We all want our dogs to be happy, healthy and thriving, so it’s worrying to notice symptoms like itchy skin, ear infections and upset stomachs. Symptoms like these can be linked to food allergies and intolerances, so in some cases, a hypoallergenic diet can be just the thing to turn your dog’s health around. This type of diet can reduce these symptoms and support dogs’ long-term wellbeing. In this guide, we’ll explain how hypoallergenic food works and how to choose the right option for your dog, as well as how your vet can help.
Key takeaways
- There are several types of hypoallergenic diets: novel protein, hydrolysed protein and limited ingredient diets – as we’ll explain, each has its own strengths.
- If your dog has symptoms of food allergies, make sure you take them to the vet to get checked out – it may also be an environmental allergy or another condition.
- Your vet might recommend an elimination or exclusion diet trial to help you identify what your dog might be allergic to.
- At Tails.com, our tailored approach means we can create a tailored kibble blend just for your dog, that helps to avoid any ingredients they might be allergic or sensitive to.
Table of contents
What does “hypoallergenic dog food” actually mean?
Signs your dog might benefit from hypoallergenic food
Step 1: Identify whether food could be the cause
Step 2: Understand which ingredients to avoid
Step 3: Choose the right hypoallergenic diet type for your dog
Step 4: What to look for on the label (buyer’s checklist)
Step 5: Consider digestive support ingredients
Step 6: Run a trial and track the results
Step 7: When to speak to your vet
How tailored hypoallergenic diets can help
Choosing hypoallergenic food with confidence
What does “hypoallergenic dog food” actually mean?
For dog food to be hypoallergenic, it has to be formulated to minimise allergic reactions by avoiding common allergens. Hypoallergenic dog food isn’t a regulated term, so the definition will vary between different manufacturers – this means that while one type of hypoallergenic food might be perfect for your dog, one made by another company might not. This is why it’s so important to always check the ingredients.
[To upload in call-out box as brief suggests] Hypoallergenic diets work by reducing your dog’s exposure to proteins they’re sensitive to.
There are several main types of hypoallergenic diets for dogs – we’ll go into more detail later on what makes each one different.
- Novel protein: A novel protein diet uses less common types of protein, such as duck, venison and rabbit. This could also include protein your dog hasn’t eaten before, which could include salmon or lamb.
- Hydrolysed protein: This means the protein has been broken down into tiny pieces using a process called hydrolysis.
- Limited ingredient diets (LID): A limited ingredient diet uses a minimal number of different ingredients, for dogs with allergies or food sensitivities.
You can read more about hypoallergenic dog food in our recent blog post on the topic.
Signs your dog might benefit from hypoallergenic food
Do you think your dog might have a food sensitivity or allergy? There are a few symptoms to watch out for which could indicate that an ingredient in your dog’s food doesn’t agree with them.
- Itchy skin, causing your dog to lick or chew their paws more than usual
- Itchy ears and face
- Red or inflamed skin, sometimes leading to ‘hot spots’ or acute moist dermatitis [1]
- Hair loss
- Runny eyes [2]
- Chronic ear infections
- Recurrent digestive problems, like soft stools, vomiting or bloating
Food allergies can cause both skin and digestive symptoms, but only a structured elimination diet can confirm it.
Step 1: Identify whether food could be the cause
Even if your dog has some of the symptoms that could indicate they have a food allergy or intolerance, the issue could still be something else. As the table below explains, itchy skin can be a sign of a food intolerance, a food allergy or an allergic response to something in the environment like pollen or dust mites.
If your dog experiences these symptoms, speak to your vet – they’ll help you figure out the best course of action to get your dog feeling better again. If the symptoms are severe or keep coming back, it’s especially important to get a professional opinion.
| Issue | Triggers | What it looks like | Impact on diet |
| Food allergy | Proteins in food | Immune system response, which may affect skin or digestive system and in severe cases causes breathing difficulties | Dietary change |
| Food intolerance | Ingredients in food | Usually affects digestive system with symptoms such as bloating, vomiting, but may also affect skin | Dietary change |
| Environmental allergy | Pollen, mould, dust mites, skin cells, other substances in the environment | Immune system response which causes skin problems like itching | Reduce exposure to triggers |
Step 2: Understand which ingredients to avoid
Allergies vary from dog to dog, so the ingredients you’re looking to avoid will be different for everyone. Make sure you read the ingredient list carefully. Proteins are the cause behind the immune system reaction in dogs with food allergies, so these will be the main ingredients you’re watching out for. Some of the most common proteins that dogs are allergic to include beef, wheat and dairy.
