What type of allergies can dogs have? 

Allergies aren’t exclusive to humans. Our dogs can also experience allergic reactions to certain foods or specific environments. 

Food Allergies

Food allergies in dogs are possible, albeit rare. Only about .2% of dogs suffer from food allergies. When dogs experience allergy symptoms, environmental changes or flea exposure are usually to blame.

The most common food allergens for dogs are dairy, beef, chicken, soy, eggs, corn, and gluten. Proteins like chicken and beef are the most common allergens. Other foods can also cause an allergic reaction, depending on your pup’s tolerance. 

Dogs can also have food sensitivities rather than allergies. Food sensitivities result in a less severe reaction such as digestive discomfort or mild itching. Dogs with food allergies may experience the following symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Hives or red, irritated skin 
• Frequent ear infections
• Itching or scratching
• Gnawing, licking, or chewing on paws 
• Swelling and inflammation

Your vet can help diagnose the allergy with an elimination diet. You can also order at-home saliva or hair tests that analyze food allergies. 

Seasonal Allergies

Most seasonal allergies in dogs occur after exposure to pollen and fleas. These allergens usually irritate your pup’s skin, paws, and coat. If your dog’s allergy symptoms don’t include vomiting or diarrhea, it’s likely seasonal or environmental allergies. 

Constant itching, paw-licking, and scratching are the most common seasonal allergy symptoms. Some pups also experience ear infections or skin hives. 

Seasonal allergies in dogs are far easier to treat. During high-pollen count seasons like spring or summer, limit your dog’s time outside and wipe their coat down before letting them inside. Oatmeal baths and paw cleaners can also reduce itching and skin irritation. 

How Diet Can Affect Dog Allergies

Both food and seasonal allergies can be managed with the right diet. Dogs with diagnosed food allergies should not eat recipes with their allergen. That’s the best way to avoid a reaction and the associated symptoms. 

Seasonal allergy symptoms can be treated and even prevented with a quality diet. Hypoallergenic dog food brands like Sundays for Dogs carefully curate each recipes to ease allergy symptoms.

What ingredients are in the best dog food for allergies?

When shopping for the best dog food for dogs with allergies, ingredients are everything. Of course, avoid products that use your dog’s allergen as a main ingredient. But what other ingredients are in the best dog food for allergies?

Berries

Fun fact: dogs love the taste of blueberries. That’s good news for dog parents because this fruit is high in antioxidants for extra immune support during allergy season. Berries in general have some of the most powerful antioxidants nature provides. 

For this reason (and that yummy flavor), berries are great ingredients in good food for dogs with allergies. That’s why Sundays you’ll find blueberries, cranberries, and strawberries in Sundays for Dogs. 

Turkey

Good dog food for allergies usually includes a novel protein like turkey. Not only is this protein allergy-friendly, it also has a lower fat content than beef. Turkey is also highly digestible and great for dogs with stomach sensitivity. 

The natural vitamins and minerals in turkey meat are incredibly beneficial for dogs with allergies. B vitamins can generate glucose, support nervous system function, boost immunity, and produce new enzymes. Choline also supports brain development, heart health, and live function in dogs. 

We consider the all-natural turkey recipe from Sundays for Dogs to be the best dog food for allergies. Beyond the support from turkey, there’s a limited number of ingredients to avoid potential allergens. Plus, dogs love the taste. 

Pumpkin

This ingredient is helpful for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies resulting in digestive upset. Pumpkin is a natural stomach soother because of its rich soluble fiber content. In fact, pumpkin is so versatile that it can help with diarrhea and constipation. 

Beyond digestive support, pumpkin offers your dog access to natural vitamins and minerals. This fruit is rich in magnesium, riboflavin, and vitamins A, C, E, B1, and B6. Even dogs without allergies can benefit from eating this superfood. 

Wild Fish Oil

This ingredient is often found in the best dog food for allergies because of its fatty acid content. Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are essential for a healthy skin and coat. If your dog is constantly itching and scratching during allergy season, fish oil can provide relief.

Fish oil is also a natural anti-inflammatory. It can reduce inflammation on your dog’s skin caused by exposure to allergens. This ingredient can also ease pain and inflammation in your dog’s joints. 

Carrots

Carrots are crucial for your dog’s immune system. They are rich in beta carotene, which helps your dog produce more antibodies to fight off bacteria and infection. The natural vitamins in carrots can also reduce allergy symptoms for your pup. 

Flaxseed

Good dog food for allergies may also contain flaxseed as an ingredient. Similar to fish oil, flaxseed is rich in natural Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids. These omegas provide natural shine and moisture to your dog’s dry dull coat. 

