healthy food for dogs with allergies

12 Homemade Dog Food Recipes for Dogs with Allergies

When commercial kibble doesn't cut it anymore, many owners turn to homemade dog food for allergies to help their canines that suffer from food-borne allergies.

I know because I did when my dog, Lucky, started itching and avoiding his food.

He even got bald spots and started having diarrhea!

With pre-made food, you never really know what you are going to get.

But when I make food at home, I know they're safe, well-cooked, and carefully prepared.

Food allergy is one of the most common allergies in dogs, and these allergies are more likely to be caused by the environment and sometimes genetics.

However, dogs can still be allergic to various things, including grains, dairy, corn, and meats.

In fact, Dr. Jangi Bajwa, a Board certified veterinary dermatologist at VetDERM Clinic in Surrey, BC., says that:

The most common cause of a canine food allergy is other protein sources such as chicken, beef, and milk products.

With homemade dog food for allergies, you can alter recipes to fit your pups needs.

It's one of the most popular approaches to the elimination diet to help figure out the cause of allergic reactions.

After making meals, we found out that Lucky has sensitivities to chickens.

We're now fixing this with the help of our trusted vet, so all's good.

But I'm still feeding him the following homemade dog meals just to be safe!

Remember that these recipes are just loose suggestions and are not good for every dog.

Always check with your vet before changing your dogs diet and using any of these homemade dog food recipes for allergies.

ASK A VET: Does Hypoallergenic Dog Food Really Work, and Why?

12 Homemade Dog Food for Allergies

1. Turkey Stir Fry

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. of turkey (cubed)
• 1 lbs. of turnips
• 1 lb. of spinach (minced)
• lb. of lentils
• cup of olive oil

Directions:

• Add turkey and olive oil to pan or wok.
• Cook on medium-high for about 5 minutes. Stir often.
• Add other ingredients.
• Cook for an additional 15 minutes. Stir often.
• Cool and serve.

2. Crockpot Duck Chuck

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. of duck
• 1 cup of rice
• 1 cup of carrots
• 1 cup of green peas
• 2 cups of water

Directions:

• Place ingredients in Crockpot in this order rice, water, vegetables, duck.
• Cook on low for 8 hours.
• Cool and serve.

3. Deerly Easy Dinner

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. venison (ground or cubed)
• 2 cups of sweet potatoes (diced)
• 8 oz. of frozen broccoli/cauliflower/carrots combo
• 1 tbsp. dried rosemary
• 6 cups of water

Directions:

• Put water, venison, sweet potatoes, and rosemary into a large Dutch Oven or pot.
• Bring to a boil, stirring often. Reduce to low heat.
• Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add frozen vegetables and simmer for 5 minutes more.
• Cool and serve.

SIMILAR:Homemade Food for Allergies

4. Cold and Bold Bone Treat

Ingredients:

• cup of coconut oil (melted)
• 1 banana (mashed)
• tsp. ground ginger

Directions:

• Mix banana and coconut oil until completely blended.
• Add ginger and mix again.
• Pour mixture into silicone bone mold.
• Freeze for one hour.

5. Bison Medley

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds ground bison
• 3 cups white basmati rice
• 3 cups water
• 3 tbsps. of raw apple cider vinegar
• 36 ounces of various fresh or frozen veggies
• 1 cups of blueberries
• 6 tbsps. of coconut oil
• 6 tbsps. of ground flax seed

Directions:

• Soak rice in water with apple cider vinegar overnight.
• Strain rice and set aside. (keep the water)
• Add meat to a programmable pressure cooker and saut for about 10 minutes (only want to cook meat about halfway).
• When the meat is about halfway done, add rice and strained liquid.
• Stir together.
• Add veggies and flax seeds on top. Do not stir.
• Cook for an additional 12 minutes.
• Add coconut oil and blueberries.
• Mix completely, cool, and serve.

