What's the Best Dog Food for Skin Allergies and Sensitive Skin?

If your dog is dealing with consistent itching or sensitive skin, you may believe allergies are at the root of their problem. Although skin allergies commonly affect pups, it’s important to understand what else might be causing your dog’s symptoms and what can be done to improve your dog’s overall comfort. No matter what’s causing their skin issues, changing your pup’s food could be necessary to make them feel their best every day.  

In this guide we cover what skin allergies are in dogs, the symptoms that may be present, and why pups may be showing those symptoms. We also share how a dog’s diet impacts skin and the food options that are best for dogs experiencing skin issues.

What Are Skin Allergies in Dogs?

Unfortunately, dogs can suffer from allergies as much as humans do. An allergy is a reaction to an allergen where the immune system overreacts to one or more triggers. This overreaction typically leads to a pup suffering from itchy, inflamed, or even painful skin.

Symptoms of Skin Allergies in Dogs

Common signs that your dog may be experiencing a skin allergy include:

• •Excessive itching or paw-licking

• •Skin redness or hotspots

• •Developing rashes or scabs

• •Ear infections

• •Hair loss

If your pup is exhibiting any of these common symptoms, we recommend contacting your veterinarian to discuss potential treatment options.

Causes of Skin Allergies in Dogs

Skin allergens in dogs aren’t always easy to pinpoint. Your pup’s allergies could be caused by numerous factors, such as:

• •Food allergies or nutritional deficiencies

• •Environmental allergens

• •Flea allergy dermatitis

Food as a Cause of Skin Allergies in Dogs

Food allergies in dogs can develop at any stage of life, whether your pup is still young or more mature. Although you’ll typically notice food allergies in younger dogs, they can develop over time, so your pup may be doing fine for years before displaying symptoms. These types of allergies are on the rise, responsible for one-fourth of skin reactions in dogs.

Food allergies are commonly linked to fillers and highly refined grains in ultra-processed kibble. As dog food becomes more processed over time, we are more likely to see food allergies become more prevalent.

Food Allergy vs Food Sensitivity in Dogs

It is important to note the difference between a food allergy and food sensitivity in a dog. Food allergies are when your dog’s immune system has a negative reaction to an ingredient, whereas a sensitivity affects your pup’s digestive system. With food sensitivity, they’re more likely to experience digestive issues rather than skin issues.

So, if your dog’s sensitive skin is caused by their diet, they are likely experiencing an allergic reaction to something in their food. One common example for humans and pets is being lactose intolerant. Having milk in these cases wouldn’t be an issue for the immune system (or skin), but it would be for the digestive system.

Foods That Commonly Cause Skin Allergies in Dogs

While any food can cause skin allergies in dogs, the most common food allergy triggers in dogs are:

• •Dairy

• •Eggs

• •Lamb

• •Pork

• •Rice

• •Soy

• •Wheat

• •Beef

• •Chicken

Symptoms of Food Allergies in Dogs

• •Dry skin

• •Redness of the skin, especially in the ears

• •Itching (including scratching, licking, rubbing, or biting affected areas)

• •Oily fur and skin

• •Increased dander

• •Hot spots

• •Repeated skin infection

• •Chronic ear infections

• •Hair loss or dull coat

• •Swelling of the face or eyes

• •Sneezing or reverse sneezing

• •Red or watery eyes

• •“Stained” brownish, red, or pink lips, jowls, or toes

• •Brown, red, or bronze nail beds

• •Gastrointestinal issues (soft stool, vomiting, diarrhea, or gas)

Nutritional Deficiencies and Skin Issues in Dogs

Rather than being allergic or sensitive to specific food ingredients, the nutrients your dog is (or isn’t) getting daily may also be leading to the symptoms they’re experiencing. Many types of kibbles contain only the bare minimum number of fatty acids, which are essential for a healthy skin and coat. 

Kibble also commonly requires high carbohydrates to form crunchy bits. Those levels could trigger inflammation as well as dry, irritated, or itchy skin. Monitoring the ingredients in your pup’s kibble will not only positively affect their long-term health, but it can also relieve existing side effects.

Environmental Factors and Sensitive Skin in Dogs

Although food is responsible for 10-20% of all allergies in dogs, the most common type of allergic reaction is to seasonal allergens like dust, grass, mold, pollen, and weeds. We typically can’t eliminate exposure to these allergens, but there are foods that can be added to your pup’s diet to help provide some relief.

Feeding a diet rich in omega-3s, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory nutrients can strengthen your dog’s immune system and improve skin health.

Environmental vs Food Allergy Skin Symptoms in Dogs

If a veterinarian hasn’t tested your dog for specific allergies and you’re wondering how to determine if your dog’s skin issues are caused by an environmental allergy or a food allergy, look at the timing of their symptoms. If skin issues persist year-round or seem to worsen after meals, food could be the underlying cause.

You could also change your dog’s diet to a fresh, raw single-protein food (avoiding common food allergens like chicken, pork, beef, and lamb) for 8-12 weeks to see if symptoms improve. If symptoms remain, an environmental allergy is more likely to blame than a food allergen.

Flea Allergy Dermatitis and Sensitive Skin in Dogs

Not all allergies stem from food or environmental factors. Another source of skin allergies in dogs can be caused by Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD). This is when a flea bites your dog, creating intense itchiness near the base of their tail and back.

Thankfully, FAD can be avoided with preventative treatment and easily eliminated if contracted. Your pup’s skin irritation could also be a reaction to any products you use while grooming them. You may want to try a hypoallergenic option to evaluate if it leads to improvement.  

The Best Dog Foods for Skin Allergies and Sensitive Skin

No matter what’s causing your dog’s skin issues, a well-balanced, nutritional raw meal will often provide effective relief. A raw diet is free from common food allergens found in processed kibble (like grains, fillers, and artificial additives). 

