Are you looking for the best chicken-free dog food in the market for your canine companion? I am willing to lend a hand with this comprehensive and informative review. Chicken is a superb source of animal-based protein that is packed with healthy nutrients your pooch needs to thrive. Some of these nutrients include zinc to vitamin B12, choline, iron, and copper. It also contains low-fat content which is good for dogs with health conditions such as pancreatitis and sensitive tummies. That, plus being fairly easy on the pocket, makes it an ingredient in many dog diets.
On the other hand, chicken is known to be a common food allergen culprit for doggies, which is why most dog parents might consider diets without chicken. And if you are searching for these dog foods, it means you might have seen symptoms of chicken allergy in your canine. According to the 2018 Banfield Pet Hospital’s State of Pet Health Report, at least 0.2% of dogs have food allergies. This May 29 report said that dogs with food-related allergies are more susceptible to skin infections. Therefore, the occurrence of pyoderma is 6x more than in non-food-allergic dogs.
So, avoiding dog foods or treats that contain chicken as an ingredient is the most appropriate way to treat chicken allergy in your dog. There are many other protein sources with similar or high nutritional value to chicken. Today, I have prepared a list of the best chicken-free dog foods in the market, but before that…
What meat is dogs least allergic to?
From salmon to duck, rabbit, venison, buffalo, mackerel, kangaroo, and pork, these are excellent alternatives to chicken with premium protein for your dog. Lamb is also a good option for your dog that will not eat chicken-inclusive foods and treats. You can consider novel proteins or those that your Fido has not eaten before. These ingredients will help abate allergy symptoms while making your dog’s life easier, happier, and healthier.
Mostly, dogs with food allergies such as chicken protein exhibit skin problems where it becomes dry with excessive itching and scratching, chronic ear infections, and hot spots. As you can see, these are tricky symptoms for you to note from home. That is why seeing a vet is recommended.
Review of the 10 best chicken free dog foods
Premium chicken-free dog food should primarily contain animal-based protein with healthy fats, vital nutrients, and carbs that are easy to digest. Provided dog food meets the needed nutritional value, it is a worthy choice. In this section, I will be looking at the healthiest options for dog foods without chicken with a focus on their pros and cons from customer product reviews.
Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Grain-Free Recipe
My best overall pick for the best dog food without chicken is from Taste of the Wild. TOTW is a reputable dog food brand in the pet food industry, especially when it comes to making chicken-free diets for dogs. This Pacific Stream formula is grain-free and features real salmon as the first ingredient which is high in protein to promote overall health. I love the balanced nutrition in this dry dog recipe with easily digestible sweet potatoes and peas.
This dry dog food recipe features vitamins and chelated essential minerals from real fruits and superfoods for a healthy immune system as well as omega fatty acids for skin health and lustrous coat. Even best, this formula is crafted with species-specific K9 Strain Proprietary Probiotics to support healthy digestion. Your pooch will love the great taste of smoked salmon with complete and balanced nutrition. It is available in 5 lb., 14 lb., and 28 lb. bags, contains no fillers or synthetic ingredients and is suitable for adult dogs of all breed sizes.
What I like:
- High quality ingredients
- Palatable even for picky eaters
- Supports healthy skin & soft fur
Drawbacks:
- Relatively expensive
- Some dog parents prefer grain-inclusive diets
You can check this product’s availability, sale, and price on Amazon here or Chewy here.
Nature’s Variety Instinct Original Grain-Free Rabbit Recipe
Instinct Original Grain-Free Rabbit dry dog food from Nature’s Variety is my second-best chicken-free dog food on the list today. This recipe features a real rabbit as the first ingredient and source of animal-based protein to promote strong, lean muscles. I love this formula specifically because 71% is made up of animal ingredients while 29% includes fruits, veggies, and more. Like my top choice above, this recipe is grain-free with no fillers or artificial ingredients.
