There are a few types of allergies that have already been identified in dogs including contact allergy, food allergy, and other environmental factors.
Contact allergy in dogs is usually caused by fleas and environmental factors like pollen, dirt, dust, and molds. On the other hand, food allergy is caused by any food that produces a hypersensitivity reaction to the dog such as eggs, wheat, or soy. For this reason, it is really a must to give your furry friend the best dog food for allergies.
This is because a dog with food allergies may experience diarrhea, vomiting, poor and itchy skin and coat, and even develop chronic infections.
In this guide, we’ll talk about some of the symptoms of allergies in dogs. We’ll also talk about a quick buying guide to help you find the right food for your pet and reviews of the products we highly recommend.
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How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Allergies
If your dog is suffering from allergies, one of the best things you can do is to switch his diet. Fortunately, you can find various dog foods on the market which are designed to deal with allergies in dogs.
To make sure you are buying only the right product, here are the factors you need to keep in mind:
Limited Ingredients
The complete list of ingredients of dog food can be usually seen on the back of its bag or can. While the main ingredients are usually indicated in front, it is best to have a run-down of all the ingredients so as to eliminate the possibility that they might contain allergens which might trigger a reaction to your dog.
You may look for specific contents such as probiotics which can help improve his digestion. Also, you may want to assess its protein, fat, and carbohydrate ratio to make sure that it can provide complete nutrition for your beloved pet.
Also, you want to go for dog foods which have limited ingredients – those that contain only 10 ingredients or less. Doing so will help you narrow down the possibility of exposing your dog to possible allergens which can only exacerbate his issues.
Grain-free Formulation
A dog food with a grain-free formulation is ideal if your pet is suffering from sensitivity to various grains such as corn, wheat, and rice. It’s worth noting that grain-free foods will always be gluten-free. However, it doesn’t mean that gluten-free dog food will not necessarily mean grain-free.
Prescription-Type Food
If your dog is currently suffering from severe allergic reactions, then you might want to go for prescription dog food. Although they are quite expensive, they can be of huge help in minimizing the symptoms your dog is currently experiencing.
11 Best Dog Foods for Allergies
Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
Yummy Meat-Filled Dry Food For Your Furry Friend
Acana singles has created a delicious dry dog food designed to keep your canine pal satisfied and healthy, with an emphasis on high-quality ingredients and no fillers.
Owners will love the great care taken to ensure that this dry dog food is packed full of great ingredients for the health of the animal eating it. 65% of the product is made from Yorkshire pork, including whole prey ingredients like organs and cartilage. The rest of the product is filled with taurine, vitamins and minerals and antioxidants which help support your dog’s immunity and circulation. Sweet potatoes are another great addition to the food, adding fiber to boost tummy health and ease the process of digestion.
Owners with sensitive pups will appreciate the limited ingredients in the kibble mix. Avoiding common allergens like chicken and chicken meal, and fillers like potato and pea protein, pooches are much more likely to find that the product works well for their digestion compared to lower quality products.
Why We Like It:
- Limited ingredients
- 65% protein
- Healthy extras like taurine and antioxidants
- No fillers
What We Don’t Like:
- Smell can be quite strong
- Formula changes may not be to dogs taste
CANIDAE Grain Free PURE Dry Dog Food
Best-Tasting High-Protein Food
The CANIDAE Grain Free food uses 10 key components for its recipe. The formula is a careful mix of 33% protein, 13% fat, 45 % carbohydrates, and prebiotics for easy digestion. For this reason, it’s considered one of the best grain free dog food for skin allergies.
This product is loved even by dogs who don’t have any food allergy. It comes in various flavors such as chicken, bison, duck, lamb, salmon, wild boar, and a combination of lamb, goat, and venison.
Aside from that, it also comes with specialty variants such as chicken for puppies, chicken for seniors, chicken for small breeds, and chicken for weight management.
Why We Like It:
- It offers a wide variety of choices for dogs including puppy food and senior dog food
- It has one of the highest protein percentages of food options for dogs
- It contains probiotics to help with your dog’s digestive system
What We Don’t Like:
- The kibbles easily get too soggy if mixed with water
Rachael Ray Nutrish Just 6 Natural Dry Dog Food
Simple Ingredients with Vitamins and Minerals
The Rachael Ray Nutrish natural dry dog food is made of only 6 ingredients including lamb or turkey, ground rice, brown rice, beet pulp, chicken fat, and natural pork flavoring. It doesn’t contain any of the usual dog allergens like soy, wheat, gluten, and corn.
