Sensitive and itchy skin are common issues among dogs. Though it sounds an ordinary matter, dry skin can make your dog like miserable. Dry skin can lead to a variety of secondary health problems as it is uncomfortable, flaky and itchy.
The food you select for your dog will keep the dog healthy, feeling extraordinary and happy at every age and life stage. There are many reasons why your dog suffers from skin problems.
What is the best dog food for itchy skin? High quality dog food for your dog’s itchy skin might be effective however, it also requires a visit to the vet.
The best dog food for sensitive skin excludes all those ingredients that might be the cause of reaction to your dog. Hence the right brand for a line for one dog or right brand won’t always have the same result.
In this article, we have discussed about the best dog food for dogs with itchy skin along with the best food for sensitive skin.
Let’s start.
Sensitive skin in dogs
It is a troubling sign to have a sensitive skin. The precious pup is in distress with excessive licking, biting and scratching of the skin. But as a pet parent we are distressed to see our companion in this type of suffering.
Is there really a dog food for sensitive skin, itchy skin and stomach dog food? Fortunately, the answer is yes.
A good food is the base for overall health of a dog, including healthy fur and skin. The natural and full of nutrients recipe have a balance of omega 3 & 6 which can help with itchy skin.
Here we have compiled the reviews of the best dog food for sensitive skin to help your pet ease their discomfort.
What’s causing your dog’s allergies?
The best dog food for allergies is dependent on what are the reason of allergies in dogs- environmental factors, food and fleas are the common reasons for all the allergies of dogs.
GI problems (gastrointestinal problems or itchy skin) are caused by food allergies. Moreover, flea and environmental allergies normally cause skin issues as compared to GI issues. Regardless of the cause, a healthy diet can help.
If you are not sure, what is causing food allergies in dogs, you can give a home-dog allergy test to your pup. These kit test are responsible for intolerance to food and environmental factors or sensitivity that develop with time.
You send a hair or saliva sample to the lab and within a few weeks get results. You can then consult your vet with these results to further narrow down the possible reasons.
Can dog food help sensitive skin?
The signs and symptoms of sensitive skin are
- Redness
- Inflamed skin
- Hair loss
- Constant scratching
- Excessive shedding
- Flaky skin
- Bald patches
The other elements that play a role in skin sensitivity are environmental, parasites, genes and other infections.
However, if your dog’s diet is behind her problems, then looking for the best dog food might help her situation. How can you get an idea that the sensitive skin is due to the food she’s consuming?
First of all you should always consult your vet when your dog is in pain or distress. There is no alternate for proper medical attention when it comes to the health and happiness of your pet.
According to experts, there are some specific ingredients in commercial dog food that aggravate stomach conditions and sensitive skin. If your vet has suggested a special dog food to ease the suffering of your pup, then you must ensure that you got the best sensitive skin dog food.
Is there a best dog food for sensitive skin?
Processed proteins, artificial colors, by-products and fillers are some of the ingredients that can cause sensitivity and lead to allergies. Wheat, corn and other ingredients are problematic for some dogs.
Make sure to take a look at the food package of your dog’s food. Unluckily, many commercial dog foods are filled with wheat, corn and other grains that are the reason that triggers canine food allergies.
According to experts, provision of grain-free diet is the best way to fight against sensitive skin conditions. The carbohydrates and fibers in grains can cause irritation in dog’s intestinal lining, leading ultimately to digestive and skin allergies and issues.
Ultimately, many vets suggest the best dog food for sensitive skin to be meat-based option and of high quality.
Best dog food for sensitive skin
Presently, many brands are offering some special dog food recipes labelled usually, for “sensitive skin” and “for sensitive stomach and skin”
However, the question is are these really the best food for dogs with sensitive skin. These specialized dog food feature simple and premium quality meat like fish, poultry, beef, lamb along with other hand-picked supplements and nutrients.
Like, essential fatty acids included to improve the skin and coat quality and to minimize skin inflammation.
Best dog food for itchy skin
The question is a specially manufactured food important for your pet? There are many advantages and disadvantages to the problem, along with the fact that a specialized food may be difficult for you to get or more expensive.
But the plus point is that giving your pooch with specially designed recipe is that it might have power to solve the issue.
The skin of the dog is sensitive to out-of-season allergies and dietary imbalances. A specialized recipe for sensitive skin problems may a long way to ease you pet’s diet related skin issues.
Traditionally, an outer layer of your dog’s skin protects against itchiness. An allergic reaction can affect this protective layer, exposing the endings of nerve that then become inflamed or itchy.
