Choosing the best dog for dogs with allergies is paramount in the management of the disease. If you have a dog that constantly scratches, licks its paws, or has ear infections, it could be due to an allergy. While many things can cause a dog to have an allergic reaction, one of the most common is their food. This can be for various reasons, but in general, it’s due to an ingredient within the food.
The good news is that several brands are designed for dogs with allergies, minimizing the chance of your dog reacting. However, if you’re looking for a place to start your research into the best dry dog food for dogs with allergies, I’ve informative content for you.
Hypoallergenic Dog Food
Finding dog food can be challenging if you have a dog with allergies. Many brands claim to be hypoallergenic, but not all of them are right for your pooch. I’ve compiled some of the best hypoallergenic dog foods today.
Natural Balance LID Lamb
If you’re looking to feed your dog a hypoallergenic diet, you can’t go wrong with Natural Balance LID Lamb. This limited ingredient diet is made with only one animal protein source and one vegetable source, perfect for dogs with severe allergies or sensitive stomachs.
Your dog will love the taste of this food, which is made especially palatable with the addition of oatmeal, potatoes, and lamb liver. Plus, this food is a great bang for your buck-a great thing when you have to take extra care to keep your pup healthy!
Blue Buffalo Basics
Blue Buffalo Basics is another good choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies.
Blue Buffalo Basics are made from only high-quality ingredients like salmon and potatoes, so you know your dog is getting all the nutrition he needs without any unnecessary additives or fillers that might aggravate his allergies. And since it’s formulated with a limited number of ingredients, this food is much easier for dogs with allergies to digest than other foods on the market.
Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Venison
This recipe is a winner because it’s free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives while rich in protein. The recipe is also made with just a few ingredients (no more than 10), which reduces the risk of triggering your dog’s food sensitivities. The kibble pieces are smaller-than-average, which is great for small breeds who have trouble eating large pieces.
Ollie
With this subscription-based dog food brand, you’ll get a personalized recipe for your puppy tailored specifically to their allergies and food sensitivities. The ingredients are high-quality and human-grade, with no fillers or artificial additives. All recipes contain farm-raised meat as their primary protein source and fiber-rich fruits and veggies.
Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream
The Taste of the Wild brand is known for creating high-quality recipes with unique ingredients that you don’t typically find in pet food, like venison and smoked salmon. In their Pacific Stream recipe, they’ve created a delicious and highly digestible formula-and it’s one of the first grain-free options on the market. Plus, it’s made with real salmon as its first ingredient, giving your sensitive pup a high-quality protein source they can tolerate!
Wellness Simple LID
It’s no surprise that Wellness is one of our favorite brands, and this LID formula is no exception. It has only a single protein source: duck meal, which provides all of the amino acids your dog needs without any risk of allergen cross-contamination from other meats like chicken or beef.
Canidae Grain Free Pure Dry Dog Food
Canidae is great dog food for a dog with allergies. It contains no fillers, no corn, wheat, or soy, and no artificial colors or preservatives. This product is grain-free and contains high-quality meat as the first ingredient. It has beneficial vitamins and minerals to help keep your dog healthy and happy. The best thing about this product is that it comes in different flavors, so you can pick one that your dog will like. It also includes probiotics to help improve digestion.
Zignature Duck & Turkey
This formula from Zignature is a great option for dogs who have allergies because it’s made with a single protein source and is free of potatoes, corn, and wheat. The first ingredient in the dry food is duck meal, so if your dog is sensitive to chicken (which can sometimes be found in other brands), this is a great choice.
Merrick Lid Grain
This delicious kibble contains no grains and fillers, just a single protein source to keep your pup satisfied and healthy. It’s great for pups with mild to moderate allergies, as it uses novel proteins from ancient grains that are less likely to trigger an allergic reaction.
Natural Balance
While this brand only has two distinct formulas for sensitive stomachs, the ingredients in both of them are fresh and wholesome. The first is the duck and potato formula, which features a limited ingredient recipe high in protein and low in carbohydrates for optimal nutrient absorption. The second option is venison and sweet potato formula, which features a similar recipe but with grain-free options for dogs who are also gluten-sensitive.
What Dry Food Is Good for Dogs With Allergies?
It can be tough to find a food that will not trigger your dog’s allergies. You love your dog, and you want to see them at their healthiest without reacting to their food. Here are the best dry foods for dogs with allergies.
Canine Hydrolyzed Protein
This is an excellent option for dogs with severe allergies. It uses a hydrolysis process that breaks down the protein components into smaller, simpler parts that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction. It’s also grain-free, making it a good choice for dogs allergic to grains and proteins.
