There’s a good reason that chicken is a common ingredient in dog food. In addition to being a lean and nutritious source of animal protein, it’s also reasonably priced.
When it comes to food allergies in canines, chicken is one of the most frequent. Not everything in your cupboard with chicken in it needs to be thrown out because of this. A food allergy or sensitivity test may be warranted if your dog has been exhibiting symptoms.
In today’s market, it’s difficult to find a dog food without chicken as the primary protein ingredient.
As a result, a poultry-free alternative is required for some dogs. Despite the variety of protein sources available, not all dog diets are created equal. The sniff test failed even those that looked wonderful on paper.
We’ve been on the hunt for a dog food without chicken that’s both healthful and enjoyable for our four-legged pals. We wrote these reviews after testing a variety of dog diets with our own pets.
Hopefully, you now have all the information you require to make an informed decision on your dog’s care.
Is it time to stop feeding chicken to your dog?
Chicken should not be excluded from your dog’s diet unless they are allergic to it or are sensitive to it. The USDA estimates that a 3-ounce portion of chicken breast has 26 grammes of protein and just over 2 grammes of fat. Other minerals found in the soil include phosphorus, selenium, potassium, as well as iron.
If your dog begins to show signs of chicken allergy, that’s a different storey. Skin reactions are more common in dogs with food allergies than gastrointestinal ones. They can be difficult to identify because of this. Food allergies can manifest as symptoms such as itchy, dry skin, hives, and recurring ear infections, to name a few. Your veterinarian should be consulted about these symptoms.
Performing a food trial may be necessary to confirm a suspicion of an allergic reaction to a particular meal. It’s also possible to modify your dog’s diet from chicken to a protein source other than chicken.
Is your dog sensitive to poultry products?
Some dogs have food allergies or sensitivities that prevent them from eating any kind of fowl.
In order for your dog to acquire food allergies, he or she normally needs to be exposed to chicken meal more than once. These are some of the symptoms to watch out for:
- An ear infection caused by scratching too much.
- Infections and wounds on the skin
- Scratching causes hair loss.
- Vomiting and diarrhoea are examples of gastrointestinal issues.
Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog is allergic to poultry. To determine if your pet’s symptoms are the result of an allergy, speak with your veterinarian. Identifying a dog’s food allergy is the first step in eliminating the offending element from your dog’s diet.
When it comes to chicken-free food, what are the best options?
Dogs need a lot of protein in their diet, so finding the finest non-chicken dog food choices is important.
Dogs need a diet rich in protein in order to maintain a healthy weight. If your dog is allergic to chicken, you’ll need to locate a safe and healthy substitute. Chicken isn’t the only protein that can cause an allergic reaction in dogs, however. Beef, eggs, lamb, pig, and fish are among the other options.
It’s safe to make the move unless your dog shows signs of an allergic reaction to one of these substances. Make sure to choose a protein that your dog hasn’t previously consumed to further minimise the likelihood of an allergy.
Chicken is a great source of protein for dogs, but there are many alternatives.
- Buffalo
- Duck
- Kangaroo
- Lamb
- Mackerel
- Pork
- Rabbit
- Salmon
- Turkey
- Venison
A high-quality source of animal protein that your dog can handle is all that’s needed to get you started on the right path. You must also consider your dog’s other dietary needs. Look for a recipe that uses only fresh, healthy foods.
How to know that your pet is allergic to chicken?
The exclusion of food from your dog’s diet can help you determine if he has food allergies. Begin by removing your dog off its current diet and introducing new things that he or she has never had before. Allergy symptoms usually don’t appear for a few days. That food has a good tolerance for your dog, if there are no adverse reactions to it.
Approximately 10% of dog allergies were caused by food. Because of this, it is better to feed your dog the best dog food without chicken, but which provides all the necessary nutrients. It may cost twice as much as expected. Even so, it’s preferable than having your dog suffer because of an allergy or intolerance to food.
10 best of the best non-chicken dog foods
Without chicken, your dog will need a diet that contains lots of animal-based protein, digestible carbohydrates, healthy fats, and other nutrients they tolerate. The decision is yours as long as your dog’s fundamental nutritional requirements are met.
This is a list of our favourite dog foods that don’t include chicken.
