What is the best food for dogs with itchy skin? If you have a pup with skin allergies or sensitive skin, this article is for you.
While skin allergies are more commonly triggered by environmental factors, dogs can also have allergies to certain foods. Switching up your dog's diet and taking other steps to support their skin could make a difference in their itchiness. Read on to learn more about skin allergies in dogs, and discover the best dog food for sensitive skin.
Identifying the Cause of Your Dog’s Itchy Skin
If your furry friend is constantly itching their skin, you’ll want to determine what’s triggering their discomfort. There are several possible reasons for itchy skin in dogs, including:
- Allergens: seasonal allergies like pollen, environmental allergies like dust mites, or certain food intolerances may cause your pup to itch.
- Fleas and ticks: These pesky parasites can cause severe itching and irritation on your dog's skin.
- Skin infections: bacterial or fungal infections can cause itching and inflammation in dogs.
- Dry skin: Dry air or a lack of proper grooming may result in dry, flaky skin that causes itching.
To identify the root cause of your dog's itchy skin, consult with your vet. They’ll examine your pup, and possibly run some diagnostic tests. If they suspect that a food allergy may be the culprit, they might recommend that you put your dog on an elimination diet.
An elimination diet involves removing specific ingredients from your dog’s meals for several weeks, and monitoring any changes in their itchy skin. If you notice any improvement during this time, then you can reintroduce the eliminated ingredients one by one until you find out which one triggers a skin reaction.
What's the Difference Between Food Allergies and Food Sensitivities in Dogs?
Food allergies and food sensitivities are actually two different things — but what’s the difference? Well, food allergies involve an immune response and frequently affect the skin, while food sensitivities more commonly affect your dog’s digestive system.
One example of a common food sensitivity that affects both people and dogs is lactose intolerance. People and pups who are lactose intolerant lack the enzyme (lactase) required to digest lactose, and may experience digestive discomfort if they eat dairy. However, unlike with a food allergy, your dog’s immune system has nothing to do with their negative reaction to lactose. Because of this, it falls into the food sensitivity category.
Symptoms of Food Allergies in Dogs
So, what are the signs of a food allergy in dogs? As mentioned in the previous section, food allergies commonly affect the skin — but there can be other symptoms as well. Common signs of food allergies in dogs include:
- Dry skin
- Skin redness, especially in the ears
- Itching, scratching, licking, rubbing, or biting affected areas
- Oily fur and skin
- Increased dander
- Hot spots
- Repeated skin infections
- Chronic ear infections
- Hair loss
- Swelling of the face or eyes
- Sneezing
- Red or watery eyes
- Gastrointestinal issues (soft stool, vomiting, diarrhea, or gas)
Symptoms of Food Sensitivities in Dogs
Symptoms of food sensitivities in dogs tend to focus primarily on the digestive tract. They include:
- Gurgling stomach
- Gas
- Runny stool
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Mucus in their stool
- Blood in their stool
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
Common Allergens for Dogs
While your pup can develop an allergy to any food, certain proteins, dairy, and some grains are amongst the most common allergens for dogs. Some common allergens are also common dog food ingredients that most pups don’t have issues with:
- Beef
- Dairy
- Chicken
- Lamb
- Wheat
- Eggs
- Pork
- Rice
- Soy
What to Feed Dogs With Itchy Skin
Whether the cause of your dog’s skin allergy is environmental or due to food, there are things you can add to your pup’s diet to support their skin health and help reduce their itchiness. If you’re wondering “What can I feed my dog for itchy skin?” start with these supplements and foods:
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids can help improve your pup’s skin health and reduce inflammation. You can add omega-3’s to your dog’s diet by giving them fish oil supplements (just be sure to buy the kind for dogs, and never give your pup supplements meant for humans).
You can also feed your itchy pup foods that are rich in omega-3’s, like salmon. Here at Jinx, we offer a variety of salmon dog food and treats to help support your dog’s skin health — from our Atlantic Salmon & Sweet Potato Kibble, to our tasty Salmon & Pumpkin Topper and our slow-smoked Salmon Jerky Tenders.
Probiotics
Probiotics promote a healthy gut. Studies have shown that there’s a connection between our gut microbiome and our skin health — and it’s the same for pups, too.
Probiotics can be found in some dog foods — including all of our Jinx kibble recipes, which include 20 million patented probiotics to support your dog’s digestive and skin health. They can also be given as supplements. Ask your vet for guidance on which probiotic supplements to give to your dog.
Premium Dry Kibble
Not all kibbles are created equal. Some are loaded with fillers like wheat or soy, which are two of the most common allergens and inflammation triggers for dogs. Feeding your dog a kibble that’s made with real, natural ingredients and zero fillers — like Jinx — can help support your pup’s skin, and their health in general.
If your dog has skin allergies, you may also consider giving them a Limited Ingredient Diet kibble. These kibbles contain less ingredients, reducing your pup’s exposure to different proteins and carbohydrates in an effort to isolate what they may be sensitive to. Limited Ingredient Diet kibbles typically have a single meat source and a single grain source (or a starchy vegetable like potatoes, sweet potatoes, or legumes in the grain-free versions).
