Dogs can acquire allergic reactions from a variety of environmental factors. While most cases are caused by tick and flea bites, other factors include the food they ate to dust and pollen from their surroundings. Allergic reactions due to foodborne allergens are the easiest to prevent and determine.
Some dog breeds are also known to be quite allergic to several ingredients. If your dog is one such case, it would be safest to give them the best dog food for allergies.
To help you figure out what especially made dog food is best for your canine companion, I will be giving you a list of the best dog foods for allergies that you can buy at your local market or pet shop today.
Check out the list below and afterward, we will be discussing food allergens and additional steps you can take to prevent this health concern from developing.
Best Dog Food for Allergies
Boulder Dog Food Company Chicken Bits
Overview
One effective way to greatly reduce and even eliminate the risk of allergic reactions to dogs is by giving them a controlled or single ingredient diet. Boulder Dog Food Company Chicken Bits uses chicken as its main and only ingredient. This is an all-natural dog food that has been prepared using slow oven roasting to help seal in the nutrients while keeping it as flavorful as possible.
Boulder Dog Good Company prepares and ships their products straight from their bakery. They also use cage-free chickens if you are worried about animal welfare. This has also been one of the select dog foods that I can give my seal of approval to. It is perfectly safe and healthy for dogs which is the most important quality we are looking for in this list.
Key Features:
- Slow oven roasted.
- 100% chicken ingredient.
Pros:
- The single ingredient pretty much eliminates the risk of allergic reactions.
- Flavorful and healthy.
- Great snack and treat for puppies and adult dogs alike.
Cons:
- A little bit expensive.
Hill’s Prescription Diet Digestive Care Chicken Flavor
Overview
For those who prefer to give their pooch a more diverse yet controlled diet, Hill’s Prescription Diet is one of the better options. This dog food features a balanced list of nutrients mixed in with fiber for better digestion. It also utilizes easy to digest fat and protein ingredients which helps improve skin repair.
Another beneficial addition here is the antioxidants which are designed to improve your dog’s cell oxidation control. If your pet dog has undergone a surgery or is currently nursing an injury, this highly nutritious and safe dog food might be a good choice to promote faster and better healing.
Key Features:
- Infused with a balanced mix of nutrients.
- Promotes tissue repair.
- Mixed with fiber for better digestion.
Pros:
- Best choice for dogs with a sensitive digestive system.
- Improves healing of injuries.
Cons:
- If you will buy it on Amazon, know that they charge more for it compared to other shops.
FirstMate Australian Lamb Dog Food
Overview
FirstMate delivers a highly controlled ingredient dog food designed to prevent allergic reactions to a wide variety of dog breeds. This dog food is specifically formulated to skirt around any ingredients that can trigger an allergic reaction while offering optimum nutrients to your dog. It is also jam-packed with antioxidants which helps improve overall health and moderate free radicals in their body. FirstMate is also grain-free.
Key Features:
- Balanced and optimized diet using allergy-free formula.
- High in antioxidants.
Pros:
- Well-balanced ingredients that provide optimum nutrition.
- Allergen-free formula.
Cons:
- Considerably more expensive.
Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Dog Food Diet
Overview
Another limited ingredient dog food entry comes from the well-known Blue Buffalo brand. This brand is known for catering to dogs with an exceptionally sensitive digestive system. The Basic Limited Ingredients Dog Food Diet consists of specially chosen ingredients that are known to be allergen-free while packing each bit with as much nutrition as possible.
If you are looking for a brand that manufactures allergy safe dog foods then you can’t go wrong with Blue Buffalo. They’ve been around for quite a long time and has already developed a solid reputation with dog owners/lovers.
Key Features:
- Contains pea fiber and pumpkin for better digestion.
- Does not contain wheat, soy, eggs, and corn.
Pros:
- Formulated for easy digestion.
- Avoids known dog allergens ingredients.
- Contains all essential nutrients.
Cons:
- Some dogs tend to get tired of its taste after a while.
