13 Best Dog Foods for Allergies 2023: Veterinarian Reviewed

If your dog suffers from allergies, you know how frustrating it can be to find a food that helps alleviate their symptoms. There are many different types of dog food on the market, and it can be difficult to determine which one is best for your pet. In this comprehensive review, we will take a look at my most recommended dog food for allergies and discuss their pros and cons.

Contents

Best Diets for Environmetal Allergies/Atopy

Best OverallThe American Journey Limited Ingredient Salmon and Sweet Potato Recipe +
Runner UpBlue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care Salmon & Potato Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food
Best skin diet for small breedsPurina Pro Plan Small Breed Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Formula Dry Dog Foodbag of sensitive skin and stomach
Best Skin Diet for Senior DogsPurina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach 7+ Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Foodpurina proplan adult sensitive skin and stomach
Best Veterinary RecommendedHill’s Prescription Diet Derm Complete

Best Limited Ingredient Diets

Best Fresh Food
Best OverallZignature Venison Limited Ingredient Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Foodzignature venison grain free bag
Most affordable Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care Grain-Free Formula Duck & Potato Recipe Adult Dry Dog Foodblue buffalo duck bag
Best Novel: Earthborn Holistic Venture Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Rabbit Meal & Pumpkin Dry Dog Foodhttps://www.kqzyfj.com/click-100594075-14324438?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.chewy.com%2Fearthborn-holistic-venture-venture grain free rabbit bag
Best For Large Breed Dogs:Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Selected Protein PW Large Breed Dog FoodRoyal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Selected Protein PW Large Breed Dog Food

Best Hydrolyzed or Hypoallergenic

Most HydrolyzedRoyal Canin Ultaminoroyal canin Ultamino bag
Best for PuppiesPurina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Foodpurina HA bag
Best Hydrolyzed for small breed dogsRoyal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Hydrolyzed Protein Small Breed Dry Dog FoodRoyal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Hydrolyzed Protein Small Breed Dry Dog Food

What to look for in dog food for food allergies?

If you have taken a walk down the dog food aisles you will likely be completely overwhelmed by the number of different diets out there. There is also a lot of companies that use market their diets for skin issues when they are not necessarily very beneficial for skin conditions.

Cocker spaniel scratching
Source: Pixabay Katrina_S

Considerations when choosing the best dog food for allergies

1. Does your dog need a limited ingredient, hydrolyzed diet, or a diet designed for canine atopic dermatitis?

Your veterinarian is the best person to recommend the right diet for your dog as your dog will need a diagnosis as to what type of skin allergy they have as each requires a different type of diet.

2. Has the company conducted any research on the diet?

Skin allergies can be complicated. A reputable food company will have conducted research and identified the best ingredients to include in the diet based on this research. Ideally, the diet had been tested on pets that live in a home environment that suffer from canine allergic dermatitis and/or food allergies.

3. Does the diet include only one to two protein sources?

For dogs that have a true food allergy, they will need to be on a hydrolyzed or limited ingredient diet. If the food is a limited ingredient diet then it should only contain one animal protein source ideally but two can be OK as well.

On the ingredient panel on the back or side of the panel examine the animal protein sources carefully as they sometimes occur further down the list. The diet should also only contain one to two carbohydrate sources such as potato, sweet potato or rice.

4. Does the company do further testing on the diet?

Ideally, the diet is manufactured in a plant that endeavors to avoid protein cross-contamination. Most over-the-counter diets are manufactured in facilities that do not test the raw ingredients or test the end product for other protein sources.

In fact, a study conducted in 2019 examined 21 limited ingredient diets available commercially from pet stores and found that all 21 were contaminated with animal proteins not found on the label. These proteins included bovine (beef), pig, goat and bison.

This is why your veterinarian may recommend a limited ingredient diet that needs veterinary authorization as these diets undergo extra testing to ensure there is no cross-contamination with other animal protein sources.

Now that we know what to look for in dog food for allergies, let’s take a closer look at our 11 top recommendations:

5. Limited Ingredient or novel protein diets?

Limited Ingredient dog foods

These diets contain a small number of ingredients or only use ingredients that your dog has not been exposed to before which can be beneficial in dogs with food allergies.

