Is your dog itching and scratching? Does she have frequent ear infections or poor coat quality? You could be contributing to your dog’s distress without knowing it if she’s allergic to what you’re feeding her.
Table could not be displayed.If you’ve ever experienced allergies you realized how miserable and hopeless they can make everyday life. But did you know that just like people, dogs can suffer from allergies? Dogs can be allergic to fleas, dust, pollen, mold, grass, and, yes, even the food we feed them. Luckily, there are many best dog food for allergies available that are designed specifically.
The sign of allergies in dogs are usually itchy skin or digestive disturbances such as vomiting or diarrhea. Other more subtle changes can also occur, including hyperactivity, weight loss, lack of energy, and even aggression. How can you prevent these allergies from developing?
A simple solution is to change their food to one formulated to prevent allergic reactions. Give them the best dog food for allergies. This helps us to receive a wide variety of nutrients, and of course, prevents boredom from eating the same thing over and over.
Following the diagnosis of allergies in a dog, your vet will work with you to determine the best diet and treatment plan for your dog. There are a number of best dog food for allergies options available; to help you find the best one we have listed the 10 best dog food for allergies.
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In order to ensure you’re choosing the best food for your dog’s specific needs, having a basic understanding of allergies in dogs is essential. Before plunking down your hard-earned money, check out our buying guide for the 10 best dog food for allergies.
At Star2, we provide you with the best product with a focus on Quality, Reliance, and Assurance. Our Team previously began; their energy for Top quality brands drove them to do huge amounts of exploration so that Star2 can offer you the best items available. You can visit our page for the Top 10 Best Dog Nail Grinder in 2024 and Best Dog Food For Pitbulls.
From dozens of dog foods for allergies, we have selected these best of the best. Here are our top picks:
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula – Best Dog Food For Allergies Overall
- IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH Minichunks Dry Food – Best Dog Food For Yeast Infection
- Taste of the Wild High Protein – Best Dog Food with Vegetables
- Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein – Best Dog Food For Brain Development
- Rachael Ray Nutrish Super Premium – Best Dry Dog Food For Allergies
- Purina ONE Smart Blend Natural Adult Dry Food – Best Dog Food For Joint Health
- Purina Pro Plan With Probiotic’s High Protein – Best Dog Food For Digestive and Immune Health
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed – Top Dog Food For Small Dogs
- Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach High Protein – Best Dog Food with Salmon
- Hill’s Science Diet – Best Dog Food For Sensitive Stomach
Top Dog Food for Allergies
1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dog Food – Editor’s Pick
Blue Buffalo Dog Food, contained only the finest natural ingredients to promote a strong immune system. The Life Protection Formula is one of Blue Buffalo’s most significant offerings.
The Bishop family worked with leading veterinarians and nutritionists to develop the Life Protection line you see today. It features whole, quality proteins with a healthy balance of carbohydrates and with vitamins, and minerals to promote health.
The Blue Buffalo Natural Adult Dry Dog Food gives your pup the flavor and quality to make sure he has a protein-rich diet, even without the allergen-common, protein-rich “traditional” ingredients. The fish oil included helps his skin and coat as well as his stomach and without the added filler of grains, he’ll have a rich diet without any extras.
Key-Features:
| Its main source of carbs is brown rice. Brown rice is a natural whole grain that provides pets essential B vitamins and minerals, high-quality complex carbohydrates for energy, and fiber. |
| It uses lamb instead of chicken, which may help alleviate sensitivities for dogs who are actually allergic or intolerant of poultry. It boasts 22% crude protein with 14% fat content and at least 5% fiber. |
| The moisture count is high enough to make the kibble easier to digest while fiber eases digestion and helps your dog feel full longer. |
| Supplements like essential fatty acids keep the skin and coat healthy. |
| It has probiotics like chondroitin and glucosamine for a healthier immune system and digestion plus glucosamine to help support long term joint health. |
| Those who suffer from digestive issues cam also do quite well on this recipe. The high fiber ingredients seem to benefit these dogs. |
| Dry food keeps longer, is easier to store, and is generally cheaper over time. |
| It also provides dental hygiene benefits to your dog. |
| It also has more potent aromas to attract picky eaters. |
Blue Buffalo’s motto is “Love them like family. Feed them like family,” a sentiment I believe shines through in the formulation of their recipes. Blue Buffalo always features real meat as the #1 ingredient. It’s made with deboned salmon, chicken meal, and fish meal to ensure your pup is getting all the protein he needs, plus wholesome fruits and vegetables for vital nutrients.
