Like people, dogs can have food allergies to certain ingredients. When a dog with allergies eats the ingredients they’re sensitive to, every meal or treat can trigger an allergic reaction. This may present as itchy skin, diarrhea, or persistent sensitive stomach symptoms.
However, managing food allergies in dogs is more than simply switching foods. First, you need to identify which ingredients your dog’s immune system is reacting to and choose the best dog food that meets their unique needs.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the sometimes frustrating world of food allergies in dogs, including common allergens, allergy symptoms, and elimination diets, and show you how to select the best dog food for allergies.
Understanding dog food allergies
Not every dog with a sensitive stomach or itching has food allergies. Food sensitivities are much more common than true food allergies. The difference is in the gut:
- Food allergy in dogs — Food allergies trigger a true immune system response. This means that it recognizes the ingredient as a threat and mounts an attack.
- Food sensitivity in dogs — Food sensitivity or intolerance is a digestive problem. This means that your dog has difficulty breaking down the ingredient.
Food allergies often show up as skin and gastrointestinal symptoms, while dogs with food intolerance typically experience digestive issues. Food allergies tend to develop gradually, while food sensitivity may develop after the first exposure.
Food allergies also differ from environmental allergies, which are caused by airborne irritants like mold, dust, and pollen. Environmental allergies can also cause itchy skin and may be seasonal or year-round.
Common food allergy triggers in dogs
The most common food allergies in dogs are associated with popular dog food ingredients such as:
- Proteins — This is the most common allergy trigger and may include beef, chicken, lamb, soy, or eggs.
- Carbohydrates — Common carbohydrate allergens include wheat, corn, and various grains. Carbohydrate amounts are usually higher in dry dog foods.
- Dairy — Dairy protein and dairy byproducts may be found in dog food and treats. Look for lactose, whey, whey protein, milk powder, casein, or cheese.
Knowing what dogs are allergic to in food can help you identify possible triggers. To relieve food allergy symptoms, diets designed for dogs with food allergies may be grain-free, made with alternative protein sources, or contain hydrolyzed protein. Hydrolyzed protein has been broken down into tiny pieces so the immune system doesn’t recognize it.
It’s good to know the following signs of food allergies in dogs.
Signs your dog might have a food allergy
Food allergy symptoms can look like those of other allergies and conditions, including environmental allergies and flea allergies (caused by a protein in flea saliva), which can both cause itchy skin. Food allergies can also cause secondary issues, such as chronic ear or skin infections, which must be treated with medication.
Seek veterinary care if your dog shows food allergy symptoms such as:
- Itchy skin or paws — Chronic itching can lead to redness, flaking, hair loss, or discoloration (brown or pink stains) on the skin or coat.
- Ear infections — Frequent ear infections that recur after treatment can indicate a food allergy trigger.
- Scooting — Dogs with food allergies may have inflamed anal sacs, small gland-like structures inside the rectum, and scoot to relieve irritation.
- Chronic licking or chewing of the skin — Dogs do this to relieve the discomfort caused by allergies, but licking and chewing can lead to infections and injury.
- Gastrointestinal upset — This includes vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, and gas.
- Skin infections — Moisture and trauma from frequent licking, chewing, and scratching can cause painful secondary infections.
Your veterinarian will ask questions about your dog’s diet, perform a complete physical exam, and may recommend testing to identify the cause of your dog’s symptoms. While choosing the best dog food can help with food allergies, diet alone isn’t enough to solve other health problems. An accurate diagnosis from your veterinarian is the key to real relief.
How to choose the right dog food for allergies
If your vet suspects food allergies, finding the best dog food for their unique needs will be a critical part of their treatment plan. But choosing the right diet for dogs with allergies is far from a one-size-fits-all solution. Steps include:
- Working with your veterinarian — Allergy testing is helpful, but not required, since many food allergies can be helped with the right diet. Whether or not you choose testing, your veterinarian can address any secondary issues and help your dog feel more comfortable.
- Starting an elimination diet (feeding trial) — This means feeding your dog a hypoallergenic or hydrolyzed food for 8 to 12 weeks and nothing else (no treats or toppers). Elimination diets test your dog’s responses and can help confirm a food allergy. Learn more about elimination diets here.
