Hypoallergenic Dog Food of 2023

Allergic reactions are unfortunate in humans and are downright wrong in dogs. They shouldn’t exist. Our canine companions are far too wonderful to have to suffer such things. But, alas, dog allergies exist and, as such, hypoallergenic dog food is an important development in modern times.

That said, there are many options out there and it can be time-consuming to check through each to determine which one is best for your pup. We created this list of the best hypoallergenic dog foods to help you make your choice quickly and get back to the important things in life, like petting that pup!

What is Hypoallergenic Dog Food?

Hypoallergenic dog food, whether wet or dry food, is a type of food specifically formulated for dogs with food allergies. It is designed to reduce the risk of allergy symptoms in adult dogs and puppies.

Hypoallergenic dog food formulas contain fewer ingredients than regular dog food, and those ingredients are more easily digestible. This helps to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction in dogs with sensitive stomachs or skin allergies. Hypoallergenic food can also help reduce digestive issues like gas, bloating, and diarrhea.

How Do I Know If My Dog Needs Hypoallergenic Dog Food?

If you suspect that your dog may have a food allergy, it is important to understand the signs so that you can determine if a hypoallergenic dog food is the best option for your pet.

Food allergies in dogs can cause a variety of symptoms, including itching and scratching, skin rashes, vomiting, and diarrhea. If your dog is exhibiting any of these symptoms after eating certain types of food, then hypoallergenic dog foods may be the appropriate solution.

Hypoallergenic dog foods are specifically designed to reduce the potential for adverse reactions in adult dogs by using ingredients that are less likely to trigger an allergic response. The ingredients used in these foods are usually free from common allergens such as beef, dairy products, and wheat. By switching to a hypoallergenic dog food, you may be able to alleviate some or all of your pet’s allergy symptoms.

Top 5 Hypoallergenic Dog Foods

1. Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient – Limited Ingredient Diet

2. Hill’s Prescription Diet – Prescription-Grade Formula

3. Natural Balance – Top Quality Choice

4. Royal Canin – Weight & Allergy Control

5. JustFoodForDogs – Fresh Food Option

Best Hypoallergenic Dog Foods – Reviews & Analyses

1. Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient – Limited Ingredient Diet

Pros

• Specifically formulated for dogs with food allergies
  
• No meat by-products, dairy, eggs, or artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
  
• Novel salmon protein
  

Cons

• Grain-free is not necessarily a benefit in dog food
  

Product Review and Features

Wellness Simple’s line of limited-ingredient diet hypoallergenic dog food is a grain-free dry dog food that comes in a salmon & potato formula. The limitation on ingredients is important because it means the ingredients list is shorter and more purposeful than some other dog food brands, especially among dog food formulations that are not specifically created for food allergies.

Simple’s limited-ingredient diet is a dry hypoallergenic dog food that includes probiotics for your dog’s gut health, as well as key and necessary omega fatty acids. Taurine is an important ingredient in dog food for overall health in adult dogs and Simple includes both taurine and glucosamine.

If Wellness Simple is the first hypoallergenic dog food brand you’re considering, it is recommended that you slowly transition your dog onto it over the course of five to seven days. Do so by mixing Simple gradually into your dog’s previous food and slowly increasing the amount of Simple versus the previous dry food.

This gradual transition will aid in helping your dog’s system transition smoothly so you’ll be able to tell more effectively if this is the right choice for your dog, as testing for food allergies is a process.

Sizes, Discounts, and Promotions

The Chewy.com website had a straightforward four percent discount on the price of this hypoallergenic dog kibble at the time of publishing. The site’s auto-ship program also offers an additional five percent discount every month, as well. There is also a 20 percent discount for buying two or more bags of Wellness Simple.

This Wellness dog food formula comes in 24 lb, 26 lb, and 40 lb bags and there is an alternate Turkey & Potato flavor, as well.

The Bottom Line

Wellness is a well-respected brand and brings one of the strongest entries on our list of the best hypoallergenic dog food options. The Wellness Simple formula is flush with nutrients and takes a careful limited-ingredient approach to ensure you have the best chance at discovering how your adult dogs react.

