We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. The 9 Best Dog Foods for Allergies of 2026 According to 407 dogs and their humans By Anna Mejorada Anna Mejorada Anna Mejorada is an editor for The Spruce Pets and best friends with a Pomeranian named Gidget. She has tested hundreds of products, many with the help of Gidget, whose refined taste and cheerful nature continuously inspire Anna's work. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process Updated on 10/27/25 In This Article View All In This Article Top Picks Reviews What to Look For How We Found the Best Dog Food for Allergies FAQ Why Trust The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets / Amelia Manley If your dog is experiencing ongoing or recurring bouts of diarrhea, vomiting, or skin issues—such as itching, rashes, redness, and hair loss—then your first stop should be your veterinarian, because it might be an immune response triggered by an allergen. In dogs, most allergens are environmental, including pollen, fleas, or dust mites, but some dogs have allergic reactions to their dog food. “The most common food allergy that afflicts dogs is the protein source,” says Dr. Michelle Burch, a veterinarian and veterinary consultant with Safe Hounds Pet Insurance. "The most common allergies include beef, chicken, lamb, and wheat.” Dog food allergies can often be remedied by changing the protein source in their dog food. There are limited-ingredient dog foods that can provide alternate proteins, formulas to address less common allergens like wheat, and easy-to-audit ingredient lists to help you eliminate your dog's specific allergen from their diet. “A family who can maintain nutritional restrictions will find their dog has an excellent prognosis," Dr. Burch says. But depending on your veterinarian's guidance and the severity of your dog's allergy, your dog may need a prescription diet to find relief from their symptoms. Prescription diets have carefully vetted ingredients and unique proteins unlikely to trigger an allergic response, and are manufactured to prevent cross-contamination. To help evaluate dog foods, we surveyed 407 households with dogs, polling them on the dog food brand and product that works for their dog, while gathering data like their dog's size, age, and breed. You can learn more about our polling methodology below our recommendations, under the heading How We Found the Best Dog Food for Allergies. Top Picks Best Overall: Hill's Prescription Diet Hill's Prescription Hypoallergenic Dog Food at Amazon $142 Jump to Review Best Hydrolyzed Protein: Royal Canin Veterinary Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein at Chewy $139 Jump to Review Best Non-Prescription Wet: Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Wet Dog Food at Amazon $42 Jump to Review Best Non-Prescription for Poultry Allergies: Blue Buffalo Basics Salmon and Potato Recipe at Amazon $45 Jump to Review Best Subscription: The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food at Thefarmersdog.com Jump to Review Best for Wheat Allergies: Fromm Family Heartland Gold Dog Food at Amazon $83 Jump to Review Best for Environmental Allergies: Purina One Plus Skin & Coat Formula Dog Food at Amazon $50 Jump to Review Popular on Reddit: Purina Veterinary Diets Elemental Dry Dog Food at Amazon $135 Jump to Review Top-Rated on Amazon: Wellness Complete Health Dry Dog Food at Amazon $65 Jump to Review Best Overall Hill's Prescription Diet Hill's Prescription Hypoallergenic Dog Food Credit: Amazon $142 at Amazon $137 at Chewy $142 at Petco What We Like Has a variety of wet and dry food recipes Developed by scientists, veterinarians, and nutritionists Human-grade food manufacturing facilities with consistent quality control Lots of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants What We Don't Like Requires a prescription Limited breed-specific and specialized formulas With clear and thorough labeling of ingredients paired with consistency in their production process, Hill's Prescription Diet Dog Food is our top recommendation for most dogs with food allergies and sensitivities. Among our 407 panelists, Hill's Science Diet is the top-rated dog food brand, earning exceptionally high marks for overall satisfaction (from both humans and hounds) and for the brand's ability to address specific health needs. Dog food manufacturers take two general approaches to addressing a protein allergy: either providing a novel protein that's unlikely to trigger an allergic response or using hydrolyzed proteins, which have been broken down into their constituent amino acids, removing the allergen component. Hill's Prescription Diet's d/d formula takes the first approach, using duck, salmon, or venison to avoid the most common protein allergies. It also eliminates other potential confounding allergens (since it's not always easy to definitively identify your dog's exact allergen), eliminating soy protein and other common protein additives. Hill's Prescription Diet d/d formula comes in a few varieties, including two flavors of wet food and three