Top 10 Best Hypoallergenic Dog Foods
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Hypoallergenic dog food is food that’s made with a novel protein that isn’t typically found in most dog foods. This includes proteins like venison or duck. This type of dog food also contains simple ingredients like fruits and vegetables. Compared to most dog foods, the ingredients list in hypoallergenic dog food is usually quite short.
Feeding your dog a food with limited ingredients makes it easier to identify what may be triggering your pup’s allergies. But before investing in hypoallergenic dog food, you’ll need to have a good idea as to what your pet is allergic to. At a minimum, you need to have a starting point for where you want to start testing for food allergies.
How do I know my dog has a food allergy?
- Dogs with food allergies typically exhibit consistent symptoms no matter their age or breed. However, many of these symptoms are commonly associated with other conditions, so it can be hard to know the root cause.
- The good news about food allergies in dogs is that even though they can be frustrating, they are very rarely life-threatening. While humans can experience difficulty breathing after eating a food they’re allergic to, dogs typically experience skin issues.
- Itchy, irritated skin and chronic ear infections are some of the most common symptoms that your dog may have a food allergy. Other symptoms include constant paw licking, hair loss, and digestive issues like vomiting and diarrhea.
- While allergies are quite common in dogs, food allergies aren’t at the top of the list. In fact, research has found that 10% of allergies in dogs are linked to food. The most common allergies include flea bites and inhalant allergies.
- Before assuming that your pup has a food allergy, explore other possibilities and rule them out ahead of time. It’s also possible for dogs to suffer from two types of allergies, which makes pinpointing the issue even harder!
Most common allergens in dog food
When dogs consume something that they’re allergic to, their immune system responds in various ways. Some dogs develop itchy skin and sneezes while others have a sensitive stomach. While not all allergies are caused by food, food allergies are more common than most pet owners think.
Food intolerances and allergies are often genetic in dogs. Dogs that have a food allergy are unable to digest certain proteins, which are the most common allergens. Once you figure out what protein(s) your dog is allergic to, the key is to find a hypoallergenic food that provides another type of protein.
Some of the common food allergies found in dogs are:
- Corn
- Beef
- Wheat
- Dairy
- Fish
- Rabbit
- Egg
- Pork
- Lamb
- Chicken
Pinpointing your dog’s allergies
- So what’s the best way to figure out the foods that your dog is allergic to? The most affordable and thorough way to identify your pup’s allergies is with an elimination diet. This involves eliminating a certain ingredient, usually a protein, from your pet’s diet.
- For example, if your dog’s current food includes chicken, you’ll want to switch to a hypoallergenic formula that uses another protein, such as duck, salmon, or even bison.
- Stick with the new hypoallergenic food for 6-8 weeks and then see if your pup’s allergy symptoms get better. If a change in protein doesn’t fix the issue, move onto the next ingredient and repeat the process.
- Once you’ve identified what your dog is allergic to, you’ll want to find food that doesn’t contain any of them.
- After determining what your dog is allergic to, the next step is to choose a healthy diet free from problem foods. There are several routes to follow. Hypoallergenic dog foods are formulated with limited ingredients, so you’re sure to find one that meets your pet’s needs.
The 10 Best Hypoallergenic Dog Foods
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Dog Food – Premium Choice
| Main Ingredients: | Chicken |
| Recipe Type: | Hydrolyzed |
| Calories: | 332 per cup/ 3,856 per bag |
| Protein: | 19.5% |
| Fat: | 17.5% |
| Fiber: | 3.1% |
| Moisture: | 10.0% |
If your dog benefits from a hydrolyzed diet, we could recommend nothing better than Royal Canin Veterinary Diet. This single protein dog food contains chicken broken down into microscopic bits for easy digestion. The entire bag targets tolerance, working to bypass the system.
One downside to this dog food is that it does have a lower percentage of protein, which could cause some dogs to lose muscle mass.
In one serving, there are 332 calories, which is a friendly number for an overweight pup and healthy adults alike. The protein content is low, measuring 19.5%, while fat is 17.5%. This helps reduce the irritant while adding the fats and oils necessary to improve skin, muscle, and coat health.
This recipe is pretty pricey compared to others, but it has proven benefits—and Royal Canin researches their recipes exhaustively. So, it might be worth the extra money if it works for your dog’s allergy.
Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Wet Dog Food – Best Value
| Main Ingredients: | Salmon |
| Recipe Type: | Sensitive Skin & Stomach |
| Calories: | 467 per can/ 1,266 per pack |
| Protein: | 7.0% |
| Fat: | 5.0% |
| Fiber: | 1.5% |
| Moisture: | 78.0% |
Suppose your dog has a sensitive belly and doesn’t handle certain ingredients very well. In that case, Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult is a fantastic wet dog food and the best hypoallergenic dog food for the money that can be used in combination with dry kibble or stand alone. It targets skin and stomach issues explicitly to create dietary wellness.
Salmon is an easily digestible protein that is full of Omega fatty acids. These acids nourish the brain, immune system, and skin. It tends to soothe the system more than some common proteins and can make a world of difference for hotspots and irritation.