Comparing Hypoallergenic Dog Food Brands

With so many hypoallergenic dog food brands, you might feel overwhelmed. How do you choose the right diet for your allergy-prone pup? Here are a few tips to judge the good dog food for allergies from the bad. 

Always Check the Ingredients

Some hypoallergenic dog food brands don’t exclusively sell allergy-friendly recipes. Every dog allergy is different, so there’s not always one product that works well for every pup. 

If you know what food your dog is allergic to, check the nutrition label to make sure it’s not an active ingredient. This is a best practice for every dog parent, even if your pup doesn’t have allergies. Any ingredient that seems sketchy or artificial is no good for any dog. 

Pick A Novel Protein

Since proteins like chicken and beef are the most common allergens, choose your dog’s food wisely. Chicken and beef are standard ingredients in popular dog food formulas. Instead, choose a novel protein that’s new to your dog like turkey, salmon, whitefish, or duck.

Dogs are less likely to be allergic to novel proteins because they probably haven’t been exposed to these foods yet. Thus, it’s less likely that eating a novel protein will trigger an allergic reaction. 

The best dog food for allergies typically has a novel protein as the first ingredient. The FDA makes hypoallergenic dog food brands list ingredients in order of quantity. If a novel protein is the first ingredient, that means it takes up the bulk of the recipe. Dogs need a protein-rich diet, so this is a good thing. 

Avoid Grain-Free

Unless your pup has a wheat allergy, avoid feeding grain-free dog foods. Contrary to belief, wheat allergies in dogs are rare. Wheat only accounts for about 13% of food allergies in dogs. 

Grain-free dog food often contains carbs that aren’t beneficial for dogs – especially pups with allergies. In place of whole grains, these brands use cheap carbohydrates like potatoes, yams, or tapioca. These are filler ingredients with no real nutritional value for your dog. 

Instead, look for recipes with whole grain ingredients. The best dog food for dogs with allergies includes whole grains like millet, oats, or quinoa. Ingredients like these are rich in natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to combat allergy symptoms. 

Limited Ingredient Diets

Limited ingredient is a good term to remember when searching for hypoallergenic dog food brands. If your pup has a food allergy, you want a limited ingredient dog food. Less ingredients means less of a chance your dog will be allergic to the food. 

Don’t worry – limited ingredient dog food doesn’t mean less nutrition. As long as the product is AAFCO-approved for meals, your pup will still be getting complete and balanced nutrition. They won’t be missing out on fillers and unnecessary ingredients. 

Ask Your Vet

If you feel unsure about a recipe, talk it through with your dog’s vet. Odds are you aren’t a professional dog allergist – and that’s okay. Your dog’s vet knows what’s good and bad for your pup’s allergies. If you can’t decide, ask for their opinion before committing to a new diet.

Sundays for Dogs: The Best Dog Food for Allergies

If you don’t want to do the research yourself, we have the best dog food for dogs with allergies right here. Sundays for Dogs checks all the boxes: allergy-friendly ingredients, whole grain-inclusive, made with novel protein, and vet-formulated. 

The all-natural turkey recipe is specifically designed to be the best dog food for allergies. It’s a limited ingredient diet with only essential superfoods to support your dog’s health during allergy season. Sundays is also AAFCO-approved for dogs of all life stages. Puppies, adults, and senior dogs with allergies will benefit from this recipe. 

Build your dog’s custom feeding plan here. If you choose to subscribe to Sundays for Dogs, you’ll get 20% off and free shipping on every automatic reorder. 

Other Ways to Treat Dog Allergies

Ensuring your dog has an allergy-friendly diet is the best way to reduce symptoms. But here are a few more tips on how you can help your dog with their allergies. 

Track Pollen Count

Seasonal allergies in dogs are at their worst when the seasons change. On these days, there’s more pollen in the air that can irritate your dog’s skin and make them sneeze. We recommend tracking pollen counts with your weather app during this time. If pollen count is high, try to keep your dog inside for the day. 

Flea & Tick Prevention

Fleas are another allergen in dogs. We recommend using flea and tick prevention products to keep them away altogether. Talk to your vet about flea and tick medication, collars, and other preventative measures. 

Keep an Allergy-Friendly Home

You and your dogs can bring allergens into the house without even knowing. Dust mites, mold, mildew, and pollen can stick to your furniture, carpet, and bedding. Try adding a HEPA air filter to your home to eliminate allergens 24/7. Vacuum your house weekly and wash your dog’s bedding weekly, if possible.