12+ Best Dog Food for Skin Allergies

If your dog is dealing with constant skin problems like itching, redness, rashes, or hair loss, it’s crucial to visit your vet. These symptoms might be a sign of an allergic reaction, possibly triggered by something in their food. To address food allergies, changing the protein source in your dog’s food can make a significant difference. 

There are dog foods designed with limited ingredients, offering alternative proteins to avoid allergies.  Some even come with easy-to-understand ingredient lists to help you identify and eliminate specific allergens from your dog’s diet.

After extensive research and rigorous testing, we have shortlisted the 12+ best dog food for skin allergies. 

1. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food

Food Type	Dry pellet
Sizes Available	3.50, 4, 10, 12, 15.50 and 30 pounds
Best For	Best dog food for sensitive skin and stomach

Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food is the best dog food for skin allergies. It is available in a variety of options like pollock & insect meal and grain-free chicken & potato.

This dog food is designed to promote digestive health and nourish the skin, featuring prebiotic fiber for a balanced gut microbiome. The formula is highly digestible, ensuring optimal nutrient absorption and easier stool pick-up. It is packed with vitamin E and Omega-6 fatty acids and helps to maintain a lustrous coat and healthy skin.

Made in the USA with trusted global ingredients, this Science Diet blend focuses on the well-being of your grown dog. The feeding guidelines are easy to follow based on your dog’s weight. 

It is a top choice for those looking to address sensitive stomach and skin concerns in their furry friends. When you start giving this food to your dog, make sure you use a small quantity. The ratio should be 1:3 on day one, followed by 2:2 and 3:1 on the following days. It will help with an easy transition. 

2. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach Wet Dog Food 

Food Type	Wet
Sizes Available	13 ounces
Best For	Dogs with sensitive skin and stomach

If you like giving your dog wet food, Purina Pro Plan has two poultry-free options in their Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach line – beef & oatmeal and salmon & rice meal. These recipes skip common allergy triggers like chicken, wheat, soy, and artificial flavors.

Purina Pro Plan’s wet foods include fiber, probiotics, prebiotics, and easily digestible grains (barley, rice, and/or oatmeal). This best dog food for skin allergies also contains animal fat, fish oil (omega-3), and sunflower oil (omega-6). 

Depending on your adult dog’s size, a 13-ounce pack can provide multiple meals or just one. The cans are recyclable and have a convenient pull tab, and you can often find the wet recipes sold together.

To complement the wet food, you can try Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin Formula dry dog food, available in three recipes – salmon & rice, lamb & oatmeal, and turkey & oatmeal, in bags ranging from four to 40 pounds.

3. Hill’s Prescription Diet Dry Dog Food

Food Type	Dry and wet
Sizes Available	8, 13, 17.7, or 25 pounds; 13 ounces
Best For	Dogs with food sensitivities

We highly recommend Hill’s Prescription Diet as the best dog food for dogs with allergies and sensitivities. To tackle protein allergies, Hill’s Prescription Diet takes a unique approach by offering a d/d formula. 

This includes novel proteins like duck, salmon, or venison, which are less likely to trigger allergic responses. The best dog food for skin allergies is also free from common allergens such as soy protein and other additives that might complicate allergy identification.

Hill’s Prescription Diet d/d comes in various options, including wet and dry food in different flavors. They also have a z/d formula using hydrolyzed protein for those preferring that approach. 

Additionally, their non-prescription “Science Diet” has options like the Sensitive Stomach & Skin Grain-Free Chicken & Potato Dog Food, suitable for dogs with wheat sensitivities.

Manufactured by Hill’s Pets, the brand boasts a team of over 220 Ph.D. nutritionists, veterinarians, and scientists. Their safety standards mirror those of human food manufacturers, ensuring quality. 

Every dog food recipe within Hill’s Science Diet brand is developed and made in the USA, offering a range of flavors and formulations to suit dogs of all sizes.

Consistent use of Hill’s Science Diet has shown positive results, including fewer dietary issues, smooth potty sessions, and plenty of cuddle time. However, it’s worth noting that the price has increased lately.

4. DIAMOND CARE Sensitive Skin Recipe

Food Type	Dry
Sizes Available	8 and 25 pounds
Best For	Best dog food for itchy skin

Consider trying Diamond CARE Sensitive Skin Formula if you want to keep your dog’s skin healthy and itch-free. We gave it a shot for our dog dealing with skin allergies, and we’re happy with the results. 

This best dog food for skin allergies is made with high-quality hydrolyzed salmon protein, perfect for sensitive skin. The added omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are a bonus for a shiny coat, and the limited ingredients lower the risk of skin reactions.

It’s worth noting that some dogs may not love the taste, but our dog enjoyed it. Peas are the second ingredient, which might not be everyone’s preference. While it’s a bit pricier than other brands, we believe the quality makes it worthwhile.

In a nutshell, we highly recommend Diamond CARE Sensitive Skin Formula for dogs with skin sensitivities. It’s a great choice to keep your furry friend healthy and happy.

