There is a great deal of controversy out there regarding the use of grains in dog food. Many vets and animal nutritionists argue that dogs are carnivorous animals, though this isn’t strictly true. A dog is a scavenging carnivore, not an obligate carnivore (like a cat).
This means that while dogs are more biologically adapted to deriving nutrition from animal products, they do have a limited ability to digest plant foods.
Even so, meat is an important component in a dog’s diet – the most important component. Grains can provide your dog with carbohydrate energy, dietary fiber, and essential nutrients, but not all grains are created equal.
Certain whole grains like brown rice, barley, and oatmeal are considered digestible for most dogs and they offer a decent nutritional profile. Corn, wheat, and soy products, on the other hand, don’t offer the same benefits.
Even whole-grain corn can’t be considered a valuable addition to dog food because it is simply too low in beneficial nutrients and too likely to trigger food allergies or sensitivities.
Some vets argue that corn is a good source of protein, but you have to remember that meat proteins are much more valuable to dogs than plant proteins.
While corn may not cause a negative reaction for all dogs, it simply isn’t a high-quality ingredient for dog food.
Recommended Corn-Free Dog Food Brands
Whether or not your dog is actually allergic to corn, there is no reason to feed your dog a food that contains this particular grain.
Not only is it low in nutritional value, but it is hard for dogs to digest and it comes with a high risk for triggering food sensitivities and digestive issues.
If you want to avoid these problems for your dog, don’t choose a dog food that contains corn ingredients.
The Canidae company got its start in 1996 and, in the two decades since, has rapidly risen through the ranks to become one of the top brands of natural pet food. Canidae is an independent and family-owned company, so you can count on them to have your dog’s best interest at heart.
This brand makes every effort to support local businesses and each of their formulas is an example of high-quality, balanced nutrition.
Canidae produces all of their own pet foods at their Ethos Pet Nutrition facility located in Brownwood, Texas where they adhere to the strictest standards for quality and safety.
They only use the freshest meat, poultry and fish in each of their formulas, as well as digestible carbohydrates and fresh fruits and vegetables.
If you’re looking for a corn-free dog food, then this formula with fresh duck is a great option to consider.
As a limited ingredient diet, this formula is made with a novel source of protein and carbohydrate as well as a small number of main ingredients to reduce the risk for triggering food allergies and sensitivities.
This kibble is entirely grain-free and meat-rich proteins make up the first three ingredients. Following the fresh duck, duck meal, and turkey meal comes sweet potato and peas for carbohydrate energy and chicken fat for essential fatty acids.
This recipe is supplemented with chelated minerals to ensure maximum nutrient absorption as well as dried fermentation products for probiotic support. In addition to being rich in nutrients, this formula is also loaded with natural flavor your dog won’t be able to get enough of.
Choosing a healthy diet for your dog is of the utmost importance. Just as important as evaluating a pet food product for the ingredients it does contain is making sure that the product does NOT contain anything that could harm your dog or cause digestive issues. To safeguard your dog, be sure to choose a corn-free dog food like one of the recipes reviewed above.
What We Like
Contains fresh duck
Has probiotics to support digestive health
Grain-free and limited ingredient formula
Suit dogs with food sensitivities or allergies
No antibiotics, hormones, gluten, corn, wheat, or soy
What We Don't Like
Relatively expensive
Not suitable for dogs who are allergic to duck, turkey or chicken fat
The Wellness pet food company follows a holistic approach to pet nutrition, designing their recipes in a way that nourishes your dog’s body from the inside out.
Every formula is made with your dog’s best interest in mind, using only the freshest, natural ingredients to ensure complete and balanced nutrition.
Wellness has been around for over 80 years and has grown and changed with the pet food industry, always seeking to be the best of the best.
From a single recipe of oven-baked dog biscuits, Wellness has grown into one of the top brands of natural pet food, offering four different product lines.
Their Complete Health line of products features life stages and breed-size formulas while the CORE lineup includes a variety of grain-free options. The Simple line features Limited Ingredient Diets and TruFood offers baked dog foods made with fresh ingredients.
When it comes to grain-free and corn-free dog foods, this recipe offers protein-rich nutrition and an abundance of natural flavor. This formula is designed to support your dog’s optimal health through the use of fresh meats, healthy fats, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
It features deboned turkey, turkey meal, and chicken meal as the top three ingredients, supplemented with potatoes and peas for carbohydrate energy.
With chicken fat as the main source of fat, this recipe offers concentrated energy and it is supplemented with chelated minerals for maximum nutrient absorption and dried fermentation products for probiotic support.
In addition to being free from gluten and grains, this formula doesn’t contain any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Simply put, it is a great choice if you’re looking for a corn-free dog food recipe.
What We Like
Protein-rich and free from grains
Promotes lean body mass and strong muscles
Has probiotics, prebiotics, and digestive enzymes
Zero artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Made without by-products, corn, wheat, soy, or gluten
What We Don't Like
High calorie content
Not suitable for dogs who are allergic to poultry or potatoes
3. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Canine Formula
First 5 ingredients:
Water Buffalo, Lamb Meal, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas
This dog food brand understands that dogs are descended from wild wolves and therefore they crave real meats and natural flavors.
