The Rundown
Best Overall: Acana Singles Dry Dog Food
“Acana Singles Dry Dog Food has high protein levels and great Omega fatty acids content. It is perfect for dogs with allergies as it offers different flavors that are all chicken-free and made with biologically appropriate ingredients.”
Best Flavour Variations: Earthborn Holistic Venture Dog Food
“Earthborn Holistic Venture Dog Food offers a huge variety of all chicken-free flavors including the unusual ones. Your pup can choose from pollock, pork, duck, rabbit, squid and turkey recipes all with great nutrient values.”
Best Budget Option: Diamond Naturals Grain-Free Recipes
“Diamond Naturals Grain-Free Recipes comes in chicken-free flavors that contain DHA, high levels of Omega fatty acids, veggies, carbs and antioxidants. This kibble is made from premium-quality ingredients and keeps you on budget.“
Some dogs are more naturally prone to allergies or food intolerances than others, but there are also certain ingredients that are more common allergens than others. One of these, surprisingly, is chicken.
It’s not enough to simply choose a flavor such as beef or salmon when looking for a dog food without chicken. A high-quality, non-chicken protein source is essential, but you’ll need to make sure that there is no chicken meal as an additional protein source.
If your pup has a chicken intolerance, you’ll find plenty of good, healthy dog foods on this list of best dog food without chicken.




