Best Dog Food Brands for Pitbulls with Skin Allergies
It can be heartbreaking to see your dog battling with severe allergies. Food allergies are quite common in dogs, but your pitbulls are more prone to developing skin allergies, which can cause constant scratching, irritation, and bleeding. Not paying attention to the itching could lead to skin infections. While you need to talk to the vet, you also need to take steps to change your dog's diet to bring some relief to him. That's when you have to start with the best dog food for pitbulls with skin allergies. Here are some options to consider:
Best Food For Pitbulls with Allergies: Our Top Picks
Merrick Grain Free Real Salmon and Sweet Potato Recipe
BEST Grain Free
Rated by: Amber
Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Canine Grain Free Dry Dog Food
BEST OVERALL
Rated by: Amber
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Fish/ Brown Rice Recipe
Best for protein
Rated by: Amber
1. Merrick Grain Free Real Salmon and Sweet Potato Recipe
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
For people looking for dry food for their pitbulls, this dog food will work just perfectly. It doesn't contain any grain to ensure that your pitbull with allergies could digest it with ease. It doesn't contain any preservatives or chemicals, which is why it's light on your dog's stomach.
You don't need to worry about providing enough protein to your dog though because it contains plenty and gets it from salmon. It also contains omega fatty acids to strengthen your dog's bones and joints. The addition of fruits and veggies means your dog will get plenty of vitamins and minerals as well. There's also chondroitin and glucosamine to ensure your pitbull stays healthy.
Overall, it's a great choice with fine ingredients, but it's worth mentioning that many dog owners find it to be an expensive choice for their pitbulls.
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CONS
2. Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Canine Grain Free Dry Dog Food
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
If you're looking for high quality dry dog food for your sensitive pitbull, you can always trust what the Taste of the Wild has to offer. This dry dog food is different because the manufacturer claims to steam dry food with purified water. It means you don't have to worry about feeding any nasty chemicals to your dog.
The dry dog food is loved by many dog owners because of its high protein content. Your dog gets 25% of protein along with 15% of fat, which is just perfect. You may try this dry dog food for your allergic pitbull because it gets its protein from salmon and not chicken. Moreover, it contains omega-3 fatty acids, which lower inflammation and support the joints of your pitbull.
Your dog will also get carbs from this dry dog food, but they come mainly from sweet potatoes. Another likable thing about this dry dog food is that it contains fruits and vegetables, which provide your dog with much-needed vitamins and minerals for a healthy immune system.
So, overall, the Taste of the Wild is a great food choice because of its high protein content as well as fruits and vegetables. Just remember that it doesn't contain enough carbs, so it may not be that suitable for a highly active pitbull.
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3. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Fish/ Brown Rice Recipe
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
It's yet another suitable choice for pitbulls with skin allergies because it uses natural ingredients only. The grain-free formula ensures that your dog can digest it with ease. It's also quite rich in vitamins and minerals.
What makes it interesting is that it uses alligator meat to extract protein. Your dog will get 30% of protein from this dog food. There are also sweet potatoes and brown rice in the formula, so your dog is going to get much-needed carbs to stay active. The fat content may be a bit on the higher side, but it's not harmful for your active pitbull anyway.
As a whole, this dog food is quite suitable for your pitbulls with sensitive stomach and skin, but keep in mind that it does nothing to support bone and joint health of your dog like many other foods.
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FAQ - A Buyer's Guide
A number of irritants can be responsible for causing an allergic reaction in dogs. Food is often the underlying cause of skin allergies in pitbulls, so it's important to understand how to proceed when your furry friend is having a hard time dealing with his skin condition.
What is the Best Dog Food for Pitbulls with Skin Allergies?
Although all dogs can develop allergies, some dog breeds are more prone to developing skin allergies. Pitbull, for instance, is more likely to develop an allergy, and what he eats is often the source of his trouble. Careful selection of dog food for pitbulls will go a long way in making his allergies better. You can find many brands offering high quality food options for pitbulls with skin allergies, but the best food will ensure that your dog gets enough protein, carbs, and fats. Here's more about it:
Protein: As pitbulls are muscular, you need to ensure that they get enough protein per meal. Without enough protein, the muscular development will suffer greatly in pitbulls and they won't have the energy to play with you. Ideally, your pitbull should get no less than 25-30% protein from food. In fact, he may need up to 40% of protein if he's an active dog. Keep in mind that the quality of protein is equally important as the quantity, so the best food for pitbulls with skin allergies is the one that doesn't contain protein from unspecified sources or by-products.