Our hypoallergenic dog food removes the ‘big 5’ common allergens (beef, eggs, dairy, soya and wheat ) and replaces them with other, high-quality alternatives. Your dog’s kibble blend is 100% tailored to them, so it supports their general wellbeing and other health goals too.
Please note: we tailor every dog’s kibble blend to their dietary needs, but we handle a wide variety of ingredients here at Tails.com. Trace ingredients from other kibbles may be present, so if your dog has a serious allergy, seek veterinary advice on their diet.
Step 3: Choose the right hypoallergenic diet type for your dog
So which type of hypoallergenic food might be best for your dog?
Novel protein diets
Dogs can develop allergies to common proteins over time, so food that’s based on a protein they’ve not eaten before might be much less likely to cause a reaction. Proteins often used in these diets include duck, salmon, venison and rabbit. Switching to a novel protein (or one your dog has never eaten before, such as lamb) could really help.
Hydrolysed protein diets
This type of diet uses a process called hydrolysis to gently break down protein molecules into much smaller pieces – this way, your dog’s immune system is much less likely to react to the protein. When diagnosing food allergies in dogs, vets often recommend hydrolysed protein because it’s very unlikely to cause an allergic reaction.
Limited ingredient diets (LID)
Limited ingredient diets work by cutting down the number of ingredients, simplifying the diet and exposing your dog to fewer allergens or things they might be sensitive to. This option is better for dogs with mild food sensitivities or intolerances rather than dogs with serious allergies.
| Advantages | Potential drawbacks | Best for dogs who… | |
| Novel protein diet | Avoids common allergens | Not always suitable for dogs with extensive allergies | Are allergic to common proteins like beef |
| Hydrolysed protein diet | Great for exclusion diets, very unlikely to cause allergic reactions | As a more expensive option, it’s not recommended unless your dog has allergies. Also, not all the ingredients are hydrolysed, meaning your dog could react to another ingredient which hasn’t been prepared in this way | Are allergic to several types of protein or who are on an exclusion diet |
| Limited ingredient diet | Contains fewer potential allergens | Not always suitable for dogs with extensive allergies, formulations can vary a lot | Have milder food intolerances or sensitivities |
Step 4: What to look for on the label (buyer’s checklist)
When you’re shopping for hypoallergenic food for your dog with allergies, intolerances or sensitivities, there are a few things to look out for on the label. Of course, it will depend partly on what kind of protein is in the food you choose.
- A clear and transparent ingredients list, with any proteins listed – this includes both animal protein and wheat, which dogs can also be sensitive to.
- It should be labelled “complete and balanced”, meaning that in line with FEDIAF guidelines, this food has all the nutrients dogs need to be healthy, in the right balance.
- No artificial colours or flavours.
- You might be looking for food that’s based around a single, novel protein, if your dog is on a novel protein diet or a limited ingredient diet.
You might also choose to look for mentions of the food being highly digestible or ingredients that support gut health, if your dog has a sensitive stomach.
Step 5: Consider digestive support ingredients
You might choose to go for a food that includes certain nutrients to support your dog’s skin and gut health, such as:
- Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) for reducing inflammation
- Prebiotics & probiotics for gut health
- Vitamin E, zinc & biotin for skin barrier support
Here at Tails.com, we include lots of ingredients chosen with these nutrients in mind in our tailored kibble blends. We tailor our food for every dog using a wide range of ingredients, so we’d recommend speaking to our nutrition team if you’re prioritising these particular nutrients in your dog’s diet. Our two minute quiz for new customers asks for plenty of information about your dog’s health and nutritional needs, so that we know exactly what to put in the perfect blend for them.
Step 6: Run a trial and track the results
If your dog has been having symptoms that might suggest they’re allergic to certain food ingredients or have another kind of food intolerance or sensitivity, your vet might recommend an exclusion or elimination diet trial. This means limiting the ingredients your dog’s exposed to in their diet, in order to help you figure out what to avoid in the future.
Here’s how to carry out an elimination diet trial: for a minimum of 6-8 weeks, feed your dog a single-protein, hypoallergenic food that your vet recommends – a hydrolysed protein diet might be a great option. During this time, make sure they don’t get any other table scraps or treats, because this introduces extra ingredients, so you won’t be able to tell what’s causing any reactions.
