If you have a pitbull with skin allergies, finding the best food for them is crucial. Skin allergies can cause discomfort and irritation, so it’s essential to choose a dog food that addresses their specific needs. When searching for the ideal option, consider the best dog food for pitbulls with skin allergies. It is designed to alleviate their symptoms and provide optimal nutrition.
The best food for pitbulls with allergies should be formulated with hypoallergenic ingredients that are gentle on their sensitive skin. Look for a dog food that is free from common allergens such as grains, corn, and soy. Instead, choose a formula that features high-quality protein sources like salmon or venison, which can help nourish their skin and promote a healthy coat.
Moreover, a suitable dog food for pitbulls with skin allergies should contain essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6. These nutrients can help strengthen the skin barrier and reduce inflammation. Additionally, look for ingredients like sweet potatoes or peas, which are often included in these specialized formulas as alternative carbohydrate sources. These ingredients can provide energy without triggering allergic reactions.
When selecting the best food for a pitbull with skin problems, it is crucial to consult with your veterinarian. They can help determine the underlying cause of the allergies and recommend a suitable diet. Remember, every pitbull is unique, and their nutritional needs may vary. Your veterinarian will assist you in choosing the most suitable dog food for your pitbull’s specific allergies and skin issues.
What Is The Best Food for Pitbulls with Skin Allergies?
The best food for pit bulls with skin allergies is fresh raw dog food. The nutritional density of fresh and raw ingredients in dog food can help pitbulls’ skin combat allergic reactions.
To understand why fresh raw dog food is the best food for pitbulls with skin allergies, it’s essential to know the causes of skin allergies.
Raw Diets for Pitbulls with Allergies
If you’re looking for an alternative to commercial dog food, a raw diet may be a good option for your pitbull with allergies. Raw diets consist of uncooked meat, bones, and organs, as well as fruits and vegetables. The idea behind a raw diet is to provide your pitbull with the kind of food that wild dogs eat to make them strong and healthy.
By feeding your pitbull a raw diet, you can eliminate common allergens found in commercial dog food, such as wheat, soy, and corn. However, it’s important to note that raw diets can be controversial and may not be suitable for all dogs. Before switching to a raw diet, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian to ensure that it’s the right choice for your pitbull with allergies.
The Causes of Canine Allergic Dermatitis
The most common causes of canine allergic dermatitis (skin allergies) are:
- Flea Allergies
- Environmental Allergens
- Food Allergies
- Lack of Grooming (Learn How Often to Shower a Dog)
Let’s explore some of the above causes to learn more about how a healthier diet can help.
Flea Allergies
This skin allergy is due to a hypersensitivity to flea bites. Not all pit bulls suffer from this but it can look painful when they do. It’s similar to a human having mosquito bites all over the body.
The best way to treat flea allergies is to prevent fleas. Using a preventative for fleas regularly is the solution for keeping FAD away.
Atopic Dermatitis – Environmental Allergies
Atopic dermatitis or atopy is the second most common skin allergy for dogs. The most common causes of it are:
- Plants
- Pollen
- Dust Mites
- Mold Spores
The best way to prevent atopy skin allergies in Pitbulls is to remove the allergen and repair the skin barrier. Repairing the skin barrier and maintaining it is easy with medicated shampoos specially designed to improve skin health. Below are some options you may want to consider.
- VETNIQUE LABS Dermabliss Medicated Dog Shampoo with Ketoconazole
- Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Dog Shampoo
Lack of Grooming
Mange due to a lack of grooming can develop mites, which can lead to skin allergies. One type of mites is called Demodex and it’s usually not harmful to dogs and is found in almost all dogs. Scabies is another type of mite and causes moderate to severe skin reactions.
Hot spots can also result from a lack of grooming. Brushing to remove dead hair and skin can keep the coat healthy and skin moisturized. This keeps a dog from itching and biting at its skin, which is what leads to hot spots.
Food Allergies
Food allergies are another common cause of skin allergies in pit bulls. An elimination diet can help identify what food is causing adverse skin reactions.
An elimination diet for dogs can start with just protein until the skin issues go away. Adding in fruits and vegetables such as sweet potatoes one at a time is a good way to identify what is possibly causing the allergic reaction.
Allergies to a specific food aren’t the only reason pit bulls suffer from skin allergies – the quality of the food matters too.
Note About Allergies in Dogs
Allergic reactions are one of the most common causes for a veterinarian appointment and many times, dogs with allergies have to be treated, which can be expensive. If you’re worried about your pitbull’s allergies, you may want to consider learning about Pitbull Pet Insurance.