To support your Fido’s healthy digestion, this freeze-dried dog food features guaranteed levels of live, natural probiotics. This means that this dog food is gentle on your doggie’s tummy and includes nutritious oils for a scrumptious meal that even your picky eater will love. In addition, it is fortified with antioxidants and natural omegas to help support immune, coat, and skin health. If you need chicken-free dog food for allergies, many dog parents say this rabbit recipe is a superb choice.
What I like:
- Palatable dish for picky eaters
- Helps with weight management & allergies
- Freeze-dried to maintain nutritional value
Drawbacks:
- Featured in a class action lawsuit for presence of heavy metals & toxins
- Some dogs dislike the taste
You can check this product’s availability, sale, and price on Amazon here or Chewy here.
Ziwi Peak Lamb Recipe Canned Food
Does your pooch have a soft spot for wet diets? He will definitely love this Peak Lamb Recipe from Ziwi. This formula features a single protein source from lamb which is farm-raised in New Zealand. To help mimic your dog’s wild diet, 92% of this dog food includes meat, bone, organs and is grain-free with no added carbs or cheap fillers that are risky to his health. I like the New Zealand-sourced green mussels that provide a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin to support your dog’s bone and joint health.
In addition, this canned lamb recipe features organic kelp and cold-washed green tripe which help promote mobility, vitality, and overall health of your pup naturally as she grows. Even best, this formula can either be served as a delicious topper or a main dish to dogs of all life stages and breed types. This chicken-free wet dog food comes in 13.75 oz cans as a case of 12 at an affordable price.
What I like:
- Excellent recipe with natural ingredients
- A mouthwatering dish for most dogs
- Served as a topper or complete dish
Drawbacks:
- High price tag
- Packaging needs improvement
You can check this product’s availability, sale, and price on Amazon here or Chewy here.
If your Fido loves chicken-free canned dog food, the Merrick Backcountry Canned Dog Food without Chicken is another good wet dog food option. Find it on Chewy here or Amazon here.
Zignature Kangaroo Grain-Free Limited Ingredient Formula
Are you looking for a good chicken-free dog food that uses novel protein? This Kangaroo Grain-Free Limited Ingredient formula from Zignature is a fantastic choice. Your canine pal will surely love this formula that features real Australian kangaroo meat as the first ingredient and the only protein source. Kangaroo is rich in nutrients such as CLA, iron, B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids with approx. twice vitamin B12 content more than other meats.
Your canine companion has a lot of health benefits from this lip-smacking kangaroo dish as it is also formulated with wholesome peas and chickpeas which are low-glycemic carbs sources. In addition, these ingredients are rich in fiber to support digestion health and are great antioxidants that help promote your dog’s immune health. If you need the best chicken-free puppy food, this is it! This dog food is available in 4 lb., 12.5 lb., and 25 lb. bags.
What I like:
- Ideal dog food for pooches with allergies
- Novel protein for pups with sensitive tums
- Premium limited ingredient formula
Drawbacks:
You can check this product’s availability, sale, and price on Amazon here or Chewy here.
Orijen Regional Red Dry Dog Food
Orijen Regional Red is a terrific choice for pet parents looking for the most ideal large breed dog food without chicken. I admire the nourishing this dog food offers with 85% high-quality animal ingredients for optimal health. What is best about these formulas is that the first 5 ingredients in the list always include raw or fresh animal sources. It all depends on the formula you choose and comes in a variety of sizes from 4.5 lb. to 25 lb. bags.
This Regional Red recipe, for instance, features deboned beef as the first ingredient which is an excellent protein source. The other four animal-based ingredients include wild boar, Boer goat, lamb, wild-caught mackerel, and Yorkshire pork. The inclusion of meat, cartilage, organs, and bone helps nourish your huge breed dog with the natural biological needs he requires to thrive. In addition, this diet is grain-free in case your pup has sensitivities.
