The Rundown
Best Overall: Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Diet
“Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Diet doesn’t have potato or sweet potato in its ingredients list. The recipe uses a single source protein and it’s suitable for all life stages and breeds.”
Best for Active Dogs: Orijen Dry Dog Food
“Orijen Dry Dog Food is nutrient-densed and packed with wholesome ingredients. It is a good source of protein for active dogs and has healthy carbs that your dog will benefit from.”
Best For Small Breeds: Taste Of The Wild Small Breed Recipe
“Taste Of The Wild Small Breed Recipe is specially formulated to provide the needs of small breed dogs to keep them healthy inside and out. It has high quality ingredients that hit all the numbers of active small breed pups.”
Looking for the best potato free dog food?
Look no further: in this review guide, we’ve tested most potato-free dog foods currently for sale.
You’ll find a product for every dog in this article (puppies, adults, seniors). Enjoy!




Table of Contents
- The Rundown
- 10 Best Potato Free Dog Food
- 1. Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Dog Food
- 2. Orijen Dry Dog Food
- 3. Taste Of The Wild Small Breed Recipe Dog Food
- 4. American Journey Puppy Dry Dog Food
- 5. Victor Classic Hi-Pro Plus Dry Dog Food
- 6. Diamond Naturals Adult Real Meat Recipe
- 7. Merrick Dry Dog Food With Healthy Grains
- 8. Nutro Ultra Senior Dry Dog Food
- 9. Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Wet Dog Food
- 10. Canidae Pure Limited Ingredient Dog Food
- 1. Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Dog Food
- Testing Protocol & Criteria Used For Evaluation
- Questions & Answers
10 Best Potato Free Dog Food
1. Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Dog Food
Best Potato Free Dog Food: Best For Most Dogs
PROS
- No potato or sweet potato
- Biologically appropriate, and designed to reflect wild dogs’ diets
- Suitable for all life stages and breeds
- Affordable for its superior quality
CONS
- High calorie, so be careful how much you feed your pup
Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Diet is created to mirror the diet of a wild dog, with varied food and the right amount of calories. This is our recommendation for the best potato-free dog food.
This product is limited ingredient and filled to the brim with healthy, nutritious ingredients. There are a few different flavors, all of which contain no potato, sweet potato, or poultry products. Best for most dogs.
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2. Orijen Dry Dog Food
Best For Active Dogs: Packed with wholesome ingredients
PROS
- Nutrient-dense and packed with wholesome ingredients
- Biologically appropriate
- Available in a few flavors, none containing potatoes
- Carb sources comprise of legumes and squashes, no potato or sweet potato
CONS
- This is more pricey than some others
Orijen Dry Dog Food is packed with high-quality, nutrient-dense ingredients, and as such has been named the best dog food for active dogs of all life stages.
The ingredient list is long, but everything on it has nutritional value. Perfect for active dogs who need to stay healthy and burn calories.
No matter the flavor, this pet food contains multiple animal protein sources and a stack of healthy fruits and vegetables. There is no hint of potato in any form, and they also steer clear of sweet potatoes just to be safe.
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3. Taste Of The Wild Small Breed Recipe Dog Food
Best For Small Breeds: Specially formulated for small breed dogs
PROS
- Specially formulated for small breed dogs
- Potato & sweet potato
- Great levels of Omega fatty acids
- Good carb sources from legumes
CONS
- “Ocean fish meal” is a vague description that is often found on lesser quality foods
This high-protein, high-fat, potato-free recipe is geared towards small breed dogs.
Its protein and fat content are both right in the perfect area for little pups with lots of energy, and the ingredient list is filled with quality animal proteins and dense carbs that avoid both potato and sweet potato.
If you want to start feeding your small breed pooch a dog food without potato, Taste Of The Wild Small Breed Recipe Dog Food would be a super option.
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4. American Journey Puppy Dry Dog Food
Best Potato-Free Dog Food For Puppies: Near-perfect protein and counts
PROS
- High-quality animal protein sources
- Great carb sources, potato and grain free
- Contains DHA for developing puppies
- Quite affordable for its high quality
CONS
- Non-chicken flavors may still contain chicken meal, so be aware for pups who are sensitive to poultry
Packed with superior-quality ingredients, with near-perfect protein and fat numbers for growing pups, and other puppy-specific additions, American Journey Puppy Dry Dog Food is both highly nutritious and quite affordable in comparison to others, and your pup will get everything he needs in this pet food.
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5. Victor Classic Hi-Pro Plus Dry Dog Food
Best Value For Money: Very affordable
PROS
- Very affordable for its quality
- High in protein and fat
- Contains DHA and L-carnitine, both quality additions
- Added probiotics, prebiotics, and vitamins and minerals
CONS
- No real meat, although meat meal is still great quality
- Contains chicken meal, so not suitable for dogs sensitive to it
Victor Classic Hi-Pro Plus Dry Dog Food may not contain real meat, but it’s high in protein and fat and very digestible.
It’s not grain free as contains a select few gluten-free grains, such as sorghum and millet, but they’re are easy to digest and provide good energy.
There are no fruits or vegetables added on top of this, which is not necessary considering the nutrients but is noticeable.
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6. Diamond Naturals Adult Real Meat Recipe
Best Low-Protein: Ideal for dogs who need to be on a low-protein diet
PROS
- Ideal for dogs who need to be on a low-protein, potato-free diet
- Contains L-carnitine, which assists in metabolism
- Great for all life stages
- Affordable and available in large quantities
CONS
- Not ideal for dogs who are sensitive to poultry (even non-chicken flavors contain chicken meal)
If your dog has been recommended a low-protein diet, a potato-free food is a good idea to limit any further possible food-related problems.
Diamond Naturals Adult Real Meat Recipe isn’t grain free but is perfectly healthy, and also uses great quality animal proteins and fruits and vegetables.
These provide all the nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants a pup may need, and at a great price, meaning this is the best dog food for dogs on a low-protein diet and owners on a budget.
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7. Merrick Dry Dog Food With Healthy Grains
Best With Grains: High in protein and fat
PROS