Food allergy discovery requires that multiple dog food and ingredient formulations are tested and Wellness Simple is a great place to start. And for those concerned about dog food manufacturing in other countries, you can feel good knowing that Wellness is made in the US.

Learn more about Wellness Simple hypoallergenic dog food

2. Hill’s Prescription Diet – Prescription-Grade Formula

Pros

• Hydrolyzed protein means higher moisture content
  
• Corn starch as a single carbohydrate source
  
• Reduces skin irritation and improves skin and coat health
  

Cons

• Veterinarian prescription required
  

Product Review and Features

There are certain levels of expectation associated with the word “prescription”, and the z/d hypoallergenic dog food formula from Hill’s Prescription Diet lives up to these expectations with aplomb. Clinically proven to help adult dogs stay away from food allergies, the formula for this Hill’s z/d wet food limits ingredients such as the inclusion of only one carbohydrate source.

Since food allergies often result in skin irritation for dogs, the z/d formula is proven to show visible improvement in your dog’s coat and skin in as little as 30 days. Another visual indicator of food allergies in dog food is often unusual stool. The z/d formula from Hill’s Prescription Diet is clinically proven to assist with the normalization of your dog’s stool, in part with its addition of natural fiber sources. The z/d formula is also rich in protein and includes many helpful antioxidants to keep your dog’s immune system healthy and strong.

While Hill’s Prescription Diet may require an actual prescription from your veterinarian, this process is far simpler than it may seem, usually meaning that a simple call into your vet’s office is all that’s required.

Sizes, Discounts, and Promotions

The z/d formula wet dog food comes in 13-ounce cans and is available in cases of 12. Chewy offers a $15 USD gift card for purchases above $100, which is easily achieved by ordering either of the bundles of two or four cases (with 24 and 48 cans, respectively).

The Bottom Line

Being the #1 recommended brand by veterinarians in the US is a strong third-party endorsement of an already strong hypoallergenic wet dog food brand. Hill’s Prescription Diet brings up the third spot on our list of the best hypoallergenic dog food options due to its prescription-grade solution for dogs with food allergies and skin conditions.

Learn more about Hill’s Prescription Diet z/d hypoallergenic dog food

3. Natural Balance – Top Quality Choice

Pros

• Great for allergies, sensitive stomachs, and irritated skin
  
• Complete, balanced nutrition for adult dogs
  
• Single animal protein source
  

Cons

• Somewhat higher price point
  

Product Review and Features

Limited Ingredient Reserve is the hypoallergenic dog food option from Natural Balance and comes in at number four on our list of hypoallergenic dog food leaders. Natural Balance is a highly-respected brand and its Limited Ingredient Reserve dog food is reflective of this reputation.

The duck & potato recipe is grain-free, contains no gluten, soy, or artificial flavors or colors, and is an excellent choice for dogs suffering from allergies or sensitive stomachs. Dogs with skin irritations also benefit, as Limited Ingredient Reserve helps skin health flourish with omega-3 fatty acids.

Duck is a novel protein, meaning that its unusual protein source is less likely to be an allergen for dogs. Potato as the other big ingredient also means there is plenty of natural fiber to be had, which is a positive for your pup’s digestion in addition to strong muscle health from the duck ingredient.

Natural Balance maintains such a high quality and such a great reputation in part through its thorough testing of every batch of its food. And with a balanced nutritional approach, this hypoallergenic dog food option is not only great for allergic dogs, but for the all-around balance of nutritional value as well.

Sizes, Discounts, and Promotions

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve comes in 4, 12, 22, and 24 lb bag sizes. Alternate flavors include sweet potato mixed with chicken, salmon, bison, or venison.

Free 1-3 day shipping is available and auto-ship orders get a five percent discount.

The Bottom Line

Our review team is a big fan of Natural Balance and believes the higher price point is worth it in terms of quality alone. It is one of the contributing factors to the brand falling a little lower on our list, however, as not everyone is willing to pay a bit extra for better quality, even for Man’s Best Friend.

Consistent with this excellence in quality is a perk our review team adores: Natural Balance’s “Feed With Confidence” testing program. This program ensures top quality by testing every single batch of food produced by the brand, and that’s a level of quality and reassurance that we like for our pups.

