Top 11 Best Dog Foods Without Corn Wheat or Soy

There are a variety of reasons why dog parents would put their dogs on a diet free from Soy, Wheat, and Corn, but the main reason is due to food allergies or sensitivities. Whether you are choosing to change your dog’s diet to a soy, wheat, and corn-free diet to avoid potential future food allergies, or if you are switching their diets based on a vet recommendation, there are a multitude of choices available.

In addition to avoiding these three ingredients for allergies and food sensitivities, people are also avoiding them due to them being genetically modified (GMO). Both soy and corn are the two highest genetically modified crops. Even though these crops are allowed to be grown and modified in the US, research has found that GMO foods can negatively impact your dog’s health in a variety of ways, such as

• Gastro-Intestinal
• Immune
• Kidney
• Hepatic
• Pancreatic
• Renal
• Reproductive issues

So, now that we know why we would avoid these ingredients let figure out which foods would be good alternatives free from soy, wheat, and corn.

How to Choose a Dog Food Free from Soy, Wheat, and Corn

There is a multitude of things to consider when choosing a new dog food. These factors can be separated into two different categories, the first being things that impact your dog, and the second are features that change your buying decision but don’t affect your dog’s health. 

Factors that Impact Your Dog:

• Weight
• Size
• Age
• Health allergies, kidney issues, joint disease, heart, and GI diseases

Factors that Don’t Impact Your Dog:

• Availability
• Price
• Ingredients
• Company Recall History
• Protein, Fat, and Fiber Content
• Where the Food is made

Signs that it is time to Switch Your Dog’s Food to a Corn, Soy, and Wheat-Free Diet

There are food allergies and food sensitivities.  Dog’s with food allergies may scratch or chew various regions of the body, but most commonly ears and paws.  Additionally, if left unattended, these itchy areas may become infected.

The other common sign there is a food allergy or sensitivity, is GI upset, manifesting in chronic vomiting or diarrhea.

If you suspect your pup may be experiencing a food allergy or sensitivity, you will want to consult your veterinarian. They will aid in correctly diagnosing your dog’s health issues. It is vital to consult with your trusted veterinarian before switching your dog’s diet to ensure your dog isn’t suffering from a more severe health issue.

Additionally, depending on the severity of your dog’s condition, your vet may recommend seeing a dermatologist to test for a variety of allergens. Some dogs may suffer from both food and environmental allergies, so it is critical to know why your dog is suffering from allergic reactions.

Top 11 Best Dog Foods Free from Soy, Corn, and Wheat

Below are our top picks for dog foods without soy, corn, and wheat. In our top ten list, we have highlighted specific formulas for dogs with special needs such as joint disease, age-specific foods, and weight management. 

1. Taste of the Wild – Ancient Mountain Dry Dog Food

Taste of the Wild – Ancient Mountain with Roasted Lamb is a grain-free food. It uses a unique protein, lamb, making it ideal for dogs who suffer from food allergies. In addition to being a hypo-allergenic food, this recipe has also been enhanced with probiotics to support good digestive health. Though this is a protein forward food, it is not considered a high protein food. So, this formula may work for dogs requiring a grain-free but a non-high protein food.

Pros:

• Hefty amounts of pro and pre-biotics for good gut health
• DHA from Salmon which aids in a puppy’s brain and vision development
• Rich in Omega-3 & 6
• Contains Taurine to aid in heart health

Cons:

• Grain-free
• Includes peas, lentils, and potatoes so may not be a good match for dogs with or predisposed to DCM

2. Nutri Source Pure Vita Salmon And Potato Dry Dog Food

Pure Vita Salmon and Potato is rich in antioxidants, due to the superfood ingredients like cherries, cranberries, and flaxseed. Pure Vita has also enhanced this formula with taurine to support proper heart and eye health.

Although this food is not considered hypoallergenic, it is an excellent choice for dogs who can have some grains like oatmeal. Finally, if you are looking for a diet that is not only rich in Omega 3&6 fatty acids, but that also has added probiotics to help with digestive health, this food is perfect for your dog.

Pros:

• Average protein amounts so would be suitable for dogs who are predisposed to kidney disease
• Contains chondroitin and glucosamine
• Does not contain chicken

Cons:

• Availability

3. Natural Balance Venison and Potato Dry Dog Food

Natural Balance Venison and Potato is a limited ingredient food making it the ideal choice for dogs requiring a hypoallergenic diet. Another benefit of choosing this food is that it is readily available at most pet stores, including boutique as well as large pet product stores. 

Unlike a lot of the other foods, the first ingredient in this food is sweet potatoes and the second is venison, and though it’s not a protein-dense food it still has a 20% (min) protein guaranteed analysis value, keeping it above the AAFCO recommended a minimum of 18%. Because the Venison and Potato recipe is grain-free, they have added taurine to aid in good heart health.

 Pros:

• Good for dogs with food allergies
• Moderately priced

Cons:

• Lacks probiotics
• Does not have added chondroitin or glucosamine

4. Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Turkey Recipe Non-GMO Dog Food

As mentioned earlier, some pet parents choose to remove corn and soy from their dog’s diet, due to these ingredients being the two highest genetically modified crops in the US. 

If you would like to change your dog’s food to an entirely Non-GMO food, The Honest Kitchen is the ideal choice. The Whole Grain Turkey recipe uses cage-free turkey, plus organic oats, kelp, and flaxseed to help ensure a healthy balanced food. The food also contains potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and apples all high in essential vitamins.

