10 Best Foods For Dogs With Allergies
If your dog has allergies, then shopping for the right food can be a challenge. Hypoallergenic food is available for dogs suffering from these issues.
While there are many options available, you may need some help sorting through your choices. You’ll normally find limited-ingredient formulas, grain-free foods, specially-formulated foods, novel protein source foods, and lastly prescription diets (although this post doesn’t address those).
In this blog post, I’ve put together a list of 10 of the best foods to help reduce their symptoms.
I would recommend speaking with a vet beforehand to rule out causes of their symptoms and other potential treatments. They may recommend an elimination diet or even an allergy test.
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My Top 10 Picks for Best Foods for Dogs with Allergies
Before I give you the list, I did want to briefly review the main types of dog foods to help reduce allergies.
- Limited-ingredient diets help to reduce allergic issues by using less ingredients.
- Grain-free food may be helpful for those who are specifically allergic to grains such as corn, wheat, or rye. Note that some studies have found that grain-free diets can be harmful and are linked to heart disease. As a result, please speak to your vet beforehand.
- Specially formulated foods for sensitive skin are also available which aren’t necessarily limited-ingredient formulas, but include ingredients that are healthy for their skin or avoid common allergens like beef and chicken.
- Novel protein source diets use proteins that your dog hasn’t eaten previously like duck, venison, or salmon, for example.
- Prescription foods are specifically designed by a vet nutritionist to meet the specific needs of your pup. Some examples are hydrolyzed protein dog food.
1. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Formula (Top Overall Special Diet)
Does your dog suffer from skin or stomach symptoms caused by their food? If so, this product may be a good option for them. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach dog food seems to get some really great reviews from owners.
This specially designed formula has salmon as its first ingredient, which is considered a novel protein source. Their formula keeps their skin and coat healthy and supports good digestion. It’s available for small breeds, large breeds, adults, and puppies.
Important Features:
- Salmon is the first ingredient.
- Their food contains live probiotics, which aids in digestion and increases immune health.
- It’s made with prebiotic fiber, which makes it easily digestible.
Pros:
- Promotes joint, skin, and coat health with sunflower and fish oil, which are rich in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Good reviews from customers about resolving skin issues.
- Available for all breeds.
- Doesn’t contain any artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. It also has no corn, wheat, or soy.
- Purina is made in the United States.
Cons:
- Higher calories and fat (429 calories per cup and 16% minimum crude fat)
2. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Canine Recipe (Top Overall Grain-Free Diet)
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Canine Grain-Free Recipe is a good quality food with an affordable price tag per lb. It’s perfect for those who are allergic to grains and thrive on a high-protein diet.
The main sources of protein in this food are buffalo and venison, which are considered novel protein sources. Their formula also contains vegetables, legumes, and fruits.
Note: there have been warnings about putting dogs on a grain-free diet, so please do your research and speak to your vet first.
Important Features:
- Buffalo is the first ingredient.
- Offered in formulas for adults and puppies.
- This product is specifically made for those who do best on a grain-free, high protein diet.
- This food is well-balanced. The amounts of protein, fat, and carbs are well distributed, so they get all the nutrition they need.
Pros:
- It has high protein and antioxidants.
- It helps the GI tract.
- Taste of the Wild is a family-owned company in the USA.
- Doesn’t contain any artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.
Cons:
- May have more protein than needed.
- Further research needs to be done on the safety of grain-free foods.
3. Diamond Naturals Skin and Coat Real Meat Recipe (Top Salmon Grain-Free Diet)
Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Real Meat Recipe has high-quality ingredients that are great for uncomfortable skin allergies.
The formula was created with the correct fat and protein levels, which are crucial for a shiny coat and healthy skin. It also contains probiotics to ensure they can easily digest the food.
The first ingredient is salmon, which is a novel protein source that can help avoid other meat allergies. Additionally, the vegetables and other superfoods in this formula are great for all life stages.
Note: this recipe is a grain-free diet that has been cautioned against recently and is potentially linked to heart disease.
Important Features:
- Salmon is the first ingredient.
- Grain-free.
