The Best Dog Food for Allergies in 2025

Humans are not the only ones who suffer from allergies. Dogs can get them too, which can lead to all sorts of uncomfortable symptoms, such as itchy skin, problems with digestion, and even chronic infections. These detrimental conditions can have long-lasting effects because not only can dogs have adverse reactions to outside allergens - many times, they can be hypersensitive to the food they eat.

If you’ve noticed that your dog might be suffering from some of these symptoms, you’re not alone. Luckily, it’s easy to fix by switching up their diet. Feeding your dog healthy, fresh food that won’t trigger an allergic response can make a huge difference when it comes to your furry friend’s health and well-being. A healthy dog is a happy dog – and that's exactly what we want.

Not sure where to start? We get it. The world of dog food is vast and always changing. But here at California Dog Kitchen, we’ve put together a guide that will give you everything you need to know about allergies in dogs – and how to prevent them. Here’s how you can identify any food allergies in your pup, the best dietary options, and how to make sure your dog gets all the nutrition they need to be healthy and happy.

Key Takeaways – What You Need to Know

1. Food allergies in dogs can cause uncomfortable, itchy skin, upset tummies, and infections.
2. Common allergens found in dog food include chicken, beef, dairy, wheat, and soy – mainly the protein source.
3. Novel protein, hydrolyzed protein, and limited-ingredient diets can help tackle your poor pup’s allergy problem.
4. An elimination diet trial is the best way to figure out what your dog may be allergic to.
5. Choosing fresh, high-quality, allergen-free food can make your dog feel so much better.

What Are Food Allergies in Dogs?

Much like us humans, food allergies in dogs happen when their sensitive immune system identifies a particular food ingredient as harmful. This triggers an inappropriate immune response that may show up as an allergic reaction. The symptoms to look out for include itchy skin, redness around feet, belly, armpits, and ears, digestion problems such as loose stool or gas, and other abnormal health problems. Foods typically associated with these reactions are the protein sources in the diet, such as chicken, beef, dairy, wheat, and soy – all foods we’re often told to give our dogs.

Oftentimes, food allergies are missed. Why? It’s because many pet owners actually confuse food allergies in dogs with food intolerance. They're not quite the same, though. One of the biggest differences is that a food allergy involves the immune system and triggers an allergic reaction. On the other hand, an intolerance causes trouble in the digestive system without an immune response. 

Simply put, allergies are an immune system response, and intolerances are a digestive issue.

If you’re not sure which your dog is suffering from, check with your vet! They’ll give you an accurate diagnosis and some advice to go along with it. Knowing exactly what's causing your dog's discomfort is the first step in treating them.

Symptoms of Food Allergies

Dogs with food allergies may show some of the following common symptoms:

• Itchy skin (ears, paws, or overall body)
• Chronic ear infections
• Patchy hair loss
• Skin irritations and redness
• Gastrointestinal disturbances (such as vomiting and diarrhea)
  
• Watery eyes and excessive licking
• Anaphylactic shock (rare)
  

On top of that, the constant itching and scratching caused by allergies can lead to a whole load of other health issues. Your dog can end up with chronic bacterial or yeast skin infections. That's why identifying the problem and treating it sooner rather than later is the best thing you can do for your dog's health.

Discover The Best Dog Food for Allergies

Why Choose California Dog Kitchen?

At California Dog Kitchen, we're all about providing high-quality, allergen-free food for dogs. We're a small, family-run company, and we care about the well-being of pets. Because we care, we make our dog food with human-grade ingredients and ship it off to your doorstep in sustainable packaging. All our recipes have been designed from scratch by a PhD vet nutritionist.

If you’re a pet parent looking for the best dog food for skin allergies, we recommend the following diets:

Novel Protein Diets

Novel protein dog food is one of the best options for avoiding dog allergies. This is because they don’t contain the allergens (again, usually the protein source), that you usually find in dog food. Instead, your dog gets their protein from more unique sources like venison, duck or fish, which they have never had before. Since they haven’t eaten it before, their immune systems don’t recognize the meat as a threat, which reduces the possibility of an allergic reaction.

If your dog experiences allergic reactions, introduce the following novel (or new) protein foods into their diet:

Venison & Zucchini

This delicious, gently cooked dog food is made from free-range, wild-hunted venison with organic vegetables and quinoa for a healthy meal morning and night. Venison is a great novel protein that shouldn’t cause allergic reactions but will still give your furry friend the nutrients they need.

Shop our venison and zucchini dog food today.

Grain-Free Fish

Does your dog love fish? Then, they’ll love this. This food is made from nine-part wild-caught pollock and one-part salmon skin, complete with organic vegetables. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, this food is not just healthy for your dog – it’ll also give your pup a beautiful, glossy coat.