- Contains no potato or potato by-products
- Contains joint supplements
- Some of the highest Omega fatty acid levels
- Poultry-free option for dogs with sensitivities to poultry
CONS
- This food is quite expensive compared to others
Most of Merrick’s foods do contain potatoes, but Merrick Dry Dog Food With Healthy Grains is focused on healthy grains in order to be a lower glycemic option.
It comes in chicken or beef flavors, with the beef containing no poultry ingredients whatsoever in order to cater for pups who may be sensitive to poultry.
The grains are high-quality and include brown rice, barley, oatmeal, and quinoa.
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8. Nutro Ultra Senior Dry Dog Food
Best Potato-Free Dog Food For Seniors: Formulated for older dogs
PROS
- Aimed towards senior dogs specifically
- Potato-free
- Good protein and fat counts for seniors
- Contains DHA, joints supplements, and great levels of Omega fatty acids
CONS
- Contains Brewers Rice, which is considered a lower quality filler
Nutro Ultra Senior Dry Dog Food is great to accommodate dogs as they age, become less active, and burn fewer calories during their day.
The ingredient list is pretty good, and makes use of healthy, easily digestible grains like brown rice to provide energy, with some dehydrated vegetables coming in lower down the list.
There are a few meat meals included which are also great for digestibility, especially in the case of seniors whose tummies may be getting fussier.
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9. Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Wet Dog Food
Best Potato-Free Canned Dog Food: Good moisture content
PROS
- Various potato-free flavors
- Real meat is the first ingredient
- Good moisture content for added hydration
- Contain sweet potatoes and other vegetables for sustained energy
CONS
- Contains carrageenan, which is a low-grade thickener
Having a go-to wet food is always a good idea. It may be that your pup is a fussy eater and sometimes needs some motivation to eat.
Maybe you need to get their calories up, or simply give them a bit of a meaty treat during the day.
Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Wet Dog Food contains great wholesome ingredients, vitamins and minerals, and packs quite a bit of nutritious stuff into one can.
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10. Canidae Pure Limited Ingredient Dog Food
Best Limited Ingredient: Fewer chances of food allergies and intolerances
PROS
- Less than 10 ingredients
- Grain free and potato-free, with some free from sweet potatoes too
- Contains chelated minerals, vitamins and minerals
- Probiotics are added after cooking to preserve nutrients
CONS
- The senior, puppy, and healthy weight recipes contain potatoes and some contain sneaky chicken meal
- Slightly pricey in comparison to others
Especially for dogs who suffer from food allergies and intolerances and have sensitive stomachs, limited ingredient diets are a great way to keep your pup from being exposed to too many possible food allergens.
Canidae Pure Limited Ingredient Dog Food contains no potatoes or sweet potatoes, and uses a good amount of chelated minerals to assist with digestion.
For dogs who have been suggested a limited ingredient diet by their vets, this is a superb option.
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Testing Protocol & Criteria Used For Evaluation
Criteria 1 – Free From Potato or Related Ingredients
This is obviously the most important point when reviewing these foods – we want them to have no potato on that ingredient list, and nothing else that is a sneaky by-product, such as potato protein.
Every item we’ve reviewed here should have a high score on this particular criteria, as we will not be including any foods that contain potato-related ingredients. Don’t worry if you see sweet potatoes on the list – they are quite different in terms of nutrition and are quite an acceptable substitute for potatoes in a dog food.
Criteria 2 – Contains Healthy Carbs
Potato is added to dog food as a carbohydrate source. Reviewing foods that contain no potato means that we need to make sure the food still contains great carbs.
Grains are acceptable as long as they’re the good kind – oatmeal, barley, millet, and rice. Wheat, corn, and soy are considered low-quality fillers, so we’ve avoided foods containing those. Ideally, you want the dog food you choose to still contain plenty of fruits and vegetables to give your pup sustained energy throughout their day.
Sweet potatoes are a fantastic carb source, and are slow-burning so they provide energy for prolonged periods of time. Other vegetables, apart from the obvious ones that dogs shouldn’t be eating, also contribute to the healthy carb count. We’ve made sure to only review foods that contain premium, healthy carbohydrate sources.
Criteria 3 – Contains Healthy Fats
Don’t be fooled into thinking that carbs are the main energy source in a dog food. Fat is super easily metabolized and is a very underrated energy source, especially for very active dogs.
As with any other ingredient, the sources need to be high-quality and all-natural in order for your pup to reap the benefits. Things like identified animal fat, fish oil, canola oil, and flaxseed add really good fats to your dog’s diet.
We’ve checked that each dog food on this list contains great sources of fat that your pooch can use for energy in addition to the good carbs in their food. These foods all have identified, proven-healthy fat sources that will do good things for your pet.
Criteria 4 – No Artificial Ingredients
Choosing a dog food free from potatoes is great and all, but if you’re feeding your pet something that is only borderline real food, you aren’t helping their health at all anyway.
Many foods contain artificial colors, artificial flavors, and artificial preservatives. The addition of these things is quite pointless, as they not only contain nothing of nutritional value, but your dog also doesn’t particularly care what color his food is or if the flavor is better than the last one!
We’ve reviewed potato free dog food that are naturally preserved and use natural colors and flavors. Natural preservatives include citric acid and mixed tocopherols, and we’ve made sure that there are no chemical additives to enhance taste or color.
Criteria 5 – Affordability
Pups pick up on our moods so easily, and if you’re stressing about how much your pet’s dog food costs, they’ll be able to feel that stress. This criterion has been selected to benefit both the fluff and the human, because a happy human makes a happier pup!
A quality potato free dog food doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, many of these foods are quite affordable in the long run, as long as you’re feeding your pooch the right amount. We’re committed to bringing you honest info about the prices of these foods so you can make the best decision for both yourself and your pet.
Questions & Answers

