Tailored dog food to support sensitive skin

The answer really depends on why your dog is itching in the first place. While we often jump to food, food allergies that cause skin problems are actually less common than environmental allergies (like pollen) or even flea allergies (where a flea bite causes a reaction). However, even if food isn't the direct cause of the itch, the right diet can still be incredibly supportive. Look for foods that have a healthy balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to give your dog’s skin and coat a healthy shine. If you suspect food might be the culprit, it's wise to consider a hypoallergenic diet. These often feature “novel proteins" – ingredients your dog hasn't eaten before, or are "hydrolysed", meaning the proteins are broken down to be less likely to trigger a reaction. At Tails.com, we can tailor a kibble blend to meet your dog’s needs. Whether it’s to top up that coat shine or to help avoid ingredients that don’t agree with your pup.

Hypoallergenic dog food can help dogs with itchy skin, but only if the itchiness is due to a common food allergen like beef, wheat, or dairy. These are typically left out of hypoallergenic diets. However, if your dog is reacting to something else, a hypoallergenic diet likely won't make a difference. It's all about pinpointing the cause of the irritation, which might mean a trip to the vets first and foremost.

While food sensitivities can cause itchy skin, it's actually much more common for the itching to be due to fleas or environmental allergies. So, while food might be a suspect, a vet will usually look at those other possibilities first.

Grain-free food can help if your dog is reacting specifically to grains like wheat, but it's not a universal fix. That's because grains aren't the only culprits when it comes to allergies. Many dogs react to common protein sources like beef, dairy or even chicken. So, if your dog's itchiness isn't caused by grains, switching to a grain-free diet probably won't make a difference. It's all about figuring out what your dog is truly sensitive to.

There's currently no research that suggests wet or dry food is better for itchy skin. What truly matters for skin health are the ingredients and nutrients within the food, especially the omega fatty acid levels. These are far more impactful than whether the food is wet or dry. The only exception is if your dog's itchiness is due to an allergy to storage mites, which can sometimes be found in dry food if it's not stored properly. Just make sure to store your dog food in its original packaging and in an air-tight container.