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Best Hypoallergenic Dog Foods for Allergies 2024
Written by Aurus Sy
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 03/23/2023, edited: 02/08/2024
The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.
If your furbaby is constantly itching, vomiting, and/or having diarrhea, then they may have a food allergy. A food allergy happens when a dog’s immune system overreacts to an ingredient that isn’t actually harmful. The most common food allergies in dogs are beef, chicken, dairy, eggs, soy, and wheat gluten.
The most accurate and most affordable way to find out which foods your pup is allergic to is through an elimination trial, wherein a particular ingredient is removed from their diet for 8 to 12 weeks. If your dog’s allergy symptoms go away during the trial, then you’ve found the culprit. If they don’t, repeat the process with another ingredient.
Once you know what your dog shouldn’t be eating, the next step is to choose a hypoallergenic dog food so that their symptoms don’t come back. A hypoallergenic diet can be:
- A hydrolyzed protein diet, where the protein molecules are broken down to a size so small it becomes invisible to your dog’s immune system.
- A novel protein diet, which includes an uncommon protein source that your dog hasn’t consumed before, such as duck, rabbit, or bison.
- A limited ingredient diet, which contains a minimal number of ingredients and often a novel protein.
Let’s take a look at some of the best hypoallergenic dog foods on the market. Some of the foods featured in this guide have been personally recommended by Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, pet nutrition expert and one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants!
Overview
Canidae PURE Dog Food
Vet Recommended
Canidae’s PURE line focuses on “clean recipes with premium proteins.” There are more than a dozen dry food varieties for adult dogs, including one for weight maintenance and one for seniors.
The PURE line also includes wet food for adult dogs, dry and wet food for puppies, as well as toppers and treats. All Canidae PURE products are made with 10 key ingredients or less and list real meat as the first ingredient.
“Canidae dog food is made with high-quality animal protein sources, providing essential amino acids, and is free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, which can trigger allergies," Dr. Jeremiah notes.
PURE Dry Dog Food variations:
- Grain Free Salmon and Sweet Potato Recipe
- Salmon and Barley Recipe with Wholesome Grains
- Grain Free Lamb and Sweet Potato Recipe
- Lamb and Brown Rice Recipe with Wholesome Grains
- Grain Free Duck and Sweet Potato Recipe
- Real Bison & Barley Recipe with Wholesome Grains
- Grain Free Chicken and Pea Recipe for Healthy Weight
- Real Beef & Barley Recipe with Wholesome Grains
- Grain Free Bison, Lentil and Carrot Recipe
- Grain Free Chicken, Lentil and Potato Recipe
- Grain Free Lamb, Goat and Venison Meal Recipe
- Grain Free Wild Boar and Garbanzo Bean Recipe
- Grain Free Chicken, Sweet Potato and Garbanzo Bean Recipe for Senior Dogs
- Salmon and Oatmeal Recipe with Wholesome Grains for Puppies
- Grain Free Chicken, Lentil and Whole Egg Recipe for Puppies
Canidae PURE Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
• Has a wide variety of flavors
• Uses antibiotic-free meat
• Comes in sustainable packaging
• Formulated by experts including a vet nutritionist
• Salmon and Sweet Potato is available at Kibble Refill Stations
Considerations & Concerns
• May not appeal to picky eaters
• Some bags are reported to contain a lot of crumbs
• Some pet parents have reported digestive issues
What pet parents say about Canidae PURE
"What I love most is he barely sheds now. I am happy with this product. The only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars is because I do have to top the kibble with a tasty treat, like salmon skin that we don't eat when [making] our salmon in order for him to eat it. He won't eat the kibble on its own."
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Canidae.
Zignature Original Dog Food
Zignature has a meat-first, limited-ingredient philosophy, making all of its products suitable for dogs with sensitivities. The company’s Original line comprises 12 formulas for puppies and adults in dry and wet form, none of which contain chicken or beef.
There’s also the Small Bites line for puppies and small breed adults, and the Select Cuts line which is made with grains such as oats, millet, and quinoa.
Nearly all Zignature kibble products contain only 5 to 7 key ingredients.
