Nextrition's Cold Pressed Chicken Free Dog Food

Chicken is one of the most common ingredients in dog food, and unfortunately, it's also one of the most common food sensitivities in dogs. From itchy skin and recurring ear infections to gas, soft stools, and dull coats, chicken sensitivities show up in a lot of frustrating ways. 

Our chicken free dog food recipes (beef, salmon, and lamb) are built on the same cold pressed approach as the rest of our line. Instead of high heat extrusion, we gently compress our recipes at low temperatures, which keeps natural enzymes, fibers, and probiotics intact. If your chicken sensitive dog also has ongoing digestive issues, our recipes for sensitive stomachs are designed to be especially gentle while still delivering complete nutrition.

Signs Your Dog Might Need Chicken Free Dog Food

Chicken sensitivities can develop at any point in a dog's life, even after years of eating chicken based food with no issues. Here are some of the most common signs to watch for:

• Itchy skin, paws, or ears
• Recurring ear infections or hot spots
• Excessive licking or chewing at paws
• Gas, bloating, or loose stools
• Dull coat or extra shedding
• Watery eyes or a runny nose after meals

Dogs with multiple food sensitivities often do best on a novel protein like lamb, which is less commonly associated with sensitivities than chicken or beef. To learn more about chicken sensitivities specifically, our blog on chicken allergies in dogs is a great starting point.

Why Cold Pressed Is a Better Chicken Free Dog Food

Most chicken free kibble is still made the same way as standard kibble, extruded at very high temperatures, usually above 120°C. That kind of heat kills off live probiotics, breaks down delicate fibers, and creates a dense pellet that has to fully expand inside your dog's stomach before digestion can really begin. 

Cold pressing takes a different approach. We gently press our chicken free dog food recipes at low temperatures, which preserves more of the natural nutrition in the ingredients. The pellet breaks down gradually in the stomach instead of swelling, the fibers stay structured enough to feed the gut bacteria, and the probiotics actually reach the gut alive. For chicken sensitive dogs whose systems already need a little extra care, that gentler approach can make a real difference.

A Closer Look at Our Chicken Free Recipes

Each of our chicken free recipes is built around a single protein, which makes it much easier to figure out what works for your dog and what doesn't. Here's a quick rundown of each:

• Beef: A hearty, protein rich recipe that works well for active dogs and as an everyday choice for dogs who simply do better without chicken.
• Salmon: Naturally rich in omega 3 fatty acids, our salmon recipe is a strong pick for dogs whose chicken sensitivity also shows up as itchy skin, dull coat, or hot spots.
• Lamb: A novel protein that's less commonly associated with food sensitivities, lamb is often the next step for dogs whose sensitivities go beyond chicken or who haven't had luck with other proteins.

Not sure which one to try first? Our trial packs let you test a few recipes before committing to a full bag, which is especially helpful for sensitive dogs.