This brand produces only premium-quality, grain-free dog foods that are formulated to mimic the ancestral diet of wild dogs.
Every recipe is loaded with quality meats like roasted venison and bison, supplemented with gluten-free carbohydrates like garbanzo beans and other legumes.
Although the company only offers a limited selection of dry and wet food products, each of them is properly formulated not just to meet, but to exceed your dog’s nutritional needs in the most delicious way possible.
Though offering several dry dog food recipes, their High Prairie Formula is one of their top sellers. This protein-rich recipe is packed with real, roasted meats with 32% crude protein and 18% crude fat.
Guaranteed to provide your dog with the protein and energy he needs, this recipe is also designed to cater to his cravings for fresh meat flavor.
It features buffalo, lamb meal, and chicken meal as the top three ingredients, followed by sweet potatoes, peas and potatoes for carbohydrate energy and canola oil for healthy fat.
This formula is supplemented with chelated minerals for maximum nutrient absorption and probiotics for digestive support. There are also plenty of antioxidants, not to mention natural sources for key vitamins and minerals.
What We Like
Made for adult dogs
Contains pasture-raised red meat
Has proprietary probiotic strains
Offers a unique flavor and hefty dose of protein
Supports digestive health and nutrient absorption
What We Don't Like
Contains potatoes and poultry
It may cause some digestive issues
4. Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Healthy Weight Recipe
First 5 ingredients:
Chicken, Turkey Meal, Peas, Tapioca, Menhaden Fish Meal
Nature’s Variety is an independently owned and operated pet food company based in St. Louis. This company is aptly named because they strive to deliver high-quality nutrition with plenty of fresh, natural ingredients in each of their pet food products.
The brand understands that the quality of your dog’s nutrition matters for his long-term health and longevity, so they don’t cut any corners when it comes to their ingredients and their manufacturing processes.
They actually offer two separate brands – Prairie and Instinct. The Prairie brand features wholesome, natural recipes for dogs and cats that are also very affordable. The Instinct line features premium-quality recipes including dry food, wet food, raw food, and freeze-dried food.
If you are looking for a high-quality, corn-free dog food to feed your canine companion, it will be hard to do better than this formula from Instinct.
As part of the raw boost product line, this product features protein-rich kibble infused with freeze-dried raw pieces to ensure unbeatable natural flavor.
This formula is made with chicken, turkey meal, and menhaden fish meal as the primary ingredients and the main sources of protein. It is supplemented with gluten-free and grain-free carbohydrates like tapioca and peas, plus plenty of healthy fat from chicken fat.
It offers a whopping 35% crude protein with 15% fat (max) and just 6% crude fiber, making it an incredibly nutrient-dense formula for dogs in all life stages.
What We Like
High protein content
Boasts raw food benefits
Free from grains
Nutrient-rich ingredients
No artificial additive
What We Don't Like
Strong smell
5. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Premier Blend
First 5 ingredients:
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Dried Chicken
The Blue Buffalo Company is dedicated to treating pets like members of the family by providing them with high-quality diets made with the freshest ingredients available. Blue Buffalo understands that a healthy dog is a happy dog, so they don’t cut corners when it comes to their products.
None of their recipes include corn, wheat, or soy ingredients and they are all free from by-products and artificial additives. Blue Buffalo offers four distinct product lines catered to the individual dietary needs of different dogs.
This formula is a new addition to the Blue Buffalo lineup and it is a great example of high-quality, corn-free dog food.
It is packed with deboned salmon and chicken to meet your dog’s needs for a protein-rich diet and it is supplemented with digestible carbohydrates like oatmeal and brown rice.
You’ll also be glad to know that this meal features fresh fruits and vegetables like carrots, blueberries and cranberries to provide your dog with natural sources for key nutrients, including antioxidants.
Plus, like all of their products, this formula is supplemented with LifeSource Bits which consist of a proprietary blend of vitamins and minerals to ensure complete and balanced nutrition. Best of all, this formula is loaded with natural meat flavor that your dog is sure to love.
What We Like
Tasty multi-protein sources
Rich in protein and omega fatty acids
Contains fruits, vegetables and probiotics
Support overall health and well-being
Free of corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, colors and preservatives
What We Don't Like
Limited availability
Not for dogs with chicken allergy
Parting Words
Corn-free dog food brands offer an alternative for pet owners who prefer to avoid corn in their dog's diet, often due to concerns about allergies, digestive issues, or a desire for more natural ingredients.
Corn is commonly used as a carbohydrate source in many dog foods, but some believe it provides limited nutritional value compared to other whole grains or vegetables.
While corn-free meals may benefit dogs with sensitivities or those needing specialized diets, corn itself is not inherently harmful for most dogs.
As with any dog food, the overall quality of ingredients and balanced nutrition should be the primary consideration.
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An individual with a profound affection for animals, who was brought up in an environment surrounded by dogs, cats, and chickens. A self-taught enthusiast in the realm of pet care. At present, the proud caretaker of two rescued felines and two lovely mixed-breed canines.
