Treating your dog’s allergies can come with promises, disappointment, frustration, and a huge vet bill of $500 per visit. So what do you do when that does not work? We will discuss possible causes, tips to improve allergy symptoms, and the best proteins for dog allergies.

On top of that, 2024 is a crazy time for pet owners because so many pets are getting sick from several brands of pet foods. None of the dog foods suggested in this article are included in the list of foods making dogs ill.

Summary:

• Top tips for treating your dog’s allergies from 3 Vets
• The Best proteins for dogs suffering from allergies
• Food options from raw and freeze-dried to gently cooked and kibble-like foods.
• A few dog treat options for dogs with allergies, as well as meal toppers.

3 Holistic vets share possible causes for dog allergies

In an interview between Dr. Judy and Dr. Peter, he says the causes of allergies are: dairy (such as puppuchinos or cheese), heavy metals, stress, vaccines, drugs, grains, and processed food! His tips are to start with 1) a liver detox, 2) getting off kibble and using raw or cooked food, and 3) adding supplements to fill in nutritional deficiencies.

Dr. Judy and Dr. Karen’s tips are similar to Dr. Peter’s but they also recommend foot soaks to control allergies as the hair in their paws collects allergens, and using non-toxic cleaning solutions to clean your home.

Their tips for things to avoid are chemical-filled flea and tick treatments and heartworm meds. Dr. Judy is concerned about immunosuppressants and suggested avoiding them, especially Cytopoint and Apoquel!

As far as dog food, Dr. Judy said dogs have zero biological requirements for wheat, corn, and soy. This includes not having them in their dog treats.  She also suggests NO meat meal or meat by-products, instead look for food with high amounts of moisture such as raw, freeze-dried, or gently cooked, and the proteins for dog allergies.

Dr. Karen said the most unadulterated or most nutritious food is raw, then gently cooked, freeze-dried, and so on. *Dr. Karen warns that if you make your homemade food, it must be balanced by a vet or nutritionist, or this could be the worst kind of food to feed your dog as it could cause irreversible health issues.

Tips to save money on quality dog food

• Please take advantage of the discount codes I have listed below and/or buy in bulk.
• Split the costs with a friend who also wants to buy new food.
• Another option is you can feed the new food a few meals a week versus every day. A twist on this option is to use the new food for one meal a day, such as breakfast, and then use your other food for dinner.
• Finally, keep in mind that as your dog gets healthier,  you will not spend as much money on vet visits, or medicine, so it may save you money in the long run.

The best proteins for dog allergies

The most commonly suggested proteins for dog allergies are:

• rabbit
• venison
• turkey
• bison
• kangaroo
• crocodile

Crocodile was the most shocking suggestion I have found

The best food type is raw dog food, according to the overwhelming consensus of all the vets mentioned in this article.

*Please note: Food will be listed in the order of most nutritious (Unadulterated)  food types and then my top picks.

The best raw dog food for skin allergies

1. Rabbit dog food is the most suggested novel protein for dogs with allergies. Whether your dog’s allergies are skin issues or caused by environmental allergies, dog food made with Rabbit should help.

If you want BARF dog food (biologically appropriate raw or bone-and-raw food), you should choose this brand’s complete version.

• Coupon Code HAPPYTRAILS for 60% OFF, choose the 10 lb. sample box, pick all 5 or select the proteins you like.
• Featured in 2 Top 10 dog foods lists of 2024
• On my list of top dog foods without added copper
• Anti-inflammatory diet for dogs
• They use REAL MEAT vs. mechanically separated meat product
• NO synthetic supplements, antibiotics, or hormones
• Made in USDA kitchen using human standards
• Versions: 2 different textures, all single-source protein meals
• Recent USDA inspection: Not only did they pass, the inspectors looked shocked. When the owners asked why, they were told many other facilities had some serious violations, but they are Good!

2. Turkey for dogs with allergies is my next choice as 1 of the best proteins for dog allergies.

 Coupon Code HAPPYTRAILS for 60% OFF. To get this offer you must choose the 10 lb. sample box, BUT you do NOT have to buy all the proteins. You can pick this one and Rabbit.

• 4.5 of 5 stars For their PUPPY food on Dr. Karen’s Dog food review for 2025
• Same as the raw rabbit dog food above
• Humanly-raised meat
• Batch-tested for things like salmonella and the equipment is swabbed tested as well
• Packaged in easy-to-peel packets
• Shipping facilities on the West and East Coasts
• Shipping time: Shipped M-W for fast delivery before the weekend
• NEW: If you need another protein option, they just created an Emu and Venison dog food recipe!
• Life stages: raw food for Puppies and Adult dogs

***Their Special proteins like Venison and Emu dog food change from time to time, so order it quickly!

Why are these dog foods my top choice? Their great inspection results, no synthetics, USDA kitchen, and sourcing.

