If you are thinking the best food for a dog with allergies is grain-free, you might be surprised. Some dogs do have problems digesting grains, but this is usually unrelated to allergies. Dogs are most commonly allergic to proteins. Beef is the number one food allergy in dogs, followed by dairy. Wheat does make the list at number three, and finally, there’s chicken and eggs.
First and foremost, when searching for dog food for your allergy-prone dog, you want to make sure that you are choosing a recipe with high quality ingredients. Lower quality ingredients can cause inflammation and exacerbate your dog’s allergies.
Then, you’ll want to look for something with a “novel protein” – a protein they have never been exposed to before. Duck, rabbit, venison, and salmon, are all proteins that are uncommon in dog food. If you have concerns about grains, there are plenty of grain-free options. As long as they are nutrient-dense, and have a novel protein source, these are just fine for your dog.
