What Dog Food Is Best For Dogs With Allergies

Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Venison & Sweet Potato

Image courtesy Nutro

The first two ingredients in Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Venison & Sweet Potato Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food are venison and sweet potatoes. This food is made with high quality proteins and essential nutrients to support your dog’s overall health.

This food also contains omega-fatty acids to promote a healthy skin and coat. Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Venison & Sweet Potato Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is also supplemented with vitamins and minerals to support your dog’s overall health.

What Is The Best Dog Food For Dogs With Allergies And Sensitive Skin

Currently, there are so many dog food formulas and brands in the market that make shopping for one quite challenging, especially if you have a dog with allergies and sensitive skin. In general, specialized dog foods might be a little more costly than ordinary dog food because proteins like venison, duck, and bison form part of its ingredients.

Best Raw Dog Food For Skin Allergies

Raw feeding diets are the closest to what dogs wild ancestors would have eaten. The high fat content of an all meat diet also means these diets are naturally rich in fatty acids. But, as weve mentioned, raw diets can be quite tricky. There are some products available that might make it easier however. Freeze drying gives meat a much longer shelf life than it would otherwise have.

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Q: What Are Some Of The Main Symptoms Of Food Allergies In Dogs

A: While gas, diarrhea, and vomiting can be indicative of food allergies, these are also common symptoms of food intolerances, gas especially. Look for itching or oozing skin, a patchy coat, or inflamed ears.

We like to monitor our dogs closely if he/she seems to be obsessively licking, and also check to see if they are licking their paws constantly. Red or irritated eyes are also common markers of food allergies in dogs.

Read our related article on How to Stop Dog Itchy Skin for more information!

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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Tender & True Lid Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Salmon, Water Sufficient For Processing, Dried Sweet Potato, Dried Pea, Salt

The grain-free formula is worth the try. Real wild-caught salmon is the first and only animal ingredient in this wet dog food.

Its among the very few brands that can claim to be certified by the Marine Stewardship Council as having sustainable seafood ingredients.

No poor-quality or artificial ingredients are part of this wet food formula. Its rich in essential nutrients and amino acids, with sufficient protein levels of 9.5%. The recipe is suitable for all life stages.

Customer reviews for this salmon and potato pate have been quite favorable. One of them said it was great for her pup that had sensitive skin and a sensitive stomach too.

• Free of grain, corn, wheat or soy
• Real salmon is the single animal source

Cons:

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Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach And Sensitive Skin Dry Dog Food

• This adult dry dog food promotes digestive health while nourishing skin
• Vitamin E, omega-6 fatty acids and other nutrients in smaller kibble help nourish skin and promote a lustrous coat
• This dog food is formulated to be highly digestible for optimal nutrient absorption and easier stool pick-up

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The Best Dog Food For Dogs With Allergies

It can be hard to watch your pet suffer from allergiesespecially when the cause is unknown. Allergies can present in a variety of ways, with many different reactions, from dry, itchy, and red skin to digestive issues. Your dog may be itching, scratching, or biting, or experiencing tummy troubles like vomiting or diarrhea that arent fun for either of you.

While environmental allergens or fleas can cause allergies, many reactions are caused by a pets diet. The five most common food sensitivities reported for dogs are beef, dairy, wheat, lamb and chicken.

How do you know whats causing your dogs allergies? One way to determine this is through an elimination diet trial: simplifying what your dog is eating and then gradually adding ingredients back in to see when symptoms resolve and then flare back up.

But this can be challenging with many of the pet foods on the market, which have long lists of ingredients, are highly processed and contain many common allergens.

For dogs with food allergies, switching to a fresh diet is an excellent choice. Many pet parents report that a change to a fresh diet solved or reduced their pets allergy problems.

They also comment that their dogs skin and coat look better after switching to fresh food, in addition to their dog having more energy and maintaining a healthy weight. This may be because a food allergen was removed, or because the diet contained nutrients helpful for controlling environmental allergies .

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Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Adult Dry Dog Food

If your pet is scratching or licking constantly from their food allergies, consider Nutros adult dry dog food to give their skin and coat a new lease of life. Instead of poultry, which most dogs with allergies are susceptible to, the Nutro uses lamb as a single-source protein. Because it is formulated for adults, the dry kibbles texture can be a little hard for senior dogs to chew on.

