The Best Dog Foods for Allergies

If your dog has allergies, it can be a real challenge to narrow down exactly what is the culprit. But, changing your pet’s food to one that is specifically formulated for dogs with allergies can provide considerable relief of his or her symptoms. Finding the best dog food for allergies means reading reviews, studying product ingredients, and diving into the ins and outs of possible allergenic contaminants. With the right food for your dog with allergies, you can rest assured that your precious pup is getting the nutrition he needs, without aggravating his allergies or symptoms.

We reviewed dozens of foods for dogs with allergies to identify the best of the best, based on Amazon reviews, how well they performed in nutrition testing, cost, and other considerations. We narrowed our search down to 5 of the top-rated dog foods for allergies pet owners can purchase to ensure their pooch is healthy and satisfied.

Best Dog Food for Allergies Overall
Wag Amazon Brand Dry Dog Food
This is an ideal choice if you want to provide healthy meals to your sensitive dog that are free from added grains, corn, and wheat. Special Offer: 40% off first purchase

We’ve identified Wag Amazon Brand Dry Dog Food as the best dog food for allergies out there. With a choice of five delicious flavors (including one just for puppies), this grain-free, corn-free, and wheat-free dog food is one that will keep your pet in tip top shape without causing discomfort. These benefits allow your pooch to feel healthier and more comfortable, while relieving their allergy symptoms.

The 5 Top-Rated Dog Food for Allergies

Editor's PicksBrandRating
Best Dog Food for Allergies OverallWag Amazon Brand Dry Dog Food4.1
Runner UpAcana Singles Lamb and Apple Dog Food4.2
Best Budget BuyJust 6 by Rachel Ray Nutrish4.2
Best Limited Ingredient Dog FoodHill’s Prescription Diet Skin/Food Sensitivities3.8
Best Dog Food for Sensitive StomachsRoyal Canin Hypoallergenic Dog Food4.7

*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change

Best Dog Food for Allergies Overall: Wag Amazon Brand Dry Dog Food

If you’re after a nutritious dog food option that will sit right with your sensitive pooch, Wag Amazon Brand Dry Dog Food is our top recommendation. This line of dry fog food, which is made by Amazon’s private label of pet food in California at a family-owned facility, is free from added grains, corn, wheat, as well as artificial colors, flavors, or chemical preservatives. The fact that you don’t need to worry about these major irritants for many dogs will certainly be of reassurance to you if your dog has an allergy or sensitivity to any of them.

Already interested to try out Wag for yourself? For a limited time, you can get 40% off your first purchase!

We love that you can select from four tantalizing flavors for adult dogs (beef, lamb, salmon, and turkey), as well as one formulated just for puppies (chicken). The very first ingredient in each of them is real meal, fish, or poultry respectively, making it an excellent choice if you want to ensure that your pooch’s nutritional needs are being met. It’s also worth noting that the formulas contains 35% protein to boot!

With a price point of less than $13 for a 5 pound bag, it’s very fairly priced for the quality ingredients it provides, which we think more than justifies that price. It has a rating of 4.1 on Amazon with over 3000 people reviewing it, which we think goes a long way in convincing pet owners that this food is the best one available for dogs with allergies.

Wag Amazon Brand Dry Dog Food Key Features:

  • Free from grains, corn, and wheat
  • Made in California at a family-owned facility
  • 4 flavors for adult dogs; 1 flavor just for puppies

Runner-Up: Acana Singles Lamb and Apple Dog Food

Runner-up
Acana Singles Lamb and Apple Dog Food
Easily digestible protein in a grain-free, highly palatable recipe dogs love

The Acana Singles Lamb and Apple Dog Food contains a whopping 50% of its featured meat protein, with the rest of the ingredients made up of some vegetables and fruits, along with a serving of probiotics for improved digestive health. It is grain-free, as well as free from potato and tapioca — two ingredients which can feed yeast overgrowth. It also contains a generous infusion of freeze-dried lamb liver for added nutritional benefits.

Pet parents appreciated this dog food’s highly palatable formula that even picky eaters enjoyed, and found that their pooch’s allergy symptoms subsided within a couple of months of switching to this dog food. It is a fairly expensive dog food, but if high quality ingredients are important to you when selecting a dog food for allergies, this is the best choice out there.

