Sensitivities are a common challenge for dogs, and a common reason for trips to the vet. While antibiotics and steroids may provide temporary relief, they often mask the problem and can harm the immune system.

Not only are whole food ingredients healthy for dogs, but they taste better too! By avoiding processing and preservation, whole food ingredients maintain their original taste, making the food more enticing to a dog’s sense of smell and taste. Look for foods that are preserved by freeze drying and dehydration rather than chemicals. Whole foods preserved through freeze-drying or dehydration retain essential nutrients that are often lost in traditional processing. This makes them gentler on sensitive stomachs, easier to digest, and ideal for improving overall health.

Heal your dog from the inside out with the power of fresh, whole food nutrition.

Identifying Ingredients to Avoid

Dog food sensitivities can stem from genetics or prolonged exposure to specific ingredients. This is why certain proteins often trigger sensitivities in dogs. Be careful giving the following foods to your dog with sensitivities:

• Beef
• Wheat
• Dairy
• Egg
• Chicken
• Soy

When your dog has sensitivities, finding the best food that doesn’t contain these ingredients can be challenging. That’s why making their meals at home with wholesome, natural ingredients is a game-changer. Preparing fresh food ensures you know exactly what’s in their bowl, avoiding triggers and providing optimal nutrition tailored to their needs.
At Dr. Harvey’s, we make homemade meals easier by offering natural, sensitivity-friendly options. Our food empowers you to create balanced, fresh meals that support your dog’s health and happiness. Join countless pet parents who trust us to help their dogs thrive.

Explore Our Dog Food Collection

Fresh vs. Processed: Why It Matters

For dogs with sensitivities, the quality of their food plays a critical role in their health. Many commercial pet foods are processed at high temperatures, which destroys vital nutrients and alters the food’s natural composition, making it harder for dogs to digest. These foods often rely on artificial preservatives and additives to enhance shelf life and flavor, but these ingredients can irritate the immune system and disrupt hormonal balance, potentially worsening sensitivities and overall health. Fresh, minimally processed food provides the nutrients dogs need in their most natural, digestible form, supporting their bodies and promoting long-term well-being.

Dr. Harvey’s Limited Ingredient: Nutrition the Way Nature Intended:

• Raw, freeze dried protein makes it easy to digest
• No artificial anything. Free from corn, wheat, soy, dairy or eggs
• Rich in antioxidants for overall wellness
• Functional superfoods support sensitivity prevention

Quick & Easy: Limited Ingredient Food Prep. Just add hot water!

Preparing fresh food for your dog takes just minutes a day and it’s really easy to do. Please see the included booklet for suggested feeding amounts.

• Step 1: Measure the correct amount of food
  (see chart below)

• Step 2: Add hot water and wait 12 minutes

• Step 3: Serve a healthy, homemade meal!

Food allergies are complicated. While we can’t answer every question, we have covered the ones that come up most often when discussing allergy food for dogs.

Remember: If you’re worried about your dog’s health, talk to your holistic vet.

• Can I make Limited Ingredient ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator?
  For best results, make fresh daily. Rehydrated food can be stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Add hot water and stir after refrigeration to bring to the desired consistency and temperature.
  
  

• My dog is a picky eater. How can I make this more palatable?
  Most dogs love the taste of real food. However, if your dog doesn’t take to Limited Ingredient right away, try rehydrating the mixture with bone broth or low sodium chicken or beef stock broth instead of water to entice him or her.
  
  

• Is it okay to still give my dog treats?
  The best kind of treat is a single ingredient treat of pure meat. This way, you can track what might be triggering their allergies.

• What’s the Difference Between Food Allergies and Food Sensitivities?
  Food allergies and sensitivities have similar symptoms, but they aren’t the same. An allergy happens because your dog’s body thinks a specific ingredient is a threat and tells the immune system to fight it.
  
  Food sensitivity occurs when your dog isn’t able to digest an ingredient rather than viewing it as a threat. Food sensitivity symptoms occur in the stomach, such as gas and diarrhea.
  
  

• What Are the Common Signs of an Allergic Reaction?
  Various symptoms can occur with food allergies, so it can take time to figure out the cause. Many symptoms mimic other illnesses; vets may rule out those specific illnesses before diagnosing an allergy.
  
  Some common food allergy symptoms include:
  
  1. Blisters or lesions around lips and chin
  2. Chronic ear infections
  3. Flaky skin
  4. Hives
  5. Redness on the abdomen
  6. Runny eyes
  7. Scratching
  8. Skin infections

• What Are Some Common Food Allergens in Dog Food?
  The most common allergens found in dog food include:
  
  1. Beef
  2. Chicken
  3. Corn
  4. Preservatives
  5. Wheat
  
  We outline additional symptoms of dog food allergies on our blog, along with a detailed breakdown of common allergens found in dog food.
  
  

• What Are the Benefits of Feeding Whole, Natural Foods to Dogs with Allergies?
  There are many benefits to natural, whole dog food for dogs with allergies:
  
  1. Dogs like the taste of whole foods more.
  2. Whole ingredients offer complete nutrients, while processed ingredients often lack nutritional value.
  3. Healthier food helps to keep your dog happier.
  4. Whole foods contain no preservatives, chemicals, or artificial colors.
  5. You know what you’re feeding your dog.
  6. Your dog gets to experience more food textures.

• How Do I Find the Best Food for Dogs with Allergies?
  First and foremost, make sure to read the ingredients in your dog’s food carefully. The most obvious reason is to see if the allergen is on the list, assuming you know what causes a reaction in your dog. But the second reason is because you can see how many preservatives, fillers, and artificial dyes it contains.
  
  When a food contains more of these types of ingredients, it’s more likely that your companion could develop an allergic reaction.
  
  

• How Is Dr. Harvey’s Limited Ingredient Recipe for Dogs Different from Others?
  Our grain-free recipe contains no preservatives, chemicals, or additives. It’s just whole food ingredients—nothing more, nothing less. Instead of using preservatives, we make our components last through freeze-drying and dehydrating.
  
  We use turkey, salmon or lamb as our source of protein (and it’s the first ingredient listed) instead of the more commonly used beef and chicken.
  
  

• What Else Can I Add to My Dog’s Food to Help with Allergies?
  Supplements can help with your dog’s food allergies. For example, the fatty acids in omega-3 oils can repair damaged skin and tissue. You can use immune-supporting supplements to promote your dog’s overall health.
  
  

• How Do I Figure Out What My Dog is Allergic To?
  You can try the elimination diet, which involves offering a completely different dog food with another source of protein (like turkey instead of chicken). This process takes around two or three months to complete because old proteins take that long to leave your dog’s system.
  
  If your dog is still experiencing symptoms after several months, you know it’s an environmental allergy rather than a food allergy. If your dog isn’t experiencing symptoms after the trial, you can slowly add different ingredients to see if your dog reacts.