15 Best Chicken-Free Dog Foods For Puppies, Adults & Seniors With Allergies
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If you suspect or have already confirmed that your furry friend has an intolerance or allergies to chicken, you’re certainly not alone. Chicken is among the top four culprits for dog food allergies (beef, dairy products, and wheat). This dietary restriction can make it difficult to find an ideal food for your pup because so many dog foods contain chicken products.
Fortunately, I’ve researched hundreds of dog food brands and formulas to narrow things down. I’ve determined that the Farmer’s Dog, Ollie, and Spot & Tango are among the best chicken-free dog foods for every life stage. I have other budget-friendly dry dog food options for you as well.
Note: All of the dog foods we’ve included in our reviews meet or exceed Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutritional guidelines, are made in the U.S., and contain no fillers, preservatives, or artificial ingredients.
Fresh (All Life Stages) | Puppy | Adult Grain-Free | Adult Grain-Inclusive | Senior |
---|---|---|---|---|
The Farmer’s Dog | Natural Balance | Spot & Tango | Open Farm | JustFoodForDogs |
Visit Website | View on Chewy | Visit Website | Visit Website | Visit Website |
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Is Your Dog Allergic To Chicken?
Chicken allergies are one of the most common food allergies among canines. Your dog must be exposed to chicken more than once for food allergies to develop. My dog started showing anal gland blockage issues around two years of age. Some of the symptoms you should watch out for include the following:
- Itchy skin and skin infections
- Hair loss from scratching
- Ear inflammation due to excessive scratching
- Gastrointestinal problems, such as vomiting and diarrhea
If you think your dog may be having allergic reactions to poultry, you can take an at-home dog allergy test from EasyDNA or contact your veterinarian. They can help you identify if allergies are causing these symptoms. They may also suggest doing an elimination diet to truly determine the issues – this is how I discovered my dog’s poultry sensitivity.
Once you’ve determined that your pup has a food allergy, you should remove the ingredient from your dog’s diet. The offender is not always chicken. Sometimes, peas or legumes can be an allergen, as well as other animal proteins. If you cannot identify the allergens on your own, your veterinarian can run more detailed tests and help narrow the culprit down.
How Do We Define Chicken-Free Dog Food?
While you can find dog food that says it’s chicken-free, I’ve found that some brands can be misleading with this claim because some include chicken meal and/or by-products. For pups who don’t tolerate any chicken in their food, this is obviously a problem. So, all the recommendations here are completely free of whole chicken, chicken by-products, and chicken meal.
Can dogs who are intolerant or allergic to chicken eat chicken fat or chicken eggs? Yes, in most cases. The protein in chicken triggers allergies, and chicken fat doesn’t contain protein. Chicken eggs are a separate protein, so unless your pup is also allergic to eggs, they shouldn’t trigger any symptoms.
Best Fresh Dog Food Without Chicken (For All Life Stages)
Fresh dog food is one of the healthiest diets you can feed your canine companion, and you’re in luck because several fresh dog food delivery services offer entirely chicken-free recipes. Many personalize your pup’s meals for age, breed, weight, activity level, and other factors and deliver them right to your door. Formulated by board-certified animal nutritionists, their meals contain the perfect balance of nutrition for your furry friend at every life stage.
The Farmer’s Dog Review
Our favorite fresh dog food delivery service, The Farmer’s Dog, offers high-quality, human-grade meals at extremely competitive pricing (along with fantastic customer service). This brand uses USDA whole-food protein, vegetables, and fruits fortified with vitamins and minerals to meet any size dog’s nutritional requirements at all life stages.
In addition to a fresh grain-free chicken formula, The Farmer’s Dog offers grain-free and chicken-free beef, pork, and turkey recipes. While The Farmer’s Dog requires a subscription, you can cancel anytime. If you’re wary of grain-free dog food, be sure to check our review of Ollie below, which offers several fresh grain-inclusive recipes.
