The most common protein allergy in dogs is called a "food allergy." This means that your dog has an immune response when he eats certain foods. Unfortunately, this reaction causes symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and skin rashes.
The most common protein allergy in dogs is an intolerance to one or more proteins in commercial dog foods. This includes chicken, beef, turkey, pork, and lamb-based diets. Other sources of protein include fish and eggs.
Most dogs can tolerate small amounts of these proteins without any problems, but some may experience adverse reactions at higher levels.
Canine allergies are usually caused by sensitivities to beef, chicken, lamb, and other proteins. Dogs that are allergic to beef may also be allergic to pork.
Pet food allergies can be a big problem for dogs. Pet owners often have to feed their dogs special diets or give them medications to ensure they're not allergic to anything.
Because of this, many pet owners wonder if their dog is allergic to something in their food.
If you think your dog has a protein allergy, you will need to talk with a veterinarian on the subject before making any changes to your dog's diet.
The good news is that many dog owners have successfully reduced or eliminated their pet's allergies by switching foods.
So, what is Dog Food for Allergies?
Dog food for allergies is a type of dog food specially formulated to address your pet's specific dietary needs. Best for this is to purchase an over-the-counter hypoallergenic formula such as Hill's Science Diet Dry Dog Food Formula or Canidae Grain Free Natural Dry Dog Food. These can be used as a temporary or permanent solution to help ease your pet's allergy symptoms.
We've researched the best options to avoid specific allergens and compiled a list with limited reviews of the best dog food for allergies.
The food you feed your dog is an important decision, especially if your dog has allergies. To help you pick out the best option for your pet, we turned to the experts, reviewed some of our top contenders, and discussed their benefits and drawbacks. Here's what we uncovered:
1. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food
Your dog's nutrition is key to keeping them healthy. Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dog Food is a nutritious dry food that helps keep your pup's skin and digestive health in check.
This food is filled with high-quality ingredients like Omega 6 fatty acids, vitamin E, and prebiotic fiber to help support a healthy gut microbiome - perfect for dogs with allergies. So keep your furry friend feeling their best with Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dog Food.
2. Taste of the Wild Prey Real Meat High Protein Ingredient Dry Dog Food
Sometimes an animal's diet can be the root of problems like bad skin and allergies. So look no further if you're looking for dog food that avoids those issues. Taste of the Wild Prey Angus Beef Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food is here to give your dog the best possible nutrition.
This food is made with only four key pasture-raised Angus beef, lentils, tomato pomace, and sunflower oil. And because it's grain-free, it's perfect for pets with allergies or sensitivities.
This food is also perfect for pups with allergies or a limited ingredient diet. It is full of flavor and nutrients to support healthy skin and coat. Plus, the added probiotics are great for supporting digestive health.
3. I and love and you Nude Superfood Dry Dog Food
The all-natural food your dog and pup have been waiting for. Keep your furry friend healthy and allergy-free with this Superfood Dry Dog Food. I and Love and You has created a menu of wholesome ingredients that are free of grains, GMOs, and by-product meals. Instead, your dog and pup will enjoy garbanzo beans, lentils, sweet potatoes, and a variety of meats, fish, and poultry.
This dry food is also packed with digestive enzymes, prebiotics, and probiotics to keep your dog's gastrointestinal tract healthy. This kibble is perfect for pups with allergies or sensitive stomachs. In addition, the flaxseeds and fish oils will help your pup's coat stay soft and healthy. Keep your furry friend by your side for years to come with I and Love and You's top-of-the-line pet food.
4. Rachael Ray Nutrish Premium Natural Dry Dog Food
Your pup will love the taste of real beef, peas, and brown rice in this Nutrish recipe. Farm-raised beef is the number one ingredient in this high-quality food, ensuring your dog gets the protein they need to stay strong and healthy.
Not only does this natural dog food taste great, but it's also suitable for your canine companion. With added vitamins and minerals, this food helps promote a healthy digestive system and can even help with allergies. Plus, this food has no artificial flavors or colors, so you can feel confident that you're providing your pup with the best possible nutrition.