This high-protein, grain-free dog food contains Blue’s exclusive Life Source Bits, a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support immune system health, life stage requirements, and a healthy oxidative balance.
2. IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH Minichunks Dry Dog Food
The Iams Company was among the first pet food manufacturers to start feeding dogs as carnivores – they were also the first to develop the kind of protein-based diet that most traditional kibbles offer today. Iams dog food offers a wide variety of different pet food products for dogs in all life stages, including a natural line of products and veterinary recipes.
This Iams ProActive Health Adult Chunks Dry Food recipe is formulated for adult dogs of all shapes, sizes, and breeds and it is designed to help your dog build strong, firm muscles with quality protein from chicken and egg ingredients.
Key-Features:
| Real farm raised chicken is the first ingredient. It offers the protein that adult dogs need to thrive, as it helps to support their joint health and potentially prevents the development of issues like hip and elbow dysplasia; conditions that many breeds are predisposed to, like Great Danes, Mastiffs, Saint Bernards, and even smaller dogs, like Dachshunds. |
| Formulated with a variety of vitamins and minerals to support optimal health. Infused with a variety of nutritional supplements, such as vitamin D, B vitamins, copper, manganese, potassium, and Omega 6 fatty acids, round out the ingredients listed in this dry dog food. |
| This Iams dog food is designed to maintain a healthy metabolism, boost cardiovascular health, improve the health of your dog’s skin and coat, and promote stronger muscles |
| Contains garden fresh veggies |
| Offers complete balanced nutrition for adult dogs |
| Improves dental health, as the crunchy kibble scrubs off plaque and reduces bad breath, too! Since the kibble is smaller, it can easily be consumed by pups’ that have petite mouths, making it a great food for small dogs. |
| Supports healthy digestion. Ground whole grain sorghum is gluten-free and, as a whole grain, it offers decent digestibility for dogs. Wholesome grains and fresh veggies, like carrots, tomatoes, spinach, and green peas, are easy to digest and can help to prevent upset tummies. This ingredient, combined with the dried beet pulp and flax meal, provides your dog with energy as well as a dietary fiber to support his digestion. |
Overall, this Iams ProActive Health Adult Chunks Dry Food recipe offers decent quality nutrition for adult dogs and it doesn’t contain many questionable ingredients. It may be a problem that the actual volume of chicken protein is significantly reduced in cooking, but the chicken by-product meal provides a decent source of supplementary protein.
All in all, this recipe meets your dog’s minimum requirements for nutrition, mostly through the use of decent quality ingredients. Made with premium ingredients and perfectly balanced with the right blend of vitamins and minerals, this is an excellent choice for adult dogs.
3. Taste of the Wild High Protein Dog Food
Taste of the Wild brand makes great grain-free dog food with nutritionally-dense formulas that reduce the risk for food allergies and sensitivities. Taste of the Wild is focused on providing animals with diets that closely mimic that of what their ancestors would catch and eat in the wild. Taste of the Wild dog food is formulated with ingredients that dogs need to thrive. High-quality protein is included to simulate a dog’s ancestral diet.
This High Prairie Canine Formula with Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison recipe is a high-quality recipe that is loaded with healthy proteins from unique sources. Featuring roasted bison and roasted venison, this formula is naturally lean and full of flavor.
Key-Features:
| This dog food is grain, dairy, and egg free. |
| Most dogs love protein-rich food. Fresh buffalo is an excellent source of animal protein |
| This dog food includes several probiotics for healthy digestion. These ingredients are all free from gluten and a grain which means that, not only are they easy to digest, but they have a low risk for triggering food allergies or sensitivities. |
| Most dogs seem to love the taste – some owners even use the food as a treat. |
| The lack of animal proteins outside of fish makes this food ideal for dogs with chicken, beef, or lamb allergies. |
| This recipe contains 32% protein (minimum) which is very high and well within the ideal range for dogs. |
| A mix of vegetables and vitamins supports overall health. |
| This recipe also contains tomato pomace as a supplementary source of fiber and fresh fruits and vegetables which provide fiber as well as natural sources for key nutrients. |
Your dog won’t be able to get enough of the roasted meat flavor for this recipe and he will also benefit from the healthy nutrients that are packed into this formula.
In addition to being protein- and nutrient-rich, this formula is also supplemented with prebiotic fiber and probiotics to support your dog’s healthy and regular digestion. This dog food is perfect for dogs that have allergies to dairy, eggs, grains, beef, and chicken.
4. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Dog Food
If you are looking for high-quality wet dog food, we recommend the Blue Buffalo dog food brand. Not only is Blue Buffalo one of the top manufacturers of natural dog food in general, but it offers four distinct product lines so you can choose the wet food formula that best suits your dog’s needs and preferences.
The wilderness line has high-protein. It’s a meat-rich, grain-free diet that accommodates dogs of all sizes and ages. This formulation includes duck, salmon, and chicken. It’s available in wet and dry varieties for all sizes and ages. The Wilderness line also features a chicken-free formula, which carries the Rocky Mountain recipe label.
Key-Features:
| Deboned chicken is the first ingredient. The deboned chicken and chicken meal provide ample protein for muscle development. BLUE Wilderness is one of the best we’ve found, which prioritizes the healthy proteins and carbohydrates your dog needs to stay healthy and energized. With real meat as the first ingredient, and no poultry by-products, corn, wheat, or soy, |
| Grain-free food is designed to be easy to digest, free of the problematic ingredients that can cause discomfort and itchy skin, among other issues. |
| DHA for brain development. |
| Small kibble is perfect for all puppies. |
| The salmon promotes the development of lean muscle. |
| Omegas for skin & coat health. Apioca starch is derived from a cassava plant and provides carbohydrates and Omega fatty acids. |
| You won’t find any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives in this recipe. BLUE Wilderness gives dogs who struggle with allergies a flavorful meal while fulfilling their dietary needs. |
| 423 Calories per cup. |
| It consists of 28% protein, 13% fat, 6% fiber, and 10% moisture. |
The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Puppy Chicken Recipe is affordable dry dog food. It has a well-balanced amount of carbs, protein, and fats. Ideal for small, medium, and large breeds, the recipe works well for dogs that are allergic to grains. Each cup has 423 calories. You may need to feed less than the recommended amounts if your puppy has fair to low activity levels.
5. Rachael Ray Nutrish Super Premium Dry Dog Food
Rachael Ray Nutrish is a dog food brand designed by celebrity chef Rachael Ray and manufactured by Ainsworth Pet Nutrition This main line of food boasts real meat, vegetables, and all the necessary nutrients and minerals your dog requires. The cheapest and most popular line, Super Premium comes in wet and dry options, and does, in fact, consider dog size.
Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural recipes feature meat as the first listed ingredient and contain no poultry by-product meal. If you are looking for high-quality dog food for your small pup, Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Dry Dog Food is a great option to consider. It’s specially formulated to meet the unique dietary needs of small dogs.
Key-Features:
| The first ingredient in this recipe is a pure animal protein that’s sourced from US farm-raised natural chicken that has been deboned. The remaining parts of the chicken have been ground into a chicken meal and mixed into the formula to increase the protein content and the flavor, too. Protein is vital for all dogs, but particularly small breeds that are often prone to joint issues |
| Other natural ingredients that are featured in this recipe include peas, beets, brown rice, and carrots. It’s also infused with a full spectrum of vitamins and nutrients |
| It’s also completely free of by-products, fillers, wheat, and gluten so you can rest assured that your pet will be receiving the very best nutrition. |
| Contains natural prebiotics to support healthy digestion |
| Offers a wealth of vegetables |
| Completely free of fillers, wheat, and byproducts |
| Absolutely no artificial flavors or artificial preservatives |
| Infused with vitamins and minerals |
| Specially formulated to support the dietary needs of small dogs |
| Simple but high-quality ingredients |
| Made without poultry by-product meals |
| Affordable and widely available |
Whether you have a Rat Terrier or an English Toy Spaniel, a Pug or a Chihuahua, you’re going to want to feed him a premium quality food for small dogs. Small dogs have unique nutritional needs, and it’s important that you feed a small breed of food that will meet those needs.
The kibble in Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Dry Dog Food is smaller than the kibble that is found in food for large dogs so your small breed will be able to eat it with greater comfort. But the smaller size of this dry dog food isn’t the only reason why it’s such a good choice for pups’ that are of smaller stature; it’s also because it contains premium quality ingredients.
6. Purina ONE Smart Blend Natural Adult Dry Dog Food
Purina has a reputation for being a brand that just mass-produces dog food at a cheaper cost, but they have products such as the Purina ONE SmartBlend Sensitive Systems Formula that say they do care about what dogs eat.
