Complete Guide to Choosing the Best Pet Food Brand for Sensitive Pets

Just like humans, dogs can experience allergies and intolerances that affect their skin, digestion, and overall well-being. We understand that navigating through the maze of food labels as a parent to a dog with sensitivities can be overwhelming. But when you choose the right food brand, you can keep your pet healthy and thriving.

In this informative blog, you’ll learn about the factors to consider when selecting food for sensitive pets, from ingredients and nutritional balance to food type and life stage needs. Plus, we’ll highlight some trusted brands known for providing specialised formulations for sensitive pets. However, before we get to the guide to selecting the right food and food brand, let’s take a quick stroll through the fundamentals of sensitivities in dogs.

Understanding Sensitivities in Dogs

Dogs can develop allergies to several substances, called allergens. Some of the common allergens include pollen, mould, dust mites, fleas, and certain foods.

Types of sensitivities in dogs:

• Food allergies: These are typically caused by certain proteins such as beef, chicken, dairy, wheat, or soy.
• Environmental allergies: Also known as atopy, these allergies are triggered by airborne particles like pollen, mould spores, or dust mites.
• Flea allergy dermatitis: It is an intense reaction to a protein in flea saliva, leading to severe itching and skin irritation.
• Contact allergies: These occur when a dog’s skin comes in contact with irritants like shampoos, cleaners, or certain bedding materials.

These sensitivities can be reflected in various ways, such as skin issues, respiratory problems, digestive disturbances, or recurrent ear infections.

Here are the common signs of sensitivities in dogs:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Lethargy
• Flatulence
• Excessive itching
• Biting or licking
• Redness
• Rashes
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Difficulty breathing
• Abdominal pain
• Lack of appetite
• Weight loss
• Ear infection

These signs may indicate sensitivities in your dog. However, it’s crucial to consult your vet and get a proper diagnosis to determine the kind of sensitivity and its cause. They will help you identify the potential allergens and suggest the measures to address them.

What to Check When Selecting Food for Sensitive Pets

When choosing food for dogs with sensitivities, pay attention to:

Ingredients

Several ingredients can trigger allergies in your sensitive pet, making it crucial to examine the ingredient list before making the selection. If your dog has food allergies, select novel proteins such as duck, venison, and salmon instead of common chicken and beef options. Also, keep in mind to avoid foods with artificial flavours, colours, fillers, wheat, soy, and by-products, which are harder to digest.

Nutritional balance

Pet foods are essential for pets’ complete and balanced nutrition. If you see that the food follows PFIAA or AAFCO standards and has the Nutrition Adequacy Statement on the label, it’s a good sign. You can always consult your vet to know whether a particular product matches your pet’s specific nutritional requirements or not.

Quality standard

Apart from nutritional adequacy, pay attention to the quality of the food and ingredients used. Choose brands that are transparent about sourcing and use human-grade, high-quality ingredients. You can also see if the brand has veterinary nutritionists involved in the formulation of food.

Food form and type

Dog food comes in various forms, such as dry kibble, wet food, freeze-dried, etc., and each impacts sensitivities differently, making careful selection imperative. Usually, wet food with high moisture content and a softer texture is considered suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Additionally, for severe allergies and specific cases, diets with hydrolyzed proteins are recommended, as these diets break down proteins into smaller components.

Age and life stage

Puppies, adults, and senior dogs have different nutritional requirements and face varied sensitivities. Moreover, certain breeds, such as Bulldogs, Retrievers, or Terriers, are more prone to allergies. So consider these factors as well while selecting food for sensitive pets.

Transitioning to New Food

Just selecting a new food isn’t enough because sudden changes in the diet can lead to digestive issues. The way you transition to feeding it also makes a lot of difference, especially for dogs with sensitivities.

Here’s a general idea for transitioning gradually over 7-10 days:

• Days 1–3: 75% old food, 25% new food
• Days 4–6: 50% old food, 50% new food
• Days 7–9: 25% old food, 75% new food
• Day 10 onward: 100% new food

This slow transition helps the digestive system adapt and reduces the risk of vomiting or diarrhoea.

Top Dog Food Brands for Dogs with Sensitivities

When it comes to sensitive pets, choosing the right brand can make all the difference. Below are some vet-recommended and highly rated options that stand out for their specialised formulations and quality standards:

Royal Canin

Royal Canin offers veterinary diets, formulated in partnership with professional vets and nutritionists, suitable for dogs with sensitivities. Their diets use hydrolysed animal proteins, fish oil, and poultry and pork protein to help minimise allergic reactions. Royal Canin products are suitable for dogs with sensitive skin and stomachs.

Hill’s Prescription

Hill’s Prescription Diet offers specialised formulas like z/d Skin & Food Sensitivities, which use hydrolysed chicken protein to minimise allergic responses. These diets target both skin conditions and gastrointestinal sensitivities, making them ideal for dogs with confirmed food allergies.

Hill’s Science

Hill’s Science Diet offers sensitive stomach and skin recipes in both wet and dry forms. These diets feature easily digestible ingredients, added prebiotics, and Hill’s Science specialised formula. Their products provide balanced nutrition and are best suited for dogs with mild to moderate sensitivities.

LifeWise

LifeWise provides a biotic formulation, suitable for dogs with skin and gut sensitivities. These scientifically balanced formulas are helpful in addressing the microbial imbalance in the gut to calm the immune response. LifeWise offers a holistic approach to cater to long-term sensitivities.

Black Hawk

Black Hawk provides high-quality, grain-free recipes that cater to sensitive stomachs and digestive issues. Their food options support nutrient absorption, bowel function, and skin health. It is best for dogs prone to digestive upsets, diarrhoea, or skin irritation.

The Bottom Line

Selecting the right food for dogs with sensitivities is more than just avoiding allergens. It’s crucial to support their overall health and wellness. Put the information shared above to good use and select food with novel proteins, hydrolysed diets, or microbiome-supporting formulations.

The brands we discussed are trusted by pet parents and vets alike and offer reliable options for sensitive dogs. However, always remember to consult your vet before making the selection and any changes to the diet.