You probably arrived here because you are like me… you love your dog and are searching for the best dog food. But you may also be here because you heard about dogs eating either standard or grain free dog foods developing a heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy, and now you are looking for the best dog food without peas, legumes or potatoes.
In July 2018 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration began an investigation of dilated cardiomyopathy cases in dogs whose breed is not genetically predisposed for DCM and were fed a diet containing peas, legumes or potatoes. This is also called taurine-deficient nutritional dilated cardiomyopathy.
The agency released initial results of that investigation in June 2019, stating it had received 524 reports involving 560 dogs and 14 cats diagnosed with DCM. Some reports included multiple pets in the same household. That may not seem like very many considering the millions of dogs and cats in U.S. homes. The FDA stated it also received many reports of non-DCM heart disease and cardiac symptoms in pets during that time, but it only included those with a confirmed DCM diagnosis in its report. The agency cautioned that cases of DCM may be underreported because animals are typically treated symptomatically for heart disease. Consultation with a veterinary cardiologist, diagnostic testing such as echocardiogram, and treatment can be both complex and costly to owners. The real number of pets afflicted with DCM may be much, much higher.
You can read a more in depth article about brands and Pet Foods Potentially Linked to Heart Disease in Dogs and Cats if you want to learn more.
In a nutshell, the FDA report said brands of dog food varied widely and included both grain-free and grain-containing diets in all forms (dry kibble, canned, raw, home-cooked). Dry food was the most prevalent. The important take away here is that according to the FDA, the common thread appears to be foods with legumes, pulses (seeds of legumes), and/or potatoes as main ingredients in the food. NOT the brand.
Our family lost a dog to heart failure after being fed dog foods on the FDA list with those ingredients for most of its life. We’ll never know if the dog foods contributed to the heart disease, as it was prior to the FDA investigation. All we can do is move forward and try to choose the best dog food for the dogs we have now.
Why do so many dog foods contain peas, legumes or potatoes?
The grain-free pet food trend really began during the Great Melamine Pet Food Recall of 2007, in which more than 100 different brands of pet food were recalled after a grain ingredient imported from China was found contaminated with melamine.
Pet owners feared grains and turned to limited ingredient diets (LID) and grain-free pet foods. Realizing that market broadened beyond pet owners trying to mitigate grain allergies, the pet food industry responded by producing more grain-free varieties and utilized potatoes and legumes such as peas, chickpeas, alfalfa, and lentils. As they are a good source of plant protein, it allowed manufacturers to cut back on meat in their formulation while keeping an optimum protein level. Quality meat protein is more expensive than plant protein.
Fast forward to 2019, nearly every quality dry dog food (both grain-free and grain-containing) has some sort of peas, legumes or potatoes in the ingredient list.
Finding the best dry dog food without peas, legumes or potatoes
Finding a dry dog food without peas, legumes or potatoes is difficult if you also want one without corn, wheat or soy. It also means you must accept another carbohydrate source, or grain such as rice, oats, barley, millet, spelt or sorghum. Each has its own pros and cons. Unless your dog has been diagnosed with a food allergy or intolerance to grains, don’t be afraid to feed a dog food with grain. The fact is that the percentage of dogs with a food allergy is low. The most common food allergens in dogs are chicken, beef, dairy, egg and fish. Not grains.
I’m focused on dry dog food because it is just the best option for our busy family to economically feed two big Labrador Retrievers. My eyes are crossed from reading ingredient lists looking for the best dog food without peas, legumes or potatoes. Yours probably are too and that is how you ended up here.
What to look for if you want to avoid peas, legumes or potatoes in the dog food ingredients:
- Peas of any kind, including Green Peas, Pea Protein, Pea Fiber, Pea Flour, Pea Starch and any other form of the word Pea!
- Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)
- Beans of any kind, including Soybeans or Soy
- Lentils
- Alfalfa (yes, alfalfa is a legume)
- Peanuts
- Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes
Here is a long, comprehensive list of legumes.
Note that while the FDA did not address beet pulp in its DCM investigation, dog diets containing beet pulp have been associated with lowering taurine concentrations and may contribute to taurine-deficiency-induced dilated cardiomyopathy. However, the use of beet pulp is so common in pet foods that it is difficult to avoid.
Pet food labeling is federally regulated by the FDA and also by certain states that have their own labeling regulations. Many states have adopted regulations established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Learn about what is required on the label.
I prefer a dog food without corn, wheat or meat by-products. I also prefer a dog food with animal protein rather than plant protein, and for it to come from specific animal meal, such as poultry meal, lamb meal, beef meal or fish meal. Here are definitions of common ingredients in pet foods from AAFCO.