This formula is a salmon-based formula meant to help dogs with digestive issues and food sensitivities. If you’ve discovered your dog is sensitive to ingredients like beef, lamb, and chicken, this product might work for you. It does contain chicken by-products, beef fat, and grain ingredients, though.
Key-Features:
| Single source of protein from salmon. Salmon is the protein of choice in Purina ONE Smart Blend dog food. |
| With limited ingredients, the food will be easier to digest for dogs with food sensitivities. |
| High amounts of protein in the food promote heart and joint health while chewing through the dry food aides in clean teeth and healthy gums. |
| Antioxidant Blend To Help Support a Strong Immune System |
| Contains vitamins and minerals to support the immune system and joint health |
| Natural Sources of Glucosamine Help to Support Joint Health |
| Included prebiotic helps your dog’s digestive system more efficiently absorb nutrients |
| This food provides a combination of crunchy kibble and soft meaty pieces, which dogs seem to go crazy over. It’s for adult dogs of all breed sizes, so once your dog reaches maturity, you won’t have to switch out food again for several years. |
| Good for dogs with sensitive stomachs |
| It has a dual-defense antioxidant additive to help support your dog’s immune system. Plus, it’s very rich in healthy proteins, making it excellent for bone, skin, and coat. |
| No need for prescription |
It seems to work well in large dogs who have had problems with chicken-based dog food and shedding. The vitamin-rich formula also helps the joints and immune system, making this better for adult dogs.
The kibble size is quite small, so if you have a large dog it might choke on the pieces of food. However, you do get a good bargain for the size of the bag. This is good dog food for dogs with slight sensitivities and experience just one or two allergy symptoms like loose stool and itchiness.
7. Purina Pro Plan with Probiotic’s High Protein Dog Food
Founded in 1894, Purina has always been in the business of providing high-quality, nutritious food. Now a subsidiary of Nestle, Purina, has developed several dog food formulas for different life stages and is grain-free. Purina uses all-natural ingredients to create their dog food. Your dog will just love this savory dry dog food that’s made with real lamb, accents of peas and carrots, and delicious real beef flavor.
What’s more, every cup of this nutritionally balanced recipe is packed with 30 grams of high-quality protein. So with every hearty bite, you’ll know your adult dog is getting the great flavor he loves right along with all the muscle-supporting nutrition he needs to get the most out of each and every day.
Key-Features:
| Purina Pro Plan with Probiotics, High Protein, Digestive Health Dry Dog Food, Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula |
| Beef, Lamb, Poultry, or Salmon is the first ingredient |
| Hard kibble combined with tender, shredded pieces for taste and texture dogs love. The hard dog food kibble and tender shredded pieces in this Pro Plan dog food provide a texture that engages him with every bite. |
| Feel good about serving your dog 100% complete and balanced nutrition that contains optimal levels of protein and fat to help him maintain an ideal body condition. |
| High protein formula, with real chicken as the first ingredient |
| Natural probiotic fiber nourishes specific intestinal bacteria for digestive health. |
| OMEGA-6 fatty acids and vitamin A to nourish skin and coat |
| Fortified with guaranteed live probiotics for digestive and immune health |
| Used to be known as SAVOR Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula |
Fuel your dog’s best with Pro Plan Complete Essentials formulas. Featuring an optimal protein-to-fat ratio to help maintain an ideal body condition, and fortified with live probiotics for digestive and immune health, Pro Plan Complete Essentials dry formulas offer outstanding daily nutrition to help him thrive.
And because dogs like yours have unique tastes and preferences, Complete Essentials formulas are available in a variety of protein options with great tastes and textures dogs love.
8. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Dry Dog Food
The Blue Buffalo uses high-quality natural ingredients in each of its recipes. Blue Buffalo follows a holistic approach to pet nutrition, choosing each of its ingredients carefully to ensure complete and balanced nutrition without the use of any by-products, fillers, or artificial additives. Every recipe goes above and beyond your dog’s minimum nutritional requirements.
Formulated for the health and well-being of dogs, BLUE Life Protection Formula Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe is made with the finest natural ingredients enhanced with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Starting with delicious, high-quality deboned chicken, it features antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies and wholesome whole grains.