6. Mutton Mutts Dinner

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. of mutton (cubed)
• 3 cups of oatmeal
• cup of cucumber (shredded)
• 5 tbsps. of fish oil

Directions:

• Boil mutton for 1 hours or until done.
• Cook oats according to package directions.
• Drain water from the mutton and mix in oatmeal, cucumber, and fish oil.
• Serve when cool.

7. Squash Mush

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds of ground turkey
• 1 cups of jasmine rice
• 1 can of kidney beans
• 1 cups of chopped butternut squash
• 1 cups of chopped carrots
• cup of peas, frozen or canned
• 4 cups of water

Directions:

• Place all ingredients into a 6-qt slow cooker. Stir together.
• Cover and cook on low heat for 5-6 hours.
• Cool and serve.

8. Hearty Healthy Stew

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds of turkey thighs (boneless, skinless)
• 2 medium carrots (peeled and sliced)
• 1 cup of frozen green beans
• 1 cup of frozen peas
• 1 apple (cored and sliced)
• 1 handful fresh parsley (chopped)
• 3 cups water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions:

• Add water, turkey, carrots, green beans, and apple to the slow cooker.
• Cover and cook on low for 7 hours.
• Add peas and parsley and cook for 15 minutes more.
• Transfer to a mixing bowl and add olive oil. Mash together.
• Cool and serve.

9. Zucchini Strips

Ingredients:

• 1 large zucchini
• 2 tsp. of olive oil
• 1 tsp. of dry-ground mustard
• 1 tsp. of beef bouillon

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 200.
• Slice zucchinis to thickness.
• Toss zucchini in olive oil.
• Spread chews out on baking about inch apart.
• Sprinkle lightly with dry mustard and bouillon.
• Bake for 5 hours.
• Cool and serve.

10. Vegetable Delight

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. of lean ground turkey
• 2 tbsps. of raw turkey liver (pureed)
• 2 medium carrots (chopped)
• 1 cup of broccoli florets
• 1 cup of cauliflower florets
• zucchini (sliced)
• 2 tbsps. of olive oil

Directions:

• Steam carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and zucchini for about 10 minutes.
• Cook turkey and liver in a skillet until fully browned. Drain.
• Combine meat and vegetables and mash or chop in a food processor.
• Toss with olive oil.
• Serve when cool.

11. Doggy Turkey Stew

Ingredients:

• of ground turkey
• 1 large sweet potato (diced)
• 1 medium carrot (diced)
• cup of frozen peas
• 2 tbsps. of coconut oil
• 2 cups of water

Directions:

• Saut meat in a pot until brown.
• Stir in coconut oil, potatoes, carrots, and water.
• Bring to a boil, lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Stir in frozen peas until heated.
• Cool and serve.

12. Almond Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of rice flour
• cup of oatmeal
• cup of almond butter
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp. water

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Mix rice flour, oatmeal, almond butter, and eggs (with shells) in a bowl.
• Slowly stir in water.
• Roll out dough inch thick and shape as desired.
• Bake for 12 minutes.
• Cool and serve.

Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 5 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Gluten-Free Homemade Dog Food for AllergiesEffective or Not?

Many dog guardians are into the gluten-free lifestyle, which they also have their pooch do.

And there sure are many benefits to a gluten-free diet, both in humans and pups!

However, Dr. Bajwa said that this lifestyle is not the cure-all for food allergies in dogs. He said:

Like almost all dietary ingredients, gluten is neither inherently good nor bad. Gluten is surely one of the proteins that can cause allergies, but is no worse than chicken or beef. Thus, while gluten-free dog food may be the ideal choice for a small subset of dogs that exhibit gluten-specific sensitivity, it is not the best food for all dogs.

So if your dog has gluten sensitivities, by all means, go ahead with the gluten-free diet!

But if not, it might be best to give your Fido a variety of healthy food so he can get a balanced and nutritious meal from which he'll benefit the most.

