Best Dog Food for Allergies

Last Updated on October 3, 2022 by Editorial Team

Animals suffer from allergies because of generally three factors; ingredients in pet food, environmental allergies, and flea bite dermatitis. In addition, there are plenty of foods that can help manage dog allergies. Veterinary diet food and human-grade dog food are among the best dog food for allergies.

Getting A New Dog and Diet

Many people don’t realize that animals get allergies as human beings do. They don’t understand that the dry dog food that they are feeding them can enhance allergies to a significant degree.

Getting premium dog food that targets specific issues and allergies can prevent your pet from being put on invasive medications when a simple wet dog food or raw dog food may be the solution to their pet’s health issues. Usually, food allergies, flea bite dermatitis, and environmental allergies are behind most allergic reaction symptoms in dogs.

Food for Dog Allergies

Some dogs are hypersensitive to certain ingredients in the food they eat. Digestive dog health food is one solution to this issue. Being sensitive to dry dog food ingredients can make the body think that a specific protein is a foreign invader and requires an immune response.

The intriguing thing about common food allergies is that most pets have eaten the same food for years and the allergies come on quite suddenly.

Allergies of any possible kind usually involve the same symptoms as being allergic to fleas or the environment. Some common symptoms of being allergic to an ingredient in pet foods are:

  1. Licking and biting their feet and legs. 
  2. Getting ear infections that recur frequently.
  3. Scratching the face or other areas of the body. 
  4. Lesions or hot spots on the skin that are chronically itchy. 
  5. Possible symptoms of an upset stomach

Diagnosing Food Allergies

Dr. Siegel says there is no accurate or straightforward test to diagnose food allergies in dogs and cats. Suppose your pet is exhibiting cat or dog food allergy symptoms. Your vet will likely recommend an elimination diet trial to pinpoint which food ingredients are causing your pet’s symptoms or identify which components do not cause problems.

Pet Food Allergy Symptoms and Testing

One would think that being intolerant to various ingredients would make someone believe that the only issues would be diarrhea, nausea, and throwing up. However, a dog food allergy remains the same regardless of the actual season. Therefore, ruling out more severe conditions needs to be done first with a complete history of the dog’s allergens and parasites.

Testing for food allergies is more problematic as it is a trial and effort scenario. Finding out what ingredients in the dry dog food make your canine react negatively and positively can be a constant trial run test until you find the right food. Consulting with a professional who can prescribe a veterinary diet dog food can help immensely.

There are dog dermatologists who specialize in these types of allergic reactions.

Read also: Can dogs eat Grapes?

Diagnosing Dog Food Skin Allergies

The issue with dog food allergies and other types of allergens are that they are common denominators in various health problems that canines experience. It can cause your dog to experience unpleasant symptoms and digestive health dog food issues. Skin patch tests and blood tests are available, but they are not yet reliable.

Most diets for allergic dogs contain novel or hydrolyzed proteins that the dog has not been exposed to before. Because they have not been exposed to these types of food yet, they have not had the chance to develop an allergy.

Prescription diets that contain novel or hydrolyzed proteins are appropriate for food trials. Novel proteins come from ingredients that a dog has never been exposed to before. Hydrolyzed proteins are broken down into tiny pieces but can come from almost any source, but they’re so small that the immune system doesn’t react to them.

Top Food Allergies in Dogs

  • Cattle Beef 
  • Dairy type items 
  • Regular Chicken 
  • Wheat Products 
  • Lamb 
  • Sot Eggs and Corn 
  • Fish, pork, or rice products

Best Dog Food For Allergies

Now, it’s time to reveal the best dog food for allergies. All these brands have satisfied many dog parents; you can see happy customers all over the internet. But, of course, we only picked the best of the best.

1. Purina Pro Plan Focus Sensitive Skin & Stomach Lamb & Oat Adult Dry Dog Food

Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Sensitive Stomach Dog Food With Probiotics for Dogs, Lamb & Oat Meal Formula - 24 lb. Bag

Purina Pro Plan Focus Sensitive Skin & Stomach, an all-size breed premium dog food, lists lambs as its primary ingredient. It has prebiotic fiber to help with sensitive stomachs. It also has the beneficial bacteria found in the intestines of dogs to digest the food better. Furthermore, this dry dog food contains fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids to ease mobility and joint problems.

There is no wheat, soy, or corn in it. There is also zinc in it to help nourish your dog’s skin.

2. Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Chicken & Veggies Recipe Dry Dog Food

Rachael Ray Nutrish Premium Natural Dry Dog Food, Real Chicken & Veggies Recipe, 40 Pounds (Packaging May Vary)

We listed some ingredients above that some dogs are allergic to, but the beef was the only one that had a significant percentage of 34 percent of food-allergic dogs.

As the number one ingredient, protein is always looked for in dog food, regardless of allergies. This human-grade dog food is farm-raised and is excellent for all life stages of your furry friend.

In addition, beet pulp and brown rice help to support the digestive tract. It also has carrots and peas to help nourish your dog’s sensitive coat. Formulated in the United States, it also contains omega fatty acids.