Key-Features:
| Chicken is a protein source that supports muscle development and energy. |
| Brown rice is a natural whole grain that provides pets essential B vitamins and minerals, high-quality complex carbohydrates for energy, and fiber. |
| Carrots are an excellent source of beta carotene, fiber, Vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants. |
| NO artificial flavors or preservatives. |
| NO corn, wheat, or soy. |
| There is no beef, dairy, or egg in this recipe, however, so if your dog is allergic to any of these ingredients, it’s a good choice. |
| Good choice for a typically active toy or small breeds. Toy breeds have different nutritional needs than small breeds, something often overlooked. Blue’s Toy Breed formula uses specially designed kibble to give toy dogs the benefits of dry food while making it as easy as possible to chew. |
| As a “Life Protection” recipe, this dog food is enhanced with antioxidant-rich ingredients. This makes it a great choice for little dogs prone to diseases such as cancer or heart disease, as antioxidants protect healthy cells from damage caused by free radicals. |
| Aside from Life Source Bits, this recipe has L-carnitine to promote lean muscles mass. Calcium, phosphorus, and essential vitamins help support strong bones and teeth |
| Suitable for dogs prone to joint diseases |
This is one of Blue Buffalo’s most recipes among customers. It is formulated especially for small and toy breed dogs, who need a specific macronutrient balance. I think the macronutrient balance here suits Yorkshire Terriers and Chihuahuas who are typically active (up to an hour’s exercise a day).
It’s not a good choice for overweight dogs. The carbohydrate levels are fairly high here, so I don’t think it’s a good choice for overweight or inactive dogs. this recipe contains a low-level dose of glucosamine (400mg/kg), which I think makes it suitable for toy and small breeds prone to joint problems, such as Shih Tzus.
9. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach High Protein Dog Food
World renowned pet food manufacturer Purina has produced yet another amazing sensitive dog food formula. Their formula is specially designed to help dogs suffering from sensitive skin as well as stomach issues, and it does so brilliantly.
Purina has another line of dog food for allergies called the Purina Pro Plan Focus Sensitive Skin and Stomach. It’s a bit similar to the Purina ONE Smart Blend Sensitive Systems Formula in that its main ingredient is salmon. However, the Pro Plan Focus line is free of any corn, wheat, and soy.
This line is completely free of chicken and corn so it’s great if your dog’s particularly sensitive to those ingredients. The Purina Pro Plan Focus Sensitive Skin and Stomach comes in two flavors: salmon and rice, and lamb and oatmeal. These are both supposed to help with digestive and skin issues. The added vitamins, antioxidants, and prebiotics also help boost the immune system and improve your dog’s gut health.
Key-Features:
| No corn, wheat, or soy |
| Salmon is the first ingredient |
| Contains natural prebiotic fiber |
| Free of corn, wheat, and soy |
| Doesn’t give dog fishy breath |
| Good kibble size |
| It does contain rice, barley, and oatmeal so it’s not grain-free. Grain-free diets are not necessary for all dogs anyway, so this is a pretty viable option for your dog especially if you’ve been feeding it rice with no problems. |
| The salmon helps dogs develop lean muscle. |
| Purina uses all-natural ingredients in its dog food. |
| This dog food contains no corn, wheat, or soy, |
| The prebiotics and fiber in the food help overall digestion. |
| This dog food is made without the most common allergens. |
| Purina Pro Plan Focus for sensitive skin and stomach is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. This dog food is perfect for dogs with allergies to beef, chicken, corn, soy, or wheat. |
Costs can quickly mount when your dog needs specialized food, but this budget-friendly option from Purina provides all the benefits you’d expect from a dog food tailored to pups with sensitive stomachs.
It’s rich in protein, contains prebiotic fiber, and has oatmeal and rice—easily digestible forms of carbohydrates which Dr. Richardson notes are key for dogs with sensitive stomachs. The smell of the salmon flavor can be overwhelming, but it surprisingly doesn’t cause any bad breath in dogs.
This type of dog food is meant for adult dogs, however, it may not be the best for senior and sedentary dogs. The formula is high in fat and can cause unnecessary weight gain in older dogs. Too much fat in food can also cause loose stool in dogs who aren’t that active.
10. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food
Hill’s Science Diet has a long history of creating prescription dog foods for different conditions. This dog food usually requires a prescription from a veterinarian.
This Hill’s Science Diet Adult Grain-Free Dry Food recipe is designed to provide complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs from 1 to 6 years of age. It is a grain-free formula suitable for dogs who have grain sensitivities and it is full of great-tasting flavor.