The hypoallergenic dog foods are formulated to avoid the use of ingredients that trigger an allergic reaction. These include,
- Corn
- Yeast
- Soy
- Beef
- Wheat
Problem causing ingredients
Always keep in mind that dogs are not naturally allergic to most of the ingredients mentioned. These cause reactions as the elements are the most used thing in commercial dog food recipes, thus the dogs are most frequently exposed.
The dog food which is hypo-allergic may solve the problem of sensitive skin either by limiting ingredients or by providing novel ingredients. Ingredients like buffalo, millet, pheasant and even kangaroo sounds pleasant.
So, the dog is unlikely to have developed sensitivities against them.
As it has lesser elements, a limited ingredient dog food makes easy identification of the ingredients that dogs are allergic to.
Best dry dog food for sensitive skin
Dry dog foods not only act as a natural toothbrush but are also convenient. The below mentioned are excellent options for dogs with sensitivities.
Purina Pro Plan
This formulation has oatmeal with easily digestible carbohydrate. It also has prebiotic fiber which is also another main ingredient for the health of digestive system.
A nutrient-rich protein source, real salmon is the main listed ingredient and there is zero corn, wear or poultry by-products.
Hill’s Science Diet
This recipe is formulated specially for pups with skin problems. It has essential fatty acid (omega-6) as well as vitamins C and E along with antioxidants.
It is highly recommended by vets and is available with the weight 4, 15 and 30 pounds.
Purina ONE SmartBlend Dry Dog Food
The recipe is enriched with the key ingredients for sensitive skin food along with omega acids and vitamin E.
The food is easily digestible with salmon as the main ingredient mentioned, and rice and oatmeal are hard to digest for sensitive stomachs.
Best Canned dog food for sensitive skin
Does your dog like to eat wet food? Maybe the can opening sound is the signal that it is the best time of the day. These specialized foods may help his condition, if your precious pooch has skin sensitivity.
Purina Pro Plan Focus
In this specialized recipe, linoleic acid is the best omega fatty acid formulated for sensitive stomach with easy-to-digest salmon formula.
It is guaranteed to provide balanced and complete canine nutrition, this wet food has no artificial flavors or colors.
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Wet Dog Food
This is balanced and complete food with no irritating artificial colors or flavors and is 100% free of grains.
The limited ingredients limit the exposure of dog’s food and make it easily digestible.
BLUE Basics Limited Ingredient Wet Dog Food
This recipe has no corn, wheat, soy, eggs or dairy All these ingredients are suggested in some canine allergies.
The easily digestible carbohydrate is sourced from potato, and the health of skin is supported by both fatty acids omega 3 & 6.
Grain free limited ingredient dog food
According to owners, the sensitive skin of the dog gets improved when they move to a grain free dog food.
Check out the best limited ingredient options.
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Grain Free Dog Food
This food is in dried form. The recipe is formulated for providing complete nutrition, while minimizing the quantity of potentially irritating ingredients your dog faces. It is made with minimum protein ratio 21%, so is the low carb as compared to most dried dog foods.
Nature’s Variety Limited Ingredient Diet Recipe
It is grain free wet dog food, which has a great limited ingredient.
The healthy food has ingredients that are digested easily and claims to enhance and improve the shiny coat.
Best large breed dog food for sensitive skin
Large breeds are muscular and are tough on their joints and bones, and specially designed food has ingredients to solve the issue. These formulation may help the condition, if the dog suffers with sensitive skin issues.
NUTRO ULTRA Adult Dry Dog Food
This food has a different blend of novel ingredients. Chia, Coconut and Kale. Natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin improve the bone health.
The recipe has no soy, wheat, chicken by-product or corn, but it does have more than 10 healthy super foods along with other ingredients.
Royal Canin Maxi Nutrition Sensitive
The most-selling food has special ingredients for the healthy coat and skin and digestive health.
It contains nutrients essential to support the joints and bones of larger dogs and it has a package of both 6 and 30 pound bags.
Wellness Complete Health Natural
This recipe has natural ingredients and the pooch with easily digestible deboned chicken. There is no wheat, by-product or corn to come between sensitive digestive system glucosamine and chondroitin are present for healthy hips and joints.
Buying Guide
Following points must be considered when buying a new dog food for the dogs with sensitive skin.
- Ingredients
- Signs of allergic reactions
- Consultation with vet
Conclusion
In this article, we concluded that sensitive skin in dogs can be pinched by specific dietary elements. Suggested foods for dogs with sensitive skin has choices containing simple carbohydrates and proteins and are free of grains. Turkey and deboned chicken are excellent choices for proteins and carbohydrates and omega fatty acids are also significant ingredients for the health of skin and your food should be free of any artificial flavors or colors, gluten or by-products.