Table of Contents
- The Rundown
- 10 Best Dog Food Without Chicken
- 1. Acana Singles Dry Dog Food
- 2. Earthborn Holistic Venture Grain-Free Dog Food
- 3. Diamond Naturals Grain-Free Recipes
- 4. Tylee’s Beef Recipe Human-Grade Frozen Dog Food
- 5. Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Dog Treats
- 6. Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Diet Senior Dry Dog Food, Turkey & Potato
- 7. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diet Canned Dog Food
- 8. Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Dry Dog Food, Beef Recipe
- 9. Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties
- 10. Canidae Pure Real Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
- 1. Acana Singles Dry Dog Food
- Testing Protocol & Criteria Used For Evaluation
- Questions & Answers
10 Best Dog Food Without Chicken
1. Acana Singles Dry Dog Food
Premium Option: High protein and biologically appropriate
PROS
- Variety of flavors, all chicken free
- Limited ingredients, single source animal protein
- All flavors contain glucosamine
- All flavors have great Omega fatty acids, including DHA and EPA
CONS
- Slightly pricey (but not unusual for a limited ingredient food)
The Acana Singles Dry Dog Food come in five different flavors, all of which are without chicken. They are perfect for dogs who have food allergies or intolerances, as they contain limited ingredients, are made up of biologically appropriate ingredients, and have nothing artificial in them at all. We recommend this as one of the best chicken free dog foods for your pup (even if they’re just a fussy eater!).
click to see more
2. Earthborn Holistic Venture Grain-Free Dog Food
Best Flavor Variety: Unusual flavors available
Check Price on Amazon
Check Price on Chewy.com
PROS
- Multiple high-quality, unusual flavors available
- All flavors chicken free
- Also avoid other common allergens such as potato, grains, and egg
- No by-products
CONS
- Slightly pricey
- No glucosamine
Limited ingredient dog foods can often be disappointing in terms of flavor variety. The Earthborn Holistic Venture Grain-Free Dog Food, though, comes in six recipes, all of which avoid common allergens and are unique and tasty, while providing great protein, fat, and Omega fatty acids. It’s our choice as the best dog food without chicken for food allergies, in terms of flavor variety.
click to see more
3. Diamond Naturals Grain-Free Recipes
Best Value For Money: High quality and affordable
Check Price on Amazon
Check Price on Chewy.com
PROS
- Two of the three available flavors are without chicken
- Both chicken free flavors contain DHA and high levels of Omega fatty acids
- Good protein and fat levels for all ages, sizes, and breeds
- Added probiotics and prebiotics
CONS
- “Fish meal” is a little vague
It can be tough to find a high-quality dog food that fits into the budget, and even more so to find a chicken free dog food, as it’s one of the more affordable dog food ingredients. These grain-free dry food recipes from Diamond Naturals come in three variations, of which two have no chicken products in them at all.
click to see more
4. Tylee’s Beef Recipe Human-Grade Frozen Dog Food
Best Human-Grade: You could have a bowl of this with your pup
PROS
- Human-grade food – you could have a bowl of this with your pup if you wanted to!
- A 6-lb bag yields 24 or 25 cups of food
- Various chicken free flavors
CONS
- Low in protein, so it may be best dog food for low-protein diets
Fresh, human-grade food is the best dog food after raw feeding as a healthy way to feed your fluff with a food allergy. Human-grade means that the ingredient list is filled with food you and I would eat, and the Tylee's Beef Recipe Dog Food is actually fit for human consumption. Nothing artificial, chemical, and no ingredients with long scientific names – this is just good food for good pups.
click to see more
5. Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Dog Treats
Best Chicken-Free Treats: Packed with minerals and Omegas
Check Price on Amazon
Check Price on Chewy.com
PROS
- All flavors contain a single source protein
- Naturally preserved
- High in animal protein
- Packed with minerals and Omega fatty acids
CONS
- Some of the treats can be a little crumbly
Sometimes, although we have the best intentions of removing chicken entirely from our pup’s diet, it’s easy to forget that their diet consists not only of their daily dog food but also the treats they snack on in between. Choosing a dry food without chicken but still feeding your pooch treats with chicken defeats the point a little, so we’ve added the Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Dog Treats to show that there are some great options out there for chicken-free treats to supplement the best dog food.
click to see more
6. Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Diet Senior Dry Dog Food, Turkey & Potato
Best For Seniors: Limited ingredient recipe for easier digestion
Check Price on Amazon
Check Price on Chewy.com
PROS
- Completely without chicken
- Limited ingredient recipe for easier digestion
- Contains DHA and glucosamine and chondroitin, great for senior pets
- Good Omega fatty acids to keep aging skin and fur nourished
CONS
- No flavor variation
- Slightly low in protein for seniors who are still quite active
Chicken is a super easily digestible ingredient, until it isn’t. The majority of senior-specific foods out there are made with chicken, and it can be hard to find one specifically for seniors without chicken. The Blue Buffalo Basics Dog Food is our pick for the best dog food for seniors. It’s another limited ingredient recipe, and steers clear of many allergens, including chicken, beef, grains containing gluten, and eggs.
click to see more
7. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diet Canned Dog Food
Best Wet Food: Naturally preserved and flavoured
Check Price on Amazon
Check Price on Chewy.com
PROS
- Contains no artificial ingredients
- Various flavors available, many without chicken
- Limited ingredient for less chance of sensitivities
- Naturally preserved and flavored
CONS
- Contains carrageenan, which is considered a low-quality thickening agent
Although most of the dog foods on this list are dry food, there are occasions where we as pet parents may find that a wet food is useful. Whether it’s added as a kibble topper to a fussy pet’s food, used as a medicine-concealer, given as a treat, or used as a meal when your pup struggles with kibble due to illness or injury, selecting a canned dog food without chicken is as important as a dry dog food. The Natural Balance Limited Canned Dog Food is perfect for this.
click to see more
8. Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Dry Dog Food, Beef Recipe
Best For Puppies: Great protein levels for a growing pup
Check Price on Amazon
Check Price on Chewy.com
PROS
- Great protein levels for a growing pup
- Contains DHA to help your puppy’s brain and eyes develop
- Perfect calcium/phosphorus ratio to grow strong bones
- Glucosamine and chondroitin to strengthen joints
CONS
- Somewhat pricey
- No flavor variation
Sometimes pups are just born with food allergies or intolerances and don’t develop them over time. If your puppy has displayed a food allergy to chicken from the start, choosing to feed them a dog food without chicken that’s packed with healthy fruits and vegetables like the Merrick Grain-Free Dog Food is the best way to get them off to a healthy start.
click to see more
9. Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties
Best Raw Food: Raw food makes for easier digestion
Check Price on Amazon
Check Price on Chewy.com
PROS
- Many chicken free flavors available
- Raw food makes for easier digestion
- Very high in animal protein, fat and Omega fatty acids
- Minimally processed and nutrient-packed
CONS
- Somewhat pricey
- You may find yourself going through a packet quite quickly if you have a large, hungry dog
Raw feeding can be a great alternative to dry dog food, especially if your dog tends to develop intolerances or a food allergy towards kibble. If you’re keen to give it a try, the Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties are a super option that’s tasty, nutritious, and best of all, chicken free.
click to see more
10. Canidae Pure Real Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
Best Limited Ingredient: You can avoid other common allergens
Check Price on Amazon
Check Price on Chewy.com
PROS
- 10 or fewer ingredients in each recipe
- Enough variety that your pooch can avoid other common allergens, such as potatoes
- Probiotics added
- Good Omega fatty acids
CONS
- Some flavors aren’t chicken free
- Somewhat expensive
Many of the dog foods on this list are limited ingredient, so this may not seem like such an interesting thing. But the fact is, chicken free foods are hard to find, and most of them will fall into a limited ingredient category as they are generally specific to food allergy or sensitive stomachs. The Canidae Pure Real Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food is a super quality dog food, and although it’s a little pricey, it’s worth giving a try.
click to see more
Testing Protocol & Criteria Used For Evaluation
Criteria 1 – Ingredient Quality
When dealing with a dog that has allergies or food intolerances, it’s important to make sure that you don’t just stop at avoiding the particular ingredient they react badly to. Food intolerances can arise to many different ingredients, so the best dog foods should only contain high-quality, natural ingredients.
This criterion is an all-round quick look at the quality of the dog foods, and we won’t let you settle for something that isn’t top quality.
Criteria 2 – Protein Source
Obviously, we’ve avoided chicken here. That’s chicken meat and chicken meal – one is as bad as the other when your dog is sensitive to it. Of course, it’s still imperative that the food contains a decent animal protein source. The dog foods on this list are chicken free and contain premium animal protein such as beef, salmon, lamb, whitefish, turkey, and duck.
We’ve made sure to include a variety of other animal proteins – dogs have different tastes just like humans do, so we’ve included as many different chicken free flavors as we can to ensure there’s something for everyone!
Criteria 3 – Artificial Ingredients
It’s essential to make sure that the chances of your fluff developing more food allergies are as small as possible, and one of the most important things to do is make sure they’re avoiding any artificial ingredients.
Artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives are not only unhealthy and non-nutritious, they’re totally unnecessary. Using natural preservatives, colors, and flavors is both easy and affordable these days. The best dog foods contain natural colors and flavors, as well as naturally occurring preservatives so your pup will be getting as much healthy, natural stuff in as possible.
Criteria 4 – No Hidden Chicken
Although chicken fat is a completely different ingredient to the protein part of the chicken, we’ve elected to stick to what we’ve stated in the heading – best dog food without chicken, and that includes chicken fat (although it doesn’t contribute to food allergies like the meat does).
Many non-chicken flavored dog foods still contain chicken fat or chicken meal, so if you’re not looking closely at your ingredient list, you could end up inadvertently feeding your pup chicken ingredients. We’ve gone through each ingredient list carefully and made sure there’s no chicken meat, chicken meal, chicken fat, or other sneaky chicken things floating around.
Criteria 5 – Affordability
Being the pet parent of a pup who has food allergies can feel like a tough job. Vet’s visits, medications, and high-quality food might add up and make you feel like you’re spending more than you should be on making sure your pooch stays healthy. The best dog food should be easy on your dog’s tummy, and easy on your pocket.
It’s a big bonus if you can find a food that is all-natural, packed with nutrition, and decently priced. We’ve made sure to include a variety of prices here so there’s something for everyone – even the lower-priced dog foods on this list are on-par with the others, quality-wise.
Questions & Answers

