Puppy
For growing puppies of all breeds
Chicken-free dog food
Dog food without chicken, in every recipe we make
No chicken, no chicken fat and no other poultry in the ingredients. The protein comes from insects instead, in four complete recipes for every life stage.
- Free delivery over R100
- Save 10% when you subscribe
- Trial bags available
Why chicken
Why do so many dogs react to chicken?
Not because chicken is a poor ingredient. It is a good protein, and most dogs eat it without any trouble. It is simply everywhere: in kibble, tinned food, treats, chews and leftovers.
Food reactions develop to proteins a dog has eaten repeatedly, so the most widely fed protein is, unsurprisingly, among those most often involved. If your dog is one of the unlucky ones, the answer is a food where chicken is absent altogether.
Reading labels
Where does chicken hide in dog food?
A bag can say lamb or fish on the front and still contain chicken further down the list. If you are avoiding it, read the full ingredient declaration, and remember the treats.
Under other names
Look for poultry meal, poultry fat, chicken fat, chicken liver, “animal derivatives” and “digest” or flavourings of unspecified origin.
In close relatives
Egg comes from the same bird, and some dogs who react to chicken also react to other poultry such as turkey or duck.
Outside the bowl
Training treats, dental chews, biltong-style snacks and scraps from the table are the usual way chicken sneaks back in.
Nala Health’s ingredient lists are short enough to read in a minute. You will find them on each product page and on our ingredients page.
Instead of chicken
What does Nala Health use instead of chicken?
Black soldier fly larvae. It is a complete protein with all the essential amino acids, it is easy to digest, and dogs like the taste. It also comes with healthy fats, minerals and fibre.
- No chicken, beef, egg or dairy
- No soy, wheat or maize
- DHA omega-3 from marine algae rather than from fish
- Fibre, prebiotics, probiotics and butyrate for digestion
The recipes do contain peas, lentils and chickpeas alongside sorghum and millet, so they are not legume-free or grain-free.
Dogs who changed protein
What customers tell us
Individual experiences, in customers’ own words. Every dog is different.
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I have a GSP dog who is allergic to all dry dog foods (I have tried all the main brands and she gets a horrible rash on her stomach and a very sore gut) and up till now she has only tolerated ostrich or turkey wet food. I introduced the Nala very slowly over three weeks and its working! No rash and back to her high energy self.
Georgi Jacqui, pet parent -
Kiran, who has struggled with allergies and has been on different expensive allergy foods for years. After switching to Nala Health he has had no issues. Mali, who has always been a picky eater, has a good appetite and eats well. Their stools are also good and their fur is shiny.
We are so happy with the food!
Mali and Kiran Ida, pet parent -
Nala Health is the only thing that has worked perfectly for Brumle! We have tried a lot of different things, but since we started with Nala Health, his coat is fantastic and his itching is completely gone. Nala Health is one of the only types of food that doesn’t contain anything he’s allergic to without being ultra-processed and completely tasteless.
Brumle Silje, pet parent -
My dog Micko, a Boerboel, switched from a well known brand to Nala dog food and absolutely loves it. Despite being a strong believer in the other brand and trying their various ranges, I have now bought him the BEST food ever. He was just diagnosed with Acid Reflux and these small pellets works wonders. I can see he feels great – he is playing – just an all round happy dog (He is 6 yrs old). Thank you so so much for this dog food, it’s really TOPS. Switching to Nala is the best decision I’ve ever made.
Micko Nolene, pet parent -
We did a little experiment with three bowls of different dog food to see which Louis would prefer. Nala Health was the clear winner! Louis thinks Nala-food is heavenly.
Louis Ragna, pet parent -
Toby loves the taste of Nala Health and couldn’t get enough of these delicious pellets. They really make his day. We highly recommend Nala Health.
Toby Sue, pet parent
The recipes
Four chicken-free recipes
Choose by age and size. Every one is complete, balanced and made without chicken.
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Adult Small Breed
For adult dogs under 10 kg
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Adult Medium to Large Breed
For adult dogs over 10 kg
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Senior and Weight Management
For dogs over 7, or adults watching their weight
Chicken-free dog food questions
Does Nala Health contain any chicken or poultry?
No. None of the four recipes lists chicken meat, chicken meal, chicken fat, egg or any other poultry ingredient. The full ingredient list is on each product page.
Does it contain chicken fat or chicken flavouring?
No. The fats in the recipes are cold-pressed canola oil and coconut oil, plus the fat naturally present in insect protein.
Is it also free from beef, lamb and fish?
The recipes contain no meat or fish. The protein comes from insects and plants, and the DHA omega-3 from marine algae.
How do I know if my dog is allergic to chicken?
You cannot tell from symptoms alone. A vet-guided elimination trial, feeding one chicken-free food and nothing else for 8 to 12 weeks, is the dependable way to find out.
Is chicken-free the same as hypoallergenic?
Not quite. Chicken-free removes one trigger. A hypoallergenic food uses a novel protein and leaves out several common triggers. Our recipes do both; see hypoallergenic dog food for what the word does and does not promise.
Do dogs like the taste without chicken?
Most do. Insect protein has a savoury taste dogs take to readily, and a Trial Bag lets you check with your own dog first.
How do I switch from a chicken-based food?
Gradually, over about seven days, mixing in a little more Nala Health each day; take 10 to 14 days for a sensitive dog. Our switching guide has the steps.
Leave the chicken out of the bowl
Complete dog food with insect protein, for puppies, adults and seniors.