If you own a German shepherd, then you know how protective and loyal they are, and naturally, you want to return the favor. Your shepherd is probably active and playful and living up to all the great qualities that make them a perfect companion, except for the excessive scratching and licking that is driving you both nuts.
Skin Allergies are very common in canines and are one of the primary reasons for visiting the vet. Humans suffer from allergies too, and we can empathize with the frustration, but lucky for us, we can outgrow them. For our canine friends, the allergy usually gets worse as they get older.
Luckily, there are foods that your pup can enjoy that are designed for dogs with allergies. These reviews will help you select the ideal food that may provide relief to your pet.
A Quick Comparison of Our Winners (2023)
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Ollie Fresh Dog Food Subscription
Great for allergies
Easily digestible
Nutritious recipe
Click to Save 50%
Best Value
Blue Buffalo Basics Adult Dry Dog Food
Easily digested
All-natural ingredients
No by-products
Check Price
Brothers Complete Advanced Allergy Care
Contains free-range lamb
Contains digestive enzymes
Contains probiotics
Check Price
Best for Puppies
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
Perfect for allergies
Made by veterinarians
Limited Ingredients
Check Price
Vet’s Choice
Purina Pro Plan Adult Dry Dog Food
Contains probiotic and prebiotic fiber
High in protein
Omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin
Check Price
The 9 Best Dog Foods for German Shepherds with Skin Allergies
1. Ollie Fresh Dog Food Subscription – Best Overall
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Main ingredients: Lamb, butternut squash, lamb liver, kale, rice, chickpeas, cranberries, green beans, potatoes
Protein content: 11%
Fat content: 9%
Calories: 1804 kcal per kg
Ollie Fresh Lamb Dish With Cranberries is our overall best choice for your German shepherd, and its recipe doesn’t contain any common allergens. It is a great choice for canines that have sensitivities or food allergies and contains fresh ingredients and superfoods to deliver essential nutrients. This recipe contains chickpeas packed with protein and vitamins and minerals that support eye health and help regulate sugar levels. Kale supports the immune system while promoting healthy skin and fur, and butternut squash is high in fiber to assist digestion. The unique ingredient in this formula is cranberries which are a good source of antioxidants, fiber, calcium, and potassium.
Although cranberries are packed with nutrition, the acidic taste may not be a favorite for some pups.
Pros
Great for allergies
Easily digestible
Nutritious recipe
Cons
High in calories
May taste too acidic
Blue Buffalo Basics Skin and Stomach Care Dog Food is a nutritious recipe with minimal ingredients to support dogs with food sensitivities. The first ingredient is real turkey to provide protein, and it includes pumpkin and potatoes for easy digestion. There is no dairy, eggs, or wheat included in this recipe, making it a good option for sensitivities. Blue Buffalo is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, and a unique blend called LifeSource bits to support a healthy immune system. The benefits of this formula, paired with the affordable price tag, make this recipe the best dog food for the money.
Great for allergies
Easily digestible
Nutritious recipe
- Great for allergies
- Easily digestible
- Nutritious recipe
High in calories
May taste too acidic
- High in calories
- May taste too acidic
Check Price on Chewy
This formula is grain-free which is helpful to dogs with sensitivities, but grains can also be beneficial to a lot of dogs, so it is important to consult with your vet to know what is best for your pup.
Pros
Easily digested
All-natural ingredients
No by-products
Cons
Grain-free diets may not be suitable for some dogs
Brothers Complete Dog Food is packed with protein from free-range lamb and whole eggs. Eggs contain 9 essential amino acids that can not be produced by the body. This special formula contains digestive enzymes that help reduce the risk of allergies, boost immunity, and maximize nutrient absorption. Probiotics are included to heal, maintain, and balance the gut microbiome.
Easily digested
All-natural ingredients
No by-products
- Easily digested
- All-natural ingredients
- No by-products
Grain-free diets may not be suitable for some dogs
- Grain-free diets may not be suitable for some dogs
This recipe contains chicken, so if your dog is allergic, this food is unfortunately unsuitable.
