If your dog frequently experiences diarrhea, vomiting, or skin problems like itching, rashes, redness, and hair loss, it is possible that they have a food allergy. Dogs can be allergic to various ingredients commonly found in dog food, ranging from chicken to wheat. If you observe that your furry companion is having a negative reaction to their food, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian. They will provide you with dietary recommendations to help your dog improve their overall quality of life if an allergy is determined.
According to Dr. Michelle Burch, a Veterinarian and Veterinary Consultant at Safe Hounds Pet Insurance, the primary food allergy that affects dogs is the protein source. Beef, chicken, lamb, and wheat are among the most frequently occurring allergies.
We have done research and evaluation on various dog foods to find the best options. This will complement the guidance given by your veterinarian on which ingredients to avoid for your dog. Burch commented that a family who can stick to nutritional restrictions will see their dog’s health improve. Each of the dog foods we have found is made with a limited number of ingredients and designed to prevent specific allergens.
The 7 Best Dog Foods for Allergies of 2023
Best Overall Dry
Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Duck & Oatmeal Recipe
This dry food is specifically created for dogs that are prone to allergies, providing them with full nutrition while reducing the ingredients that may cause discomfort. Additionally, it is formulated to enhance digestibility by incorporating fiber and probiotics.
Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient dog food sources its animal protein from ducks, offering an alternative for those with allergies to common beef, chicken, and lamb. Following duck, the main components of this dog food include oatmeal, peas, ground rice, and potato protein. It does not contain any meat by-products, dairy, corn, soy, eggs, or artificial preservatives.
Wellness Simple’s oatmeal and ground rice may not be suitable for dogs with grain allergies, despite lacking wheat or gluten. In addition to that, Wellness offers variations of this limited-ingredient diet for small breeds and for dogs needing to maintain a healthy weight.
Best Overall Wet
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Canned Food
Most dogs enjoy wet food, which is available as a dense paté or a thick stew. Hill’s Science Diet offers a recipe that is a flavorful stew, perfect as a standalone dinner or poured over dry food. This delicious recipe is created specifically for dogs with sensitive stomachs. While turkey is the main protein, there are still some chicken ingredients included. Additionally, it is enriched with essential nutrients such as vitamin E, vitamin B12, and vitamin D3.
Best for Senior Dogs
Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Diet Natural Senior Dry Dog Food Turkey & Potato
In order for our pets to have a long, healthy life, it is important to adjust their diet as they age. As dogs get older, promoting healthy digestion becomes increasingly crucial, and this specific mixture of Blue Buffalo turkey and potato has been crafted with that in mind. By using turkey as the main ingredient, it provides senior dogs with the necessary protein while avoiding potential allergens such as chicken and beef. Furthermore, this formula includes omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which contribute to the overall health of their skin and coat.
Best for Skin Allergies
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Dog Food
If your dog is scratching themselves excessively or experiencing skin problems, it might be advisable to consider modifying their diet. Hill’s Science Diet, a highly reputable brand of dog food, comes highly recommended by numerous veterinarians. This specific formula is prepared using chicken as the main ingredient and does not necessitate a prescription. Moreover, it includes vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids, which have beneficial effects on your dog’s skin.
Best For Wheat Allergies
Wholesomes Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Dog Food With Chicken Protein
Wholesomes Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Dog Food is produced in the United States and contains real chicken, brown rice, and oatmeal. It also includes supplementary taurine, an amino acid that is beneficial for heart health. This dog food does not contain common starches and legumes such as corn, potatoes, peas, and lentils. Prior to choosing a new diet for your dog, it is important to consult with your veterinarian. If you are looking for wheat-free options, Wholesomes Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Dog Food also offers salmon and lamb flavors to cater to your dog’s taste preferences.
