Top 15 Best Dog Food For Skin Allergies In 2022
An allergy is an immune response of the body to a stimulant exposure, be it food, dust, pollen or other substances which the body has become sensitive to. In humans, allergic reactions are often seen through symptoms such as sneezing, coughing and a runny nose as the body attempts to repel the allergen. Some people also experience rashes and itchy skin, which can be one of the most annoying symptoms of all.
If youve ever had a skin allergy, youll know of the agony and the itchiness, pain and prolonged discomfort is not something youd wish on a beloved pet. But just like humans, dogs are also susceptible to skin allergies, which can be caused by a variety of factors, such as food, mites and fleas, or even breed and family genetics. In fact, skin allergies are among the leading reasons for owners to take their dog to the vet. Identifying the cause can be complicated, as skin allergies might not necessarily be from contact with the skin itself, but from consumption of an allergen.
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What Ingredients To Avoid In Dog Food
If youre a dog owner, you probably know how difficult it can be to find the best dog food for your pet. The problem is, you may not know which ingredients to avoid when looking for the best dog food available. This list is a great start to help you find the best dog food, but there are a few things you should always consider before buying.
A balanced diet for your dog should be comprised of a variety of ingredients. These are the ones you should avoid in dog food: artificial flavors, preservatives, and colors. Artificial flavors can cause diarrhea and upset stomach, and some preservatives can cause skin rashes and vomiting. Coloring, on the other hand, can be good, but if too much is used it can turn into a problem.
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Best Wet Dog Food For Allergies
Are you searching for the best canned food brands for a dog with sensitive stomach? Choosing the best wet dog food for allergies can be an overwhelming decision for many pet owners. The myriad of brands to choose from and the uncertainty about the specific flavor your dog will enjoy make the selection even more difficult.
Despite being expensive, wet dog foods are an excellent source of canine nutrition. They are rich in moisture and are fortified with all the necessary nutrients to support your poochs overall health and wellness.
Wet dog foods are best for growing and senior dogs with gum, teeth, or jaw issues. However, you should ensure that you find a flavor that your pet loves. To find the best product, you should consider the ingredient content, flavors available, and suitability to your dogs life stage, among other factors.
And if your dog has a sensitive stomach, you should opt for hypoallergenic dog foods to prevent allergic reactions. Outlined in this review are some of the best wet dog food brands for sensitive stomachs.
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Why Would My Dog Need To Eat The Best Dog Food For Dogs With Allergies
There are a few reasons. First, if your dog has allergies, he may have sensitivities to certain ingredients in his food. Second, the best dog food for dogs with allergies will be free of any potential allergens.
And third, the best dog food for dogs with allergies will be packed with nutrients that can help to support your dog’s immune system.
Signs Of An Allergic Reaction
When looking for the perfect dog food, its important to first know what an allergic reaction looks like.
Symptoms of a food allergy can affect multiple organ systems in your dog, but the skin tends to be the most affected, says Burch. Skin symptoms include severe itching along the face, paws, rear, and underbelly. Other signs can include fur loss from around the eyes, repeated ear infections, and secondary skin infections.
When you know the signs of an allergic reaction to look out for, you will be able to better pinpoint whats causing their discomfort.
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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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Zignature Turkey Formula Limited Ingredient Dog Food
Another hypoallergenic dry kibble. For doggies allergies to chicken, we offer turkey. The high-quality turkey is an excellent source of protein combined with high ratios of vitamins and minerals but low in fat. This kibble has riboflavin, which aids your pups gut in absorbing more nutrients.
Zignature has many flavors to suit your furry friends palate. These include kangaroo, catfish, duck, goat, guinea fowl, lamb, pork, Salmon, trout, turkey, venison, and whitefish.
Thats not all!
There are other nourishing ingredients in the blend too. These include peas, chickpeas, and flaxseed, ensuring your dog is healthy from the inside out. Zignature is free from common allergens like soy, chicken, dairy, corn, and wheat.
This kibble is not suited for puppies and dogs with pea allergies.
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The Company Of Canidae Canned Dog Food
Canidae is a family-owned company consisting of passionate staff and pets. The management team has a long-standing passion for pet nutrition which provides the driving force behind their products quality.
As such, all Canidae products are made with high-quality fresh, natural ingredients designed to help your dog stay as healthy as possible.
Blue Buffalo Basics Limited
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Turkey, 2. Potatoes, 3. Turkey Meal, 4. Oatmeal, 5. Pea Starch
Blue Buffalos Basic line is a limited ingredient range that tries to minimize sensitivities and maximize nutritional value. We think its a good choice for sensitive dogs. It has turkey as the single protein source and potato as the main source of digestible carbs. Then you have pea fiber and pumpkin to further aid digestion and prevent stomach related sensitivities. And what makes this limited ingredient formula truly amazing is that it easily supports all other nutritional needs as well. Not to mention, with all Blue Buffalo products, you get the patented blend of antioxidants called the LifeSource Bits.
