Recently, Harley started showing some strange behavior. At first I just thought it was nothing major, but then I saw some more serious symptoms like vomiting. I didn’t understand what it could be until I did some research on food allergies in dogs. I started looking for different foods right away. But trust me when I say it took a little while to find the best dog food for Harley’s allergies.
How Do I Know if My Dog Needs Hypoallergenic Foods?
When considering top dog food for allergies, I first had to figure out if Harley really needed it. I looked at the symptoms almost immediately, boiling them down to vomiting, diarrhea, and more itching than usual. Upon further reading, I found that recurrent ear infections and excessive gassiness are quite common.
It’s a little hard to diagnose food intolerance, but an elimination diet works well.
I figured out that if I changed Harley’s diet for up to three weeks, I could see which food was hurting him. That left me looking for hypoallergenic dog food to see if I could reduce his symptoms.
How Can The Top Dog food for allergies Help?
As I mentioned above, I figured out that hypoallergenic food help in determining what food was causing my boy’s symptoms. An elimination diet using hypoallergenic food works well because of the few ingredients in the food.
That makes it simple to see which ingredients don’t work for him. It can also work thanks to its more obscure ingredients such as buffalo, pheasant, kangaroo, or millet.
If your pet is allergic to something common like chicken, these are perfect substitutes. Vets often prescribe these diets for intolerance due to these benefits which can help you feed your dog properly!
Best Dog Food For Allergies
I’m so convinced now that hypoallergenic foods really can help, and luckily, there are several dog food brands on the market. That doesn’t help you pick out the top food for your pet though. Like any other product, there are tons of different options everywhere, so it might seem like rocket science just to get the right one. I rounded down the favorites into these top 8.
| Brand | Check It Out | We think it's perfect for: |
|---|---|---|
| Orijen Grain Free | Check Latest Price | All dogs. Especially ones who can handles good levels of protein. |
| Acana Grain Free | Check Latest Price | Dogs who don't need as much protein. |
| Avoderm Natural | Check Latest Price | Dogs with skin problems |
| Pinnacle Grain Free | Check Latest Price | Dogs who can't tolerate a lot of meat but still need a healthy, balanced diet |
| Holistic Select | Check Latest Price | Dogs who have a seafood preference! |
| Wellness Natural | Check Latest Price | Big dogs! |
| Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein | Check Latest Price | Dogs with digestion problems |
| Addiction's Wild Kangaroos & Apples | Check Latest Price | Dogs that require a brand new diet with very simple ingredients |
Orijen Grain Free Dog Food
Even though our dogs are domesticated, they still love to eat natural meats! That’s what made me look at Orijen Grain Free. It promises a diet with high quality meats and a full diet of fruits without the unnecessary grains.
Buy it Because (Pros):
– You can select a trial size at first before making a huge investment.
– It contains a varied amount of ingredients, with lots of protein.
– Considered the most biologically appropriate food out there.
Keep In Mind:
– It’s a very rich product that may be hard to introduce at first; expect initial bouts of loose stool.
– It will not be helpful for canines on a limited protein diet.
– High amounts of protein might be detrimental to your pet over time
Key Features
– Comes in a large 5 pound bag.
– Grain free with high protein and low carbs.
– There are no plant oils, only healthy botanicals.
Who Does This Suit?
Orijen Grain Free is one of the most highly recommended which suits dogs that can handle the amount of protein in this product. It’s a great diet for all breeds, but keep an eye on your pet to make sure they’re handling it well over time.
Acana Grain Free
Maybe you’ve found that your dog has problems with traditional meats like chicken. Have you ever thought of feeding your pet more seafood? If you’re even considering it, look for Acana Grain Free. It is supposed to be one of the better foods containing both seafood and vegetables.
Buy it Because (Pros):
– It’s one of the least expensive on the market.
– Recommended very highly by buyers due to the ingredients.
– The smaller bag keeps it fresh when you feed your pet.
Keep In Mind:
– It doesn’t include non-fish proteins.
– It won’t benefit pets that need a little more protein.
Key Features
– Contains a huge amount of fish, including salmon, herring, and flounder.
– Mixes fresh fish and vegetables naturally.
– Natural phytonutrients are included to keep your pet healthy.
Who Does This Suit?
The Acana Grain Free food contains no grains for your dog to get tripped up on. This is for dogs needing a diet with a little less protein. So if Orijen isn’t working out, this might be a great alternative that includes the same vegetables and fruits.
Avoderm Natural
You’ve probably heard of this brand before.Avocados are the super food for humans, but they can also benefit dogs too! This food makes use of the avocado, along with other natural meats and vegetables in order to give your pet the right nutritional balance.
Buy it Because (Pros):
– Three different size bags are available at different prices.
– Directions are included on how much to feed your pet depending on weight.
– Works great for skin and healing itchy or cracked skin.
Keep In Mind:
– Some pet owners say it’s a little pricey
Key Features
– Protein is the first ingredient.
– There are antioxidant nutrients meant to specifically support the immune system.
– There is no corn, wheat, soy, or animal by-product.
Pinnacle Grain Free
Pinnacle Grain Free sports a holistic diet of meats and vegetables. With its popularity, I just had to see what all the fuss was about. The salmon was appealing almost immediately. Since unlike others, it’s the main ingredient. The balance of foods and nutrients was something I simply couldn’t pass up.
