The Best Hypoallergenic Dog Foods
May 20, 2025 | By Ashleigh Tosh
Digestive upsets, itchy skin, or recurring ear infections can leave your dog feeling really rather blue - and you feeling stuck for answers. If you've already ruled out parasites or environmental allergies, there's a good chance your dog's food could be playing a role in their discomfort.
For dogs with food sensitivities or intolerances, hypoallergenic diets can have a huge impact on their quality of life. But with so many different types out there - and just as many confusing claims on the packaging - knowing where to begin isn't always straightforward.
Here we'll break down what 'hypoallergenic' truly means, how these diets work, and how to find one that suits your dog's unique needs. We'll even give you some fabulous tips on how to use the All About Dog Food Directory to take the guesswork out of your search...
Table of Contents
What Does 'Hypoallergenic' Mean?
Despite how often it appears on packaging, hypoallergenic isn't a legally defined term in the UK.
It simply refers to foods designed to minimise the risk of triggering food sensitivities - usually by avoiding the most common culprits and simplifying the ingredient list.
True food allergies in dogs are relatively rare and involve the immune system. More commonly, dogs experience intolerances, can disrupt the gut's natural balance leading to common issues like excessive itching, scooting, head shaking and scratching or licking those paws raw.
That's why a properly formulated hypoallergenic diet can be so helpful - not just for avoiding triggers, but in supporting overall gut health too.
Most hypoallergenic foods have a few things in common, for instance:
- • Limited ingredients to reduce exposure to potential triggers
- • Novel proteins like duck, rabbit or insect, which may be new to your dog
- • Hydrolysed proteins, broken down into tiny pieces that the immune system doesn't recognise
- • Gentler carbohydrate sources such as rice or potato
- • Free from artificial colours and preservatives
However, it's worth noting that grains are not the most common cause of food reactions in dogs. In fact, proteins like beef, chicken, and dairy tend to top that list, so simply switching to a grain-free food won't necessarily solve your pup's scratching.
Could Food Be Causing Your Dog's Symptoms?
 You may be surprised to find this one out but there's no single test that can actually confirm food sensitivity with certainty - especially when it comes to intolerances.
In fact, many of the allergy and intolerance tests offered by vets and online services have been shown to be unreliable.
That's why one of the most trusted method for identifying food-related issues is the elimination diet - more on that shortly. First, here are a few signs that may suggest your dog's symptoms are linked to food:
- • Loose poos
- • Excess wind or bloating
- • Itchy paws, ears, or belly
- • Repeated ear infections
- • Skin redness, hair loss, or dull coat
- • Scooting or anal gland issues
Of course, these symptoms can be caused by other factors too, so always check with your vet before making any major changes.
Types of Hypoallergenic Dog Food
There are quite a number of hypoallergenic options available these days each of which with its own strengths depending on your dog's situation, for example:
Limited Ingredient Diets (LIDs)
These keep recipes simple, often with just one protein and one carbohydrate. This makes it easier to avoid known triggers and monitor your dog's response.
Novel Protein Diets
This diet includes proteins your dog may not have encountered before like venison, duck, and insect!
Hydrolysed Protein Diets
These diets are typically prescribed by vets. They use proteins that are broken down into tiny fragments - AKA Hydrolysed Proteins. It's thought that because the immune system doesn't recognise these fragments, reactions are far less likely. These diets can be useful during elimination trials - but since many prescription foods can be low in overall nutritional quality, they're generally better used short-term rather than as a lifelong diet.
Fish-Based Diets
Yet another gentle option, offering naturally digestible protein along with skin-supporting omega-3s - helpful if your dog's sensitivity affects both digestion and skin.
Some hypoallergenic diets are also grain-free, although that's not essential unless your dog is known to react to specific grains. Grains like brown rice or oats are often well tolerated and may even offer valuable nutrition.
Dog Elimination Diets
 If you're serious about getting to the root of your dog's symptoms, an elimination diet is your best bet.
It might take time, but it's the most reliable way to figure out exactly what your dog can and can't tolerate.
The process involves feeding a very simple, restricted diet made up of ingredients your dog has never eaten before - often for 6-8 weeks.
During this time, no treats, scraps, or chews should be given unless they're part of the plan. If your dog's symptoms improve, you can then reintroduce ingredients one by one to identify which ones trigger a reaction.
It's not a quick fix, but the results can be genuinely transformative - and once you know what to avoid, you can make long-term food choices with far more confidence.
If you're interested in this diet - David wrote a superb article on the elimination diet a little while ago and I'd highly recommend checking it out.
Switching to a Hypoallergenic Diet
If you've found a food you think might suit your dog, it's really important you don't rush the transition. Even the best hypoallergenic food can cause an upset if introduced too quickly, instead go for a structured plan like:
- • Days 1-3: Mix 25% new food with 75% current food
- • Days 4-6: 50/50 mix
- • Days 7-9: 75% new food, 25% old
- • Day 10 onwards: 100% new food
As always when trying a new food for your dog, keep a close eye on your dog's poos, skin, and general behaviour during this time. Some dogs improve quickly, while others may need a few weeks to show real results. If symptoms worsen at any stage, it's worth pressing pause and seeking advice from your vet.
And remember - no sneaky treats! A single chew with the wrong protein could undo all your good work.
How to Find the Best Hypoallergenic Dog Food
With hundreds of products out there calling themselves 'hypoallergenic', knowing which one to trust isn't easy. That's where our Dog Food Directory comes in.
You can use the filters to:
- • Choose the food type (dry, wet, raw, cold-pressed, etc.)
- • Click 'properties' and select the Hypoallergenic checkbox
- • Exclude common allergens like beef, chicken, dairy or wheat
- • Set your dog's age, activity level and dietary goals
- • Compare ratings and ingredients side-by-side
In Conclusion
Listen, navigating food sensitivities can be tricky and, at times, frustrating, but with the right approach, you can make life more comfortable for your dog and less worrisome for you.
Whether you're trying a limited ingredient diet, exploring novel proteins, or diving into an elimination trial, the key is to be patient, consistent, and well informed.
And remember, you're not alone. Our community and tools - including the Dog Food Directory - are here to help you every step of the way.
About the author
 Ashleigh Tosh - Content Writer at All About Dog Food
Ashleigh's a professional writer with over a decade’s experience, including several years focused on human nutrition and the fitness industry. That extensive understanding of ingredients and health translated naturally into her passion for dog nutrition, sparked when her late Dogue De Bordeaux developed digestive issues. Now a Content Writer for All About Dog Food, she's delighted to help dog owners all over the UK make informed choices for their pups. She lives with Frank, her lively Rottweiler, and credits his energy and very shiny coat to a great diet, and plenty of play (he's a big fan of tug-o-war).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my dog needs hypoallergenic food?
If your dog has ongoing skin, digestive or ear issues and other causes have been ruled out, food could be the trigger. Hypoallergenic diets can help manage symptoms, especially when used as part of an elimination process.
Are allergy tests for dogs reliable?
Most commercial allergy and intolerance tests for dogs are believed to be quite unreliable and not scientifically validated. An elimination diet remains as one of the most accurate way to identify food sensitivities.
Can I use a hypoallergenic food long term?
That depends on the food. Some are nutritionally balanced and suitable for lifelong feeding, while others (particularly some prescription diets) may lack variety or quality and are better suited for short-term use.
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