Read also: Best Dog Food for Golden Retrievers

3. Purina Pro Plan Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Rice Formula with Probiotics Dry Dog Food

Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Dry Puppy Food, Chicken and Rice Formula - 34 lb. Bag

Give your large breed puppy the healthy meals it needs with Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food – Chicken & Rice Formula. High-quality protein, including chicken as the first ingredient, provides some of your dog’s essential nutrients. Purina designed this formula for puppies that will weigh more than 22.5 kg as adults.

Each premium ingredient in this super-premium dry puppy food is carefully selected for a specific nutritional or functional purpose. Knowing your large breed puppy receives thoughtful nutrition makes this dry dog food a reassuring choice.

In addition, the hard kibbles and delicious taste of this formula whet your dog’s appetite, and the antioxidants help support the development of his immune system. Include this dry puppy food as part of your puppy’s complete and balanced diet to show him that you care about his health and happiness.

Read also: Can dogs eat Tomatoes?

4. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Hydrolyzed Protein Small Dog Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Hydrolyzed Protein Small Dog Dry Dog Food, 8.8 lb

This veterinarian dog food diet is all-around excellent dog food for allergies. It assists dogs with hair loss, scratching, and digestive problems. In addition, Royal Canin created it with hydrolyzed proteins. Thus, it will not trigger any allergic reactions in your dog, regardless of the cause of the allergy.

This Dry Dog Food is full of amino acids, B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. Therefore, it helps keep your canine’s skin healthy. As a result, their coat will also be smooth and shiny. It is a digestive health dog food packed with nutrient-dense fibers designed for puppies and older dogs. This food requires a prescription, so consult with a veterinarian before purchasing it.

Read also: 12 Best Canned Dog Food You Can Rely On

5. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Low Fat Canned Dog Food

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Gastrointestinal High Energy In Gel Canned Dog Food, 13.6 oz

This wet dog food is a veterinarian dog food specially designed for sensitive stomachs. Also, this dog food is low in fat which makes it perfect for dogs with food allergies. It also assists with diarrhea, loss of appetite, and throwing up issues.

RC’s Gastrointestinal Low Fat Canned Dog Food has plenty of fiber and probiotics. Thus, it is top-notch digestive dog food for pets that have difficulty digesting higher fat content. Just because it is low fat doesn’t mean it’s not delicious.

There are also Omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil in this low-fat canned dog food. Besides, it offers an additional benefit to assist with bladder issues.

6. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Large Breed Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food

Hill's Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult 1-5, Large Breed, Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe, 33 lb. Bag

All life stages require different needs, and having food tailored to your dog’s size can significantly extend its lifespan. Thus, Hill’s Pet Nutrition formulated this dry dog food for larger dogs. It boasts chicken as its primary ingredient.

Furthermore, it helps avoid joint damage that larger dogs get because it’s filled with glucosamine and chondroitin. Additional minerals, vitamins, and nutrients help your large dog live a long and joyful life.

7. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets FortiFlora Probiotic Gastrointestinal Support Dog Supplement

Purina FortiFlora Probiotics for Dogs, Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements Powder Probiotic Dog Supplement – 30 ct. box

Sometimes a supplement is necessary when a pup has digestive health troubles. This powered supplement is delicious to dogs and assists them with providing additional assistance to keep their intestinal tract healthy:

  • It helps to assist dogs who have diarrhea issues with fortiflora canine supplements.
  • Purina made it with human-grade dog food ingredients for all stages and breeds of dogs. 
  • It helps to reduce gas. 
  • Dogs love the taste of the probiotic powder mixed into canned food.

8. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food

Hill's Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Sensitive Stomach & Skin, Chicken Recipe, 30 Lb Bag

Hill’s scientists made this veterinarian-recommended dry dog food using natural ingredients from the United States. It is specially formulated for adult dogs and packed with Omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E for soft skin and fur. Real chicken is the first ingredient and is highly digestible to most dogs. In addition, it offers prebiotic fiber for a healthy digestive tract.

Read also: Can dogs eat Pineapple?

9. Purina Pro Plan Adult Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food

Purina Pro Plan High Protein Dog Food With Probiotics for Dogs, Shredded Blend Beef & Rice Formula - 35 lb. Bag

This delicious shredded dog food has 26 percent protein content, with real chicken as the primary ingredient. It is full of healthy probiotics and omega-6 fatty acids; dogs love its taste. In addition, prebiotic fiber helps soothe irritated digestive tracts.

It is both a dry dog food with a bit of a wet dog food feel as there are most hardy bits in it.

10. Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Grain-Free Dry Dog Food with Smoke-Flavored Salmon 28lb

This grain-free delight contains plenty of fresh-caught salmon as the primary ingredient. Novel proteins make it a fantastic choice for dogs with allergies. In addition, it has sweet potatoes and peas that help keep your pup energetic and healthy.

Amino acids and antioxidants from different fruits and veggies, like blueberries, tomatoes, and raspberries, promote digestive tract health. Dried chicory root also with prebiotic health needs. It is one of the highest quality human-grade dog food types available in the United States.

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