8 Best Dog Food for Dogs With Skin Allergies

• Allergy Symptoms
• Common Allergens
• How to Help
• Hydrolyzed
• Novel Protein Foods
• Puppies
• Conclusion

Best Dog Food for Dogs With Skin Allergies: Allergy Symptoms

As a general rule, allergens are proteins ingested through the intestinal tract that when absorbed can lead to immune related skin dysfunction. However, majority of the time, dogs do not exhibit allergies, although they can display inflammatory symptoms resembling those of IBD like chronic diarrhea, vomiting, or loss of appetite for long periods.

Below are the most common signs associated with dog allergies caused by food:

1. Inner ear skin folding redness
2. Ears (chronic scratching of the ear or shaking the head all the time or at recurrent periods)
3. Almost constant scratching and rubbing of ears
4. Thickened ears over a long period of time
5. Non heeling ear infections over a prolonged time
6. Palmar and dorsal leg disease
7. Angry looking or itchy species of foot or dust grain containing particles

Repeated signs of chronic skin conditions or infection (with too many bacteria or yeast) affecting most parts of the skin.

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The skin is the primary organ attacked by allergic reactions caused by food consumed. In these cases, symptoms represent inflammation of the skin due to allergic responses against different proteins found in dog food.

The process triggers the activities of immune cells, which ultimately causes loosening of the links among the dermal cells thus leading to the weakening of the skin’s protective function. In addition to causing redness and itching, this alteration in the skin barrier increases the skin's vulnerability to infection by common bacteria and yeast.

Ears, paws, the area around the eyes, and occasionally the trunk (torso) and limbs are the most afflicted. Following these symptoms you can look for the best dog food for dogs with skin allergies.

Best Dog Food for Dogs With Skin Allergies: Common Allergens

Beef, chicken, lamb and wheat are the most frequent proteins that dogs are allergic to. Other rare proteins that cause dog food allergies are soy, eggs, corn and nuts.

Dogs are unable to be tested for food allergies realistically similar to the way people are, as the available testing is questionable in effectiveness and reliability. The only proven way to tell what your dog is allergic to is to change their protein source or perform an elimination diet trial.

During an elimination diet trial, all proteins that the dog has been exposed to are eliminated for 2-3 months. This is necessary in order to allow the body to completely eliminate the old protein sources that caused chronic allergy stimulation. Now let's talk about some of the best dog food for dogs with skin allergies.

Best Dog Food for Dogs With Skin Allergies: How to Help

A dog food allergy can be diagnosed and treated by means of an elimination diet trial with hydrolyzed foods. In this situation, it makes sense to begin with a prescription diet such as Hill’s® z/d or Royal Canin® Hydrolyzed Protein. These proteins are too small for a healthy immune system to notice and therefore cause an allergic reaction.

Elimination diets are usually carried out over a period of two to three months. Such a period is needed for the old proteins to clear completely from the dog’s body. Furthermore, the dog must have been on the diet for a lengthy period in order to get the dog to adapt to the new food.

Most pet parents fail and stop the diet trial before the suggested period. They assume because they have done it for a week or two, all must be OK; unfortunately, this is not the case, and there is a specific time that needs to be waited in order to test food and treats completely.

Another mistake common in dog parents: do not feed a dog anything other than the elimination diet. Pets can have no table or snack throws during a diet trial (unless an appropriate throw is available on the appropriate diet).

Making a dietary transition with your dog over a period of a week or two will not give you complete outcomes. Therefore, it is essential to use a specific testing period for food and treats.

If these signs still persist after 2 to 3 months of trying out the hydrolyzed elimination diet the dog chances are very high that the animal is suffering from some environmental allergen. Or it could still be some other reasons at play such as an autoimmune disorder for example.

In case the dietary trial produces good results try using new proteins for instance venison, fish or kangaroo. The most likely time to see a reaction is about one to two weeks so that’s when one should see if the proteins have proven effects. If allergy symptoms come back, discontinue the new protein source and return to hydrolyzed food.

Start by adding one protein source and add more every two to four weeks even if your dog doesn’t react. If the dog develops a sensitivity, then stop and wait for another 2 weeks to give some cushioning before introducing new protein sources.

Be sure to consult your vet prior to doing any diet trials as you may need a hydrolyzed diet prescription.

It is equally crucial to consult your vet in order to rule out the presence of other infections which may be quite frequent due to the broken skin barrier owing to the allergic reaction. It is possible for the symptoms of an infection to mimic those of a dog food allergy, therefore, you need to ensure that all the infections are managed at the time of conducting the food elimination trial.

When the trial is happening keep in mind the following things

• Don’t forget to stress the need to use the prescription treats and food only. There must not be any feeding of human food items or regular pet treats while on a food trial otherwise the allergens you are trying to eliminate will be introduced.
• Bring the dog to a new diet gradually, so as not to cause the dog any abnormal vomiting or diarrhea.

Best Dog Food for Dogs With Skin Allergies: Hydrolyzed

Hydrolyzed Dog Foods

The best dog food for allergies should includes hydrolyzed foods due to the fact that the proteins have been broken down into small bits that the body cannot recognize. Some of these foods include:

1. Hill's® Prescription Diet z/d
2. Purina® Pro Plan® Veterinary Diets HA
3. Royal Canin® Veterinary Diet Ultamino
4. Royal Canin® Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein HP

Best Dog Food for Dogs With Skin Allergies: Novel Protein Foods

The term ‘novel protein’ is used to describe types of meat and fish protein foods that your dog has never been fed before. Examples are duck, fish, venison and kangaroo. And novel protein diet comprises such foods as:

1. Hill’s® Prescription Diet d/d Purina®
2. Pro Plan® Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach

Best Dog Food for Dogs With Skin Allergies: Puppies

While it’s rare for puppies to have food allergies, there are some documented cases in pups as young as 6 months old. If you think your puppy may have a food allergy, lamb and rice formulas, such as Purina® Puppy Lamb & Rice Formula, would be a good place to start for a novel protein.

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If allergies are severe and your vet recommends a hydrolyzed diet, Royal Canin® Hydrolyzed Protein does come in a puppy formulation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, finding the best dog food for dogs with skin allergies can make a world of difference in their health and happiness. Opting for hypoallergenic, high-quality ingredients tailored to their specific needs can reduce irritation, improve coat condition, and boost overall well-being.

Always consult your vet when making dietary changes, and choose a food that supports your dog's unique sensitivities. With the right nutrition, you can help your dog live comfortably and thrive, free from the discomfort of skin allergies.