Dog i/d Sensitive (Dry)
Dog i/d Sensitive Dry takes a different approach to reducing food allergies in dogs. This product reduces the number of protein sources by using only one high-quality protein source – duck. At the same time, this product is also completely grain-free and free of other common allergy-causing ingredients such as corn, wheat, soy, and dairy.
Diet d/d Canine Potato & Venison
This food contains potato and venison as its primary protein sources, so it’s a great option if your dog has chicken or beef allergies. The food is also corn-free, soy-free, and wheat-free. It does contain egg products and fish oil, so keep that in mind if your dog has an allergy to one of those products.
Science Diet
These allergy dry foods for dogs are low in fat, high in fibre and protein, and contain omega-3 fatty acids. It is made from real chicken, one of the most hypoallergenic meats. It also has a high level of antioxidants and omega-6 fatty acids to support your dog’s immune system. It comes in both wet and dry food forms.
Purina Pro Plan
Purina Pro Plan allergy dry food formula is a great choice for dogs with allergies because it has all the necessary nutrients found in natural ingredients. Still, it also has some additional elements like vitamins A, C, E, Biotin, and Zinc. These vitamins help your dog stay healthy while fighting off any allergic symptoms they may be having, such as coughing or sneezing.
What Foods Should Dogs With Allergies Avoid?
If you have a dog with allergies, avoiding certain foods is the first step to improving your pup’s quality of life. But which ones? Here are the foods dogs with allergies should avoid.
Wheat
Dogs are not biologically suited to eat wheat, so it’s no surprise that this is one of the biggest culprits in food-related allergies. Even if your dog doesn’t have gluten sensitivity, wheat can cause intestinal distress and chronic inflammation. It’s also very difficult for dogs to digest and can cause them to put on weight.
Soy
There are many reasons soy is not a great ingredient for dogs. First of all, most soy products in pet food are made from genetically modified strains of soybeans that aren’t safe for consumption by dogs or humans. Additionally, soy contains compounds called goitrogens that can lead to thyroid disease in pets and humans-even if they aren’t allergic to it in the first place.
Peanuts
Peanuts are an amazing snack for humans, but dogs do not handle them well. They can cause severe allergic reactions, even anaphylaxis, the same reaction some people have to peanuts. This is one of those times where it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you know your dog has peanut allergies, resist the urge to give your dog a peanut butter treat or lick your Reese’s cup. It’s just not worth it!
Beef
Beef is also another common food allergy among dogs. Beef is used as a protein source in many foods and treats for dogs, so this can be challenging for some owners if their dog has beef allergies. Try looking for dog treats that use alternatives like chicken or fish for their protein source. Don’t worry-your dog will still love them!
Corn
In addition to being hard for dogs to digest, corn can also cause skin problems for some dogs. Dogs with corn allergies may experience rashes and lesions on their skin that are hard to treat. If you suspect that your dog has a corn allergy, ask your veterinarian about the possibility of a corn allergy.
Chicken
In addition to causing allergic reactions, chicken meat is also high in fat, increasing weight gain problems. For this reason, some veterinarians recommend avoiding chicken altogether if possible.
What Is the Least Allergic Dog Food?
Are you looking for the best dog food options for pets who are allergic to common proteins like beef, chicken, or lamb? Look no further. I’ve rounded up the best dog foods with novel protein sources that are unlikely to cause your dog an allergic reaction.
Fish-Based Kibble
This fish-based kibble is made with salmon and cod, two fish that are unlikely to cause allergic reactions in dogs. It’s also a great choice because it contains no soy, corn, or wheat: three common allergens in pet food.
Duck-Based Kibble
Duck is another great option for dogs with allergies or sensitive stomachs. This duck-based kibble has the same benefits as the fish-based one: it contains no common allergens.
Rabbit-Based Kibble
If your dog has tried both fish and duck without any luck, rabbit is another great option! Again, this kibble has no common allergens.
Venison-Based Kibble
Venison-based kibbles are unlikely to cause allergic reactions because of their low antinutrient levels and high protein content. This type of dog food has been shown to reduce inflammation in dogs with allergies to other types of meat.
Lamb-Based Kibble
Lamb-based kibble is another hypoallergenic option that is safe and healthy for your dog. It is also high in protein and low in antinutrients and has been shown to help ease the symptoms of other food allergies in some dogs.
Final Word
While many dogs can eat any food with no adverse effects, others suffer from allergies to different ingredients. If your dog has an allergy, you must find food that won’t cause them problems. Some common allergens are beef, wheat, soy, and dairy.
However, dogs can be allergic to any ingredient. In addition to food allergies, some dogs suffer from environmental allergies.
If your dog has problems like skin irritation or ear infections, you should work with your vet to determine the best course of treatment for your dog’s unique situation. This blog covers content about the best dry dog food for dogs with allergies.