Best Hypoallergenic Dog Foods
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Nothing is worse than seeing your dog suffer, and food allergies can cause some pretty bad reactions in some dogs. From recurrent ear infections to painful skin and digestive symptoms, food allergies in dogs are no laughing matter.
Food allergies affect dogs in different ways than they affect humans, but the fact remains that a hypoallergenic diet is the best solution. However, a hypoallergenic dog food is simply a dog food free from allergens. Because different dogs are allergic to different things, hypoallergenic dog foods may look different for different dogs.
Keep reading to learn more about your dog’s basic dietary needs and to receive some tips for picking the best dog food to meet those needs.
Compare Best Hypoallergenic Dog Food
| BEST FOR ALLERGIES  5. Nature’s Variety Instinct LID Grain-Free Lamb Recipe | ||||
| Protein 24% Min | Protein 24% Min | Protein 26% Min | Protein 12% Min | Protein 24% Min |
| Fat 13% Min | Fat 14% Min | Fat 154% Min | Fat 13% Min | Fat 21.5% Min |
| Fiber 7.5% Max | Fiber 3.5% Max | Fiber 5% Max | Fiber 2% Max | Fiber 3.5% Max |
| Calories 505 kcal/cup | Calories 3600 kcal/kg, 381 kcal/cup | Calories 3,649 kcal/kg, 394 kcal/cup | Calories 459 kcal/cup | Calories 3,930 kcal/kg, 447 kcal/cup |
The Top 5 Best Hypoallergenic Dog Foods
Now that you have a better understanding of your dog’s nutritional needs, you’re ready to shop for hypoallergenic dog food. Remember, the key is to reduce the risk of triggering an allergy, so look for a recipe made with a limited number of ingredients, including quality animal protein, healthy fats, digestible grain-free carbohydrates, and beneficial supplements.
Here are our top 5 picks for the best hypoallergenic dog food that you should consider:
FirstMate Grain-Free LID Australian Lamb Formula
Product Info
- Protein: 24% Min
- Fat: 13% Min
- Fiber: 7.5% Max
- Calories: 505 kcal/cup
- Limited number of main ingredients
- Single source of high-quality animal protein
- Digestible grain-free carbohydrates
- Very expensive to feed as a staple diet
It is a limited ingredient diet made with 78% animal ingredients and 22% vegetables and supplements.
It features protein-rich lamb as a single source of novel protein with potatoes for digestible carbohydrates. This recipe is supplemented with glucosamine for healthy joints with chelated minerals for optimal nutrient absorption.
Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Salmon & Whitefish Recipe
Product Info
- Protein: 24% Min
- Fat: 14% Min
- Fiber: 3.5% Max
- Calories: 3600 kcal/kg, 381 kcal/cup
- Several sources of novel protein
- Grain-free carbohydrates for digestibility
- Supplemented with probiotics
- Contains chicken ingredients, some dogs may be sensitive
This recipe is grain-free for digestibility and to reduce the risk for allergies, plus it is made with novel proteins like salmon and whitefish.
It contains plenty of essential fatty acids pls fresh fruits and vegetables for nutritional support. It also contains probiotics for healthy and regular digestion.
Blue Buffalo Basics LID Turkey & Potato Recipe
Product Info
- Protein: 26% Min
- Fat: 154% Min
- Fiber: 5% Max
- Calories: 3,649 kcal/kg, 394 kcal/cup
- Limited number of main ingredients
- Single source of animal protein
- Free from chicken ingredients and artificial additives
- Contains some plant protein (pea protein)
- Main source of fat is plant-based (canola oil)
Not only is this recipe made with a limited number of main ingredients, but it is free from both chicken and artificial additives.
It features lean turkey as the main ingredient with digestible carbohydrates like potatoes.
It is supplemented with omega fatty acids as well as DHA for brain support and it contains plenty of antioxidants for healthy immunity.
Nulo Grain-Free Trout & Sweet Potato Senior Recipe
Product Info
- Protein: 12% Min
- Fat: 13% Min
- Fiber: 2% Max
- Calories: 459 kcal/cup
- Several sources of novel animal protein
- Digestible grain-free carbohydrates
- Supplemented with probiotics
- Fairly expensive to feed as a staple diet
It features deboned trout and turkey meal as the top two ingredients, both hypoallergenic sources of protein, with grain-free carbohydrates.
