10 Hypoallergenic dog foods: What is the best dog food for allergies?

Giving the best to the fur babies is one of the things that gives us…..“the pet parents” immense joy and pleasure. Watching them lick their favorite treat or gobble their favorite food makes us even more joyful than our furry companions. But what if these meals or snacks given to fulfill the nutritional needs and appetite become the reason for them being sick? Are you worried about your dog having allergies? Or tired of seeing your dog suffer from food allergies? 

Fear not! Hypoallergenic foods are here to the rescue of our furry pals. In this blog, we will explore all about food allergies with the best dog food for allergies. So let’s dive into the details to understand more about our dogs and learn about hypoallergenic food.

All About Dog food allergies

The world of dog food is brimming with multiple options to meet the particular needs of our dogs but it is crucial to choose the right dog food to ensure their well being. Before we add anything new in our dog’s diet, we need to ensure that it is safe and doesn’t cause any allergic reactions. 

• Causes of dog food allergies:

         Dog food allergies occur when a dog's immune system reacts to certain ingredients in their treat or meal. The common allergens in dog food are beef, chicken, dairy, wheat, corn, soy, and eggs. If given the same allergens repeatedly, it can trigger the immune system and lead to food allergies.

• Dog food allergy symptoms:

         Some common symptoms of dog food allergies-

         - Itchy skin
         - Inflamed skin or rashes
         - Ear infections
         - Vomiting 
         - Diarrhea
         - Licking of paws

•  Can dogs be tested for food allergies?

          Yes, dogs can be tested for food allergies.    

          - How to test dog for food allergies?

               A vet can test a dog for food allergies using various ways such as elimination diet trial, food allergy blood test and skin prick test.

        - Are there alternative methods besides testing for identifying food allergies in dogs?

The other alternative methods besides testing are elimination diet, food diary, symptom response and home allergy testing kits.

What are hypoallergenic dog foods?

Hypoallergenic dog foods are best dog food for allergies as they are specially curated food options that are bereft of the common allergens such as grains, dairy, and artificial additives that trigger the allergic reactions in dogs. Such food contains ingredients that are rich in protein and specifically chosen ingredients to subdue the risk.

• Benefits of hypoallergenic dog foods: These best allergy food for dogs provide relief from allergic symptoms, help in improving digestion in dogs, meet the unique need of your dog and promote healthy skin.
• Considerations of choosing hypoallergenic dog foods: It is better if you consult a vet before doing any changes in your pet’s diet. After consulting, gradually introduce the new food into your dog’s diet to avoid any reactions and monitor your dog for any symptoms.

What is the best dog food for allergies?

1. Customized homemade diets:

Create customized homemade treats or meals for your dog to ensure your dog is safe from any allergic reactions and is given the optimal food to meet the nutritional requirements. You can work with a vet or nutritionist if you are unsure where to begin as these diets are curated with hypoallergenic food options only. Such best food for dogs with allergies allow you to adjust the food ingredients as per the preferences of your pup.

Here are some customized homemade food options for dogs with food allergies:

• Turkey and Sweet Potato Stew
• Salmon and Quinoa Pilaf
• Beef and Pumpkin Casserole
• Chicken and Rice Casserole
• Lamb and Lentil Stew

2. Limited ingredient diets: 

Such best dog food for allergies are created with limited ingredients that are rich in high protein such as salmon, turkey, or lamb, along with easily digestible carbohydrates like sweet potatoes or peas. You can find multiple options in best dogs foods for allergies specifically created with these ingredients but before buying any product make sure to read between the labels and avoid red flagged food brands.

Here are some limited ingredient food options for dogs with food allergies:

• Limited Ingredient Lamb and Rice 
• Chicken and Oatmeal
• Hypoallergenic Duck and Potato 
• Venison and Potato 
• Salmon and Lentil

3. Grain-Free Formulas:

Grain free best food for dog with allergies are created by excluding the allergens like wheat, corn, and soy that can cause sensitivities or other food related allergies. In the place of the grains they use sweet potatoes, lentils or chickpeas as these food sources are rich in carbohydrates. These dog foods are easier for dogs to digest and less likely to cause reactions.

Here are some grain free food options for dogs with food allergies:

• Turkey and Pumpkin 
• Grain-Free Salmon and Pea 
• Lamb and Potato Recipe
• Chicken and Lentil Formula
• Salmon and Sweet Potato

4. Hydrolyzed Protein Diets:

Hydrolyzed protein diets contain proteins that are created by breaking down large molecules of proteins into smaller fragments. These diets are formulated to meet the requirements of best dog foods for allergies, taking into account the necessities of your allergic dog. They are easy to digest, can be used in elimination diet trial processes and can reduce their allergenicity.