5. Forza10 Sensitive Skin Dog Food

Food Type	Dry
Sizes Available	4 and 25 pounds
Best For	Best dog food for skin allergies and sensitive stomach

Forza10 Sensitive Skin Dog Food is another great product to tackle allergies. We’ve been using it for a few months, and our dog’s skin allergies have improved noticeably. 

The natural ingredients, especially the wild-caught anchovies, make us confident about what we’re feeding our furry friend. Plus, the added vitamins and fatty acids have made our dog’s coat much healthier.

Just keep in mind that while it’s the best dog food for skin allergies, it is pricier compared to other options. Also, if your dog has a fish allergy, this might not be the best pick for them. Some dogs might not love the taste, but thankfully, our pup doesn’t seem to mind.

All in all, we highly recommend Forza10 Sensitive Skin Dog Food for dogs dealing with skin allergies. The natural ingredients and extra vitamins make it a top choice for any pup.

6. Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care Dog Food

Food Type	Dry
Sizes Available	4, 11 and 24 pounds
Best For	Dogs with poultry allergies

If your dog has a chicken allergy, Blue Buffalo has a great selection of limited-ingredient dry and wet dog foods, all made with just one type of animal protein. 

Our top pick for dogs with a chicken allergy is Blue Buffalo Basics because it doesn’t include by-product meals, especially chicken by-product meals found in many other brands. This makes it easier for your dog to avoid the chicken allergen causing them discomfort.

Each serving of this balanced dog food provides antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to boost your dog’s overall health. It’s also free of common allergens like corn, wheat, soy, dairy, and eggs.

This best dog food for skin allergies has two dry food recipes for adult dogs, including salmon & potato and turkey & potato. There are options for small breeds, large breeds, seniors, and puppies, along with wet food recipes—all without chicken.

7. Purina ONE Natural Sensitive Stomach Dry Dog Food

Food Type	Dry pellet
Sizes Available	31.1 pounds
Best For	Environmental allergies

 For dogs suffering from skin allergies, check out Purina ONE Natural Sensitive Stomach Dry Dog Food. It contains real salmon as the main ingredient, loaded with vitamins and nutrients for your dog’s health. The high protein helps your dog’s muscles, and the natural glucosamine keeps their joints in good shape.

What’s best is that there are no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, and zero fillers. Every ingredient serves a purpose and is beneficial for your dog.

The only downside is it has rice and oatmeal, which might not suit all dogs. Some dogs might take time to get used to the taste. If your dog has serious skin allergies, it’s smart to talk to your vet before changing their diet.

All in all, we really recommend this best dog food for skin allergies if you’re dealing with doggy skin issues. It’s full of good ingredients that keep your dog healthy and happy.

8. Fromm Heartland Gold Adult Premium Dry Dog Food 

Food Type	Dry
Sizes Available	4, 12 and 26 pounds
Best For	Dogs with wheat allergies

This is the best dog food for skin allergies when it comes to avoiding wheat. If your dog cannot digest wheat, go for a grain-free option to make sure there’s no chance of allergens during production. 

Fromm Heartland Gold Adult Grain Free Dog Food is a good choice. It provides amino acids like taurine for healthy muscles, including the heart and kidneys. It also contains antioxidants for a strong immune system and a mix of probiotics and prebiotics for a happy tummy.

The main ingredient is beef, and there’s pork and lamb for extra protein, giving it a tasty, meaty flavor that dogs love. The grain-free formula uses legumes like peas, lentils, and chickpeas, along with potatoes, as the main starch. 

9. Blue Buffalo True Solutions Dry Dog Food

Food Type	Dry
Sizes Available	4, 11 and 24 pounds
Best For	Best dry dog food for skin allergies

Blue Buffalo True Solutions Adult Dry Dog Food is another product you can use for allergies. This dog food is specially made for sensitive skin, starting with high-quality salmon and incorporating omega-3 & 6 fatty acids clinically proven to support a healthy skin and shiny coat. 

Recommended by veterinarians, this best dog food for skin allergies includes natural ingredients enhanced with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant-rich LifeSource Bits. Blue True Solutions is science-based, free from chicken by-product meals, and avoids corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, and preservatives. 

This dog food contains natural ingredients and is available in different sizes. It supports the immune system and keeps your dog’s coat healthy and shiny. 

10. AvoDerm Advanced Sensitive Support Dog Food

Food Type	Dry
Sizes Available	4 and 22 pounds
Best For	Skin, coat, and heart health

AvoDerm Advanced Sensitive is another best dog food for dogs with allergies. It is a natural diet choice and features a limited-ingredient menu designed for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

This 4-pound bag is flavored with real duck as the top ingredient and promotes healthy skin, coat, and immune system. It contains California avocados to boost overall health. The limited ingredient diet (LID) allows easy rotation among recipes without causing stomach upset.

The formula is free from wheat, corn, and soy, with no by-products, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. AvoDerm Advanced Sensitive Support is the best dog food for skin allergies for pet owners looking for a natural and sensitive stomach-friendly option.

11. CANIDAE Under The Sun Grain Dog Dry Food 

Food Type	Dry
Sizes Available	23.5, 25 and 40 pounds
Best For	Adult dogs with grain allergies

CANIDAE Grain Free Recipe is Amazon’s Choice in dry dog food. Available in a 40-pound bag, it features real lamb, nutrient-rich fruits, and vegetables, providing a taste your dog will love.