flavors of dry food. There is also a line of z/d formula dog foods, which use hydrolyzed protein. Hill's non-prescription Science Diet line may also be able to address some allergies, such as grain-free options for dogs with wheat sensitivities, like Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Grain-Free Chicken & Potato Dog Food. Hill's Pets, the manufacturer of Hill's Science Diet pet food, employs over 220 nutritionists, veterinarians, and scientists, and its safety standards are modeled after those of human food manufacturers. Each recipe for dog food within the Hill's brand was developed and is manufactured in the United States, and the dog food comes in a variety of flavors and formulations to meet the nutritional needs of dogs of every shape and size. With the right flavor and formulation for a dog, we found that consistently serving Hill's Science Diet leads to fewer dietary issues, straightforward potty sessions, and lots of cuddles. However, the price of this dog food has increased as of late, and the canned variety could benefit from a pull-tab lid to make it easier to open without the use of a can opener. Food Type: Dry, wet | Packaging Sizes: 5-, 15-, 33-pound bags; 5.8-, 12.8-ounce cans Best Hydrolyzed Protein Royal Canin Veterinary Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein Credit: Chewy $139 at Chewy View on Petco View on Petflow.com What We Like Range of formulas, including small dog and weight management options Formulated for skin and digestive health Includes prebiotics and lots of fiber What We Don't Like Requires a prescription Royal Canin's prescription dog food has a lot in common with Hill's Prescription Diet, including both novel protein and hydrolyzed options for addressing your dog's allergies. Among our survey respondents, this was a less popular but similarly trusted brand. Both brands offer excellent dog foods, with vetted ingredients and high-quality omega fatty acids. However, if you are looking for a hydrolyzed protein food to address your dog's protein allergy, then Royal Canin offers a slightly wider range of options that may suit your dog's specific needs better. Dry food options include a version with hydrolyzed chicken and a formula that has no meat protein at all, instead using hydrolyzed soy protein. There's also a formula for small dogs and two different options for weight management. Food Type: Dry, wet | Packaging Sizes: 13.7-ounce can; 7.7-, 17.6-, 25.3-pound bags Best Non-Prescription Wet Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Wet Dog Food Credit: Amazon $42 at Amazon View on Chewy What We Like Beef, salmon, or lamb as lead source of protein Made with easy-to-digest prebiotic fiber Free of poultry, wheat, soy, and artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives Dry formula also available What We Don't Like Only offered in one size can May contain corn oil If you prefer to feed your dog wet food, Purina Pro Plan offers three poultry-free recipes in its Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach line of dog food—beef & oatmeal, salmon & rice, and lamb & oatmeal. The recipes are made without common causes of allergies and upset stomachs, including chicken, wheat, soy, and artificial flavors. The wet foods from Purina Pro Plan are made with fiber, probiotics, prebiotics, easy-to-digest grains (barley, rice, and/or oatmeal), animal fat, fish oil (omega-3), and sunflower oil (omega-6). Depending on the size of your adult dog, each 13-ounce can may contain multiple meals or just one meal. Plus, the recyclable cans have an easy-pull tab on top, and the wet recipes are often sold as a bundle. You can also pair the wet food with Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin Formula dry dog food, which comes in three recipes: salmon & rice, lamb & oatmeal, and turkey & oatmeal, which is packaged in bags ranging from 4 to 40 pounds. Food Type: Wet | Packaging Size: 13-ounce can Best Non-Prescription for Poultry Allergies Blue Buffalo Basics Salmon and Potato Recipe Credit: Amazon $45 at Amazon View on Chewy $45 at Target What We Like Single animal protein source Made without chicken, corn, wheat, soy, dairy, and eggs Formulas for puppies, adults, seniors, small breeds, and large breeds Free of artificial flavors and preservatives What We Don't Like Some recipes are more difficult to find For dogs with a chicken allergy, Blue Buffalo offers a full line of limited ingredient dry and wet dog foods, all made with a single animal protein source. Basics from Blue Buffalo is our top choice for dogs with a chicken allergy because the brand manufactures this dog food without by-product meals—including chicken by-product meal, which is commonly added to recipes from other brands—making it easier to completely avoid the chicken allergen that is causing your dog discomfort. Each serving of this nutritionally balanced dog food provides antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to bolster your dog's overall health. The food is also free of corn, wheat, soy, dairy, and eggs—all of which are common allergens. Blue