Best Dog Food for Dry Itchy Skin: Novel Proteins for Every Age

Dry, itchy skin seems like a minor issue, but it can quickly get worse if not treated early. Constant itching and scratching can diminish the well-being and quality of life of our beloved furry friends.

The vicious itch-scratch cycle is also an infection risk. But what does food have to do with itchy skin? Find out in this review of the best dog food for dry itchy skin.

 

Best Dog Food for Dry Itchy Skin

1. Ollie Lamb Dish with Cranberries Fresh Dog Food

For pet parents who want only the best, tastiest, human-grade food that is the closest to a home-cooked meal without all the guesswork, we highly recommend Ollie Lamb Dish with Cranberries. This fresh-cooked dog food can be customized according to your pup’s age, weight, breed, activity, and any allergies.

Made of premium lamb from human-grade farms in the US and Australia, this dog food provides highly digestible protein that is gentle on sensitive stomachs.

Known as a “cooling meat”, lamb has anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit dogs with itchy skin. It is also naturally rich in omega 3 fatty acids to further promote healthy skin and coats.

Butternut squash is a high-fiber superfood that is packed with vitamins. It helps aid digestion and is rich in vitamin A and potassium. Rice is included as another carb source that is very easy to digest.

Cranberries and kale are also included to give your dog a boost of antioxidants. These promote good cellular function and are packed with coat and skin health benefits as well. This premium dog food is also fortified with vitamin supplements such as vitamin E and B6.

According to reviews, pet parents are delighted to see their dogs run excitedly to their meals and lick their bowls clean. The gently cooked high-quality ingredients truly make their food delicious and nutritious. 

The perfectly prepared natural dog food gives dog owners the confidence that they are feeding their sensitive pups only the good stuff.

The pooches have shown noticeable good overall health through their healthier skin, coats, brighter eyes, and increased energy levels.

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2. ACANA Singles + Wholesome Grains Lamb & Pumpkin Recipe

This limited ingredient diet from Acana is a grain-inclusive dry food suitable for all life stages, breeds, and sizes except for large breed puppies.

With only a handful of carefully selected natural ingredients, this single-source protein dog’s food is great for pups who have both sensitive skin and stomachs.

Made of deboned lamb and lamb meal, this dog food recipe is suitable for dogs allergic to chicken or beef, yet requires a fairly high protein diet. At 27% protein and 17% fat, this dog food can help sustain even active pups’ high energy levels.

Lamb is a great protein source for dogs with itchy skin. Not only is it naturally rich in omega 3 fatty acids, but it is also high in dietary zinc, iron, and other minerals.

Zinc plays a role in maintaining healthy skin in dogs. It is also involved in hair growth and regulation, as well as normal skeletal development and collagen synthesis. It also helps support the immune system.

Wholesome grains like oat groats and whole sorghum are used as the fiber and carb sources of this dog food. The highly digestible grains are nutritious and gentle on sensitive tummies. These healthy grains along with pumpkin and lamb tripe promote a healthy digestive system and gut flora.

Imbalance or disruption of the gut microbiome can lead to inflammation reactions or allergic reactions such as itchy skin. This is why many holistic nutrition experts believe that if you heal the gut, you will heal the skin health as well as the overall health.

Based on reviews, the high-quality ingredients of this food seem to be working well for very sensitive dogs. Pet owners are relieved to finally find a dog food that has helped resolve the itching and scratching of their pups. 

Those with sensitive stomachs are also showing signs of better digestive health. Their stool quality has improved, and their better skin and coat quality show their good overall health.

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3. American Natural Premium Sensitive Care Formula

American Natural Premium Sensitive Care is a dry dog food that is suitable for adult dogs who require less protein and fat in their diets. This chicken-based formula is designed to be highly digestible and gentle on sensitive tummies.

Chicken meal, fresh chicken, and whole dried eggs are the sources of protein in this dog food. It has slow-release carbohydrates that slow down digestion to make the process easier on dogs’ tummies. The main sources of fiber and carbs in this recipe are oatmeal, potato, and brown rice. It contains no corn, wheat, or soy.

Chicken fat provides more flavor and omega 6 fatty acids to this meal. While flaxseeds provide both omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. These healthy fats are vital in promoting healthy skin and coat in dogs.