 Pros:

• Small packaging 10 lb box makes 40 lb of food
• Can be served warm to help entice picky eaters
• Made with the highest quality ingredients
• Is available as a grain-free option

Cons:

• Availability

5. Fromm Gold Adult Dog Food for Small Breeds

Fromm Gold Adult food for Small Breeds contains healthy grains such as oatmeal and pearled barley, so it would be a good choice for dogs requiring a diet containing grains. Fromm’s Gold Adult food is chicken-based, but also includes other animal proteins such as lamb and duck. Probiotics, prebiotics, and flaxseed have been added to this food to help ensure proper digestive health.

Pros:

• A perfect balance of protein, fat, and fiber for small dogs
• Contains Salmon Oil to promote healthy skin and coat
• Has grains so is an excellent choice for dogs suffering from or prone to heart disease
• Added Taurine for heart and eye health

Cons:

• Price
• Availability

6. Farmina N&D Lamb and Blueberry Puppy Medium & Maxi Breed Puppy Food

Farmina is an Italian based company that is known for its uses of high-quality, unique ingredients. Additionally, Farmina’s foods are abundant in superfoods such as blueberries, spinach, and pomegranates.

Farmina N&D Lamb and Blueberry Puppy formula contains ancient grains novel to dog’s diets.  The use of unique grains helps to reduce possible allergic food reactions.

This formula is specialized for medium and large puppy breeds, Farmina does have a similar recipe for small breed dogs, Lamb and Blueberry Puppy Mini.

Pros:

• Can be fed to puppies who will grow to be 70 plus pounds
• No artificial preservatives
• High Protein
• Contains beet pulp for aiding in good digestive health

Cons:

• Price
• Availability

7. Wellness Complete Health Deboned Chicken and Barley For Senior Dogs

Wellness Complete Health for Seniors is a wholesome grain-based diet. Its guaranteed analysis profile has the right protein level able to help maintain muscle, but not so much to cause concern for dogs with kidney issues.

The fat and fiber content are perfectly aligned for a senior dog who is not as active as they once were, aiding in maintaining a healthy weight.

Additionally, this food has been enhanced with chondroitin and glucosamine to help promote good joint health.

Pros:

• Rich in Superfoods to maintain a healthy immune system
• Balanced fiber, fat, and protein levels to maintain a healthy weight
• Rich in Omega-3 & 6 Fatty Acids
• Contains Probiotics
• Available online and at most pet food retailers

Cons:

• Contains chicken, rice, and oatmeal so would not work for dogs with extreme food allergies

8. Nutro Ultra Weight Management Dry Dog Food

This food has a trio of powerhouse lean proteins, chicken, salmon, and lamb. The food is specially formulated to ensure maximum nutrition while also helping your pup shed a few extra pounds. Nutro Ultra Weight Management has an abundance of superfoods rich in anti-oxidants to help improve your dog’s immune system. Some of the superfoods found in this recipe are spinach, kelp, pumpkin, and blueberries. Additionally, this diet is also full of natural sources of chondroitin and glucosamine, which is perfect for dogs with joint issues. 

Pros:

• Contains heart-healthy grains like brown rice and oatmeal
• Significant levels of chondroitin and glucosamine
• Made with Non-GMO ingredients

Cons:

• Lacks pre and probiotics

9. Dogswell Happy Hips Chicken & Oats Recipe Dry Dog Food

Dogswell Happy Hips Chicken & Oats is a specially designed food that has both natural and added chondroitin and glucosamine to help promote good joint health. Additionally, this food contains grains like brown rice and oats to support a healthy heart for more information on foods suitable for dogs with joint diseases like hip dysplasia or arthritis click here.

Additionally, Happy Hips is full of superfoods to help encourage a robust immune system. Plus, this food has been enhanced with probiotics to promote good GI health.

Pros:

• Economically priced
• Enriched with probiotics and chicory root
• Full of superfoods like blueberries, apples, and flaxseed

Cons:

• Lacks added taurine
• Availability

10. Purina Pro Plan Sport Active Dry Dog Food

Active dogs require a high-performance diet to give them the proper nutrition needed to maintain their high energy levels.

Fuel from food comes from various sources, and active dogs need a diet that is focused on wholesome carbs as well as healthy proteins. 

Purina Pro Plan Sport incorporates healthy carbohydrates like barley and oats and lean proteins like turkey and chicken.  This formula is made up of 27% protein and 17% fat to provide fuel as well as support healthy muscles.

 Pros:

• Turkey is the first ingredient
• Contains dried beet pulp for healthy digestion
• Rich in Glucosamine and Chondroitin

Cons:

• It is not hypo-allergenic

11. Solid Gold Buck Wild Venison, Pumpkin, and Potato – Grain & Gluten-Free Dog Food

This grain and gluten-free food is an excellent choice for dogs who suffer from food allergies or sensitivities, as well as having sensitive stomachs.

The protein used in the Solid Gold Buck recipe is considered a novel protein, so it is less prone to cause an allergic reaction. Additionally, this food is rich in omega-3&6 fatty acids, both of which help promote good skin health.

Also, the Solid Gold Venison formula has been enriched with multiple pre and probiotics to help maintain in good gut health.

Pros:

• The Protein, Fat, and Fiber content is ideal for maintaining a healthy weight
• Has added taurine to help encourage good heart health
• Contains pumpkin to assist in GI health

Cons:

• Grain-Free so would not be good for dogs with DCM or who are prone to DCM

Note: For additional information on foods for dogs with sensitive stomachs click here.

Conclusion

It is always a challenge to pick the best dog food, but thankfully there’s a multitude of choices available. For those of us with dogs who have multiple health issues, there’s plenty of options to meet those needs too.

 Whether you’ve chosen to change your dog’s diet because of allergies, sensitivities, or to avoid specific health issues, corn, soy, and wheat free foods are an excellent option.