Best Food For Dog Allergy

The Best Home Remedies For Dog Food Allergies

It’s that time of year againthe time when the flowers start blooming, the trees start budding, and your dog starts sneezing. For many dog owners, springtime means dealing with their pet’s allergies. If you’re looking for a more natural way to deal with your dog’s allergies, here are a few options to consider.

How Will My Dog’s Food Allergy Be Diagnosed

Similar to diagnosing food allergies in humans, dogs that are suspected of having food allergies will be placed on an elimination diet.

Your vet will provide you with specially formulated hypoallergenic dog food to feed your dog for a minimum of 8-10 weeks. It is essential that during this timeframe only the hypoallergenic food is given to your dog, not even the odd treat now and again. This gives your pup’s body time to adjust to the new diet and provides your vet with the opportunity to evaluate your dog’s condition.

Many dog owners see an improvement in their pet’s condition after the first 4-6 weeks, however, a number of breeds can take much longer to show signs of improvement.

If your dog’s symptoms clear up while on the elimination diet, your vet may ask you to return your pooch to their original diet in order to confirm the diagnosis. If your dog is suffering from food allergies, the original symptoms should reappear within two weeks.

What Food Is Best For My Dog

Your dog’s specific allergy and overall health will determine which diet is best for your four-legged friend. If your dog’s symptoms are caused by an allergy, your vet will be able to recommend the best foods that can improve your dog’s health.

Note:The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet’s condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

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Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Natural Dry Dog Food

The Nutrish Zero Grain natural dry dog food is designed for pets with food and skin allergies. Developed with pet nutritionists and veterinarians, the formula features real salmon and sweet potato as its main ingredients, and has no poultry by-product meal or filler ingredients. It is easy to digest and soft enough for senior dogs to chew on, in addition to being enhanced with vitamins and minerals.

Ingredients & Nutritional Benefits

Salmon is a highly recommended protein for dogs with skin allergies, as they are less likely to be allergic compared to beef and poultry. The salmon in Nutrish is wild caught in Alaska or farmed in Chile. The sweet potatoes provide fiber and antioxidants, the salmon meal is a rich source of essential amino acids for vision development and cognitive function, while the peas and tapioca are an easily digestible alternative to potato or rice-based carbs. Vitamins C, D3, A and riboflavin can also be found.

Safety & Quality

The Nutrish is made in the USA with no ingredients from China. Ingredient suppliers go through vigorous qualification and testing to ensure safety and quality standards are met.

Value & Convenience

The Nutrish comes in packs of 4, 12 and 23 lbs. It has a strong fish odour, which might not appeal to picky eaters.

Pros

Canidae Pure Dog Food Lamb Goat & Venison

BUY ON CHEWY

PetListed Verdict:

CANIDAE Pure is a limited ingredient dog food thats made with only 8 total ingredients. While there are several varieties, the lamb, goat, and venison recipe contains novel proteins that are less likely to trigger an allergic reaction. Added probiotics promote digestive health, while glucosamine supports your dogs joints.

Key Features:

• Limited ingredient diet that includes only 8 total ingredients
• Made with lamb, goat, and venison proteins most dogs arent sensitized to
• No corn, soy, wheat

• Available in multiple recipes including bison, salmon, wild boar, duck, and chicken
• Supports joint health with glucosamine and chondroitin
• Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for a healthy skin and coat
• Includes probiotics and antioxidants

Cons:

• While most Canidae recipes are safe for allergies, some including the chicken flavors, may not be as effective

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Petsradar’s Pick Of The Best Dog Food For Allergies

This veterinary prescription diet is suitable for dogs who have difficulties digesting or tolerating fats in their food, such as those prone to pancreatitis. It has a low fat content while still providing enough calories to maintain body weight, and it contains highly digestible proteins and prebiotics to support your dogâs digestive system. It also comes in a dry formulation. This diet should be fed under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Dr. Diana Hasler BVM& S MRCVS

Dogs that love wet food but suffer from a sensitive stomach are often forced to miss out on their favorite fare due to the high-fat content. Thankfully, itâs Royal Canin to the rescue with this veterinarian-approved low-fat formula which is both tasty and gentle on the tummy.

Hailed as a lifesaver brand by many a pooch parent, Royal Canin has an outstanding reputation for delivering high-quality nutrition that you can trust and this offering is no exception.

If your dog is prone to an easily upset stomach and bouts of vomiting and diarrhea then this is a great choice. Packed full of prebiotics to support the growth of good gut bacteria, dietary fibers for healthy digestion and Omega-3 fish oils to soothe the GI tract, this highly digestible formula is bound to get two paws up from your pooch.

If youâve ever watched Rachael Ray cooking up a storm then you know how mouth-wateringly good her dishes can be and guess what? Now your pampered pooch can get in on the action too.

What Exactly Is A Hypoallergenic Dog Food

Technically, the term hypoallergenic dog food is a bit misleading.