- Doesn’t contain any artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.
Pros:
- Made with wild-caught salmon.
- Made for all life stages.
- Diamond Naturals has a strong focus on food safety.
Cons:
- Some owners do not like the smell.
- Further studies need to be done on the safety of grain-free food.
4. Rachael Ray Nutrish Just 6 (Top Limited Ingredient Diet on a Budget)
Rachel Ray Nutrish Just 6 is another one of the best dog foods for those with sensitivities to foods. It contains six natural ingredients plus vitamins and minerals. It’s low in price but contains quality ingredients. This food can help them avoid food allergens with its limited ingredients.
You can get their formula with or without grains, and it’s available in either a turkey or lamb recipe. This food is higher in carbs when compared to other foods, but the fat and protein ingredients are of excellent quality.
Important Features:
- Limited ingredient diet, great to help avoid allergens.
- Turkey meal is the number one ingredient.
- Does not contain beef or dairy, which are two common allergens.
Pros:
- Can be bought with or without grains.
- Contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
- Does not contain poultry by-product meal.
- Some of your purchase goes to the Rachel Ray Foundation helping animals in need.
Cons:
- Other supplements added to the 6 main natural ingredients.
5. Hill’s Science Diet for Sensitive Stomach and Skin (For Adult Dogs)
Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dog Food is another top choice. It’s made with optimal digestion in mind and is best for those who need to be on a limited ingredient diet due to allergens, but who also have sensitive stomachs. Their formula contains a prebiotic that helps support healthy bacteria to balance out their microbiome.
Additionally, it offers a high amount of Omega 6 fatty acids and Vitamin E. These promote healthy skin and coat.
Important Features:
- This product was specifically made for both allergies and sensitive stomachs.
- It contains beet pulp: this adds prebiotic fiber to the food for good digestion.
- Can be bought with or without grain.
Pros:
- The first ingredient is chicken.
- It’s made with natural ingredients.
- Hill’s donates food to shelters across the country
- This food is made in the United States.
Cons:
- Hill’s Science Diet foods tend to have lower protein levels than other foods.
6. Canidae PURE Grain Free, Limited Ingredient Dry (Top Lamb Limited-Ingredient and Grain-Free Diet)
CANIDAE Pure grain-free is a limited ingredient food. It offers a single source of protein and a select blend of easily digestible plant ingredients. This product has only eight ingredients in total. It has added probiotics that promote digestive health and glucosamine that supports joints.
This food is best for managing food symptoms plus helping find what allergen is causing issues.
Important Features:
- This is a limited-ingredient diet that includes only eight ingredients in total.
- Lamb is the number one ingredient.
- This food has a custom blend of antioxidants and probiotics.
Pros:
- Contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
- This food is made with whole vegetables.
Cons:
- CANIDAE is pricier in comparison to other foods.
- Grain-free diets have recently been cautioned against due to a potential link to heart disease.
7. Nulo Senior Grain-Free (Grain-Free Diet for Senior Pets)
Nulo Senior Grain-Free Dog Food is great for senior dogs with allergies. This food offers the same high-quality formula as seen in other food options but has added benefits like glucosamine, chondroitin, and L-Carnitine. These are crucial for their health to keep them happy and healthy.
Important Features:
- Deboned trout is the first ingredient.
- It contains glucosamine and chondroitin, which support joint and hip health.
- Grain-free formula.
Pros:
- Made with high-quality ingredients.
- Has satisfactory protein levels for seniors.
- Kibble is small enough for seniors of all sizes and breeds.
Cons:
- High price per lb
- Grain-free diets may have a potential link to heart disease.
8. Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Dog Food (Best Duck Limited Ingredient Diet for Adult Dogs)
This option is a limited-ingredient formula. It comes in seven different formulas so that you can find the best option. It’s made with real duck as the first ingredient. Duck provides amino acids; these help build strong muscles.
There is no gluten. Instead, it has whole-grain brown rice, which offers enough fiber to support healthy digestion. This food is great for adult dogs that may be allergic to other foods.
Important Features:
- Limited ingredient food.
- This food has one source of protein, duck.
