Top 10 Best Dog Foods For Dry Itchy Skin

Top 10 Best Dog Foods For Dry Itchy Skin

If your dog is scratching a lot, it might be due to their diet. Some foods can cause skin problems in dogs, while others can help alleviate the symptoms. In this blog post, we will discuss the 25 best dog foods for itchy skin.

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We will also provide tips on how to choose the right food for your pup and how to deal with skin allergies. Keep reading for more information.

• Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care Grain-Free Formula Turkey & Potato Recipe
• Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food for Sensitive Skin
• Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Skin Support
• Wholehearted Grain-free Skin and Coat Care Pea and Salmon Recipe
• Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Sensitive Support
• Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula
• Diamond CARE Sensitive Skin Formula
• Pupper Chicken Topper
• ZIGNATURE Kangaroo Limited Ingredient Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
• CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Limited Ingredient Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe
• Instinct Raw Boost Skin and Coat Health Grain-free Recipe
• Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon & Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food
• 4health Special Care Sensitive Skin Formula
• Solid Gold Leaping Waters Sensitive Stomach Grain-Free Cold Water Salmon & Vegetable
• Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Venison Recipe
• Wholesomes Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon Dry Dog Food
• Forza10 Nutraceutic Legend Skin Grain-Free Wild Caught Anchovy Dog Food
• Brothers Complete Lamb & Egg Advanced Allergy Care
• Veterinary Select Digestive Care + Sensitive Skin
• Blackwood Salmon Meal & Brown Rice Recipe Sensitive Skin & Stomach Formula
• Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Recipe with Real Lamb
• Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Lamb & Apple Recipe
• Bil-Jac Sensitive Solutions Skin & Stomach Support
• AvoDerm Advanced Sensitive Support Lamb & Sweet Potato Formula
• Go! SENSITIVITIES Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Duck Recipe

If your dog is dealing with itchy skin, you want to do everything you can to help them feel better. And one of the best ways to do that is by feeding them a nutritious diet that will support their skin health.

But with so many dog food options on the market, it can be hard to know which one is right for your pup.

When looking for the best dog food for itchy skin, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. First, you’ll want to make sure the food is high in omega-3 fatty acids, as these can help reduce inflammation. You’ll also want to look for a food that is free from common allergens, like wheat or corn.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

• Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for dogs with itchy skin because they help reduce inflammation. Inflammation is often the root cause of itchy skin, so by reducing inflammation, omega-3 fatty acids can help provide relief for your pup.
• Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids are a nutrient that is essential for good health, so even if your dog’s skin is not currently inflamed, feeding them a food that is rich in omega-three fatty acids can help prevent future problems.

Common Allergens

• When looking for the best dog food for itchy skin, you’ll want to avoid foods that contain common allergens. Some of the most common allergens include wheat, corn, and soy. These ingredients can trigger an allergic reaction in some dogs, which can lead to itchiness.
• If you’re not sure whether your dog is allergic to any of these ingredients, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian. They can help you determine if your dog has any allergies and recommend the best food for their needs.

What is in dog food that causes itchy skin?

There are a few different things that can cause itchy skin in dogs. One of the most common causes is allergies. Allergies can be triggered by anything from environmental allergens to food ingredients.

If your dog is allergic to something in their food, switching to a hypoallergenic diet can help relieve their symptoms. Additionally, if your dog is allergic to environmental allergens, you may need to take steps to avoid exposure to whatever is triggering their allergies.

Another possible cause of itchy skin is a lack of essential nutrients. If your dog isn’t getting enough of certain nutrients, like omega-three fatty acids, this can lead to dry, itchy skin.

Making sure your dog is getting a balanced diet that contains all the essential nutrients is important for keeping their skin healthy. If you’re not sure whether your dog is getting all the nutrients they need, talk to your veterinarian. They can help you determine if your dog’s diet is complete and make recommendations for supplements if needed.

The Best Dog Foods for Dry Itchy Skin

Brothers Complete Turkey Meal & Egg Advanced Allergy Formula

Top 5 Ingredients: Turkey Meal, Whole Eggs Dried, Pea Starch, Cassava/Tapioca, Peas

This formula provides optimal nutrition that mimics a dog’s natural diet, featuring premium animal-sourced proteins like turkey, chicken, and dried eggs. It provides natural allergy healing with carefully selected ingredients. Every ingredient offers advanced and balanced nutrition.

If your dog has itchy skin and a sensitive stomach, this advanced allergy formula can help. It contains Tapioca starch, which helps combat leaky gut, itchy skin, allergies, and fungal infections. The tapioca starch also has a higher glycemic index than other carbohydrates. Finally, this recipe comes in flavor-preserving bags for maximum freshness.

Blue Basics Limited Ingredient Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Potatoes, Peas

Blue Basics Limited-Ingredient Formula is free from grains and gluten, which may cause itching in dogs. This recipe has turkey as the primary ingredient. It also has highly digestible ingredients like peas and potatoes.