It is rich in glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support and contains chelated minerals for optimal nutrient absorption. It also contains probiotic supplements for regular digestion.
Nature’s Variety Instinct LID Grain-Free Lamb Recipe
Product Info
- Protein: 24% Min
- Fat: 21.5% Min
- Fiber: 3.5% Max
- Calories: 3,930 kcal/kg, 447 kcal/cup
- Limited number of main ingredients
- Single source of novel protein
- Digestible grain-free carbohydrates
- Contains some plant protein (pea protein)
- Main source of fat is plant-based (canola oil)
Made with a limited number of ingredients and a single source of novel animal protein, this is a top-quality hypoallergenic dog food.
It features real deboned lamb as the main ingredient with peas and tapioca for carbohydrates. It is supplemented with freeze-dried lamb for added nutrition and plenty of beneficial supplements.
Understanding The Dietary Needs Of Dogs
Dogs require a balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates in their diet. Protein forms the building blocks of strong muscles, while fat provides a concentrated source of energy. Carbohydrates provide energy as well as fiber and essential nutrients. Your dog needs these ingredients in specific ratios.
If your dog suffers from food allergies, it becomes more important to carefully choose the ingredients that provide these nutrients.
Here are some things to look for in hypoallergenic dog food:
- Animal Proteins. Any hypoallergenic dog food should start with an animal protein like meat, poultry, or fish as the main ingredient and provide a minimum of 18% crude protein. Novel proteins like venison, turkey, and rabbit are commonly used in hypoallergenic dog foods.
- Healthy Fats. Most of your dog’s fat intake should come from animal sources because its body can better metabolize animal fats than plant fats. Your dog needs a minimum of 5% fat.
- Digestible Carbohydrates. When it comes to food allergies, grains are a common culprit, so look for dog food made with grain-free carbohydrates like vegetables, beans, or legumes.
- No artificial additives Low-quality ingredients can trigger food allergies, so make sure the dog food is made with wholesome natural ingredients and free from artificial additives.
Keeping all of these things in mind, you’re now ready to learn how to choose the best hypoallergenic dog food. Here’s what you need to know:
How Do You Choose the Best Hypoallergenic Dog Food?
Now that you know the basics about your dog’s nutritional needs, you can learn how to choose a hypoallergenic dog food.
The best place to start is a recipe made with natural ingredients. You can look for the word “natural” on the label, but keep in mind that claims on pet food packaging are not as closely regulated as for human food, so take these claims with a grain of salt.
As you look at the package, make sure that the product lists a high-quality source of animal protein first.
Fats are not usually a problem for allergies, but you still want them to come from high-quality animal sources to ensure digestibility and bioavailability.
When it comes to carbohydrates, your dog has no specific requirements, but they should be digestible and unlikely to trigger allergies.
For most dogs with allergies, this means cutting out grains. Fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, and legumes are all good options. You should also make sure that the recipe contains plenty of fiber and probiotics to ensure smooth digestion.
To avoid triggering an allergy, a limited-ingredient diet is a good idea.
These are simply dog foods made with a low number of main ingredients, which reduces the risk of triggering an allergy. These can also be made with novel proteins and grain-free carbohydrates to further reduce the risk.
What About Food Allergies and Sensitivities?
Some dogs are more prone to allergies and food sensitivities than others, and the risk for food allergies goes up as your dog gets older.
Dogs can develop allergies to just about any food ingredient, but there are certain foods that are most likely to trigger allergies.
These include low-quality fillers like corn, wheat, and soy, as well as common proteins like chicken, pork, beef, and eggs.
Artificial ingredients and by-products can also trigger negative reactions in dogs. If your dog is allergic or sensitive, a grain-free diet may help, or you could try a limited-ingredient diet made with a novel protein.
Final Thoughts
Every dog is unique in terms of his tolerance for certain ingredients, so a dog food that is hypoallergenic for one dog may trigger allergies in another dog. The key is to identify the ingredient(s) that are causing your dog’s problem and then eliminate them from his diet.
One way to do that is by switching to a hypoallergenic dog food until all signs of your dog’s allergy disappear, then introducing potential allergens one at a time until you identify the problem.
