What is the best dry dog food for dogs with skin allergies? Here’s What to Expect

NewsletterSign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news

This article contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Our team went out into the field looking for the best canine nutrition products in the world. Our winner for this year is Pupper, which topped our charts in terms of ingredient quality as well as science backed claims.

If your dog suffers from allergies, it can be tough to find a food that agrees with them. Many commercial dog foods contain ingredients that trigger allergic reactions in dogs. This can lead to a wide variety of symptoms, including skin problems, digestive issues, and respiratory problems.

In this article, we will discuss 20 of the best dog foods for dogs with allergies. Well also provide tips on how to choose the right food for your furry friend.

Pupper Chicken Topper

Just 6 by Rachel Ray Nutrish Hypoallergenic Food

The Best Dog Food for Allergies January 2023

Here are The Dog Food Advisor’s 12 best dog foods for allergies for January 2023.

Rating:

Turkey and Potato Formula is one of 6 recipes included in our review of the Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient dry product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Deboned turkey, turkey meal, potatoes, peas, dried ground potatoes
  • Type: Grain-free
  • Design: Limited ingredient
  • Profile: Maintenance
  • Best For: Adults only (not for puppies)
  • See all 6 available recipes
  • Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey and Potato derives the majority of its animal protein from fresh turkey and turkey meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 29% protein, 14% fat and 49% estimated carbs… yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 46%.

    An excellent limited ingredient option for adult dogs with food and skin sensitivities. Easily recommended.

    Rating:

    Pork Potluck is one of 4 fresh human-grade recipes studied in our review of the Nom Nom cooked-then-frozen product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Ground pork, russet potatoes, green beans, squash, kale
  • Type: Grain-free
  • Design: Limited ingredient
  • Profile: All life stages
  • Best For: Adults + puppies (including large breeds)
  • See all 4 available recipes
  • Nom Nom Pork Potluck derives the bulk of its meat protein from fresh ground pork. Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 32% protein, 20% fat and 40% estimated carbs… with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 63%.

    If you’ve ever wished you could feed your dog a fresh, home-cooked meal… but you didn’t know how to make sure it was nutritionally complete and balanced… then Nom Nom makes a smart choice.

    The first time you visit Nom Nom’s website, you’ll answer a few questions about your dog’s age, weight, breed and suspected allergies. Nom Nom will then create a customized, single protein diet designed to keep your dog at optimal weight.

    Expertly designed by Dr. Justin Shmalberg, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist (DACVN).

    An excellent limited ingredient recipe… and a solid place to start an at-home elimination diet. Enthusiastically recommended.

    For More Choices: See our Best Fresh-Cooked Dog Food page

    Rating:

    Real Salmon and Sweet Potato Recipe is one of 10 formulas included in our review of the Canidae Grain-Free Pure dry product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Salmon, salmon meal, menhaden fish meal, sweet potatoes, peas
  • Type: Grain-free
  • Design: Limited ingredient
  • Profile: Maintenance
  • Best For: Adults only (not for puppies)
  • See all 10 available recipes
  • Canidae Grain-Free Pure Real Salmon and Sweet Potato gets the majority of its meat protein from fresh salmon, as well as salmon and menhaden fish meals. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 20% fat and 36% estimated carbs… creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.

    A high-quality recipe ideal for adult dogs.

    Rating:

    Angus Beef Recipe is one of 3 dry formulas included in our review of the Taste of the Wild Prey Limited Ingredient product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Beef, lentils, tomato pomace, chicken fat, natural flavor
  • Type: Grain-free
  • Design: Limited ingredient
  • Profile: All life stages
  • Best For: All adults + puppies
  • See all 3 available recipes
  • Taste of the Wild Prey Angus Beef receives most of its animal protein from fresh beef. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 17% fat and 45% estimated carbs… which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 57%.

    Rating:

    Chicken Flavor is one of 2 recipes included in our review of the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Dog Food dry product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Corn starch, hydrolyzed soy protein isolate, partially hydrogenated canola oil preserved with TBHQ, coconut oil, powdered cellulose,
  • Type: Grain-free
  • Design: Hypoallergenic
  • Profile: Maintenance
  • Best For: Adults only (not for puppies)
  • See all available recipes
  • Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Chicken Flavor gets most of its protein from hydrolyzed soy protein isolate. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 20% protein, 11% fat and 61% estimated carbs… which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 53%.

    An exceptional selection for sensitive dogs. Highly recommended.

    Rating:

    Real Turkey and Brown Rice is one of 4 wet recipes included in our review of the Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet wet product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Deboned turkey, turkey broth, turkey liver, brown rice, oatmeal
  • Type: Grain-inclusive (brown rice, oatmeal)
  • Design: Limited ingredient
  • Profile: Maintenance
  • Best For: Adults only (not for puppies)
  • See all 4 available recipes
  • This Merrick Limited Ingredient formula derives the bulk of its meat protein from fresh deboned turkey. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 27% fat and 28% estimated carbs… which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 75%.

