Skin problems are of different kinds and types. It is important to understand and acknowledge that human beings are not the only ones who suffer from skin diseases. Animals, especially dogs, suffer from such diseases too.
If you have a pet dog at home and you notice it scratching its skin incessantly, pulling out its fur, or a red-colored mark appearing on its ears, then you know that it is suffering from some kind of disease. There are other symptoms like an unhealthy hair coat or brownish discharge from its body which are signals of skin problems.
To ensure that your pet does not suffer from the aforementioned allergies, here is our choice as the Best dog food for skin problems.
Best Dog Food for Skin Problems
Before we take a look at some of our other choices as the best dog food for small dogs with allergies, I have to mention there is one brand we can truly recommend above all else, and that’s:
🏆 Our Top Pick: Ollie Pet Food
Ollie is a highly trusted and respected name in the dog food business. They’re a fresh dog food supplier that customizes every single dog meal using data from your specific dog including age, activity level, breed, and allergy history. Most dog owners can really dispute the fact that nothing can grab the attention of their dog more than a piece of juicy meat.
You can see the summary I’ve previously written about how Ollie has benefitted my dog if you take a quick look here.
Simply put, all dogs love meat more than anything else. And even the pickiest dogs always tend to find foods packed with a lot of high-quality meat sources of protein to be much tastier than those products that only feature more substandard meats.
Ollies’ dog foods are only made in limited batches and made at low temperatures inside a USDA-controlled facility. Each batch of food from Ollie is tested in a lab before being shipped out to ensure there isn’t any contamination. The goods are hand-packed and dispatched fresh to help preserve the perfect nutrition and flavor.
Keep in mind that this product is top-notch, human-grade dog food, and if your furry friend appears to have lost appetite for their regular dog food, Ollie dog food can be an excellent option to give a try. The ingredients in the product are beef heart, sweet potato, beef liver, beef kidney, chia seed, fish oil, sunflower oil, spinach, iodized salt, blueberries, and many others.
What we like:
- Made by fresh ingredients that enhances the chance of your dog accepting it.
- High-quality human-grade dog food without any fillers, additives, or artificial ingredients.
- The custom scooper lets you feed your dog the perfect food options depending on their profile.
- The low-temp and small-batch cooking ensure that no nutritional value is lost.
What we don’t like:
- It is relatively costly. However, considering all the perks that this dog food brings on board, it’s worth every penny.
Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat
For years, Diamond Care has been a brand that has managed to build and sustain a good reputation for itself. A major reason behind it being trusted by scores of dog owners across the globe is the fact that its food has been formulated with the help of leading veterinarians and nutritionists and thoroughly tested and approved by them.
This dog food has been specially made for dogs that are prone to skin allergies. Every ingredient that is a part of this mix has been added in limited quantities which helps in reducing the number of allergens.
Diamond Care boasts of high-quality protein which is sourced out from hydrolyzed salmon. Apart from this essential health ingredient, it also has omega fatty acids which help in improving the health of the fur and coat of the dog. It has Omega-3 and Omega-6 in balanced quantities.
These are elements that are rarely found in regular dog foods. Diamond Care is devoid of potatoes and grain-based substances and opts for peas as a substitute for carbohydrates. The big-sized 25 lb packet lasts for as long as two months and there is an option to opt for a smaller-sized packet as well.
What We Like
· It derives its source of protein from hydrolyzed salmon.
· It provides the right nutrition for grown-up dogs.
· It is easy to digest.
What We Don’t Like
· It is slightly expensive
Purina Pro Plan FOCUS
When you take into account the companies that manufacture food and supplements for animals across the world, Purina would rank right at the top. Purina has proved to be a market leader when it comes to dog food for skin problems.
The Purina Pro Plan FOCUS is made keeping in mind the eating habits of adult dogs that have a sensitive stomach and show symptoms of skin-related diseases. The ingredients have been carefully selected and added to the final mix by expert nutritionists.