What I like:
- Rich flavor with wholesome ingredients
- Supports digestion health
- Grain-free for pooches with sensitive tummies
Drawbacks:
- Quality control needs improvement
- Complaints about buying on Amazon
You can check this product’s availability, sale, and price on Amazon here or Chewy here.
American Journey Grain-Free LID Venison & Sweet Potato Recipe
If your canine buddy prefers eating limited ingredient diets because of sensitivities and allergies, he will love this Venison & Sweet Potato recipe from American Journey a fantastic choice. This chicken-free dog food features a single protein source from real, deboned venison as the primary ingredient which is also very yummy. I love the sweet potatoes and peas in the formula as they are good sources of easily digestible carbs for fast absorption by your pup’s body.
Your doggie will benefit greatly from this recipe that features omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseeds and omega-6 fatty acids from sunflower oil that help promote healthy skin and shiny coats. I love this complete and balanced nutrition that is grain-free making it perfect for dogs with sensitive stomachs and contains no artificial ingredients.
What I like:
- Easily digestible carbs
- Great for skin allergies
- Palatable even for picky dogs
Drawbacks:
- A significant amount of fillers
You can check this product’s availability, sale, and price on Chewy here.
The Honest Kitchen Whole-Grain Turkey Dog Food
If you want to feed your pooch chicken-free dog food with grain, The Honest Kitchen got your needs covered. The brand’s Whole-Grain Dog Food features real turkey as the first ingredient and protein source from dehydrated turkey for a delectable and nutritious meal. Other ingredients in the list include organic whole oats which are easy to digest to prevent stomach upsets.
I love this dog food recipe for its moderate fat content which makes it an excellent choice for your senior dog or adult maintenance. This dog food was specifically made for dog parents who want to feed their sensitive pooches premium nutrition without struggling with high costs.
What I like:
- Dehydrated to maintain nutritional value
- Tasty even for picky eaters
- Best for senior dogs
Drawbacks:
- Dried garlic is a concern for dogs
You can check this product’s availability, sale, and price on Amazon here or Chewy here.
Stella and Chewy’s Duck Duck Goose Freeze-Dried Raw Food
Yet another freeze-dried dog food option, this chicken-free diet features cage-free poultry, bone, and organs. The first ingredient in this Duck Duck Goose Freeze-Dried Raw Food formula is a duck with ground bone then turkey to make raw nutrition that your doggie craves. These freeze-dried patties never contain grains or fillers and synthetic preservatives. It is one of my most recommended small-breed dog food without chicken options on the list.
Your dog will enjoy the great taste of this food that is enhanced with turkey liver and other ingredients like a gizzard. I love that this dehydrated duck and turkey formula is enhanced with probiotics to help promote healthy digestion in case your pooch has sensitive stomachs. It includes 100% organic certified fruits and veggies and is also an excellent way to help support healthy teeth and gum. It comes in 5.5 oz., 14 oz., and 25 oz. bags.
What I like:
- A good diet for most dogs
- Can be fed as a topper
- Great ingredients list
Drawbacks:
- Dog parents concerned about bone fragments in the bags
- Kibbles too hard for some doggies
If your dog likes this formula, you can also try this Canidae Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Red Meat Recipe.
You can check this product’s availability, sale, and price on Amazon here or Chewy here.
Acana Regionals Wild Atlantic Dry Food
Wild Atlantic is amongst the four-line of products that Acana Regionals offers chicken-free dog food recipes like that one that suits your dog’s needs. This dry dog food features a variety of whole fish as the first 5 ingredients for a nutritious and scrumptious everyday dish. The first ingredient in my favorite recipe is whole mackerel fish which is a brilliant protein source. Others include whole herring, whole redfish, and silver hake. Other formulas include Appalachian Ranch, Grasslands, and Meadowland.
The formula is free of grains making it an excellent choice for pooches with sensitive tums and enriched with vital nutrients with raw or fresh animal ingredients, fruits, and veggies. I also love the added essential minerals and vitamins that boost immune health, as well as probiotics for digestion health and natural preservatives to keep the food fresh and sweet. You will find this formula in 4.5 lb. to 25 lb. bags.