1. Grain-Free Recipe Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream
All Taste of the Wild dog chow is free of chicken as a primary ingredient. As a result, the vast majority of recipes don’t use any chicken products at all (but always check the ingredients for things like chicken fat).
There are many excellent options, but we like Pacific Stream. Fresh and smoked salmon, as well as probiotics, are the main ingredients in this grain-free meal, which also contains no poultry or eggs.
2. Overall, Whole Earth Farms Chicken-Free Dog Food is the best.
Whole Earth Farms’ all-natural dog food is an excellent alternative to chicken-based dog food. You don’t have to worry about your dog’s protein requirements because each recipe has a variety of sources.
You can rest assured that this dog food is free of by-products, artificial colours and artificial preservatives as well as maize, wheat, and soy. Your dog’s hair will shine and their bones and joints will stay healthy thanks to the abundance of vitamins and minerals in this product.
Whole Earth Farms has taken a different approach to dog food by incorporating a variety of protein sources into each formula to ensure that your dog’s diet remains balanced. The pig, beef, and lamb combination was a big hit with our dogs, but there were other options available.
Like the emphasis on our dog’s health, this grain-free and vitamin-enriched food was ideal for us. As a result, this was our top pick for the finest dog food without chicken, and we give it our highest recommendation.
3. Kangaroo Grain Free and Limited Ingredient Formula by Zignature Kangaroo
Among the top five ingredients are kangaroo, kangaroo meal, kangaroos, chickpeas, and peas.
The introduction of something as unusual as Kangaroo meat is a good alternative for dogs who are intolerant to the majority of widely accessible protein sources. For both adults and pups, Zignature offers a unique mix with only a few simple ingredients.
Kangaroo meat from Australia is the primary source of protein in this dish. Aside from being leaner, kangaroo is higher in iron, vitamins B and omega 3 fatty acids than most other red meats. Fiber-rich ingredients like peas and flaxseed are included in this dish, making it suitable for dogs on a low GI diet.
4. Canard a la American Journey, a Limited Edition
Chewy’s own label is called American Journey. In this analysis, we’ve taken a close look at the American Journey nameplate. It was designed for those who desire a high-quality formula without having to fork over a fortune.
The formula for Duck & Sweet Potato Limited Ingredients is free of poultry and has fewer ingredients. Duck is the primary component in this high-quality dog food. The theory behind the limited-ingredient recipe is that a formula with fewer components will typically be healthier.
Additionally, this restricted ingredient composition is free of preservatives and artificial colours as well as grains and soy. It’s also a huge plus that it’s so reasonably priced. This recipe is ideal for dogs with any type of allergy because of its simple ingredient list and one source of animal protein.
5. Adult dry dog food made from nature’s recipe (LAMB MEAL & RICE)
An active adult dog can get all of the nutrition it needs from Nature’s Recipe Adult Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe. To keep your dog’s muscles strong and energetic all day, switch to lamb instead of chicken for their primary protein source.
Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, fibre, calcium, and phosphorus, as well as taurine, are all included in Nature’s formula for healthy skin and a lustrous coat, as well as strong bones and teeth (support a healthy heart). For sustained energy, the precise amount of rice provides a lean source of carbohydrates.
With this dry dog food, every day is a feast. Your dog will like the sweet recipe and artificial flavours in this treat. Aside from that, there are natural dog food formulations that include additional vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that your dog requires.. With Nature’s Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food, you can help keep your dog’s digestive system in good shape by providing fibre.
6. It’s Nom Nom
Nom Nom is a nutritionist-designed fresh meal choice that is delivered right to your door, making it easy to avoid hidden chicken.
At Nom Nom, the brand’s US-based kitchens (and exclusively US-sourced and human-grade ingredients) are used to make small quantities of food. But these recipes aren’t only about giving your dog a healthy and balanced diet; they’re also about giving your dog a mouthwatering taste and texture experience.
7. A Wellness Complete Health Dog Food for Whitefish Adult Dogs
Whitefish is an excellent source of lean protein in this formula, which is devoid of poultry. Dogs of all breeds can benefit from the moderate 22 percent protein concentration.
Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish help maintain a healthy coat and prevent inflammation. Dogs with sensitive skin benefit greatly from a diet rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Grain is not excluded from this recipe. Carbohydrates from whole-grain components like barley are more easily absorbed and utilised by the body. Despite the fact that grain-free dog food can benefit certain sensitive pups, it isn’t ideal for all breeds of dogs.