That said, the ingredient list is actually not the best way to evaluate a pet food’s nutritional value or quality. Other factors include the manufacturing process itself, quality control, ingredient sourcing, consultation with animal nutritionists, and use of scientific data and feeding trials in formulation.
Brand or cost is no guarantee of quality. Many pet food manufacturers, especially the boutique brands (BEG), contract with another manufacturer to make, or co-pack, their product. For instance, Diamond Pet Foods manufactures its own products, and also manufacture products for numerous other brands under co-packing contract with their facilities. Brands may offer many different varieties of dog food to meet consumer price points.
It is good to remember that while most pet food manufacturers strive to provide a quality product, they are all for-profit companies. U.S. consumers spent $33 billion on pet food and treats in 2018. The major pet food manufacturers wield great power within the industry, as well as in funding veterinary organizations, colleges and research.
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has developed two publications to help consumers wade through pet food information on the internet and links to accurate nutritional information:
The Savvy Dog Owner’s Guide: Nutrition on the Internet
The Savvy Cat Owner’s Guide: Nutrition on the Internet
I know. It is a lot to research when choosing the best dog food. Many consumers like me are overwhelmed and just want to feed a safe dog food until the FDA and researchers figure this whole DCM thing out!
My list of dry dog food without peas, legumes or potatoes, corn, wheat, or meat by-products
I’m going to share what I found and hope it saves you some time. This dog food list does not include every dry dog food without peas, legumes or potatoes. Dog foods are listed in no particular order. I’m not endorsing any product. Inclusion on this list is based purely upon ingredient labeling that shows no peas, legumes or potatoes, meat by-products, corn or wheat. If you find another, send me a link and I will add it to the list.
I’ll include only the first 10 ingredients of the specific dog food variety so you can see the primary sources of protein and carbohydrates. See the complete ingredient list and guaranteed analysis on the bag or retailers website and make your own informed choice.
Schell & Kampeter Inc. / Diamond Pet Foods
- Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Dog Food – Chicken Meal, Chicken, Ground White Rice, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Cracked Pearled Barley, Egg Product, Powdered Cellulose, Flaxseed, Dried Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor
Big Hearts Brands / Natural Balance Pet Foods Inc.
- Natural Balance Synergy Formula Dog Food – Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols And Lactic Acid), Dried Beet Pulp, Barley, Brewers Dried Yeast, Dried Egg, Oat Groats, Carrots
- Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog Food – Lamb Meal, Brown Rice, Brewers Rice, Rice Bran, Canola Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols And Lactic Acid), Lamb, Dried Tomato Pomace, Brewers Dried Yeast, Natural Flavor, Salt
Health Extension Pet Care (formerly Vets Choice)
- Health Extension Little Bites Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food – Organic Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Lamb Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Flaxseed, Coconut Oil, Dried Beet Pulp, Brewers Dried Yeast
- Health Extension Little Bites Lite Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food – Organic Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Ascorbic Acid), Lamb Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Flaxseed, Dried Beet Pulp, Brewers Dried Yeast
- Health Extension Lite Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dog Food – Organic Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Lamb Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Flaxseed, Coconut Oil, Dried Beet Pulp
- Health Extension Original Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dog Food – Organic Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Lamb Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Flaxseed, Coconut Oil, Dried Beet Pulp
- Health Extension Large Bites Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dog Food – Organic Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Lamb Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Flaxseed, Coconut Oil, Dried Beet Pulp
American Natural Premium
- American Natural Premium Turkey with Pumpkin Recipe – deboned turkey, oatmeal, turkey meal, brown rice, ground grain sorghum, pork meal, pearled barley, dried plain beet pulp, pork fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), pumpkin
- American Natural Premium Triple Protein Recipe with Ancestral Grains – deboned chicken, chicken meal, ground grain sorghum, oat flour, deboned turkey, pork meal, pearled barley, dried beet pulp, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), buckwheat
- American Natural Premium Original Recipe – chicken meal, oatmeal, brown rice, white rice, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), chicken liver, beet pulp, pearled barley, pork meal, fish meal
- American Natural Premium Endurance Plus Recipe – chicken meal, pearled barley, oatmeal, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), whole dried egg, pork meat meal, beet pulp, chicken liver, fish meal, flaxseed
- American Natural Premium Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Recipe – Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, White Rice, Pearled Barley, Oatmeal, Pork Meat Meal, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Monocalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Salt
