Protect your pooch with the best dog food for allergies

Just adopted a furry friend with an allergy? Or has yours suddenly developed one? 

The last thing any dog owner wants to do is unknowingly give their dog food they’re intollerant towards. It’s best to stick to a brand or type of food once you’ve found one that works for both you and your dog. 

However, picking one in the first place can be daunting, so whether they’re allergic to wheat, chicken or another allergen, we’ve found the best allergy dog foods on the market. 

Read on to discover the best dog food for dogs with allergies. 

Don’t know the signs of a food allergy or an allergic reaction in dogs? Check out this quick rundown by the Veterinary Emergency Group of the most common allergy symptoms. We would always recommend contacting your local veterinarian if you suspect your dog is having an allergic reaction. 

Read more: The best collars for every kind of dog

Best allergy food for dogs

Best wet food for allergies

ZIWI Peak Canned Dog Food

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$87.78 at Amazon

Best dry food for allergies

ACANA Singles Limited Ingredient Duck & Pear Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

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$57.94 at Amazon

Best for skin allergies

Forza10 Nutraceutic Active Dermo Dry Dog Food

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$87.29 at Amazon

Best for chicken allergies

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve Grain-Free Sweet Potato & Venison Recipe Dry Dog Food

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$75.98 at Amazon

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Best wet food for allergies

ZIWI Peak Canned Dog Food

$87.78

$87.78 at Amazon

($0.56/oz)

$92.40 at Chewy

($0.56/oz)

Specifications

• First five ingredients: Beef, water, beef lung, beef kidney, beef tripe

• Type: Wet

• Life-stage: All life stages

• Breed size: All breeds

• Grain-free: Yes

• Made in: New Zealand

Feeding your dog wet food is one of the best ways to keep them hydrated and we love this canned dog food from New Zealand-based brand ZIWI. 

Designed to mirror a whole-prey diet, this moisture-rich, single-protein food contains an impressive 92% of meat, organs, bone and superfood inclusions such as New Zealand green mussels and organic kelp. These all add up to an extremely nutrient-rich meal for your precious pooch, making it one of the best foods for puppies with allergies. 

This recipe is also grain-free and free from added carbs like potato, soy protein and corn, which is ideal for dogs who are prone to sensitive tummies, food allergies and obesity.

Best dry food for allergies

ACANA Singles Limited Ingredient Duck & Pear Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

$57.94 at Amazon

($4.69/lb)

94.99 at Chewy

($3.80/lb)

$76.69 at Walmart

($5.90/lb)

Specifications

• First five ingredients: Duck, duck meal, duck liver, sweet potato, whole chickpeas

• Type: Dry

• Life-stage: All life stages

• Breed size: Medium, small breeds

• Grain-free: Yes

• Made in: United States

With a well-balanced blend of 65% high-quality duck and 35% fruit, vegetables and other important nutrients, this single-source dog food from ACANA is one of the best foods for dogs with allergies. 

It also has  lentils, pears, pumpkin, sweet potato and cranberries, which will make your dog's digestive system, as well as skin and coat feel better than ever.  We also think you’ll see the difference in your pooch’s energy levels and happiness. 

Even better, this is perfect for all life stages, meaning you can give this to your dog as a puppy until they’re into their older years.

Best for skin allergies

Forza10 Nutraceutic Active Dermo Dry Dog Food

$87.29 at Amazon

($4.10/lb)

$89.99 at Chewy

($4.10/lb)

Specifications

• First five ingredients: Ground rice, fish meal, rice mill run, potato starch, dried beet pulp

• Type: Dry

• Life-stage: All life stages

• Breed size: All breeds

• Grain-free: No

• Made in: Italy

Like us, your dog's skin and coat can be affected by what they eat — so a clean, healthy diet free from artificial ingredients is super important. 

This food from Italian brand Forza10 is great for those dogs with sensitive skin – without skin-irritating ingredients (such as gluten and soy) this kibble is formulated with omega-6 and -3 fatty acids to support their skin and coat and leave them feeling nourished and hydrated. 

Not only does this food help with allergies, but it’s also ideal for other skin issues such as dermatitis, hair loss, odors, itching and pyoderma, which is why it’s one of the best dog foods for sensitive skin.

Best for chicken allergies

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve Grain-Free Sweet Potato & Venison Recipe Dry Dog Food

$75.98 at Amazon

($3.64/lb)

$79.98 at Chewy

($3.64/lb)

$79.98 at Petco

($3.64/lb)

Specifications

• First five ingredients: Sweet potatoes, venison, potatoes, pea protein, potato protein

• Type: Dry

• Life-stage: All life stages

• Breed size: All breeds

• Grain-free: Yes

• Made in: United States, Canada

If your dog is allergic to chicken, it can be difficult to work out which foods won’t cause them to itch— that’s why we would always recommend a single-source food so it’s easier to track which meats your dog is eating. 

We love this mix of venison and sweet potato, as it provides the essential animal protein and amino acids to maintain strong muscles as well as being a rich source of fiber making it easy to digest — all leading to a very happy dog!

This has no soy, gluten, or artificial colors or flavors and it’s perfect for dogs with multiple allergies or food sensitivities.

