Does your dog constantly itch, lick, or scratch? Is their fur thinning or their skin dry? Do they obsessively lick irritated patches whenever they get the chance?
The problem could lie in what you feed your pup on a daily basis. Food allergies are responsible for numerous health problems in dogs, including rashes, excessive scratching, and hair loss. A homemade allergy dog food diet allows you to control what ingredients go into your pet’s meals. Homemade food also makes it easier to identify and remove ingredients that may cause allergic reactions.
Remember to always consult with a vet before changing your dog’s diet to ensure they are getting a well-balanced meal.
What are the symptoms of food allergies?
- Signs of food allergies can range from:
- Chronic ear infections
- Licking their feet
- Red and inflamed skin
- Coughing
- Sneezing or sniffing,
- An itchy bum
- Digestive issues
These symptoms are most commonly linked to allergies to dairy, wheat, egg, soy, and beef.
Why are Certain Dogs Allergic to Foods?
While allergies are caused by multiple factors, environment and genetic predisposition are the two main culprits. If your pup was treated with antibiotics when they were young, they may be more prone to developing food allergies later in life due to how antibiotics affect the gut. They can also inherit allergies if they come from a line of dogs with similar sensitivities.
How Do You Diagnose Allergies in a Dog?
If your dog is showing symptoms you suspect could be allergy-related, take them to the vet for a proper diagnosis. Sometimes, food isn’t the culprit—your pup could be reacting to flea bites or environmental allergens like pollen or dust.
If the vet suspects food is the issue, they may recommend medical tests or an elimination diet to pinpoint the cause.
Elimination diets typically involve feeding your dog a two-ingredient meal (often chicken and rice) for a set period. If the symptoms subside, ingredients are reintroduced one at a time until symptoms return—helping identify the trigger. Once known, it's important to feed your dog an allergy-friendly diet made only with safe ingredients.
How Much Should You Feed Your Dog?
Your dog’s diet should consist of about:
- 50% protein
- 25% starches
- 25% vegetables
It should also include sources of fat and calcium. Switching to homemade allergy dog food makes portioning a little more complicated than with dry kibble.
Easy Ground Turkey with Vegetables and Rice
While many of us have heard not to feed dogs leftover Thanksgiving turkey, unseasoned, ground turkey is a fantastic source of lean protein. This recipe combines turkey, rice, and healthy fats for a balanced, digestible meal.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup carrots
- 1/4 cup broccoli
- 1/4 cup cauliflower
- 1 lb. ground turkey
- 6 cups water
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 capsule fish oil
- 1/2 cup rice
Instructions
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Cut carrots, cauliflower and broccoli.
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Add six cups of water and coconut oil to ground turkey in a large pot and boil until cooked.
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Add vegetables and fish oil to pot and continue cooking until vegetables are tender, drain after.
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Cook the rice in a separate pot and combine it with turkey and veggie mixture.
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Let cool and serve!
Pork and Veggie Meatballs
Feeding a picky dog with allergies? These meatballs are packed with Omega-3s and calcium, and they’re hard to resist.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup vegetable blend of broccoli, carrots, sweet potato and zucchini
- 1 lb. pork
- 1 tsp. ground flaxseeg
- 1.5 cup quick oats
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tsp. coconut oil
- 1 tsp. fish oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Cut/grate vegetables.
- Combine pork, flax seed, oats, yogurt, coconut oil, and fish oil in large bowl. Mix well.
- Form into 1 oz meatballs and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake for 25 minutes. Let cool before serving.
Pork and Vegetable Stew for Dogs
This hearty, customizable recipe is wheat- and dairy-free—and smells surprisingly good!
Ingredients
- 1 sweet potato
- 1/2 cup green beans chopped
- 1/2 carrot chopped
- 1 tsp. coconut oil
- 1 lb. pork cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1/4 cup almond meal
Instructions
- Microwave sweet potato until cooked and dice.
- Chop green beans and carrot.
- Melt coconut oil in sauté pan and sauté pork and set aside.
- Gradually add almond meal and water in pan to create a roux.
- Add vegetables and cook for 10 minutes on medium heat. Stir pork back in and add fish oil.
- Let cool and serve!
Making your own allergy dog food can feel overwhelming at first, but we promise: both you and your dog will enjoy the wholesome, personalized meals.
