Best Dog Food For Allergic Dogs
Best Dog Food For Allergic Dogs:- Humans aren’t the only ones who suffer from allergies—our dogs can experience them, too. Canine allergies often result in various skin conditions, which can be challenging to manage. These allergies may stem from environmental factors or the food they consume.
Common Dog Food Allergens
The most frequent food allergens for dogs are proteins like beef, chicken, lamb, and wheat. Less common triggers include soy, eggs, corn, and nuts.
Unlike humans, dogs can’t be reliably tested for food allergies. The most effective way to identify a food allergy in your dog is by switching their protein source or conducting an elimination diet.
An elimination diet involves removing all previously consumed proteins for two to three months. This allows your dog’s body to clear out the allergens and recover from chronic allergic reactions.
Best Hypoallergenic Dry Dog Food: Royal Canin
Best Dog Food For Allergic Dogs:- Food allergies occur when the immune system reacts to a protein in the food, explains Pucheu-Haston. To reduce the risk of this response, Royal Canin’s hydrolyzed dry food breaks down poultry proteins into tiny, amino-acid-sized particles. This formula also includes vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids to support a healthy coat and skin, along with a blend of fibers that promote good digestion, according to the brand. Available in 8.8- or 19.8-pound bags, this food requires a prescription from your veterinarian for purchase.
Recommended Dog Foods for Allergies
The Spruce Pets / Amelia Manley
If your dog is experiencing persistent diarrhea, vomiting, or skin issues such as itching, rashes, redness, or hair loss, it’s important to consult your veterinarian. These symptoms might be due to an allergic reaction triggered by an allergen. While many allergens for dogs are environmental—such as pollen, fleas, or dust mites—some dogs also have food allergies.
“The most common food allergy in dogs is related to the protein source,” says Dr. Michelle Burch, Veterinarian and Veterinary Consultant with Safe Hounds Pet Insurance. “Beef, chicken, lamb, and wheat are typical culprits.”
Changing your dog’s protein source can often alleviate food allergies. There are limited-ingredient dog foods that offer alternative proteins, formulas to address less common allergens like wheat, and transparent ingredient lists to help you pinpoint your dog’s specific allergen. Depending on your veterinarian’s advice and the severity of the allergy, your dog might need a prescription diet. These diets feature carefully selected ingredients, and unique proteins unlikely to cause an allergic reaction, and are designed to avoid cross-contamination.
Pros and Cons
– Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants
Cons
– Requires a prescription
– Limited breed-specific and specialized formulas
Hill’s Prescription Diet Dog Food is highly recommended for dogs with food allergies and sensitivities due to its clear, thorough labeling and consistent production process. Among our 407 panelists, Hill’s Science Diet received the highest ratings for overall satisfaction, both from dog owners and their pets and for effectively addressing specific health needs.
To manage protein allergies, dog food manufacturers typically use one of two strategies: offering a novel protein that is less likely to cause an allergic reaction, or using “hydrolyzed” proteins, which are broken down into amino acids to remove the allergen. Hill’s Prescription Diet d/d formula employs the first strategy, utilizing duck, salmon, or venison to avoid common protein allergens. Additionally, it excludes soy protein and other common additives to minimize potential allergens.
The Hill’s Prescription Diet d/d formula is available in several options, including two flavors of wet food and three flavors of dry food. For those needing hydrolyzed proteins, Hill’s offers a z/d formula. Hill’s non-prescription “Science Diet” also has options that might help with some allergies, such as grain-free formulas for dogs sensitive to wheat, like Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Grain-Free Chicken & Potato Dog Food.
Hill’s Pets, the maker of Hill’s Science Diet, employs over 220 Ph.D. nutritionists, veterinarians, and scientists, and follows safety standards akin to those in the human food industry. Each Hill’s Science Diet dog food recipe is developed and manufactured in the United States, offering a range of flavors and formulations to meet the nutritional needs of dogs of all shapes and sizes.
With the right flavor and formulation, Hill’s Science Diet has been found to reduce dietary issues, simplify potty routines, and enhance cuddle time. However, it’s worth noting that the price of this dog food has recently increased, and the canned variety could benefit from an improved pull-tab lid for easier opening without a can opener.
Best Hydrolyzed Protein
Royal Canin Veterinary Hydrolyzed Protein
Royal Canin’s hydrolyzed protein dog food is a top contender alongside Hill’s Prescription Diet, offering options for managing your dog’s allergies with both novel and hydrolyzed proteins. Although less popular among surveyed dog owners compared to Hill’s, Royal Canin is still a well-regarded brand known for its high-quality ingredients and omega fatty acids.
Royal Canin stands out with its diverse range of hydrolyzed protein options to address protein allergies. Their offerings include dry food with hydrolyzed chicken, a formula utilizing hydrolyzed soy protein for those avoiding meat, a small dog formula, and options tailored for weight management. This variety provides more flexibility to find the ideal solution for your dog’s specific needs.
Best Non-Prescription Wet Dog Food
Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Wet Dog Food
Best Dog Food For Allergic Dogs:- For those who prefer wet food, Purina Pro Plan’s Sensitive Skin & Stomach line offers three poultry-free options: Beef & Oat Meal, Salmon & Rice, and Lamb & Oat Meal. These recipes are designed to avoid common allergens and irritants such as chicken, wheat, soy, and artificial flavors.
Purina Pro Plan’s wet foods are enriched with fiber, probiotics, prebiotics, and easily digestible grains like barley, rice, and oatmeal. They also include animal fat, fish oil (for omega-3), and sunflower oil (for omega-6). Each 13-ounce can provide flexibility, as it can serve as one or multiple meals depending on your dog’s size. The cans are recyclable with a convenient pull tab and are often available in bundle packs.
For a complete diet, you can pair the wet food with Purina Pro Plan’s Sensitive Skin Formula dry dog food, available in three flavors: Salmon & Rice, Lamb & Oat Meal, and Turkey & Oat Meal, in bags ranging from four to 40 pounds.
Best Dog Food for Skin Allergies: Just Food for Dogs Pantry Fresh Joint & Skin Support
Just Food for Dogs Pantry Fresh Joint & Skin Support is an excellent choice for dogs with skin allergies due to its limited ingredient diet, featuring novel proteins, omega oils, and antioxidants to promote skin health. Among the nine recipes in this range, this fresh formula stands out for its focus on skin support.
This recipe primarily uses pork, which is naturally high in all 10 essential amino acids necessary for a dog’s well-being. Analyzing the dry matter label, it contains approximately 33% protein, 5% fat, and 55% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 15%.
Natural Balance Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe
Best Dog Food For Allergic Dogs:- For a budget-friendly option for dogs with allergies, consider the Natural Balance Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe. Priced starting at around $40 for a 4-pound bag, it is one of the more affordable choices available. This limited-ingredient formula features lamb as the single animal protein, making it ideal for dogs with sensitivities to chicken and beef. It’s also free from common allergens such as dairy, soy, eggs, and wheat.
The recipe includes fiber-rich whole-grain brown rice and brewer rice to support digestive health, although some pet owners have reported stool irregularities after transitioning to this food. Additionally, it provides omega fatty acids for improved skin and coat health and includes taurine to support heart health.
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