Ingredients & Nutritional Benefits

The Nutro features a limited ingredient recipe of not more than 10 key ingredients, enhanced with natural flavours, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. The main ingredients are high quality Australian and New Zealand lamb, and real sweet potatoes which are an easily digestible source of carbs and fibre. It also contains lamb meal, which is the dry, rendered part from mammal tissues which are specially prepared for feeding purposes by tanking under live steam or dry rendering.

Chickpeas, dried potatoes, lentils and potato starch are further sources of carbs, while canola and sunflower oil provide omega fatty acids for healthy fur and skin. Added vitamins include biotin , Vitamin B2, B1, A, B12, B6 and D3, as well as folic acid and rosemary extract. It is free from ingredients that are common causes for food sensitivities, like corn, wheat, soy, dairy, chicken and beef. However, it does contain salt for flavour, which might not be ideal for dogs with renal issues.

Safety & Quality

Value & Convenience

Pros

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How Much Do They Cost

$2-6/pound

Food for dogs with allergies can cost anywhere between about $2 and $6 per pound depending on a few different factors. For one, wet food is more expensive than dry food. The extra weight of it makes it more expensive to transport, so you have to pay the difference. In addition, larger packages of food cost more overall, but cost less per pound, so buying in bulk is a great way to save money in the long run if you can justify ponying up for the higher initial price. Finally, specialty marketing allows manufacturers to justify a markup, so foods specifically marketed for dogs with allergies generally cost more than regular dog foods that happen to contain allergy-friendly ingredients.

Ollie Fresh Dog Food Lamb Recipe Best Overall

If youre looking for the highest-quality food for your Golden Retriever thats sure to get their allergies under control, its hard to top Ollies fresh lamb recipe. With a novel protein like lamb, its unlikely that your pup will have any issues, especially when its paired with butternut squash, kale, and cranberries like in this recipe.

Even better, Ollie pre-portions all the meals for you, so you know that your dog is getting exactly what they need. It considers all your dogs information when building the meal plan, and its perfect for all life stages.

Youll be feeding your dog fresh ingredients that theyll love, and itll help with their allergies. So, while it might be more expensive than traditional kibble, its easily the best overall dog food for Golden Retrievers with allergies.

• Great for all life stages
• Only fresh ingredients

If youre on a tight budget, Diamond Naturals Beef Meal & Rice recipe is what you need to get your Golden Retrievers allergies under control.

Its affordably priced, and by swapping out chicken for beef, it will help clear up many dogs allergy problems. Its a nutritionally complete formula made right here in the U.S.A.

• Beef protein helps with allergies
• Nutritionally complete formula
• No artificial flavors or colors

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Q: Should I Really Take My Dog To The Vet If He Has Allergic Reactions

A: It is best to consult your vet first. You can save money by removing all the ingredients you are unsure of. However, this may not solve the problem.

Warning: Our reviews on the Best Dog Food For Skin Allergiesare mostly based on information from experts and manufacturers. We test many products, but it is impossible to test them all. That said, we ask that you remember that the recommendations above are opinions, and before using a treatment, we recommend that you consult with your veterinarian.

What Is The Best Food For Dogs With Allergies

It is important to work with a veterinarian to determine the best food for dogs with allergies. Novel protein and hydrolyzed diets that are available by prescription only are superior to those that can be bought over the counter because the latter often contain trace amounts of common allergens, even if they are not listed on the label. Randomly eliminating ingredients from your dog’s diet without the input of a veterinary nutritionist is also a bad idea, as it can result in nutritional imbalances and is unlikely to identify the underlying problem.

Save yourself the worry and speak with your veterinarian if you suspect that your dog has a food allergy.

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Limited Ingredient Dog Diets

If your dog is demonstrating food sensitivity A-Z Animals recommends starting limited ingredient dog foods. Limited ingredient foods have fewer inputs and less harmful fillers. This makes it easier to identify fool intolerances and allergies. Limited ingredient foods are also usually healthier as manufactures focus more on primary inputs like animal protein or vegetables .

There are many good options for limited ingredient food today. Unlike many hypoallergenic dog foods, limited ingredient options are available at most retailers like Amazon, Petco, and Chewy and do not require a prescription.

Zignature Duck Lid Formula Grain

This grain-free formula is made with a limited list of ingredients, including a novel source of high-quality animal protein: duck. Packed with nutritious ingredients and supplemented for balanced nutrition, this recipe is highly digestible and completely free from corn, wheat, soy, and artificial additives.