Fat: The best dog food for pitbulls will provide enough fat to your beloved pet. Pitbulls are energetic dogs and love to clown around, which means the fat content in their diet should be higher than other dogs. For highly active pitbulls, you should go for 25% of fat, but most pitbulls can do well with up to 20% of fat in their diet. Healthy fats are important, and it's better to go with foods packed omega fatty acids because they reduce inflammation and prevent skin allergies. These fats are equally beneficial for thyroid and joints of your dog.
Carbs: Your dog needs carbs for a healthy life, but there's no need to go for more than 20% , but you may want to stick with healthy carbs for pitbulls with allergies. Many pitbulls can safely consume whole grains, like brown rice and barley, but it's a good idea to avoid grains altogether if your dog has food or skin allergies. Going for grain-free dog foods would be a better option here.
What is the Best Food for Dogs with Itchy Skin?
It's not going to be easy to find the best dog food for pitbulls with allergies, but many brands are now offering better options. For instance:
- You can try the limited ingredient dog food to deal with any allergies your dog might have. In these dog foods, the manufacturer uses only one protein source, which is usually lamb or chicken. They also rely on a single carb source. But, if you're going for these foods, ensure that they've mentioned it's a "complete and balanced" dog food.
- You may want to choose grain-free dog food to deal with allergies. Many brands are now offering both grain-free dog food and dog treats, so you can pick some for your sensitive dogs. They may work great if your dog is particularly sensitive to grains like barley, wheat, rye, and corn. Understand that grain-free dog foods don't contain gluten, which is often the underlying cause of sensitivities in dogs. But, if your dog is particular sensitive to gluten, you may opt for certain grains that don't contain gluten at all. When switching food, ensure that the new option is palatable for your pitbull.
- Another good option for your dog with skin allergies is to go for foods with a novel ingredient. For instance, some dog foods are centered around a single protein source that you may have never given to your dog before. It may work great if you know common protein sources, such as chicken or beef are causing irritation and skin allergies in your pup. Instead, you can opt for a dog food that mainly contains protein from other sources, such as duck, venison, or salmon. Doing this might help lower risk of exposing your pitbull to allergens and irritants.
Other than these options, you may want to switch to prescription dog food if your dog is seriously allergic to common food options. While these pitbull foods can be quite pricey, they may help keep your pup safe and comfortable. Your vet will suggest the right brand for your dog and may also help you make other necessary dietary changes to prevent an allergic reaction in your dog.
What Can You Do for Pitbull Skin Allergies?
When you notice your dog has skin allergies, you should rush to make changes to his diet. He may be on a diet that contains grains and you may be thinking that eliminating grains will solve the problem. It's not always the case. In fact, if it's gluten, you can eliminate it without putting your pitbull on a grain free diet. Therefore, it's better to talk to your vet before making any changes to the diet of your pitbull.
Your vet will work closely with you and determine if your dog is really showing signs of food allergy or there's something else going on there. If they believe the food is indeed the problem, they may then look for the exact allergen. They work through a process to determine what changes you need to make to keep your dog comfortable and healthy. For instance, they may ask you to stick to an elimination diet, as it will help identify the ingredients causing allergies. They will tell you how to switch to a dog food that uses different sources of carbs, like you may have to switch from rice and chicken to sweet potato or lamb. They will see the results and then devise a plan of action.
In most cases, switching to a hypoallergenic pitbull dog food will resolve the issue, but if the problem persists, you may have to look for other options and your vet will guide you through the process.
What Foods are Pitbulls Allergic to?
Pitbulls can suffer from a variety of health conditions, including skin irritation and food allergies. They may develop skin irritation due to seasonal allergies, flea allergies, and even food allergies. The reaction may affect their belly, feet and in the folds of their skin. In case you notice your dog is suffering from skin allergies mainly related to food, you may have to work with a vet and stick to an elimination diet to make things better.
In most cases, pitbulls can be allergic to foods, such as chicken, beef, dairy, and eggs. If you're already giving these foods to your dog, you may consider trying a limited ingredient dog food to see how it affects your dog. It's also important to choose a dog food rich in fatty acids because of their anti-inflammatory properties.
The Best Food for Pitbulls with Skin Allergies
Skin irritation in pitbulls could be the result of different underlying health problems, but it's usually related to their diet. Thankfully, you can find many food options to pick the best hypoallergenic dog food for pitbull. If you're confused, you may want to try the Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Dog Food, which is grain free and still provides important nutrients to your dog.
About the Author Steven
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