Here are some hydrolyzed protein food options for dogs with food allergies:

• Hydrolyzed salmon protein
• Hydrolyzed Chicken Formula 
• Hydrolyzed Beef Formula
• Hydrolyzed Lamb Formula
• Hydrolyzed Pork Formula

 5. Limited Ingredient Wet Foods:

The limited ingredient wet foods can also be considered one of the best dog food for dog allergies as they contain minimal ingredients and feature a single source of animal protein. They do not have allergens like grains and artificial additives. Such wet foods can meet the nutritional needs of your dogs easily and the moisture content also makes it suitable for dental issues.

Here are some limited ingredient wet food options for dogs with food allergies:

• Chicken and Carrot Stew
• Lamb and Rice Medley
• Turkey and Potato Stew
• Salmon and Sweet Potato 
• Duck and Pea

6. Novel Protein Sources:

These protein sources are used in creating hypoallergenic or limited ingredient diets. Such best dog food for allergies are considered novel as our dogs are not usually given such proteins before. These proteins reduce the risk of allergies that are caused with proteins like chicken or beef. They are recommended for dogs with known food allergies.

Some novel protein sources are:

• Venison 
• Kangaroo
• Rabbit
• Duck
• Turkey

7. Limited ingredient treats:

The limited ingredient dog treats are made with a minimal number of ingredients, that makes it the best dog food for hypoallergenic dogs as treats are small packets of joy for our pups. These dog treats options ensure that even the dogs with food allergies can enjoy their fair share of dog treats without getting sick simultaneously reinforcing positive behavior.

Here are some limited ingredient treats for dogs with food allergies:

• Chicken Jerky
• Salmon Bites
• Sweet Potato Chews
• Carrot Sticks
• Coconut & chicken bar

8. Natural and organic options:

The natural and organic food options have high quality ingredients and are given organic certification by organizations such as the USDA that makes it one of the dog food best for allergies. Such food meets the requirements of your dog’s nutritional needs, supports digestive health and ensures your dog’s health simultaneously reducing the risk of allergies.

Here are some natural and organic food options for dogs with food allergies:

• Salmon and Brown Rice
• Lamb and Millet
• Venison and Oatmeal Recipe
• Kangaroo and Sweet Potato
• Chicken and Quinoa

9. High-Quality Protein:

When giving your dog food, it's important to choose the food that is rich in protein so that it can meet the nutritional needs of your dog and supports muscle development. Select dog foods with real meat, fish, or poultry as the first ingredient. Such foods are essential in providing amino acids and nutrients for growth. Some dogs have allergies with ingredients found in commercial dog foods such food options can be given to them.

10. Veterinary Prescription Diets:

The diet created by veterinarians is also the best dog food for allergies as they are designed to meet the unique needs of your dog. This can be constituted with all the above ingredients and support the overall health of your dog. These prescription diets are available by prescription only and should be used under the guidance of a vet.

How to treat food allergies in dogs?

- Identify & Remove trigger foods: The first and foremost thing is to recognise the food that can cause allergic reactions, you can use various tests or ways to identify and eliminate allergens from your dog’s diet ensuring their safety and overall health.

- Transition to hypoallergenic foods: In case your dog is allergic to some food items, it is best to select the hypoallergenic food options. You can select the best dog food for allergies among the multiple options available that meet the specific needs of your dog. 

- Manage symptoms of dog food allergies:  If your dog is showing symptoms of food allergies, it is crucial to visit a vet and manage the symptoms with medications and supplements as per the prescription of the vet.

- Monitor and follow-up with a vet: Regular monitor the health of your pup and follow up with a veterinarian to ensure proper management of food allergies.

Final Thoughts!

As we come to an end in our search of finding the best dog food for allergies for our allergy prone pups, we can conclude that there are a wide range of food options available that can meet the specific requirements of our dog’s diet. The thing we need to do before we begin the selection is to conduct specific tests for our dog by working with a veterinarian. Then, provide our dog with the best food for allergies that will reduce the risk of reactions and support their overall health. Remember, with the right food in the bowl, our furry friends can enjoy a happier life free from pesky allergies.

FAQs

⇒ Is food intolerance the same as food allergy in dogs?

     Food intolerance is not the same as food allergy as in the cases of food intolerance the dog faces difficulty in digesting certain foods while food allergy is caused by the response of the immune system to specific allergens.

⇒ How long after changing dog food will allergies last ?

   It varies depending on the dog and the severity of their allergies. 

⇒ Is honey good for dogs allergies?

    The effectiveness of honey as a remedy for allergies is not scientifically proven. It is recommended to consult a vet before introducing it in your dog’s diet.

⇒ Is food allergy testing for dogs beneficial?

    Food allergy testing is beneficial as with this you can take the appropriate measures to ensure that your dog is safe. Consulting a vet for food allergy testing is necessary to meet the needs of your dog. 

Check out Nestpets for limited ingredients treats for your dog!