Dogs do love their food, donât they? Watching their bowl as it gets filled makes them so excited and we love keeping them happy with the best dog food. Like us, dogs have allergies to certain foods which can contribute to the choice you make when selecting their food. Below, we use our expertise to highlight the very best food for dogs with allergies.
There are obvious foods that dogs canât eat like chocolate and onions, but some dogs are allergic to random foods or even certain dog foods.
There's so many reasons why your dog may be prone to itchy skin and allergies, it's so different to each dog and can be triggered by environmental factors, breed traits and what they eat. As for treatment, you should always consult your vet before starting a treatment. To help at home, you can help by avoiding triggers, strict flea control, a change in diet and medication to stop the itching.
It can be worrying but there are lots of options for allergy-friendly dog foods and your vet can help with treatment or food recommendations. Always keep an eye on how your dog reacts to their food and make notes for your vet if youâre concerned about them being allergic to something.
Whether you want wet dog food or dry dog food for your pooch, there's an allergy-friendly version on this list.
The best food for dogs with allergies at a glance:
⢠Best dog food for dogs with allergies: Arden Grange Dog Food - View at Amazon
⢠Best budget food for dogs with allergies: ROYAL CANIN Dog food - View at Amazon
⢠Best food for dogs with grass allergies: James Wellbeloved Dog Food - View at Amazon
⢠Best wet food for dogs with allergies: Burns Chicken/Brown Rice and Vegetables - View at Amazon
Best food for dogs with allergies
Best grain free food for dogs with allergies
This multipack is great for owners who want to round out their dog's diet with wet food but are worried about allergies. Made with freshly prepared meat, vegetables, fruits and herbs but no nasties, this wet food will be kind on their tummy and immune system.
Pros
- Great grain-free alternative
- Ideal for older dogs
- Excellent taste
Cons
- Not a great amount of cans per pack
| Weight: | |
| Flavour: |
Best food for dogs with grass allergies
This yummy hypoallergenic food is great for keeping your dog's diet balanced, even if they're allergic to grass or flora. The natural recipe includes lamb and field vegetables so they get the natural touch in their food without it upsetting their stomachs. Easily one of the best food for dogs with allergies.
Pros
- Great natural recipe
- Perfect for grass-sensitive dogs
- Great amount of food
Cons
- Not the most exciting flavour for dogs
| Weight: | 10kg |
| Flavour: | Lamb |
- Customer review: "My dog seems to like it so that's all I would want out of it."
Best dog food for dogs with allergies
This grain-free food is ideal for dogs with sensitive tummies and skin. It's made with fresh white fish, prebiotics, joint supplements and yucca extract which makes it allergy-friendly but also super tasty. It's certainly one of the best food for dogs with allergies.
Pros
- Great for dogs with allergies
- Anti-inflammatory ingredients
- Excellent quality
Cons
- Not ideal for all breeds
| Weight: | 6kg |
| Flavour: | Ocean white fish and potato |
- Customer review: "One of my dogs has Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and this food seems to suit her and the other dog. "
Best budget food for dogs with allergies
A low-calorie option for dogs with particularly sensitive stomachs, this highly rated ROYAL CANIN diet dog food is ideal for dogs in need of tasty food at a low price.
Pros
- Great value hypoallergenic dog food
- Good flavour
- Great for a dog coat
Cons
- Not a large bag size
| Weight: | 1.5kg |
| Flavour: | Chicken |
- Customer review: "The product is extremely good my dog really likes the food."
Best wet food for dogs with allergies
Developed by vets and made with no artificial chemicals or preservatives, this natural food will be a lifesaver if your dog is struggling with skin allergies. The hypoallergenic formula puts your dog's health first but will still tickle their fancy at dinner time with its tasty flavour.
Pros
- Natural ingredients
- Ideal for senior dogs
- Great flavour
Cons
- Wet food isn't ideal for every household
| Weight: | 6 x 400g |
| Flavour: | Chicken with brown rice and vegetables |
Best puppy food for dogs with allergies
Not only do puppies need specially formulated food for their underdeveloped digestive systems, sometimes they need something for their allergies too. This yummy recipe is easily digested but also hypoallergenic and full of ingredients that will protect their weaker immune systems. It also promotes optimum health and growth for every puppy
Pros
- Excellent puppy food
- Healthy and delicious
- Great large bag size
Cons
- Flavour might not be ideal for all dogs
Best food for senior dogs with allergies
Harringtons know how to do wholesome and natural but super yummy dog food. It's complete, full of nutrients supports healthy older joints. The Omega 3 and 6 plus Vitamin E inclusion helps support their immune and skin health. No soya, dairy or nasties so it's a great pick for older dogs with allergies.
Pros
- Perfect for seniors
- Packed with vitamins
- Natural and organic
Cons
- Not suitable for all dogs
Best food for large dogs with allergies
Big breeds can still have allergies and this food is perfect for them. It has a blend of omega-3, omega-6 fatty acids, yucca extract and natural vitamins plus minerals that support your pooch's health, coat, skin and immune system. They'll enjoy every bite and you'll know what they're eating is right.
What types of dog allergies are there?
Just like humans, dogs can have random allergies or foods that just donât sit well with them, but there are some more common allergies to look out for.
Dogs can have skin allergies that lead to nasty stuff like ear infections. Anything can cause these, from food to shampoo choice to a build of bacteria. Try a sensitive dog shampoo or call your vet to sort this.
They can also have a grass allergy that can cause some uncomfortable itchy patches. There are lots of treatments on the market and even some foods that can help your pooch with this.
There are multiple food allergies that dogs can suffer from. Their immune or digestive system can overreact to certain foods. Look out for tummy problems or itchy, sore skin if youâre worried they might be allergic to certain food and then ask your vet for advice.
Then there are hypoallergenic dogs who were ironically bred for humans who were allergic to dogs. Hypoallergenic dogs canât eat beef, lamb, wheat or dairy products so watch out for those. Luckily there are lots of hypoallergenic dog foods on the market that will also work for dogs with other allergies too.
Knowing your dog and the type of allergy they have ensures that you can pick the best food for dogs with allergies.
What is the best food for dogs with allergies?
Always consult your veterinarian about your pupâs food as they will know how to keep your dogâs diet balanced without the offending allergen. If you just remove what theyâre allergic to from their diet, they might not get all the nutrition they need to thrive.
There are some specific prescription foods that lack common allergens that you can get which might suit your dog better than commercial dog foods. Itâs worth a look if the allergy your dog has is very bad. Most allergy specific foods need to be tried for 8-10 weeks to get the full effects so bear that in mind.
Hypoallergenic dogs can eat salmon, duck, chicken, venison and potato-based foods and have a full and complete diet. If they do eat anything that contains allergens then just keep an eye on them in the following days to see if thereâs a bad reaction.
Eve Miller is a Storytelling Executive for WhatsTheBest with a love for writing, film, her dog and beauty. She also writes for Yours.co.uk.
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