weeks, and it can take some time to see the results.
Once your dog gets better, your vet will have you slowly reintroduce foods that they think triggers the allergies. If there is a reaction, then you can know for sure which food ingredients are the culprit.
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Best Cheap Raw Food Diet For Dogs
Feeding raw dog food on a budget can feel almost impossible, but it can be done. A great tip for cutting costs for raw feeders is to feed mixed protein diets. Cheaper proteins like chicken can be mixed with pricier meat, like beef, to offer a more moderately priced option.
Some brand offer variety packs so that you can feed 2-4 proteins together, which is great for ensuring your dog gets the benefit of the nutrients offered by each meat type.
Top Pick: K-9 Choice Beef & Chicken Plus
Beef is the most popular red meat option in raw dog food, but it can also be very expensive. K-9 Choice Beef & Chicken Plus offers an affordable way to feed red meat by blending it with healthy and cost-effective chicken.
Using locally sourced Canadian ingredients, K-9 Choice Plus formulas use whole animals, ensuring optimal ratios of meat, organ, and bone inclusion. Fresh fruits and vegetables offer natural and easily digestible sources of vital nutrients like vitamins and antioxidants.
Buying in bulk is the best way to get the best price per pound when it comes to raw food. Other brands like Pets Go Raw, Legacy, and Carnivora are a few more Canadian brands that offer affordable raw dog food options for a variety of proteins.
Variety packs that offer more than one protein are the best way to get the best deal. Just make sure that the formulas are made from complete and balanced raw food formulas.