
Our quick take: Plain, cooked potato is safe for most dogs, and potato is not one of the common food allergens (beef, dairy, chicken and wheat are reported most often). A potato-free food makes sense if your vet suspects a potato sensitivity, has your dog on an elimination diet, or your dog simply leaves it in the bowl. All 10 picks below contain no white potato or potato starch at the time of writing, but recipes change, so check the current ingredient list. Several are grain-free and legume-heavy; see the note on peas, lentils and heart disease below.
There is some speculation that feeding your dog potatoes is a bad thing. There is some truth to the notion, and some false allegations as well.
The truth is, potatoes can provide certain nutrients to a dog’s diet that they may otherwise miss. However, they aren’t crucial to the overall health of most dogs, and in certain cases where they are, can be added in other ways.
The fact remains that some dogs just won’t eat a potato. Often when potatoes were included in the food, they may be eaten around and left in the bowl for you to clean out.
Other instances may be that you just don’t want to take a chance on the health concerns with potatoes. Whatever the case, we have you covered with the best potato free dog food.
- Are Potatoes Bad For Dogs?
- Potato Free Dog Food Brands
- 1. Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Lamb + Brown Rice Recipe
- 2. ACANA Butcher’s Favorites Farm-Raised Beef & Liver Recipe
- 3. Ollie Healthy Turkey Feast
- 4. American Journey Lamb and Sweet Potato
- 5. Nutro Puppy Tender Beef, Pea & Carrot Recipe Bites In Gravy
- 6. Naavi Slow Roasted Turkey Bowl
- 7. Blue Buffalo Freedom Senior Chicken Recipe
- 8. Canisource Grand Cru Surf & Turf
- 9. Get Joy Chicken Recipe
- 10. ORIJEN Senior
- Why is it good?
- Why is it Bad?
- Identifying Potatoes on the Label
- Takeaway
Are Potatoes Bad For Dogs?
There isn’t a simple answer for how bad a potato is for dogs. There are concerns, of course, as well as rumors, and facts. Let’s look at those now.
Potato Free Dog Food Brands
1. Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Lamb + Brown Rice Recipe
First 5 ingredients:
Deboned Lamb, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Oat Meal
Protein: 25.0% min
Fat: 16.0% min
Fiber: 3.5% max
Moisture: 11.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
Merrick’s Classic recipes offer a range of options, with some varieties including ingredients like potato or potato starch. However, this recipe stands out as one that does not contain these ingredients.
This kibble has a solid protein level (see the guaranteed analysis above), with deboned lamb as the first ingredient and whole grains such as brown rice, barley and oatmeal instead of potato. Merrick also describes its Healthy Grains lamb recipe as free of peas and lentils. The recipe is also enriched with a variety of added vitamins and minerals, specifically designed to support healthy bone, joint and muscle development in dogs.
Additionally, all Merrick products, including this one, are made in the USA.
What Customers Like
- No potato or potato derivatives
- Great flavor and high meat protein
- Contains over 20 vitamins and minerals
- High levels of glucosamine and chondroitin
- Real deboned lamb is the main ingredient
Common Complaints
- Kibble can be tougher on small teeth and may not be suitable for toy breeds
- Doesn’t mix well with water if making a gravy as it has a high moisture content and tends to fall apart
2. ACANA Butcher’s Favorites Farm-Raised Beef & Liver Recipe
First 5 ingredients:
Beef, Beef Meal, Pork Meal, Whole Chickpeas, Whole Peas
Protein: 36.0% min
Fat: 17.0% min
Fiber: 4.0% max
Moisture: 12.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
This unique kibble delivers a meaty, protein-packed meal your dog will love.
Crafted in the USA using premium ingredients sourced globally, this high-quality formula starts with fresh farm-raised beef, nutrient-rich beef liver and savory Yorkshire pork.
With up to 70% animal ingredients and 30% carefully selected plant ingredients and nutrients, this grain-free recipe supports strong muscles, healthy energy and overall vitality.
What sets it apart is its irresistible texture—a hearty blend of crunchy kibble and tender, protein-rich pieces of real beef jerky that turn every bite into a flavorful feast.
