Sensitive Skin Dog Food: What You Need to Know

Is your dog prone to dry, itchy, flaky, or irritated skin, or perhaps having coat issues? As veterinarians, we know how difficult it can be to watch them suffer with skin problems, but nutrition can play a role in skin health. Let's explore common dog skin issues and how a sensitive skin dog food can promote better skin health.

What Causes Skin Issues in Dogs?

In general, there are many types of skin issues, and these can be caused by a wide range of issues. If your dog has irritated skin, dry skin, or other skin issues, it is always best to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out any health issues and to discuss possible treatment options.

However, while a veterinary consult is crucial, here are some of the most common causes of skin issues and skin irritation in dogs:

• Environmental Allergens – Pollen, dust mites, and mold can trigger skin irritation and itching. This can be seasonal, or symptoms could occur year-round.
• Flea & Insect Bites – Flea bites and bites from other insects can cause significant itching, and some dogs are highly allergic to flea saliva, which can exacerbate these issues.
• Food Allergies – In some cases, a dog will react to particular ingredients in their food, often the protein sources, but some dogs are allergic to fillers such as wheat or corn. These can cause itchy skin as well as recurring ear issues.
• Contact Reactions – Some dogs may be allergic or sensitive to certain products, such as household cleansers or grooming products, which can cause skin irritation.
• Bacterial & Yeast Infections – These can cause skin irritation, but they also can occur because of skin irritation, as itching can damage the skin's protective barrier and cause these types of infections.

Keep in mind that several diseases also can cause skin issues, such as hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease, mange, and some autoimmune diseases. Because many issues can trigger skin and coat problems, this is why we recommend a thorough exam and consult with your veterinarian.

Can Diet Help?

In general, a high-quality diet can support your dog's skin and coat health. For instance, protein helps to support skin renewal and hair growth. Essential omega fatty acids, such as omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids, also support skin health. Additional vitamins and minerals also support healthy skin function and coat maintenance.

Of course, a healthy diet also supports your dog's entire body, including their bones, joints, immune system, and digestive health, which is why it is so important to feed your dog the best nutrition possible.

How To Select Quality Dog Food

As veterinarians, we recommend looking for a few important features when searching for a healthy dog food, including:

• A Gently-Cooked, Fresh Dog Food – Canned food and dry dog food (kibble) is heavily processed, which can reduce the nutritional value and, with dry food, the amount of moisture. Hydration is important for healthy skin and coat, and gently cooked fresh food with lean proteins typically is highly digestible and features a high moisture content.
• Human-Grade Ingredients – All of the ingredients should be human-grade. Too many commercial dog foods contain poor-quality meats and fillers. The bottom line – if it's not safe for humans, your dog shouldn't eat it either.
• Food Must Meet AAFCO Standards – AAFCO is an organization that sets standards as to what constitutes complete and balanced nutrition for animals, including dogs. Your dog's food should meet (or exceed) AAFCO standards as a complete and balanced food for all life stages.
• Avoid Cheap Fillers – Many kibble and canned brands include cheap fillers such as corn and wheat. Some dogs are allergic or sensitive to these ingredients, and they add no real nutritional value to the food. Better grains include options such as millet, barley, and quinoa, but be sure that most of the calories derive from protein, as a low carb dog food is typically best for dogs.
• Only Lean Protein & No Organ Meat – Many dog food brands, including human-grade fresh dog food brands, include organ meats. We do not recommend these ingredients because of the high fat content, which can cause weight gain, and fatty protein is difficult for many dogs to digest. Stick with lean protein sources as they are easily digestible and help with weight control.
• Consider A Novel Protein – If it's determined that skin issues are caused by food allergies or sensitivities, eliminating those trigger foods is especially important. For instance, most commercial dog foods utilize proteins such as chicken or beef, and some dogs are allergic to these proteins.

For these dogs, you might switch to a sensitive skin dog food that uses a novel protein, such as a lean pork dog food or venison-based diet or another low-fat protein. A novel protein is a protein source that a dog has not been fed, and, in general, they may be less likely to react to this protein.

• Avoid Artificial Ingredients – In general, a limited-ingredient diet is typically a smart option for any dog with allergies or skin sensitivities. We don't recommend artificial ingredients, such as flavorings, colors, and preservatives, for any dog, but especially for dogs with allergies, sensitive skin, or those with digestive issues.

Chi Dog: Holistic Food For Dogs

At Chi Dog, each of our vet developed dog food diets is crafted from human-grade ingredients with no fillers and nothing artificial. Every ingredient in our fresh dog food is intentional and chosen for its specific health benefits.

For those seeking a sensitive skin dog food, the Fire Diet can be a good option, supporting hydration and a healthy skin and coat. This meal option includes lean turkey, millet, carrots, edamame, and broccoli. This easy-to-digest meal also supports a healthy gut microbiome balance and can be a great option if you need a low fat dog food.

If your dog is sensitive to any of the ingredients in this diet plan, we do have four more options. The Water Diet, for example, contains lean pork as its main protein source, which is a novel protein for many dogs. This diet also can be a good kidney friendly dog food, as it was designed to support healthy kidney function as well.

Whether you need a sensitive skin dog food or are simply searching for the best fresh dog food delivery available, any of our five diet plans provides complete and balanced nutrition for your furry companions. To discover which of our diets might be the best fit for your dog, head to our homepage, click on the Get Started tab, and take our short dog food quiz.

FAQ's

1. What causes sensitive skin in dogs?

Common causes include environmental allergens (pollen, dust mites, mold), flea and insect bites, food allergies, contact reactions to cleansers or grooming products, and bacterial or yeast infections. Some diseases, such as hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease, and mange, can also affect skin and coat, so a vet exam is the best first step.

2. Can changing my dog's food help with skin problems?

A high-quality diet supports skin and coat health. Protein aids skin renewal and hair growth, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals also play a role. If a food allergy or sensitivity is behind the problem, switching to a sensitive skin dog food can help by eliminating trigger ingredients.

3. What should I look for in a sensitive skin dog food?

Look for gently cooked fresh food, human-grade ingredients, and a complete and balanced AAFCO-standard formula. Choose lean proteins, a limited-ingredient recipe, and no cheap fillers like corn or wheat. Skip artificial flavorings, colors, and preservatives, especially if your dog has allergies or digestive issues.

4. What is a novel protein, and why does it matter for dogs with skin issues?

A novel protein is a protein source your dog hasn't eaten before. Many commercial foods use chicken or beef, and some dogs react to them. Because a dog's body hasn't been exposed to a novel protein like lean pork or venison, it may be less likely to react.

5. Which Chi Dog diet is best for a dog with sensitive skin?

The Fire Diet is a good option for sensitive skin. It combines lean turkey, millet, carrots, edamame, and broccoli, and it supports hydration and gut health. If your dog is sensitive to any of those ingredients, the Water Diet uses lean pork, a novel protein for many dogs. You can also take the short dog food quiz on the Chi Dog homepage to find the best fit.