8 Best Dog Foods for Allergies, According to Experts
Updated: Apr. 25, 2024
We asked vets to recommend the best dog food for allergies to keep your sensitive pup healthy and happy
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Like humans, dogs have allergies, too. One of the most common culprits? The food you feed them. But before changing your dog’s diet or investing in some healthy dog treats, you must determine exactly what your dog is allergic to. This is best left to a vet—in fact, many of the best dog foods for allergies require vet authorization as a stopgap to ensure your pet gets the proper nutrition.
But once you figure out why your fur baby is suffering, you must take swift action. “If dealing with a potential food allergy, an immediate diet change is mandatory,” says Ivana Crnec, DVM at veterinarians.org. We consulted with her and several other vets to select these picks.
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Best wet dog food for allergies
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein Canned Dog Food
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Best budget dog food for dogs with allergies
Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Lamb & Oatmeal
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Best dog food for puppies with allergies
Canidae Pure Goodness Limited Ingredient Premium Puppy Dry Dog Food
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Best dog food for adult dogs with allergies
Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Novel Protein Alligator
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Best dog food for senior dogs with allergies
Hill’s Prescription Diet Food Sensitivities z/d
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Best dog food for wheat allergies
WholeHearted Simple Blends Lamb, Sweet Potato & Egg Recipe
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Best dry dog food for allergies
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA
Purina Pro Plan HA received votes from two of the vets we interviewed as their top pick. “This dog food features a single hydrolyzed protein source and a single carbohydrate source,” says Ivana Crnec, DVM, a veterinarian at veterinarians.org. The process of “hydrolyzing” the protein breaks it down using enzymes to the basic components of amino acids and peptides. This means that the food is easily digestible and promotes healthy nutrient absorption, she says.
You may feed Purina Pro HA to dogs of any size—small, medium and large breed dogs—as well as senior dogs, because the hydrolyzed protein suits any dog that has trouble with digestion, says Whitney Miller, DVM, chief veterinarian at Petco. The food comes in 6-, 16.5- and 25-pound bags, and in salmon, chicken and vegetarian varieties.
Pros
- Known throughout the industry as the best dog food for allergies
- Easily digestible, even for senior dogs
Con
- Requires vet authorization
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Best wet dog food for allergies
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein Canned Dog Food
Easily digestible and highly palatable, Royal Canin HP wet dog food tackles two issues in dogs with eating issues, according to Dr. Crnec: sensitive tummies and picky appetites. “Using hydrolyzed protein, this formula is perfect for allergic puppies and adult dogs,” she says.
The ingredients in this canned dog food support the skin’s natural barrier, making it a great option for dogs whose skin easily becomes irritated. In addition, it has prebiotics, antioxidants and omega fatty acids, considered cancer-fighting ingredients for dogs.
Pros
- The best wet dog food for allergies, according to vets
- Dogs love the taste
- Formulated to ease skin itchiness
Con
- Requires vet authorization
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Best budget dog food for dogs with allergies
Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Lamb & Oatmeal
A lot of the best dog food for allergies is quite expensive, with some brands costing over $7 a pound. Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet is recommended by Dr. Crnec for its wholesome ingredients—and value price. “Made with lamb as a single protein source, this grain-free, limited-ingredient diet is the best affordable option for dogs with allergies,” she says.
The included carbohydrates (oatmeal, millet, ground rice) are very digestible and easy on the stomach. “Plus, it has probiotics for digestion and fatty acids and glucosamine for skin health,” she says. You may choose from lamb or duck options, and both come in two sizes: 26- and 40-pound bags.
Pros
- The best budget dog food for allergies
- Made with a single protein source and digestible carbohydrates
- Contains probiotics and glucosamine for gut, skin and joint health
- Doesn’t require vet authorization
Con
- Not available in smaller bag sizes
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Best dog food for puppies with allergies
Canidae Pure Goodness Limited Ingredient Premium Puppy Dry Dog Food
Growing puppies have different nutritional needs from those of adults and seniors. If you learn that your little one has allergies, you need a puppy food up to the task. The Canidae Pure Goodness for puppies is Dr. Crnec’s recommendation. It contains only nine ingredients, including salmon, oatmeal and wholesome grains—all human foods that are great for dogs—and leaves out corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.
“It’s enriched with healthy fats, antioxidants and probiotics to strengthen the immune system, boost digestion and promote skin and coat health, while supporting growth and development,” Dr. Crnec says. It comes in 4-, 12- and 22-pound bags.
Pros
- The best dog food for puppies with allergies, according to vets
- Made with just nine ingredients
- Doesn’t require vet authorization
Con
- Only available in chicken flavor
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Best dog food for adult dogs with allergies
Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Novel Protein Alligator
While you might shudder at the thought serving alligator-based food to your dog, hear us out. Novel proteins, in particular this reptilian one, happen to be much better for dogs who experience allergic reactions to conventional dog food. “Alligator is rarely associated with allergies and therefore an ideal choice,” says Dr. Crnec.
The food also contains fish oil and flaxseed, both “healthy omega fatty acids that are vital for skin and coat health,” she says. Plus, the food is grain-free and reviewers report their dogs enjoy the taste. It comes in 6- and 22-pound bags—once you get your vet’s authorization.
Pros
- Novel alligator protein makes it a good choice for adult dogs with allergies
- Contains fish oil and flaxseed to promote skin and coat health
- Owners report dogs like the taste
Cons
- Requires vet authorization
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Best dog food for senior dogs with allergies
Hill’s Prescription Diet Food Sensitivities z/d
This easy-to-digest kibble is Dr. Crnec’s pick for senior dogs with food allergies, as it is made with chicken and chicken liver that’s highly hydrolyzed. This single protein combined with the single carbohydrate of cornstarch helps “to minimize the risk of allergic reactions,” says Dr. Crnec. But why is Hill’s Prescription Diet especially good for aging pups? “The food is available in dry and wet options that can be mixed, which is great for older dogs struggling to chew.” It comes in 8-, 17.6- and 25-pound bags.