5. Nulo FS Adult Dog GF Lamb
Looking for a nutritious diet that won't aggravate your pup's allergies? Try Nulo Freestyle Adult Dog Grain-Free Lamb Formula today! The grain-free formula is full of protein from animal sources and is also allergy-friendly. This recipe uses alternative protein sources like lamb, turkey, and trout to help keep your dog's muscle mass and heart healthy.
In addition, this food will promote a beautiful coat with a balanced mix of Omega-3 fatty acids and Omega-6. Plus, it contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. So you can feel confident that your dog is getting the best possible nutrition.
6. Canidae PURE Limited Ingredient Premium Adult Dry Dog Food
The Canidae PURE Limited Ingredient Premium Adult Dry Dog Food is perfect for dogs with allergies. This kibble is made with a salmon meal, peas, and sweet potatoes, which gives your pup plenty of nutrients and flavor. Sensitive dogs will love the taste of this limited ingredient kibble.
In addition, the Canidae PURE dry food recipe is supplemented with antioxidants and probiotics to promote a healthy gut. This complete and balanced meal also contains a blend of vitamins and minerals for healthy skin and joints.
7. Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
Keep your furry friend happy and healthy with Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food. This Duck and Oatmeal recipe is crafted with limited ingredients and is perfect for dogs with food sensitivities and allergies.
It contains only carbohydrates that are easy to digest and do not contain any fillers. Nutritionally, it provides prebiotics, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids that promote a healthy digestive system, immune system, and coat.
The Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Canned Wet Dog Food provides all the nutrients your pup needs without triggering food sensitivities or allergies.
Featuring real deboned turkey as the first ingredient, this pea-free dog food offers your dog a single source of protein while ensuring no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
It's a balanced, wet alternative to dry kibble, which is the best dog food for allergies. Satisfy your pup's cravings and provide them with the nourishment they need with this delicious canned wet dog food.
What are dog food allergy symptoms?
Common symptoms of your dog's food allergy include:
How do you test for food allergies in dogs?
Some people believe that the best way to test for food allergies is to give your dog a multivitamin pill and wait two weeks to see if they react to it. The problem with this method is that you cannot catch exactly what the dog ate during this time, so it is tough to determine whether there was a real reaction to the drug.
Dogs can be allergic to any plant or animal protein. Therefore, the most accurate method of diagnosing a food allergy is to do a food test. The most common type of food trial is the allergen-specific elimination diet (ASD) or elimination/challenge diet (ECD). The ASD is designed to eliminate the specific foods that are causing an allergic reaction in your pet.
The best way to prevent allergies in your dog is to feed him a hypoallergenic diet for a certain period. A hypoallergenic diet consists of less allergenic foods—hypoallergenic diet Prescription of dietary treatment for an accurate allergological diagnosis. Experts recommend a hypoallergenic diet for eight to twelve weeks. But it must ensure that the hypoallergenic diet does not contain any ingredients the dog has eaten before.
It is common to give dogs hydrolyzed protein food during allergy testing. It breaks down food proteins into small pieces that the immune system does not react to. Veterinarians commonly recommend hydrolyzed protein dog food to treat food allergies and inflammatory bowel disease.
If you see any improvement in your dog during this test, you can take a challenge by reintroducing the old food to diagnose a food allergy definitively. You will see a reaction within 7 to 12 days if you have an old food allergy.
But if you don't get good results from these tests or they don't improve, you should consult a vet. The vet will run further tests on your pet's blood or urine samples. This test is called a serum IgE test.
How grain-free food work for dog
Experts say a grain-free diet can be beneficial when your dog has a direct allergy to grains.
Read also: Best Dog Shampoo for Allergies
Conclusion
Remember that dogs are different, and not all foods formulated for allergies will suit your pet. So, deciding which food might be best for your dog's allergies depends on what kind of symptoms your pet is experiencing.
The next step is to discuss these options with your veterinarian. They can help you decide if one option may be more suitable for your dog than the other. It will also depend on which food choices are the most affordable and readily available.
And finally, if you want to ensure the food you choose is safe for your pet, check the AAFCO website or contact them to determine if the product meets those standards.
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Last updated on March 12th, 2023
