12+ Best Dog Food For Allergies [2025]

If your dog struggles with itchy skin, ear infections, or digestive issues, food allergies could be the culprit. The good news? Choosing the right diet can make a world of difference. The best dog food for allergies uses limited ingredients and single animal proteins and avoids junky fillers that often trigger sensitivities.

In this guide, you’ll learn what causes dog food allergies, the most common symptoms, and what to consider when choosing the right diet. We’ll also share the best allergy-friendly dog foods, featuring options like KOHA limited ingredient dog food recipes designed specifically for sensitive pets.

Understanding Dog Food Allergies: What Causes Them and Common Allergens for Dogs

Food allergies in dogs occur when their immune system misidentifies certain proteins or ingredients as harmful. Continued exposure to these triggers can lead to swelling, itching, and digestive discomfort.

Common allergens include:

• Beef, chicken, and dairy
• Corn, and soy
• Eggs and some artificial additives

Not every dog reacts to the same ingredients. That’s why an elimination diet—removing and re-integrating potential triggers one by one—may help you identify the cause. In some cases, even surprising ingredients like peas or certain additives can contribute to flare-ups, which is why careful label reading is so important.

Common Symptoms of Dog Food Allergies

Dogs with food allergies often show a mix of skin and digestive symptoms. Watch for:

• Persistent itching or scratching
• Red, irritated skin or hot spots
• Chronic ear infections
• Licking or chewing paws
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Gas and bloating

If your dog shows multiple signs, consult your veterinarian to rule out environmental causes and confirm whether food allergies are at play.

Things to Consider When Choosing the Right Food for Your Dog’s Allergies

When picking the best food for your allergy-prone dog, keep these factors in mind:

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• Your dog’s specific allergy: Choose limited ingredient diets that exclude common triggers.

• Veterinarian input: Always consult your vet before making dietary changes. They may recommend allergy testing or an elimination diet.

• AAFCO standards: Ensure the food meets established nutritional profiles for complete and balanced diets.

• Your dog’s age and size: Select a recipe tailored to your dog’s life stage and breed size to ensure they receive the right balance of calories, protein, and nutrients.

• Your dog’s symptoms: If skin issues are more prominent, focus on foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. For digestive issues, look for pumpkin or probiotics.

• Budget: High-quality limited ingredient diets are more expensive but worth the investment for long-term health. Ultimately, fewer vet visits for chronic allergies can offset higher food costs.

Best Dog Food for Allergies

Here are the top food options for dogs with sensitivities.

1. KOHA Limited Ingredient Diet Entrées

KOHA Limited Ingredient Diet Entrées feature novel proteins such as kangaroo, venison, and duck. By eliminating common allergens like chicken, beef, and soy, these recipes give pet parents an effective way to avoid common allergens. 

Each formula is moisture-rich, with ingredients like pumpkin for digestion, helping sensitive dogs receive both comfort and complete nutrition. Known for their palatability, these entrées are especially appealing for dogs with food sensitivities who have struggled with other diets.

Shop KOHA Limited Ingredient Diet Entrées to find a nourishing, single-protein recipe that helps make mealtime easier for dogs with allergies or sensitivities. 

2. KOHA Limited Ingredient Bland Diet

KOHA Limited Ingredient Bland Diet recipes are carefully formulated for dogs with sensitive stomachs and food allergies. Each recipe uses a single animal protein combined with easily digestible ingredients like pumpkin and rice to create a gentle, nourishing meal. Unlike many other bland diets, KOHA offers complete and balanced nutrition, making it a long-term solution rather than a short-term fix. 

Pet parents appreciate that these meals provide digestive support without sacrificing taste, while dogs enjoy the soft texture and savory flavor. Free of junky fillers, these recipes make it simple to give your dog comfort at mealtime and confidence in their health.

Shop KOHA Limited Ingredient Bland Diet Dry Food to give your dog the balanced, easy-to-digest nutrition they deserve.

3. KOHA Minimal Ingredient Stew

KOHA Minimal Ingredient Stews are slow-cooked, moisture-rich recipes designed to satisfy even the pickiest eaters while being gentle on sensitive stomachs. Each stew features a single animal protein paired with wholesome vegetables, all simmered in savory broth for irresistible flavor. 

Because KOHA stews avoid junky fillers or additives, they deliver both hydration and high-quality nutrition in every bowl. These meals work well as complete diets to encourage appetite, making them a versatile choice for pet parents looking to add variety while supporting their dog’s digestive health.

Explore KOHA Minimal Ingredient Stews to give your dog a hearty, hydrating meal made with simple, wholesome ingredients.

4. KOHA Pure Shreds

KOHA Pure Shreds bring something unique to allergy-friendly feeding: a light, shredded texture combined with nourishing broth and two animal proteins. While not every recipe has a single proteinthey are not single protein, they remain completely free from junky fillers, potatoes, and preservatives, making them a safe and flavorful option for sensitive dogs. 

Many pet parents use Pure Shreds as a mixer to promote hydration and encourage appetite in picky eaters. With their high protein content and enticing taste, Pure Shreds offer variety and excitement at mealtime while maintaining KOHA’s commitment to allergy-conscious nutrition.

Try KOHA Pure Shreds to add texture, flavor, and hydration to your dog’s bowl.

5. Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach and Skin

Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach and Skin is designed for adult dogs that need gentle nutrition to support digestion and skin health. The line includes options tailored for small breeds, large breeds, and mini dogs, each offering kibble sizes suited to different needs. These recipes are formulated with beet pulp, a prebiotic fiber, and contain omega fatty acids.

6. Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Diet

Blue Buffalo Basics is a limited ingredient diet created with sensitive dogs in mind. Each recipe starts with a single animal protein such as turkey, salmon, lamb, or duck and avoids common allergens. Available in both wet and dry formats, Basics foods feature carbohydrates such as potatoes and include Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.

7. Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet

Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet recipes are built with ten ingredients or fewer, plus added vitamins and minerals. Each formula features a single source of animal protein—such as deboned meat, fish, or poultry—and offers either grain-free recipes with sweet potatoes or grain-inclusive options with brown rice, oatmeal, and barley. 

8. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets provide a simplified recipe lineup created to limit exposure to food sensitivities. Each diet uses a single animal protein and a carefully chosen carbohydrate source. These formulas are available in both grain-inclusive and grain-free options to suit different dietary needs. The range includes dry food, canned options, and treats suitable for different life stages and breed sizes. 

9. Orijen Six Fish Grain-Free

Orijen Six Fish Grain-Free is a protein-rich meal option. The recipe features six different types of wild-caught fish, including herring, salmon, monkfish, redfish, flounder, and hake, and is delivered fresh or raw to preserve nutrient density. The variety of proteins may not suit elimination diets but works for dogs that tolerate fish well. Following Orijen’s WholePrey philosophy, the formula includes fish, organs, and bone to provide a range of vitamins and minerals naturally. 

10. Acana Singles and Wholesome Grains

Acana Singles and Wholesome Grains recipes emphasize single animal protein sources, such as beef, lamb, pork, or duck, paired with vegetables, fruits, and fiber-rich grains. Singles formulas feature 65% animal ingredients balanced with 35% produce and nutrients. The Wholesome Grains line focuses on non-GMO grains such as oats and pumpkin to provide additional fiber while maintaining high protein levels from fresh or raw animal ingredients. These recipes are part of Acana’s Canadian-made product line, with sourcing that combines local and global suppliers.

11. Zignature Limited Ingredient Formula

Zignature Limited Ingredient Formulas are built around a meat-first philosophy, with animal protein as the primary ingredient, followed by meat, poultry, or fish meal. Each recipe includes low-glycemic carbohydrates such as chickpeas, peas, oats, millet, or quinoa. Designed to avoid exposure to allergens, these diets are free from high-starch binders. 

12. Fromm Family Foods Four-Star Nutritionals

Fromm Family Foods Four-Star Nutritionals offers entrées that can be mixed and matched for rotational feeding. Recipes are formulated in small batches using meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, and Wisconsin cheese. This variety-driven line is suitable for dogs of all ages and breed sizes. The Four-Star range is produced in the company’s Wisconsin facility, continuing the Fromm family’s five-generation history of making pet food. 

When to Seek an Allergy Diagnosis from a Vet

If your dog continues to show signs of itching, vomiting, or digestive upset even after switching diets, it’s time to see your veterinarian. They may recommend:

• Allergy testing
• An elimination diet
• Prescription hypoallergenic foods

An elimination diet usually takes 6–8 weeks to properly assess, since it can take that long for allergens to clear from your dog’s system and for symptoms to get better. Early diagnosis can deter long-term discomfort and secondary issues like chronic ear infections or itchy skin.

Find the Right Food for Your Dog’s Allergies

Choosing the right food can transform your dog’s quality of life. Start by identifying potential triggers, consulting with your veterinarian, and gradually transitioning to a limited ingredient or novel protein diet.

For many dogs, the KOHA range of recipes are an ideal long-term solution. With single animal proteins options, zero junky fillers, and gut-friendly ingredients, they’re designed to support sensitive digestion and skin while delivering meals dogs love.

Explore KOHA’s full collection of limited ingredient and allergy-friendly recipes to find the perfect match for your dog’s needs.

Dog Food for Allergies FAQs

Which dog food is best for dogs with allergies?

The best dog food for allergies uses limited ingredients and avoids common triggers like chicken, beef, soy, or dairy. Diets built around novel proteins such as venison, kangaroo, or duck may be especially helpful because they help your dog avoid repeated exposure to allergens. KOHA limited ingredient recipes are an example of this approach, offering single animal protein formulas without junky fillers to make identifying and avoiding triggers easier.

What food is good for dogs with itchy skin?

Persistent itching is often linked to food sensitivities. Diets that include omega-3-rich proteins such as salmon or other fish can support skin hydration and coat health. Novel protein recipes, like those made with venison or rabbit, are also good choices because they avoid common ingredients that commonly cause flare-ups. Pairing these with limited ingredient formulas makes it easier to track your dog’s response and manage skin-related allergy symptoms.

What food to avoid for dogs with skin allergies and yeast?

Dogs prone to yeast or skin-related allergies may react to common ingredients like chicken, beef, corn, soy, dairy, and eggs. Many of these items appear in traditional commercial dog foods. Avoiding these and opting for carefully balanced limited ingredient diets may help avoid flare-ups. It’s also important to choose recipes free from artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, since these can sometimes contribute to irritation.

What is the best way to switch my dog’s food?

Changing your dog’s diet too quickly can cause stomach upset, even if you’re switching to a better food. The safest method is to transition gradually over 7–10 days. Start by mixing 25% of the new food with 75% of the old food for the first few days, then increase to a 50/50 split. Move to 75% new and 25% old by day seven, and finally switch fully to the new food. Monitoring your dog’s stool quality, energy levels, and skin during the transition may help you catch any new sensitivities early.