With an MSRP of $48.99 for a 13 bag, it doesn’t come cheap, but the quality ingredients associated with the brand, as well as the ability to pronounce everything in the bag helps justify the price. It has a rating of 4.2 on Amazon more than 20 people reviewing it, which we think helps to convince pet owners that this dog food is an easy-to-digest pick for pups with allergies.

Acana Singles Lamb and Apple Dog Food Key Features:

  • Available in a choice of 4 different single protein sources
  • Available in a choice of bag sizes
  • Made in the USA

Budget Pick: Just 6 by Rachel Ray Nutrish

Budget pick
Just 6 by Rachel Ray Nutrish
An affordable option that doesn’t sacrifice on quality ingredients and is readily available

Made under the banner of celebrity chef Rachel Ray, Just 6 by Rachel Ray Nutrish is a great grain-free, limited ingredient dog food choice for those who are looking for a budget-friendly pick. Each bag contains just six natural ingredients, along with a mixture of vitamins and chelated minerals to help keep your pet in optimal health.

Pet parents appreciated that they could purchase this dog food at their local grocery store and big box retailer. Several also commented about the large size of the kibble, saying it was ideal for giving as treats to their pet, or topping up another food choice.

With an MSRP of $17 for a 14-pound bag, this food is a solid choice for those looking for an allergy-friendly option on a budget. It has a rating of 4.2 on Amazon with over 800 people reviewing it, which we think goes a long way in convincing pet owners that this budget-friendly pick is just as good for dogs with allergies as its more expensive counterparts.

Just 6 by Rachel Ray Nutrish Key Features:

  • Available in a choice of two flavors
  • Available in a choice of bag sizes
  • Contains no corn, wheat, soy, or gluten

Best Limited Ingredient Dog Food: Hill’s Prescription Diet Skin/Food Sensitivities

Limited ingredient dog food
Hill’s Prescription Diet Skin/Food Sensitivities
A prescription diet that is incredibly effective at relieving allergy symptoms in your pet

Available direct from your vet, Hill’s Prescription Diet Skin/Food Sensitivities dog food is slightly more processed than the other dog foods in our top 5 list, but given the brand’s track record at getting pet’s health back on track quickly, we feel it’s worth the sacrifice.

This food is grain- and soy-free, and uses a single protein source to help you nail down your pet’s allergies. Reviewers mentioned that they appreciated that this food was made in a separate area from chicken-containing foods from the brand in order to prevent cross-contamination, and that improvement was noticeable after feeding their pet just one bag.

With a price point of $61 for an 8-pound bag, it doesn’t come cheap, but the quick improvement in symptoms, as well as the ease of picking it up when you’re at the vet’s office for a checkup, justifies that price. It has a rating of 4.5 on Amazon, and although there are less than 10 reviews at publishing time (probably because most people are purchasing directly through their vet and not online), we think they help in convincing pet owners that this prescription dog food for allergies is a solid choice.

Hill’s Prescription Diet Skin/Food Sensitivities Key Features:

  • Available in a choice of 4 different novel proteins
  • Contains high levels of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids
  • Features a single carbohydrate source

Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs: Royal Canin Hypoallergenic Dog Food

Dog food for sensitive stomachs

Royal Canin Hypoallergenic Dog Food

An easy-to-digest recipe available from your vet

$84.88 USD

Another veterinarian-recommended dog food for allergies, Royal Canin Hypoallergenic Dog Food features hydrolyzed proteins, which have been processed so that they won’t cause an immune response in your pup. This helps to make it easier to digest for those with sensitive stomachs. It also uses rice and soy, two easily digestible carbohydrates that are ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs or food intolerances.

Those who purchased and reviewed this dog food found the added step of having to provide their vet’s prescription a bit of a hassle when purchasing online, but felt that the quick and noticeable effects were worth the trade-off. Several pet owners whose pets could not tolerate any other food were able to eat this kibble without issue.

With an price of $120 for a 25-pound bag, it doesn’t come cheap, but the quality associated with the brand, as well as the inclusion of chelated minerals and omega fatty acids helps justify the price. It has a rating of 4.4 on Amazon with more than 20 people reviewing it, which we think goes a long way in convincing pet owners that this is a good food choice if their dog has allergies and a sensitive stomach.

