Top 10 Best Dog Foods for Sensitive Skin

Top 10 Best Dog Foods for Sensitive Skin

If you have a dog with skin allergies, you know that it can be challenging to find the right food for them. You may have even tried several different brands and types of dog food without success. In this article, we’ll explore some of the factors that impact your dog’s allergic response, as well as some of the best foods to try if your dog has sensitive or itchy skin.

Which food is best for dogs with allergies?

  • The best dog food for dogs with allergies is a raw diet. Raw foods are more nutritious than processed foods and help maintain the immune system.
  • In addition to raw meat and bones, you can add some vegetables, such as carrots, green beans or sweet potatoes. You can also add fresh herbs to add variety to your dog’s diet without changing the nutritional value too much.
  • Raw diets are becoming increasingly popular with pet parents and for good reason; they provide a wide array of nutrients that help keep pets healthy and happy.
  • However, raw diets aren’t always appropriate for every dog with allergies due to their potential risk for pathogens like E-coli or salmonella which can make pets sick if not handled properly (such as washing hands thoroughly after handling raw meat).
  • If you think this type of diet might be right for your pet consult with your veterinarian first.

Best hypoallergenic dog food for itchy or sensitive skin

Hypoallergenic dog food is a type of diet that is designed to help allergic dogs. It is made with ingredients that are known to be less likely to cause allergic reactions.

There are many different types of hypoallergenic dog foods available on the market today, but there is no one specific brand that is considered the “best.” Some dogs may react negatively to one type of hypoallergenic dog food, while others can tolerate it fine.

Here’s a list of the best hypoallergenic dog foods:

  • Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Sensitive Stomach & Skin
  • Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care, Natural Adult Dry Dog Food
  • CANIDAE Pure Limited Ingredient Premium Adult Dry Dog Food
  • Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach, High Protein Dry Dog Food
  • Wild Earth Dog Food for Allergies, Vegan Dry Dog Food, High Protein Plant-Based Kibble
  • Hill’s Prescription Diet Derm Complete Environmental, Skin & Food Sensitivities Dry Dog Food, Veterinary Diet
  • Rachael Ray Nutrish Just 6 Limited Ingredient Diet Dry Dog Food
  • NUTRO Limited Ingredient Diet Adult Grain Free Dry Dog Food
  • Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
  • Hill’s Prescription Diet z/d Skin/Food Sensitivities Dry Dog Food, Veterinary Diet

What ingredients in dog food are most dogs allergic to?

  • Food allergies are not uncommon in dogs. If your dog has an allergic reaction to a certain food, his symptoms can include itching, scratching, hair loss, hot spots and even vomiting. Food allergies are caused by proteins in the food that your dog eats. The most common proteins to trigger a food allergy in dogs are beef, chicken and dairy products.
  • If you think your dog might have a food allergy, you should take him to the vet for a diagnosis. Your vet will do a skin test or blood test to determine if your dog is allergic to any particular ingredients in his diet.
  • Once you know what ingredients are causing the problem, it’s easy to change your dog’s diet so that he no longer reacts to them.

What protein is best for dogs with allergies?

In general, the following proteins are considered to be hypoallergenic:

  • Venison
  • Duck
  • Salmon
  • Kangaroo

Venison is a wild game meat that comes from deer, elk and moose. It’s a lean protein and has a high amount of iron and zinc, which help keep the immune system healthy. Venison doesn’t contain any added preservatives or colorings and is considered a good source of healthy fats.

Duck is another lean protein that’s high in vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and selenium. Duck has an excellent omega-3 fatty acid content which helps reduce inflammation in the body, making it an excellent choice for dogs with skin problems like allergies or flea bites. Duck also has high levels of tryptophan which helps produce serotonin for relaxation purposes as well as melatonin for better sleep at night time.

Salmon is another lean protein that contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids which help reduce inflammation in the body. Salmon also contains high amounts of vitamin B12 which helps boost energy levels while also helping to produce red blood cells in order to carry oxygen throughout your dog’s body.

What homemade food is good for dogs with allergies?

If your dog has been diagnosed with allergies by your vet, then you should consider home-cooked food as an option for managing their condition.

