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Food for Dogs with Skin Allergies

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Nutritional Foods for Dogs With Itchy Skin

Itchy, sensitive skin is one of the main reasons pet parents bring their dogs to the vet. Alongside medication, a dog food for sensitive skin that is specialy formulated to support the skin barrier can do wonders for dogs with skin issues and help alleviate itching and irritation.

Why Feed Your Dog A Sensitive Skin Diet?

Apart from medication, nutrition is vital in managing itchy and sensitive skin in dogs. Dogs with allergic dermatitis have a defective skin barrier and it's important to feed them a diet that can help repair and strengthen this.

A sensitive skin dog food diet uses a reduced allergen formula to reduce the risk of triggering allergic reactions, plus skin support ingredients like omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to nourish the skin, and an antioxidant complex to reduce injury to the cells. With long term use, a sensitive skin diet can help to relieve itching, soothe irritation, and promote better skin and coat health.

Common causes of itchy skin in dogs

Unfortunately, there can be many reasons behind itchy skin in dogs and it can take a lot of work with your vet to investigate and rule out.

Flea allergy dermatitis is a reaction to flea saliva and is one of the leading causes behind itchy skin in dogs. As fleas spend most of their life cycle off of the host, it can be hard to even see signs of fleas on your pet. Regular parasite prevention can disrupt the life cycle and cover other parasites like ticks and lice.

Environmental or contact allergies are also possible, and often a reaction to certain plants like grass, and even pollen, insects, dust mites, and mould. The location or distribution of itchiness can be a good clue for this. Limiting access to potential allergens can help keep your dog itch-free.

Food allergies are rare but they do occur. Grains are often blamed for this but protein source is actually the more common cause of food allergies in dogs.

Find out more about why your dog may have sensitive or itchy skin.

Which sensitive skin food is best for my dog?

For minor issues, a non-prescription diet like the Royal Canin Dermacomfort (comes in different sizes) could be a good option. However, for severe cases, a veterinary diet like the Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Skin Support may be more appropriate. The Royal Canin Sensitivity Control and the Royal Canin Hypoallergenic may be more suitable for dogs that may also exhibit digestive sensitivities.

It is important to consult your veterinarian to determine the best skin support diet for your dog, taking into consideration their medical history, symptoms, and other health conditions.

Author info: Dr Antonella Virina Pet Circle Inhouse Veterinarian.

Popular Specialty Dog Diets

Customer Declaration

Veterinary Diets are carefully formulated to assist with the treatment or management of a particular illness or condition. By purchasing this product, you acknowledge and agree the following is true and accurate:

  • I confirm that my pet was examined by a veterinarian who recommended the use of this product.
  • I understand that it is recommended that I seek veterinary advice at least every 6 months regarding the use of this diet.
  • I understand that I need to seek immediate veterinary advice if my pet's condition deteriorates while I use this product.