Royal Canin Hypoallergenic Dog Food Key Features:

  • Available in large or small breed formulas
  • Available in a choice of bag sizes
  • Made in the USA

Who Should Buy Dog Food for Allergies?

A food for dogs with allergies is an essential choice for those whose pet suffers from any sort of allergy symptoms. This can be anything from a skin rash, hives, itching, paw biting, or obsessive licking, to even occasional nausea or vomiting.

Allergen-friendly dog food can also benefit those pets who might not have full-blown allergies, but experience digestive concerns and other sensitivities due to food intolerances. Signs of food intolerance mainly relate to digestive distress such as gas, bloating, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

The most common food allergens for dogs include:

  • Beef
  • Dairy
  • Chicken
  • Lamb
  • Fish
  • Corn
  • Wheat
  • Soy
  • Yeast

A food that does not contain these ingredients can help relieve symptoms in the approximately 10% of canine allergy cases that are attributable to food. Feeding your pup a commercial dog food that’s been specifically formulated to prevent allergy symptoms can help them feel much more comfortable, ultimately improving their overall health and wellness.

Best Dog Food for Allergies Overall
Wag Amazon Brand Dry Dog Food
This is an ideal choice if you want to provide healthy meals to your sensitive dog that are free from added grains, corn, and wheat. Special Offer: 40% off first purchase

Features to Consider

A dog food for allergies should provide your pet with the nutrition she needs, without causing her symptoms to flare. Here’s what to consider when evaluating the options in search of the best dog food for your pup with allergies:

  • Ingredients. As mentioned before, the most common food allergens for dogs include beef, dairy, chicken, lamb, fish, corn, wheat, soy, and yeast. Be sure to read labels carefully in order to ensure that your pup is not exposed to any of these ingredients until you can determine if they are, in fact, allergic to them. You must refrain from feeding your pup any foods outside of their elimination diet in order to help narrow down the exact cause of their food allergy. This goes for treats, toothpaste, and medications as well.
  • Protein source. Commercial dog foods contain many of the proteins that dogs are most allergic to, so finding a novel protein source that your pooch hasn’t been exposed to such as kangaroo or crocodile can help prevent allergic reactions. Stick with single protein source foods until you can determine which one(s) your pup is allergic to.
  • Size. Dog food for allergies is often more expensive than their conventional counterparts, and also comes in much smaller bags. If you have a large breed dog, you will be going through much more food than a smaller pup, so the option of purchasing a larger sized bag is convenient.
  • Price point. Finally, consider how much you are willing to spend on a dog food for allergies. Foods vary in price from $2 per can/$20 per bag-$5 per can/$100 per bag or more. Keep an eye out for manufacturer’s coupons or sales and stock up to make buying dog food for allergies more affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is dog food for allergies?

A dog food for allergies is a specially-formulated type of food for dogs, that is free from many of the common allergens for dogs. It helps to prevent and calm the immune response in your pet so that they do not experience a reaction, such as itching or hives.

What are the symptoms of dog allergies?

The symptoms of dog allergies include a skin rash, hives, itching, paw biting, obsessive licking, and sometimes nausea or vomiting. Not all allergies in dogs are caused by food — they can also be caused by pollen, dust, and other irritants.

What does hypoallergenic mean for dog food?

When it comes to dog food, hypoallergenic simply means that the food has little likelihood of causing an allergic response in your pet. These foods are most often available by prescription from your veterinarian, and contain proteins that have been partially broken down already (hydrolyzed) in order to prevent the immune response when your pet consumes them.

What is the healthiest food to feed your dog?

The healthiest food to feed your dog is homemade food made from real ingredients with no additives or fillers. A mix of meats, vegetables, and starches can help give your pet all the nutrition they need, but can be time-consuming and costly to prepare. For this reason, many people opt to feed their dog commercial pet food. Speak to your veterinarian to find the healthiest food to feed your dog.

Other Dog Food for Allergies We Reviewed

Best Dog Food for Allergies Overall
Wag Amazon Brand Dry Dog Food
This is an ideal choice if you want to provide healthy meals to your sensitive dog that are free from added grains, corn, and wheat. Special Offer: 40% off first purchase

We looked at 20 other dog foods for allergies. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best dog food for allergies list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for your dog. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.

