Best Food for Pit Bulls with Skin Allergies in 2023 According to Vets

Every dog owner strives to provide their dog with the best possible diet. Unfortunately, sometimes the food that we think is best or even very popular among other dogs might not work great for our dogs and cause allergies.

Pit Bulls are prone to food allergies. You can easily figure out if your Pit Bull is allergic to its current diet by keeping an eye out for symptoms of allergic reactions, such as having a red underbelly, excessive scratching, blisters on the skin, breathing problems, and more.

Getting your Pittie to the vet to treat their skin allergies is only the first step in their recovery. The second and most important step is to determine what food ingredients they are allergic to and alter their diet accordingly.

To help you protect your dog, here’s a curated compilation of the best food for Pit Bulls with skin allergies available on the market.

The Best Food for Pit Bulls with Skin Allergies in 2022

1. Wellness CORE Ocean White Fish Recipe – Best Overall

Even with allergies, Pit bulls are large dogs with a lot of energy that needs burning, and they need a protein-rich diet.

Wellness CORE is packed with 80% more poultry-free protein than most other diets on the market. Its main premium ingredients are salmon and herrings with added vegetables and fruits to give your dog a healthy balanced meal.

The salmon is very present as the first ingredient, and you will be able to smell it the second you open the bag. So much so that if you have cats around, they will definitely come over thinking it’s for them.

It also contains omega-6 fatty acids, which help keep your dog’s coat healthy and shiny, as well as antioxidants, probiotics, and minerals to help support the immune system and promote easy digestion.

It comes with a dry food option and a wet food option. Its ingredients aim to encourage lean body mass and muscle tone. It does not contain any meat by-products, artificial ingredients, or fillers such as wheat or soy. It is also grain, chicken, and gluten-free to ensure healthy non-itchy skin.

Pros VS Cons

Pros	Cons
High protein for large dogs Grain-free Gluten-free Chicken-free Dry and Wet options	Strong fishy-smell

Bottom line

This salmon and herring-infused product might be the best option for your dog with chicken allergies.

It still gives them the high percentage of protein you want for large active canines while staying away from allergy-inducing ingredients like chicken and grains. The only problem would be keeping your cats away from this delicious salmon meal.

2. Orijen Original Grain-Free Dry Dog Food- Premium Option

This one is for the fancy dog owners who want to spoil their dogs with the best food they can find.

Orijen Original boasts a big list of premium animal products as its 38% protein component source. This list includes poultry such as chicken and chicken liver, turkey and turkey giblets, and fish products like flounder, mackerel, and herrings. All these animal and animal organs are premium sources of protein as well as fats. 

Besides animal products, Orijen Original also contains many fruit and vegetables. It has many legumes, such as red lentils, pinto beans, and chickpeas. Legumes are also a good source of protein which is great for adult dogs.

It is also grain-free and does not contain any fillers like soy or wheat. It is free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Its fresh or raw ingredients will provide you with the closest dry food to a raw diet you find without the hassles of preparing the raw food yourself.

Pros VS Cons

Pros	Cons
Fresh or raw main ingredients Great for large, physically active dogs Whole prey ingredients that will give your dog a Healthy glossy coat Less need for external supplements	Expensive compared to most dry food

Bottom line

This premium dog food full of fresh, raw, real animal meat is the best thing you can get for your dog with a big budget. The premium quality ingredients will work miracles on your dog’s overall health, including this allergies and coats.

If you feel like spending extra cash on your best sidekick, Orijen is your choice.

3. Canidae Pure Limited Ingredients Dry Dog Food – Best on A Budget

This pure limited ingredients recipe from Candiae offers many benefits for your dog’s healthy at a very affordable price. It will help you combat allergies and ensure no hidden components will negatively affect your dog’s health.

The first two main ingredients are salmon and salmon meals. Both these ingredients serve as the main source of protein in this dry food. Salmon meals usually serve as a stronger source of protein while fresh salmon is rich in omega-3 acids, which support the joints.

The third most important ingredient is the sweet potato. Sweet potato serves as a fiber-rich, gluten-free source of carbohydrates for dogs.

This recipe for dry food is completely free of grains and fillers such as soy, wheat, and corn. It will be very soft and friendly on your dog’s sensitive skin and stomach as well. Canidae contains an above-average level of protein (32%) which is great for adult active dogs but too much for small puppies.

Pros VS Cons

Pros	Cons
Rich in protein which is great for large dogs No fillers, artificial colors, or preservatives Supports the immune system Comes at an affordable price	The formula might not be suitable for puppies

Bottom line

You should consider buying this dry dog food if you are looking for the best dog food on a budget, you should not look any further.

It’s dry and easily stored but also high in protein and fats and stays away from grains, fillers, and other allergy-activating products.

4. Purina Pro Plan Adult – Best Dogs with Sensitive Skin and Stomach

Purina Pro Plan is always on best-selling lists, and now we know why!

This premium dry kibble food is made to be easily digested and is great for dogs with not just skin allergies but also sensitive stomachs. This product contains a healthy amount of 26% protein, as real salmon is its first and main ingredient. 

Purina Pro Plan’s effect on your dog’s skin will go beyond helping them combat their allergies as it also contains omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin A that help your dog grow a healthy and shiny coat.

This dry food also has a healthy amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for adults and even senior dogs as it helps support healthy joints and mobility, which can help prevent hip dysplasia.

This dry dog food is not grain-free, as it contains oatmeal. The oatmeal is added in an easily digested-formula to help reduce constipation and skin inflammation. If your dog’s allergies are affected by grains, then this particular option might not be for you.