Some common proteins used in these limited ingredient diets are:

  • Kangaroo
  • Venison
  • Lamb
  • Duck
  • Rabbit

Hydrolyzed or Hypoallergenic Diets:

Hydrolyzed diets are commonly called hypoallergenic dog food and are becoming more popular among veterinary professionals and pet owners due to the many benefits they offer. Hydrolyzed diets are made with proteins that have been extensively broken down to a size that’s virtually unrecognizable by the immune system. This minimizes the risk of reaction to the proteins. And helps to reduce skin reactions that may be due to sensitivities to common proteins found in pet foods.

Whether your dog is needing a short-term elimination diet or long-term nutrition, a hydrolyzed diet may be the best option for them. Talk to your veterinarian if you feel your dog needs a hydrolyzed diet.

Some common hydrolyzed proteins used in these diets are chicken and soy

TOP 5 Diets for Canine Atopic Dermatitis (Environmental Allergies)

Best Overall: The American Journey Limited Ingredient Salmon and Sweet Potato Recipe +

The American Journey Limited Ingredient Salmon and Sweet Potato Recipe 

This is the winner in my opinion with the highest protein levels of all the diets I looked at. The first two ingredients are Salmon and salmon meal with a protein content of 28% dry matter basis. Making it a great option for a more active dog. Carbohydrate sources include peas, chickpeas and sweet potatoes which are great sources of fiber. Other prebiotic fibers include beet pulp and flaxseed for digestive health

AAFCO Statement: complete & balanced nutrition for all life stages.

Best For Active adult dogs with Environmental allergies who want a higher protein quality diet.

Pros

  • Made in the USA
  • No known recall history
  • Supplemented with chelated minerals for better nutrient absorption
  • No artificial additives or colors
  • High in omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids from fish and vegetable oils.
  • Salmon based protein which is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids

Cons

  • Factory ownership and production are unknown
  • American Journey is a fairly new brand. Only established in 2017
  • No veterinarians on staff to my knowledge
  • Not a novel protein diet so if you suspect your dog is food allergic as well as atopic, this is not the diet for you
  • Lower calories per cup at 327kcal per cup. This is a good thing and a bad thing. If your dog is prone to weight gain they get more food in the bowl. If they are active high-energy dogs then it is bad as you need to feed more!
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Runner Up: Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care Salmon & Potato Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food

As the name informs, Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care Salmon & Potato Recipe Adult has no artificial preservatives or colors and is high-quality limited ingredient dog food! Resultantly, Blue Buffalo Basics Formula is one of the most dependable  Dog foods for skin and coat issues.

The diet is formulated to meet the needs of adult dogs. Featuring salmon as the only meat/fish-based protein ingredient. Salmon is a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids to help fight inflammation associated with skin disease and help reduce itchiness.

The diet is not grain-free as it contains oatmeal and brown rice. However, allergies to grains are very rare and are more commonly associated with wheat, corn and soy – not rice or oats.

The protein content is fairly low at 22%. Likely as Salmon is used as the protein source which is an expensive ingredient. So if your dog is very high energy this would not be the ideal diet and is best suited to those of moderate to low energy levels

Best For Dogs with skin problems who want to try a limited ingredient diet that is not a prescription.

Pros

  • Natural dog food with no by-products, no artificial colors or additives
  • High levels of antioxidants for immune system health
  • Real salmon is the only meat/fish protein source
  • Excellent customer ratings

Cons

  • Low protein at 22% dry matter so not for highly active dogs. 
  • On the more expensive side but quality food is worth it
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Best skin diet for small breeds: Purina Pro Plan Small Breed Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Formula Dry Dog Food

bag of sensitive skin and stomach

Purina Pro Plan Small Breed Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Formula Dry Dog Food is a high-protein dry food for adult dogs that is designed to help take care of your companion’s sensitive skin and stomach. The food has actual, nutrient-rich salmon as the first ingredient in a highly digestible recipe that includes rice and oatmeal.

Feeding your dog this food will help improve their digestive and immune health. The food is enhanced with live probiotics and prebiotic fiber to help keep their gut healthy. It also includes omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin A to help keep their skin and coat looking healthy, as well as omega-3 fatty acids to promote joint health.

AAFCO statement: complete & balanced nutrition for all life stages.

Best For Small dogs under 22 pounds with skin allergies and stomach sensitivities.