Grain-Free Dog Food
Grains can cause inflammation in some dogs, triggering or exacerbating skin itching. Some pup parents may find that feeding their itchy pal a grain-free diet may help reduce their symptoms. At Jinx, we offer both Grain-Free Cage-Free Chicken Kibble and Grain-Free Atlantic Salmon Kibble recipes. Not sure which one your pup will prefer? Try our Grain-Free Dog Food Sampler.
Water
Proper hydration is essential for healthy, nourished, and moisturized skin. Make sure that your dog always has access to fresh, clean water. You can also feed them hydrating, dog-friendly fruits and veggies like cucumbers and watermelon as treats (just be sure to cut these refreshing snacks into bite-sized pieces first, and avoid a choking hazard).
What Is The Best Dog Food for Itchy Skin?
If you’re looking for a good dog food for sensitive skin, feeding your pup a high-quality, grain-free, fish-based dog food can be a great place to start.
Our Grain-Free Salmon Kibble contains a fish protein source as the #1 ingredient, and offers complete and balanced nutrition for your pup. Besides omega-3 rich salmon to support skin health, it also includes 20+ superfoods, taurine for heart health, and patented probiotics to support a healthy gut microbiome.
If your dog’s itchy skin is due to a food allergy, your vet may recommend a Limited Ingredient Diet dog food or a prescription hypoallergenic dog food for your pup. Talk with your vet to determine which type of food is best for your dog’s needs.
Helping Your Itchy Dog Find Relief
Even if your pup's itchy skin is part of a larger health issue, there are things you can do to help relieve their itching while your vet determines the proper diagnosis and treatment. Here are a few ways to give them some relief:
Prevent Parasites
Use preventative medication for fleas, ticks, and scabies on a monthly basis to prevent your dog from having to deal with pesky, itch-inducing parasites. This is especially important during warmer months when fleas and ticks are more active.
Regularly Groom Your Dog
Regular baths and grooming can help ward off itchy skin, so bathe your dog at least once per month.
If your pup isn't prone to skin irritation or infections, a warm, oatmeal-based bath works perfectly. However, some dogs require an antiseptic bath with a medicated wash. Ask your vet for specific recommendations on what to use when bathing your dog.
A dog's coat is meant to be a form of protection against their environment, but it needs to be maintained to be effective. Regular brushing can also be helpful in preventing itchy skin, as it can remove particles from the hair that may cause your dog to itch.
Consider Dog Allergy Testing
In some cases, it can be hard to pinpoint exactly what’s making your dog itchy — even after switching up their food and trying an elimination diet. In this case, you may consider allergy testing for your pup.
Blood and skin tests can be done at the vet, and can help to determine specific food and/or environmental allergies. In a skin test, the vet will typically sedate your pup, shave part of their side, and patch test many different common allergens against their skin. While pricey, skin testing is more reliable than blood testing.
Feed Your Dog a Complete and Balanced Diet
Making sure that your dog gets the essential vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals they need to thrive can help improve skin immunity and reduce excessive itching.
A diet that includes essential fatty acids — like omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, and fish oil (via supplements or a fish-based dog food) — can help support skin health.
When To Call the Vet About Your Dog’s Itchy Skin
If your dog’s skin is red, scabby, smelly, or painful, it’s a good idea to see your vet as soon as possible. These symptoms could be signs of a bacterial or yeast infection, and antibiotics or antifungals may be necessary to help your itchy pup feel better.
Your vet may also prescribe medication to help decrease inflammation and allow your pup’s skin to heal properly. Steroids, Apoquel®, or Cytopoint® are all common medications prescribed for dogs with severely itchy skin.
FAQs
Which Dog Breeds Are More Prone to Skin Allergies?
Certain dog breeds are more prone to skin allergies than others, including Dalmatians, Bulldogs, Golden Retrievers, Labradoodles, Beagles, English and Irish Setters, Goldendoodles, Labrador Retrievers, most terriers, Pugs, English Sheepdogs, Miniature Schnauzers, and Lhasa Apsos.
This isn’t a comprehensive list, and that the breeds included aren’t guaranteed to develop skin allergies — they’re just more to them.
Can Dogs Have Seasonal Allergies?
Unfortunately, just like us humans, dogs can also suffer from seasonal allergies. Pollen from grasses, trees and weeds — along with dust mites and mold — can all cause itchy skin, watery eyes, and sneezing in dogs. Sometimes, your dog may also get recurring ear infections. If you suspect your dog may have an ear infection, call your vet right away — your pup may need antibiotics.
How Are Skin Allergies Diagnosed In Dogs?
Getting to the root of what’s causing your dog’s itchy skin isn’t always easy. From switching up their food, to elimination diets, medication, and allergy testing, it can take multiple methods to determine exactly what’s causing your pup to itch. It’s important to talk with your vet or an animal dermatologist, who can help you figure out the best course of treatment for your dog.
Unfortunately, allergies to foods or environmental factors can’t be cured — but they can be managed. Try to stay patient and hopeful — with some trial and error, you should be able to find ways to reduce your dog’s itching and help them manage their skin allergies long-term.
At Jinx, we're here to upgrade the way you care for your dog by providing holistic nutrition made with thoughtful formulation, real ingredients, and a whole lot of love. Support your dog’s skin health — and overall health — with our Grain-Free Atlantic Salmon Kibble.