Price
- Starts at $2.00 per day
Our readers have access to 50% off your first box. No code is needed; just use this link, and the discount will be applied!
Our Personal Experience With The Farmer’s Dog
Our dog LOVES it! He gobbles it down fast and has had much more consistent bowel movements. Our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has also lost and maintained a much healthier weight since switching (and their coat is noticeably more shiny and healthy). And since our trial, we’ve been paying customers for over two years!
– Sadie Cornelius, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Parent, Canine Journal Creative & Marketing
In-Depth Review Of The Farmer’s Dog
See our full review of The Farmer’s Dog for more details about their recipes, nutritional value, and more.
Ollie Fresh Review
Ollie is another fantastic fresh dog food brand that uses only human-grade, whole-food ingredients carefully chosen by animal nutritionists and personalized for optimal health in all life stages. Unlike The Farmer’s Dog, Ollie offers several grain-inclusive, chicken-free fresh recipes: turkey, lamb, and pork. Their fresh beef formula is a great grain-free option.
Ollie gives you the cost-saving options of subscribing to half-fresh meals or a mixed-bowl plan, which includes half-fresh and half-gently baked dry food (available in beef or chicken). They offer a 100% money-back guarantee on your starter box. They include a measuring scoop and a plastic container to store unused food for later use.
Price
- Starts at $2.50 per day
Our readers can get 50% off their first order. Use this link to take advantage of this offer (no discount code needed).
In-Depth Review Of Ollie
Check out our full review of Ollie to learn more about their fresh and dry recipes, treats, supplements, subscription options, and much more.
Best Puppy Food Without Chicken
As you may have already discovered, it’s not easy to find puppy food without chicken products. Fortunately, I’ve found several high-quality options for you to consider.
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Lamb Puppy Food Review
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This limited-ingredient puppy food features lamb as the first ingredient, and it’s the only animal protein source in the entire formula, making it an excellent option for puppies with chicken or other protein sensitivities. It also includes easy-to-digest brown rice for plenty of complex carbs to fuel the energy needs of active puppies and fiber for healthy digestion.
Fish oil, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids (including DHA), helps support brain, skin, and coat health. Taurine provides nutrients for heart health and brain development. This formula contains no soy, gluten, artificial colors, or artificial flavoring. It gets excellent reviews from pup parents of little furballs with chicken and other food allergies.
Price
- Starts at $24.98 ($6.24 / lb) (4-lb bag)
In-Depth Review Of Natural Balance
Check out our full review of Natural Balance to learn more about their recipes, treats, and much more.
Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Puppy Food Review
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Purina Pro Plan’s Sensitive Skin & Stomach dog food line has two excellent chicken-free, grain-inclusive puppy formulas: salmon & rice and lamb & oatmeal.
Other special ingredients for puppies include antioxidants to support your puppy’s immune system development and omega-rich fish oil to support brain and vision development, as well as joint, skin, and coat health. Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach is also available in a large-breed puppy formula and adult and senior formulas.
Price
- Starts at $19.98 ($5.00 / lb) (4-lb bag)
Raised Right Puppy Beef Recipe Review
Raised Right is a premium pet food brand that produces fresh human-grade, super high-protein dog and cat food. All of their food contains whole-food ingredients without any added synthetic vitamins and minerals or artificial ingredients. They offer three puppy formulas that meet AAFCO nutritional guidelines for growing puppies, including the growth of large-size dogs (70 lb. or more as an adult).
Their puppy beef recipe is a superb option if you’re looking for chicken-free and grain-free puppy food. Formulated with limited ingredients by vet nutritionists, this recipe contains only beef, beef heart, carrots, beef liver, cranberries, organic spearmint, flaxseed oil, eggshell powder, cod liver oil, and organic dried kelp. Each bag contains one pound of food, and you can order a four-bag sample box to try it out. They also offer one-time purchases or auto-shipments.