Learn more about Natural Balance hypoallergenic dog food

4. Royal Canin – Weight & Allergy Control

Pros

• Moderate calorie formula works for dogs with sensitivities that are also overweight
  
• Beneficial for low-energy dogs
  
• Kibble size works for dogs of all breeds and weights
  

Cons

• Vet authorization is required
  

Product Review and Features

Royal Canin rounds out our list of best hypoallergenic dog food options with a combination offering befitting two special needs: allergies and weight management. The Veterinary Hydrolyzed Protein Moderate Calorie Diet dog food covers both bases for this specialty segment of dogs who need a lower calorie count while also suffering from food allergies.

Royal Canin achieves this weight and allergen combination in a couple of different ways. First, maintaining low molecular weight peptides in its hydrolyzed soy protein makes this dog food highly digestible.

Digestibility is a huge factor in Royal Canin’s effectiveness. It is bolstered further by limited ingredient formulation that includes an exclusive blend of fiber to assist with improved gastro health and 42.8 percent less fat than their original brand of hydrolyzed adult dog food.

Royal Canin also maintains specific phosphorus levels to maintain renal health and promote healthy kidneys. Vitamin B and amino acids help with skin health and reduce irritation. Including chicken fat in the formula helps promote healthy immunity and skin while not causing allergic reactions since the chicken fat is not a protein – it is a source of linoleic acid which is an important fatty acid.

And while it may seem less important on the surface, Royal Canin’s hypoallergenic dog food formula is made with a specific kibble size designed to fit even the small jaw size of toy dogs, making it a dog food fit for the consumption of all breeds of dogs from toy to large breed sizes.

Sizes, Discounts, and Promotions

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein hypoallergenic dog food comes in 7.7 lb bags or 24.2 lb bags. Chewy’s auto-ship option provides customers with discounts off the original price, free access to chat with a vet 7 days a week, a 5 percent additional discount on all future orders, and no commitment so you can cancel at any time.

Free 1-3 day shipping is also available for purchases over $49 USD.

The Bottom Line

Our review team loved Royal Canin’s entry into hypoallergenic dog food options. Although it requires a veterinarian’s prescription, this powerful combination of hypoallergenic dog meals with weight reduction is unique enough to earn a spot on our list and solve two problems at once for dog owners with extra challenges.

Learn more about Royal Canin hypoallergenic dog food

5. JustFoodForDogs – Fresh Food Option

Pros

• Transparent list of limited ingredients
  
• Hand-prepared diet
  
• Highly digestible formula
  
• Single protein source
  

Product Review and Features

JustFoodForDogs are dog food specialists, much as the company’s name implies. The company specializes in dog foods that are specifically formulated for a variety of dog needs and the Balanced Remedy formula is their hypoallergenic food solution for dogs with food allergies.

Transparency is the name of the game with JustFoodForDogs and the brand demonstrates this with a clear display of all ingredients on its website and the packaging of its hypoallergenic dog food.

Ground turkey breast is the single source of protein in this hypoallergenic wet dog food and, as a less-common protein source in dog foods, it is less likely to be a source of allergic reaction in adult dogs. This hypoallergenic food also benefits pups with the turkey’s many vitamins and minerals including selenium, phosphorus, potassium, niacin, and iron – all of which help bolster your dog’s metabolism and promote healthy digestion.

An enriched form of long-grain white rice is the next ingredient, further helping with digestion in a non-threatening food allergy way. B complex vitamins are great for your dog’s red blood cells and this hypoallergenic dog food ingredient is a great source of it. This enriched rice also provides immune system and nervous system health benefits while bolstering bone health with calcium, magnesium, copper, and zinc.

Sushi rice rounds out these nutrients as a digestive-friendly source of iron, while sunflower oil and flaxseed oil provide key unsaturated fatty acids. Coconut oil adds both medium- and long-chain triglycerides for digestion and absorption.

JustFoodForDogs then adds a slew of excellent nutrients to this hypoallergenic wet dog food through its patented Nutrient Blend. This blend comes from human-grade nutraceuticals and includes everything from salt, taurine, and selenium yeast to calcium carbonate, L-methionine, and vitamin E and A supplements, among many others.