The Issue with Store-Bought Dry Dog Food
Before we move on with more information on the best food for pitbulls with skin allergies, we’d like to explain why dry dog food and wet dog food available in your local grocery store aren’t the best.
Most wet and dry dog foods are made with fillers – grains or corn. These ingredients do not provide any nutritional value to your dog. Grains and corns can be hard on sensitive stomachs as well. While many people feed wet and dry dog food to their pitbull puppies throughout their lives, it’s not THE BEST food.
Dogs need the nutrition that comes from whole fresh fruits and vegetables. They need protein that comes from raw meat – not low-quality chicken and chicken fat found in most chicken meals for dogs.
When you have to pick a new type of dog food for your pup, consider fresh raw dog food over the wet and dry dog food you find at the supermarket.
Fresh Raw Dog Food Is the Best Food for Pitbulls with Skin Allergies
Just like for humans, the skin is the largest organ of a dog’s body. It requires a substantial amount of nutrition to remain healthy. Healthy skin is important to pitbulls since they don’t have a coat to protect them from environmental allergens.
Many pitbulls with skin allergies are deficient in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. Deficiencies in these omega-fatty acids are easily solved with supplementation OR feeding your dog foods with vitamin E and omegas like fish and other foods.
Learn More: Is Fresh Food Better for Dogs?
Best Foods for Healthy Pitbull Skin
Omega fatty acids and vitamin e rich foods can improve and maintain the health of a pitbull’s skin. Consider the following foods to help your pitbull with skin allergies.
Chia
Chia seeds are high in vitamin B, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, protein, and zinc. It’s chocked full of antioxidants too. They nourish the skin inside and out giving adult dogs healthy skin while combatting existing skin inflammation.
Eggs
Eggs are an amazing source of protein for Pitbulls. It keeps the skin well-hydrated and gives the coat strength and luster. The lutein repairs skin tissue, which helps with skin irritation, shedding, and fungus.
Almonds
Almonds are rich in B vitamins, copper, manganese, magnesium, zinc, and bioflavonoids. It’s also a good source of omega fatty acids (omega 3).
Coconut
Coconut is great in dog food because it has special anti-inflammatory properties, decreases bacterial growth, and alleviates skin irritation.
Oats
Oats have potassium, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, B vitamins, and iron to promote better skin health. Oats act on the gastrointestinal tract of the dog to remove toxins from the body.
See also: Can Dogs Have Oat Milk?
Liver
When your pitbull has sensitive skin, the liver is the best thing for him/her. The liver is a powerhouse of nutrients that every dog should have in their diet. It has calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, copper, vitamins E, B6, B12, C, D, and A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, and biotin. Chicken liver is the best kind of liver because it includes omega-fatty acids.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a superfood for the skin. It has vitamin A, beta-carotene, and vitamin E. The vitamin C in sweet potatoes helps speed up healing and the production of collagen.
Adding the above foods to your pitbull’s diet can help not only resolve skin allergies but also prevent them.
Learn More: Pumpkin vs. Sweet Potatoes
How to Feed Your Pitbull a Fresh Raw Diet
It’s very easy to feed your dog a fresh raw food diet. All you have to do is combine the above-mentioned foods with real meat. Many pitbull owners aren’t interested in feeding fresh and raw foods because of the effort it takes to make it, which is why many dog food companies have emerged to make it easier.
The easiest way to feed the best food for Pitbulls with skin allergies is to have it delivered to your home. The best fresh raw dog food delivery companies use all-natural ingredients in recipes created by veterinarians. They do not contain artificial flavors, fillers, or preservatives – just wholesome healthy ingredients.
In addition to helping Pitbulls with skin issues, fresh raw food also improves the immune system and joint health, which is great for a pittie with hip dysplasia. Healthy fats like fish oil are added to the food for beneficial omegas.
Dog Ownership Guide recommends the following brands for fresh and raw pitbull food:
Each one offers something a bit different in its offerings, which is why we decided to include them here.
Happy Dog Food
Happy Dog Food offers dehydrated fruits and vegetables already ready to be consumed. All they need is water to rehydrate them. This cuts down on time chopping fruits and vegetables in the kitchen. All you have to do is add animal protein such as real chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, etc.
Happy Dog Food has three recipes available for purchase:
- Whole Grain Goodness (Original Basemix) has:
- Pearl Barley
- Brown Rice
- Split Peas
- Carrots
- Sweet Potatoes
- Bell Peppers
- Celery
- Parsley
- The Hearty & Healthy Express contains:
- Flake Barley
- Steel Cut Oats
- Flaked Peas
- Carrots
- Sweet Potatoes
- Bell Peppers
- Celery
- Parsley
- Vitality Veggie (perfect for grain-free diets) is made up of:
- Flaked Peas
- Carrots
- Sweet Potatoes
- Bell Peppers
- Celery
- Parsley
Again, when ordering from Happy Dog Food you will not receive the protein for it. You add in whatever real meat you want to give your pup. You may mix the above recipes with salmon, tuna, beef, lamb, chicken, or other animal protein. It’s completely up to you depending on your pittie’s likes and needs.
