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The Best Dog Food For Allergies [2020 Data Updated!]

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In fact, according to Drs. Foster and Smith, one out of ten allergies in dogs is food allergies. To prevent outbreaks your canine’s diet must be strictly monitored by feeding them the best dog food for allergies.

My Detailed Reviews of Best Dog Food For Allergies

Sizes: 4.5/11/24 lb.

Available for:
• Puppy/Adult/Senior.
• Toy/Small/Large Breeds.
• Special dietary needs including HF Hydrolyzed for Food Intolerance

Also known as BLUE Buffalo because of the company’s logo (don’t worry I was initially confused too), this dog food range has personally worked wonders for my dachshund cross.

Why BLUE Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Adult Dry Dog Food Is My Best Dog Food For Allergies

What I love about BLUE Wilderness is that they have based their recipes on the eating habits of wild wolves. Basically, what omnivorous canines would eat if we didn’t domesticate them and control their diets.

For dogs with allergies the outlandish and truly wild Rocky Mountain Recipes of Rabbit, Bison, or Red Meat are recommended. My best friend literally drools when I serve up the Bayou Blend (Alligator & Catfish) or Denali Dinner (Wild Salmon, Venison & Halibut). 

Another fantastic feature of BLUE Wilderness dry dog food is their exclusive trademark LifeSource Bits. Designed by animal nutritionists and holistic vets, these small “cold formed” dark bits of kibble is packed with vitamins, minerals, and oxidants. Immune boosting and oxidative balancing ingredients include blueberries, kelp, cranberries, and barley grass. 

The final topper of BLUE Wilderness that secured its position as my personal best dog food for allergies is the rest of their range which includes Wild Cut Toppers, meat rolls, and wet food which allows me to easily mix it up.

My dog Blinker does find it a treat when he gets the occasional Sausage, Egg & Cheese Flavor Breakfast Bites which is a single serving entrée or a bowl of steaming Savory Salmon Stew.

Then there are the treats, of course! A job well done certainly deserves some Blue Sizzlers bacon-styled treats made from real U.S. pork or some Turkey Jerky. Yummy!


PROS

  • No by-products, corn, wheat or soy. 
  • No added artificial colorants or preservatives. 
  • Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids alleviate dry and itchy skin.
  • Exceptionally high in protein with a lower than average carbohydrates count when compared to other dog food brands. Please note that high protein content may cause loose stool for some pooches. 

CONS

  • The FDA reports that the latest recall was in March 2017. This involved increased levels of naturally occurring beef thyroid hormones in specific wet dog foods.

Sizes: 5/14/15/28/30 lb.

Available for:
• Puppy/Adult/Senior.
• Small Breeds/Standard. 

Another dog food manufacturer to find inspiration from nature is Taste of the Wild.

The tasty flavors have some interesting names like Appalachia Valley (Venison & Garbanzo Beans), Pine Forest (Venison & Legumes) and Southwest Canyon (Wild Boar) which are sure to appease canine taste buds. 

The Prey Limited Ingredient Formula has 3 varieties (Trout, Angus Beef or Turkey).

PROS

  • When compared to other dog food, carbohydrates levels are low with more fat. 
  • High protein value from a moderate amount of meat and other constituents like flaxseed, brewer’s yeast, and peas.
  • Antioxidants provided by numerous ingredients including raspberries and blueberries.
  • This dry dog food range was recalled for possible Salmonella contamination but this was back in 2012. The recalls tested indicated that there was no trace of the contaminant.

CONS

  • Admittedly this is a premium grain-free dog food and a close runner-up for the first place on my personal list of the best dog foods with allergies but the range is smaller than the others. There are also only 4 canned foods and no treats. I like variety.

Sizes: 4.5/12/14/24/28 lb.

Available for:
• Puppy/Adult.
• Small/Large Breeds.

Natural Balance Limited Ingredients Diets or L.I.D., as the name suggests, is designed to keep the number of ingredients minimal thereby avoiding allergic reactions.

With many delish flavor options, the Kangaroo or Bison, both with Sweet Potato, are both novel sources of proteins and carbs.

They also have a large range of canned and wet dog foods as well as rolls and healthy treats.

Blinker is quite partial to the Salmon & Legume Belly Bites Treats. 

The Mini-Rewards are great for training sessions as they only contain 5 calories each!

PROS

  • Online Vet Techs can help you select the best dog food for your pet’s allergies.
  • No preservatives, artificial flavors, colorants or grains. 
  • Rich in Omega-3 fats from numerous sources including flaxseed, salmon oil and canola oil. 
  • Some of the dry dog foods were voluntarily recalled 5 years ago for possible Salmonella contamination. However, no illnesses were reported and none of the recalls tested positive. 
  • A lot of the protein is provided through alternative sources like potatoes, flaxseed, and beans as the actual meat content is limited.

CONS

  • Lower in protein and fat than other dry dog foods in this category.
  • More carbohydrates than other brands of dry dog food on the market.

What Causes Food Allergies In Dogs?

Just like people, an allergy can develop unexpectedly even if your pooch has been eating the same dog food all his/her life without any problems before.

It’s also the third most common allergy after flea bites and inhalant allergies.

The intestinal tracts antibodies react to a particular food agent. 

What Are The Symptoms Of Allergies?

  • Excessive scratching
  • Chewing on paws.
  • Rubbing his/her face on carpet or against furniture because his/her face is itchy.
  • Hair loss.
  • Other skin problems like hotspots, or infections that reoccur after antibiotics or steroid treatments. 
  • Ear infections (recurring or chronic) especially yeast infections  
  • In some cases, your dog may potty 3 or more times a day. 
  • Possible vomiting although this is more likely due to food intolerance.

Conclusion

Allergies vary from dog to dog so that means that the best dog food for my pet’s allergies will not necessarily be the same for yours.

Your dog food’s protein and carbs must come from a source that he or she has never eaten before. This is also essential during a food trial to determine what your dog is allergic too as well. It may be necessary to try several types of dog foods, each over a month, to determine if it safe for your pet’s allergies.

Alternatively, hydrolyzed protein formulas dog foods are also available. The proteins and carbs are broken down so much that they may no longer cause allergic reactions or food intolerance for some.

Surprisingly, pooches actually don’t need carbohydrates. It is, however, a staple in all commercial dog foods as it is needed to make kibble.

Ideally, I would love to be able to feed my Blinkers scrumptious home-cooked meals every day where I can use the exact ingredients so as to avoid uncomfortable allergic reactions. However, I am one of those that burn a pot of boiling water!

Nonetheless, after the initial panic and lots of trial and error, I am ecstatic to report that since feeding Blinkers the products featured on my list of the best dog food for allergies he is healthier and much happier. So am I! Good luck! 

About the Author Cindy Grant

A pet lover from Boston, USA who is extremely passionate about all cute little pets, especially puppies, kittens and birds. I created NolongerWild as a community where all pet lovers around the world can meet and share their passion with each other.

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