The Best Dog Foods for Pups With Food Allergies
Key takeaways:
A dog with food allergies will likely stay on a novel protein or hydrolyzed diet for the rest of their lives.
Novel protein diets combine a new protein with a carbohydrate, such as venison with potatoes or rabbit with peas.
Hydrolyzed dog food breaks down protein molecules so they don’t trigger allergic reactions. These foods may include chicken, beef, and turkey, common food allergens.
Table of contents
Dogs with food allergies may have to stay on a special diet for the rest of their lives. So it’s important to find dog food that’s safe and nutritionally balanced.
For a dog with food allergies, you typically have two choices: a novel protein diet or a hydrolyzed diet. Here we’ll look at examples of therapeutic dog foods, a list of ingredients to avoid, and some pricing information.
What food is good for a dog with allergies?
The best diet for a dog with food allergies is either a novel protein (elimination) diet or a hydrolyzed diet. Either of these diets are good long-term solutions for dogs with food allergies. Unless your dog has an allergy to grains, you don’t need “grain-free” dog food.
Search and compare options
Novel protein diet
A novel protein diet introduces a new protein and new carbohydrate your dog probably hasn’t eaten before. These new proteins and carbohydrates are typically not found in commercial dog foods. This makes it less likely your dog is allergic to them.
Novel protein and carbohydrate combinations may include:
Rabbit and potatoes
Duck and oats
Venison and potatoes
Fish and potatoes
Eggs and rice
Duck and peas
Fruity fun: Peeled oranges make for a healthy treat for dogs. Read about the benefits of feeding your pup oranges.
Cat food for Fido? Cat food can cause pancreatitis, obesity, and digestive upset for dogs. Learn more about why cat food isn’t good for your canine.
How ‘bout them apples? Yes, you can feed your dog apples. Read about the safest ways to serve them.
Certain manufacturers sell novel protein dog foods. These foods tend to cost more than regular dog food, and many are available only with a prescription. Here are some examples:
Royal Canin Canine Selected Protein PR ($64)
Rayne Nutrition Low Fat Kangaroo-MAINT TheraDiet ($52)
Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet NP Novel Protein Alligator ($48)
KOHA Limited Ingredient Diet Lamb Entrée ($60)
Another option is to make your dog’s food at home using novel proteins. If you want to try this, reach out to a nutritionist from the American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition. They can provide recipes that are nutritionally balanced and appropriate for your dog’s age and weight.
Hydrolyzed diet
Hydrolyzed diets consist of common proteins like chicken and beef. But the recipes break down the proteins’ molecules so they don’t trigger allergic reactions.
Several dog food manufacturers make hydrolyzed dog foods. These foods also cost more than regular chow, and they usually require a prescription. Here are some examples:
Hill's Prescription Diet z/d Food Sensitivities ($55)
Royal Canin Canine Hydrolyzed Protein HP ($59)
Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet HF Hydrolyzed for Food Intolerance ($43)
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Protein Chicken Flavor ($53)
Check with your veterinarian’s office to see if they carry hydrolyzed dog food.
How can a dog’s food trigger certain allergies?
An allergic reaction to food occurs when a dog’s immune system identifies the food as harmful. In response, the immune system overreacts and triggers a variety of symptoms, including digestive issues and itchy skin. This most often happens in response to common proteins and grains in dog foods, such as beef, chicken, turkey, and corn.
If you know which allergen affects your dog, you may be tempted to buy a commercial dog food that contains an alternative ingredient. But if your dog is allergic to chicken, for example, a food with beef or lamb can still trigger a reaction. Tests show that these foods can still contain other proteins. This is likely because of cross contamination in the pet food factory.
Brands that manufacture novel protein or hydrolyzed dog foods avoid cross contamination. That's why it’s a good idea to look for those foods specifically and ask your dog’s veterinarian for a recommendation.
What foods should you avoid for a dog with allergies?
If you have done food allergy testing for your dog, avoid the foods that the tests showed they’re allergic to. Otherwise, avoid foods that commonly trigger allergies in dogs, such as:
Beef
Chicken
Beef
Lamb
Soy
Dairy
Eggs
Corn
Rice
Barley
Wheat
What are the symptoms of food allergies in dogs?
Food allergy symptoms in dogs typically present as digestive issues or itchy skin. These symptoms include:
Abdominal pain
Pooping more than usual
Chewing or scratching the face, paws, ears, or rear end
Less often, dogs may develop respiratory issues, such as sneezing, or pink eye.
Frequently asked questions
While dogs from any breed can develop food allergies, they’re most commonly seen in:
Labrador retrievers
West Highland white terriers
Cocker spaniels
Studies suggest that the No. 1 food allergy in dogs is an allergy to beef, followed by allergies to dairy and chicken. Other foods that may cause allergies in dogs include:
Wheat
Lamb
Soy
Corn
Eggs
Pork
Fish
Rice
The bottom line
Dogs with food allergies may need to eat a novel protein or hydrolyzed diet long term. These foods are usually available with a prescription from a veterinarian.
Novel protein diets combine a new protein and carbohydrate, such as duck and peas or fish and potatoes. Hydrolyzed diets use foods dogs are commonly allergic to, like beef and chicken. But hydrolyzed foods break down the proteins’ molecules so they don’t trigger allergic reactions. You can purchase either of these types of dog foods from your veterinarian or an online retailer.
Why trust our experts?
References
Blue Buffalo. (n.d.). BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet HF Hydrolyzed for Food Intolerance.
Blue Buffalo. (n.d.). BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet NP Novel Protein Alligator.
Brooks, W. (2023). Food allergies in dogs and cats. Veterinary Partner.
Datz, C. (2011). Food allergy: Diagnostics and therapeutic food options. Today’s Veterinary Practice.
Hill’s. (n.d.). Hill's Prescription Diet z/d Dry Dog Food.
KOHA. (n.d.). Limited Ingredient Diet Lamb Entrée for Dogs.
Mueller, R. S., et al. (2016). Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (2): Common food allergen sources in dogs and cats. BMC Veterinary Research.
Petfoodology. (2017). What every pet owner should know about food allergies.
Purina. (n.d.). Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Protein Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food.
Rayne Nutrition. (n.d.). Low Fat Kangaroo-MAINT With Quinoa Dry Dog Food.
Royal Canin. (n.d.). Canine Hydrolyzed Protein HP.
Royal Canin. (n.d.). Canine Selected Protein PR.
White, S. D., et al. (2018). Allergies in dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual.