Price
- $10.99 per 1-lb bag
In-Depth Review Of Raised Right
Read our full review of Raised Right to learn more about all recipes, company practices, and much more.
Best Grain-Free Chicken-Free Dog Food For Adults
On top of chicken sensitivities, some dogs also don’t handle grains well. If this is your pup’s dietary situation, I have a few recommendations.
Spot & Tango Unkibble Cod & Salmon Recipe Review
Spot & Tango offers an amazing chicken-free alternative to traditional kibble (called Unkibble), which is just as healthy as fresh food at a much lower price. Unkibble’s cod & salmon recipe is grain-free, but Unkibble also comes in two chicken-free, grain-inclusive recipes (beef & barley and turkey & sweet potato). These formulas are minimally processed dehydrated dog food made with human-grade, whole-food ingredients and plenty of superfoods.
Unkibble is a convenient, shelf-stable favorite of many pup parents. A huge plus is that Spot & Tango customizes your pup’s meals for his weight, breed, and activity level. While this company requires a subscription, you can cancel anytime. And you can try it out with their two-week trial that offers a full money-back guarantee.
Price
- Unkibble starts at $1.00 per day.
Our readers can save 55% off the first two weeks (plus free shipping, free customized scoop and free personalized feeding guide) using this link.
In-Depth Review Of Spot & Tango
Our full review of Spot & Tango gives you more details about their fresh and Unkibble recipes as well as the treats and supplements they offer.
Zignature Duck Limited Ingredient Formula Review
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Zignature carries a line of grain-free, chicken-free dog food that’s a fantastic option for pups with food sensitivities or allergies. I recommend one of their most popular formulas that features duck as the sole animal protein. Duck is a lean protein that’s rich in B vitamins and antioxidants like iron, zinc, and selenium. This high-protein, moderate-fat recipe also includes chickpeas, peas, and dehydrated alfalfa meal.
Other Zignature formulas include salmon, lamb, venison, kangaroo, and several more. All of these recipes are fortified with flaxseed, a great source of omegas, taurine for heart health, probiotics for digestive and immune health, and L-carnitine, an amino acid derivative that helps the body metabolize fats more efficiently.
Price
- Starts at $17.99 ($4.50 / lb) (4-lb bag)
Canidae Pure Salmon & Sweet Potato Review
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This Canidae Pure salmon formula is another excellent grain-free, chicken-free dog food. It only contains eight key ingredients, such as sweet potatoes, lentils, garbanzo beans, and peas and has no wheat, soy, or artificial preservatives. The first ingredient is whole salmon, and it also includes flaxseed. Both are a good source of omega fatty acids, which can help ease dry, itchy skin due to allergies.
After cooking the whole food ingredients, Canidae adds its HealthPLUS blend of probiotics, antioxidants, and even more omega-3 and 6 fatty acids. In addition to essential vitamins and minerals, it also includes taurine for heart health and glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health.
You can also consider the Canidae Under The Sun Lamb formula as another top-quality grain-free chicken alternative.
Price
- Starts at $21.99 ($5.50 / Pound) (4-lb bag)
Best Grain-Inclusive Chicken-Free Dog Food For Adults
Are you looking for the best no-chicken dog food that also includes grains? A vast majority of chicken-free dog foods also exclude grains (although grain sensitivities are entirely unrelated to chicken allergies). Many vets aren’t proponents of grain-free formulas, so I wanted to include grain-inclusive dog food without chicken or chicken by-products for you to consider.
Open Farm RawMix Wild Ocean Recipe With Ancient Grains Review
One of our favorite pet food brands, Open Farm, offers a huge assortment of dog food. We’ve chosen this RawMix Wild Ocean formula as our top pick for grain-inclusive, chicken-free dog chow. This premium recipe features kibble coated with fish bone broth and freeze-dried fish and mixed with freeze-dried fish chunks for a major protein flavor boost.