Buffalo Basics offers six dry food recipes for adult dogs: salmon & potato, turkey & potato, grain-free duck & potato, grain-free lamb & potato, grain-free turkey & potato, and grain-free salmon & potato. There are variations for small breeds, large breeds, seniors, and puppies, along with wet food recipes packaged in 3.5-ounce trays and 12.5-ounce cans—all made without chicken. Food Type: Dry, wet | Packaging Size: 11-, 24-pound bags; 3.5-, 12.5 ounce cans Best Subscription The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Credit: The Farmer's Dog View on Thefarmersdog.com What We Like Four recipes to choose from, each made with one primary protein Made with USDA meat and human-grade ingredients Customized for your dog's age and activity level What We Don't Like Only available via subscription If your dog is allergic to an animal protein source, the Farmer's Dog Custom Fresh Dog Food will bring dog food made without the source of your dog's allergy right to your door. The subscription service enables you to choose up to four recipes—beef, chicken, pork, and/or turkey—to be included in your dog's personal meal plan. That means if your dog is allergic to chicken, they can still enjoy the other three recipes. To customize your dog's recipes, the Farmer's Dog asks you a series of questions about your dog's current health, food sensitivities and allergies, breed, age, daily activity level, and weight. If you have a rescue, an approximation for birthday and breed composition is suitable. Each recipe is made in the United States and was developed by veterinarian nutritionists to provide nutrients, vitamins, fat, protein, and fiber in each serving. Recipes are always made with USDA animal meat, starches such as lentils, chickpeas, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, and vegetables including broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots. Once you've placed your order, a box with individually frozen packs to last 28 or 56 days will arrive. Each pack can be frozen for up to six months, and once thawed, the food should be consumed within four days. Depending on the size of your dog, one pack can have four servings of food (small breed) or your dog may require more than one pack at mealtime (large breed). Food Type: Frozen | Packaging Sizes: Varies Best for Wheat Allergies Fromm Family Heartland Gold Dog Food Credit: Amazon $83 at Amazon View on Petflow.com View on Gofromm.com What We Like Provides taurine for heart health Blend of probiotics and prebiotics to support regularity Antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals What We Don't Like Not as widely available as other dog food brands For dogs with wheat allergies, a grain-free food will ensure that the food you serve to your dog has not come into contact with a potential allergen during the production process. Fromm Heartland Gold Adult Grain Free Dog Food provides amino acids—such as taurine—for healthy functioning muscles, including the heart and the kidneys, antioxidants for strong immunity, and a blend of probiotics and prebiotics to support the digestive system. The primary ingredient is beef, with pork and lamb as additional sources of protein, all combined to create a meaty flavor that dogs enjoy. The grain-free formula is made with legumes—peas, lentils, chickpeas—and potatoes as the primary starch. Among the 407 dog parents we polled, Fromm received top marks for the reliable use of human-grade ingredients, along with overall satisfaction, engagement, and enjoyment experienced by their dog. Food Type: Dry | Packaging Size: 15-, 30-pound bags Best for Environmental Allergies Purina One Plus Skin & Coat Formula Dog Food Credit: Amazon $50 at Amazon $50 at Chewy $58 at Petco What We Like No artificial flavors Provides vitamin E, omega-6 fatty acids, and glucosamine Salmon is primary ingredient Readily available and affordable What We Don't Like Made with chicken by-product meal Purina ONE +Plus Skin & Coat Formula is made with salmon as the first ingredient along with rice flour, barley, oatmeal, beef fat, and fish oil. It also includes grains and chicken by-product meal. Combined, there are a lot of potential allergen triggers in Purina ONE, so this is not a suitable food for dogs with food allergies. However, Purina ONE +Plus may provide some relief from symptoms due to environmental triggers like pollen or fleas. It includes vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids, which studies have shown can help promote a healthy coat and skin in dogs. The recipe—developed by scientists and veterinarians—also has antioxidants and glucosamine, and is fortified with additional vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. While it can't treat your dog's environmental allergies, it's formulated to boost immune support and relieve common symptoms like itchiness. Food Type: Dry | Packaging Size: 8-, 16.5-, 31.1-pound bags Popular on Reddit Purina Veterinary Diets Elemental Dry Dog Food Credit: Amazon $135 at Amazon $130 at Chewy What We Like Purified amino acids Highly digestible Low-allergen