Below are some guidelines on how to feed a homemade diet:

  • Use lean meats like chicken, turkey, lamb and beef. Avoid pork as it is high in fat which can cause pancreatitis in dogs with allergies.
  • Use fresh fruits and vegetables instead of canned varieties which contain too much salt or preservatives. Fresh veggies like spinach and carrots are especially good for dogs with sensitive stomachs since they are less likely to cause diarrhea than other foods like potatoes or peas.

How do you know if your dog is allergic to their food?

The symptoms of food allergies in dogs can range from mild to severe and can vary from dog to dog. Some dogs may have only one type of reaction, while others may have several different reactions. Allergies are not always easy to diagnose because many other conditions have similar symptoms.

The most common symptoms of food allergies in dogs include:

  • Hot spots and hair loss on the head, ears, neck and back
  • Flaky skin and dandruff
  • Itchy skin, hives or rashes
  • Eye discharge
  • Sores or scabs on the face, paws and tail tip
  • Diarrhea and/or vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Anaphylaxis (rare)

Best Dog Food For Sensitive Skin

Buying your pup pet food that doesn’t trigger an immune response is one of the easiest ways to work around your dog’s food allergy. We’ve rounded up some of the best dog food that is hypoallergenic, including two budget-friendly formulas. These limited-ingredient diets (often abbreviated as LID) will help you keep track of what your dog is—and isn’t—eating.

Open Farm’s Dry Dog Food Recipes

Amazon.com: Open Farm Homestead Turkey and Chicken Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 100% Certified Humane Poultry Recipe with Non-GMO Superfoods and No Artificial Flavors or Preservatives, 4.5 lbs : Pet Supplies

Open Farm’s line of kibbles offers a strong range of choices for pups with food sensitivities. The selection of novel-protein recipes (notably salmon, venison, lamb, and whitefish) in both grain-inclusive and grain-free styles makes it easy to avoid your dog’s allergens. We especially like the company’s transparent sourcing that lets you enter your package’s lot code to find out exactly where each of the ingredients comes from. Our test pups—including one very picky eater—gave the kibble four paws up.

Hill’s Prescription Diet for Skin/Food Sensitivities

Thức ăn cho chó Hill's Prescription Diet Skin/Food Sensitivities Potato & Salmon | VIETPET

Hill’s d/d formula is one food your vet is likely to recommend to begin addressing your pup’s food allergies. It’s a basic dog food that’s hypoallergenic to help get your dog’s health back on track. The grain- and soy-free d/d recipes—you have a choice of venison, salmon, or duck—each use a single protein source. You can also find wet versions of some of those recipes.

Canidae Grain-Free Pure Salmon and Sweet Potato Dog Food

CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Limited Ingredient Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food, 4-lb bag - Chewy.com

Salmon is the first ingredient in this hypoallergenic dog food recipe that’s made from only eight whole-food ingredients, with the addition of vitamins, minerals, and a mix of probiotics. The simple formula is designed to be easy for your pup to digest and includes foods like sweet potatoes and peas for complete nutrition—minus an upset stomach.

Ollie Subscription Dog Food

Ollie: Healthier, Human-Grade Dog Food Delivery

Ollie is a great option for pet parents looking for fresh dog food with limited ingredients. Their recipes feature single animal proteins (we tried the chicken, but they also offer beef, turkey, and lamb for dogs with chicken sensitivities) and are free of common allergens such as corn, soy, or wheat. The foods are formulated by a veterinary nutritionist. And all ingredients are clearly listed on their site, revealing a balance of vitamins, minerals, and fibers for digestion. You can even let them know about your dog’s allergies in their onboarding quiz before trying out a recipe.

Blue Buffalo Basics Grain-Free Natural Hypoallergenic Recipe

Amazon.com: Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care, Grain Free Natural Adult Dry Dog Food, Salmon & Potato 22-lb : Everything Else

This Blue Buffalo Basics dog food boasts a single source of animal protein (in this case, salmon, plus other options) as well as easy-to-digest carbohydrate sources, making it a good option for dog food that is hypoallergenic. It’s balanced with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that promote healthy skin and has a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that promote a healthy immune system. Made with high-quality ingredients that are gentle on your dog’s stomach, this salmon and potato recipe has no chicken, beef, corn, wheat, soy, dairy, or eggs.