Regarding dog allergies, their Rabbit and Turkey raw dog foods contain ingredients that are known to be natural antihistamines and are considered to be immune boosters!

PMR or Prey Model dog food for allergies

3. Venison and Elk dog food for itchy skin may be an option since Venison is a dog allergy-approved protein.

Great for pet owners who want to make their homemade dog food for allergies.

• 25% off your first order
• Wild Game meat only: Elk and Venison
• Pure meat from wild animals
• No antibiotics or health concerns that farm animals may encounter
• No organs or vegetables in this dog food
• USA-made dog food
• 7-day money-back guarantee

If getting a dog food without organs is important to you, this is an option!

4. BARF Venison Dog food is one of the best proteins for dogs with allergies. Formulated by a Ph.D. nutritionist, this dog food may help narrow down allergy instigators since it does not contain fruits or vegetables.

• Save $90 on your first 3 orders
• On a 2025 Top Dog food list, and 3.4 of 5 ⭐️ on 2025 Dr. Karen’s Dog food review
• Samples: can start with 5 lbs, or Save more with larger orders
• Human grade: USDA Human grade meats
• 6 protein options including Venison and Turkey!
• Manufacturing: made in a human food facility, USDA inspected but not continuously inspected
• Food percentage 80% muscle meat, 10% organ meat, 10% finely ground bone + vitamins (feed grade) and minerals
• Shipping: Free shipping to the 48 contiguous states, in an insulated eco-friendly, compostable cooler
• Safety: HPP (high pressure pasteurization) is a cold temperature method used to prevent spoilage and manage bacteria. This is a debated topic so do your research.
• Pathogen mitigation

2nd Best food for dog allergies

Are you Raw food hesitant? No problem. Here is some gently cooked dog food, keep reading.

5. Gently Cooked turkey dog food makes a great limited-ingredient dog food for all dogs. Also for dogs who need kidney support dog food or pancreatic support dog food.

20% off using code Pets20

• Featured in one 2025 Top Dog food list and two 2023 Top dog list
• Family owned business
• Formulated by renowned Pet diet formulator Steve Brown, Dr. Royal (Oprah’s vet) and Dr. Becker.
• Limited Ingredients: many recipes have less than 14 ingredients
• NO synthetic vitamins or minerals are added
• Cooking method: gently cooked ( frozen before shipping) and a new air dried option
• Life Stages: Puppies and adults
• Versions: 1) Regular: 8 adult dog foods and 3 raw puppy foods. 2) Veterinary recipes: Pancreatitis & Kidney Support dog foods
• Lab tested for pathogens and held until the results come back before it is shipped
• Shipping: it can be shipped to most zip codes within 1-2 days.  *The shipping deadline is Monday by 9 pm EST. They offset their carbon emissions with their shipping partner.

6. Best dog food made with WHOLE FOODS

• 15% off, site wide (verses select items), Code: HAPPYTRAILS15
• 4.8 of 5 ⭐️ on Dr. Karen and Rodney Habib’s 2025 Dog Food review
• Featured in pet food lists and pet magazines
• Gently cooked dog food low in copper
• 4 protein options including Turkey
• Humanely raised animals,
• No antibiotics or added hormones
• NO added vitamins and minerals, all nutrients come from whole foods
• NO meat meals, cheap by-products, starches like white rice and pasta.
• No common allergens such as corn, wheat, and soy

• Lab testing done on every batch for nutrition and food safety (e.g., E. coli, salmonella, listeria, mold)

7.  Fresh Dog Food with bone broth

• Coupon Code HAPPYTRAILS50 for $50 off an order of $100. or as of 2/11/26 they have 15% off discount
• 3.4 of 5 ⭐️ Dr. Karen’s 2025 pet Food Review (chicken recipe)
• 2025 Top pet food list 
• Cooking method: Sous Vide dog food
• 100% Human grade Certified
• Steroid & Antibiotic free meat
• Non GMO: fruits and vegetables
• Single Source protein: Turkey, Beef, Chicken and Pork
• Made in: a USDA human food production facility.
• Charity: supports Regenerative Farming
• Recyclable : dog food packing is 100%  recyclable

I like that this Gently cooked dog food contains parsley and thyme.

