Food allergies and intolerances present a bit of a challenge – and just like us, our dogs can experience them too. Hypoallergenic dog food is designed to reduce allergic reactions in dogs by using novel or hydrolysed proteins and cutting down the number of different ingredients. If you suspect your pup has a food allergy, then a hypoallergenic blend might be the right thing for them.
In this nutritionist-approved guide, we break down exactly how hypoallergenic dog food works, when it’s needed, and how to choose the right type for your dog.
Key takeaways
- Hypoallergenic food avoids common allergens like chicken and beef, but may not be suitable for dogs with less common allergies.
- Hypoallergenic food contains novel protein, such as duck, venison, or salmon.
- An elimination diet is an effective method to discover your dog’s allergens and intolerances, and must be vet-guided.
- True allergies are rare.
Table of contents:
What is hypoallergenic dog food
Why dogs develop food allergies or intolerances
Signs your dog might benefit from a hypoallergenic diet
How hypoallergenic dog food works
How to switch to a hypoallergenic dog food diet
Common myths about hypoallergenic dog food
When to see a vet
Nutritionist-approved tips for choosing the right hypoallergenic food
What is hypoallergenic dog food?
Hypoallergenic dog food is designed to minimise allergic reactions by avoiding common allergens. Ingredients like beef, wheat and dairy for example, are among the most common ingredients for dogs to be allergic to.
However, this doesn’t mean your dog can’t be allergic to hypoallergenic food – this type of food simply avoids the most common allergens, so your dog may still be allergic to another ingredient in the formula.
There’s no legal definition of what hypoallergenic dog food is, so each brand may contain different ingredients. If you know your dog has an allergy or intolerance to specific ingredients, it’s important to check whether hypoallergenic food contains this or not.
Hypoallergenic dog food has a simpler ingredient profile, as it contains alternative protein and excludes some common allergens. That’s what sets it apart from standard dog food. The three main formulations you can find are:
Novel protein diets. These diets contain a single source of protein that your dog’s less likely to have eaten before, such as venison, duck and salmon.
Hydrolysed protein diets. These diets break protein up into tiny molecules, which can help reduce the risk of an allergic reaction as the pieces may be too small to be recognised by the immune system.
Limited-ingredient diets. These diets contain only a few simple ingredients to help avoid a reaction.
Why dogs develop food allergies or intolerances
When a dog is allergic to something, like a protein within food, it triggers an immune response. On the other hand, a food intolerance does not involve the immune system, and the true mechanism is unknown. Food intolerances can sometimes cause an upset stomach, but do not always affect the gut.
Below are some of the most common allergens found in dogs:
- Beef
- Chicken
- Wheat
- Dairy
True allergies in dogs are rare, and only about 10% of all dog’s allergies are caused by food. [1] Food intolerances are more common, and hypoallergenic dog food can provide a solution to both of these issues. It’s important to know that symptoms are very similar to environmental allergies, so it’s crucial to get a diagnosis from a certified vet.
Signs your dog might benefit from a hypoallergenic diet
Below are some of the key symptoms to look out for:
- Itchy skin or paws
- Fur loss or poor coat condition
- Diarrhoea or vomiting
- Ear infections
- Redness or swelling [2]
These symptoms may also come from fleas, pollen, or something else in their environment. If your dog shows any of these symptoms, it’s important to take them to see a vet who can help diagnose any problems and create a treatment plan. If it does turn out to be related to food, a hypoallergenic diet might be the best course of action for your pup.
How hypoallergenic dog food works
Hypoallergenic dog food works by eliminating common allergens by using different protein or carbohydrate sources that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction. By offering your pup an alternative source of protein in a novel protein diet, they’re less likely to have an allergic reaction as they’ve never eaten this food before. Hydrolysed diets work by breaking the protein down into small molecules that go undetected, and limited-ingredient diets work by avoiding known allergens, keeping things simple.
It’s important to remember that hypoallergenic just means a lower risk of your pup having an allergic reaction.
How to switch to a hypoallergenic dog food diet
If you and your vet agree that your dog might benefit from hypoallergenic food, here’s how to transition your pup onto this kind of diet.
Gradual transition
To help ease your dog into a new diet, it’s best to gradually introduce the hypoallergenic blend into your dog’s existing diet over the course of 7-10 days. This can help to prevent potential digestion problems, and get your dog used to their new diet. Remember to also cut out any snacks and treats that contain different ingredients to your dog’s new diet.