There really is no such thing as a universal hypoallergenic dog food its mainly a marketing term. This is because, due to the nature of allergies, one type of dog food could be considered hypoallergenic for an individual dog, but not another.

For a dog allergic to chicken, any food that does not contain chicken would be considered hypoallergenic for that individual canine.

However, another dog may be allergic to rice, not chicken, and therefore will have different needs, changing what would be classified as hypoallergenic for that specific dog.

Hypoallergenic dog food generally refers to a type of dog food that avoids common allergens although what is truly hypoallergenic depends on your dog and her specific situation. Since common allergens can be avoided through a variety of different methods, there several types of hypoallergenic dog foods.

The main forms of hypoallergenic dog foods include:

Note that a dog food can fit into more than one of these categories. For example, a hypoallergenic dog food relying on a novel protein source can also have limited ingredients.

Remember that you should look for single-source novel proteins and single-source carbohydrates .

Common combinations include:

• Salmon & Sweet Potato
• Kangaroo & Brown Rice

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Diamond Care Sensitive Stomach Formula

PetListed Verdict:

This grain-free, gluten-free dog food includes proprietary probiotics guaranteed to survive in your dogs GI tract and encourage a healthy digestive system. Antioxidants have also been included to support a strong immune system. As an added bonus, Diamond Care is family owned in the USA.

Key Features:

• Made without corn, wheat, gluten, or fillers
• No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
• Fortified with antioxidants and probiotics

Pros:

• No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
• Suitable for dogs of all life stages
• Family owned and made in the USA

Cons:

• Includes both chicken and eggs included for protein, which are allergens for some dogs

Great For Vegetarian Dietspurina Pro Plan Hydrolyzed

The Hydrolyzed diet from Purina Pro Plan is a veterinary diet, meaning you can only get it with a prescription. The hypoallergenic formula is a soy-based vegetarian diet that includes a single carbohydrate source and hydrolyzed protein , which is protein that is broken down into small parts to make it easier to digest for dogs with sensitivities. Your vet will be able to determine if a hydrolyzed protein will help your dog.

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Aloe Or Oatmeal Shampoo

Aloe vera or oatmeal shampoos will help clear up dry skin, which often accompanies allergies. This shampoo will not only soothe the skin but also helps cleanse the hair and remove build-up from allergens.

These products are available at most pet stores and online retailers such as Amazon.com or Walmart.com. Theyre relatively inexpensive and easy to find .

What Are Other Things To Look For In Dog Food

When youre looking at the ingredient label on dog food, it can be a little confusing. The first thing that you want to look at is the protein content. For dry kibble, you want a protein content between 20% and 25% for most dogs, and for fresh or wet foods, the number should be a little lower. For fresh foods, you ideally want a protein content between 8% and 15%.

Next, take a look at the top few ingredients on the list and see if they include any byproducts. None of the recipes on this list do, and thats why theyre among the best of the best.

Finally, while many companies like to push that their products dont include grains or corn, the truth is that these ingredients are perfectly fine for dogs when processed properly.

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Dog Food Allergy Symptoms

Once you learn the differences between a food intolerance vs allergy, learning how to treat allergies in dogs and finding food for allergies becomes a lot less daunting. To get the scoop on how to tell the difference between an allergy and an intolerance, we turned to Dr. Anne Huss, Earthborn Holistics Director of Nutrition Services:

A food allergy is a result of a flaw in a pets immune system and is an abnormal reaction to normal foods triggered by an animals immune system. In some cases, a pets immune system can misidentify or misjudge safe compounds as a threat, which causes the body to attack, leading to a food allergy.

A food intolerance, on the other hand, can be either an unusual reaction to normal food or normal reactions to abnormal foods that do not trigger a response from the immune system. For example, if your dog happens to get into the trash and eats spoiled food, the resulting vomiting and/or diarrhea would be considered a normal reaction to an abnormal food not due to a response from the immune system.

Food allergies can take months to years to develop to a particular food. Once developed, the allergy will persist with a negative reaction to that particular food or allergen. On the other hand, a food intolerance will come on more quickly due to the immune system not mediating the response.

Unfortunately, it can be difficult to figure out if your dog has a full-blown food allergy or a food intolerance since the symptoms of each are similar.

Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Adult Dry Dog Food Venison Meal & Sweet Potato Dog Kibble

• First 5 Ingredients: Venison Meal, Dried Potatoes, Lentils, Chickpeas, Canola Oil
• Guaranteed Analysis: 20% Crude Protein, 14% Crude Fat, 3.5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 3,515 kcal/kg, 373 kcal/cup
• Breed Size: Small Breeds, Medium Breeds, Large Breeds, All Breeds
• Lifestage: Adult
• Key Feature: Human-Grade, Natural, Sensitive Digestion, Limited Ingredient Diet, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Grain-Free, Non-GMO, Chicken-Free

Reasons to suggest

• Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Sensitive Support comes with Real Venison Meal & Sweet Potato & This meal is completely Grain-Free.