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Types Of Hypoallergenic Dog Food
Hypoallergenic dog food could be misleading since an ingredient that triggers food allergies in dogs varies from one dog to another.
For example, for a dog that’s allergic to chicken, any food that does not contain this common allergen can be considered hypoallergenic dog food.
But that’s not the case for dogs that are allergic to various ingredients other than chicken, like rice or beef, pork, and others.
A vet typically recommends this type of dog food once your dog’s food allergies are determined. Though hypoallergenic dog foods are often regarded as prescription dog foods, some are readily available over-the-counter and online.
Here are the common types of hypoallergenic food for dogs: Limited Ingredient Diet, Hydrolyzed Dog Food, and Grain-Free Diet.
Limited Ingredient Diet
Limited ingredient dog food, otherwise known as limited ingredient diets , refers to dog foods with fewer ingredients. This diet helps eliminate and identify food ingredients that trigger dog food allergies.
Generally, limited ingredient diets include a novel protein and a different carbohydrate source.
A novel protein is a new protein that is not usually present in common dog foods. Examples of sources include kangaroo, venison, duck, venison, turkey, and ostrich.
Usual novel carbohydrate sources for limited ingredients diet are brown rice, sweet potatoes, and oatmeal.
Hydrolyzed Formula
Grain-Free Formula
Hill’s Prescription Diet Z/d
First 5 ingredients: Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Chicken Liver, Powdered Cellulose, Soybean Oil, Calcium Carbonate
As for the best hypoallergenic dog food and prescription diet, nothing beats a formula designed by animal nutritionists and veterinarians.
Hills Prescription Diet z/d formula is a highly touted hypoallergenic dog food made with hydrolyzed protein to help dogs with food intolerance and food allergy avoid allergic reactions.
Of course, its also enriched with essential nutrients for good health. As the protein content of this food is quite minimal, its best to find another hypoallergenic recipe after the prescribed period, or to supplement your pups meal with more protein sources once your vet has given his/ her approval.
There were over 800 Chewy reviewers for this hypoallergenic dog food that gave it an average grade of 4.6 out of 5 stars and a 94% acceptance rate. You know that its the right dog food for allergies when more than 700 of these respondents had great things to say about this dry dog food.
Most of them said that this dogs diet is the only one that worked in alleviating their dogs allergies and calming their poochs sensitive stomach.
Only about 11% said otherwise, with a few saying there were no improvements in their dogs condition, while others have varying complaints like the high price, the kibble being too hard, and the taste not being very likable.
Pros:
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Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Hydrolyzed Protein Adult Hp
Image courtesy Royal Chewy
The top commercial dog foods on the market, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein Adult HP Dry Dog Food is a highly palatable diet for adult dogs and pups. It’s got hydrolyzed proteins, which are made up of low molecular weight peptides that can be absorbed in the stomach with less risk of producing an immune response.
The combination of B vitamins, amino acids, and fatty acids helps to strengthen your dog’s skin barrier. Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA aid in the maintenance of healthy skin and hair. In dogs prone to digestive upset, an exclusive mix of fibers aids in the maintenance of a healthy digestive system by promoting good bowel movement.
How Do I Know My Dog Is Developing Allergies
After meals, your canine fellow may show signs of tummy troubles. The classic case of gastrointestinal issues includes vomiting, diarrhea, and gas. Other symptoms include common Yorkie skin problems like rashes, red patches, loss of hair, and swollen parts of the face. The presence of these is a strong indicator of an underlying food allergy. Another indicator of food allergies is the canine being prone to infections.
The most common indicator of food allergy is itching, making up 80% of dog allergy cases. Look for these actions.
- Ear itching
- Paw licking
- Rubbing the rear end on the ground .
If these allergies go unnoticed, your dog will continue to itch, and chronic inflammation will slowly progress to skin infections. Hives are also a standard indicator. Instances of raised red patches commonly occur on their bellies. Which they then proceed to bite or chew off.
Lastly, lethargy is also linked to dogs with food allergies. Certain times owners miss out on the indications, as mentioned earlier. However, the lack of energy, weight loss, and unstemmed aggression.
Contact your vet as soon as possible to mark the allergies through tests.
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Budget Pick: Just 6 By Rachel Ray Nutrish
Made under the banner of celebrity chef Rachel Ray, Just 6 by Rachel Ray Nutrish is a great grain-free, limited ingredient dog food choice for those who are looking for a budget-friendly pick. Each bag contains just six natural ingredients, along with a mixture of vitamins and chelated minerals to help keep your pet in optimal health.
Pet parents appreciated that they could purchase this dog food at their local grocery store and big box retailer. Several also commented about the large size of the kibble, saying it was ideal for giving as treats to their pet, or topping up another food choice.
