Many of us rely on grain-free foods for our Tripawds, but how do we know which companies create the healthiest grain-free foods and which ones are just jumping on the grain-free bandwagon but using low quality ingredients? Who can you trust?
The Dog Food Advisor’s new lists, “Best Grain Free Dog Foods” are now available to help you decide.
In this important list. Dog Food Advisor Mike Sagman says:
“Compared to the typical kibble or canned food, the best grain free recipes contain more meat based protein as well as easy-to-digest animal fats. And usually fewer carbohydrates, too.”
He also advises us that “Kibbles Can Be Grain Free But Never Carbohydrate Free”
“Compared to canned dog foods, kibbles cannot be made with just meat. That’s because the process used for making kibble requires a notable amount of carbohydrates to create a dough-like binder to hold everything together.
Since there can be no corn, wheat, barley, rice (or any other cereal grains, for that matter), novel carbohydrates must be used in their place to make grain-free kibbles possible. And vegetables (like potatoes) appear to be the most common source of carbohydrates found in non-grain recipes.”
Reduce Carbs and Starches for Cancer Dogs
If your Tripawd has cancer, you may want to carefully consider what kinds of binders are used in your grain-free food of choice.
That’s because according to Wysong, makers of starch-free Epigen, in order to form any kind of grain-free kibble, “only about 30% of the formula can be meat in order for the product to form properly.” The rest of the formula is mostly starch from binders like potatoes, which are a carbohydrate that converts to sugar in the body.
Since sugar feeds cancer, you want to reduce your use of carbs as much as possible. Search for the foods with the lowest-amount of carbs possible to give your Tripawd the best chance at kicking cancer’s butt.
Here are Dog Food Advisor‘s complete lists of:
The Best Grain-Free Dry Foods for Dogs
The Best Grain-Free Canned Food for Dogs
Meanwhile, here’s a sneak peek at top picks from each list…
Best Grain Free Dry Dog Foods
Earthborn Holistic Primitive Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food
Earthborn Holistic Primitive Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food is high protein, high fat, and low carbohydrates when compared to a typical dry dog food.
Free of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing an abundance of meat.
For those looking to mimic a dog’s natural ancestral diet, Earthborn Holistic Primitive Natural at least begins to approach this noble goal.
Bottom line?
Earthborn Holistic Primitive Natural is a meat-based kibble using a generous amount of named poultry and fish meals as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand five stars – enthusiastically recommended by DogFoodAdvisor.
Solid Gold Barking at the Moon Dry Dog Food
Solid Gold Barking at the Moon Dry Dog Food includes ocean fish meal. Because it is considered a meat concentrate, fish meal contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself. . . We are pleased to note that, unlike most fish meals, this particular item1 appears to be ethoxyquin-free.
Very high protein. High fat. And very low carbohydrates… when compared to a typical dry dog food. With no evidence of any plant-based protein concentrates, this is the profile of a kibble containing an abundance of meat.
Bottom line?
Solid Gold Barking at the Moon is a meat-based dry kibble using a significant amount of ethoxyquin-free fish meal as its main source of animal protein… thus earning the brand five stars.”
Acana Regionals Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
High-protein, grain-free and low-carbohydrate and loaded with premium meat ingredients to promote peak conditioning in your dog. A few special thing to note…
This recipe contains selenium yeast. Unlike the more common inorganic form of selenium (sodium selenite), this natural yeast supplement is considered a safer anti-cancer alternative. We also note the inclusion of herring oil in Acana Regionals Grain-Free. Herring oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans. Depending on its level of freshness and purity, herring oil should be considered a commendable addition.
Finally, Acana Regionals Grain-Free contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Best Canned Grain Free Dog Food
Blue Buffalo Blue’s Stew features “a brand average of 43%, protein numbers range from a low of 39% for the Irish Lamb recipe to a high of 44% for all the others.
Fat averaged about 28%… which suggests a carbohydrate content of 21% for the full product line.
Above-average protein. Above-average fat. And below-average carbs… when compared to a typical canned dog food. With no plant-based protein concentrates anywhere in sight, this is the profile of a wet food containing an abundance of meat. What’s more, it’s also important to note the absence of any critical Red Flag items.
Bottom line?
Blue Buffalo Blue’s Stew is a meat-based canned dog food using a generous amount of poultry, beef or lamb as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand four stars.”
Wellness CORE Canned Dog Food is “High protein. High fat. And very low carbohydrates… when compared to a typical canned dog food.
With no sign of any plant-based protein concentrates, this is the profile of a wet food containing an abundance of meat.
Bottom line?
Wellness CORE Grain Free is primarily a meat-based canned food using a generous supply of named fish or poultry as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand five stars.
Enthusiastically recommended.”
MY DOG HAS CANCER AND i NEED VITAMINS WITH MINIMAL A, C, E
ALSO NO WHEAT OR GRAINS. CAN YOU RECOMMEND ONE???THANK YOU
@tr Not sure what you mean by “VITAMINS WITH MINIMAL A, C, E” but this post includes some of the best grain free foods for cancer dogs. Try searching this blog for other recommendations or posting in the discussion forums for much more advice from Tripawds members.
I have Min. poodle that is 13 yrs old and is slim and a Bichon/Maltese that is 4yrs. and is 15lbs. and should only weigh about 12 – 13 lbs. can you give me any suggestions on any 5star dog foods I can give them both?
Thanks for asking Esther. We are not vets, and strongly suggest you consult with veterinary nutritionist. You might also consider posting your question in the discussion forums, or consider asking in an applicable LinkedIn Group.
I have a soft coat wheaton Terrier who has a conic case of yeast infections on his coat. My vet recommended Prednizone but I feel it is not doing the job and I don’t want to keep putting him on steroids. So I started looking into what cases it and believe it is his high carb, surgar diet in dry dog food. Can you help.
Patricia, I’m not a vet but I can tell you that Prednisone has a LOT of issues and ramifications that come along with it. I would not want to put my dog on it, only as a very last resort. Please get another opinion, oftentimes these skin issues are easily resolved with proper holistic-minded guidance. Find a holistic veterinary medical provider at the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association website directory. Good luck and keep us posted.