- Whole grain brown rice to help with digestion.
- It contains an appropriate amount of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to help maintain a healthy immune system.
Pros:
- Contained limited but premium ingredients.
- Various options are available so that you can find the best choice.
- This food contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
- No fillers or poultry by-product meals.
- Produced in the USA.
Cons:
- This food has a higher amount of carbs in comparison to other food options.
- Solely for adult dogs.
9. NUTRO Limited Ingredient Diet Adult Dry Dog Food (Top Grain-Free Diet with Variety of Choices for Protein)
This Nutro brand dog food is a novel, limited-ingredient food. Novel proteins are proteins that your dog – most likely – hasn’t eaten before. Novel proteins are great for food-related symptoms because they greatly reduce their chance of having a bad reaction. NUTRO formulas contain ten ingredients or less.
You can choose between four different protein options; lamb, salmon, duck, and venison. These are all considered novel proteins, which is great so that you can find the best fit.
Important Features:
- All formulas contain ten ingredients or less.
- This food is great for sensitive stomachs.
- This is a grain-free recipe.
Pros:
- The first ingredient is always meat.
- It contains no by-products.
- Made in the USA.
Cons:
- These formulas are the most expensive NUTRO food options.
10. Nulo All Natural Dog Food: Freestyle Limited (Perfect Grain-Free Limited Ingredient Formula for Small Dogs)
Nulo Freestyle Limited is my final pick for best dog foods for allergies. It’s high in protein and low in carbs. They formulated this recipe to fit small dogs that need a simplified diet. This product is available in turkey flavor.
Nulo formulas have patented probiotics; they survive the cooking process and make it straight to their bowl. This aids in keeping their gut healthy! This food also contains salmon oil. Salmon oil prevents and treats skin and coat issues. So if your dog has flaky or dry skin caused by foods, then definitely consider this product as an option.
Important Features:
- Limited ingredient formula with no chicken, peas, pea protein, white potato, eggs, tapioca, corn, wheat, soy.
- This product is for small breeds.
- Has added probiotics that help keep gut bacteria healthy.
Pros:
- Has added vitamins and minerals, so they get well-balanced nutrition.
- This food contains salmon oil which is great for skin and coat health.
- Contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
Cons:
- Same problems with grain-free foods potentially being linked to heart disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Symptoms of Food Allergies in Dogs?
The symptoms may vary depending on the cause. If your dog has a severe reaction, it could result in anaphylactic shock. Do keep in mind that symptoms can vary greatly; however, the following symptoms are the more commonly seen symptoms:
- Hives
- Eye discharge
- Sneezing/Runny nose
- Itchiness in the ears, eyes, and skin
- Ear infections that keep returning
- Facial swelling
- Gastrointestinal issues like vomiting or diarrhea
- Inflamed/irritated skin
- Continuous licking or biting, the most common spot is the paws.
If your dog does have some of these symptoms, it’s important to note it doesn’t always mean allergies. They can be associated with other issues as well. If they experience any of these symptoms, see your veterinarian to get an accurate diagnosis.
What Are the Most Common Ingredients Found in Dog Food that Causes Allergies?
Proteins are one of the most common dog food allergens. However, you’ll see from the list below that the cause can range from proteins, to grains, to vegetables, and even dairy! The allergens below are listed from most to least common:
- Beef
- Dairy
- Chicken
- Wheat
- Soy
- Lamb
- Corn
- Egg
- Pork
- Fish
- Rice
You may be surprised to know that beef is the top food allergen for dogs. It’s believed that food allergies stem from feeding them the same food for many years. By doing this, the likelihood of them gaining an allergy increases. Beef is an ingredient that you find in many dog foods, which may be why it is such a common food allergy.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed our list of the 10 best foods for dogs with allergies. These recipes contain ingredients, minerals, vitamins, and supplements that will keep them happy and healthy.
If you’re concerned that they might have undiagnosed allergies, see your vet. They can help you put together a treatment plan that is appropriate for their situation.
I also wrote an article on raw dog food delivery services, where raw food has been reported to reduce allergic symptoms as well.