Good Dog Food for Allergies: 7 Tips to Find the Best Food

How many times per day do you wish your dog could talk to you? A lot, probably. That would really come in handy when your dog is itching, vomiting, or otherwise showing signs that they could use a good dog food for allergies.

The cause of your pup’s symptoms may be a food allergy. Experts don’t quite agree on the prevalence of food allergies among dogs, but it may be as high as 2% of all canines. Up to 40% of dogs who go to the veterinarian’s office for pruritus (itching) may have a food allergy. 

Choosing the right food is essential for helping your pup live a long, healthy, and satisfying life. So, what is a good dog food for dogs with allergies?

We’ve sniffed all around the web to come up with some fantastic brands that should agree with your dog’s gut and skin. Our staff will also provide some tips on finding good dog food for allergies on your own. Let’s get started!

Common Food Allergies in Dogs

Dogs and cats share many common food allergies, including: Dairy Beef Chicken Wheat Soy Eggs

We should note that food allergies are not the same as food intolerances. Allergies are immune responses to certain proteins and carbohydrates, and they usually result in a variety of symptoms, including gastrointestinal issues, skin infections, itching, and chronic ear infections.

Symptoms of food intolerance usually affect dogs’ gastrointestinal systems and not other parts of the body. Lactose intolerance is a common example of a food intolerance (dairy). Intolerances are usually developed, while allergies are often present from birth.

7 Tips for Finding the Best Dog Food for Allergies

If you’re wondering how to find dog food for sensitive stomachs, we recommend starting with the following guidelines.

1. Choose Limited Ingredient Diets (LID)

Limited-ingredient diets (LIDs) serve two important functions for dogs that may have food allergies.

The first benefit is that they simply reduce the number of ingredients your dog is exposed to, which can decrease the chances of an allergic reaction.

The second benefit is that the absence of certain ingredients can clue you in on what might be causing your dog’s symptoms when you compare it to the food your dog was previously eating.

2. Opt for Novel Protein Sources

Giving your pup new sources of protein may cut down on allergic reactions because, simply, they are different from the food that might have caused their symptoms.

Immune systems are less likely to get stirred up by new proteins, which may include duck, boar, venison, or even alligator.

3. Consider Grain-Free or Gluten-Free Options

Many dogs with food allergies have symptoms that connect to grain or gluten consumption.

By purchasing dog food without those two ingredients, you might reveal the allergen. Grain-free dog food for allergies can also make way for more vegetables and meat proteins.

4. Look for Hypoallergenic Dog Food

If you’re tired of playing whack-a-mole with potential allergens, it might be helpful—at least in the meantime—to feed your dog hypoallergenic food.

Most hypoallergenic dog foods have substitutes for common allergens, giving your pup fewer overall chances to have a reaction.

5. Read Ingredient Labels Carefully

Taking note of every ingredient in your dog’s food can help you develop a suspect list, of sorts, for a potential allergen.

As you peruse your options, make sure not to settle on foods with high fillers like corn or soybean meal. Packages list ingredients from greatest to least concentration.

6. Check for Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids

Omega fatty acids are a good kind of fat. Dogs need these to help keep their coat, skin, joints, heart, and immune system in tip-top shape. Omega-3 fatty acids have an important role in reducing inflammation.

7. Consult Your Veterinarian

A knowledgeable veterinarian is your best asset. They can assess your dog’s symptoms and determine the probability of a food allergy. Your veterinarian can provide other individualized tips for optimizing your dog’s health.

Best Dog Foods for Allergies (Our Recommendations)

We can’t guarantee that the following picks will eliminate all of your dog’s symptoms of food allergies, but we can guarantee that they are good starting points for your search. 

1. Spot & Tango Unkibble Cod + Salmon Dog Food

If you want all the convenience of a shelf-stable food that is made in the USA with human-grade ingredients, Spot & Tango offers Unkibble in Cod and Salmon. Because these are novel proteins, most dogs will not have consumed them when switching from a diet to which they are allergic. It is AAFCO-compliant and vet-nutritionist-developed so pet parents can feel good serving Spot & Tango's Cod and Salmon formula of Unkibble.