Buy it Because (Pros):
– If your dog doesn’t like salmon, this brand has many other flavor options.
– Instructions are provided on how to introduce a new food.
– Food intolerance specifically are helped by this diet.
Keep In Mind:
– The sugars from the potatoes could fuel any yeast issues.
– Have to put in more effort to keep it fresh.
Key Features
– Salmon is the first and most important ingredient.
– Pumpkin and antioxidants are included for a healthy immune system.
– Quinoa seeds are especially important for muscle development.
Who Does This Suit?
The holistic Pinnacle Grain Free food is good for dogs who cannot handle large amounts of meat but who still want all the benefits of a healthy diet. The small kibble size is even good for small pups, so all pets will be able to benefit from the healthy diet and antioxidants.
Holistic Select
Speaking of holistic foods, Holistic Select uses fish as its main ingredients. They use various cuts of seafood to give your dog some variety. Not only that, but it’s specifically formulated for healthy digestive support with fiber, probiotics, and good digestive enzymes. If your dog has other digestive issues, these ingredients can help.
Buy it Because (Pros):
– There’s a huge amount of variety in both bag size and flavor.
– Includes a great amount of different fish for more protein sensitive pets.
– Very specific directions are there to help you feed your canine based on weight.
– More consistent and less waste.
Keep In Mind:
– Rosemary extract is an ingredient, which some canines might be allergic to.
Key Features
– Specifically made for digestive support with fibers, probiotics, and digestive enzymes.
– Includes ingredients like real anchovy, sardines, and salmon.
– Containing no meat by-products, wheat, or artificial colors or flavors.
Who Does This Suit?
The Holistic Select is for canines looking for a seafood diet, but with a little more variety on the types of fish available to them. Not only that, but it contains grains that can help with digestion. Be aware of the grains when you buy. Any digestive problems can be benefitted with the high quality of ingredients though!
Wellness Natural (Great for big canines)
Big dogs need some love too, right? Wellness Natural agrees with their food specifically for larger breeds. With a huge amount of hypoallergenic ingredients, you can be sure your pet will benefit while asking for more. There are even multiple types of meat, but with only 5 main ingredients, an elimination diet is easy.
Buy it Because (Pros):
– It’s one of the recommended ones out there for larger breeds, assisting with healthy weight, health, and optimal absorption of nutrients.
– Instructions on the transitioning process between foods are provided.
– It can be combined with canned food of the same brand for more benefits.
Keep In Mind:
– It might take some time for your pet to get used to it.
Key Features
– It’s specifically made for larger breeds with bigger kibble size and specific calories for them.
– Contains no wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products, or artificial flavors.
– Glucosamine and chondroitin are put in to help with joint health.
Who Does This Suit?
It’s no surprise that Wellness Natural works great for large breeds, as it’s specifically made just for them. It contains all the good ingredients to help them develop as they should, but be aware of the quality of the food, since this is the most recurring problem.
Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein
This small dog breed food is a life saver. It helps too that the food in Royal Canin is hydrolyzed, or pre-digested, so our pups can break it down easily while still getting all the nutrients they need. It’s so popular that my vet even recommended this one!
Buy it Because (Pros):
– The hydrolyzed protein is great for pups that can’t digest well.
– Completely soy based with no chicken or beef, so it works great for pups with protein problems.
– Perfect for small pups with small kibble size.
Keep In Mind:
– There isn’t much variation in the size bags you might want and no trial size.
Key Features
– Hydrolyzed soy protein is included to help with issues digesting foods.
– The ingredients actually minimize the risk of kidney stones in canines and boost dental health.
– Omega 3 fatty acids are included to prevent inflammation.
Who Does This Suit?
Royal Canin is recommended by vets because it works so well, and it’s no wonder! There are very few negative comments by buyers, and the hydrolyzed protein specifically helps pets with issues digesting food. If your pet has had any problems at all with food, this might be a good bet.
Addiction’s Wild Kangaroo & Apples
Remember how I told you about the obscure ingredients that can benefit your pet? Well Addiction’s Wild Kangaroo & Apples is a perfect example of this with its high quality game meat and apples rich in antioxidants. This is a pretty odd combination, but the meat is so different than usual that most canines will have no problem at all.
Buy it Because (Pros):
– The obscure ingredients are very beneficial in terms of intolerance.
– It’s earth friendly, as well as great for the skin and coat.
– There are only two main ingredients, so you know exactly what your pet is getting.
Keep In Mind:
– The kibble doesn’t come in a smaller size, so small canines might have issues with that.
Key Features
– Contains high quality kangaroo meat free of antibiotics and hormones.
– There’s only 2% fat in the meat for canines with a sensitive system.
– Apples are included as healthy substitutes for other fillers.
Who Does This Suit?
My last recommendation, Addiction’s Wild Kangaroo & Apples is great for canines that need a completely new diet with those obscure foods. It works well to solve digestive issues and keep your pet healthy without mucking up their diet with unnecessary ingredients. If all else has failed, this is a great option!
Conclusion
The best dog food for allergies can be debatable with all the options I’ve shown you. But they’re all great diets for an ailing pet. Switching to hypoallergenic food was the best option for my dog. Not only are all his negative symptoms gone, but his coat is shinier and he’s more alert. If your dog is experiencing problems, this might just be your answer.
Great post, I will let my dog owning friends know about it.