Pros

  • Made in the USA
  • No wheat, corn or soy
  • Salmon is the first ingredient
  • No artificial flavors, additives or colors
  • No other animal protein sources other than salmon and fish meal
  • High levels of omega 3 fatty acids from fish oil, salmon and salmon meal
  • High levels of omega-6 fatty acids from Sunflower Oil – a great source of linolenic acid to help improve the skin barrier.
  • High protein at 31.8% dry matter

Cons

  • Fish based diet of salmon can cause fishy breath
  • Not a true novel protein diet so if you suspect your dog is food allergic as well as atopic, this may not the diet for your pet.
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Best Skin Diet for Senior Dogs: Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach 7+ Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food

Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach 7+ Salmon & Rice Formula is designed for senior dogs. While similar to the Purina small breed above with salmon as the main ingredient this diet is specifically for seniors seven and above.

It is easy to digest and perfect for dogs with joint care needs containing glucosamine and EPA to support your dog’s joint health. Purina’s dog food for sensitive skin is enriched with omega-rich sunflower oil to keep your pet’s skin healthy and their coat radiant.

Plus, the natural prebiotic fiber and antioxidants help promote your dog’s digestive and immune health. Finally, the high-protein dry dog food has 33% protein to support lean muscle mass, including the heart. This is important as senior pets (like humans) lose muscle mass as they age.

This was the best senior diet for skin allergies that I could find among the very few!

Best For senior dogs with skin and stomach sensitivities

Pros

  • Formulated especially for senior dogs
  • Salmon is the first ingredient
  • No wheat, corn, soy, or poultry by-products
  • Joint support with glucosamine chondroitin and EPA
  • High protein help maintain lean muscle mass as they age
  • Designed for pets with a sensitive stomach

Cons

  • Kibble size is very small so large breed dogs may struggle to eat
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Best Veterinary Recommended: Hill’s Prescription Diet Derm Complete

Hill’s Prescription Diet Derm Complete Environmental & Food Sensitivities Dry Dog Food is clinically formulated to help manage environmental and food sensitivities in dogs. If your dog suffers from itching, this prescription diet may be the right choice for them. The diet has a single animal protein source, egg. The diet has some bold claims including:

  • Visible skin improvement
  • Improved night-time scratching which helps with sleep quality as well
  • Contains bioactives to help support your dog’s immune response year-round!

This is a prescription diet and will need authorization from your veterinarian.

Best For Dogs that have been diagnosed with environmental allergies or environmental AND Food allergies by their veterinarian

Pros

  • Egg is the only animal-sourced protein
  • High levels of omega 3 fatty acids from fish oil and flaxseed – highest of all dogs foods for environmental allergies.
  • High levels of omega-6 fatty acids from Coconut Oil – a great source of fatty acids.
  • Some prebiotic fiber from flaxseed and beet pulp
  • Made in the USA
  • No wheat, corn or soy
  • No artificial additives or colors
  • Clinically researched in dogs with environmental and food allergies

Cons

  • Some people report palatability issues – dogs either love it or hate it. Hill’s does off a 100% money-back guarantee if your dog is one of the latter.
  • High price point
  • Protein is low at 17.3% so not suitable for highly active dogs
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TOP 5 Limited Ingredient Diets for Food Allergies

Best Fresh Food: Pet Plate Lean and Mean Venison

A limited ingredient diet is essential for dogs with food allergies or food sensitivities. By using only a few, high-quality ingredients, dogs are less likely to experience allergic reactions or digestive problems.

All Pet Plates meals are made with 100% human-grade ingredients and are kettle-cooked in a USDA kitchen, following the same safety standards used to make human food. This ensures that the meals are highly digestible and packed with nutrients.

In addition, Pet Plate meals are low in fat and rich in antioxidants, making them perfect for dogs who are overweight or at risk for heart disease. And because the ingredients are all-natural, they are gentle on the stomach and easy to digest. Whether your dog has allergies or is simply in need of a nutritious meal, the limited ingredient diets made by Pet Plate may be just the ticket.

Best For Pet parents who want to home cook without the hassle!

Pros

  • Formulated by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist so you know this diet is complete and balanced
  • One protein source: Venison which is quite a novel protein for many pets. Novel means that the pet has not previously eaten the protein.
  • Pet Plate has other protein sourced diets including turkey and pork
  • Can be fed to dogs with pancreatitis or liver issues – consult your vet before feeding
  • Key ingredients include meat, pasta, fruits and vegetables are the first EIGHT ingredients
  • Highly palatable and variety

Cons

  • Expensive – especially for large breed dogs where they need one full container per day or more

Best Overall: Zignature Venison Limited Ingredient Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

zignaturevenison bag

For dogs who may be allergic to common ingredients or who need a limited ingredient diet, Zignature Venison Limited Ingredients Formula is a great option. This grain-free food is made with farm-raised venison from New Zealand and only a handful of other ingredients. Venison is high in protein and iron, and it also produces high levels of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), which has numerous health benefits. The food also includes peas and chickpeas, which are rich in antioxidants and fiber. And because it’s free of common potential canine allergens, it’s a great choice for dogs with allergies or sensitivities.

