For some breeds, it’s more than likely that they have a sensitivity, allergy or intolerance to something. And when it comes to something as important as their mealtime, you need to ensure you’re giving them dog food that doesn’t cause further issues. But, if a food allergy is well managed, your dog can live a perfectly normal life. So, it’s time to explore the best dog food for itchy skin and allergies.
Best dog food for itchy skin and allergies at a glance:
There's so many reasons why your dog may be prone to itchy skin and allergies, it's so different to each dog and can be triggered by environmental factors, breed traits and what they eat. As for treatment, you should always consult your vet before starting a treatment. To help at home, you can help by avoiding triggers, strict flea control, a change in diet and medication to stop the itching.
Best dog food for itchy skin and allergies
We've listed different kinds of dog food to suit your pup's appetite; including wet dog food, as well as dry, in case your pup has a preference - or maybe they like a bit of both. We've included options for your puppy or senior dog, too.
Best dry dog food for itchy skin
www.poochandmutt.co.uk
First up, we have this 'soft and shiny' vet-recommended, grain-free dry food from Pooch + Mutt. If your dog is prone to itchy skin and needs a bit of help for a glossy coat, this food may just be the thing. It’s packed with active ingredients, including herring which is a digestible, omega-rich protein. Plus, with added supplements such as collagen and with the Omega’s making an appearance, your dog’s skin and coat will be nourished. No more endless scratching.
Customer review: “My really fussy dog loves this food. He doesn’t have the best skin and does seem to help.”
Pros
- Hypoallergenic and supplemented
- Vet recommended
- Omega and antioxidant-rich
Cons
- May not suit all sensitive stomachs
Best wet dog food for itchy skin
www.petsathome.com
Next, we recommend James Wellbeloved for your pooch’s needs. They’ve combined a mixture of natural, hypoallergenic and nutritious ingredients to make hearty adult food. It contains no beef, pork, soya, eggs, wheat or dairy. This mix contains 100 per cent natural turkey and seaweed – which is rich in iodine and Omega 3 and 6 to support healthy skin and a glossy coat.
Customer review: “I decided to switch my dog's wet food for something more nutritious and of better quality. I was supposed to buy another brand but it was out of stock and there was a great sale for this one. My dog seems to be enjoying them a lot and I'm happy seeing her eating with such an appetite!”
Pros
- Natural ingredients
- Hypoallergenic
- Added seaweed is rich in iodine
- Omega-rich for skin and coat health
Cons
- Not grain free
Best wet puppy food for itchy skin
www.petsathome.com
And for the puppies, we recommend this new loaf from James Wellbeloved. James Wellbeloved has combined nourishing ingredients with flavourful chicken for highly digestible, quality protein dog food. Perfect for your tricky pup. Plus, they’ve added all of the nutrition, too. There are vitamins and minerals in this food – perfect for pets to stay happy, healthy and full of life.
Pros
- Single-source animal protein
- Excludes allergens such as dairy and soya
- Supports healthy growth
- Available in a multipack
Cons
- Not grain free
- No customer reviews
Best dry puppy food for itchy skin
If your puppy prefers dry food, we recommend Lily’s Kitchen. This Chicken and Salmon dry food is unique, grain-free and complete. With fresh ingredients like salmon oil, your pup’s skin and fur will be beautiful, glucosamine and chondroitin will help their growing joints and added prebiotics will support good digestion. Not to mention the vitamins and minerals for that added boost.
Customer Review: “My Maltese loves this. It was recommended to us by her breeder because they said it’s really healthy and grain free. Also, apparently, kibble doesn’t give the bad breath problems that some wet dog food seems to cause. It’s worked great for us and the pieces are small so ideal for a little dog or puppy.”
Pros
- Grain free recipe
- Immune system boosting
- Fresh, nutritious ingredients
- Salmon will help with skin and coat
Cons
- None
Best dry senior food for itchy skin
www.lilyskitchen.co.uk
Made with delicious turkey, trout and white fish, why not choose this grain-free Lily's Kitchen food for your senior pooch? It’s packed with the highest levels of joint care supplement to give your doggy support, as well as nutrition. Nourishing, fresh and wholesome, we always recommend Lily’s Kitchen.
Customer Review: “My girl has food allergies and I have been feeding her fresh as could-find dry food without the things she couldn't have until now. I'm happy to say she is doing really well on this mixed with fresh food.”
Pros
- Grain free recipe
- Fresh, nutritious ingredients
- Joint support with glucosamine
- Botanicals for digestive support
Cons
- Pricey
Best wet senior food for itchy skin
www.petsathome.com
Packed with joint care, this hand-crafted, grain-free recipe from Lily’s Kitchen is perfect for your pooch. Made with fresh turkey, fruit, veg and botanicals, this recipe is nourishing and will help support your senior pooch – whether their joints, coat, skin, digestion or brain function.
Customer Review: “Our dog loves the Senior recipe wet food for older dogs and licks up every drop with a waggy tail.”
Pros
- Grain free recipe
- Fresh, nutritious ingredients
- Joint support with glucosamine
- Botanicals for digestive support
Cons
- Only one flavour
Best hypoallergenic dog food
www.poochandmutt.co.uk
Pamper your pooch with this grain-free recipe from Pooch & Mutt. It contains a high meat content to so many nutritious vegetables, including kale and spinach. With all of these fresh ingredients, this superfood is high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. This is great for general health, immunity, skin, coat and joint support – not to mention camomile for a calm, happy pooch. Aid some healthy digestion and add some sheen to their coat with this well-loved recipe from Pooch & Mutt.
Customer Review: “My border collie loves this food. As it is high chicken and low-fat, I have been recommended to give him some oil with it to help dry skin.”