What Customers Like
- Protein-rich
- Zero grains or potatoes
- Contains real beef jerky
- Helps maintain healthy weight
- Loaded with Omegas for better coat and skin
Common Complaints
- Very few jerky pieces
- Picky eaters didn’t like it
3. Ollie Healthy Turkey Feast
First 5 ingredients:
Turkey, butternut squash, turkey livers, oats, lentils
Protein: 10.0% min
Fat: 7.0% min
Fiber: 2.0% max
Moisture: 72.0% max
Food Type: Fresh
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
Ollie makes human-grade premium dog food by the order. They use only all-natural ingredients and each batch is hand crafted for quality and flavor.
When selecting a super-premium dog food, you will need to pay special attention to the ingredients in each recipe. At the time of writing, Turkey is the only Ollie fresh recipe with no white potato or sweet potato, and the Pork recipe uses sweet potato but no white potato. The Beef, Chicken and Lamb recipes contain potato. Ollie changes its recipes from time to time, so check the ingredient list before you order.
Featuring premium turkey as the star ingredient, this formula is balanced with nutrient-dense fruits, vegetables, and essential vitamins and minerals.
Delivered fresh and gently cooked to preserve flavor and healthy nutrients, it supports lean muscle, digestive well-being, and a shiny coat.
It’s all-natural, free from artificial fillers and preservatives, and designed to make mealtime both nutritious and delicious for dogs of all life stages.
If you don’t mind feeding the same flavors day in and day out, the Healthy Turkey feast is a great option for a potato free food.
What Customers Like
- Human-grade food
- For all dogs and all life stages.
- Portion control is easy and the food leaves little to zero waste
- Added vitamins and minerals to support healthy growth and digestion
Common Complaints
- Portion control can take a bit to get used to
- Buying in bulk is difficult while maintaining freshness
4. American Journey Lamb and Sweet Potato
First 5 ingredients:
Deboned Lamb, Chicken Meal (a source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Turkey Meal, Peas, Chickpeas
Protein: 30.0% min
Fat: 12.0% min
Fiber: 5.0% max
Moisture: 10.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: Puppy, All Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
This dry food recipe is created with deboned lamb to provide protein and sweet potatoes to provide fiber. This formula provides a rich, aromatic flavor your pup will devour!
The rich protein is supplied to encourage the maintenance of lean muscle mass that assist with keeping your pup fit and at a proper weight for his size.
This recipe adds salmon oil and flaxseed to provide your puppy with the omega fatty acids that will feed his skin and coat for optimal health.
Added veggies and fruits provide the vitamins and minerals and even antioxidants that support overall health and specifically, immune support.
There is no white potato: the carbohydrates come mainly from peas, chickpeas and sweet potatoes, with tapioca starch helping to bind the kibble. The guaranteed analysis is 30% minimum protein, 12% minimum fat and 5% maximum fiber.
What Customers Like
- Easy to chew and digest
- Doesn’t contain any grains
- Contains vitamins, minerals and antioxidants
- High in crude protein to promote growth and nutrition
Common Complaints
- Caused tummy upset in some
- Can break down if mixed with water
5. Nutro Puppy Tender Beef, Pea & Carrot Recipe Bites In Gravy
First 5 ingredients:
Beef, Chicken Broth, Pork Broth, Peas, Chicken
Protein: 8.0% min
Fat: 3.5% min
Fiber: 1.5% max
Moisture: 82.0% max
Food Type: Wet, Stew
Best for: Puppy, All Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
Nutro Puppy isn’t known for being potato free, but they do make a few options. The most popular and well received of which is the beef, pea and carrot flavor.
Instead of potato, it uses tapioca starch to thicken the gravy, and dried egg product adds a little extra protein. It does contain dried tomatoes, another nightshade, so skip it if your vet has told you to avoid all nightshades. You will also get a relatively high crude protein content from the beef, though it isn’t as high as some other recipes.
The wet food is designed for all breed types and sizes, though you will be feeding a lot less to smaller breeds and younger pups. Portion control is crucial, especially in breeds known for overeating and weight gain.