Best budget food for allergies

Firstmate Grain Friendly Cage Free Duck Meal & Oats Formula Dry Dog Food

$40.29 at Only Natural Pet

($1.61/lb)

$61.47 at Chewy

($2.46/lb)

$61.47 at Amazon

($2.47/lb)

Specifications

• First five ingredients: Duck meal, oatmeal, brown rice, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), tomato pomace

• Type: Dry

• Life-stage: All life stages

• Breed size: All breeds

• Grain-free: No

• Made in: Canada

On a strict budget, but still want your dog to eat well and be risk-free from allergic reactions? 

If so, our top choice for you is the dry food from Canadian brand, Firstmate. This hypoallergenic formula is made with duck and because it’s a single-source protein, it’s also a great affordable option for dogs that are allergic to chicken. 

We like that this recipe is grain-friendly — grain is rich in linoleic acid, which promotes healthy skin and coat health, and while it can be a common allergy for dogs, we would highly recommend incorporating it into your dog's diet if it’s safe to do so.

Best canned food for allergies

Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Wet Dog Food Pate Salmon & Rice Entree

$39.48 at Chewy

($0.26/oz)

$37.51 at Amazon

($0.26/oz)

$55.49 at Walmart

($0.36/oz)

Specifications

• First five ingredients: Water, fish, liver, salmon, rice

• Type: Wet

• Life-stage: All life stages

• Breed size: All breeds

• Grain-free: No

• Made in: United States

If your doggy has sensitive skin or gets an upset stomach easily, we recommend this wet food from Purina. 

This grain-friendly, nutrient-rich meal is everything your dog needs on the daily. The rice helps promote healthy skin and coat (which will help skin problems in the long term), adding a little extra texture and bulk to their meals. 

Salmon is one of the best sources of protein you can give to your dog — it’s abundant in omega-3 fatty acids, which does wonders for their immune system, coat and can even decrease inflammation.

Best grain-free

Nature's Recipe Grain-Free Lamb, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog Food

$47.48 at Amazon

($2.09/lb)

$49.66 at Petco

($2.07/lb)

$49.98 at Chewy

($2.09/lb)

Specifications

• First five ingredients: Lamb, chicken meal, sweet potatoes, tapioca starch, canola meal

• Type: Dry 

• Life-stage: All life stages

• Breed size: All breeds

• Grain-free: Yes

• Made in: N/A

With a tasty blend of lamb, sweet potato and pumpkin, this dry dog food from Nature’s Recipe is one of our favorites for dogs with allergies. 

Lamb is one of the best protein sources for dogs if you want to maintain solid muscle strength — making it a good choice for senior dogs who need extra support. And with chicken meal as an extra source of protein, your dog will have those added omega-3 and -6 fatty acids to revitalize their skin, coat and immune system. 

This grain-free recipe is also free from corn, soy and wheat, which is  the ideal everyday food for dogs with gluten intolerance tendencies.

Best plant-based food

Halo Holistic Vegan Dog Food Complete Digestive Health Plant-Based Recipe with Superfoods Adult Formula Dry Dog Food

$53.29 at Walmart

($5.32/lb)

$80.74 at Amazon

($4.95/lb)

$84.99 at Chewy

($4.05/lb)

Specifications

• First five ingredients: Oats, peas, chickpeas, potato protein, brewers dried yeast

• Type: Dry

• Life-stage: All life stages

• Breed size: All breeds

• Grain-free: No

• Made in: United States

Are you vegan, and want your dog to join you on your meat-free journey? 

Surprisingly (to some!), it is perfectly safe and healthy to feed your dog a fully plant-based diet, so you don’t need to worry about them not getting all their essential nutrients. 

This vegan food is made from a base of oats, peas and chickpeas, and also has blueberries, cranberries, carrots and apples — it’s almost good enough to eat yourself!

The chickpeas are the predominant source of protein in this food and it’s totally free from GMOs, soy, wheat, corn so you can rest assured that your allergy-afflicted canine will be reaction-free and healthy. 

Our verdict: What is the best dog food for allergies?

If your pooch suffers from harsh reactions to ingredients, it can be difficult to work out which are the best dog food for allergies.Hopefully, we’ve narrowed down your search considerably and found the one that works for you and your dog. 

Are skin allergies a major problem? If so, our favorite for you is the Forza10 Nutraceutic Active Dermo food — this omega-3 and 6 rich food will leave their skin feeling healthy and hydrated and can prevent and reduce issues like pyoderma, dermatitis and itching. 

While we love grain-friendly meals for your dog, it’s one of the most common food allergens for dogs — so if you need a grain-free meal, our top pick would be the Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Lamb, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin food. With lamb and chicken, it's jam-packed full of protein, helping to promote healthy muscles and skin. 

If your dog wants to join the plant-based lifestyle, we recommend Halo Holistic dog food. We love that it provides all the vitamins and minerals your dog needs in their everyday life, while also being free from animal-derived products. 

Pro tip: Always consult with your veterinarian about your choice of pet food to ensure your dog's health and safety.

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Prices updated on 03/21/2024. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.