The Blue Buffalo dog food features natural ingredients rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids and is a limited ingredient diet with fewer ingredients to cause allergies. Some of these are flaxseed, pumpkin, fish oil, and blueberries. It also has taurine to support heart health and chondroitin for mobility.

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

Top 5 Ingredients:  Salmon, Ocean Fish Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Peas

The Taste of the Wild Pacific Dog food contains salmon as the primary protein source. Salmon’s protein content is beneficial for your dog’s muscles, and its richness in omega fats also helps prevent itchy skin. If you want to nourish your dog’s skin and coat, this dry dog food is a great choice.

Your dog also gets ample antioxidant support and prebiotics from real vegetables. The formula also includes a mix of minerals for full, all-around nutritional support to your dog. It’s also free from grains and fillers to ensure premium nutrition.

Wellness CORE Grain-Free Original Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal & Chicken Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients:  Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal (source of Glucosamine), Chicken Meal (source of Chondroitin Sulfate), Peas, Dried Ground Potatoes

Wellness Core Original is one of the most popular dog foods out there. Its protein content, sourced from deboned turkey, provides quality nourishment for your sensitive dog. It has grain-free to prevent allergy flare-ups and itchy skin in dogs. It’s an excellent choice for your dog’s overall health.

The recipe has a higher fat content sourced from salmon and flaxseed oils for a softer, nourished coat. It also contains glucosamine and chondroitin to support bone and joint health. And lastly, the dog food is just way too tasty for any dogs to ignore

Natural Balance LID. Limited Ingredient Diets Potato & Duck Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients:  Duck, Duck Meal, Potatoes, Cassava Flour, Sweet Potatoes

If you have a sensitive dog with itchy skin, Natural Balance LID Dog food offers a great solution. This dog food has carefully selected ingredients for dogs with fragile immune systems. The limited ingredient diet has duck protein and potatoes to minimize allergic reactions and digestive issues. Plus, the dog food is grain-free and contains no artificial ingredients that cause itchy skin.

The nutritious ingredients help rebuild and strengthen your dog’s health, while the omega fatty acids maintain their shiny fur and skin.

Taste of the Wild — High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Puppy Food

Top 5 Ingredients: Water Buffalo, Lamb Meal, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas

Give your dog a protein-packed treat made with buffalo as the number-one ingredient. This recipe has bison and venison as other protein sources, and you can’t go wrong with that. It contains quality carbs to fuel dogs with high energy levels.

The formula contains omega oils to prevent dry, itchy skin. If you’re looking for a grain-free recipe that contains many vitamins and minerals, this one from Taste of the Wild has it all. It also includes a propriety prebiotic blend to support digestion and gut health.

Blue Buffalo – Wilderness Mountain Recipe Red Meat Grain-Free Puppy Food

Top 5 Ingredients:  Deboned Beef, Beef Meal, Peas, Pea Protein, Tapioca Starch

If you want to heal your dog’s itchy skin, this red meat dinner from Blue Buffalo is a great option. It mimics your dog’s ancestral diet and contains minerals for a strong immune system. It has real meat and vegetables and complex carbs for energy.

This grain-free recipe contains no by-products, fillers, artificial colors, and preservatives. It’s one of the best recipes for your pup.

Purina Pro Plan — Focus Puppy Turkey Entree Grain-Free Puppy Food

Top 5 Ingredients:  Turkey, Liver, Meat By-Products, Water, Beef

If your dog isn’t fond of dry food, then Purina Pro Plan Turkey Entree is one of the best wet recipes you can find. It’s a grain-free recipe, which makes it a good choice for puppies with itchy skin. The high amount of omega fatty acids promotes a healthy coat and better cognitive development.

This recipe has quality proteins needed for muscle development. It’s a great option for a smart, strong pup.

Brothers Complete Lamb and Egg Itchy Skin Dog Food Recipe

Top 5 Ingredients: Lamb Meal, Dried Whole Eggs, Turkey Meal, Cassava/Tapioca, Pea Flour

This dog food for itchy skin is a great alternative for dogs allergic to fish and its derivatives. It uses whole-cell blue algae instead of fish oil. It has high protein content from animal sources such as lamb, turkey meal, and egg. Other nutritious ingredients include pumpkin, carrots, flaxseed, alfalfa, and tapioca starch.

The Brothers Complete Lamb Meal and Egg Allergy Formula is perfect for dogs with dietary restrictions. It prevents itchy skin and gastrointestinal discomfort in dogs. Plus, it has a delicious flavor so that dogs can enjoy eating their meals.

Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Real Lamb & Chickpeas Recipe

Top 5 Ingredients: Deboned Lamb, Lamb Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Peas

Merrick’s Limited Ingredient Diet is a healthy recipe with quality proteins from a novel source. It is an option for dogs that may be allergic to poultry-based diets. Aside from novel proteins from lamb, you get easily digestible carbs from grain-free sources such as potatoes.

It is a lightweight recipe that is perfect for sensitive dogs. It also has a good blend of fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin for optimal health.

Zignature Lamb Limited Ingredient Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: Lamb, Lamb Meal, Chickpeas, Peas, Sunflower Oil

Zignature is another premium dog food brand known for its high-quality ingredients and nutritional value. This limited ingredient diet has farm-raised lamb as the primary ingredient. It also offers a wholesome blend of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.

This hypoallergenic recipe is free of grains and artificial additives. It’s ideal for dogs with allergies and dry, itchy skin. If you want the best dog food for your favorite pal, this one is a great option. You will notice a visible difference in your dog’s skin.

American Journey Limited Ingredient Diet Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Canned Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: Lamb, Lamb Broth, Lamb Liver, Sweet Potatoes, Sunflower Oil

American Journey Food offers relief from itching and allergy flare-ups. If your dog has food sensitivities, this limited ingredient diet can help control allergic reactions.

It has four ingredients, including lamb, sweet potatoes, and sunflower oil. Fewer ingredients make it easier for pet owners to avoid allergy-triggering substances. It’s the best food for dogs allergic to grains, soy, potatoes, dairy, chicken, fish, beef, or eggs. Many dog owners rely on this dog food for good reason. It supports their pet’s overall health and relieves itching.

CANIDAE — Puppy Real Chicken, Lentil & Whole Egg Recipe Grain-Free Puppy Food

Top 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Menhaden Fish Meal, Lentils, Peas, Potatoes, Dried Whole Egg

If you are looking for hypoallergenic food for your sensitive puppy, you need a limited-ingredient recipe that doesn’t compromise quality. CANIDAE PURE Puppy Real Chicken, Lentil, and Whole Egg Recipe provides a healthy amount of lean protein from chicken and essential nutrients from eight more ingredients.

It’s a grain- and gluten-free formula featuring whole foods like peas and lentils to fulfill your dog’s daily nutritional requirements. This recipe also has probiotics for the digestive support of your sensitive dog.

Buyer’s Guide: Figuring Out Your Dog’s Allergies

When dogs eat something they’re allergic to, their immune system can respond with symptoms such as itchy skin, sneezing, and a sensitive stomach. If you think your dog is suffering from an allergic reaction and you’ve ruled out other common causes, testing them for food allergies is a good first step. Your vet or a veterinary nutritionist can help you figure out how to make your dog feel better.

Food allergies and intolerances in dogs are most often genetic, passed down from parents to pups. A dog with a food allergy cannot digest certain proteins (the most common allergens are nearly all proteins). Removing that type of protein or protein from your dog’s diet is likely to bring relief.

What is my dog allergic to?

If your dog has a food allergy, you’ll most likely notice skin irritation and gastrointestinal discomfort. Proteins from ingredients like chicken, dairy, wheat, and beef can trigger an allergic reaction in dogs. You can try out an elimination diet to determine which ingredient is causing allergic reactions.

The best dog food for skin allergies has high omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which help promote healthy skin and a lustrous coat.

The most common allergy-inducing ingredients in dog food include:

• Beef
• Wheat
• Yeast
• Chicken
• Egg
• Dairy
• Corn
• Soy

Allergies can affect any dog, but some dog breeds are more susceptible than others. These include:

• Beagle
• Dalmatian
• German Shepherd
• Lhasa Apso
• Bichon Frise
• Chinese Crested
• Cocker Spaniel
• Pekinese
• Pug
• Setters
• Shar Pei
• Shih Tzu
• Dachshund
• Collie
• Bulldog
• Boxer
• Maltese
• Terriers
• Retrievers
• Poodle

Environmental Allergies

Other reasons for itchiness include environmental or seasonal allergies. Environmental allergies in dogs are similar in appearance to food allergies, usually with itchy skin all over the body and paws. Fleas, dust mites, grass pollens, and trees are common culprits. Your dog may also be allergic to household cleaners, air fresheners, and cigarette smoke. These allergens can trigger reactions year-round.

You can control environmental allergies by wiping your dog’s paws and coat after walks, using natural cleaning products, and providing a hypoallergenic diet.

Dietary Guidelines for Sensitive Dogs

You’ll find many dog foods for dogs with skin allergies. These include:

Grain-free dog food

If your dog is sensitive to grains, you may want to choose grain-free dog food. Sensitive dogs can develop itchy skin if they’re allergic to wheat, corn, soy, and rye. Dogs have difficulty digesting these grains, which can also cause gastrointestinal disease, inflammation, and other serious health issues.