Pros
- Made with ultra-hydrolyzed protein and a single carbohydrate
- Mix it with the wet version for dogs that struggle to chew
Con
- Requires vet authorization
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Best dog food for skin allergies
Blue Buffalo True Solutions Perfect Skin & Coat
Made with real salmon as the first ingredient, the True Solutions food is a good choice for dogs with itchy skin. “The formula is loaded with fatty acids, which strengthen the skin barrier and help reduce skin inflammation,” she says. Additionally, it supports skin health with vitamin C and E. It comes in 4-, 11- and 24-pound bags.
Pros
- Formulated for dogs with skin allergies
- Salmon is the first ingredient
- Fatty acids support skin health
- Vet authorization not required
Con
- Only for adult dogs
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Best dog food for wheat allergies
WholeHearted Simple Blends Lamb, Sweet Potato & Egg Recipe
If your vet diagnoses your dog with a wheat allergy, you have plenty of grain-free dog food options to choose from. But Dr. Miller suggests WholeHearted Simple Blends. “Not only is it grain-free, it includes a range of ingredients selected to help support your pet’s whole health,” she says. This includes lamb, sweet potato, lentils, egg, ginger, dried chicory root, salmon oil and flaxseed, offering protein, probiotics and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. It comes in 4- and 22-pound bags and can be fed to puppies and seniors too.
Pros
- A grain-free, expert-recommended food for dogs with wheat allergies
- Contains probiotics and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
- Doesn’t require vet authorization
- Affordably priced
Con
- Some vets recommend dogs eat some grains
What to consider when buying dog food for allergies
You have several things to consider when selecting the best dog food for allergies, according to Dr. Crnec. In particular, look for:
- A limited number of ingredients
- High-quality (preferably organic) ingredients
- Hydrolyzed or novel proteins
- AAFCO-approved formulas
- No cheap fillers and artificial additives
- No unspecified ingredients
- Brand reputability and trustworthiness
- Positive feedback from other customers
Plus, the FDA is investigating the potential link between canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and certain grain-free dog foods. “If your dog is currently on a grain-free diet and has no history of heart issues, your veterinarian may recommend monitoring your dog’s heart health closely and considering a diet change if any concerns arise, ” says Lindsay Butzer, DVM, a small-animal veterinarian and PetMeds partner. “If your dog has already been diagnosed with DCM or another heart condition, your veterinarian will likely recommend a diet change and appropriate treatment.” While the FDA alert should be taken seriously, Dr. Butzer also recommends working closely with your veterinarian to ensure your dog’s diet is meeting their individual needs and promoting optimal health.
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FAQ
What are common allergies for dogs?
Beef, wheat and chicken are common food allergens for dogs, explains Miller. “However, many times, allergic dogs have multiple factors contributing to their allergies, not just food,” she says.
Environmental irritants like grass, pollen and plants can cause similar allergy symptoms in dogs as those that humans experience. Within the home, your dog may be sensitive to dust, mold or dander. Environmental allergies can also manifest as ear infections or gastrointestinal symptoms in dogs.
“Finally, if your dog has a flea allergy you may see increased skin irritation around bites, so keeping your pet on pest prevention is critical,” she says.
What are common symptoms of allergies in dogs?
The number one most common symptom of allergies in dogs is itchiness. “It can be localized to one area of the body or generalized (affecting the entire body),” says Dr. Crnec. Other allergy symptoms in dogs are obsessive paw licking/chewing, hives, red and inflamed skin, diarrhea, vomiting, sneezing and frequent ear infections.
The most common symptoms of food allergies to look out for are itching and GI upset, according to veterinarian Amber Karwacki, DVM, of Heart + Paw pet-care centers. Other symptoms to look out for: irritated eyes, a runny nose, hair loss and ear infections.
“If food allergies are suspected, your veterinarian will either recommend an elimination food trial to determine what your dog can eat or a food allergy [blood] test,” Dr. Karwacki says. She warns against relying on seemingly convenient at-home tests and panels using hair and saliva samples. “Studies have shown that commercially available tests marketed for environmental and food allergies are inaccurate,” she says.
What foods are best for dogs with allergies?
There is no universally best dog food for allergies. But generally speaking, dogs with allergies need formulas with a small number of high-quality and carefully selected ingredients.
“It all depends on the type of allergy and the dog’s nutritional needs, including age and lifestyle,” says Crnec. “For some dogs, the best food features hydrolyzed protein, and for others, novel proteins from animals the dog has never tasted before, like venison, rabbit, bison, kangaroo or duck.”
Is wet or dry food better for dogs with allergies?
Neither one is better than the other for allergies. “The key is the ingredients present in the food,” says Dr. Karwacki. However, if you have a picky eater or a senior dog with sensitive or missing teeth, your pup may find wet food more palatable.
About the experts
- Ivana Crnec, DVM, is a veterinarian at veterinarians.org.
- Whitney Miller, DVM, MBA, DACVPM, is chief veterinarian at Petco.
- Amber Karwacki, DVM, is a veterinarian at Heart + Paw pet-care centers.
- Lindsay Butzer, DVM, is a small-animal veterinarian and PetMeds partner.
Source:
- FDA: “FDA Investigating Potential Connection Between Diet and Cases of Canine Heart Disease”
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Originally Published: June 23, 2023
