Buy grain free dog food

Grain free dog food is one of the fastest-growing segments within dog nutrition. More and more owners are discovering that a diet without wheat, maize, barley or rye can help dogs with sensitive skin, a dull coat, loose stools or a fussy appetite. At Fidello you'll find a wide range of grain free dog food in the form of cold pressed kibble, extruded kibble, wet food and raw / BARF products — from well-known premium brands such as Carnilove, Renske, Naturis, Lily's Kitchen, Bf Petfood and Prins Grainfree.

Whether you're looking for grain free puppy food, a grain free diet for a dog with allergies, or simply high-quality nutrition without unnecessary fillers — below you'll find an overview of the complete range, with explanations about what grain free food is, which dogs it's suitable for, and what to look out for when choosing.

What exactly is grain free dog food?

Grain free dog food contains no wheat, maize, barley, rye, oats or rice. Instead, it uses other carbohydrate sources that are often more easily digestible for dogs:

• Potato — neutral in flavour, well digestible, gives slow-release energy
• Sweet potato — rich in fibre, vitamin A and antioxidants
• Peas and pulses — source of plant protein and fibre
• Pumpkin — gentle on the digestion
• Parsnip and carrot — natural vitamins and minerals
• Chickpeas and lentils — rich in protein and fibre

Important to know: grain free is not the same as low-carb. Many grain free foods contain alternative carbohydrates in comparable amounts. If you really want low-carb food, look at the total percentage of starch and sugars on the label.

Which dogs is grain free food suitable for?

Grain free nutrition can be an excellent choice, but isn't necessary for every dog. It's especially interesting for:

• Dogs with itching, bald patches, scales or a dull coat — symptoms that may indicate a grain intolerance
• Dogs with sensitive digestion, loose stools, gas formation or frequent vomiting
• Dogs with recurring ear infections — sometimes related to food sensitivity
• Active and sporty dogs who benefit from food with a high animal protein content
• Dogs whose owners opt for a more natural diet closer to the dog's original eating pattern
• Dogs with a suspected grain or gluten intolerance

For dogs with a confirmed food allergy, hypoallergenic dog food may also be a better choice — that goes a step further than just grain free.

Symptoms of grain intolerance in dogs

How do you know if your dog might be grain intolerant? Common signals:

• Persistent itching, especially on paws, ears or belly
• Redness or skin rash
• Bald patches or excessive scratching
• Dull or thin coat
• Scales or oily skin
• Recurring ear infections
• Loose stools or diarrhoea
• A lot of flatulence
• Frequent vomiting or regurgitating food
• Weight loss despite normal appetite

Note: these complaints can also have other causes (fleas, environmental allergies, fungal infections, parasites, hormonal problems). When in doubt, always visit a vet before changing the food.

Benefits of grain free dog food

• Suitable for dogs with grain intolerance or sensitivity
• Often high in animal protein — more in line with the natural diet of a dog
• Can reduce itching, scales and skin problems
• Often promotes better digestion and firmer stools
• Less chance of gas formation
• No unnecessary fillers or by-products
• Often with single or limited protein source — useful for elimination diet
• Wide choice in meat, fish, poultry and game variants
• Suitable for combining with salmon oil and other supplements

Considerations and possible drawbacks

• Not automatically low-carb — alternative carbohydrate sources such as potato or peas can be just as calorie-rich
• Often more expensive than grain-containing food due to higher-quality ingredients
• Higher energy density — pay attention to the dosage advice to prevent obesity
• Not always necessary — for most dogs without complaints, grain free food has no demonstrable benefit over good quality grain-containing food
• Discussion around grain-free and heart problems (DCM) — an American FDA study reported a possible link between some grain free foods high in pulses and heart disease. Evidence is not conclusive, but always feed varied and choose quality brands

Grain free food for different life stages

Grain free nutrition is available for every life stage:

• Grain free puppy food — for healthy growth without grain burden. Also check out our puppy food
• Grain free adult food — for adult dogs from 1 to 7 years
• Grain free senior food — combines the benefits of senior dog food with a grain free composition

Which protein sources are popular in grain free food?

Grain free foods come with all sorts of protein sources — useful for variation or in case of sensitivity to one specific protein:

• Lamb — mild, suitable for sensitive dogs
• Duck — alternative protein, often well tolerated
• Salmon and fish — rich in omega 3, good for skin and coat
• Rabbit — lean and hypoallergenic
• Wild boar, venison and reindeer — exclusive proteins for dogs with multiple allergies
• Chicken — popular and light protein source, also in grain free variants
• Insects — sustainable, hypoallergenic, strong trend

How do you switch to grain free food?

A gradual transition prevents digestive complaints. Follow this schedule over 7 to 14 days:

• Day 1–3: 75% old food + 25% grain free food
• Day 4–6: 50% old + 50% grain free
• Day 7–9: 25% old + 75% grain free
• Day 10+: 100% grain free

For an elimination diet to detect an allergy, follow a stricter regime: a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks of exclusively grain free (and preferably also hypoallergenic) food, without snacks, chews or leftovers.

Grain free snacks and chews

A grain free diet only works if the extras are also grain free. If you give your dog dog snacks, chews or training rewards, always check the label. Many chew snacks contain wheat or maize as a binder. Good grain free alternatives are dried meat snacks, fish snacks, natural chew bones and tripe.

Frequently asked questions about grain free dog food

Is grain free food better for my dog?
Not automatically. For dogs without complaints or allergies, good quality food with grains is fine. However, if your dog does have skin, coat or digestive complaints, grain free food can offer an improvement.

What's the difference between grain free and gluten free?
Gluten free food contains no wheat, barley, rye or spelt (the grains with gluten), but may contain maize, rice or oats. Grain free food contains no grain at all. Grain free is therefore always gluten free, but not the other way round.

Is it true that grain free food can cause heart problems?
The American FDA investigated a possible link between certain grain free foods high in pulses and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The evidence is not conclusive and most dogs experience no problems. Choose a reputable brand, feed varied and consult your vet in doubt.

Can my puppy have grain free food?
Yes. There are special grain free puppy foods with adapted calcium-phosphorus ratio and protein content for healthy growth.

How do I recognise quality grain free food?
Look for: meat as the first ingredient, high percentage of animal protein (minimum 25%, preferably more), limited ingredient list, no artificial colours/flavours/preservatives, and ideally a transparent manufacturer who states the origin of ingredients.

Can you combine grain free food with BARF or fresh meat?
Certainly. Grain free dry food is an excellent base for a mixed diet where you add fresh meat or wet food a few times a week.

Does grain free food also help against itching?
In dogs with a grain intolerance, certainly. The effect is usually visible within 4 to 8 weeks. If the itching persists, visit the vet — there may be other causes such as skin fungus, fleas or an environmental allergy.

Tips for choosing grain free dog food

• Choose meat as the first ingredient on the list
• Watch the percentage of animal protein (minimum 25%)
• Avoid food with many "by-products" or "meat and animal by-products"
• Choose a brand with a clear ingredient list
• Start with a small bag to test the taste and tolerance
• Always build up the transition gradually
• Combine with variety in protein sources for a varied diet
• Don't forget to also choose grain free snacks and chews

Order grain free dog food at Fidello

Browse the complete range of grain free dog food below and choose nutrition that suits the age, size and sensitivity of your dog. Quickly delivered and with expert advice. Combine if desired with salmon oil for extra shine, or choose hypoallergenic dog food if you suspect there's more going on than just a grain intolerance.