In one can, there are 467 calories. To create a better digestive experience, the moisture works to hydrate your dog’s system and lubricate the digestive tract. The extra flavor can work well if your dog has any appetite issues. It’s meaty and savory—sure to appeal.
We think this is a steal of a deal, but it might get pricier if you’re feeding a large dog a standalone wet diet. Luckily, the same recipe is available in dry kibble if you want to alternate or mix.
Wellness Complete Health Dog Food – Best Overall
| Main Ingredients: | Whitefish, sweet potato |
| Recipe Type: | Complete health |
| Calories: | 435 per cup/ 3,624 per bag |
| Protein: | 22.0% |
| Fat: | 12.0% |
| Fiber: | 4.5% |
| Moisture: | 10.0% |
We know every owner of an allergy sufferer has to make dietary decisions based on their dog. However, we think most dogs can benefit from Wellness Complete Health. It is a well-rounded everyday nutrition nourishing healthy adult dogs and the best overall hypoallergenic dog food.
Whitefish is a solid protein that is terrific for your dog’s digestive tract. It is typically easier to digest than red meat and poultry, easing your dog’s gut health and overall vitality. This recipe is complete with grains, like easily digestible oatmeal and barley.
In one serving of this dog food, there are 435 calories. Even though it’s packed with nutrients, it could be a little over for some dogs. But it only has 22.0% protein, which is low. So, consider this recipe a high carb, low protein diet that balances to a well-rounded selection.
It also provides necessary omega fatty acids and flaxseed that nourishes your dog from the inside out. Your dog’s coat should be shining, and their skin should be blemish-free. Ultimately, we think it will work wonders for dogs with various allergies.
Horizon Pulsar Whole Grain Dog Food – Best for Puppies
| Main Ingredients: | Pork meal, pork, whole-grain barley, whole grain oats |
| Recipe Type: | Single protein, gut health |
| Calories: | 402 per cup/ 3,590 per bag |
| Protein: | 24.0% |
| Fat: | 14.0% |
| Fiber: | 4.2% |
| Moisture: | 10.0% |
We think that Horizon Pulsar Whole Grain Pork is an excellent pick for an allergy-stricken puppy. Since it’s all life stages, your dog can enjoy this recipe well into their adult years without changing. We think if you find something that works, it’s best to stick with it.
This recipe has everything you need for a growing pup—high protein, live probiotics, and low glycemic ingredients. This recipe has a single source of protein—pork—as not to confuse the system.
The carbohydrates in this recipe are easily digestible, consisting of oats, barley, and rye. In one serving, there are 402 calories. The protein content is low to moderate, measuring 24.0%. Plus, there are 600 million CFU/lb. of probiotics to support the gut.
This recipe works for so many pooches—puppies to seniors, diabetic dogs, and protein-sensitive canines. However, the recipe won’t work for some allergy issues, especially if they can’t eat pork
Taste of the Wild Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food
| Main Ingredients: | Salmon, salmon meal, ocean fish meal |
| Recipe Type: | Everyday Health |
| Calories: | 413 per cup/ 3,640 per bag |
| Protein: | 30.0% |
| Fat: | 15.0% |
| Fiber: | 3.0% |
| Moisture: | 10.0% |
Taste of the Wild Ancient Grains provides a comprehensive recipe that will work so well for active dogs. Due to the high fat, protein, and carbs, this recipe isn’t the best for low-energy or overweight dogs. However, it’s all life stages—good for all active pooches.
Taste of the Wild aims to provide recipes that cater to every aspect of canine health. This recipe does use ancient grains like grain sorghum and millet. There are also live probiotics in every bite to nourish gut health.
This is a more aligned recipe with natural canine health baked into a solid kibble. Our dogs enjoyed the flavors and did very well with overall skin health and vitality.
This food won’t work for you if you have an overweight or grain-sensitive dog.
Brother’s Complete Ultra Premium Dog Food — Best Grain-Free
| Main Ingredients: | Lamb meal, dried whole eggs, turkey meal |
| Recipe Type: | Advanced Allergy Care, Grain-Free |
| Calories: | 300 per cup/ 3,640 per bag |
| Protein: | 30.0% |
| Fat: | 15.0% |
| Fiber: | 4.0% |
| Moisture: | 10.0% |
If your dog has a grain allergy, we love Brothers Complete Ultra Premium Dog Food. Not only does this recipe combat grain allergies, but many others, too. We want to be upfront—we don’t recommend grain-free unless your dog is allergic to gluten.
This recipe is incredibly tailored for dogs with multiple allergies—not just one small group. It uses healthy, well-researched ingredients to soothe the system. But what we really loved is that it didn’t skip out on other essential elements.
The first few ingredients put the primary focus on protein, offering lamb meal, dried whole egg, and turkey meal. In total, it consists of 30.0% protein which is a favorable amount. It definitely trumps other recipes we reviewed in animal content.