Highlights

This formula contains no grains and is made in the USA with ingredients such as fresh fish, spinach, strawberries, and more, providing a bowl full of omega-3s and antioxidants. Each recipe is formulated for your dog's specific needs and is ideal for all life stages, from puppyhood through senior age.

Things to Consider

Must be purchased on the Spot & Tango subscription plan, which can be adjusted at any time.

2. PRIMAL Turkey & Sardine Formula Nuggets

Minimally processed, nutrient-dense, easily digestible, and with an extended shelf life, there’s not much to complain about with freeze-dried dog foods. Your pup will love the natural flavors and smells of PRIMAL’s freeze-dried products, which are available in a wide variety of protein selections. 

Highlights

It has no gluten, grains, corn, soy, synthetic preservatives or additives, and legumes. You can almost consider it an LID product. We think it fetches a reasonable price, as well.

Things to Consider

Smaller dogs might not prefer the size of the nuggets after hydration, but that’s nothing a butter knife can’t fix!

3. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Lamb Wet

If you’re looking for novel protein sources, look no further than this wet food from Purina. Your pup gets both lamb and salmon, which are much less likely than beef or chicken to cause allergic reactions. 

Highlights

Dogs who chow down on this Purina product get a healthy dose of Omega-6 fatty acids and other compounds that produce radiant skin. The extra hydration is also nice.

Things to Consider

We haven’t personally experienced dented cans, but multiple reviewers remarked that they received dented ones. Most said it did not affect the food’s quality.

4. Royal Canin HP Hypoallergenic Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food

Royal Canin consistently ranks at or near the top for dogs with severe food allergies. The hydrolyzed soy protein has a tiny molecular weight and is easily digestible. The vegetable-flavored product also contains natural preservatives to extend its shelf life.

Highlights

Royal Canin does not skimp on vitamins and Omega-3 fatty acids in this batch. Your dog will develop healthy and resilient skin to fend off environmental allergens, which are actually more common than food allergies.

Things to Consider

Your dog’s veterinarian has to sign off on the purchase before it can go through, so be prepared to provide prescription details to the online retailer.

5. Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice

Salmon is the first ingredient in this high-protein dog food for sensitive stomachs. It has plenty of Omega-3 fatty acids to keep your pup’s joints in premium condition, along with prebiotic fiber, antioxidants, and a host of vitamins.

Highlights

You’ll find no artificial flavors or colors here. You have the option of purchasing four-ounce bags to start with; if this is a winner, winner, salmon dinner, you can move up to larger containers.

Things to Consider

More than one reviewer noted that the bag contained more crumbs than they normally encounter with dog food, and we had a similar experience.

6. Purina ONE +Plus Adult Skin & Coat Formula

At just $1.92 per pound, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better budget food for sensitive stomachs. It contains all the Omega fatty acids the more expensive brands contain, and its protein, real salmon, is a great novel option.

Highlights

Your dog also benefits from antioxidants for an immune boost and glucosamine for healthier joints. The lack of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives is sure to get some tail waggings.

Things to Consider

You’ll find gluten, beef fat, and chicken by-products in this product—three ingredients that may not be optimal for some dogs with food allergies. For the price, though, you can’t do much better.

How We Chose the Best Dog Food for Allergies

When we set out to make this list, we considered the following:

• Brand reputation: We’ve got nothing against newer brands, but your dog deserves quality food from trusted manufacturers.
• Product accessibility: You deserve dog food from established retailers with a reputation for shipping foods promptly and safely.
• Ingredient transparency: You might think that every brand would have the ingredients list readily available, but that’s not always the case.

Final Thoughts on Choosing the Right Food

If your dog is exhibiting symptoms of a food allergy, you want them to feel better as soon as possible. A trusted veterinarian can help you in the search for good dog food for sensitive stomachs, but starting with one of the products we highlighted in this article may unlock the key to your pup’s health and happiness.

Photo by Michael Oxendine on Unsplash