Best For Pet parents looking for a venison based limited ingredient diet

Pros

  • High protein at 30% dry matter basis so good for an an active adult dog
  • Fatty acids from flaxseed and sunflower oil for skin and coat health
  • Limited carbohydrate source of chickpeas and peas. These carb sources are also high in protein and fiber
  • Very high omega-3 fatty acids at 4% to help soothe itchy skin
  • Highly rated by reviewers

Cons

  • Expensive
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Most affordable: Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care Grain-Free Formula Duck & Potato Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food

blue buffalo basics sensitive skin and stomach duck bag

Blue Buffalo Basics is a limited ingredient, grain-free dog food. It doesn’t contain any chicken, beef, corn, wheat, soy, dairy or eggs—making it a good option for dogs with food sensitivities.

This recipe features a single novel animal protein source, duck. Along with potatoes, peas and pumpkin to support gentle digestion. Features a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals carefully selected to support your pal’s immune system and life stage needs.

Made with all-natural ingredients and enhanced with vitamins and minerals.

Best For: Pet parents that want a quality limited ingredient diet without the hefty price tag

Pros

  • Duck is the first ingredient
  • Fatty acids from fish and canola oil for skin and coat health
  • Limited carbohydrate source from potatoes, peas and tapioca. These carb sources are also high in protein and fiber
  • Very highly rated by reviewers 4.8/5
  • Most affordable quality limited ingredient I could find sitting just under $3 per pound

Cons

  • Low to moderate protein at 22.2% dry matter basis so not ideal for highly active dogs
  • Multiple carbohydrate sources so not truly novel
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Best Novel: Earthborn Holistic Venture Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Rabbit Meal & Pumpkin Dry Dog Food

holistic-venture-venture grain free rabbit bag

This rabbit-based limited ingredient diet can be beneficial for dogs and puppies with food sensitivities. This recipe is supplemented with methionine and taurine to support a healthy heart. The rabbit meal is sourced from French farms and is naturally packed with high levels of selenium, vitamin B12 and vitamin B3.

The food is 100% free from grains, by-products, artificial preservatives, and GMO ingredients. It is packaged in a resealable plant bag made from up to 40% plant-based plastics for the enviro conscious.

Best For Those seeking a rabbit based diet

Pros

  • 100% grain-free, gluten-free, and potato free
  • Includes methionine and taurine for a healthy heart
  • Packaged in a plant-based bag
  • High protein at 29% dry matter basis
  • Made in the USA
  • Fourth-generation family-owned business

Cons

  • Contains pollock meal. This is a fish meal meaning that the diet is not truly a limited ingredient diet
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Best For Large Breed Dogs: Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Selected Protein PW Large Breed Dog Food

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Selected Protein PW Large Breed Dog Food

This highly palatable, highly digestible, complete and balanced diet will meet your large breed dog’s nutritional needs. This food is made for large breed dogs over 55 lbs that have food sensitivities. The diet is complete and balanced, and it can be used for elimination diet trials or long-term nutrition. The food supports joint health with glucosamine, chondroitin, and essential fatty acids. It also promotes healthy skin and a shiny coat with EPA and DHA, omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil. The kibble shape and size are adapted for a large breed dog’s jaws and teeth.

Best For Large breed dogs with food allergies or sensitivities

Pros

  • A complete and balanced diet
  • Supports joint health
  • Promotes healthy skin and coat
  • Exclusive kibble shape and size is adapted for large breed dog’s jaws and teeth
  • Limited ingredients with fish meal as the single protein source
  • VERY highly rated 4.9/5 on review sites with 100% recommending the diet! I could not find any negative reviews

Cons

  • The first ingredient is potatoes, not the fish-based protein.
  • Low to moderate protein at 21% dry matter so not ideal for highly active dogs
  • Expensive

This is a prescription diet and will need authorization from your veterinarian.

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TOP 3 Hydrolyzed Diets

Most Hydrolyzed: Royal Canin Ultamino

Royal Canin Ultamino is for adult dogs with food allergies needing a short-term elimination diet or long-term nutrition. This is a veterinary-exclusive hypoallergenic food that can clinically help reduce skin reactions due to sensitivities to common proteins found in pet foods.