Are potatoes a nutritious dog food ingredient?
Although potatoes are a fantastic source of fiber and provide some vitamins and minerals, they don’t really offer much by way of nutrition.
Potato by-products, such as potato protein and potato starch, are considered to be lower quality fillers, as they provide even less nutrition than whole potatoes. While not all dogs will react badly to potato, there are some that are intolerant to it and struggle to digest it.
Based on these two facts, that it has little nutritious value and can be hard to digest, we can consider potatoes to be a far less nutritious ingredient than other vegetables. Another reason potatoes are considered to be not the best ingredient for dogs is that they contain something called solanine, which is poisonous and can be reduced by cooking, but still has the potential to cause health problems.

Are potatoes linked to heart disease in dogs?
In 2018, the FDA began looking into claims that grain free dog food was contributing to a disease called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. The disease causes an enlarged heart and can lead to a variety of problems, and eventually lead to death.
The reason this has been flagged as having a possible link to grain-free dog foods is that the disease has been showing up in dogs that are not genetically predisposed to it. In trying to figure out why this large range of pets have suddenly begun developing the condition, grain free food has come into the spotlight and the finger has been pointed at potatoes, which was the first ingredient to replace grains in such foods.
Although there has been an in-depth investigation, which is still ongoing, no significant links have been found yet. Regardless of whether there is a link, though, the fact that potatoes are a common food intolerance in dogs is the main reason we’re looking at the best dog foods without potato that are also grain free today.

Are sweet potatoes the same?
Sweet potatoes are considered to be a better alternative than normal potatoes. They contain higher amounts of fiber and vitamins and minerals than normal potatoes, no solanine, and are a little more easily digested.
Sweet potatoes are beginning to replace potatoes in many dog foods, and are considered a dense, slow-burning carbohydrate that provides sustained energy for your pup throughout the day between meals.

What are good ingredients to replace potatoes?
Sweet potatoes are the most common alternative to potatoes, but there are a few other veggies that serve the same purpose.
Legumes are common additions to dog foods and are quite healthy, nutrition-packed ingredients. They include things like lentils, chickpeas, peas, and various kinds of beans. They’re higher in protein than other vegetables and also have a nice dose of fiber in them.
Squashes are another one often seen on dog food labels. Pumpkin is the most commonly used, and provides fiber and vitamins and minerals. Less common ones are butternut squash and acorn squash.
Grains are the other carbohydrate source that is often present in dog food instead of potatoes. While we recommend staying away from wheat, corn, and soy, foods that contain white or brown rice, barley, millet, or oatmeal are considered far healthier and easier to digest.