It includes easily digestible barley and brown rice, a wealth of superfood fruits and veggies (blueberries, carrots, pumpkin, spinach, kale, etc.), salmon oil, flaxseed, taurine, prebiotics, and many other ingredients to support your pup’s immune and whole-body health.
Why do we love Open Farm? On top of using high-quality, nutrient-dense ingredients, this company is committed to strict humane, sustainable, and food safety practices. All food is formulated by a team of animal nutrition experts and tested by an independent third-party lab.
Price
You can save 5% off every order if you sign up for auto-shipping with Open Farm.
- Starts at $26.99 (3.5-lb bag)
In-Depth Review Of Open Farm
Check out our full review of Open Farm for many more details about this company’s practices and the wide variety of dog food they offer.
Orijen Regional Red With Amazing Grains Dry Food Review
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Orijen’s philosophy is that our pets should eat the diet that evolution and nature intended, which means high animal protein and other all-natural foods. This chicken-free formula contains an impressive 90% of premium animal ingredients, including tasty organ meats. The first five ingredients are beef, wild boar, lamb, beef liver, and pork. The kibble has a freeze-dried coating for a burst of raw flavor.
This recipe also contains whole fish, easy-to-digest grains (oats and millet), and tons of superfoods, including chia seeds, flaxseed, pumpkin, collard greens, cranberries, kelp, and more. To top off this nutrient-dense chow, Orijen fortifies its recipes with probiotics, taurine, glucosamine, antioxidants, and other special ingredients for whole-body health.
Price
- Starts at $34.99 ($8.75 / lb) (4-lb bag)
Wellness Complete Health Whitefish Review
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This chicken-free kibble is an excellent option for pups with allergies. The Wellness brand formulates all of its dog chow to provide whole-body nutritional support, and this recipe is no exception. The first six ingredients are whitefish, ground barley, peas, menhaden fish meal, oatmeal, and sweet potatoes.
The limited food ingredients are enriched with omega fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics, and taurine. Many owners say this formula is fantastic for clearing up itchy skin, and their dogs love the taste.
Price
- Starts at $20.29 ($4.06 / lb) (5-lb bag)
Best Senior Dog Food For Chicken Allergies
As is the case with puppy food, there aren’t a ton of options on the market for chicken-free senior dog food formulas. Based on our research, I think the following two recipes are your best options.
JustFoodForDogs Fresh Lamb & Brown Rice Review
With moderate protein, fat, and calories, this human-grade fresh dog chow from JustFoodForDogs (JFFD) is a fantastic choice for senior dogs who don’t tolerate chicken. It contains whole lamb as the first ingredient, long-grain brown rice for carbs and fiber, and such superfoods as carrots, blueberries, and spinach.
It’s also fortified with omegas for skin, coat, and joint health, taurine for heart and brain health, chelated minerals, and vitamins. All of JFFD’s dog food is formulated by veterinary nutritionists and prepared in USDA-certified kitchens. They offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on your first purchase.
Price
- Starts at $86.03 (7.8-lb box)
Get 35% off your first order at JustFoodForDogs. Just use this link to get started.
In-Depth Review Of JustFoodForDogs
See what other recipes JFFD offers and more details about this brand in our full review of JustFoodForDogs.
Now Fresh Grain-Free Senior Dry Formula Review
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This Now Fresh senior formula is entirely chicken, grain, and gluten-free and a super nutritious option for your elderly pup, particularly those who still need higher protein content. This recipe features turkey as the first ingredient, plus fresh salmon and duck for high-quality animal protein. Chock full of omegas, probiotics, and green-lipped mussels, it’s an excellent choice if your pup has skin, stomach, or joint issues that are common in older dogs.
To keep your pup’s weakening immune system as he ages, this formula is packed with superfoods, such as flaxseed, carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, blueberries, bananas, and many more. I also love that Now Fresh cooks its fresh ingredients only once at the lowest temperature possible to preserve their nutrients and flavor.
