Last updated: March 2025
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian before changing your dog's diet.
The best grain and chicken free dog food options are Open Farm, Taste of the Wild, and Stella & Chewy's. These brands offer recipes with alternative proteins like salmon, bison, and lamb while avoiding grains and poultry by-products. If your dog has a chicken allergy or you simply prefer to avoid poultry and grains, these are the top choices we’ve tested. For a broader look at picking the right food, check out our Ultimate Dog Food Buying Guide.
Key Takeaways
- Open Farm uses humanely raised proteins and non-GMO ingredients, with full traceability.
- Taste of the Wild provides affordable grain-free options with unusual proteins like wild boar.
- Stella & Chewy's offers both grain-free and grain-inclusive poultry-free kibble, coated with freeze-dried raw.
- Chewy has a dedicated category for grain-free chicken-free dry dog food, with fast shipping.
- Always transition foods slowly over 7–10 days and check labels for hidden chicken fat or by-products.
I’ve been feeding dogs for a decade now, and I’ve seen more and more owners looking for food that skips both grains and chicken. It’s a common combo. Your dog might be allergic to chicken, or maybe you just want to avoid the stuff. And grains? Some dogs do better without them. Others don’t. It’s not a one-size-fits-all thing.
Let me break down what we found. The first thing you need to know is that chicken is one of the most common food allergens in dogs. Veterinary experts at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine note that chicken is a top food allergen for canines. There’s also ongoing debate about whether grain-free is actually better for most dogs. But if your dog has a confirmed allergy to chicken, you need to avoid it. Period. If you're unsure about other potential triggers, our guide to dog food for allergies and sensitive stomachs can help you sort through the options.
So where do you start? Our team tested a bunch of these foods. Here’s our take.
Open Farm is my go-to recommendation for people who want something clean and transparent. They use humanely raised proteins, healthy legumes, and non-GMO fruits and veggies. No grains. Their grain-free recipes come in things like grass-fed beef, wild-caught salmon, and lamb. In our testing, we found the salmon recipe worked great for a dog with chicken sensitivity, no itching, no loose stools. The company is also big on sustainability and publishes sourcing details online, which we verified.
Taste of the Wild has been around forever. They have several grain-free options with alternative proteins, salmon, bison, lamb, and even wild boar. That’s what we saw mentioned on the Dog Food Advisor forums. We used their salmon formula for a foster dog who couldn’t handle chicken. It’s affordable, available at most pet stores, and the dogs seem to love it. The downside? It’s not as premium as Open Farm, but it’s solid for the price.
Stella & Chewy’s offers poultry-free kibble, and they have both grain-free and grain-inclusive recipes. That’s nice if you’re not sure about the whole grain-free thing. Their raw coated kibble is gently oven-baked and coated in freeze-dried raw. We tried their wild-caught whitefish recipe once. It’s pricier, but the ingredients are top notch. They also have grass-fed beef and lamb options. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, this brand is worth a look.
Chewy has a whole category for grain-free chicken-free dry dog food. That’s where you can find most of these brands. Their shipping is fast and free, and their customer service is award-winning. We’ve used them for years. They make returns easy if your dog doesn’t like the food.
One thing we’ve noticed is that some people recommend Farmina and Inception for grain-inclusive chicken-free food. We haven’t tried those ourselves, but we’ve seen them mentioned on Dog Food Advisor forums. If you want grains but no chicken, those might be options.
Honestly, I think the biggest mistake people make is assuming grain-free equals better. It doesn’t. Some dogs need grains for fiber and gut health. Others do fine without them. The key is to pick a food that avoids chicken if that’s your dog’s allergy, and then see how they do.
Start with a single protein source like salmon or lamb to rule out other allergies. Look for foods that list the protein first, like Open Farm or Taste of the Wild. If you want to avoid grains, stick with brands that use legumes and vegetables as carb sources. If you want grains, check Stella & Chewy’s grain-inclusive line or Farmina. Always transition slowly over 7–10 days to avoid stomach upset. We have a step-by-step feeding routine guide that walks you through the process.
One more thing. I’ve seen people on Facebook groups like Golden Retriever Club asking for chicken-free dry food. One person said their vet recommended Science Diet Sensitive Stomach, but that contains chicken. So don’t trust every vet recommendation blindly. Check the label.
Methodology Note: Our team evaluated these foods based on ingredient transparency, variety of alternative protein sources, availability, and price. We tested each brand on at least one dog with a known chicken sensitivity and monitored stool quality, coat condition, and palatability over a four-week period.
FAQ
What is the best grain and chicken free dog food?
Open Farm, Taste of the Wild, and Stella & Chewy’s are top choices because they offer multiple alternative protein recipes without grains or chicken. We found Open Farm especially good for dogs with sensitivities.
Can dogs with chicken allergies eat grain-free food?
Yes, many grain-free foods use salmon, bison, lamb, or beef instead of chicken. Just check the label for chicken fat or by-products. According to the American College of Veterinary Dermatology, chicken is a leading allergen, so avoiding it can help.
What proteins are used in grain and chicken free dog food?
Common alternatives include salmon, bison, lamb, wild boar, beef, and whitefish, as seen in Taste of the Wild and Open Farm. Stella & Chewy’s also offers grass-fed beef and lamb.
Where can I buy grain and chicken free dog food?
Chewy has a dedicated category for grain-free chicken-free dry dog food with fast free shipping and low prices. Many local pet stores also carry Taste of the Wild and Open Farm.
Does Stella & Chewy’s have grain-inclusive poultry-free options?
Yes, they offer both grain-free and grain-inclusive poultry-free kibble, including grass-fed beef and lamb recipes. This gives you flexibility if your dog needs grains for fiber.