- Monitoring your dog’s symptoms —Dogs with allergies to common ingredients should improve on an elimination diet.
- Introducing new foods gradually — If the elimination diet is successful, your vet may recommend reintroducing ingredients one at a time. This can help identify what your dog is allergic to and what’s safe for them to eat, so you know what to feed and what to avoid.
5 Best foods and supplements for dogs with allergies
Your dog’s meal should fuel their body, not trigger allergies. JustFoodForDogs options are allergen-conscious, meaning we avoid ingredients often associated with allergic reactions and allergy symptoms, we include soothing, anti-inflammatory ingredients like fatty acids and novel proteins, and we offer grain-free recipes.
Here are some of our best dog foods and supplements for dogs with allergies.
1. Pantry Fresh – Joint & Skin Support
Formulated to support skin and joint health, this fresh food diet features a single protein source, pork, plus anti-inflammatory quinoa. Both are gentle ingredients, making this one of the best dog foods for skin allergies. Plus, its low-fat content makes it suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
2. Fresh Frozen – Sensitive Skin
Simple, digestible ingredients, fed in moderation, are ideal for dogs with sensitive skin and skin allergies. JustFoodforDogs Sensitive Skin dog food is a legume-free, grain-inclusive formula enriched with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, plus concentrated EPA and DHA fatty acids to help nourish skin, support a shiny coat, and promote overall wellness.
3. Variety Pack – Sensitive Skin & Stomach
Searching for an allergy dog food your pup will love? The Sensitive Skin and Stomach Variety Pack includes four allergy-friendly recipes with unique proteins (venison and fish), low-fat ingredients, and none of the allergens often found in dry dog food, such as corn, wheat, soy, chicken, beef, dairy, and eggs. The Variety Pack is a great way to find the best hypoallergenic dog food for picky pups and can also help reintroduce ingredients after a successful elimination diet.
4. Skin & Allergy Aid Supplement
This daily chew supports the immune system and digestive health without artificial ingredients and fillers that may aggravate allergies. With a plant-based design and a blend of carefully chosen, human-grade superfoods to support proper function and reduce inflammation, JustFoodForDogs Skin and Allergy Aid is an easy way to ease itchy skin and support a healthy immune system. Plus, it’s picky-eater-approved!
5. Best dog food for skin allergies: Custom diets
If your dog is especially sensitive, even the best dry foods for skin allergies may contain troublesome ingredients. In these cases, the best pet food for dogs with food-induced skin allergies is a custom diet. JustFoodForDogs custom diets are tailor-made for dogs with specific nutritional needs, including food allergies, food sensitivities, chronic itchy skin, and diet-related digestive issues like vomiting or diarrhea.
If dry dog food (kibble) and commercial hydrolyzed or hypoallergenic diets aren’t working for your allergic dog, a custom diet may be the best food for them. Using your pup’s health history as a guide and working with your veterinarian, our board-certified vet nutritionist will create a tailor-made recipe with gentle protein sources, low-allergen ingredients, and a blend of antioxidant foods to support a healthy immune system.
Nourish dogs with food designed for allergy support
Food allergies can make pets miserable, but by recognizing common allergy symptoms, pinpointing your pup’s allergen triggers, and choosing the best food for dogs with allergies, you can help your pup enjoy reliable relief while supporting their well-being with every bowl.
JustFoodForDogs doesn’t make dog food. We make real food for dogs. That means scientifically-backed, human-grade nutrition that meets the unique needs of pups—including those with allergies. Our freshly prepared, nutritionally balanced meals and supplements are designed to support dogs with allergies through clean, whole food ingredients, limited ingredient recipes, and vet-developed formulations.
Check out the entire range of fresh meals and supplements, and start feeding more than their appetite—start feeding their health.
This content is for informational use only and does not replace professional nutrition and/or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for and should not be relied upon for specific nutrition and/or medical recommendations. Please talk with your veterinarian about any questions or concerns.
“What Every Pet Owner Should Know about Food Allergies – Petfoodology.” 2017. Tufts.edu. January 27, 2017. https://sites.tufts.edu/petfoodology/2017/01/27/food-allergies/.