The product has a crude protein of 20% minimum. It also contains vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C and E, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, glucosamine, and many more.
Why We Like It:
- Ingredients are very simple so it is easy to determine if it can be given to your dog with allergies or not
- It has no artificial ingredients such as preservatives, colorants, or artificial flavoring
What We Don’t Like:
- It does not contain any probiotics
Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Diet
Immune System Booster
The Blue Buffalo Basics is one of the most popular products for dogs with allergies. It is designed to improve your dog’s immune system through its carefully chosen ingredients which include animal protein, carbohydrates in the form of potatoes or peas, flaxseeds, fish oil, and pumpkin.
This product comes in turkey, salmon, duck, and lamb flavors. It doesn’t contain eggs, wheat, soy, and corn which may cause a hypersensitivity reaction in some dogs. It also doesn’t have chicken or beef which are sometimes difficult to digest for dogs with food allergies.
Why We Like It:
- Unlike its other competitors, this product also comes in a wet dog food version
- It has above average carbohydrate content
What We Don’t Like:
- It has below average protein and fat content
Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
All Natural with a Single Protein Source
The Wellness Simple Natural dog food is known for its simple ingredient formula which includes a single protein source for each flavor, chicory root to improve your dog’s digestion, and flaxseed for a healthy skin and coat. It contains about 25% crude protein, 12% fat, and 5% fiber.
This product also comes with natural food ingredients that have no added fillers or additives. It is available in two flavor combinations of salmon & potato and turkey & potato.
Why We Like It:
- Comes with an above average protein and carbohydrate content
- It is made of all-natural ingredients which are mostly plant-based
What We Don’t Like:
- The kibbles are bigger compared to the usual size, making it difficult for small breed dogs to eat
NUTRO Limited Ingredient Diet Adult Dry Dog Food
GMO and Grain-Free Product
The NUTRO Limited Ingredient dog food is made of 10 natural ingredients and added with vitamins and minerals to help maintain your dog’s health. It is guaranteed to have non-GMO ingredients and also doesn’t contain grain products such as wheat, corn, and soy.
This product has 24% crude protein, 16% fat, and 52% carbohydrate levels. It is available in six variants including duck, lamb, salmon, venison, and lamb.
Why We Like It:
- It has options for small and large breed dogs
- It contains selenium yeast which is known as a safe anti-cancer component
What We Don’t Like:
- It doesn’t have any probiotics
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Formula
Single Hydrolyzed Protein Source
The Purina Pro Plan formula is composed of hydrolyzed protein which is derived from a single source. The hydrolysis process makes it easier for your dog to digest the food since its protein has been broken down into tinier components. For the same reason, a hypersensitivity reaction is unlikely to happen.
This product is specifically designed for dogs suffering from food allergies, pancreatitis, food intolerance, and those with gastrointestinal problems like gastroenteritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Why We Like It:
- It is easily digested by dogs and is accepted by dogs with gastrointestinal problems
- It is packed with additional vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, vitamin D-3, magnesium oxide, vitamin E, and many more
What We Don’t Like:
- It has a below average protein content that comes from a hydrolyzed soy component
- It is expensive compared to the usual dog food for allergies
Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Dog Food
Best-Tasting Raw-Coated Kibbles
The Instinct grain-free dog food is a grain-free, all-natural formulation for dogs with food allergies. It is made from a single source protein and carbohydrate. It doesn’t contain the common dog allergens like wheat, soy, and eggs.
This product is the first dog food to be coated with raw ingredients from real meat. It is available in duck, lamb, turkey, and salmon flavors.
Why We Like It:
- Its raw-coated kibbles are enticing for dogs who are picky eaters
- It can be eaten even by small breed dogs
What We Don’t Like:
- It doesn’t contain any prebiotics
Purina Beyond Simply Adult Dry Dog Food
Limited Ingredients So You Know Exactly What You’re Feeding Your Furry Best Friend
Trusted pet food brand Purina has created an attractively designed dry dog food for adult dogs. The product is limited ingredient, which means that your dog is more likely to find that the food is more gentle on his digestive system. Owners can also feel reassured in their ability to understand and track all of the ingredients in the food.