 3rd best dog food for dry itchy skin

8. Freeze dried Turkey dog food for allergies

Family run business since 2005.

• 4.1 of 5 ⭐️ on Planet Paws Inside Scoop Dog Food Review 2025
• Ranked #1 As the best freeze-dried dog food and on another TOP dog food list
• Shelf stable dog food
• No synthetics, vitamins, or minerals are added except for Vitamin E, which is used as a preservative
• No Chemical products like Pesticides,  Antibiotics, or Hormones
• No unnecessary foods like Fillers or GMOs
• Responsibly sourced meats and Organic produce
• Health Benefits: The recipe includes ingredients known to help with heavy metal detoxification and allergies.
• Detoxification; Contains other ingredients known for liver detoxification and are natural parasite deterrents!
• Great dog food for travel: Crumble and add water for a ready-to-eat meal.

4th best dog food for environmental allergies

Kibble lovers, dog or human, may like the ease of these air dried dog foods. This the first Human grade White fish air dried dog food I have seen

9. Salmon & White Fish dog food

Sundays for Dogs 50% discount code is HappyTrails50 for this Human Grade dog food or one of their other recipes.

• Food type: Air dried dog food
• Ingredients: You can pronounce all the ingredients
• Protein options: single-sourced, 4 protein options including Turkey
• No Synthetics: vitamins or minerals
• Made in a Midwest USDA kitchen
• Shipped to ALL 50 states including AK
• Shipping is Free
• Great dog food for emergencies since it requires no water, or refrigeration, and is easy to carry since it is about the size of a large cereal box
• Human Grade dog food: yes

The type of white fish used in this recipe is Carp.

10. Venison dry dog food for allergies

Get $20 off if you select Subscribe & Save

• Air-dried dog food (texture is closest to jerky)
• Food style: Prey model
• Single protein options
• Free-range, grass-fed, and most importantly, it is Grass-finished dog food
• No preservatives, additives, or binders
• No fillers or grains
• Benefits of raw food with the convenience of dry food!
• Added vitamins and minerals

Best canned dog food for allergies

11. Canned Sous vide dog food

This is my pick for the best canned dog food.

• Extra 10% off with Code ROCKSTER10, 15% off with auto-ship
• As seen/featured in 15 places like Animal Wellness and Dr. Judy
• BPA-free can
• Organic canned Dog Food and Non-GMO
• 80% Human grade Muscle meat and organs
• Traceable: It is rare to find dog food with 100% Traceable ingredients.
• Real muscle meat is used vs. mechanically separated meat
• NO: grains, Fillers, or Chemicals
• Certifications: Animals are Certified free from growth hormones and antibiotics
• Vitamins/minerals some are added, but no added copper!
• Made in Germany
• 6 SINGLE source protein dog food options including Venison, Beef (from Cap D’Antibes), Salmon, and more.

This traceable ingredient dog food is made using protein sources raised under strict Organic criteria that protects them from exposure to antibiotics, chemicals, or pesticides.

Food Toppers or Treats for dogs with allergies

1. Single Source dog treats: my new Pet Treat List includes options like novel protein dog treats, Veggie-based dog treats, and jerky 
2. Salmon: Sustainably caught Wild Sockeye salmon is a great protein for dogs with allergies. Salmon is a great source of EPA & DHA.
3. Sardines are full of nutrients including iron and CoQ10. Also, they are a good source of fatty acids which can help to support the skin and may minimize itchiness. Finally, it is a great meal topper for dogs with allergies.                                         If you prefer this as a Fish Oil, this oil contains Non-GMO and Wild caught fish such as Sardines, Anchovies, Herring and Wild Caught Mackerel.
4. Spirulina is reported to block histamines that lead to itchiness, and strengthens the immune system. Spirulina is reported to assist in the removal of heavy metals  get 5% off with code Sirena.

You can learn more about heavy metal removal in this article.  🍄 Another client’s dog is on it as well as my green juice powder, and her belly cleared up too and her ears are slowly but surely getting less inflamed or itchy.

Join the best novel proteins for dog allergies movement!

Now that you are armed with top tips for dogs with allergies, you can feel good knowing you are doing the best for your dog(s).

Share this knowledge with fellow dog lovers so we can create a community dedicated to having allergy-free dogs! 

Disclaimer: The information shared in my content is intended for general educational purposes only. The information contained herein does not constitute veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment of any kind. No veterinarian-client-patient relationship VCPR) is created or implied by reading, accessing, or using this guide. The author of this guide is not a licensed veterinarian and is not acting in a veterinary capacity. Always consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s care, diet, or treatment plan.