Happy Dog Food comes dehydrated, so you have to add water to rehydrate it. This makes your dog’s food wet food. The good news is that most dogs love wet dog food. Unfortunately, the wet dog food in stores is full of fat such as chicken fat, which isn’t healthy.
Ollie
Ollie has a lot of different receipts including grain-free diet options. When choosing the right one for your pittie – contact your veterinarian. You can also speak to the Ollie team as they can help choose the right recipe for your pitbull’s needs outside of the skin issues, such as hip dysplasia and other joint problems.
All the ingredients in Ollie dog food are natural and they use real chicken, turkey, etc. in their recipes. The food comes fresh and frozen ready to be thawed for you to feed your furbaby.
Ollie serves wet dog food, which is what many dogs like, but it’s good to know that you are considering different types of fresh dog food delivery services.
Only Natural Pet
Only Natural Pet is similar to Happy Dog Food but instead of dehydrating their food, they freeze-dry it. You can do the same exact thing with your dog’s food as you would with Happy Dog Food – just add water. The difference is that there’s raw meat in these recipes (freeze-dried), so you don’t have to add real meat.
Only Natural Pet comes in five flavors:
- Lamb & Sweet Potato
- Turkey & Sweet Potato
- Lamb & Sweet Potato
- Beef & Sweet Potato
- Chicken & Sweet Potato
With so many options, Only Natural Pet makes it easy for pitbull owners who have picky eaters.
All of the recipes are made with the very best ingredients and they keep the overall health of the pup in mind. The recipes are good for all life stages from puppies to adult dogs. They are also good for pitties with sensitive stomachs.
For those looking for no grains, there are options for you, making it easy for pitties on grain-free diets.
Spot and Tango Fresh Dog Food
Spot and Tango fresh dog food is a great option for dog food delivery. They offer two types of fresh dog food – fresh food and Unkibble. Unkibble is just like dry dog food but it’s fresh. You can learn more about Spot and Tango by reading the following two articles:
Best Food for Pitbulls in All Life Stages
Since most of the fresh raw dog food from the above companies is wet food, feeding your puppy fresh food is possible. Speak to your veterinarian, though. Some pitbull puppies may need a supplement for added nutrition.
Since pitbull puppies can eat fresh – raw dog food, it’s possible to feed your puppy the same food throughout his/her life. Adults dogs just need more of it and then senior dogs may need less as their activity level changes.
Learn More: Health Benefits of Raw Dog Food
Best Commercial Dog Foods for Pitbulls with Allergies
If your pitbull suffers from allergies, finding the right food can be a challenge. If you’re not interested in feeding a fresh or raw dog food diet, there are some commercial brands that can help your pup.
Look for a dog food that uses high-quality protein sources and avoids common allergens like wheat, soy, and corn. Hypoallergenic dog foods are a great option that is specifically formulated to avoid common allergens and promote healthy skin and coat.
The brands below are great options that contains essential nutrients like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that can help promote healthy skin and a shiny coat. However, it’s important to note that not all hypoallergenic dog foods are created equal. Some may still contain ingredients that your pitbull is allergic to, so it’s important to read the labels carefully and consult with your veterinarian to find the best food for your pitbull with allergies.
- Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dog Food
- Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Formula
- Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Formula
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein Adult HP Dry Dog Food
- Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Salmon & Potato Formula
The above links are for Chewy.com, which is the best place to buy commercial dog food.
They are cheap and their subscription option saves you even more money.
CBD can help Pitbulls with skin allergies:
Conclusion: Best Dog Food for Pitbulls with Skin Allergies
The best dog food for Pitbulls with skin allergies is a vital consideration for pet owners seeking to alleviate their dog’s discomfort and promote overall well-being. These allergies can manifest in various ways, such as itching, redness, and rashes.
To address this issue, it is recommended to opt for dog food specifically formulated to cater to the dietary needs of Pitbulls with skin allergies. These specialized formulas often exclude common allergens like grains, soy, and corn, while incorporating high-quality protein sources like salmon or lamb.
Additionally, these dog foods are enriched with essential fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6, which can help nourish the skin and promote a healthy coat. By providing the best dog food for Pitbulls with skin allergies, pet owners can ensure that their beloved companions receive the necessary nutrients while minimizing allergic reactions and improving their overall skin health.