Sizes, Discounts, and Promotions

JustFoodForDogs’ Balanced Remedy hypoallergenic food comes in three sizes: a small box of 7.8 lbs, a medium box at 23.6 lbs, and a large box of 31.5 lbs. The website also offers a handy feeding calculator so you can determine roughly how much your dog needs and how long each size will last your household.

In terms of discounts, new customers can get 50 percent off the first auto-ship order, with free shipping, and five percent off all future auto-ship orders, as well. No promotional code is required to get this offer and it should apply automatically upon checking out as a first-time customer. The auto-ship program also includes a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.

The Bottom Line

JustFoodForDogs is included in our list of the best hypoallergenic dog food options on the market for going the extra mile. Balanced Remedy provides a hypoallergenic food for adult dogs that is frozen and easily thawed for ease of storage and serving.

The company’s dog food formulations are hand-prepared in their “open kitchens”, named as such because they are open to the public. You can literally head into their Irvine, California or New Castle, Delaware offices and sit in on the kitchen and preparation process to view it for yourself!

This is transparency taken to new levels and if this hypoallergenic wet dog food formulation didn’t already stand so fervently on its own merits, this consideration would put it over the top.

Learn more about JustFoodForDogs hypoallergenic dog food

How We Made Our Picks for the Best Hypoallergenic Dog Foods

This list was created by reviewing a wide variety of hypoallergenic dog food products that specifically help with dog food allergies.

Since the process of ascertaining a dog food allergy is a sensitive one, our review panel took great care to ensure that only the best hypoallergenic dog food makers made the list. After all, when you are trying to figure out what dog food allergy your pup suffers from, the last thing you want to do is to have to spend a lot of extra time researching options. That’s why this list outlines only the best hypoallergenic dog food options so you can avoid allergies at all costs.

How To Choose the Best Hypoallergenic Dog Food

When choosing a hypoallergenic dog food, it is important to consider the age of your pet. Different types of food are suitable for different life stages – such as puppies or adult dogs – and some foods may contain ingredients that could trigger a reaction in your pet.

Puppies

The best food for a puppy is one that has small, digestible particles and is made with minimal or no grains. One of the most common allergies in dogs is skin irritation from grain-based foods. So, the safest option for a puppy would be kibble made with chicken meal and rice as the main ingredients.

Foods that are specifically formulated for puppies tend to have higher moisture content than other types of dog food, which can help soothe skin issues and make them less likely to occur.

Adult Dogs

An adult dog’s diet should contain moderate levels of protein while still being low in carbohydrates. This provides a balanced diet for digestive health. Proteins come from both animal and plant sources, with the most important being high-quality proteins such as chicken, turkey, beef, and lamb.

These proteins should be included in your dog’s diet at appropriate levels to provide them with nutrients and amino acids that are necessary for their growth. A good food is one that has a moderate level of fat in order to promote healthy skin and coat quality as well as encourage weight gain.

Many dogs also have allergies to certain foods or ingredients that they may not tolerate well or they might have an intolerance which means there is a risk of them developing potentially life-threatening itchiness, diarrhea, and more. For these reasons, it’s important to avoid feeding a dog any food that causes an adverse reaction or the likelihood of a toxic reaction.

If your dog has allergies or one of the other dietary needs listed above, talk with their veterinarian about what hypoallergenic dog diet would be best for them in order to keep their overall health at its best.

What Dog Breeds Are More Likely To Have Dog Food Allergies?

Becoming a dog parent is undoubtedly one of the best decisions you can make in your life. One thing that you might not think of, though, is a dog’s allergies to food and researching what breeds of dogs happen to be more susceptible to developing allergies or which breeds are predisposed to allergies.

Unknown to most is that if one of your dog’s parents had a food allergy, your dog could inherit the allergy and possibly develop it if exposed to that ingredient.

It might also surprise some that mixed breeds are less likely to develop allergies to dog food than pure breeds. This is now the time to shamelessly root for the underdog and highly suggest checking with your local pet shelters and other pet rescues. Adopt don’t shop.