The food is made up of a special formula that helps dogs in keeping their digestive system healthy. Though the product is not suitable for young puppies, it works effectively for dogs of different breeds and sizes. It scores high when it comes to safety and hygiene standards.
The products are manufactured in the well-maintained and sanitized facilities of the company and are approved by the Nestle Purina PetCare company. After buying this product, make sure that you store it in a dry and cool environment. This would eliminate the possibility of it being attacked by beetles and bugs. You get the product in a large 31.1 lb bag.
The portions are large in size, so make sure your dog finds it chewable. If not, you need to break it down into smaller parts, so it can consume it without any difficulty. It has a mix of chewable ingredients like canola meal, barley, oatmeal, and ground rice which should make it easy for your pet to swallow the food.
What We Like
· It is tested and approved by The AAFCO.
· It is suitable for dogs suffering from skin or stomach infections.
· It does not consist of any ingredient which could act as an allergen.
What We Don’t Like
· It carries a strong smell of fish.
· It is prone to be attacked by bugs in warmer conditions.
Diamond Naturals Dry Food
If your dog is already suffering from skin infection or allergies, then it is recommended to provide hypoallergenic foods to it. They are made up of ingredients that are broken down to the smallest unit possible to make the digestion process smoother for the dogs.
While many animal food items, including a few which we discuss here, are suitable only for grown-up dogs, Diamond Naturals dry food can be consumed by dogs of all ages, right from young puppies to aging, adult dogs. The ingredients consist of salmon and potato substances and are devoid of grains.
The food item is rich in fruits and vegetable content. Peas, lentils, and carrots which are present in it, are classified as superfoods and carbohydrates which are easy to digest. Apart from these ingredients, it has strong antioxidants like spinach, coconut, chia seeds, blueberries, pumpkin, and papaya. It does not contain grains, artificial colors, corn, or any kind of preservatives.
The company has a patented formula called K9 Strain Probiotics which consists of healthy bacteria which help in strengthening the immune and digestive system of your dog. The presence of Vitamin A, B2, D3, B6, and B12 other biotins further helps in regulating the functions related to the brain, heart, and muscles of your pet.
What We Like
· It is made from ingredients that have been derived from sustainable sources.
· Health-beneficial salmon is one of the main ingredients in it.
· It is rich in substances that have been categorized as superfoods.
What We Don’t Like
· Dog owners might find the smell emanating from it a bit unpleasant.
· It causes digestive problems in certain breeds for dogs.
Hill’s Science
This is a product that is preferred by many expert nutritionists and veterinarians. This brand, which has its roots in America, has been manufacturing food products and supplements for animals ever since it began operations in the 1930s. Food is manufactured specifically for adult dogs that suffer from skin allergies.
There is another variant of the same product which is designed for younger puppies and arrives in a compact-sized kibble. This dog food has meat-based ingredients like lamb, salmon, and chicken chunks in good quantities.
Most of the ingredients like whole-grain sorghum, pork fat, beet pulp, soybean oil, and pea protein are stomach-friendly and easily digestible. The natural ingredients include broccoli, cranberries, apples, and carrots which serve as a rich source of antioxidants, nutrients, and vitamins. There are no artificial colors or preservatives added to it.
The company is known to be very strict when it comes to maintaining safety and quality standards. To ensure the high quality of the products, the ingredients are sourced not from one but multiple supplies across different continents. After the ingredients are procured, they are thoroughly examined in controlled environments and once they pass the quality test, they are deemed suitable to be included in the manufacturing process.
What We Like
· It consists of natural ingredients.
· It is rich in important vitamins.
· It comes in an alternative kibble for younger puppies.
What We Don’t Like
· The presence of chicken, a common allergen, might work adversely for some dogs.
· It contains iodized salt which is not suitable for dogs suffering from renal failure.
AvoDerm Natural Dog Food
This dog food has been around thirty years ever since AvoDerm started manufacturing high-quality dry food items for dogs with ingredients procured from Canada and USA. Unlike most food items, AvoDerm dog foods are not made specifically for dogs suffering from allergies. However, it boasts of medicinal or healing qualities which prove to be beneficial for pets with skin allergies and infections.