Zignature Duck LID Formula Grain-Free Canned Dog Food

This duck-based dog food is grain-free and made with a limited-ingredient hypoallergenic formula.

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Treating Dog Food Allergies: What Is An Elimination

When it comes to figuring out exactly what ingredients are messing with your pup, the elimination-challenge diet is really the only way to go.

Veterinarians often recommend an elimination-challenge diet for their patients who are suspected of having a food allergy. But elimination-challenge diets arent only useful for confirming your suspicions theyre also helpful for treating the problem.

An elimination diet involves eliminating certain ingredients from your dogs diet in order to detect which food is causing an allergic reaction.

Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food Salmon & Potato

Understanding the importance of removing allergens from a dogs diet, Wellness Simples Natural series features limited ingredients and a salmon and potato formula. A limited ingredient diet is more easily digestible since it has fewer ingredients ideal for dogs with food sensitivities, allergies or ingredient intolerances whilst still providing sufficient nutrients to keep them healthy and happy. It is suitable for dogs of all ages, breeds and sizes.

Ingredients & Nutritional Benefits

Wellness Simple contains a single source protein from real high quality salmon, mixed with easily digestible carbohydrates such as potatoes, peas and ground flaxseed for complete, balanced nutrition. Flaxseed helps to nourish healthy skin, as do rosemary extract and green tea extract, and salmon is rich in essential fatty acids for the skin and coat.

It also has salmon meal, tomato pomace, canola oil, chicory root extract and natural fish flavour, in addition to supplementary vitamins A, E, riboflavin, D3, B12, bet-carotine, C, biotin and minerals such as zinc, manganese and calcium for strong bones and muscles. The product is free from gluten, wheat, fillers, artificial additives as well as corn, dairy and eggs. Meanwhile, dried probiotics help to maintain good bacteria in the gut.

Safety & Quality

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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

Taste Of The Wild Prey Angus Beef Limited Ingredient Dog Food

Image courtesy Taste of the Wild

Taste of the Wild Prey Angus Beef Limited Ingredient Dog Food is a great choice for dogs with allergies. It is made with all natural ingredients and does not contain any artificial additives, flavors, or preservatives.

This food is also grain free and has no soy, corn, or wheat. This food is perfect for dogs with allergies or sensitivities to these ingredients. Taste of the Wild Prey Angus Beef Limited Ingredient Dog Food is a great choice for dogs with allergies.

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Nulo Small Breed Freestyle Limited

PetListed Verdict:

Featuring a single protein, Nulo small breed freestyle is available in either a turkey or salmon recipe, and is made without most common allergens. The brand also boasts a patented probiotic to promote digestive health. Multiple bag sizes are available if youd like to test out the food before making an investment.

Key Features:

• Ingredients include essential vitamins and minerals
• Added information about dog allergies included
• Suitable for dogs of all life stages

Cons:

• Very expensive. At only 2 pounds of food per bag, some customers are saying this brand is better as a treat rather than a full meal

Diamond Naturals Real Meat Recipe Premium Specialty Dry Dog Food

Hypoallergenic foods are great for dogs with skin allergies, as the ingredients have their components broken down to the most basic building blocks, reducing the risk of an adverse reaction when ingested. The Diamond Naturals Real Meat Recipe is one of these types. While most dog foods for sensitive skin and allergies are limited to adult dogs, the Diamond Naturals is suitable for all life stages, so even puppies and seniors can benefit from the grain-free, salmon and potato formula.

Ingredients & Nutritional Benefits

The Diamond Naturals boasts premium, hypoallergenic ingredients with added vitamins and minerals, as well as a variety of fruit and vegetable-based superfoods that are rich in antioxidants. 100% wild caught salmon offers high quality protein and an optimal amino acid profile for lean strong muscles. Salmon has essential fatty acids which are important for skin and coat health. Meanwhile, lentils, peas and carrots are superfoods and complex carbs that are more readily digestible, and pets benefit from the presence of powerful antioxidants in their diet in the form of blueberries, spinach, oranges, coconut, papaya, chia seed, pumpkin and carrots, as well as phytonutrients from vegetables and fruits. The food has zero grains, since many pooches are allergic to grains such as wheat, and contains no corn, fillers, artificial flavours, colours or preservatives.

Safety & Quality

Value & Convenience

Pros

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