Purina Beyond Simply LID Adult Hypoallergenic Dog Food

PURINA BEYOND Simple Ingredient Farm Raised Chicken & Whole Barley Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food, 24-lb bag - Chewy.com

Purina’s limited-ingredient dog food recipe was formulated by in-house nutritionists to include nine natural ingredients, with chicken as the first ingredient. This food has no wheat, soy, or corn; it’s a pretty affordable hypoallergenic dog food.

Wellness Simple LID Hypoallergenic Dog Food

Amazon.com: Wellness Simple Natural Grain Free Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food, Salmon and Potato Recipe, 24-Pound Bag : Pet Supplies

The Wellness Simple line of foods (available in both wet and kibble formulas) uses both whole single proteins and meat meals (meat meal is a low-cost, high-protein ingredient created by cooking all the water out of the meat), along with good, recognizable ingredients. The result is high-quality dog food that’s hypoallergenic at a medium price point. You can get it in lamb, turkey, salmon, and duck.

What is an elimination diet?

An elimination diet is used to help identify the cause of a dog’s allergies. To start an elimination diet, you should take away all the different types of food your dog was preciously eating and only feed him base ingredients for a few days. Then, you can gradually introduce new foods. After the introduction of each new food, look to see if they are causing an allergic reaction. This will tell you that the new food is causing your dog’s allergies.

What are the benefits of a hypoallergenic diet for my dog?

A hypoallergenic diet may be recommended for dogs that are allergic to multiple ingredients. Dogs that are suffering from allergies, can experience relief in their symptoms. Their skin will feel less itchy, their stomach won’t bother them as much, and they won’t be in danger of suffering from anaphylactic shock, which could potentially kill them. Switching from foods that are causing your dog allergies will not only make him more comfortable but can also help him live a longer and healthier life.

What is the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance?

With food intolerance, dogs may suffer digestive issues or a sensitive stomach. Food allergies, on the other hand, can be more serious. Food allergies can also cause a sensitive stomach, but since they are tied to the immune system, they may also cause a dog to wheeze, cough, or even go into anaphylactic shock.

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

There are many different ways food allergies can manifest themselves in dogs. These include infections, such as ear infections and yeast infections, sensitive skin and itching, patchy coats, irritated eyes, diarrhea, vomiting, and gas.

How can I help my dog with allergies?

  • If you think your dog is suffering from allergies, overall, the best thing you can do is to schedule an appointment with his or her veterinarian. They can help you determine whether the allergies are being caused by food or something else. If they believe their allergies are food-related, your veterinarian can work with you to determine what is causing your dog’s allergies.
  • In many cases, they may recommend using an elimination diet. For this diet type, you’d switch to a new food that uses a different protein than what was in your original food. This may help you determine if the protein, such as chicken, in your dog’s diet was the cause of the allergies.
  • Your veterinarian can work with you to eliminate other potential allergens from your dog’s diet until you determine which one is the culprit for their allergies.

What foods to avoid for dogs with allergies?

Working with your veterinarian to identify the specific food that is causing your dog’s allergies can help you know which foods you should avoid. Some of the more common allergens for dogs include chicken, beef, dairy, eggs, wheat, corn, lamb, soy, pork, fish, and rabbit.

What ingredient in dog food causes allergies?

Every dog is different and could potentially be allergic to any ingredients in their food. However, there are a few ingredients that are more likely to cause a reaction than others. These include wheat, corn, beef, chicken, egg, soy, lamb, pork, rabbit, and fish.

Does grain free dog food help with skin allergies?

Grain-free food can help with skin allergies for dogs caused by corn, wheat, or other grains. Some veterinarians will recommend switching to a grain-free diet to see if it is effective when a dog develops skin allergies.

Edward Hollon is an avid dog lover and writer, knowing all there is to know about our furry friends. Edward has been writing for petdii for three years now, wanting to use her knowledge for good and share everything she can with new dog owners. Edward has two dogs herself - a German shepherd called Banjo and a chocolate labrador called Buttons. Edward knows more than anyone how adjusting to new life with a puppy can turn your life upside down, and she wants to ease some of the burdens through her articles.