Best for Chicken Allergies
Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet with Healthy Grains Real Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Even dog foods that do not indicate chicken on the packaging may still have chicken by-products listed in the ingredients. These by-products can cause an allergic reaction in dogs that are highly sensitive to chicken. Merrick’s limited-ingredient diet is a suitable choice for dogs that do not prefer poultry. This dry dog food is made with nine essential ingredients, such as salmon, brown rice, oatmeal, and sweet potatoes. Importantly, it does not contain any chicken or chicken by-products. Additionally, it is free of soy, corn, wheat, and eggs.
Best Budget
Purina ONE +Plus Digestive Health Formula Dry Dog Food
Purina One +Plus Digestive Health Formula Dry Dog Food is a pocket-friendly option that offers gentle nutrition suitable for sensitive stomachs. The recipe includes real chicken as the first ingredient and combines dry, crunchy kibble with meaty morsels that many dogs enjoy. In order to promote a balanced stomach, the formula provides probiotics, along with essential vitamins and minerals necessary for maintaining overall health in dogs.
Purina One offers a formula called Purina One +Plus Skin & Coat Formula Dry Dog Food, which is specifically designed to assist with skin allergies. This dog food includes real salmon as its main ingredient and is also reasonably priced.
More Dog Foods for Allergies…
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA
During our interviews, two of the veterinarians voted Purina Pro Plan HA as their preferred choice. According to Crnec, this particular dog food contains only one hydrolyzed protein source and one carbohydrate source. The protein undergoes a process called “hydrolyzing” where enzymes break it down into amino acids and peptides, making it easier to digest and enabling healthy nutrient absorption, explains Crnec.
According to Dr. Whitney Miller, DVM, MBA, DACVPM, the chief veterinarian at Petco, Purina Pro HA is suitable for dogs of all sizes, including small, medium, and large breeds, as well as senior dogs. The hydrolyzed protein in the food is beneficial for any dog experiencing digestion issues. The food is available in 6-, 16.5-, and 25-pound bags and comes in salmon, chicken, and vegetarian options.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein HP Canned Dog Food
According to Crnec, the Royal Canin HP wet dog food is suitable for dogs with eating issues as it is both easily digestible and highly palatable. It addresses two problems commonly faced by dogs – sensitive tummies and picky appetites. Crnec states that this formula, which contains hydrolyzed protein, is ideal for allergic puppies and adult dogs.
With its ingredients, this canned dog food is beneficial for dogs that have easily irritated skin as it helps support the skin’s natural barrier. Furthermore, the inclusion of prebiotics, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids in the food makes it a suitable choice for dogs as these components are known for their cancer-fighting properties.
Canidae Pure Goodness Limited Ingredient Premium Puppy Dry Dog Food
Puppies who are growing require different nutrition compared to adult and senior dogs. If your puppy has allergies, it is essential to provide them with suitable puppy food. Crnec recommends Canidae Pure Goodness for puppies which consists of only nine ingredients. These ingredients include salmon, oatmeal, and nutritious grains, all of which are commonly consumed by humans and are beneficial for dogs. Additionally, this puppy food does not contain corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
According to Crnec, the product is infused with beneficial fats, antioxidants, and probiotics that enhance the immune system, improve digestion, and enhance the health of the skin and coat. It is available in bags weighing 4, 12, and 22 pounds.
Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet NP Novel Protein Alligator
Consider this before dismissing the idea of feeding your dog food made from alligator. Dogs who have allergies to traditional dog food can benefit from novel proteins, like alligator, which are less likely to cause allergic reactions. According to Crnec, alligator is a suitable choice as it is rarely linked to allergies.
Besides, the food incorporates fish oil and flaxseed, which are both essential omega fatty acids for the health of the skin and coat, as stated by her. Additionally, the food does not contain grains, and reviewers mention that their dogs find it palatable. It is available in bags of 6 and 22 pounds, but you need to obtain approval from your veterinarian beforehand.