Shop our grain-free fish recipe today.

Lamb and Squash

Cooked from Australian-raised lamb, organic quinoa, organic squash, and a range of other tasty vegetables, this is a deliciously balanced meal your dog won’t be able to get enough of. It’s a great option if your pup needs more protein in their diet. 

Shop our lamb and squash dog food today.

Limited Ingredient Diets

You can simplify your dog's diet with a limited-ingredient diet (otherwise known as a LID). This kind of diet typically has only one carbohydrate and one protein source, which makes it a whole lot easier for you to identify the root cause of the symptoms and eliminate allergens.

Beef and Quinoa

If you’re looking for a high-protein meal with limited ingredients, our beef and quinoa option is the perfect choice. Made from human-grade 80/20 ground beef, organic quinoa and organic vegetables, this meal is simple and delicious.

Shop our beef and quinoa dog food today.

Organic Chicken

Our simple, organic chicken recipe is a great choice for a limited diet. Made from Mary’s organic, free-range chicken, this diet is fit for a human’s plate. Mary’s is a local brand that comes from Southern California, less than 100 miles from our own kitchen. With organic quinoa and vegetables, this tasty meal will ensure your dog gets all the nutrients they need.

Shop our organic chicken dog food today.

Chicken and Rice

This gently-cooked dog food is perfect for sensitive tummies. We’ve made it from hormone-free, human-grade chicken as well as organic rice and vegetables for a balanced and simple meal. The rice absorbs all that delicious flavor from the chicken, making this meal extra tasty for your pup.

Shop our chicken and rice dog food today.

Hypoallergenic Diets

You can also lessen the risk of allergies with hypoallergenic diets – also known as “anti-allergy diets.”

Hydrolyzed Protein Diets

Hydrolyzed protein diets are less likely to give your dog an allergic reaction because they break down protein molecules. Your vet may prescribe this diet if your dog has severe allergies because of how great it is at reducing symptoms.

Here are some tips you can use to make sure you're getting the best hydrolyzed protein dog food:

1. Check the ingredients list to make sure "hydrolyzed protein" is listed on the label as the main source of protein.
2. Even if the protein is hydrolyzed, you should still make sure there are no other ingredients like corn, wheat, soy or dairy.
3. What works for one dog may not work for another. You may need to try different brands to find the one that best suits your dog.

How to Identify Food Allergies in Dogs

Try an Elimination Diet Food Trial

If your pup has allergy symptoms but you don't know the cause, put them on an elimination diet.

You can start by feeding your dog a single-protein diet. Do this for 8 to 12 weeks, and note any allergy symptoms you spot. If your pup’s symptoms get better, you can start to reintroduce the old foods one at a time. This will help you work out which ingredient your dog’s immune system is reacting to.

Common Allergens in Dog Food

Here are the common culprits that may be causing your dog discomfort:

• Common proteins: Chicken, beef, lamb
• Grains: Wheat, soy, corn
• Dairy products: Cheese, yogurt
• Chicken eggs

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Food For Allergies

How Can I Tell If My Dog is Allergic to Their Food?

If your dog is showing symptoms such as constant itching, red rashes, hair loss, and more, they might be allergic to their food. You can confirm if that’s the case through a diet trial with a hypoallergenic or limited-ingredient diet. Once you’ve worked out what ingredient is causing the reaction, you can eliminate it from your dog’s diet.

Can Dogs Develop Food Allergies Over Time?

Dogs can show signs of allergies from a young age and they can also develop food allergies as they get older. Their symptoms may get worse as their body's immune system continues to react to repeated allergens.

Should I Switch to a Gluten-Free Diet For My Dog?

We only recommend switching to a gluten-free diet if your dog has digestive issues caused by eating wheat or other grains. However, make sure to talk to your vet before making any big changes. They’ll let you know if you’re on the right path.

How do Environmental Allergies Differ From Food Allergies?

Environmental allergies are exactly what they say – allergies caused by the environment. This includes things like pollen, trees, grass and dust. In this case, you may notice allergy symptoms flare up after taking your dog on a walk. Food allergies are caused by your dog’s diet.

Keep in mind that sometimes environmental allergies can be seasonal, while food allergies will affect your dog all year round since they eat every day. Make sure your dog is on effective parasite control to ensure that fleas and mites are not the source of the itching.  

Final Thoughts

Dog allergies can have a huge impact on your pup’s health and quality of life, but choosing the best dog food for canine allergies can make a huge difference. You can help keep your pet happy and healthy by selecting only high-quality, allergen-free ingredients.

If you’ve changed your dog’s diet but the symptoms still persist, visit your vet for an accurate diagnosis and treatment. Something else may be causing the issue.

Browse our Gently Cooked Dog Food and Frozen Dog Food collections to find your pup’s favorite new food.