Finding the right sensitive skin dog food to help solve your dog’s underlying health problem can be challenging. Fortunately, many pet food manufacturers have identified the need for this type of specialty food and have provided a variety of diets that can help dogs feel better. Let’s see what the different brands of sensitive skin food offer so you’ll know which one is right for your pet. We’ll also look at home-cooked options, which may work out better for some dogs than commercially available diets.
Eukanuba Sensitive Skin
Eukanuba Sensitive Skin, manufactured by the Iams Company, is designed for any breed of adult dog. It contains ocean fish and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids supplements to help your dog’s skin repair itself. This diet does not contain chicken, corn or wheat, which are three ingredients that are often implicated as causes of canine itching and scratching.
Eukanuba Sensitive Skin also contains rice and barley, which are wholesome sources of carbohydrates for dogs with sensitive skin. It is available in dry form.
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Skin
Hill’s Pet Products offers Science Diet Adult Sensitive Skin, which is designed to avoid skin problems such as dryness, flaking and itching. It contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid supplements that help nourish and replenish the essential oils in your dog’s skin. This diet also contains supplemental vitamin C and vitamin E to help maintain a healthy immune system in your pet.
Science Diet Adult Sensitive Skin is available in dry form.
Nature’s Recipe Healthy Skin Venison Meal and Rice Recipe
Nature’s Recipe Healthy Skin Venison Meal and Rice Recipe offers adult dogs a unique protein source—venison meal, and a unique carbohydrate source—brown rice. Together, these ingredients offer a wholesome alternative to other diets that may contain allergenic ingredients that could cause your pet to itch and scratch.
Nature’s Recipe Healthy Skin Venison Meal and Rice Recipe is supplemented with copper and zinc, which are recommended to maintain skin and coat health. It also contains oatmeal, sunflower oil and soybean oil, which provide vitamin E that helps keep your dog’s skin healthy and also boosts his immune system. It is available in dry form.
Nutro Natural Choice Sensitive Skin and Stomach Formula
Nutro Natural Choice Sensitive Skin and Stomach Formula uses unique sources of protein and carbohydrate—herring and sweet potato—to provide proper nutrition to dogs with sensitive skin. This diet also contains rice and oatmeal, along with omega fatty acid supplements to help keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy. It is available in dry and canned forms.
Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach Formula
Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach Formula, manufactured by Purina, contains salmon, rice and oatmeal, to provide unique protein and carbohydrate sources for sensitive dogs. This diet also features omega fatty acid supplements to maintain skin and coat health. It is available in dry and canned forms.
The Home-Cooked Option
In the past, dog owners whose pets had sensitive skin or food allergies were almost forced to cook for their pets from scratch. Although many suitable diets are commercially available today, some dog owners still choose to make their dogs’ food from scratch. If you choose this option, discuss your dog’s diet with your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist to ensure it’s complete and balanced to meet your dog’s nutritional needs.