Pros
- Hypoallergenic and supplemented
- Vet recommended
- Omega and antioxidant-rich
Cons
- Some fussy dogs may turn their nose up
Best dog food multipack for itchy skin
www.petsathome.com
James Wellbeloved’s multipack contains naturally sourced animal protein and vegetables. Hypoallergenic, there are no artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives. This is recommended to help support skin and coat, packed with Omega 6 and zinc. Not only that, but it aids digestion with some added grain-free fibre and supports your dog’s immune system with all the nutrients.
Customer Review: “My dog loves this new wet food. I have always fed him on James Wellbeloved. I highly recommend this product to owners that are looking for a variety of flavours, in healthy wet food. I mix it with dry food, and a little bit goes a long way! Will be purchasing more of this product.”
Pros
- Omega oils for skin and coat support
- Grain-free and good for digestion
- Good value and variation
Cons
- It would be worth checking your pooch is keen on the various flavours before buying the multipack
Best dog food bundle for skin and coat support
www.poochandmutt.co.uk
Save 6 per cent with the Skin & Coat Bundle, perfect for dogs with sensitive skin and allergies, containing a 2kg bag of Grain Free Soft & Shiny Dry Food, 500ml of Salmon Oil Supplement and seven packs of Skin & Coat Probiotic Meaty Treats. Packed with biotin, collage and Omega oils, this bundle will play a vital role in your pooch’s skin and coat health, especially if your pup is prone to allergies and itching. Nothing says ‘healthy dog’ like silky, glossy fur.
Customer Review: “Quick delivery and excellent quality.”
Pros
- Good value bundle
- Contains probiotics to aid digestion
- Omega, 3, 6 and 9 for skin and coat health
Cons
- Pricey
FAQs
Can dog food cause itchy skin?
Itchy skin is a symptom of a skin allergy, which is "one of the most common causes of itchy skin in dogs”, according to the PDSA. This is triggered by an allergen. In the case of a dog, it could be anything from pollen to certain foods – just like us. Food allergies often cause skin and/or tummy problems (such as diarrhoea and vomiting). These likely could be from meat, wheat or dairy. Fortunately, you can find grain-free alternatives and dog food for sensitive stomachs.
What are the symptoms of allergies in dogs?
The PDSA has listed all the symptoms of a food allergy in dogs.
Excessive flatulence (or farting): It can be after the meal, often caused by a poorly-digested diet.
Itchy skin: This can cause them to scratch and nibble at certain parts of their body more than usual.
Vomiting: This can be caused by many things. Most cases of vomiting in dogs improve within 24 hours, says the PDSA. If your dog is still suffering from vomiting, it's time to call a vet. Nevertheless, you should monitor your pup carefully.
Diarrhoea: With similar advice to vomiting, if things do not improve within 24 hours, it's time to visit a vet.
Sore tummy: Your pup may be overprotective over its tummy.
Saliva staining: Caused by your dog licking an area of its body excessively. Saliva staining can be caused by itchy skin and even tummy pain. Often, their fur can turn red, pink, brown or orange.
A rash or red, sore skin: Check the feet, ears, face, chin, tummy and groin. If it’s red, inflamed and angry-looking skin, it could be dermatitis. Make sure to see your vet.
Can my dog take any supplements to help with their skin?
Yes, supplements are available to help your pooch with their skin, keeping it healthy and itch-free. We've enlisted the expert advice of John Smith, pet expert and founder of Yappy.com to explain a little more.
"Essential fatty acids (EFAs), such as the omega-3s found in fish oils and some plants are essential components of your dog’s daily diet," says John. "However, EFAs can be lacking or missing in your pup’s diet, which is why supplementation with these oils is helpful, especially for dogs with skin or coat problems."
John Smith recommends Yappy.com's Skin and Coat Supplements for your dog: "Our tasty supplements can be eaten like a treat and include Salmon Oil, which is a key source of omega-3 fatty acids and will help to maintain normal moisture in dry skin and make your dog’s coat glossy, shiny and itch-free."
Best Yappy skin and coat supplement
www.yappy.com
Veterinarian-formulated, these tasty bites eat like a treat. Not only are they grain free and contain natural ingredients, but the added salmon oil makes them rich in Omega 3, 6 and 9. They work to reduce inflammation, too.
How to make homemade dog food for dogs with allergies
If your dog has several allergies confirmed by a vet, and you're struggling to find a pet food that they're safe with, it is possible to home-cook food for them. You can use customer recipes to avoid those nasty trigger foods - and find alternatives to their diet without withholding essential nutrients. This could improve their quality of life.
Our top tips for tackling homemade dog food start with consulting your vet. They'll point you in the right direction and hopefully educate you on dog-friendly ingredients. But, you should be doing your own research on top of this. After all, you need to be ensuring that the recipes you're making are nutritionally balanced.
Plus, you need to be changing your pup's meals up so they don't get bored with their din-dins. It is recommended to make homemade food with hypoallergenic kibble/dry food to save money and bulk out the homemade meals. Lastly, you should consider supplements for your dog - but, you shouldn't really add them to the food unless instructed by a vet.
How do I test my dog for food allergies?
You can test your dog at home - from their ancestry to allergies. Most of the kits available will test for potential health problems and medication sensitivities, too. So, it's worth looking into home DNA test kits for dogs if vet bills are piling up. They could be potentially beneficial to your pooch's health and wellbeing.
This kit tests 125 food and environmental items. Generally, you will receive your results in four weeks. We still recommend checking in with your vet first if they can't solve the problem.
Piper Huxley is a Homes, Garden and Wellness Product Writer for Take a Break, specialising in pet health. When she’s not barking about dog supplements, she’s online devouring cat content.