Price
- Starts at $18.99 ($5.43 / lb) (3.5-lb bag)
Other Chicken-Free Dog Foods To Consider
There are a few other high-quality brands to consider if those reviewed above don’t quite fit your dog’s needs or your budget.
American Journey Dog Food Review
American Journey is Chewy’s in-house brand and is a great pick for pet parents on a budget. It was created for people who want a premium dog food formula without breaking the bank. The Duck & Sweet Potato Limited Ingredient formula provides a poultry-free experience with a lower ingredient count. This is a high-quality duck dog food, with duck as the first ingredient. The thought behind the limited-ingredient formula is that fewer ingredients usually equate to a more nutritious recipe, and it’s free of grains, soy, corn, preservatives, or artificial colors.
If your dog, like mine, can tolerate a little chicken but a large amount of duck can cause dietary issues, I recommend the American Journey Protein & Grains Formula Salmon, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe Dry Dog Food. It does contain chicken fat, but none of the proteins that trigger allergies.
American Journey’s products strike a nice balance between budget and quality. Chewy’s shipping times are also excellent. This is a superb option if you are looking for a kibble with plenty of nutrients like Omega fatty acids and easily digestible carbs.
Price
- Starts at $25.99 (12 lb bag)
Our Personal Experience With American Journey
Our dog Barley was suffering from anal gland issues, so we did an elimination diet and found he was allergic to poultry. When I was looking for poultry-free dog food for Barley, I also focused on higher fiber to further support anal gland health. So we landed on this food, which is fish-based and also 6% fiber (a little higher than average). Since switching to the American Journey food six months ago, Barley has had zero anal gland issues.
– Michelle Schenker, Rescue Dog Parent, Canine Journal Co-Founder
In-Depth American Journey Review
Learn more about American Journey dog food with our personal experience in our detailed review.
Nutro Limited Ingredient Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe
A non-GMO, grain-free formula, Nutro Limited Ingredient Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe uses at least 10 key ingredients. These include high-quality Australian and New Zealand lamb, along with chickpeas, dried potatoes, dried sweet potatoes, lentils, sunflower oil, and canola oil.
It does not contain the elements that commonly cause food allergies in canines, such as chicken, beef, corn, soy, wheat, and dairy. Nutro has several flavors in its limited ingredient lines and is in the middle of the road regarding budget.
Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe is ideal for canines who are more comfortable eating smaller kibbles. This is one of our favorite dog foods for Labradoodles and other breeds that may have sensitive stomachs. Nutro is a reputable brand with a comprehensive line of different kibbles and an excellent brand history.
Detailed Nutro Dog Food Review
Learn more about Nutro for puppies, adults, and seniors in our detailed Nutro review.
3 Ingredients To Avoid In Chicken-Free Dog Food
Not everything indicated on a pet food label is beneficial for your dog. In fact, some of them are actually harmful. You’ll want to steer clear of many artificial ingredients or processed foods. These can have very negative long-term impacts on your pup. Here are some items that you should watch out for.
1. Food Fragments
These are low-quality leftovers from other food manufacturing processes. If you see these words on an ingredient list, move on to the next product:
- Middling
- Rice Hulls
- Mill Run
- Peanut Hulls
- Cellulose
2. Artificial Coloring
Artificial coloring is unnecessary since your dog doesn’t care about the color of food. The coloring is only added to make the product more appealing to pet parents. I recommend you stick to recipes that contain no artificial coloring of any type.
3. Sugar And Sweeteners
Sugar is definitely a no-no. As with humans, it can lead to obesity, hyperactivity, and tooth decay in dogs.
You might also want to keep your pet away from formulas that contain cane molasses, corn syrup, sucrose, fructose, glucose, propylene glycol, and xylitol. These are used to make food tastier for your dog. However, they add more calories and have no nutritional value. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener and is toxic to canines, so it is best to avoid this at all costs. Please note that the same plant-derived substance as xylitol is also called “birch sugar” or “birch sap” in ingredient listings.
