Does Your Dog Suffer From Allergies? Try These Foods
Is your furry pal always scratching himself, or rubbing his eyes like he's got a bad case of allergies? Just like humans, dogs can be plagued by allergies. Symptoms can range from itchy skin, mild coughing and sneezing to serious enough to warrant a trip to the vet. If your dog experiences swelling of the face, ears, lips, and eyes, or breaks out in hives, chances are good the food you're providing is the trigger. Here are some of the wet foods and kibble highest-rated by veterinarians and dog owners to help give a doggo some relief.
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$2 a day and up per plan
Fresh foods can be healthier and more digestible than dry kibble and other processed diets, studies say. The Farmer's Dog, which offers fresh, human-grade recipes that are "gently steamed to preserve the food's natural benefits," may be a good option for a dog suffering from allergies or food sensitivities. The meals are shipped each week and come ready to serve.
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$4 a day and up per plan
Another popular brand of wet food, Ollie offers five base flavors: beef, chicken, lamb, and turkey. The brand is known for using quality, human-grade ingredients. Meal plans are tailored to a dog's weight, activity level, age and breed. Similar to The Farmer's Dog, Ollie's fresh food ships to a home ready to serve. To make it even more appetizing, try adding bone broth to warm up the food.
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$1 a day and up for UnKibble; $2 a day and up for fresh meal plans
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Marketed for picky eaters and dogs with allergies or sensitive stomachs, Spot & Tango was one of the first brands to break into the fresh dog-food industry. On top of fresh meals, Stop & Tango offers a line of freeze-fried "UnKibble" that it claims has no "mystery meats" and is made with 100% fresh, whole ingredients without preservatives, fillers, or additives.
$80 for an 18-pound bag at Petco
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With the majority of its animal protein derived from fresh turkey, lamb or salmon meat, Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet is a good option for dogs with sensitive stomachs or food sensitivities without a ton of added filler ingredients. The kibble yields a fat-to-protein ratio of 46%, with 29% protein and 14% fat, making it a pretty good quality dry food.
$15 and up for a 10-pound bag
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Designed for dogs with medical conditions such as cancer and kidney problems, Darwin's fresh food is made from quality meats and vegetables that are humanely raised and harvested. Its website offers in-house consultants that can help owners come up with a meal plan according to a pet's weight and needs.
$111 for a 25-pound bag at Chewy's
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Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Chicken Flavor gets most of its protein from hydrolyzed soy protein isolate — a chemical process that breaks down large soy protein molecules into smaller, constituent amino acids. The brand is recommended by vets for sensitive dogs due to its use of coconut oil and a high fat-to-protein ratio of about 53%.
$44 for a 12-pack of 12.7-ounce cans
Merrick Limited Ingredient canned formula may be a solid choice of good-quality canned food for a pup. With the bulk of its meat protein derived from fresh, deboned turkey, this canned food is surprisingly high in protein (36%), and is a practical and affordable option for dogs who dislike kibble.
$47 for a 7-pound bag, or $127 for 25 pounds
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Hill's Prescription Diet, which gets much of its animal protein from chicken liver, is another kibble that comes highly recommended for dogs with food sensitivities. Organ meats, particularly liver and heart, are considered a healthy source of vitamins and minerals, helping remove toxins and support healthy vision in dogs. Hill says its Z/D kibble is made with hydrolyzed protein derived from chicken that also helps promote healthy skin.
While some of these brands are pricier compared with kibble at grocery stores, they are worth considering for a suffering dog. Another thing to look out for when shopping for superior dog food (aside from going over the nutritional facts), is to make sure the brand is approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. The AAFCO establishes guidelines for animal feed and works with researchers to ensure quality control and nutritional breakdown.
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