Key-Features:
| This dog food was formulated by veterinarians for dogs with sensitive skin and stomachs. |
| Includes antioxidants for the immune system. |
| The flaxseed and oat fiber aid digestion. |
| Includes vitamins A, B, and D |
| This formula is supplemented with prebiotics to promote digestive health and nutrient absorption, with antioxidants for immune system support, and with healthy fats for radiant coat and healthy skin. |
| In terms of carbohydrates, this Hill’s Science Diet Adult Grain-Free Dry Food recipe includes potatoes, yellow peas, and potato starch as well as dried beet pulp, flaxseed, and powdered cellulose. |
| Potatoes and yellow peas are digestible sources of carbohydrates for your dog and they are naturally gluten-free and grain-free. |
| This recipe also contains soybean oil and pork fat which help to balance the omega fatty acid content. |
| The fresh fruits and vegetables used in this recipe add some supplementary fiber, but they are largely included as natural sources for key vitamins and minerals. |
| This adult dry dog food promotes digestive health while nourishing skin |
| A source of prebiotic fiber to support a balanced gut microbiome in your grown dog |
| This dog food is formulated to be highly digestible for optimal nutrient absorption & easier stool pick upPacked with vitamin E & omega 6 fatty acids to help your grown dog get a lustrous coat and healthy skin made with natural ingredients |
| Made in the USA with global ingredients you can trust |
The chicken promotes lean muscle development in dogs. Whiles broccoli, green peas, carrots, and cranberries are antioxidant-rich for a healthy immune system. Calcium promotes strong bones. Hill’s Science Diet is a veterinarian developed dog food used to treat several conditions. This particular dog food formula is not suitable for dogs with chicken allergies.
How can I help my dog with allergies?
Unfortunately, allergies are quite common in dogs of all breeds and backgrounds. Most allergies appear after the pet is six months of age, with the majority of affected dogs over the age of one or two. This is because it takes time for the body to become “sensitized” to the substance the pet is allergic to.
The first step to helping your dog with allergies is to consult a veterinarian. Only a professional will be able to verify whether your dog’s symptoms are truly caused by food. Once you’re sure it’s a food allergy, you’ll need to identify the allergen.
Veterinarians often recommend an elimination diet to help you determine what ingredients are causing your dog’s allergies. An elimination diet entails switching to a food with a different protein source and carbohydrate source than before—you could switch from chicken and rice to lamb and sweet potato, for example. If you find that your dog responds better, you’ll know to make the switch to chicken-free dog food.
Switching to hypoallergenic dog food is a reliable way to find your dog’s food allergy. Hypoallergenic dog foods are made with “novel” proteins and carbohydrates (ones that your dog has never had before), like venison and potato, or duck and pea. Your dog must eat hypoallergenic dog food for at least 8–10 weeks to notice any change.
The elimination diet is a simple and effective way of determining your dog’s allergies. This is a process where we place your dog on a limited ingredient dog food using goat meat as the main source of protein. Since goat meat is uncommon in the United States, most dogs have not been exposed to it. This gives us a constant in a world full of variables.
Once the dog’s system has removed the last remnants of every other protein, we can go back and introduce various proteins to determine if they cause an allergic reaction in the body. For example, after following the Goat Protocol for a period of eight weeks, we reintroduce chicken into your dog’s diet. If we see a reaction, we can safely determine that the dog has a chicken allergy.
Types of Allergies in Dogs
Here are a few of the different types of allergies a dog can have.
1. Flea Allergies:
An allergy to fleas is the most common skin disease seen in dogs. The bite of just one or two fleas per week is enough to make affected dogs itch. Flea saliva is believed to be the allergen that causes itchiness.
2. Seasonal/Environmental Allergies:
Also known as atopy, substances that exist in your home, backyard cause seasonal or environmental allergies, and anywhere else, your dog spends time. These allergens can be inhaled, as with pollen, as well as absorbed through the skin when your dog touches them. Common triggers (allergens) for these allergic reactions include pollens, plant or animal fibers, dust mites, and mold spores.
3. Food Allergies:
These are also known as adverse food reactions. Dogs can develop an allergy to a particular food at any point during their life, regardless of whether they have eaten these brands or types of foods in the past. The most common food allergy for dogs is to a protein source in the diet, but sometimes the allergy is to grains and/or other ingredients.
Dog Allergies Signs:
Dog allergies signs can include:
- Itchy skin
- Scratching
- Licking
- Face rubbing
- Red skin
- Loss of fur
- Recurrent skin and ear infections
- Gastrointestinal (GI) signs
We hope our best dog food for allergies guide helped you in finding the best one for your pup. But keep in mind, that what works for your dog might not work for another and vice versa. In all cases, it’s important to work with your veterinarian to work out which diet is truly hypoallergenic for your pet.
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