Ultamino has been minimally processed with proteins extensively broken down to a size that’s virtually unrecognizable by the immune system. It also reinforces the skin barrier with specific nutrients to support healthy skin in dogs with skin sensitivity and irritation. In addition, this food helps support healthy digestion with an exclusive blend of fibers.

Best For Dogs that have been diagnosed with a Food Allergy or needs to undergo a diet elimination trial

Pros

  • Highly hydrolyzed protein source. A study on Royal Canin Ultamino found that 0% of chicken allergic dogs reacted to this diet
  • Contains fiber and prebiotic fibers from cellulose, and FOS to help support gut health and firm stools
  • Clinically proven in dogs with food allergies to work

Cons

  • While this diet is proven to work – it is the most expensive diet on the market in the commercial space
  • Corn starch is the first ingredient
  • Low protein at 18.9% dry matter. However, the protein source is highly digestible
  • The protein source is somewhat controversial as it is extensively-hydrolyzed poultry feathers. The diet had undergone AAFCO feeding trials to support its use as an adult maintenance diet

This is a prescription diet and will need authorization from your veterinarian.

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Best for Puppies: Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA is a chicken-flavored dry dog food that has been formulated with hydrolyzed protein. This high-quality protein source has been broken down into smaller components, making it easier for dogs to digest and absorb.

The single carbohydrate source in this formula is also easy to digest, and the overall formulation is designed to promote optimal nutrient absorption. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA is a highly nutritious food that helps support the health of puppies as it is approved for growth.

Best For Puppies and adult dogs that need a hydrolyzed diet

Pros

  • Purina HA is the only hydrolyzed diet approved for growth
  • This food is made to be easily digested by dogs and to help them absorb all the nutrients they need.

Cons

  • Contains three sources of hydrolyzed protein being soy, chicken and chicken and liver
  • No added fish oil
  • Moderate to low protein at 20%

This is a prescription diet and will need authorization from your veterinarian.

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Best Hydrolyzed for small breed dogs: Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Hydrolyzed Protein Small Breed Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Hydrolyzed Protein Small Breed Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Hydrolyzed Protein Small Breed dry dog food is a highly digestible, nutritionally complete diet that helps manage adverse reactions to common proteins. It is made with hydrolyzed protein for adult dogs under 22 lbs with food sensitivities.

It helps reduce skin and GI reactions that may be a result of sensitivities to common proteins found in pet foods. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Hydrolyzed Protein Small Breed also helps minimize the risk of reaction with proteins that are broken down to a size that’s less likely to be recognized by the immune system.

In addition, this food promotes a urinary environment unfavorable to the development of both struvite and calcium oxalate crystals. Kibble is a precise size, form, and texture to match the jaws of tiny dogs. This encourages a brushing action while chewing and may assist your dog’s dental health.

Pros

  • Formulated with hydrolyzed protein for adult dogs under 22 lbs with food sensitivities
  • Helps reduce skin and GI reactions that may be a result of sensitivities to common proteins found in pet foods
  • Great if your dog has had bladder stones in the past. Helps reduce the risk of struvite and calcium oxalate crystal and stone formation in the bladder
  • Dental benefits

Cons

  • Fussy dogs may not like it. However, this tends to be a problem with all hydrolyzed diets.
  • Expensive

This is a prescription diet and will need authorization from your veterinarian.

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Dogs with Food allergies: Overview

If you suspect your dog is allergic to a particular type of protein your vet will most likely recommend they go on a diet trial of 6-12 weeks to determine what they are actually allergic to. While many people think their pet is allergic to corn or wheat, these are actually less common allergens.

The three most common allergens in dogs reported by Mueller in 2016 are:

  1. Beef (34%)
  2. Dairy (17%)
  3. Chicken (15%)

Surprisingly, dogs aren’t naturally allergic to these items. It’s just that these are the ingredients most commonly found in many dog food recipes.

So, they’re simply the ones dogs are most frequently exposed to.

What is the difference between a Food Allergy and Food Intolerance?

Many pet parents mistake food allergies and food intolerances as the same thing. But they are 2 different issues.

Food allergy

A food allergy is a reaction of the dog’s immune system to a dietary protein that is otherwise harmless to most dogs. The body creates defensive antibodies to fight the invader and this starts an inflammatory reaction that shows up mainly as itching and scratching. Some dogs may also exhibit gastrointestinal signs such as soft stools.

