31 Best Dog Food without Flaxseed

1519 out of 4257 dog food brands currently retailing on Chewy as of October 2022 use flaxseed as one of the ingredients. As a percentage, this means that 35.6% of all dog food brands contain flaxseed and similarly, about 64.4% of all brands do not use flaxseed. In this guide, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of flaxseed as well as provide a list of dog food brands that do not use this ingredient.

What is flaxseed?

Flaxseed is a type of seed that comes from the flax plant. This plant is native to the region stretching from the eastern Mediterranean to India. The flax plant has been cultivated for centuries for its fiber, which is used to make linen fabric. In recent years, flaxseed has become popular as a health food due to its high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are beneficial for human health, but they are also necessary for the health of dogs.

The omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed can help to improve a dog’s coat and skin health, reduce inflammation, and boost the immune system. Flaxseed is also a good source of fiber, which can help to regulate digestion.

What are the benefits of flaxseed for dogs?

The omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed are beneficial for dogs for the same reasons they are beneficial for humans. These fatty acids can help to improve a dog’s coat and skin health, reduce inflammation, and boost the immune system. Flaxseed is also a good source of fiber, which can help to regulate digestion.

Read more about flaxseed safety for dogs, benefits and criticism here.

What are the drawbacks of feeding my dog recipe with flaxseeds and/or flaxseed oil?

There are a few potential drawbacks to feeding your dog a recipe with flaxseed or flaxseed oil.

• The first is that these ingredients can go rancid quickly. For this reason, it’s important to buy fresh flaxseed and store it in a cool, dark place. Flaxseed oil should be stored in the fridge.
• Another potential drawback is that flaxseed can interfere with the absorption of other nutrients, such as vitamins A, D, and E. For this reason, it’s important to consult with your veterinarian before adding flaxseed to your dog’s diet.

Which brands use flaxseed in their dog food brands?

American Journey:

American Journey has 58 brands that use flaxseed ingredients, representing a tiny portion of all the 1519 brands that use flaxseed. As a percentage, this means that American Journey brands make up 3.8% of all brands that contain flaxseed and 96.2% of brands do not use this ingredient.

One of their leading brand, the American Journey Active Life Formula Lamb is touted by American Journey as having flaxseed and fish oil which provides omega fatty acids including DHA, which play a key role in overall health.

Blue Buffalo:

Both wet and dry dog food brand by Buffalo that includes both regular and veterinary diets use flaxseed as American Journey above. A review of all brands with flaxseed by Blue Buffalo revealed that it currently retails 151 flaxseed-inclusive diets which represents 9.9% of all brands that use flaxseed.

The Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free, Natural Puppy Large Breed Chicken Recipe dry food contains flaxseed oil which provides the essential fatty acids that are necessary for puppies during their first year when they are growing at an accelerated rate.

• Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet NP Novel Protein Alligator Grain-Free Wet Dog Food
• Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet GI Gastrointestinal Support Low Fat Dry Dog Food
• Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet KS Kidney Support Grain-Free Wet Dog Food
• Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet W+U Weight Management + Urinary Care Chicken Wet Dog Food

Hill’s Prescription Diet:

39 brands by Hills use flaxseed as an ingredient which equates to 2.6% of all brands that use flaxseed. The Hills Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care with Chicken is a wet food diet made to help reduce urinary problems in adult dogs while also providing the nutrition they need to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle.

What do other brands use instead of flaxseed?

There are a variety of other ingredients used in lieu of flaxseed by different brands.

Oils:

Vegetable oil, canola oil, coconut oil, and sunflower oil are all common oils used in dog food recipes. These oils provide essential fatty acids and calories. We also have a guide on dog foods without canola here

Fruits and vegetables:

Many brands use fruits and vegetables as sources of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Common fruits and vegetables used in dog food recipes include carrots, sweet potatoes, apples, blueberries, and spinach.

Protein sources:

Protein sources such as chicken, beef, lamb, fish, and eggs are common in dog food recipes. These ingredients provide the amino acids that are necessary for muscle growth and maintenance.

31 top-rated dog food brands without flaxseed (4.8/5+)

The table below shows a list of some of the most highly-rated brands that do not use flaxseed or flaxseed extracts including flaxseed oil;

George Romell

Hello! My name is George Romell and recently joined Our Pets HQ to oversee quality and provide oversight in content being published. I am originally from the North West but currently reside in Upstate New York and work as a freelance journalist with a focus on dogs and cats. Here at Ourpetshq, I will be responsible for editing and improving older content that may have missed editorial checks. You can reach me at george@ourpetshq.com