How can I tell if my dog is allergic to chicken?
Chicken is a common allergen, and it can be hard to pinpoint which ingredient is the culprit in food allergies. If your pet is showing signs of skin irritation, unexplained scratching (especially around the ears and paws), or exhibits a reluctance to eat his food, it may be because the chicken is disagreeing with his system.
The easiest way to tell if chicken is the culprit is to switch to an entirely chicken free food and see if the symptoms improve. Be patient – it can take up to 8 weeks for signs and symptoms to disappear as your pup’s body get used to the new food.

What’s the difference between food allergies and food intolerances?
Food allergies and intolerances are actually two different things, although both of them are uncomfortable and not fun at all for your pet.
Food allergies cause a reaction in your pup’s immune system, which can result in many symptoms as your pet’s body tries to get rid of the allergen. These can include unexplained itching and scratching (especially around the ears and paws), and inflamed, red ears. Digestive upset can also be a symptom of an allergy.
Food intolerances are purely digestive. This means that your dog’s stomach has a problem digesting and absorbing certain ingredients, and symptoms and signs can include vomiting or diarrhea.

Can I use a food with chicken meal instead of real chicken?
Unfortunately, chicken meal is just as bad as chicken meat when it comes to allergies or food intolerances. This is because chicken meal is made from exactly the same stuff – chicken meat. While chicken meal is higher in protein than the meat, it’s no different to the meat, so it still aggravates food allergies and causes digestive upset in dogs who are sensitive to chicken.
It’s best to avoid chicken entirely instead of trying to find appropriate forms of chicken to feed your pup! There are enough other options out there (including poultry) that you shouldn’t even need to consider chicken, whether it’s in meat or meal form.

If my dog is allergic to chicken, should he avoid other poultry as well?
All poultry is not the same, so your pet should be able to eat turkey and duck even if he or she struggles with chicken. These are the closest options to chicken, so if you would prefer to try and stay as close to chicken as possible, these are the ones you should go for.
If, however, your pet displays the same symptoms then it’s a good idea to switch to something completely different. There are plenty of red meat and fish options that are just as high in protein as poultry, and they should eliminate the symptoms your pet experiences with poultry.
The best dog foods will always avoid poultry by-products though, so if you see these on the list (chicken or not), stay away.