It is made up of a combination of brown rice and chicken which is easy on the palate. If you have a dog that does not have an appetite for healthy food items, then this is a good option. It has grains and rice which some dogs might be allergic to but for those who are not and are suffering from skin allergies, it is very beneficial.
One of the biggest selling points for this product is the presence of avocado, an ingredient that is rarely found in most dog food products. Avocado consists of crude fiber and several important vitamins which contribute towards regulating the heart, brain, eye, and muscles.
Apart from these rich ingredients, it contains a bunch of other elements like fatty acids, folate, niacin, and potassium which help in improving the health of your pet’s coat and skin. This food item is devoid of soy, wheat, corn, artificial flavors, and preservatives. Since it is dry food, it is cooked under high pressure to make sure most of the nutrients remain in the final product.
What We Like
· Avocado forms a major component of the product.
· It is an ideal product for dogs that are particular about taste.
What We Don’t Like
· It is not suitable for dogs that are allergic to grains and chicken.
Buying Guide
Take your pet to a veterinarian
Before you decide to buy a new type of food for your dog, you should get your dog tested by a veterinary doctor and find out if it suffers from any food allergies. Many dogs are found to be allergic to carbohydrates. If the test reveals that your pet is allergic to a particular food ingredient, then you must avoid buying any edible product which contains the ingredient which your dog is allergic to, even in limited quantities.
Consider the age of your dog
The daily calorie intake of a dog is dependent on its age. Young puppies, which are at a growing stage, need to consume more calories than fully grown dogs. As a dog starts aging, its calorie requirements start reducing. Dog owners need to be aware of this important fact and feed their dogs with food that is low on calories so that their body weight does not increase and give rise to complications.
Why checking the ingredients is important?
Before buying any food for your pet, you must check all the ingredients written on the label. Several animal food items are made up of preservatives and other chemical ingredients. You may consult a food nutritionist or someone who has expertise in animal food products to buy the right food for your dog. Dog food must be rich in proteins and you must consciously make an effort to get your pet accustomed to healthier options.
Why should you opt for grain-free food items?
Many dog owners feed their pets with food items made of grains. What they do not realize is that they are harmful and affect the digestive system of certain breeds of dogs. A modern dog’s ancestors have never been known to have an affinity towards grains but as it forms a huge part of a human being’s everyday intake, they tend to feed their dogs the same, It is hard for dogs to swallow and digest grains and you need to ensure that the food you serve them is grain-free.
When can you add food additives?
If your dog is already suffering from some kind of skin irritation, help your dog find some relief by including some proper additives in its diet. You have to be very careful while doing so and must consult a vet before making any kind of additions to the diet. Antioxidants help in digesting food better and Omega-3 oil has proved to be a soothing agent for irritated skin. You will also find readymade food items made up of coconut oil, vinegar made of apple cider, herbs, and other ingredients that will act as a deterrent to skin allergies.
Some of My Favorite Products For Dog Owners
I hope this article has helped you just a bit in everyday life as a dog owner. Being a dog owner for more than 25 years, I’ve tried many different products with varying success, but these products below are some that I can highly recommend to every dog and their owner without hesitation!
These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. But it’s products that I use daily myself, and I have the utmost praise for.
Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. But since 2015 when the company was founded, I’ve been using Ollie Petfood. With their product being tailor-made to suit every dog’s specific needs, and as my dogs love the product, I’m pretty sure I’ve found a product I will continue to use for many years more. If you use my link you can get 50% off your first order.
Dog Training: If you’ve ever owned a puppy, you know that it requires a lot of training to grow into a well-behaved adult. Brain Training for Dogs has helped me immensely with the mental training part of raising a dog, and it’s something I strongly recommend you consider.
Grooming: If you have a dog in your home, you’re going to need a brush, and for this, I recommend a Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush. For that price, you simply can’t beat this brush for everyday grooming.
If you’re looking for the most up-to-date recommendations, check out my recommended products section that I’ve created to help every dog owner!