What I like:
- Top-notch ingredients
- Most dogs love the great taste
- Grain-free & chicken-free
Drawbacks:
- Carbs percentage not available in the guaranteed analysis
- Some dogs hate the fish smell
You can check this product’s availability, sale, and price on Amazon here or Chewy here.
I and Love and You Nude Super Food Simply Sea Dry Dog Food
The Nude Super Food Simply Sea Dry Dog Food recipe from I and Love and You is yet another grain-free and chicken-free dog food option that your pooch will love. As the name calls it out, the recipe has whitefish as the primary ingredient followed by a mackerel meal among other awesome ingredients. Whitefish is high in selenium which acts as an antioxidant and fortifies the immune system as well is rich in B-group vitamins for promoting coat, skin, and nervous system.
I love the HAPPY TUMMEEZ PLUS digestive enzymes as well as the prebiotics and probiotics that help ease your doggie’s stomach problems. Superfoods such as turmeric, flaxseeds, and coconut oil provide your furry friend with the essential nutrients he needs to thrive. From pups to adults and seniors, this dog food is suitable for all life stages. You have a choice between 5 lb. and 23 lb. bags.
What I like:
- Good kibble for diabetic dogs
- Great salmon fish alternative
- Grain-free & good for skin allergies
- High-quality ingredients
Drawbacks:
- Some dog owners complain about bad odor
You can check this product’s availability, sale, and price on Amazon here or Chewy here.
Chicken-free dog treats
If your dog is allergic to chicken, even treats with chicken as an ingredient are bad news for them. Therefore, make sure that the treats you are buying have chicken alternatives before throwing them to your doggie friend. You can find them here on Chewy and here on Amazon.
Where to buy chicken-free dog food
Are you looking for chicken-free dog food in Australia, Canada, the UK among other regions? You can purchase them via this link on Amazon here or Chewy. Most of these dog foods are also available in the brick-and-mortar stores in your area or other online stores like Walmart, Petco among others.
How to make chicken free dog food
Some dog parents are opting for homemade diets for their pooches with chicken allergies rather than feeding them commercial chicken-free kibbles and canned foods. According to this article by American Kennel Club (AKC), cooking for your canine friend comes with loads of benefits including bond-building, pleasing picky eaters, and aids in diet management. However, home dog diets can be difficult. The most common mistakes we make when doing so, note the AKC, include using risky ingredients and not cooking balanced meals.
Here are some tips to follow when making chicken free dog foods at home:
- Prepare a balanced diet by including among other things vitamins and minerals
- Select your meats carefully to make sure it is fresh and fit for human consumption and that it provides the necessary amino acids for bodybuilding. It should not have more than 15% to 20% fat.
- Make sure that veggies constitute ¼ of the whole diet so you can feed him vitamins, fiber, and minerals. Good choices include zucchini, broccoli, squash, green beans, pumpkin, peas, carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, and cauliflower.
Please, avoid feeding your canine pal carbs such as wheat, corn, potatoes, and rice as their digestive system does not have the enzymes required to break down and digest carbs. In addition, they are known to be culprits that cause health problems like allergies, IBD, kidney disease, and obesity. These recipes are available online.
FAQs
Can a dog with a chicken allergy eat eggs?
Eggs are a different allergen from chicken which means that even your dog with chicken allergies can freely eat eggs and have no problems. Allergies develop with a time of feeding that specific ingredient, especially a long time. Besides, the allergen that triggers reactions when your dog eats chicken is not present in the eggs.
Hi there! My name is Alex Landy, one of the co-founders here at Our Pets HQ and a parent to a small-breed Yorkie. I am a published author of two books on dog breeding and currently write on various pet-related blogs about caring for dogs. I am a parent of two daughters and live outside Boston where I spend a lot of time with family and serve in different breeding clubs. You can reach me at alex@ourpetshq.com