It may be a bit more expensive compared to other options on the market. But the wide variety of options, from dry kibble to wet food, all prepared to combat skin allergies and sensitive tummies, will make this dog food worth every penny.

Pros VS Cons

Pros	Cons
Made for sensitive stomachs	Relatively expensive
High in protein	Not grain-free
Contains Prebiotic fibers that help with digestion
Comes in various sizes
Promotes healthy skin & coat

Bottom line

If you are committed to your dog’s skin and digestive health, then paying a bit more for Purina Pro Plan dog food will not be a problem.

Your picky eater canine will wolf down on this kibble food that will greatly affect their skin allergies and promote the health and shine of their coat. 

5. Diamond Naturals High Protein Dry Dog Food – Best for Puppies

We recommend Diamond Natural High Protein Chicken and Rice Formula for your sweet little puppy with skin allergies.

This recipe is precisely formulated for large breeds like Pit Bulls that need specific amounts of protein and minerals.

It has a 27% protein represented by its first ingredient, real chicken. The second ingredient is brown rice, a great gluten-free wheat substitute. The formula contains 15% fat and 3.5% fiber. It also contains vitamin E supplements, which help keep the immune system healthy.

The omega-36 fatty acids in this recipe will also help keep your dog’s coat shiny and healthy, while the omega-3 fatty acids are good for the joints and muscles.

Diamond Naturals Chicken and Rice Formula is grain-free and gluten-free to avoid any negative skin reactions such as itching. It is also free of artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. 

Pros VS Cons

Pros	Cons
Good for active puppies with high protein needs Grain-free, gluten-free and chicken-free Comes in three different sizes Contains antioxidants and probiotics to help with overall health	The bag is thin and can be ripped easily Can have a slightly strong smell

Bottom line

This formula is made especially for puppies from large breeds like Pit Bull. It balances their need for protein while keeping it suitable for their size. It also avoids most allergy-inducing ingredients, such as grains and gluten.

How to Pick the Best Food for Your Allergic Pit Bull?

You have noticed your Pit Bull’s irritated skin or excessive licking and clawing on their poor paws. The first thing you need to do is take them to a veterinarian for an allergy check-up. Your vet will run some tests that can eliminate some other health concerns and maybe help you have a clearer look into your dog’s allergic reactions.

After the health check-up, your vet might recommend some medicine to help relieve your dog’s symptoms. But the most important thing you need to do now will be to alter your Pit Bull’s diet.

If you know exactly what your dog is allergic to, then it’s an easy job of eliminating this one ingredient. If you don’t, then you need to try multiple options until you find the best food for your Pit Bull.

The most important things you need to keep track of while choosing a better diet for your allergic dog are the type of animal protein, grains, and the list of ingredients. Below we will expand more on each of these points.

Animal Protein

Every Pit Bull owner knows that dog food that is high in Protein is good for their big active canine. Most people would just look for the food with the highest percentage of animal protein and call it a day but that can be the main reason your dog has a skin allergy.

Some kinds of Proteins such as beef, lamb, and chicken can cause an allergic reaction in many dogs. You can instead substitute them with unique ingredients such as bison meat, venison (aka deer meat), or rabbit meat.

Having a Protein source is very important for your dog’s physical health including coat health and activity levels. So if you find out your dog is allergic to one source of Protein, immediately look for another one that is better for their health.

Grains

Grains and gluten are common causes of allergies among Pit Bulls and sometimes even humans. Some Pit Bulls lack the number of enzymes needed to digest grains such as wheat, barley, or brown and white rice. In this case, you will need to find grain-free food for your dog.

Grains are a source of fiber for your Pit Bull but you can provide your dog with enough fiber through other ingredients such as veggies and fruits. After you remove all the grain from your dog’s meals and snacks the allergy will start to subside gradually.

Limited-Ingredient list

Skimming quickly through a long list of ingredients that you do not understand half of is not a good sign of a high-quality diet. Most probably this long list of ingredients contains the reason for your dog’s skin allergy and it will be so hard to spot the culprit ingredient among 50+ items.

To help with your dog’s allergies, you will need to switch to a limited-ingredient diet. Look for dog food with a single source of Protein, a single source of carbs, a single source of fats, and so on. Focus more on the quality of the ingredients rather than the quantity of them.

A more limited-ingredient list will help you have more control over the food that enters your Pit Bull’s body, therefore, decreasing the risk of an allergic reaction from an unknown source.

Conclusion

Seeing your beloved Pit Bull itching and uncomfortable can be hard for you as a loving dog owner. But getting your dog checked for allergies regularly and keeping an eye on their diet and especially what it contains can have a huge shift in their health.

There are many different options of dry, wet, and fresh dog food out there that are suitable for all dogs no matter their needs. You need to find that sweet spot between what your dog likes, what is good for their health, and what you can afford. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Ingredients in Dog Food Cause Itchy Skin?

Many ingredients can cause itchy skin or an allergic reaction. It is different from one dog to another depending on what they’re allergic to. Some of the most common allergy-inducing ingredients are grains like wheat, corn, and maze, and some protein sources like chicken. Some dogs can also be allergic to dairy products.

How Can I Tell If My Dog Is Allergic to Its Food?

You can tell that your dog is allergic to its food by keeping an eye out for certain symptoms, such as itching of the skin, excessive licking of the paws, red underbelly, ear infections or bloating, and diarrhea. Each dog can have one or more of these symptoms, if they persist then it’s probably allergies.

How Long Does It Take for Allergic Reaction in Dogs to Go Away?

It can take up to eight weeks for allergic reactions in dogs to go away, depending on the severity of the reaction. You need to consult your vet about needing medicine. You also need to find what your dog is allergic to. Once you have eliminated the trigger, the allergic reaction symptoms will stop.

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