If you want to try your hand at making homemade gluten-free meals for your furballs, check these recipes out!

Homemade Dog Food for Allergies: Final Thoughts

So there you have it!

These homemade dog food for allergies recipes are a good start if you want to begin making home-cooked meals for your Fido with sensitivities.

You can also jumpstart your dog's elimination diet with these.

But in general, we recommend you discuss this with your veterinarian before cooking and feeding your dogs with these recipes.

Your vet will know better what to do with your dog's condition.

Good luck, fur parent!

READ NEXT:The Veterinarians Guide on Shopping for Hypoallergenic Dog Foods

Allergies in Dogs and Puppies: Signs, Causes, and Treatment

Does your dog or puppy itch, scratch, chew, or lick themselves excessively? These are all signs that your dog may have allergies.

Allergies are common in dogsin fact, they are one of the top reasons for veterinary appointments. Dog allergy symptoms most commonly affect the skin and ears.

While humans often outgrow allergies, allergies in dogs tend to worsen as they get older. So how do you know if your dog has allergies, and whats causing them? Whats the best allergy treatment for dogs?

Heres what you need to know about dog allergies signs and what you can do to relieve your dogs allergies.

Key Takeaways

• Dogs can be allergic to many different triggers, including fleas, food, and items in their environment.
• Common signs of dog allergies include itching, licking, hair loss, and rashes.
• Treatment for dog allergies depends on what your dog is allergic to.

Types of Allergies in Dogs

Here are a few of the different types of allergies a dog can have.

Flea Allergies

An allergy to fleasis the most common skin disease seen in dogs. The bite of just one or two fleas per week is enough to make affected dogs itch. Flea saliva is believed to be the allergen that causes the itchiness.

Seasonal/Environmental Allergies

Also known as atopy,seasonal or environmental allergiesare caused by substances that exist in your home, backyard, and anywhere else your dog spends time.

These allergens can be inhaled, as with pollen, or absorbed through the skin when your dog touches them. Common triggers (allergens) for these allergic reactions include pollens, plant or animal fibers, dust mites, and mold spores.

Food Allergies

These are also known as adverse food reactions. Dogs can develop an allergy to a particular food at any point during their life, regardless of whether they have eaten these brands or types of foods in the past.

The most common food allergy for dogs is to a protein source in the diet, but sometimes the allergy is to grains and/or other ingredients.

Dog Allergies Signs

Dog allergies signs can include:

The type and severity of these signs depend partly on the type of allergy your dog has.

Signs of Flea Allergy Dermatitis in Dogs

The most common symptom of flea allergy dermatitis is itchy skin and irritation at the base of the tail, although other areas of the body may also be affected.

Seasonal/Environmental Allergy Signs in Dogs

Common symptoms include scratching/itchy skin, licking (especially the paws), and face rubbing. Affected dogs may also experience red skin, loss of fur, and recurrent skin and/or ear infections. You may see red skin or fur loss on your dogs paws and lower legs, face, ears, armpits, and belly.

Signs of Food Allergies in Dogs

The symptoms of food allergies are often the same as for seasonal/environmental allergies. There may also be GI signs, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or an increased number of bowel movements per day.

Is There an Allergy Test for Dogs?

Yes, but allergy testing in dogs is done for seasonal/environmental allergies only. Studies have shown thatblood testing and skin testing for food allergiesare not accurate in dogs. Studies have also shown that hair and saliva testing for seasonal or environmental allergies in dogs are not accurate.

Prior to performing allergy testing, your veterinarian should rule out other causes for your dogs allergy symptoms. Allergy testing should not be used to confirm that your pet has seasonal/environmental allergies, but to determine the specific things to which your dog is allergic.

Seasonal/environmental allergy testing can be performed in dogs by either skin testing or blood testing. Skin testing is the most accurate type of allergy test, and its generally performed by board-certified veterinary dermatologists.

