Table of contents\u00a0<\/strong> Just like us, dogs can sometimes have food allergies. Hypoallergenic dog food<\/a> is formulated to minimise allergic reactions \u2013 so it doesn\u2019t include common allergens for dogs like beef, dairy and wheat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a few key types of hypoallergenic food: <\/p>\n\n\n\n While hypoallergenic diets aim to help dogs with allergies to certain ingredients, they\u2019re not totally allergen-free \u2013 \u201chypoallergenic\u201d means these foods are less likely to cause an allergic reaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can learn more about these types of diets in our article \u201cWhat is hypoallergenic dog food?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Grain-free dog food, on the other hand, specifically excludes grains like wheat, maize, barley and rice. It uses different carbohydrates instead \u2013 our grain-free food includes tasty and nutritious ingredients like sweet potato or potato.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes people go grain free with their dogs\u2019 diets because of allergy concerns, as some dogs are allergic to grains (although this is rare). While wheat is a common allergy for dogs, it\u2019s not common for dogs to have this response to all grains. Some people might also want to feed their dog a diet that\u2019s closer to what their wild wolf ancestors would have eaten, without grains (although many dogs thrive on these ingredients).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Grain-free dog food<\/a> removes grains like maize, rice and barley, and swaps them for alternative carbohydrates. Hypoallergenic dog food, on the other hand, either takes out or alters proteins, which are the main triggers of food allergies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some grain-free foods are also hypoallergenic \u2013 as well as taking out grains, they might also use novel proteins or hydrolysed protein, making them less likely to trigger allergic reactions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, hypoallergenic diets don\u2019t have to exclude grains to be considered hypoallergenic. For instance, many dogs with food allergies or sensitivities still thrive on food that contains grains like rice or maize, which are very well tolerated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand, if your dog has confirmed or suspected food allergies (which are most likely to be allergies to protein sources), hypoallergenic dog food might be the right option for you and your pup. I\u2019ll go into more detail later in this guide about common symptoms of an allergy or food intolerance. If your pet\u2019s experiencing any symptoms of a food allergy, the best thing to do first is to visit your vet – they\u2019ll help you get to the bottom of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some dogs might be sensitive to both proteins and grains, meaning that they need a diet that\u2019s both hypoallergenic and grain-free. For instance, some dogs might experience reactions to a range of ingredients, leading to a vet or nutritionist advising a specialist diet. It\u2019s always best to speak to your vet before changing your dog\u2019s diet if you\u2019re worried about allergies or food intolerances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At Tails.com, we create tailored blends that are healthy and delicious for every dog, whatever their dietary needs. If your dog needs a hypoallergenic diet, a grain-free diet or a hypoallergenic diet that also excludes grains, just say the word! We\u2019ll create a blend that\u2019s just right for your dog, avoiding any ingredients that they\u2019re sensitive to. 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. If you\u2019re thinking about signing up with Tails.com, why not complete our two minute quiz<\/a> and fill in your dog\u2019s details? We\u2019ll tell you how much it would cost to get kibble that\u2019s 100% tailored to your dog\u2019s needs \u2013 with wet food or add-ons like treats included too, if you like \u2013 delivered right to your door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s a difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance. A food allergy is when an ingredient triggers a response from the immune system. A food intolerance is when the ingredient doesn\u2019t trigger an immune response, but makes the dog feel unwell, often affecting their digestive system or their skin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some of the common symptoms of a food allergy to look out for: [1<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n But remember, if your dog experiences any of these symptoms, make sure you take them to the vet before making any decisions about their diet \u2013 it might not be a food allergy after all, and if it is, your vet will be able to give you expert advice. Some dogs with a food allergy also have skin allergies that need to be treated separately. [2<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n One course of action your vet might recommend is an elimination diet \u2013 this is one way to find out what your dog\u2019s dietary triggers might be. An elimination diet plan might look something like this. [3<\/a>] <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s essential to work together with your vet when giving your dog an elimination diet to make sure you\u2019re doing it safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you\u2019re looking for food that\u2019s hypoallergenic, grain-free dog food or both, it needs to be complete and balanced \u2013 this means that it contains the nutrients your dog needs to be healthy, in the correct amounts for a dog of their age and size. Any dog food that meets this standard and FEDIAF (European Pet Food Federation) guidelines will say it\u2019s \u201ccomplete\u201d on the packaging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you and your vet think your dog might have allergies, a food that uses novel proteins that they\u2019re less likely to be allergic to could be a good option. Or you can try food that uses hydrolysed protein, in which the protein itself is broken down into small enough pieces that it shouldn\u2019t lead to an allergic reaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When thinking about changing your dog\u2019s diet, always speak to a vet or nutritionist first. The expert nutrition team here at Tails.com is always happy to help. While certain diets for dogs are becoming more popular, they might not be right for your dog, because every dog is different \u2013 so if you\u2019ve heard great things about a friend\u2019s dog who\u2019s doing really well on a new diet, it doesn\u2019t necessarily mean you should switch as well. For instance, their dog might be sensitive to ingredients that your dog isn\u2019t, or the other way around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It might seem that planning a diet for a dog with food sensitivities is all about restriction and cutting things out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But here at Tails.com, our tailored approach means that we can easily make a blend that\u2019s perfect for your dog, simply removing the ingredients they\u2019re sensitive to and including plenty of other delicious, healthy ingredients instead. You don\u2019t have to take a blanket approach and strip the diet right down (unless you\u2019re trying a temporary elimination or exclusion diet under the supervision of your vet). <\/p>\n\n\n\n The blends we create are tailored to every individual dog, so whatever the ingredients they need to avoid are, we\u2019ll work around this to create something that they\u2019ll love \u2013 packed with nutrients and formulated to meet their needs perfectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So there we have it. Hypoallergenic food can be grain-free, and grain-free food can be hypoallergenic, but they\u2019re not necessarily the same. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hypoallergenic food mostly focuses on the proteins involved, as proteins are the cause of most allergies. And grain-free food is all about excluding certain types of carbohydrates, which can be the cause of food sensitivities in some dogs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Food sensitivities and allergies don\u2019t have to stop your dog from enjoying a varied, tasty diet that gives them all the nutrients they need. If you\u2019re worried that your dog might have allergies or sensitivities, talk to your vet \u2013 they might recommend you try an elimination diet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When choosing the right food for dogs with sensitivities, allergies or trouble digesting certain ingredients, the most important thing is to make sure that it\u2019s complete and balanced. At Tails.com, our tailored blends are guaranteed to match your dog\u2019s nutritional needs, giving them just the right balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Is grain-free dog food hypoallergenic?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Grain-free dog food can often be hypoallergenic, as it excludes wheat, which some dogs are allergic to. It would count as a hypoallergenic dog food if it also excluded other common allergens like beef and dairy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Can dogs be allergic to grains?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It is very rare for dogs to be allergic to all grains, but wheat is a common food allergen, in the top five ingredients that dogs are most likely to be allergic to. Other grains like rice and maize are healthy ingredients for most dogs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Are grain-free diets safe for dogs? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Grain-free diets can be a healthy choice as long as they are nutritionally complete and balanced, although they\u2019re not recommended for every dog. Some vets and nutritionists recommend that dog breeds who are prone to heart conditions shouldn\u2019t eat a grain-free diet, due to ongoing research into whether this diet might be connected to a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Our recent blog post about grain-free diets<\/a> goes into more detail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What\u2019s a hydrolysed protein diet?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A hydrolysed protein diet uses protein that has been broken down into tiny pieces using a process called hydrolysis. This minimises the risk of an adverse reaction, because the immune system is less likely to react. Any protein source can be hydrolysed, so there are a variety of different foods made using this process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [1] ‘Common allergies in dogs and puppies’, Dogs Trust <\/a>\u00a0
What is hypoallergenic dog food?<\/a>
What is grain-free dog food?<\/a>
Hypoallergenic vs grain free: what\u2019s the difference?<\/a>
Grain-free and hypoallergenic dog food – when are they needed?<\/a>
Understanding food allergies and intolerances in dogs<\/a>
How to identify your dog\u2019s food triggers<\/a>
Common myths about hypoallergenic and grain-free dog food<\/a>
Nutritionist-backed tips for choosing the right food<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is hypoallergenic dog food?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What is grain-free dog food?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Hypoallergenic vs grain free: what\u2019s the difference?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The key distinction<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Can these diets overlap?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Grain-free and hypoallergenic dog food – when are they needed?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When grain free might help<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When you might need both<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How we can help<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/tails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Hypo_Dog_Blog_2-min-1024x731.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nUnderstanding food allergies and intolerances in dogs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How to identify your dog\u2019s food triggers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The elimination diet<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Common myths about hypoallergenic and grain-free dog food<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Myth<\/strong><\/td> Reality<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> \u201cGrain free is always better\u201d<\/td> Not for every dog \u2013 it might lead to unnecessary restrictions, as many dogs are healthy, happy and thriving on a diet that includes grains. <\/td><\/tr> \u201cGrains cause most allergies\u201d<\/td> Wheat is a grain, and one of the most common allergies \u2013 but the most common allergies apart from wheat are dairy and beef. Allergies to grains other than wheat are rare. <\/td><\/tr> \u201cAll hypoallergenic foods are grain free\u201d<\/td> Not necessarily, although at Tails.com we can formulate a grain-free hypoallergenic blend if that\u2019s what your dog needs. Hypoallergenic foods often exclude wheat but include other grains like rice or maize.<\/td><\/tr> \u201cNatural = hypoallergenic\u201d<\/td> Dog food can be all-natural, high quality and rich in animal proteins without being hypoallergenic. \u201cHypoallergenic\u201d just means that it\u2019s been formulated to reduce the chance of an allergic response. <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Nutritionist-backed tips for choosing the right food<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The role of tailored diets<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
FAQs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Sources<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
[2] ‘Food allergies in dogs’, PDSA<\/a>
[3] ‘Food and skin allergies in dogs’, Blue Cross<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"