Keep a diary to track how your dog’s getting on during the diet trial. Are you noticing changes to their skin, fur or digestion? Gradually, under your vet’s supervision, start introducing more ingredients to their diet. [3]
If you see any reaction from your dog, you’ll be able to identify the trigger to avoid in future, so you can give your pup food that promotes healthy digestion, a shiny coat and clear skin. If you find out they can’t have certain common allergens, your pup doesn’t have to miss out on treats – we make hypoallergenic treats that avoid ingredients like beef!
Step 7: When to speak to your vet
You can always reach out to your vet or the friendly nutrition team at Tails.com for advice about your dog with allergies or sensitivities and how to manage their symptoms through their diet. However, there are some circumstances where it’s especially important that you take your dog to the vet:
- Symptoms that are severe or getting worse
- Repeated ear infections
- Weight loss or repeated vomiting
- No improvement after 10 weeks on an elimination diet
Your vet might recommend running some tests to rule out any other causes for these symptoms, or making further changes to their diet. While you can’t cure allergies, there are also some medications available that can help manage symptoms during severe flare ups in some cases. [4]
How tailored hypoallergenic diets can help
Here at Tails.com, our tailored approach means that we can create the perfect blend for every dog. There are a few reasons why dog food that’s tailored to the individual dog can be a great solution for pups with allergies.
Firstly, we’re able to avoid ingredients that your dog’s allergic or sensitive to. We can also offer single animal protein kibbles with a shorter ingredient list. But it’s not just about what’s good for your dog right now. We provide ongoing support, adapting our blend to fit their needs – whether your dog’s allergies are changing or whether they’re just getting older and have different dietary requirements as they age. It’s all part of your plan.
All our tailored kibble blends are 100% complete and balanced. This means that even when certain ingredients are missed out, the kibble is still carefully formulated to have all the nutrients your dog needs, in the right balance.
Choosing hypoallergenic food with confidence
Finding just the right food for your dog with allergies or food sensitivities can take a bit of time, but following the right process will make it easier. This means paying careful attention to exactly which ingredients your dog reacts to, as well as carrying out an elimination diet trial under your vet’s supervision, if they suggest this approach.
With a combination of veterinary guidance and the right diet, we’re sure that you’ll see great results (like a waggy tail, a glossy coat and an empty food bowl every time)! If you need support choosing the perfect food for your dog, our nutrition team can help create a tailored, hypoallergenic plan.
FAQs
What makes a dog food hypoallergenic?
If dog food is described as “hypoallergenic”, this means it’s been formulated to avoid ingredients that are likely to cause an allergic reaction. This definition varies across different brands and manufacturers, so if you know your dog has certain allergies, always check the ingredient list.
Are grain-free diets the same as hypoallergenic?
No, grain-free diets aren’t necessarily the same thing as hypoallergenic diets – there’s more information about this in our blog post “Hypoallergenic vs grain-free diets”. For a food to be “grain-free”, this means it doesn’t include ingredients like wheat, oats, barley or rice and instead uses different ingredients, often potato or sweet potato, to replace those carbohydrates. Hypoallergenic food usually describes the proteins that are included, as these are normally the ingredient that causes allergic reactions – which can include wheat protein. We can make food that’s both hypoallergenic and grain-free if that’s what your dog needs.
How long does a hypoallergenic diet take to work?
This depends on your dog. You might notice your dog seems less itchy in as little as four weeks, although it’s not unheard of for it to take as long as 12 weeks to start seeing improvements – so don’t be disheartened. [4] However, if it’s been 10 weeks and your dog doesn’t seem to be doing better on hypoallergenic food, it’s best to speak to your vet.
Can puppies eat hypoallergenic food?
Yes, they can eat hypoallergenic food as long as it is still formulated as a complete food for puppies to support their growth and development. Puppies have different nutritional needs from adult dogs, so any diet needs to be formulated with this in mind.
What is the difference between “sensitive stomach” and “hypoallergenic”?
At Tails.com, our food for sensitive stomachs uses ingredients like beet pulp and prebiotics like FOS (Fructo-oligosaccharides) that help nourish healthy gut bacteria, as well as ingredients that support the immune system. This food can also be hypoallergenic, as long as it also excludes ingredients that are likely to cause allergic reactions. With our tailored approach, we’re able to create a special blend that’s both hypoallergenic and suitable for sensitive stomachs, because it avoids common allergens.
Sources
[1] ‘Hot spots (acute moist dermatitis) in dogs’, PDSA
[2] ‘Eye problems in pets’, PDSA
[3] ‘Food allergies in dogs’, PDSA
[4] ‘Food allergies and intolerances in dogs’, Pet MD, 12 September 2024