carbohydrate sources What We Don't Like Prescription only Finding the dog food that can alleviate your pup's miserable allergy symptoms without upsetting their stomach often involves a good deal of trial and error, which can be particularly challenging if your dog is sensitive to a variety of proteins. In a Dog Advice forum on Reddit, one user recommends Purina Pro Plan Elemental for "super sensitive dogs" because the hydrolyzed protein is broken down "small enough so the body doesn’t recognize them" to cause an allergic reaction. This vet-prescribed dog food is formulated with purified amino acids and low-allergen carbohydrates. It's also low-fat, which makes the food highly digestible, and is designed to promote nutrition absorption—ideal for dogs with compromised gastrointestinal tracts. One thing to keep in mind is that, like most prescription dog foods, it is expensive. Another Reddit user advises starting with a smaller bag first to see if your dog will eat it. Food Type: Dry | Packaging Size: 6-, 16.5-pound bags Top-Rated on Amazon Wellness Complete Health Dry Dog Food Credit: Amazon $65 at Amazon $65 at Chewy $65 $65 at Petco What We Like Single animal protein source tops ingredients list Free of gluten, corn, soy, artificial colors, and preservatives Loaded with fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics, and taurine Easily digestible What We Don't Like Some dogs can still experience diarrhea Although we didn't survey our dog owners about Wellness Complete Health dry dog food, it's a top-rated pick on Amazon, so it's worth including in our list. Pet parents who have given this line a five-star rating like its clean recipes, which prioritize high-quality animal protein and wholesome grains. They contain no gluten, corn, soy, artificial colors, or preservatives. Flavors include beef & barley, lamb & barley, chicken & oatmeal, whitefish & sweet potato, and salmon & rice. The salmon recipe is designed specifically for dogs with sensitive skin and stomachs, and there is also a weight management formula. In addition to quality animal protein, each recipe is loaded with fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics, and taurine, and is designed to be easily digestible. However, depending on the formula, some dogs may still experience stomach upset and diarrhea, so you may want to start with the smallest bag first to see if a particular recipe is right for your dog. Food Type: Dry | Packaging Size: 5-, 13-, 15-, 24-, 26-, 30-, 38-pound bags Final Verdict Our top recommendation is Hill's Prescription Diet Dog Food because all recipes are developed by scientists, veterinarians, and nutritionists to provide balanced nutrition, and their combination of limited ingredients and novel proteins can effectively relieve your dog's allergy symptoms. If your veterinarian recommends considering a hydrolyzed protein, we recommend taking a look at Royal Canin. While Hill's Prescription Diet also offers hydrolyzed protein dog foods, Royal Canin offers more specialized formulas for small dogs, weight management, and more. What to Look For in a Dog Food for Allergies Alternate Proteins Since most dog food allergies are allergic responses to specific proteins, the first move in remediating your dog's allergy is typically a change in protein. Food designed to address protein allergies will typically have a limited ingredient list that eliminates many common triggers. There are typically two approaches prescription diets use to address a protein allergy: Novel proteins: Venison, ostrich, duck, and other protein sources can be used in place of chicken, beef, lamb, and other common allergens. This also means restricting the use of multiple types of animal by-products.Hydrolyzed proteins: Hypoallergenic foods that use this approach typically start with chicken protein, but then subject it to a chemical process (often involving high heat or acid) that strips protein down to its most basic nutrients, eliminating the allergen component. Signs of an Allergic Reaction When looking for the right dog food, it’s important to first know what an allergic reaction looks like. “Symptoms of a food allergy can affect multiple organ systems in your dog, but the skin tends to be the most affected,” says Dr. Burch. “Skin symptoms include severe itching along the face, paws, rear, and underbelly. Other signs can include fur loss from around the eyes, repeated ear infections, and secondary skin infections.” When you know the signs of an allergic reaction to look out for, you will be able to better pinpoint what’s causing your pet's discomfort. Vet Consultation Always consult with your veterinarian before changing your dog's food, and when changing your dog's food, it should be done gradually, as abrupt changes can also be the cause of digestive issues. “Dogs diagnosed with a food allergy may need to be fed a prescription diet,” explains Dr. Burch. While not a substitute for allergy medications, these prescription dog foods are made with strict protocols so there is no possibility of cross-contamination. If your dog