With an MSRP of $17 for a 14-pound bag, this food is a solid choice for those looking for an allergy-friendly option on a budget. It has a rating of 4.2 on Amazon with over 800 people reviewing it, which we think goes a long way in convincing pet owners that this budget-friendly pick is just as good for dogs with allergies as its more expensive counterparts.
Just 6 by Rachel Ray Nutrish Key Features:
- Available in a choice of two flavors
- Available in a choice of bag sizes
- Contains no corn, wheat, soy, or gluten
Best Dog Food For Allergies And Sensitive Stomach Our Top 11 Picks
If you dont have access to homemade dog food for allergies, consider Hypoallergenic dog foods. These are a great way to deal with pups with allergies. The following list of dry dog food has a wide variety that caters to canines with varying food allergies. These formulas are stacked with nutritious ingredients that keep your dog well-fed and away from allergies.
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Purina Pro Plan Focus Sensitive Skin & Stomach Adult Dry Dog Food
The Purina brand is no stranger to pet owners the world over, and is widely regarded as a market leader in the manufacture of pet food, supplements and other products. The Purina Pro Plan Focus is tailored for adult dogs with sensitive skin and stomach featuring a highly digestible formula and carefully selected ingredients to reduce your dogs exposure to food allergens. Suitable for dogs of all breeds and sizes, the kibbles contain real salmon as the main ingredient. Salmon and sunflower oil are rich in Omega-6, while fish oil is a source of Omega-3 essential fatty acids that are proven to help improve a dogs skin and coat.
Ingredients & Nutritional Benefits
The Purina Pro Plan Focus contains vitamins including Vitamin A for brain and eye development and maintenance, group B vitamins such as B3, B5, B1, B12, B6 and B9 for heart, skin and digestive health, as well as Vitamin E which acts as an antioxidant. Also found within is natural prebiotic fibre, which promotes digestive health by maintaining intestinal balance and good bacteria to support your dogs overall well-being. Meanwhile, a mix of barley, ground rice, oat meal and canola meal make it easy for your dog to digest the food, and is gentle on the digestive system, while fish meal and salmon meal provide a source of glucosamine to support healthy joints and better mobility.
Safety and Quality
Value & Convenience
Pros
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets
Natural Balance has a vast range of limited ingredient diets. The first 5-star ingredients are Salmon, menhaden fish, brown rice, and rice bran for added fiber.
There is no added corn, wheat, or soy. The single source protein is freshly sourced and has meat meals incorporated.
This whole grain dry kibble contains 27% protein, 17% fat, and 49% estimated carbs, having a fat-to-protein ratio of 63%. You will have lesser ingredients to worry about when dealing with allergic dogs.
Not to forget, its enthusiastically liked by dogs. So, the transitioning period will be a breeze.
However, it isnt suited for puppies.
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Is Rachael Ray Dog Food Good For Puppies
Rachael Ray Nutrish offers 9 all life stages formulas each considered safe for puppies. Nutrish Bright Puppy is designed specifically for growing puppies. The company also offers recipes that are labeled adult maintenance. These should not be fed to puppies. View all The Dog Food Advisors best puppy foods here.
Blue Buffalo Basics Lid Turkey & Potato Recipe Senior
First 5 ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Potatoes, Peas
For our senior furry friends with food allergies, this senior dog food is a fine choice. Real deboned turkey is the first ingredient, plus turkey meal, as turkey is the only animal source in this limited ingredient dog food. Oatmeal and brown rice are the main digestible carbs in this dog food.
This grain-inclusive recipe also has fish oil for fatty acids and pumpkin for healthy fibers to help support the digestive system. It also has probiotics for gut health. This is a high-fiber formula, with a max 7% fiber load.
This diet received an impressive 4.7 out of 5 stars average rating from over 200 Chewy customers, and with a 96% acceptance rate. Even more remarkable is that 92% of the reviews were very encouraging, with many pet parents saying their senior pets loved this kibble and that it was great for their pups sensitive skin and sensitive stomach.
Only less than 8% of the reviews were negative, almost half of which were about picky-eating dogs. Some found the price a bit expensive, and a couple thought the kibble was a bit hard.
Pros:
- Single animal source real turkey
- Balanced diet, rich in antioxidant
- Free from chicken, beef, corn, wheat, soy, dairy and eggs
Cons:
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The Importance Of High Quality Dog Food
Just like humans, dogs have allergies to certain foods. Unfortunately, many brands of dog foods fill their kibble with ingredients that dont provide them with adequate nutrition and antioxidants. Feeding your dog foods that arent nutritious can have a negative impact on their health and appearance. Also, many of these filler ingredients dont digest well for many dogs. Certain dogs have allergies and may have a food sensitivity to specific dog food brands, so its essential to find a brand thats healthy, allergen-friendly, and delicious for your dog companion.