Limited Ingredient Dog Foods

BLUE Basics Limited-Ingredient Formula Adult Dry Dog Food

BLUE Basics Limited-Ingredient Formula Adult Dry Dog Food

 

Available in a choice of flavors, package sizes, and for various breed sizes, this limited ingredient dog food features a single-animal protein source and easily digested carbohydrate sources.

Key features:

  • Free from chicken, beef, corn, wheat, soy, dairy, and eggs
  • Includes exclusive LifeSource Bits
  • Available for puppies, adults, and seniors

Cost: $40

Hill’s Prescription Diet z/d Canine Small Bites

Hill's Prescription Diet z/d Canine Small Bites

 

Available from your veterinarian, this dog food for allergies has been clinically proven to help normalize stool and provide visible improvement in your pet’s skin and coat with just 30 days of use.

Key features:

  • Urinary safe
  • Features a hydrolyzed protein source
  • Made in the USA

Cost: $40

NUTRO Limited Ingredient Diet Adult Dry Dog Food

NUTRO Limited Ingredient Diet Adult Dry Dog Food

 

This dog food is made with natural ingredients that have been carefully sourced to provide your pet with the best nutrition possible, without aggravating their allergies.

Key features:

  • Non-GMO formula
  • Made with 10 key ingredients or less
  • Contains no corn, wheat, soy, dairy, or beef

Cost: $58

Nature’s Variety Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food

Nature's Variety Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food

 

With a single protein source and one vegetable, this dog food for allergies is free of grains, dairy, eggs, chicken, beef, fish, sweet potato, potato, chickpeas, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, and preservatives.

Key features:

  • Available in a choice of flavors
  • Available in a choice of sizes
  • Made in the USA

Cost: $50

Rawz Limited Salmon Dry Dog Food

Rawz Limited Salmon Dry Dog Food

 

Made with wild caught salmon, this dog food features an ample source of omega fatty acids to help treat inflammation and relieve allergy symptoms.

Key features:

  • Suitable for all life stages
  • Includes a money back guarantee
  • Made in the USA

Cost: $40

Canine Caviar Pet Foods Inc. Open Meadow Alkaline Entrée

Canine Caviar Pet Foods Inc. Open Meadow Alkaline Entrée

 

This dog food for allergies contains just one protein and carbohydrate source per blend to help you quickly nail down your dog’s food allergy.

Key features:

  • Available in a choice of sizes
  • Contains no tapioca or potato
  • Free of wheat, gluten, and GMOs

Cost: $67

CANIDAE Grain Free PURE Dry Dog Food

CANIDAE Grain Free PURE Dry Dog Food

 

Featuring a novel protein source, this dog food is made with just 7 key ingredients to help provide for gentle digestion in dogs with sensitive stomachs.

Key features:

  • Grain-free recipe
  • Includes a money back guarantee
  • Made in the USA

Cost: $65

Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Dry Dog Food

Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Dry Dog Food

 

The single source animal protein recipes available in this dog food are ideal for dogs with food sensitivities, and it is also grain- and gluten-free.

Key features:

  • Contains omega fatty acids for improved health
  • Includes glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy hips and joints
  • Made in the USA

Cost: $65

Canned Dog Food

BLUE Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Adult Wet Dog Food

BLUE Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Adult Wet Dog Food

 

This dog food for allergies boasts a grain-free recipe that is available in a choice of novel protein options that provide a complete and balanced meal for your pooch.

Key features:

  • Choice of sizes
  • Contains no poultry by-product meals
  • Free of artificial preservatives, colors, flavors, corn, wheat, and soy

Cost: $26/12 cans

Taste of the Wild Grain Free High Protein Natural Wet Canned Stew Dog Food

Taste of the Wild Grain Free High Protein Natural Wet Canned Stew Dog Food

 

Available in a choice of 5 different novel protein options, this canned dog food for allergies features real meat as the first ingredient, as well as fruits and vegetables to help keep your dog healthy.