Common dog breeds that are predisposed to allergies or at a higher risk to develop them include:

⦁ Maltese – Cute little fluffy white floofs, this breed of dog is susceptible to having allergies to every major protein including soy as well as dairy and corn. They also have a high probability of developing symptoms from environmental allergens.

⦁ French Bulldogs – Have you ever seen a Frenchie and just not wanted to hug and squeeze and love it forever and ever and ever? Poor little pooches are extremely prone to allergies. This breed is one of the most likely to carry a genetic predisposition to develop allergies and alone has over 20 skin conditions related to allergies specific to their breed.

⦁ Golden Retriever – The absolute sunshine of dogs, the golden retriever is unfortunately extremely prone to developing food allergies – specifically to wheat and corn meal. The beauty of their coat is also their Achilles heel, as the most common symptom of allergies with this breed is skin symptoms resulting in poor quality of coat, patchy fur, and bald spots. Other common ingredients that rank high in allergies for this breed are soy, wheat, dairy, beef, and some poultry. Lamb (or lamb meal), rice, venison, and sweet potatoes are usually the optimal ingredients for their diets.

⦁ Bull Terrier – Not just famous for helping Beethoven escape, sadly this breed is 21 more times likely than all the dog breeds combined to develop allergies and atopic dermatitis.

⦁ American Pit Bull Terrier – Sadly a breed most commonly found in shelters, this breed has common food allergies from corn, rice, and wheat.

⦁ Labrador Retrievers – Much like their Golden friends, Labs, too, find themselves allergic to common proteins found in most dog foods. Chicken and beef are the main staple, and lamb and venison are suggested for their main protein.

Any of these breeds in particular would benefit greatly from a hypoallergenic dog food diet.

What Ingredients are Common Causes of a Dog Food Allergy?

Unlike humans, dogs have different physical reactions to allergies and to ingredients in their dog food. Allergic reactions or allergies occur after adult dogs or puppies have been exposed to an ingredient for an extended amount of time, for example being given the same type or brand of dog food for a prolonged amount of time.

Proteins are the top ingredient that causes the most havoc on a dog’s system resulting in allergies. The immune system of dogs unfortunately can sometimes single out an ingredient, more often than not a protein, which causes the immune system to develop antibodies to attack the “harmful ingredient” resulting in an allergy. Below are some of the top ingredients that are allergens to dogs.

⦁ Lamb – Often chosen as a novel protein option, it is still a protein and can produce the same allergen effects as other proteins. It is suggested to opt for a diet of yam or sweet potato paired with venison in the event lamb is an allergen to your pet.

⦁ Beef – ⦁ Most common allergen as it is the most commonly used protein ingredient in dog foods.

⦁ Chicken – Another commonly used protein ingredient in dog food. If beef and chicken are the common agitators and allergens for your adult dogs then it is suggested to opt for a diet with lamb or venison being the staple protein in their dog food.

⦁ Eggs – Fairly simple to avoid, be cognizant to check ingredient labels. More often than not this takes more control as a pet parent with hand-feeding and sharing tender vittles off your human plate.

⦁ Wheat and/or Grains – This ingredient ⦁ as an allergen is a gray area. There is a difference between an allergen, an irritant, and an ingredient causing an intolerance.

Obviously, if you suspect your pet is having uncomfortable physical reactions due to an ingredient in their food it is best to consult with your veterinarian and make a plan to help your pet with a hypoallergenic dog diet that works for them.

How Long Does It Take For Hypoallergenic Dog Food To Work?

The short answer is that it can take eight to twelve weeks for a hypoallergenic dog food diet to begin showing results.

In essence, by feeding your dog something different, you are conducting what is called an elimination diet. As the name implies, an elimination diet should replace ingredients your dog consumed previously with different ingredients. The elimination diet process helps test which ingredients are problematic and cause allergic symptoms in your pup.

Conclusion

Dogs with food allergies suffer greatly without the right nutrition. Kudos to you as a caring dog owner for taking the first steps toward helping reduce your pup’s suffering by researching hypoallergenic dog food options.

Trying one of the hypoallergenic dog food choices on our list is pivotal to helping ease your dog’s allergy symptoms and get them back on the path to a happy, healthy, tail-wagging life.