Allergy testing should not be used to confirm that your pet has seasonal/environmental allergies, but to determine the specific things to which your dog is allergic.

For skin testing, mild sedation is required. The fur is clipped in a small area, and a series of very small amounts of allergens are injected into your dogs skin. The degree of the allergic reaction to each allergen determines whether your dog is allergic to it. The cost of these tests can range from $300$700.

Dog Allergy Treatment by Type

Treatment will depend on what the vet determines your dog is allergic to. Here are a few examples of how your vet might approach treating allergies.

Treatment for Flea Allergies

Treatment for flea allergy dermatitis is aimed at reducing the symptoms of itchy skin and irritation until the fleas are eliminated. To eliminate allergy symptoms in a flea-allergic dog, strict flea control is required.

There are many highly effective flea control products and medications available. Some are topical and come in the form of a liquid that you squeeze onto your dogs skin, such as Advantage, Revolution, or Vectra. Others are given orally in the form of chews, such as Simparica, NexGard, or Comfortis. Consult with your veterinarian to determine your best option.Oral preventions tend to be more effective than topical, but use cautionsome of the oral preventions have flavorings your dog might be allergic to.

In severe cases, a dogs environment must be treated for fleas as well. Vacuum thoroughly to remove eggs, larvae, and pupae, and discard the vacuum bag. You can use insecticides inside and outside your home to treat allflea life stages.

It is important to use an insecticide containing an insect growth regulator, such as methoprene or pyriproxyfen, to halt the development of flea eggs and larvae. You can hire a professional exterminator, but you should specify that the treatment is for fleas.

Treatment for Food Allergies

The treatment for food allergies in dogs is to feed a hypoallergenic diet for at least 12 weeks. This is the only way to determine if your dog has a food allergy.

Hypoallergenic diets either have limited ingredients with an uncommon protein source or are processed in a special way (hydrolyzed) to be less likely to cause allergic reactions. The concept is that a dog cannot be allergic to a food that they have not been exposed to before.

Consult your veterinarian to choose the proper diet. Over-the-counter foods are not recommended for a proper food trial. Treats, flavored medications, and human foods will also have to be eliminated during this trial period.

Other allergy treatment for dogs are aimed at reducing the symptoms while waiting to see if the diet change is helpful. Cytopoint, Apoquel, or steroids may be used to help control itching while waiting to see if a hypoallergenic food trial results in improvement of your dogs allergy symptoms.

Treatment for Seasonal/Environmental Allergies

If allergy testing has not been performed, then the treatment is symptomatic, meaning that it aims to reduce or eliminate your dogs symptoms. Treatments can include:

• Oral medications, such as Apoquel, Atopica, or antihistamines

• Injectable medications, such as Cytopoint

• Fatty acids

• Steroids

• Frequent bathing and other topical therapies, such as sprays, wipes, or a mousse

Steroids should not be used long-term in the management of allergies due to the risk of significant side effects.

If an allergy test has been performed, then the ideal allergy treatment for dogs is avoidance of the allergen. This is possible in a few, select circumstances, but most dogs are allergic to a variety of substances that can be difficult to avoid completely.

Most dogs are allergic to a variety of substances that can be difficult to avoid completely.

Other treatment can include an allergy vaccine, also known as immunotherapy, which is given either by injection under the skin (allergy shots) or by mouth. The goal of immunotherapy is to make the immune system less reactive to the allergy-causing substances.

The success rate of immunotherapy is 6070%. This is the best long-term approach to allergy control, especially in younger pets that experience symptoms most of the year. Symptomatic treatment can and should be given while starting immunotherapy. It may be many months before any improvement in symptoms is seen from immunotherapy alone.

Featured Image: iStock.com/bruev

WRITTEN BY

Leigh Burkett, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Leigh Burkett was born and raised in Northeast Tennessee. She received her undergraduate degree in Biology from Wake Forest University...