Best Hypoallergenic Puppy Food

If your puppy is battling with ongoing bouts of diarrhea, vomiting, or nagging skin issues like itching or hair loss, chances are that it’s suffering an allergic reaction. 

Believe it or not, these symptoms could be triggered by your pup’s reaction to gluten and certain food categories. Proteinous foods like beef, chicken, and wheat are some of the more common culprits. A simple change in diet could make all the difference. Sure, limited-ingredient foods or prescription diets help cut out allergens, offering relief. But in more serious cases, prescription diets — also called a hypoallergenic diet — are needed.

These foods are so-called because they are made to avoid triggering any reactions. You want to ensure they get food that’s gut-friendly and keeps them bubbly. But what are your options? To make things easier for you, we’ve combed through the internet archives where pup lovers hang out to see some of the best hypoallergenic puppy foods your vet could swear by:

What is hypoallergenic dog food? 

The term “Hypoallergenic” means that a food will likely not trigger allergies in your puppy. Think of it as a gentle food option for pups with food sensitivities, designed to lower the chances of triggering any allergic reactions. 

But, while it sounds like a perfect fix, it's not a magical cure-all. Any ingredient could still cause issues depending on your puppy's unique needs. These foods typically use less common proteins like venison, salmon, duck, fish, or even hydrolyzed proteins (which are broken down so the immune system doesn’t easily recognize them).

The gist is this: they contain less of common allergens like beef, chicken, and grains. But remember, it's important to double-check the ingredient lists since each puppy reacts differently. Reading labels carefully is a must to ensure it’s the right fit for your fur baby.

How do you know if your puppy has an allergy? 

When your pup experiences digestive issues like diarrhea, and excess gas, or if its coat is looking dull and their skin itchy, it could be its diet that's the problem. 

Allergies can manifest through various symptoms affecting different parts of their bodies. They may experience itchy, sore, or broken skin, particularly around the muzzle and eyes, leading to increased scratching or licking. 

In rare cases, their ears might also show signs of trouble, appearing red, sore, or infected, sometimes accompanied by black or yellow discharge, which may itch. Fur loss can occur in patches, while the skin between the toes may become red or sore, causing the puppy to lick or bite at their feet. 

Another way to know that your pup has an allergy is when they develop hives, which present as a raised rash. Respiratory issues such as difficulty breathing, coughing, or wheezing can also arise, along with digestive problems like vomiting and diarrhea.

Quick Tip - Food allergy and food intolerance: what is the difference? 

These two terms sound similar but are quite different in how they affect your pup.

A food allergy is more serious because it involves your puppy’s immune system. When they eat something their body thinks is harmful—like a specific protein—the immune system jumps into action and causes symptoms like itching, swelling, or even digestive issues. Think of it as your pup’s body sounding the alarm and going into defense mode! 

On the other hand, food intolerance is all about digestion. Here, the immune system stays out of it. Instead, your puppy just has trouble processing certain ingredients—lactose in dairy, for example. This might lead to upset stomachs or gas, but it's not life-threatening. It's more about discomfort than danger.

Puppy food ingredients to avoid

Before anything else, to help your puppy avoid food allergies, steer clear of the following food:

• Grains

• Dairy

• Chicken egg

• Soy

• Wheat gluten

These foods can upset digestion. Not to say that they always do, but if your pup’s intestines are sensitive, these can cause digestive difficulty, resulting in a loose stool.  So, when shopping for your four-legged friend, consider gluten-free options. 

It's also best to avoid artificial colorings, flavorings, and preservatives, as they might negatively impact your puppy's health. Opt for natural, fresh ingredients when possible, and watch your pup’s gut health go from drab to fab. 

What are the best hypoallergenic foods for your puppy? 

Here, you should aim for a formula that meets their dietary requirements while avoiding some of the more common allergens. If you’re shopping for the best hypoallergenic puppy foods, let these goodies be at the tippy top of your list:

1. Purina Pro Plan Focus Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach

Using salmon as its main protein source, this meal presents a refreshing protein option for your puppy. The good part? it's also grain-free and contains prebiotic fiber to support digestive health. Find it on this link

2. Hill's Prescription Diet z/d Skin/Food Sensitivities

This is a vet-exclusive hydrolyzed protein diet. It breaks down proteins into their basic amino acids. When broken down, they become less likely to trigger allergic reactions. It’s the perfect formula for your puppy. Its available for purchase here

3. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hypoallergenic Puppy

Hydrolyzed soy protein as the main protein source is what makes the Royal Canin Vet Diet a must-have. It’s one of the more digestible foods around. What is more, it contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to support skin health. One thing to note, however, is that this is a purely veterinary diet, so you want to get the right prescription for your puppy. Find it on Chewy.com and get it delivered to your front door!

4. The Farmer's Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription

If fresh, human-grade dog food is sure to tickle your pup’s fancy, don’t miss out on this. Besides recipes from board-certified veterinary nutritionists that omit common allergens like wheat, soy, and dairy, you have all the heavy lifting of your pup’s dietary choices done for you. And here’s the best bit: You can select from turkey, chicken, pork, or beef recipes tailored to your puppy's needs. You can order it here

Conclusion

Ultimately, if you’re looking to introduce a hypoallergenic diet, it's best to work with your veterinarian to determine the underlying cause of your puppy's allergies and find the most appropriate food. In doing this, you want to be patient, as it may take some trial and error to find the right formula.