Food intolerance

Food intolerance is a digestive problem caused by the dog’s inability to properly digest or absorb a certain ingredient. For example, lactose intolerance is a common condition in which a dog is unable to break down one of the sugars found in milk – lactose. The main symptoms are gastrointestinal in nature such as diarrhea, vomiting, and soft stool.

While both food allergies and food intolerances can cause digestive upset, only food allergies involve the immune system.

Dogs with Environmental Allergies (canine atopic dermatitis)

As discussed in the article on skin allergies in dogs. Dogs with environmental allergies have a defective skin barrier. Allergens such as pollens and grasses penetrate the skin and cause and allergic reaction. Itching and scratching begin and damage the skin.

One of the ways to manage this is with a diet containing omega-6 fatty acids that can help to repair the skin from the inside out. As well as omega-3 fatty acids which also help reduce inflammation and itchiness.

These diets will often have “skin support” or “skin repair” claims but very few have actually tested the diet on dogs with atopy to see if they actually work.

Ingredients that have been shown to support the skin include:

Omega-3 fatty acids:

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

Has been shown in clinical trials to help reduce inflammation and the redness that dogs suffer from. These fatty acids are found in high levels in fish oil supplements.

Biotin

A water-soluble vitamin that is a part of the B complex

Linoleic acid (LA)

An omega fatty acid that is essential for dogs. It is the precursor to gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) which has been shown to help reduce inflammation. Commonly found in higher levels in vegetable oils and flaxseed. This is an important fatty acid for skin and coat health

Zinc

An essential mineral that is often low in dogs with allergies. Zinc is important in wound healing and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Vitamin E

An antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage. Often low in dogs with allergies

Frequently Asked Questions

Q What are the most common food allergens in dogs?

Beef, dairy, chicken, and wheat in that order

Q: Are probiotics important to dogs with allergies?

There is some evidence that probiotics can help with allergies but more research is needed. Probiotics will not harm your dog so no harm in trying!

Q: Can I prepare home food for my dog with an allergy?

Yes, you can but keep in mind it is hard to make dog food that is complete and balanced. I recommend you check out balanceit or talk to your vet if you want to go down this route. Pet Plate offers complete and balanced meals formulated by a veterinary nutritionist if you don’t want to cook!

Q: Are there any home treatments for dogs with allergies?

There are a few things you can do to help your dog with allergies. Omega- fatty acids, biotin, and zinc can be helpful. It is best to talk to your vet as skin allergies can be quite complicated to treat

Q: What should one do when a dog has an allergy?

Talk to your veterinarian. There are so many causes as well as other diseases that can look like skin allergies such as mites and hormonal diseases

Q: Can a diet with high proteins cause allergies?

No, high protein will not cause allergies. It is the specific protein they are allergic to

Q: What are some of the main symptoms of food allergies in dogs?

Food allergies manifest in the skin as redness, scratching and hair loss. Occasionally dogs with food allergies may have gastrointestinal signs such as soft or frequent stool

Q: What is an elimination diet?

An elimination diet is a diet in which you remove one or more ingredients from your dog’s diet and see if it makes a difference in their symptoms. Often used to diagnose food allergies. Typically your vet will recommend a hydrolyzed/hypoallergenic diet or a novel protein limited ingredient diet

Q: What foods to avoid for dogs with allergies?

There are no foods to avoid per se. Every dog is different and will react to different protein sources and until your dog undergoes an elimination diet trial is difficult to know. All dogs have dairy intolerance so avoid dairy.

Summary

There are a few things to keep in mind when looking for food to help with your dog’s allergies. 

  1. First, make sure to talk to your veterinarian about what ingredients your pet is allergic to. This will help you narrow down your search.
  2. Second, look for a food that contains omega-fatty acids such as EPA and DHA. These have been shown to help reduce inflammation caused by allergies.
  3. Third, look for a food that contains biotin, zinc, and vitamin E. These nutrients are all important in supporting the skin barrier and repairing damage caused by allergies.
  4. Fourth, avoid foods that contain ingredients your pet is allergic to. This will help reduce inflammation and symptoms.
  5. Finally, give your pet food that is designed to support the skin barrier and has been shown to help reduce inflammation. This may not work for every dog, but it is worth a try.

While there is no one perfect diet for every dog with allergies, these tips should help you find the best food for your pet.

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