Tender and True Organic Turkey and Liver Dry Dog Food
Overview
Some dogs are allergic to wheat and grain, one good alternative you can pick that offers all-natural ingredients but is completely grain free would be Tender and True Dry Dog Food. Tender and True Organic Turkey and Liver is completely grain free. It is also processed without any antibiotics or hormones.
It contains 100% healthy farm raised turkey. The proprietary blend also includes all the essential vitamins and mineral to ensure your dog remains healthy and happy.
Key Features:
- No artificial flavoring.
- 100% organic ingredient.
- Grain-free.
Pros:
- Made from healthy and hormone free turkey.
- Grain-free formula.
- Packed with all essential vitamins and minerals.
Cons:
- None to mention.
AvoDerm Natural Dry Dog Food
Overview
Adding omega-3 in your dog’s diet can be extremely beneficial to them down the line. AvoDerm utilizes ingredients such as salmon, avocado, and potato to deliver the proper amount of omega-3 in their diet. It also contains high amounts of antioxidant which helps improve your four-legged furry friend’s immune system.
AvoDerm Dry Dog Food does not contain any wheat, soy, or corn. Omega-3 is great in strengthening your dog’s joints, important as they grow older. It can also help prevent heart disease in dogs. The inclusion of avocado in its ingredients can help dogs with sensitive skin as well.
Key Features:
- Salmon and avocado as its primary ingredients.
- Grain-free.
- Packed with antioxidants.
Pros:
- Contains a healthy amount of omega-3 for better joint and respiratory system.
- Grain-free formula.
- Avocado ingredient strengthens tissue health.
Cons:
- Dogs who are picky eaters might not like it.
Brothers Complete Turkey and Egg Advanced Allergy Care Dog Food
Overview
This is a specially formulated allergy care dog food that utilizes an advanced formula to deliver all essential nutrients, and then some, without increasing the risk of allergic reaction. It utilizes 90% and above of the protein from animal sources making sure your dog will get their proper fill of protein daily.
It also contains digestive enzymes that help promote digestion. I would also like to add that while it does state to contain the chicken ingredient, it is chicken fat only. You can check their official website for any specific questions you might have about this allergy care dog food.
Key Features:
- Limited ingredient formula.
- Contains digestive enzymes.
Pros:
- Helps prevent and treat chronic skin allergy issues.
- Highly recommended for extra sensitive dogs.
Cons:
- A bit pricey.
CANIDAE Grain Fee Pure Land Formula for Dogs
Overview
CANIDAE is known for its flavorful real meat taste. This grain-free dog food is formulated to accommodate mutts that have extra sensitive tummies. Ingredients contain whole foods that are easily digestible. Most dog foods designed to prevent allergies will sometimes fall short in regards to taste. CANIDAE circumvents that problem with its meaty flavor thanks to its use of bison meat.
This dog food uses a rather simple recipe which is specifically formulated for sensitive dogs. While it does not have any advanced formulas implemented, it does what it is made to do; which is deliver all essential nutrients to an allergy prone dog.
Key Features:
- Contains whole foods.
- Uses real bison meat.
- Simple natural recipe.
Pros:
- Most dogs will love the taste.
- Great for sensitive and older dogs.
- Improves dog health as well as their skin and coat.
Cons:
- Bison meat might take a while for picky eaters to get accustomed to.
Diamond Naturals Real Meat Recipe Premium Dry Dog Food
Overview
This beef flavored dry dog food contains high amounts of protein to help develop leaner muscles on an active dog. It contains no artificial flavoring and uses all-natural ingredients only. It contains antioxidants to boost immunity and omega fatty acids derived from chia seed extract, coconut, and fish to deliver a shinier coat.
Diamond Naturals also incorporate their own proprietary probiotic blend that helps improve your dog’s digestive system while also boosting their immunity. It also contains glucosamine which should help strengthen joints and prevent arthritis once your dog hits a certain age.
Key Features:
- Utilizes proprietary probiotic formula.
- Packed with essential nutrients for joint, skin, and coat health.
- Utilizes superfood ingredients.
Pros:
- Packed with highly nutritious ingredients.