is extra sensitive to a certain ingredient, prescription food may be your best bet to ensure the allergen is not present in their food. Grain-Free Grains that are commonly found in dog food include barley, corn, oats, rice, wheat, rye, and sorghum, but this is not an exhaustive list. To create grain-free food for dogs, legumes (e.g., peas, lentils) and starches (e.g., potatoes, sweet potatoes) are often used in place of grains. The FDA is currently investigating a potential link between "grain-free" labeled dog foods and heart health issues, primarily dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). According to the FDA's report, grain-free dog foods with peas and/or lentils were more prevalent in cases of DCM. A direct connection has not yet been established. With the information we have, we do not recommend feeding your dog a diet of grain-free food unless you have been directed to do so by your veterinarian. How We Found the Best Dog Food for Allergies To evaluate dog food for allergies, our research panel put together a comprehensive questionnaire, asking dog owners to describe the qualities that matter most to them when they choose a food for their dog at each life stage. We learned which brands were recommended by veterinarians and which had the most trustworthy list of ingredients. We also looked for high-value brands that can fit in people's budgets, and brands with wide retailer availability, such as at these great places to buy dog food. We also gathered details about a dog's size, breed, age, and health history, which helped us make picks tailored to a wide range of dogs, since the best food for a German shepherd with a chicken allergy won't be the best dog food for a rescue with a beef allergy. In total, 407 respondents described how they and their dogs felt about the foods they currently feed or previously fed at home, using a combination of numerical scores and detailed feedback. FAQ Are grain-free foods better for dogs with skin allergies? When considering what dog foods are best for skin allergies, it is recommended to try changing up the protein source first before going completely grain-free. This is because current research shows a possible link between some heart diseases and certain ingredients that appear in higher concentrations in grain-free dog foods.“I currently do not recommend feeding grain-free food to dogs due to the increased risk of developing nutritional dilated cardiomyopathy,” says Dr. Burch. “If you are interested in providing a grain-free diet to see if your dog responds positively to skin allergies, I recommend speaking with your veterinarian before switching.” Can I test my dog for food allergies at home? There are a few home test kits for allergies, but they may not be as effective at determining your dog's allergies. “I do not recommend using blood, hair, or saliva tests for food allergies,” explains Dr. Burch. “These products can have a high number of false positives and negatives.”The best way to test your dog’s allergies is through an at-home food trial under the guidance of a vet, so you can monitor the ingredients in your dog’s food and how they react to it. Which ingredients are the most common allergens for dogs? Chicken, eggs from chickens, beef, dairy, soy, and wheat gluten are all common allergens among dogs. It's important to narrow down which allergen brings about symptoms to keep your dog safe and comfortable. Why Trust The Spruce Pets? This story was updated by Anna Mejorada, a writer for The Spruce Pets, who shares her home with a happy pomeranian named Gidget. Gidget is a very picky eater, but her appetite and digestion greatly improved with a diet of fresh food from The Farmer's Dog. We consulted Dr. Michelle Burch, a veterinarian and veterinary consultant with Safe Hounds Pet Insurance. We also took a comprehensive survey on preferred brands and feeding habits. Each respondent provided data on their dog's age, size, and breed, in addition to a detailed history of the dog food brands and products they mutually enjoy. A previous version of the story was written by Steven Rowe, who experienced caring for two nervous, picky-eating beagles. When he noticed that his dog started to chew his front paws after mealtime, he tried out different proteins and discovered his little guy had a chicken allergy. When writing this article, he chose products based on what he feeds his own tummy-sensitive doggos, his personal experience with the products, customer reviews, product ingredients, and recommendations from veterinarians. The 21 Best Dog Foods of 2026 Explore more: What to Buy Dog Products Dog Food Sources The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Allergies in Dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual. Mueller RS, Olivry T, Prélaud P. Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (2): common food allergen sources in dogs and cats. BMC Vet Res. 2016;12:9. doi: 10.1186/s12917-016-0633-8 Q&AS: FDA's Work on Potential Causes of Non-Hereditary DCM in Dogs. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Advertisement