Frequently Asked Questions
I know there are plenty of questions about switching your pup to chicken-free dog food. Below, I’ve covered a few of the most frequently asked ones. If I missed yours, let me know in the comments, and I will find the answer!
How Can I Determine What’s Causing My Dog’s Allergies?
Unfortunately, research has found that dogs who have an allergy or intolerance to one food ingredient often have allergies to additional ingredients. Many dogs also have intolerances to environmental allergens, such as mold, pollen, and dust mites. If your vet hasn’t yet confirmed that your pup has chicken or other types of food or environmental intolerances, you may want to consider getting your pup tested.
If you’re unsure what’s causing your dog’s allergies, you can give your pup an at-home dog allergy test. These kits test for sensitivity or intolerance to food and environmental factors that develop over time. You send a saliva or hair sample to the company’s lab and get results within a few weeks. You can then share these results with your vet to help further narrow down possible causes.
What’s The Most Common Food Allergy In Dogs?
Food allergies are a common concern among pet owners. It can be very frustrating to see your pet suffer from allergic reactions, which usually range from diarrhea to ear itching and inflammation.
Some dogs are born with food allergies, while others develop them through the years. Even if your pet is used to eating the same type of food for years, they could suddenly develop an allergy to pork, beef, fish, chicken, wheat, soy, and other fruits or vegetables.
Your vet can help determine what food ingredients are causing your dog’s adverse reactions or if there’s an underlying health issue that you should be aware of.
What Is A Limited-Ingredient Formula, And Is It Right For My Dog?
As the name suggests, limited-ingredient dog food formulas contain a smaller number of selected ingredients. However, the exact definition varies from one manufacturer to another.
Some limited-ingredient formulas may have one to two protein sources, such as salmon, rabbit, or venison, and one to two carb sources, like sweet potatoes or green peas. Others offer limited-ingredient products with fewer ingredients than their standard formulas. Dogs with skin or digestive issues may benefit from limited-ingredient food. However, be sure to work with your veterinarian to determine whether this is the best option for your pet.
Diet Is The Cornerstone Of Lifelong Canine Health
Proper nutrition is the foundation for canine health and wellness. This is why picking the best dog food formula for your dog’s specific needs can have a considerable impact. For example, your dog needs a diet rich in fatty acids to maintain beautiful skin and coats. To increase their energy levels, be sure to feed them a recipe containing enough fats, carbohydrates, and animal protein. You may want to consider a vitamin or supplement to help boost your pup’s overall health. Consider an allergy supplement if your pup has skin or food allergies, but always speak to your vet about making major changes to your pup’s diet.
Our Methodology
We analyze hundreds of dog food brands and individual formulas to provide our recommendations for the best nutrition. Each of the following elements helps us determine the best dog food for any dietary need. Our in-depth research includes:
- Scrutinizing all ingredients included in every formula
- Having firsthand experience with our dogs for many of the foods we recommend
- Assessing the guaranteed analysis for every formula, including protein, fat, fiber, and caloric content
- Investigating the latest scientific studies on dogs’ nutritional needs and benefits of ingredients
- Researching the specific dietary needs for breed sizes and health conditions
- Reading hundreds of customer reviews
- Staying informed on every dog food recall
- Diving into every pet food brand’s history and reputation
- Keeping on top of pet food trends
Unlike many other review sites, we give unbiased reviews based on countless hours of research. Our goal is to provide our readers with the healthiest options for their pups.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Sally has researched and reviewed hundreds of different dog food brands and specific formulas. She’s an expert at analyzing dog food ingredients based on current nutritional guidelines and scientific studies for the healthiest food for our pups. She’s part of a team of dog specialists at Canine Journal who have over a decade of experience in researching, testing, and writing about everything you need to know to keep your pup healthy and happy.