Key features:

  • Fatty acid blend helps improve skin and coat
  • Includes prebiotic fiber for digestive health
  • Family owned and operated company

Cost: $27/12 cans

NUTRO Limited Ingredient Diet Adult Wet Dog Food

NUTRO Limited Ingredient Diet Adult Wet Dog Food

 

This limited ingredient wet dog food contains just 5 key ingredients to provide your dog with balanced nutrition that is easy to digest and won’t aggravate their allergies.

Key features:

  • Available in a choice of flavors
  • Contains no chicken by-product meal, corn, soy, artificial flavors, or artificial preservatives
  • Includes a money back guarantee

Cost: $27

BLUE Basics Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Wet Dog Food

BLUE Basics Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Wet Dog Food

 

This canned dog food with limited ingredients is available in a number of different flavors, as well formulas specific for seniors and large breed dogs.

Key features:

  • Free of corn, wheat, soy, dairy, and eggs
  • Contains omega fatty acids for improved health
  • Includes no artificial flavors or preservatives

Cost: $36/12 cans

Hills Z/D ULTRA Allergen-Free Dog Food

Hills Z/D ULTRA Allergen-Free Dog Food

 

This prescription dog food for allergies features an ultra allergy-friendly formula that even the most sensitive pooches can enjoy without upset.

Key features:

  • Uses easily digestible carbs and fats to help minimize gastrointestinal strain
  • Contains omega fatty acids for improved health
  • Made in the USA

Cost: $48/12 cans

Nature’s Variety Instinct Limited Ingredient Lamb Canned Dog Food

Nature's Variety Instinct Limited Ingredient Lamb Canned Dog Food

 

This dog food for allergies features a single protein source and one carbohydrate option to help you more easily narrow down your pet’s allergies and sensitivities.

Key features:

  • Free of chicken, beef, fish, dairy, eggs, grain, potato, corn, wheat, and soy
  • Provides complete and balanced nutrition
  • Made in the USA

Cost: $35/12 cans

Merrick Grain Free Limited Ingredient Diet Wet Dog Food

Merrick Grain Free Limited Ingredient Diet Wet Dog Food

 

Available in a choice of 5 different single source animal protein recipes, this dog food features a blend of simple ingredients that are easy for dogs with allergies to digest.

Key features:

  • Poultry-free recipe
  • Contains no grain, potato, or soy
  • Made in the USA

Cost: $31/12 cans

Artemis Osopure Grain-Free Dog Formula

Artemis Osopure Grain-Free Dog Formula

 

Suitable for all life stages, this dog food for allergies is formulated with a single meat source and vegetables to provide your pooch with complete and balanced nutrition.

Key features:

  • Includes a money back guarantee
  • Suitable for large breed dogs
  • Made in the USA

Cost: $42/12 cans

Budget-Friendly Dog Food for Allergies

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets High Protein Dry Dog Food

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets High Protein Dry Dog Food

 

This dog food for allergies features a limited ingredient blend that is free from grains, potatoes, and chicken ingredients, as well as added fillers.

Key features:

  • Suitable for all breeds
  • Available in a choice of sizes
  • Every production run is tested, with results posted online for easy viewing

Cost: $20

Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dog Food

Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dog Food

Formulated specifically for dogs with sensitive stomachs and skin, this canned dog food in salmon and vegetable flavor is made with easily digestible ingredients.

Key features:

  • Contains a clinically proven blend of antioxidants to help support dog’s immune systems
  • Helps promote good digestive health
  • Includes a money back guarantee

Cost: $23/12 cans

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Wet Dog Food

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Wet Dog Food

This limited ingredient wet dog food features a grain-free recipe with a single protein source designed to be easily digested by pups with allergies.

Key features:

  • Contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
  • Suitable for all breeds
  • Developed in partnership with veterinarians and animal nutritionists

Cost: $24/12 cans

Natural Balance Ultra Premium Wet Dog Food – Vegetarian

Natural Balance Ultra Premium Wet Dog Food - Vegetarian

For dogs who are sensitive to all animal protein sources, this food offers a vegan alternative which provides complete and balanced nutrition.

Key features:

  • Contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
  • Suitable for all breeds
  • Includes a money back guarantee

Cost: $25/12 cans

Food allergies most commonly cause itching skin and ears in dogs. This can result in subsequent skin and ear infections. Check our list for the best dog ear cleaner.