    A balanced, wet alternative to dry kibble. A practical option for those seeking to pin down a possible offending ingredient. Plus it’s available in 4 other featured proteins. Highly recommended.

    Rating:

    Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Hydrolyzed Protein Adult HP is one of 4 recipes included in our review of the Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Hydrolyzed Protein dry product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Brewers rice, hydrolyzed soy protein, chicken fat, natural flavors, dried plain beet pulp
  • Type: Grain-inclusive (brewers rice)
  • Design: Hypoallergenic
  • Profile: All life stages
  • Best For: All adults + small or medium breed puppies
  • See all 4 available recipes
  • Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Hydrolyzed Protein draws the bulk of its protein from hydrolyzed soy protein. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 21% protein, 19% fat and 52% estimated carbs… producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 89%.

    A solid all life stages option for dogs with allergies.

    Rating:

    Lamb Meal + Egg Formula is one of 4 dry recipes included in our review of the Brothers Complete Advanced Allergy dry product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Lamb meal, whole eggs dried, turkey meal, cassava root, peas
  • Type: Grain-free
  • Design: Limited ingredient
  • Profile: All life stages
  • Best For: All adults + puppies
  • See all 4 available recipes
  • This Lamb Meal and Egg formula gets the majority of its animal protein from lamb meal and whole dried eggs, as well as turkey meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 38% protein, 16% fat and 38% estimated carbs… which results in a fat-to-protein ratio (FPE) of about 42%.

    A superior, grain-free, all life stages option. Readily recommended.

    Rating:

    Z/D is one of 2 dry recipes included in our review of the Hill’s Prescription Skin Food Sensitivities product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Corn starch, hydrolyzed chicken liver, powdered cellulose, soybean oil, calcium carbonate
  • Type: Grain-free
  • Design: Hypoallergenic
  • Profile: Maintenance
  • Best For: Adults only, including seniors (not for puppies)
  • This product gets the majority of its animal protein from chicken liver. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 19% protein, 14% fat and 59% estimated carbs… yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 75%.

    Hill’s Z/D is made with hydrolyzed protein derived from chicken to help avoid adverse food reactions and promote healthy skin.

    A time-proven, hypoallergenic formula that’s been recommended by veterinary professionals nationwide for years. Ideal for dogs diagnosed with food and skin allergies. Highly recommended.

    Rating:

    This Salmon and Brown Rice Formula is one of 26 recipes included in our review of the Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets dry product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Salmon, menhaden fish meal, brown rice, brewers rice, rice bran
  • Type: Grain-inclusive (brown rice, brewers rice)
  • Design: Limited ingredient
  • Profile: Maintenance
  • Best For: Adults only (not for puppies)
  • See all 26 available recipes
  • This Natural Balance Limited Ingredient formula derives most of its animal protein from fresh salmon and fish meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 27% protein, 17% fat and 49% estimated carbs… which produces a fat-to-protein ratio of about 63%.

    Rating:

    Sensitive Skin Salmon and Rice is one of 19 recipes included in our review of the Purina Pro Plan dry product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Salmon, barley, rice, oat meal, canola meal
  • Type: Includes grain (barley, rice, oat meal)
  • Design: Hypoallergenic
  • Profile: Maintenance
  • Best For: Adults only (not for puppies)
  • This Purina Pro Plan formula derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh salmon. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 18% fat and 44% estimated carbs… yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 62%.

    We also note the inclusion of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids from sunflower and fish oils… designed to help support dry, itchy skin.

    An exceptional over-the-counter, non-prescription dog food that may provide symptomatic relief from chronic skin allergies. Highly recommended.

    Rating:

    Zignature Turkey is one of 13 wet dog food recipes included in our review of the Zignature canned product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Turkey, turkey broth, turkey liver, peas, turkey meal
  • Type: Grain-free
  • Design: Limited ingredient
  • Profile: All life stages
  • Best For: All adults + puppies
  • See all 13 available recipes
  • Zignature Salmon extracts the bulk of its meat protein from fresh turkey. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 52% protein, 23% fat and 17% estimated carbs… creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 43%.

    An exceptional, simple ingredient formula. Recommended with confidence.

    Here are the most frequently asked questions we get about feeding dogs with food allergies:

    What are the most common food allergens for dogs?

    The most common food allergens for dogs include beef, chicken, dairy, eggs, wheat, and soy. However, dogs can be allergic to any ingredient in their food.

    When it comes to finding the best dog food for dogs with allergies, its important to work with your veterinarian and avoid ingredients that are known to cause an allergic reaction in your dog.

    5 Best Dog food for Skin allergies in 2020.

    Do you suspect that your dog may have an allergy? You definitely arent alone. Itchy skin is one of the most common issues that dogs are presented to the vet for. In most cases, the cause of itchy skin is an allergy – either to a contact allergen, insect bite, or a food ingredient.