Diagnosing pet food allergies and sensitivities is often a process of elimination. If your pet is showing symptoms like itchy skin, rashes, or digestive problems and your vet can’t find a clear cause food is often the culprit. 

These symptoms can make pets miserable and affect their ability to digest food and absorb nutrients. The good news? Many pets improve significantly once the allergen is removed and they’re on a complete, hypoallergenic diet.

Pet owners can help by learning how to choose the right food, understanding hypoallergenic diets, and reading ingredient labels carefully.

Understanding Dog Food Allergies and Food Sensitivities

Signs Your Dog May Have a Food Allergy or Sensitive Stomach

Food allergies and sensitivities in dogs often cause vague, ongoing symptoms that can be difficult to diagnose. Common signs include:

• Persistent Itchy or irritated skin
• Fur loss or thinning coats
• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Frequent ear infections

If your vet can’t find a clear diagnosis and standard treatments only offer temporary relief, there’s a strong chance that your dog's diet could be the underlying cause. While medications can help manage symptoms temporarily, they don’t address the root problem. Switching to a carefully selected, single-protein (mono-protein) hypoallergenic dog food is often a more sustainable way to resolve ongoing health issues.

Food Allergies vs. Food Sensitivities in Dogs: What’s the difference?

• Allergies are immune responses. Even a small amount of the allergen can trigger symptoms.
• Sensitivities usually cause digestive issues, and pets may tolerate small amounts without immediate symptoms.

How to Help a Dog with Food Allergies Naturally?

Alongside dietary changes, providing external support can help ease your dog’s symptoms. Using a gentle, soothing shampoo is essential for dogs with sensitive or irritated skin. A good example is Foran Pet Care Soothe & Sensitive Shampoo, which contains oatmeal, aloe vera, and evening primrose oil. It's fragrance-free, pH-balanced, and soap-free to minimise further irritation. Incorporating both hypoallergenic nutrition and skin care products helps manage allergies inside and out, promoting faster healing and comfort. Support your dog's skin health, helping to minimise allergens both externally and from the inside out

The Importance of a Hypoallergenic Diet for Dogs

The right food makes a huge difference, especially for pets with sensitivities or allergies.

Certain ingredients are more commonly linked to food allergies in dogs, including:

• Chicken
• Eggs
• Beef
• Dairy
• Soy
• Wheat
• Maize/Corn
• Novel proteins like venison or rabbit

Hypoallergenic dog foods are specially formulated to avoid these common triggers.

For instance, Connolly’s RED MILLS Go Native Dog Food offers complete, grain-free nutrition with highly digestible ingredients like salmon, herring, pumpkin, carrot, spinach, and broccoli — ideal for dogs prone to allergies or sensitivities.

Finding the right food may take some trial and error. Start by checking your dog’s current food and avoid those ingredients when selecting a new one.

Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs and Allergies

Some dogs don’t have allergies but still suffer from sensitive stomachs. These dogs may vomit occasionally, spit up bile when excited, or have digestive upset when routines change. A diet change can often help, even if no specific allergy is identified.

Look for food that is:

• Highly digestible
• Limited in ingredients
• Rich in fibre (helps with vomiting, diarrhoea, or constipation and promotes good gut health)

Products like Leader Adult Sensitive Lamb and Leader Adult Sensitive Salmon are formulated to promote gut health in sensitive dogs. Additionally, consider adding probiotics and prebiotics, which support digestion by balancing healthy gut bacteria.

• Probiotics are beneficial live bacteria and yeasts.
• Prebiotics are fibres that feed those bacteria.

Reading Dog Food Labels: What Pet Owners Need to Know

Reading dog food labels carefully is one of the most important ways to protect your dog’s health.

Here’s what to look for:

• Ingredients listed clearly with common names (e.g. “salmon” instead of “meat meal”)
• No vague terms like “meat byproducts” or “cereals”
• Shorter ingredient lists — less is more
• Single protein source foods (easier to identify problem ingredients)
• Locally sourced, high-quality ingredients

Don’t forget treats!
Even the best hypoallergenic dog food won’t help if treats contain allergens. Look for simple, wholesome treats made for sensitive stomachs and read those labels too.

Talk to Your Vet First

If your dog has a food allergy or sensitivity, always consult your vet before making changes.

Ask your vet about hypoallergenic dog food options like the Leader Sensitive and Go Native ranges, which are crafted with wholesome, locally sourced ingredients to promote optimal health. A professional recommendation ensures your dog receives balanced, appropriate nutrition while addressing their specific needs.