- Designed for dogs with exceptionally sensitive tummies.
- Affordable but packed with benefits normally found on more expensive kibbles.
Cons:
- Might cause some dogs to have a bad case of gas after a month or so of regular feeding.
Dogswell Nutrisca Dog Food, Lamb and Chickpea
Overview
Dogswell Nutrisca uses 100% real lamb as its main ingredient. It also contains no grains, corn, soy, wheat, and potato for dogs who have extra sensitive tummies for these ingredients. It does use chickpeas as its main source of fiber which is known to be quite safe for dogs.
You can expect your dog to enjoy this as lambs tend to entice most dog breeds I know. If your dog is an extremely picky eater, try lamb-based dog foods as it is universally liked by our canine friends. If you are looking for food to serve sensitive and picky dogs then I recommend you try Dogswell Nutrisca.
Key Features:
- Made from real lamb meat.
- Grain, corn, soy, wheat, and potato-free.
Pros:
- An ideal choice for a picky eater and sensitive dogs.
- Affordable price tag.
- Reduces the risk of yeast infection problems.
Cons:
- Some dog owners report their dog losing interest after a while. Try to mix up their diet with a different flavored dog food.
Dog Food Allergy Symptoms
Determining if your dog is suffering from an allergic reaction can be done quickly as long as you know what to look for. I will be running down the most common dog food allergy symptoms that dogs exhibit to help you make the necessary next step and nip this health issue from the bud.
- Constant Itching, Reddish Skin, and Dull Coat
This allergic reaction is the most noticeable. It is usually caused by either environmental allergens or food allergies. Another possible cause here would be the type of shampoo you are using on your pet dog. Try a milder one, if symptoms persist then you will need to go through their daily diet as well as environmental factors such as pollen.
- Ear Infections
Check their ear to see if there are any black or brown residue build-up. Your dog will also tend to scratch their head/ear almost constantly as if they are trying to remove something lodge inside their ears. This type of allergy is mostly caused by the food they eat. It can also be caused by ear mites but you will instantly distinguish this at first glance. Try changing their diet and clean their ears using a 50/50 mixture of pure apple cider and water.
- Reddish Brown Toe Nails
A dog’s nail normally has a white with a pinkish hue. If your dog has a darker shade of reddish brown then there is a high chance, they are experiencing an allergic reaction. This allergy is commonly caused by food allergens but can also be caused by foot trauma or injury.
- Reddish Color Around their Mouth
This symptom is easier to detect with dogs that have a white coat. Basically, this is an inflammation normally caused by yeast infections or food allergens. You can help treat this allergy with the water plus apple cider home remedy.
- Watery Eyes
Visible discharge around the eyes is another common sign of an allergic reaction. This can be caused by environmental and food allergens but can also be caused by eye trauma. If your dog is experiencing excess tear duct discharge you should clean the area using a clean cloth dabbed in lukewarm water every day.
Common Food Allergens for Dogs
Below is a list of the most common ingredients that causes an allergic reaction for dogs. If your dog started exhibiting symptoms you should check the ingredients in their food and start a process of elimination to determine the trigger.
- Dairy
- Beef
- Lamb
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Wheat
- Soy
Your dog’s breed will also be a factor as some breeds are more susceptible to food allergens like German Shepherds, Shar-Pei, Collies, and Dalmatians to name a few.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Dog Food
When it comes to choosing the right dog food you just need to remember a couple of these golden rules:
- Check the source of protein. It is best to pick one that uses an exotic ingredient as the main source of protein.
- Make sure the dog food only has a handful of ingredients. This helps narrow down the allergic reaction trigger if it does occur with your pet.
- The more nutrients it offers, the better.
Conclusion
Food allergy is quite common for dogs sometimes causes mild inconveniences. Of course, we still want to avoid this as it will cause discomfort for our pet. By being more meticulous with their diet, we can effectively avoid food allergens altogether. Keeping the environment clean will also help reduce environmental allergens. If you are having trouble with choosing the safest dog food to give to your pet, check the list above. That list is compiled using my own personal experience as well as overall customer feedback.