The formula contains just 9 key ingredients to serve all of your pets nutritional needs. The number one ingredient is chicken which is raised free from steroids, so no nasties are being eaten by your dog. In addition, whole barley and many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants are combined to ensure your dog thrives on this high-quality diet.
Owners will love that the product is so simplified, so there’s no question as to what your pooch is eating. Rather than the endless ingredient listings on standard foods, you can feel assured there are no nasties or byproducts like corn in the food. Just wholesome, healthy ingredients to give your pet lots of energy, great digestion, a shiny coat and strong teeth and bones.
Why We Like It:
- Just 9 recognizable key ingredients
- Steroid-free meat is the number one ingredient
- Lots of extra vitamins, minerals and antioxidants
- No nasties
What We Don’t Like:
- Some dogs may be sensitive to poultry being the meat source
- May take some time to get some pooches used to the product
Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Energy-Boosting Dog Food
If you’re looking for a recipe which is made from easily-digestible components designed to boost your dog’s energy level, then the Taste of the Wild dry dog food is a perfect choice. Aside from that, it also contains high levels of antioxidant from tomatoes, raspberries, and blueberries.
The ingredients that made up the product came from sustainable source farms. Compared to the other products on this list, this one is available only in a single flavor – salmon.
Why We Like It:
- It contains prebiotics
- It’s been proven to provide good results, especially for diabetic dogs
What We Don’t Like:
- The product doesn’t have resealable bags, making it difficult to maintain its freshness
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Dog Food
A Recipe Made for Large Breed Dogs
The Natural Balance dry dog food is designed to help large breed dogs chew slower for better digestion. It is also known to promote your dog’s oral health. The product’s ingredients are known to be hypoallergenic. It doesn’t contain any common allergens like wheat, soy, and eggs.
Why We Like It:
- It contains chelated minerals that can aid for better protein absorption
- There is added taurine in the ingredients which is known to improve a dog’s cardiovascular health
What We Don’t Like:
- It does not contain prebiotics
Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Dry Dog Food
Free From Grains To Suit Dogs With Sensitivities Or Allergies
Created in a professional kitchen in Hereford, the Merrick limited ingredient dry dog food is designed to suit the needs of pets with sensitivities. It contains no corn, soy or gluten and instead is filled with healthy ingredients designed to support your pet’s health.
Owners will love that the dry food has protein as its number one ingredient. Deboned fish, poultry or other meats like deboned lamb are first on the list, ensuring your dog gets lots of protein for essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Additional ingredients are crafted to be highly digestible, such as sweet potato which supports your dog’s digestive system as a healthy source of fiber.
Dogs with sensitivities and allergies will be able to tuck into the dog food without repercussions in their overall health. This is invaluable to pet owners who only want the best for their furry best friends.
Why We Like It:
- Grain-free
- Protein is first on the list of ingredients
- 10 simple, easy to read ingredients
- Full of essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants
What We Don’t Like:
- Bag is not resealable
- Any poultry may still be a problem for dogs with sensitivities
FAQs
Q: Do dog foods have different kibble sizes?
A: Yes. Products from various brands carry different kibble sizes. It is better to check what size is appropriate for your dog’s size and breed.
Q: If it states “dog food for allergies”, does it guarantee that my dog will not have any hypersensitivity reaction from it?
A: Unfortunately, no. Since every product contains different ingredients, it is best to check all of its contents to make sure that it doesn’t contain any possible allergen for your dog.
Q: What are the symptoms of allergies in dogs?
A: Allergies in dogs are usually manifested in their skin which is sometimes concealed due to their thick furs. For this reason, you want to stay alert for possible allergy symptoms which include:
- Repeatedly biting his paws
- Obsessively licking his stomach, back, or rear end
- Shaking his head and constantly pawing his ears
- Rashes or hives
Q: What are the common causes of dog allergies?
A: Food allergies are quite uncommon in dogs; however, they should be given utmost attention as they might result in an untoward complication like an anaphylactic shock which can be life-threatening for your dog. Here are some of the most common food items that cause an allergic reaction to dogs:
- Beef
- Soy
- Wheat
- Dairy products
- Eggs
- Lamb
- Chicken
Conclusion
Dogs, just like humans, may experience medical issues like allergic reactions. Fortunately, dog foods are specifically designed to address allergies and help our pets live a normal and healthy life.
In spite of that, not all dog foods are made the same, so make sure you choose only the best by carefully assessing their ingredients to eliminate any possibility of an adverse reaction.