While the brand may not be as popular as others, it has gained a lot of support from pet parents who tried their dog food recipes. This particular dog food has been credited with helping many dogs with itchy skin and sensitive tummies get better. 

According to the buyers, the constant scratching, hives, and vomiting have been resolved after switching to this recipe. Many of them have tried other dog food brands but this was the only one that seemed to agree with their pups’ immune and digestive systems.

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4. Addiction Zen Vegetarian Sensitive Care Formula

This is a meat-free dry dog food that is nutritionally complete and balanced for dogs of all breeds, sizes, and life stages.

The absence of animal meat protein can help dogs who have tried all meat sources available and are still suffering from skin allergies.

This holistic vegetarian recipe is made only of non-GMO ingredients. The main source of protein is soybean meal. This plant-based kibble can give much-needed relief to dogs with severe allergies.

Soy is naturally rich in isoflavones – these are phytonutrients that help promote a healthy cellular function by fighting free radicals. They are also known to help lower blood cholesterol in pets.

Easy-to-digest carb and fiber sources like rice and oats are used in this dry dog food. It is enriched with coconut oil which can help improve a dog’s skin and coat health, cognitive function, and reduce allergic reactions.

It also has flaxseed which has both omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. Dried kelp is included in this vegetarian formula to help reduce inflammation and itching in dogs. 

Based on online feedback, pet parents bought this food specifically to try to address their dog’s allergies and digestive issues or find a cheaper alternative to prescription food. Since putting the dogs on this vegetarian diet, they have noticed a significant improvement in the overall health of the pups.

The scratching has been greatly reduced, and the food does not seem to cause vomiting or loose stools. The food is also highly palatable despite the absence of meat.

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5. Natural Balance LID Sweet Potato & Fish Formula

Natural Balance’s Sweet Potato & Fish canned formula is a grain-free dog food formulated to provide complete and balanced nutrition to adult dogs of all breeds and sizes.

Specially formulated for dogs with food sensitivities, this wet dog food has only sweet potatoes and potatoes as its carb and fiber sources. No other vegetables, fruits, or grains are included.

This grain-free fish pate has salmon, fish meal, and ocean whitefish as its only animal protein sources. Fish is great for a dog’s itchy skin as it is naturally high in omega 3 fatty acids. It is also highly digestible and is less likely to upset sensitive stomachs. 

These essential fatty acids support healthy coat, skin, and good brain function. They also have anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit itchy dogs.

To add more healthy fats to your pup’s hydrating meal, this grain-free dog food has canola oil and salmon oil. Like sunflower oil, canola oil is high in omega 6. It is fortified with vitamins and minerals such as vitamin E, C, A, and zinc that help promote good overall health.

According to buyers, they are quite pleased with this limited ingredient grain-free wet food’s effect on their dog’s health. Many of them have tried many other canned dog food in an effort to find one that does not trigger allergies in their pups. This fish and sweet potatoes pate seems to tick all the boxes for a lot of sensitive dogs. 

Some have seen improvements in the dogs’ skin in just a few weeks to even one week from switching to this grain-free fish and sweet potato recipe. 

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6. Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet NP Novel Protein Alligator

Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet NP Novel Protein Alligator is a grain-free formula specially made for dogs with allergies.

Instead of hydrolyzed protein typically used in prescription food, this has alligator meat. For many dogs who have tried various animal protein sources, alligator meat is one that their bodies seem to accept without their immune systems going into overdrive. A vet’s prescription is required to purchase this dry dog food.

As part of our research, we have personally spoken with several pet parents of dogs with severe allergies. According to them, after trying everything from fish to venison and even kangaroo, only crocodile-based food is able to help their pups. However, such dog foods are not as widely available as others. 

Crocodile dog food is very hard to find, but alligator-based food is slightly more available in the US, though still not very common. Their meat is very similar and both rarely trigger allergic reaction or intolerances in dogs. At Chewy site, only Blue Buffalo makes alligator-based food.

The carb and fiber sources in this grain-free prescription formula are peas, tapioca starch, and potato starch. It also has flaxseed and canola oil as sources of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids that are very important in supporting the skin, coat, immune system, and cognitive health of dogs.

One of the highest-rated grain-free veterinary diets at Chewy, this kibble food has delivered incredible results to a lot of dogs suffering from itchy skin and allergies. No more scratching and rashes for these sensitive pups after being switched to this formula.

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7. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein Loaf