Even though it has high protein, it has 300 calories per cup. So, it’s perfectly crafted for healthy adults to obese ones. However, many vets don’t recommend grain-free dogwoods unless a grain allergy is present—so speak with your vet.
JustFoodforDogs Sampler Pack
| Main Ingredients: | Varies by recipe |
| Recipe Type: | Fresh, human-grade |
| Calories: | N/A |
| Protein: | 5.0-10.0% |
| Fat: | 1.0-7.0% |
| Fiber: | 1.5-3.0% |
| Moisture: | 69.0-82.0% |
If you’re new to the world of fresh dog food, this is a great little sampler to get you started. Most dogs show drastic improvement in energy levels and coat health. These ingredients are much cleaner than a more processed diet. Introducing the JustFoodforDogs Sampler Variety Pack.
All of the contents ship frozen, so the items stay entirely fresh. You can thaw the individual packs as needed during feeding time. Whether you choose to use the packages as standalone diets or add them to your dog’s favorite kibble, they’re sure to enhance the vitality of any canine.
All the fresh ingredients are human-grade so you can rest easy knowing you’re only giving the best nutrition for your pup. Each recipe has slightly different protein, fat, fiber, and moisture content.
We love that you can see all of the ingredients that go into the food. This reassures the consumer that your dog is getting the proper nutrition. Plus, it will enhance any pup’s appetite no matter how picky they might be. Some owners might have qualms about fresh food due to potential foodborne illness, so speak with your vet for any questions.
Blue Buffalo Natural Dry Dog Food
| Main Ingredients: | Deboned alligator, peas, pea starch, alligator meal |
| Recipe Type: | Novel Protein, Grain-free |
| Calories: | 372 per cup, 3,568 per bag |
| Protein: | 22.0% |
| Fat: | 14.0% |
| Fiber: | 6.0% |
| Moisture: | 10.0% |
If you want to try an exotic protein, check out Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet. It contains deboned alligator, the first ingredient that might be a new protein you’ve never seen listed on dog food. Alligator is actually very lean in the nutrient-dense type of protein that is great for dogs with allergies.
This delicious kibble is crafted with a series of antioxidant-packed nutrients. It gets the protein from added peas, which also accounts for the carbohydrates. The protein content is a little low, but other nutritious ingredients make up for that.
In one serving, there is a modest 372 calories. Protein lands around 22.0% and fat is 14.0%. Plus, there’s lots of extra fiber for smooth digestion. It contains alligator and alligator meals for twice the flavor and nutrient benefit.
This recipe also adds nutrient-rich blueberry and cranberry to aid in immune health and urinary tract function. If your vet is working with you to find a suitable diet for your pup’s allergy, this prescription diet. However, this particular recipe is not available without a prescription.
Buyer’s Guide: Buying the Best Hypoallergenic Dog Food
If you’re searching for a recipe for your allergy stricken or sensitive pooch, you might want to know a little bit more about allergies and how they are managed.
Also, learning more about how dog food is constructed can let you sift through ingredients on formulas to find the best fit. If your dog requires a prescription diet, make sure to get the recommendation from your veterinarian before trying to purchase it.
Hydrolyzed Protein
Hydrolyzed proteins are those that have been reduced to microscopic size. When the protein is broken down this much, it bypasses the system, essentially overriding the allergy.
Type of Allergy
Allergies are different for every dog. They’re going to be numerous triggers, both food and environmental. Narrowing down the problem is probably the trickiest part. After that, a series of care management can ensue, keeping your dog as healthy as possible with given circumstances.
Limited Ingredient Diet
Knowing your dog’s triggers, it is incredibly important to know what recipes to avoid and which to try. You might have to shop around for limited ingredient diets as each one is crafted a bit differently. Limited ingredient diets use formulas that use as few ingredients as possible while still maintaining necessary nutritional profiles.
Novel Protein
Novel proteins are animal sources that your dog has never been introduced to before. Novel protein sources will differ depending on where you fall on the map, but most generally, you might see:
- Duck
- Rabbit
- Venison
- Bison
- Alligator
- Lamb
Grain-Free
While it is rare for dogs to have grain allergies, it’s definitely possible. If your dog is one of those dogs, finding an appropriate grain-free diet that promotes a healthy heart is significant. According to studies, certain grain-free diets have been linked to cardiomyopathy.
Please work with your veterinarian to determine what the best dog food option is for you or make the recipe of your choice to run it by them.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a completely balanced diet that suits mild allergy problems, we love Wellness Complete Health. It is a complete, easily digestible recipe with healthy grains to nourish the most sensitive pups. It has comprehensive ingredients that are responsibly sourced—we think you’ll love it.
If you were looking to save a few bucks, try Purina Pro Plan instead. You decide that this wet food recipe will work beautifully as a standalone or topper. It’s specifically designed for sensitive stomach and skin—so you can clear up your buddy’s issues for good.
We sure hope you enjoyed these reviews, but don’t take our word for it. With almost any allergy problem, it’s best to get your vet’s opinions or even a prescription. So, make sure not to buy based on assumptions and follow professional guidance. Happy shopping.