Natural components are the only ones used in this filler-free product. We don’t use any fillers, by-products, or artificial ingredients in our dog food. These ingredients may cause allergic reactions in dogs with chicken sensitivities.
8. Natural Chicken-free dog food from Instinct Be Natural is the best value
Instinct’s Be Natural dry dog food is one of our favourites, and our dogs seemed to like it just as much as we had. With no fillers, it has an all-natural, all-organic formula with animal protein that is responsibly sourced as the first and second ingredients.
There are natural fruits and veggies in this dog chow, but it’s not grain-free. Furthermore, this is the first kibble wrapped in raw meat. As a result, each piece is covered with Raw, which has been created from real meat and whole food ingredients, bringing the crude protein content of this item up to its stated 25%.
Salmon, lamb, and beef are just a few of the various possibilities for your dog’s diet. All three were adored by our pets. Due to its high protein and natural ingredient content, we believe this is the best dog food without chicken on the market for the price.
We’re happy to put it in second place because it’s reasonably priced and made with just the best ingredients from across the world.
9. Stella and chewy’s freeze-dried raw food for duck and goose
Recipe for a dog food with no chicken, but without going fully poultry-free, may be just what you are looking for. Turkey, duck, and geese are combined in a freeze-dried raw meal that tastes great.
Cage-free poultry, bones, and organs make up about 95 percent of the contents. Organic fruits and vegetables make up the majority of the rest. Probiotics are added to the mix to make it easier for sensitive dogs to digest. Because of its overall flavour, it can be served to even the most averse diners.
10. Inflammable skin & stomach proplan by purina (salmon & rice)
In the opinion of veterinarians, Purina Pro Plan is one of the most reliable brands. Salmon is the primary ingredient in this high-protein dry dog food, which is formulated to be gentle on your pup’s skin and stomach. Together with rice and oats, your dog will get the delectable and easy-to-digest food they are due!
Dogs that have chicken sensitivities may benefit from this dry dog food, which is free of poultry byproducts. Live probiotics and prebiotic fibre are included in this recipe to support your dog’s digestive and immunological systems.
Omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin A are also included in this formulation to help promote healthy skin and hair. Additionally, it contains Omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to aid in the health of joints. Finally, this product does not contain any corn, wheat, soy, or artificial colours or flavours, and it does not contain poultry.
Watch Dangerous foods your dog should never eat | Video
Besides chicken and beef, what kind of dog food does not contain these ingredients?
For pets with food sensitivities, BLUE Basics is a limited-ingredient diet based on a single animal protein source. The pumpkin in each recipe aids digestion by making it easier for the body to break down the other ingredients.
What can you feed a chicken-allergic dog?
If my dog is allergic to chicken, what can I feed them? Any type of protein other than chicken (such as beef or an uncommon protein source like rabbit or deer) is likely to yield positive results in a feeding experiment.
Is chicken a common allergen for dogs?
Chicken allergies and intolerances are frequent in dogs. There are exceptions to this rule, but most dogs should not eat any chicken at all. Others must stay well away from the situation.
Why should I feed my dog salmon?
Yes, that’s the quick answer. A good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which boost the immune system, may reduce inflammation, and keep your dog’s coat looking bright and healthy, salmon is an excellent choice. It’s also an excellent source of protein. High-quality dog chow often includes the salmon as a key ingredient.
Is there a way to know whether your dog has food allergies?
Food Allergies in Dogs: The Most Typical Symptoms
The itch (aka pruritus)
Sneezing.
Paws itching.
Spots of interest.
Rashes on the skin.
Scratchy or greasy skin.
Skin with a tan or brown hue.
It has a leathery feel to it.
Concluding remarks
Some of the best dog foods for dogs with chicken allergies or sensitivities have been hand-picked by our experts. We recommend talking with your veterinarian before adding new items into your dog’s diet. If your dog is suffering any health difficulties, a veterinarian can help you understand what’s going on and recommend the finest dog food for your pet’s individual needs.
There are no by-products, artificial colours, or artificial preservatives in any of our formulas, which means you get a wide variety of high-quality protein sources in every serving. We fed it to our dogs, and they loved it, too.