Pros
Contains free-range lamb
Contains digestive enzymes
Contains probiotics
Cons
Costly
- Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve Dog Food – Best for Puppies Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Duck, duck meal, potatoes, sweet potatoes, tapioca starch, potato protein, canola oil
Protein content: 25%
Fat content: 12%
Calories: 395 kcal per cup
Natural balance puppy food is a wholesome and limited ingredient recipe that gives your growing German shepherd the nutrients it needs while having a low risk of allergens. Muscle health is supported by protein-rich duck meat, and the DHA provided by fish oil supports your pup’s brain health. The recipe includes potatoes that are rich in fiber, and it’s free of artificial flavors and colorants.
Contains free-range lamb
Contains digestive enzymes
Contains probiotics
- Contains free-range lamb
- Contains digestive enzymes
- Contains probiotics
Costly
- Costly
Some puppy owners have reported that their dogs have a cat urine-like odor after eating this food.
This formula is also grain-free which may be beneficial to some dogs, but not all dogs thrive from a grain-free diet, so it is best to consult with your vet.
Pros
Perfect for allergies
Made by veterinarians
Limited Ingredients
Cons
Can make your dog smell like urine
Purina Pro Plan dog food is an easily digestible formula that is made to assist your German shepherd’s sensitive skin. It’s enriched with omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin A to nurture your dog’s coat and skin and omega-3 fatty acids for healthy joints. This recipe contains live prebiotic and probiotic fiber to support digestive health and maintain a strong immune system. Protein-rich salmon is the first ingredient in this recipe, but it’s farm-raised rather than wild-caught.
Perfect for allergies
Made by veterinarians
Limited Ingredients
- Perfect for allergies
- Made by veterinarians
- Limited Ingredients
Can make your dog smell like urine
- Can make your dog smell like urine
Some pet parents mentioned that the rich salmon flavor can cause fish breath.
Pros
Contains probiotic and prebiotic fiber
High in protein
Omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin
Cons
Contains farm-raised salmon
Can give your dog fish breath
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach and Skin Dog Food is a tasty recipe recommended by veterinarians and formulated with natural ingredients that are highly digestible. It contains beef pulp which is prebiotic fiber to nurture gut health, and omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E support a healthy coat and skin. Added vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants will ensure your dog’s immune system is strong and healthy.
Contains probiotic and prebiotic fiber
High in protein
Omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin
- Contains probiotic and prebiotic fiber
- High in protein
- Omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin
Contains farm-raised salmon
Can give your dog fish breath
- Contains farm-raised salmon
- Can give your dog fish breath
Although this recipe is tasty and nutritious, it can be a little expensive.
Pros
Contains prebiotic fiber
Highly digestible
Recommended by veterinarians
Cons
No added glucosamine and chondroitin
Expensive
- Tuscan Natural Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food Check Latest Price
Main ingredients: Lamb meal, brown rice, rice, canola oil from canola plants, olive oil
Protein content: 25%
Fat content: 13%
Calories: 482 kcal per cup
When it comes to your pup’s sensitive skin, a hypoallergenic formula like Tuscan Natural Limited Ingredient Food is a great choice. Tuscan Natural is easy to digest due to its limited ingredients and is made with grass-fed lamb meal. This recipe includes extra virgin olive oil, which not only provides several benefits but delivers essential monosaturated fatty acids to keep your dog’s skin healthy and their coat shiny. Developed by a PhD nutritionist in the USA, this recipe is a complete diet that your German shepherd will enjoy.
Contains prebiotic fiber
Highly digestible
Recommended by veterinarians
- Contains prebiotic fiber
- Highly digestible
- Recommended by veterinarians
No added glucosamine and chondroitin
Expensive
- No added glucosamine and chondroitin
- Expensive
Some dog owners have reported that their pet’s stools are smellier than usual after eating this food.