• This food is ideal for dogs with sensitive skin. The fiber in the recipe improves blood circulation, keeps it thin, and allows more oxygen to the skin cells. Your furry friend will have a shiny, healthy coat.

• This formula contains 10 or fewer key ingredients, which will eliminate any potential allergies in your dog.

• These main ingredients are supplemented with all-natural flavors along with vital minerals and vitamins in a balanced form.

• There are many versions of this recipe, including those that include salmon, duck, or venison. Each alternative contains fewer than 10 ingredients, each containing sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and lentils for a diverse blend of fiber and nutrients.

• We have noticed that this product was made exclusively with non-GMO ingredients which stood out for us.

• This specific dog food was especially effective when it came to lightening rashes and hot spots in our puppies.

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What Food Is Best For Dogs With Skin Allergies

Once you’re sure that your dog has food allergies through an elimination diet or a vet, the next step is to give your pet the right food. Avoid food with ingredients that trigger any symptom.

You can use prescription dog food from your vet, make food from scratch, or try various types of allergy-safe food until you find what’s best for your pup.

Best Dog Foods For Golden Retrievers With Allergies In 2022 Reviews And Top Picks

Dealing with dog food allergies can be frustrating. The last thing you want to do is jump from food to food to find something that your dog can eat, but you also dont want your dog to feel unhappy.

Its also a fine line trying to find the right dog food for your dog without blowing through your entire budget, which is why we wanted to highlight 10 of the best dog foods for Golden Retrievers for allergies here.

There are thorough reviews for each one to walk you through everything that you need to know, as well as a comprehensive buyers guide that will answer any questions that you might have.

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Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free Natural Adult Dry Dog Food Beef

Skin and food allergies should not impair your dogs quality of life, and Blue Buffalo, a trusted name in the manufacture of dog food and supplements, aims to remedy this with their Freedom Grain-Free Dog Food. The dry kibble is easy to digest and especially beneficial for dogs that have grain or gluten sensitivities. It is suitable for adult dogs of different breeds and sizes.

Ingredients & Nutritional Benefits

Although not a limited ingredient or hypoallergenic recipe, the Blue Buffalos Freedom series can still benefit dogs with food allergies, as it incorporates wholesome, real ingredients such as high quality deboned beef as a source of protein to help build and maintain strong muscles, as well as flaxseed as a source of Omega-3 and Omega-6 which is essential to maintain skin and coat health. Potatoes and peas act as carbohydrates to help meet your dogs energy requirements for a healthy lifestyle. Other ingredients include dried chicory root, as well as pea fibre, sweet potatoes and carrots to aid in digestion. Superfoods such as blueberries, cranberries, barley grass, parsley, turmeric and dried kelp are high in antioxidants to help boost the immune system, in addition to vitamin supplements including B3, B5, C, B7, A, B1, B2, D3, B6, B9, E and B12. Dried probiotic extracts help to boost gut health.

Safety & Quality

Value & Convenience

Pros

How Is A Food Allergy Diagnosed

The best and most accurate method of diagnosing a food allergy is to feed a hypoallergenic diet for eight to twelve weeks as a food trial called an elimination trial. To be a true elimination trial for your dog, this special diet must not contain any ingredients that it has eaten in the past. It also requires that no other foods, treats, or supplements are fed during the trial period, including flavored vitamins and certain parasite preventives.

If your dog’s allergy symptoms resolve while on the food trial, the next step is to perform a food challenge by re-introducing your dog’s old food. If your dog’s symptoms resolve with the food trial AND return within one week of a food challenge, your dog has been definitively diagnosed with a food allergy.

There are blood tests that may indicate whether the dog is allergic to specific foods. These are called serum IgE tests, and your veterinarian will discuss whether they would be of benefit in diagnosing your pet’s condition. There is some evidence suggesting that this blood testing is not as effective as food elimination trials.

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Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food

Many pet owners trust Wellness dog food, as it contains the best possible ingredients to offer complete nutrition for their dogs. Their Simple Natural Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food is specifically formulated to reduce allergies, as it is a limited ingredient recipe. In other words, it contains fewer ingredients for canines that have food sensitivities, allergies, or intolerances.

This formula features a single source of protein, which is derived from real salmon, helps to reduce allergies while offering essential nutrients, like amino acids, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, and protein. Easy to digest carbohydrates, like potatoes, will keep your pet energized and ease any stomach issues that he may be having.

Its also infused with probiotics and prebiotics to further improve digestive health and ease tummy troubles. The addition of flaxseed helps to nourish the skin and coat, and the infusion of essential vitamins and minerals ensure that your pup receives optimal nutrition.

What We Like About It

• Completely grain free
• Made with a single source of protein
• Backed by a satisfaction guarantee
• The majority of pet owners say that they are very pleased with the results

Reasons to Complain

• Some pet owners said that their dogs didnt seem to like the flavor
• Others said that the formula has been changed