Hill’s Prescription Diet Food Sensitivities z/d
The preferred choice of Crnec for senior dogs with food allergies is this easy-to-digest kibble. It is made with highly hydrolyzed chicken and chicken liver, which helps to minimize the risk of allergic reactions. Hill’s Prescription Diet is particularly beneficial for aging pups because it is available in both dry and wet options that can be mixed. This is excellent for older dogs who have difficulty chewing. It is available in bags weighing 8, 17.6, and 25 pounds.
Blue Buffalo True Solutions Perfect Skin & Coat
The True Solutions food is a good option for dogs with itchy skin because it is made with real salmon as the main ingredient. “With its rich content of fatty acids, the formula helps improve the skin barrier and decrease skin inflammation,” she explains. Moreover, it promotes skin health with added vitamin C and E. The food is available in bags weighing 4, 11, and 24 pounds.
WholeHearted Simple Blends Lamb, Sweet Potato & Egg Recipe
If your dog is diagnosed with a wheat allergy by your vet, there are many choices of grain-free dog food available. One recommended option is WholeHearted Simple Blends, which not only excludes grains but also contains a variety of ingredients chosen to support your pet’s overall well-being. These ingredients include lamb, sweet potato, lentils, egg, ginger, dried chicory root, salmon oil, and flaxseed, providing protein, probiotics, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. It is available in bags weighing 4 or 22 pounds and can be fed to both puppies and senior dogs.
What to consider when buying dog food for allergies
According to Crnec, there are a number of factors to consider when choosing the optimal dog food for allergies. Specifically, pay attention to:
- A limited number of ingredients
- High-quality (preferably organic) ingredients
- Hydrolyzed or novel proteins
- AAFCO-approved formulas
- No cheap fillers and artificial additives
- No unspecified ingredients
- Brand reputability and trustworthiness
- Positive feedback from other customers
FAQ
What are common allergies for dogs?
According to Miller, dogs frequently have allergic reactions to beef, wheat, and chicken, but their allergies are often caused by more than just food.
Dogs can experience similar allergy symptoms as humans due to environmental irritants such as grass, pollen, and plants. Within your home, your dog may be sensitive to dust, mold, or dander. In dogs, environmental allergies can also result in ear infections or gastrointestinal symptoms.
She says that it is critical to keep your pet on pest prevention because if your dog has a flea allergy, you may notice more skin irritation around bites.
What are common symptoms of allergies in dogs?
According to Crnec, the primary and most prevalent indication of allergies in dogs is itchiness, which can occur either in a specific region or throughout the entire body. Dogs with allergies may also exhibit symptoms such as excessive licking or chewing of paws, hives, skin that is red and inflamed, diarrhea, vomiting, sneezing, and recurrent ear infections.
According to veterinarian Dr. Amber Karwacki, DVM, of Heart + Paw petcare centers, the primary indications of food allergies to watch for are itching and GI upset. Additionally, it is important to be alert for symptoms such as irritated eyes, a runny nose, hair loss, and ear infections.
Karwacki advises that if food allergies are suspected, your veterinarian will suggest either conducting an elimination food trial or conducting a blood test to identify what your dog can consume. She advises against trusting supposedly convenient “at-home” tests and panels that use hair and saliva samples. According to her, studies have proven that commercially available tests designed for environmental and food allergies are not reliable.
What foods are best for dogs with allergies?
In terms of finding the best dog food for allergies, there is no single option that suits everyone. However, as a general rule, dogs with allergies typically require formulas containing a limited number of high-quality and diligently chosen ingredients.
According to Crnec, the choice of food for dogs with allergies is based on various factors such as the type of allergy, the dog’s nutritional requirements, age, and lifestyle. Some dogs may benefit from hydrolyzed protein, while others may need novel proteins from animals they have never consumed before, such as venison, rabbit, bison, kangaroo, or duck.
Is wet or dry food better for dogs with allergies?
According to Karwacki, the presence of ingredients in the food is what matters, making neither one better than the other for allergies. However, if your dog is a picky eater or an elderly dog that has sensitive or missing teeth, wet food might be more enjoyable for them.
