If your furry friend has a food intolerance, finding suitable treats for them can be a daunting task. Most commercial dog treats contain ingredients that are far from allergy-friendly. However, the good news is that there is now a growing market for healthy, natural, and limited-ingredient dog treats that are ideal for food-sensitive pups. In this article, we’ll take a look at the 10 best hypoallergenic dog treats for all breeds and dietary needs, and provide essential information about identifying what’s causing your dog’s allergies, along with ideal treat ingredients to look for (and avoid).
What Are The Most Common Dog Food Allergens?
Like humans, dogs can develop intolerances or allergies to certain ingredients in their food or treats. The most common allergens include beef, chicken, dairy products, and wheat. Some dogs also have adverse food reactions to soy, corn, eggs, and various preservatives. However, as every dog is different, there’s a long list of ingredients that could be causing your pup’s symptoms.
In canines, food intolerances or allergies cause either a cutaneous immune response or digestive problems (or sometimes both). Common symptoms include itchy skin, paws, or ears, hives, skin and ear infections, facial swelling, vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive gas.
Ingredients To Look For In Hypoallergenic Treats
In many cases, over-exposure to common proteins, such as beef or chicken, can be the culprit. So you may want to consider treats containing an alternative animal protein, such as salmon, duck, venison, turkey, or lamb. The best hypoallergenic dog treats have limited ingredients and are all-natural with no fillers or artificial preservatives or flavors. Here is a quick checklist to keep in mind when searching for hypoallergenic dog treats:
• Novel animal proteins
• Limited ingredients
• No fillers or artificial ingredients
• Avoiding wheat and dairy products
• Easily digestible carbohydrates (oats, barley, sweet potatoes, etc.)
Best Hypoallergenic Dog Treats
We’ve chosen the following treats based on the type and quality of ingredients, company reputation, pricing, customer feedback, and other factors.
1. Best Overall: Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care Biscuits
These budget-friendly Blue Buffalo Basics treats feature real salmon as the first ingredient and easy-to-digest grains, including oatmeal and brown rice. Fortified with flaxseed (rich in omega-3fatty acids), they’re excellent dog treats for skin allergies. They pack a high-protein punch with no chicken, beef, dairy, or eggs included. These oven-baked crunchy biscuits also contain no corn, wheat, soy, or artificial ingredients. And they get fantastic reviews from parents of allergy-prone pups.
2. Best For Small Dogs: Natural Balance Rewards Venison & Sweet Potato
Looking for treats with a novel animal protein? Venison is the only protein source in these grain- and gluten-free Natural Balance treats. Crafted for smaller jaws, these limited-ingredient crunchy treats are low-fat and only eight calories. Most customers say their dogs love the taste and do well with skin and tummy symptoms while enjoying these treats.
3. Best For Large Dogs: Open Farm Dehydrated Cod Skins
Taking limited ingredients to the ultimate level, these Open Farm chews for dogs with allergies are 100% cod skins, and nothing else. They’re made with fish that’s wild-caught using only Ocean Wise-approved sustainable fishing practices at responsible fisheries. These high-protein, low-fat treats are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which support healthy skin and overall wellness. Many large dogs love the crispy texture, but plenty of smaller dogs enjoy them as well. And pup parents say they’re not stinky. The only downside? They are quite expensive. But Open Farm is an excellent pet food brand that’s committed to humane and eco-friendly practices.
4. Best Meat-Free: Portland Pet Food Company Pumpkin Biscuits
If you prefer giving your pup animal protein-free treats, these all-natural pumpkin biscuits are a hit with small and large dogs alike. They’re hand-crafted with human-grade, U.S.-sourced ingredients (no grain or gluten) and twice-baked for a light, crunchy texture. Pumpkin is an excellent fiber source and supports healthy digestion. We also love that the Portland Pet Food Company donates 5% of net profits to local non-profit animal shelters and programs.
5. Cadet Gourmet Sweet Potato & Duck Wraps
A fantastic chewy choice for dogs of all sizes, these Cadet Gourmet wraps contain real duck and vitamin-rich sweet potatoes, with none of the usual allergen suspects. They’re high in protein and low in fat for a healthy and tasty snack. And customers say their pups absolutely love the taste (even picky pooches). While they’re made in China, they’re inspected and tested in the U.S. to ensure high-quality standards.
6. Smart Cookie Rabbit & Pumpkin Treats
These Smart Cookie dog allergy treats get overall excellent reviews from pup parents. Crafted by a family-owned U.S. company, they’re made in small batches using regionally sourced natural and grain-free ingredients. Featuring real rabbit and pumpkin, these bite-sized and soft chews are perfect to use for training and rewards. They’re high in protein and fiber but are low-fat and only seven calories each.
7. Merrick Power Bites Real Salmon Recipe
Another excellent soft training-treat option, Merrick Power Bites come in a variety of proteins, but we recommend the salmon recipe (or rabbit) for dogs with food allergies. The ingredients aren’t quite as limited as some other hypoallergenic treats, but they’re grain-free and include omega fatty acids for skin health as well as healthy sources of vitamins and minerals. They’re also only five calories per chew.
8. HempMy Pet Organic Dog Biscuits
If you’ve considered giving your pup CBD (cannabidiol) as an all-natural remedy for anxiety, chronic pain, or other health issues, you may want to consider these HempMy Pet CBD pumpkin biscuits. Made with no grains and all certified-organic ingredients, they can be an allergy-friendly treat that’s easier to give your dog than CBD oil. They’re available in two CBD doses, 2mg for smaller dogs, and 5mg for larger dogs. They contain HempMy Pet’s full-spectrum CBD extract, which contains less than 0.3% THC, and are safe for dogs. Note: these biscuits contain eggs, which can trigger allergy symptoms in some dogs.
In conclusion, identifying food allergies in your pet can be quite challenging. However, by choosing hypoallergenic dog treats with limited ingredients and natural, whole food-based protein sources, you can provide your pet with safe, healthy treats while avoiding the common allergens. Always consult with your veterinarian if you suspect your pet has food allergies.