Grain-free and gluten-free diets can help reduce common allergy symptoms such as dry, itchy skin. These diets are hypoallergenic and highly digestible, meaning dogs can utilize necessary nutrients efficiently.

Limited ingredient dog food

Limited ingredient dog food (LID) is a popular option for pet parents and contains carefully selected ingredients. Most limited ingredient diets feature one protein source, like hydrolyzed salmon or venison, and may also have one carbohydrate source. If your dog has itchy skin or a sensitive stomach, you may want to switch to a limited ingredient diet.

Always check the product label to see what’s in it. There can be “hidden” ingredients in these diets that are potential problems for dogs with itchy skin.

Novel ingredient dog food

Novel ingredient diets are ideal for allergy-prone dogs. These diets use rare ingredients that your pet hasn’t eaten before and reduce the chances of an allergic reaction. Novel diets use ingredients such as rabbit, venison, hydrolyzed salmon, kangaroo, fish, or duck. They are beneficial in treating food-related allergies such as dry, itchy skin.

Macronutrient Requirements for Sensitive Dogs

Poor quality ingredients can irritate your pet’s skin and cause a skin allergy. The best dog food for itchy skin will contain high-quality limited ingredients. If your dog has itchy skin, you should look for these ingredients:

Essential fatty acids

Look for essential fatty acids, including omegas, EPA, and DHA. Fish and fish oil are natural sources of these essential fatty acids.

A high-quality protein source

Protein makes up a large part of the dog food recipe, and commonly found protein sources can cause skin irritation in dogs. Less common protein sources like venison and duck are a better option. Other high-quality protein sources include fish, eggs, and poultry.

Essential Vitamins

• Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant that promotes cell renewal. Common Vitamin E sources are seeds, liver, and leafy green vegetables.
• Biotin – This vitamin supports healthy tissue growth. Meat, eggs, and milk are high in biotin.
• Vitamin A is important for skin and fur health. Natural sources of Vitamin A include carrots, liver, spinach, fish oils, eggs, and sweet potatoes.
• Zinc helps prevent inflamed, itchy skin. It also prevents bacterial and fungal skin infections. Natural Zinc sources include poultry, beef, and yogurt.

How can I help my pet with skin allergies?

If you want to help your dog with allergies, the first step is to consult a veterinarian. A professional can verify whether diet changes can fix your dog’s allergy symptoms. If you’re sure it’s a food allergy, you’ll need to identify the allergen.

Veterinarians recommend an elimination diet to help you determine what ingredients are causing your pet’s allergies. An elimination diet means switching to a food with a different protein and carbohydrate source. For example, you could switch from chicken and rice to salmon and sweet potato. If you find that your pet responds better, you can continue with the new diet.

Switching to hypoallergenic dog food is a great way to find your dog’s food allergy. Hypoallergenic dog foods have “novel” proteins and carbohydrates, like venison and potato or duck and pea. Your dog must have hypoallergenic dog food for at least 8–10 weeks to notice any change.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I feed my dog?

If you have a puppy, you should feed him at least four times a day. Adult dogs can be fed twice a day. Dogs enjoy routine, so establish a feeding schedule and maintain it. A good time to feed your pet is during family meals.

How is an allergy in a dog diagnosed?

A veterinarian will evaluate your dog’s medical condition and behavior for a diagnosis. Some dogs break out in a rash or have itchy skin if they have food allergies. You can change your dog’s diet to prevent allergic reactions. Your vet may also provide medication to heal dry, itchy skin.

Why is good nutrition important for sensitive dogs?

It’s vital that your pup eats a complete and balanced diet. He needs protein, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins, and freshwater. The most important nutrient is freshwater, which makes up 65 percent of a dog’s weight. Proteins, fats, and carbohydrates are important for optimal health and energy. Minerals are important for muscle development and nerve conduction, and vitamins balance your dog’s biochemistry.

Can Benadryl relieve itchy skin in dogs?

An appropriate dosage of Benadryl is safe for dogs. It will reduce allergy symptoms like itchiness and skin rashes in about an hour. Always consult with your veterinarian before giving your dogs any medications.

Does my sensitive dog need grain-free food?

Some dogs are allergic to low-quality grains and may develop rashes and itchy skin. Always buy premium quality grain-free dog food to support your dog’s overall health.

How much should I feed my sensitive dog?

It’s vital that your pup eats a complete and balanced diet. Dogs need protein, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins, and freshwater. The most important nutrient is freshwater, which makes up 65 percent of a dog’s weight. Proteins, fats, and carbohydrates are important for optimal health and energy. Minerals are important for muscle development and nerve conduction, and vitamins balance your dog’s biochemistry.

Final Thoughts

Discuss dietary and environmental changes with your local vet. Making some adjustments can relieve and prevent your dog’s dry skin. These may include nutrition changes, increasing humidity in your home, or avoiding possible allergens.