Made with single animal proteins, this grain-free formula caters to dogs with sensitivities, offering goodness at a decent price. The formula includes antioxidants and probiotics for a healthy digestive and immune system. 

Additionally, this best dog food for skin allergies contains a blend of vitamins and minerals to support joints, skin, and coat health. CANIDAE’s commitment to regeneratively farmed ingredients sets a new standard for pet food, ensuring both pets and the planet benefit. 

12. The Honest Kitchen Whole Food Dry Dog Food

Food Type	Dry
Sizes Available	5 pounds
Best For	Allergy relief and coat health

The Honest Kitchen Chicken Dry Dog Food stands out as the world’s first human-grade dry food. It is made with 100% human-grade ingredients in a human food facility. 

This dog food is suitable for both puppies and adult dogs of all breeds and sizes, including large-breed puppies and nursing mothers. It is made from human-grade muscle meat, liver, beneficial fats, low glycemic carbs, and live probiotics. 

The minimal processing involves mixing small batches of fresh ingredients and cold pressing them into bite-sized clusters. It is gently roasted and dehydrated to retain the nutrients, aroma, and taste of whole foods.

This best dog food for skin allergies proudly says no to feed-grade ingredients, meat meals, fillers, GMO ingredients, artificial flavors, or artificial preservatives.

13. Lucy Pet Dry Dog Food

Food Type	Dry
Sizes Available	4.5, 12 and 25 pounds
Best For	Best dog food for skin allergies – all stages

If you are looking for the best dog food for skin allergies, Lucy Pet Formula is a good choice. It is carefully prepared for digestive health, gut health, and sensitive stomachs. This grain-free recipe is high in Omega-3 fatty acids from wild-caught deboned Alaskan Salmon, promoting a healthy coat and skin. 

Suitable for all breeds and life stages, the kibble is developed to provide essential nutrients for pups, grown-up dogs, and seniors of both small and large breeds.

It is entrusted by leading police K9 units, breeders, trainers, and military working canines. This veterinarian-approved formula was established based on 40 years of investigation by Dr. George C. Fahey, a top specialist in the field of gut health. 

Additionally, Lucy Pet gives back by contributing to the Lucy Pet Foundation, contributing to over 27,000 free spays and neuters in indigent regions. 

Dog Food Allergy Symptoms

Dog food allergies can manifest through various symptoms, primarily triggered by proteins absorbed in the intestinal tract. These allergens often prompt an immune response, causing skin-related issues. 

Common signs of dog food allergies include, 

• Redness and itchiness in the inner ears
• Patchy hair loss along the neck and trunk
• Persistent ear scratching
• Chronic skin infections 
• Head shaking
• Ear hematomas
• Foot chewing
• Thickening of the ears

These symptoms are essentially the result of an allergic reaction to proteins in food. This reaction triggers the release of immune cells, weakening the bonds between skin cells and compromising the skin’s protective barrier. 

This, in turn, leads to redness, itchiness, and increased susceptibility to bacterial and yeast infections. The most commonly affected areas are the ears, paws, around the eyes, and sometimes the trunk and limbs.

How to Pick the Best Dog Food for Skin Allergies?

When picking the best dog food for skin allergies, consider a few key factors to ensure they get the best nutrition. 

1. Ingredients

Check the ingredients list for common allergens like wheat, soy, and corn. Opt for foods with high-quality proteins such as lamb, chicken, or fish, which are crucial for healthy skin and coat. 

2. Raw vs. Cooked

Many pet owners prefer making dog food at home to avoid the preservatives in packaged food. When giving homemade food, you need to know which is best – raw vs. cooked dog food. While some foods are best in raw form, you need to cook other items to avoid allergies. 

3. Special Formulas

Some brands have special formulas for dogs with skin allergies. These might include extra ingredients like omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce inflammation and improve skin health. If your dog has a severe skin allergy, consider a special formula.

4. Nutritional Value

Not all dog foods are the same. Look for a balanced option that provides essential vitamins and minerals. This is especially important for dogs with skin allergies, as missing certain nutrients can make skin issues worse.

5. Grain-Free

Dogs with skin allergies may also be sensitive to grains. In such cases, go for grain-free dog food. These options skip grains like wheat, corn, and soy, often using alternatives like sweet potatoes or peas.

6. Consult with Your Veterinarian

If you’re unsure about the best dog food for skin allergies, talk to your vet. They can give you advice based on your dog’s specific needs and help you choose a product to manage their skin allergies effectively.

Conclusion

Allergies are not just common in humans; your furry friend can also suffer from this condition. In most cases, it is triggered due to food or environmental conditions. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, give them a special type of food that’s free from allergens. Our guide will help you find the best dog food for allergies. You can choose any food product from our list depending on your dog’s requirements. 

Explore Further:

• Which Are The Best Dog Food For Sensitive Stomach?
• How to Feed Your Dog: The Ultimate Guide
• A Guide to Specialized Diets for Dogs with Health Issues
• Can Dogs Eat Fruits and Vegetables?