Pros
Hypoallergenic
Developed by PhD nutritionists
Easy to digest
Cons
Can cause smelly stools
Hills Prescription Diet Derm Dog Food is a great choice for your German shepherd’s itchy skin, and it is clinically formulated to assist in managing environmental and food sensitivities. In some dogs, it may improve sleep quality, reduce nighttime scratching, and improve the condition of the dog’s skin. Bioactives and phytonutrients help normalize your dog’s immune response, and the dog’s skin will be protected against environmental irritants all year round.
Hypoallergenic
Developed by PhD nutritionists
Easy to digest
- Hypoallergenic
- Developed by PhD nutritionists
- Easy to digest
Can cause smelly stools
- Can cause smelly stools
Your vet has to prescribe this formula for your pet, and a few dog owners have reported that it hasn’t made a big difference in their dog’s skin.
Pros
May improve sleep
Visible skin improvement
Cons
Not all dogs will see a difference
Needs prescription
Castor & Pollux Organix Dog Food is a high-protein recipe with organically sourced, free-range chicken, free from hormones and antibiotics. Organic oatmeal and barley promote healthy digestion, and the recipe includes a blend of superfoods like blueberries, sweet potatoes, and flaxseed. Castor & Pollux is free from fertilizers and chemical pesticides, it’s packed with antioxidants to support your German shepherd’s skin.
May improve sleep
Visible skin improvement
- May improve sleep
- Visible skin improvement
Not all dogs will see a difference
Needs prescription
- Not all dogs will see a difference
- Needs prescription
Some customers noticed that Organix has a strong odor, and others were disappointed with the high price tag.
Pros
Organic ingredients
Contains superfoods
Cons
Has a strong odor
Expensive
Organic ingredients
Contains superfoods
- Organic ingredients
- Contains superfoods
Has a strong odor
Expensive
- Has a strong odor
- Expensive
Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Best Food for German Shepherds with Skin Allergies
When it comes to choosing the right food for your German shepherd with skin allergies, you need to look at either hypoallergenic brands or ones with limited ingredients.
Limited Ingredient Food
Using a dog food with limited ingredients can help you pin down the ingredient causing the allergic reaction. Limited ingredient meals are available online and at pet stores..
Hypoallergenic food
Hypoallergenic foods are made by hydrolyzing proteins into their basic amino acid building blocks. These are not recognized as antigens by your dog’s antibodies; therefore, they won’t cause a reaction. Your vet may recommend a prescription for hypoallergenic food.
What is a Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food?
Protein is an important element of the canine diet. Proteins are taken from the food and broken down into amino acids which are combined into new proteins. Dietary proteins can trigger an adverse immune response in some animals, and a process called hydrolysis chemically breaks down proteins into smaller pieces that the immune system no longer responds to because they are so small.
Special Ingredients to Look for in a Skin Care Diet
Essential Amino Acids and B group Vitamins: Help support the connecting bonds between skin cells known as ceramides.
Omega-6 Fatty Acids: Help support a shiny coat and healthy skin.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Salmon oil is the richest source of fatty acid. The DHA and EPA have anti inflammatory benefits, which help soothe inflamed skin.
Antioxidants: Antioxidants support the immune system and reduce skin-damaging free radicals.
Conclusion
Our best overall choice dog food to help your pup with allergies is Ollie Fresh Lamb Dish with Cranberries, as it is prepared fresh and contains no allergens. Blue Buffalo basics skin and stomach care dog food is our best choice for the money, and Brothers Complete Lamb Meal & Egg Formula Advanced Allergy Care Dry Dog Food is our third choice. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve Grain-Free Duck & Potato Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food is a wholesome choice for your growing pup, and Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food is our vet’s choice for your dog’s allergy-prone skin.
We hope these reviews help you select the ideal food to help relieve your dog from allergies and get them feeling better soon.
See also:
- 10 Best Dog Food for Small Dogs With Allergies
- 10 Best Raw Dog Food Delivery Services
- 10 Best Dog Foods for Colitis
Featured Image Credit: Victoria Antonova, Shutterstock