The elimination diet
An elimination diet may reveal any potential allergies your dog may have. This kind of diet involves removing common allergens from your dog’s diet, so protein like chicken and beef, and reintroducing them to identify any triggers.
The first step is feeding your pup only hypoallergenic food for 6-8 weeks to remove common allergens from their diet. It’s important to monitor their symptoms and write them down during this time. The final step is to reintroduce different ingredients to see if an allergic reaction occurs. This way, you may be able to identify your pet’s allergy, so you can remove it from their diet going forward.
If you suspect your pet has an allergy or a food intolerance, it’s important to bring this up with your vet. Your vet may suggest an elimination diet to find out what’s causing your dog’s symptoms, and they’ll supervise throughout. It’s key to talk to your vet before and during the process of an elimination diet.
Our Head Vet Sean says:
“If you’ve noticed your dog showing symptoms of an allergic reaction or food intolerance, it’s important to contact your vet as soon as you can. Your dog may benefit from an elimination diet, which can identify the cause of the reaction. Once you know what your dog is allergic or intolerant to, it becomes much easier to give your pup a tasty and nutritious diet that they’ll enjoy.”
Common myths about hypoallergenic dog food
There are some myths about hypoallergenic food that we’re here to debunk. Here are three of the most common misconceptions we see about hypoallergenic food.
| Myth | Fact |
| “Grain-free and hypoallergenic food are the same thing” | There are some key differences between hypoallergenic dog food and grain-free dog food – they are not the same. Hypoallergenic dog food may contain grains like rice and maize, that are gluten-free, to reduce the chance of a reaction. Grain-free dog food is completely free of all grains, and instead uses ingredients like sweet potato as the main form of carbohydrate. |
| “All hypoallergenic foods are suitable for every allergic dog” | This isn’t true. While hypoallergenic food is designed to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction by avoiding common allergens, it may contain other, less common allergens that some dogs are allergic to. |
| “Natural or organic means hypoallergenic” | That’s not necessarily true. Natural dog food and organic dog food have different meanings. In the UK, organic dog food has to be made from 95% organic agricultural ingredients, which excludes salt and water, to be considered organic. [3] Dog food can also be called ‘natural’ when it contains ingredients to which nothing has been added, has been processed in certain ways, and contains no chemically synthesised ingredients. [4] While hypoallergenic food can be natural and organic, it may not always be. |
When to see a vet
If you’re thinking about putting your dog on a new diet, it’s important to check with your vet first. Your vet can give you the best possible advice on what your dog needs, which is especially important if your pet’s symptoms are severe and have been going on for a long time.
Your vet may recommend elimination diets, testing for allergens, or a veterinary hypoallergenic diet for your dog. Over-the-counter “hypoallergenic food” may vary in quality, so chatting to your vet to get their input is important.
Nutritionist-approved tips for choosing the right hypoallergenic food
Here’s what to look out for when choosing hypoallergenic food for your pup. You should look for short ingredient lists and clear protein sources, as hypoallergenic food avoids common allergens like chicken and beef, and uses novel protein sources. You should also check for “complete and balanced” statements on the label, and you can check if the manufacturer is on the members list of UK Pet Food.
When looking for hypoallergenic food, you should prioritise high-quality brands with veterinary formulation testing. At Tails.com, we can create tailored diets developed with our vet and nutrition team that are made just for your dog, avoiding their allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities. Please note: we tailor every dog’s kibble blend to their dietary needs, but we handle a huge variety of ingredients. This means trace ingredients from other kibbles may be present. If your dog has a serious allergy, seek veterinary advice on their diet.
Overall, hypoallergenic diets can be a game-changer for dogs with true allergies, but they’re not a one-size-fits-all fix. Some dogs may be allergic to a less common allergen found in hypoallergenic food, meaning this kind of diet won’t be suitable for them. It’s important to seek vet guidance and remain patient when it comes to switching your dog’s diet. The journey to discovering the right diet for your dog may take some time as you begin an elimination diet and monitor their progress.
Here at Tails.com we can work out a tailored plan for your dog that takes into account their breed, size, age, and any food sensitivities and allergies. Why not try our two minute quiz to find out more?
Sources
[1] ‘Food allergies in dogs’ , The Kennel Club
[2] ‘Food allergies and intolerances in dogs’, Pet MD, 12 September 2024
[3] ‘Claims on pet food labelling factsheet.pdf’, ‘Useful links and resources’, UK Pet Food
[4] ‘Claims on pet food labelling factsheet.pdf’, ‘Useful links and resources’, UK Pet Food