Nestlé Purina PetCare Company
- Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula – Salmon, barley, ground rice, canola meal, oat meal, fish meal (source of glucosamine), animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols, brewers dried yeast, salmon meal (source of glucosamine), natural flavor
WellPet / Holistic Select
- Holistic Select Adult Health Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Recipe – Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Rice, Oatmeal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Oats, Pork Meal, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Flaxseed, Pumpkin, Cranberries
Sport Dog Food Pet Products
- Sport Dog Food K-9 Series Police K-9 Chicken & Fish Formula – Chicken Meal (30%), Whole Ground Sorghum (29%), Whole Grain Millet (20%), Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols) (12%), Whitefish Meal (3%), Natural Flavors, Salmon Oil, Calcium Propionate, Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate
- Sport Dog Food K-9 Series Project K-9 Hero – Multi Protein Endurance Formula – Chicken Meal (37%), Whole Ground Sorghum (32%), Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols) (14%), Whole Grain Millet (6%), Pork Meal (5%), Natural Flavors, Salmon Oil, Calcium Propionate, Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate
KLN Family Brands / NutriSource
- NutriSource Adult Small Bites Formula – Chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), white rice, oatmeal, menhaden fish meal (a source of fish oil), beet pulp-dried, natural turkey and chicken flavor
- NutriSource Adult Dog Food Formula – Chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), white rice, oatmeal, menhaden fish meal (a source of fish oil), beet pulp-dried, natural turkey and chicken flavor, flax seed
- NutriSource Beef & Rice Formula – Beef, lamb meal, brown rice, oatmeal, barley, beet-pulp dried, flax seed, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), menhaden fish meal, natural turkey and chicken flavor
- NutriSource Trout & Rice Formula – Trout, menhaden fish meal, brown rice, oatmeal, barley, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), flax seed, natural turkey and fish flavor, beet-pulp dried, dried brewers yeast
- NutriSource Turkey & Rice Formula – Turkey, turkey meal, barley, brown rice, oatmeal, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), menhaden fish meal, beet pulp-dried, natural turkey and chicken flavor, chia seed
- NutriSource Lamb Meal & Rice Formula – Lamb meal, white rice, brown rice, barley, oatmeal, beet pulp-dried, menhaden fish meal (a source of fish oil), flaxseed, natural turkey and chicken flavors,chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid)
- NutriSource Performance Dog Food Formula – Chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, menhaden fish meal (a source of fish oil), oatmeal, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), flax seeds, natural turkey and chicken flavor, beet pulp-dried
- NutriSource Large Breed Adult Formula – Chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, white rice, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), oatmeal, natural turkey and chicken flavor, beet pulp-dried, menhaden fish meal (a source of fish oil)
- NutriSource Large Breed Trout & Rice Formula – Trout, menhaden fish meal, oatmeal, barley, brown rice, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), beet-pulp dried, natural turkey and fish flavor, dried brewers yeast, salt
- NutriSource Large Breed Beef & Rice Formula – Beef, barley, brown rice, menhaden fish meal, oatmeal, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), beet-pulp dried, natural turkey and chicken flavor, dried whey protein concentrate, lamb meal
- NutriSource Small and Medium Breed Puppy – Chicken meal, chicken, brown rice, menhaden fish meal (a source of fish oil), oatmeal, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), white rice, flax seeds, beet pulp-dried, sunflower oil
Mars Petcare US / Nutro
- Nutro Ultra Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food – Chicken, Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Whole Brown Rice, Brewers Rice, Rice Bran, Whole Grain Oatmeal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavor, Lamb Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Salmon Meal
- Nutro Ultra Adult Dry Dog Food – Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Brown Rice, Brewers Rice, Rice Bran, Lamb Meal, Natural Flavor, Salmon Meal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Sunflowersal Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols)
- Nutro Ultra Toy Breed Adult Dry Dog Food – Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Brown Rice, Brewers Rice, Lamb Meal, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Rice Bran, Salmon Meal, Whole Grain Oatmeal
- Nutro Small Breed Adult Weight Management Dry Dog Food – Chicken, Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Whole Brown Rice, Rice Bran, Brewers Rice, Whole Grain Oatmeal, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor, Lamb Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Salmon Meal
Pet food manufacturers do change recipe formulations. See the complete ingredient list on the bag.
Avoid digestive upset by transitioning your dog to the new food.
Bookmark this page and check back often for updates.
I have no affiliation or financial ties to any pet food manufacturers. I do not even control which ads are shown to you on this website as that is done by external ad networks randomly or based upon your own browsing history.