Raw diets are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids and unprocessed nutrients that support skin health and reduce inflammation—providing additional support to their immune system and protection from environmental allergens.

Single-protein raw diets make it easy to avoid any protein sources your pup may be allergic to. Turkey, beef, and chicken recipes at We Feed Raw all come from a single protein source, are combined with a vitamin and mineral mix, and meet AAFCO nutrition standards.

The Benefits of a Naturally Low-Carb Dog Food

Lastly, you should understand the benefits of a low-carbohydrate diet for dogs with skin allergies. Carbs drive inflammation (in both humans and dogs) due to their effect on blood sugar. Dogs don’t have any nutritional requirements for carbs, so cutting them out of your dog’s diet may help relieve some of the inflammation associated with skin allergies.

Switching your dog over to a raw diet will likely lead to a variety of benefits, including reduced allergy symptoms, a shinier and softer coat, healthier skin, cleaner teeth, a stronger immune system, improved digestion, firmer stools, better weight control, and enhanced mealtime excitement.

If you can't commit to feeding your pup a completely raw diet, consider a partially raw approach—using raw as a topper or mixing it with a high-quality, limited-ingredient kibble. As a result, your dog can still get the nutritional value of raw food while eating less filler food, which could be causing their skin issues.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We can assure you that you aren’t alone in your pursuit of finding the best dog food for sensitive skin. See some of our most asked questions all in one place, followed by thoughtful answers that may educate and inspire you.

How Can I Tell if My Dog Has a Food Allergy?

Some of the most common signs that a dog has a food allergy include:

• •Brown, red, or bronze nail beds

• •Chronic ear infections

• • Itchy red skin and a dull coat

• •“Stained” brownish, red, or pink lips, jowls, or toes

• •Watery eyes

What Should I Avoid Feeding My Dog With Skin Allergies?

If you know what your dog is allergic to, then you should avoid giving them that food. If you haven’t figured out what allergies your pup has yet, the most common food allergy triggers in dogs are beef, chicken, dairy, egg, lamb, pork, wheat, soy, and rice. It’s best to avoid giving them food with those ingredients until you figure out the root of the problem.

Can a Homemade Diet Be Nutritionally Balanced?

If you work with a veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist, you may be able to make a nutritionally balanced diet for your dog yourself. However, it’s easy to make mistakes, and your pup could suffer as a result. We Feed Raw's frozen raw recipes are already nutritionally complete and balanced for dogs of all life stages, including the growth of large-breed puppies.

Our freeze-dried raw dog food is formulated for adult dogs only.

Are There Any Supplements That Can Help With Skin Allergies in Dogs?

Some supplements that may help with skin allergies in dogs include omega fatty acids or fish oil, quercetin, probiotics, L-theanine, and CBD. Probiotics and digestive enzymes can also improve gut health, which directly affects skin health.

What Else Can I Do to Provide Relief for My Dog’s Skin Issues?

• •Coconut oil or apple cider vinegar applied topically can soothe itching and reduce skin irritation while you diagnose the root cause. 

• •If your dog’s symptoms are caused by environmental allergens, regular bathing using mild, hypoallergenic shampoo to remove allergens from your dog’s skin and coat, and using air purifiers in your home can make a big difference in your dog’s comfort. 

Should I Buy Hypoallergenic Dog Food for Skin Allergies?

If your dog has a severe food allergy but you don’t know what’s bothering them, then hypoallergenic dog food may help your pup recover so you can figure out what they’re allergic to. However, you can also feed them a raw diet with limited ingredients and get similar results.

What’s the Best Dog Food for Skin Allergies?

The best dog food for dogs with skin allergies is a low-carb, limited-ingredient, species-appropriate, nutritionally complete and balanced raw food for dogs like We Feed Raw. High in skin-healthy fatty acids and low in potentially allergy-triggering ingredients, our food is an excellent choice.

Can I Test My Dog for Food Allergies at Home?

Advertised at-home test kits for dog allergies are unreliable and frequently give false positives and negatives. The best way to determine what your pup is allergic to is to take them to the vet for proper testing. Alternatively, you can try a food elimination diet where you feed them a hypoallergenic diet and slowly reintroduce ingredients to test their reactions.

Are Grain-Free Foods Better for Dogs With Skin Allergies?

Grains, along with most carbohydrates, can cause inflammation in dogs, triggering or intensifying skin allergies. However, dry dog food that’s labeled as “grain-free” frequently contains legumes and other ingredients that may be connected to a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy. The best diet for dogs with skin allergies is one that’s naturally grain-free, like We Feed Raw.

If you’re searching for dog food for sensitive skin, your pup has probably been experiencing itchiness for a while. Having a grain-free, low-ingredient option is worth trying for your pup.

Stop the Itch! Our Raw Food for Dogs Is Your Solution to Skin Symptoms

If you are searching for a more convenient, nutritious, and reliable food option for your dog, we believe you’ve found an answer in We Feed Raw. Many of our customers already have, and you could be next. In fact, 88% of those who have used our product said their pup had healthier skin overall, and 79% felt they noticed a decrease in their dog’s existing allergy symptoms.

Our subscription-based, home-delivered meal plan service for pups provides a seamless way to ensure your dog’s well-being each day. We give you access to what’s most natural for your pup: a raw, meat-based diet. Our PhD nutritionist-formulated dog food is sourced from USDA human-grade meats, minimally processed, free from fillers and grains, and without added antibiotics.

We Feed Raw is truly where healthiness means happiness for all, as 86% of pups who consumed our raw food for dogs showed more mealtime excitement.  

Create your pup’s meal plan now to subscribe and experience the difference of We Feed Raw.