What Customers Like
- Made from real beef
- Mixes well with dry food
- Keeps puppies active and healthy
- Has a lot of vitamins and minerals
Common Complaints
- Contains higher crude fat than some brands
- Easily overeaten, leading to possible weight gain if not watched closely
6. Naavi Slow Roasted Turkey Bowl
First 5 ingredients:
Turkey, Cranberries, Coconut Glycerin, Grain Sorghum, Carrots
Protein: 25.0% min
Fat: 14.0% min
Fiber: 3.5% max
Moisture: 10.0% max
Food Type: Air-Dried
Best for: Adult, All Breeds
This product offers a gourmet dining experience that even the pickiest pups can’t resist.
This nutritionally balanced recipe features tender, slow-smoked turkey pieces that are gently air-dried to lock in rich flavor and essential nutrients—without the use of bone meal, byproducts or artificial flavors.
Its irresistible aroma and satisfying mix of textures create a unique mealtime moment, whether served dry, rehydrated with warm water, used as a tasty topper, or offered as a high-value treat.
Formulated by a board-certified nutritionist, this complete meal is enhanced with live probiotics and prebiotic fibers to support healthy digestion, along with nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables that are carefully air-dried to preserve their natural goodness.
What Customers Like
- Slow smoked
- With tender meat pieces
- Offers variety of textures
- Contains air-dried fruits and veggies
- Made by a board-certified nutritionist
Common Complaints
- Steep price
7. Blue Buffalo Freedom Senior Chicken Recipe
First 5 ingredients:
Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Carrots, Peas
Protein: 7.0% min
Fat: 5.5% min
Fiber: 2.0% max
Moisture: 78.0% max
Food Type: Wet, Pâté
Best for: Senior, All Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
Blue Buffalo has one of the widest ranges of recipes and flavors for all life stages when it comes to premium brands. Their senior formulas are no different.
Made with tender chunks of high-quality chicken, this wholesome recipe delivers the taste dogs love and the nutrition they need.
Packed with antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables and formulated with complex carbohydrates, it helps support energy and vitality to keep older dogs active and thriving.
Whether served as a savory entrée, mixed in with kibble, or offered as a special treat, this grain-free meal is a delicious and gentle option. Free from wheat, corn, soy, by-product meals, and artificial flavors or preservatives, it’s a clean, senior-friendly formula you can feel good about.
However, you will need to double check the ingredients for potatoes, as not all their senior formulas are potato free. The dry Freedom Senior recipe, for example, is made with chicken and potatoes, and some recipes use potato starch, which still counts as white potato, so read the label carefully.
What Customers Like
- Highly palatable
- Boosts immune support
- Promotes active lifestyle
- Real chicken is top ingredient
Common Complaints
- Has carrageenan
- Made poop smelly in some pets
8. Canisource Grand Cru Surf & Turf
First 5 ingredients:
Pork, Herring, Pork Liver, White Rice, Rolled Oats
Protein: 28.0% min
Fat: 16.0% min
Fiber: 3.0% max
Moisture: 8.0% max
Food Type: Dehydrated
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
This is a premium, nutritionally rich meal designed to bring the power of raw feeding into a convenient, shelf-stable format.
Featuring real meat as the first ingredient, this carefully crafted formula draws its protein from high-quality sources like pork, herring and pork liver, along with the added goodness of hake for a surf-inspired boost.
Wholesome fruits and vegetables—including apples, carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes and cranberries—combine with herbs like thyme and rosemary to deliver a well-rounded, flavorful meal.
This dehydrated kibble is specifically formulated to mimic the benefits of a raw diet, helping to support healthy digestion and strengthen the immune system without the need for refrigeration or complicated prep.
Free from by-products, artificial colors, and artificial flavors, it’s a clean, nourishing choice that dogs love and pet parents trust.
What Customers Like
- Human-grade
- Easy to serve
- Itch and redness remedy
- Aids in dental and breath care
Common Complaints
- Expensive
- Not for finicky eaters









