Allergies are a common challenge for dogs. And a common reason for trips to the vet. Antibiotics, steroids and other medications are a temporary fix that merely mask the problem, and can harm the immune system.

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

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.

Plus, whole foods retain all the natural nutrients that get lost when they undergo processing. As a result, they are better for dogs with allergies or intolerances and can help improve their overall health. It’s easier for dogs to digest whole foods, putting less stress on the body.

Identifying Ingredients to Avoid in Dog Food for Dogs with Allergies

Dog food allergies can come from genetics or can be caused by exposure to one type of food for a long time. That’s why certain proteins can be common allergens for dogs.

Be careful giving the following foods to your dog with allergies:

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

It can be challenging to find the best food for dogs with allergies and that don’t contain these ingredients, so make sure to read labels carefully. You can also look for hypoallergenic food or prepare allergy-free dog food from home. Finding the right foods for your pet may take some time, but the effort is worthwhile for a healthy, happy dog.

At Dr. Harvey’s, we offer a wide range of natural, allergy-friendly dog food. Join the many pet parents who trust us to provide the best food for their dogs with allergies , we’re here to help.

Explore Our Dog Food Collection

Fresh vs. Processed: Allergy Dog Food

Finding the best food for dogs with allergies is crucial because most commercial pet food undergoes cooking at high temperatures, which can strip away vital nutrients and alter its chemical structure, making it difficult for a dog to digest. These products often contain preservatives to prolong shelf life and artificial ingredients to enhance palatability. These additives can be harmful to our pets, as they may irritate their immune systems and disrupt hormonal responses, leading to various health issues. Allergies in dogs are frequently linked to consuming low-quality and highly processed diets, emphasizing the importance of selecting appropriate allergy food for dogs to ensure their bodies function optimally.

Dr. Harvey’s Allergy is nutrition the way nature intended:

• Raw, freeze dried protein – easy to digest
• Allergen free – No corn, wheat, soy, dairy or eggs
• Rich in antioxidants
• Functional superfoods to support allergy prevention

Quick & Easy: Allergy Dog 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 Allergy 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 Allergy 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 Allergy Food 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.