Zignature Original variations:
- Pork Formula Dog Food
- Goat Formula Dog Food
- Salmon Formula Dog Food
- Catfish Formula Dog Food
- Venison Formula Dog Food
- Kangaroo Formula Dog Food
- Whitefish Formula Dog Food
- Duck Formula Dog Food
- Zssential Formula Dog Food
- Lamb Formula Dog Food
- Turkey Formula Dog Food
- Trout & Salmon Meal Formula Dog Food
Zignature Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
• Includes uncommon protein sources
• Suitable for puppies and adults
• Comes in two kibble sizes
• All offerings are limited ingredient
• Fortified with probiotics
Considerations & Concerns
• Only a few grain-inclusive recipes
• May not appeal to some dogs
• Some pet parents have reported digestive issues
What pet parents say about Zignature
"My vet suggested this higher quality food to help my dog who has allergies and scratches [a lot]. It is a higher quality dog food, but with that comes a higher price. So great product, but a little pricey."
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Pets Global Inc.
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Dog Food
Natural Balance’s Limited Ingredient line features a whopping 18 varieties of dry food for adult dogs, including half a dozen small breed recipes where the kibble is specifically shaped for small jaws and teeth.
The Limited Ingredient line also includes wet and freeze-dried raw food for adults and dry food for puppies. Except for a handful of recipes, Natural Balance Limited Ingredient products list meat as the first ingredient and contain a single animal protein source.
Limited Ingredient dry dog food variations:
- Grain Free Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe
- Grain Free Chicken & Sweet Potato Small Breed Recipe
- Grain Free Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe
- Grain Free Salmon & Sweet Potato Small Breed Recipe
- Beef & Brown Rice Recipe
- Lamb & Brown Rice Large Breed Recipe
- Vegetarian Small Breed Recipe with Vegetable Broth Coating
- Vegetarian Recipe
- Lamb & Brown Rice Small Breed Recipe
- Beef & Brown Rice Small Breed Recipe
- Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe
- Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe
- Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
- Reserve Grain Free Duck & Potato Small Breed Recipe
- Reserve Grain Free Sweet Potato & Bison Recipe
- Reserve Grain Free Duck & Potato Recipe
- Reserve Grain Free Sweet Potato & Venison Recipe
- Reserve Duck & Brown Rice Recipe
- Chicken & Brown Rice Puppy Recipe
- Lamb & Brown Rice Puppy Recipe
- Salmon & Brown Rice Puppy Recipe
- Reserve Grain Free Duck & Potato Puppy Recipe
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Dog Food
Considerations & Concerns
• Not cheap
• Some dogs may not agree with new formulas
• Meat is not the first ingredient in bison and venison recipes
What pet parents say about Natural Balance Limited Ingredient
"I have been using this product happily for many years with dogs that have sensitive stomachs. The current price seems to be a little much though."
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc.
Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Dog Food
Vet Recommended
Dr. Jeremiah says, “Merrick products are made with high-quality, whole food ingredients, and they use no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.”
Merrick’s Limited Ingredient Diet line consists of eight recipes for adult dogs, with grain-free and grain-inclusive varieties in wet and dry form.
Each recipe is formulated with 10 key ingredients or less for easier digestion, with the first one always being deboned meat, fish, or poultry.
All Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet products feature a single animal protein source and do not contain chickpeas or lentils.
Limited Ingredient Diet dry dog food variations:
- Real Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe
- Real Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe
- Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
- Real Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe
Merrick Limited Ingredient Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
• Contains a single protein source
• Uses real whole food ingredients
• Supports healthy digestion
• Supplemented with taurine and DL-methionine (dry recipes)
• Dog-approved according to many pet parents
Considerations & Concerns
• Fewer varieties
• No recipe for puppies
• Only one kibble size
What pet parents say about Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet
"My dog stopped scratching after [a] few weeks on that dry food!"
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Merrick Pet Care.
FAQ
What can I feed my dog on a hypoallergenic diet?
Which hypoallergenic dog food is best?
What foods to avoid for dogs with itchy skin?
Is rice OK for dogs with allergies?
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