Common Dog Food Allergies: Causes, Symptoms, and Solutions

September 25, 2025

Did you know that common dog food allergies account for about 20% of itching and scratching problems in dogs—and around 10% of all canine allergies overall? If your pup is constantly licking, scratching, or even losing patches of hair, food may be the culprit. In some cases, symptoms go beyond skin irritation and can include diarrhea, vomiting, and other digestive issues.

Common dog food allergies often stem from low-quality protein sources, cause rashes or digestive upset, and are managed with elimination diets and novel proteins.

As is the case with human beings, dog food allergies can be tough to deal with, but they’re not insurmountable. A healthy start in puppyhood makes a big difference. Feeding a complete diet made with real, whole foods and high-quality proteins — like those in our complete and balanced recipes — can help lower the risk. And if your dog is already showing signs of food allergies, understanding the causes, spotting the symptoms, and exploring diet changes can make a big difference in their comfort and long-term health.

What Causes Canine Food Allergies?

The exact causes of common dog food allergies are complex, often involving a mix of genetic and environmental factors. However, certain feeding practices can increase the risk of your dog developing an allergy over time:

Repetitive diets: Feeding the same protein every day may trigger allergic reactions after repeated exposure.
Low-quality ingredients: Fillers and poor protein sources (such as beaks or hooves) can stress the immune system, making allergic responses more likely.

Most dog food allergies are linked to the proteins most frequently used in commercial diets. In addition to beef and chicken, the most common food allergies in dogs are:

Dairy
Soy
Wheat and corn fillers

While proteins are the most frequent culprits, the solution isn’t to avoid protein altogether. Instead, focus on providing your pup a complete and balanced diet, made with high-quality protein that supports gut health and reduces allergen risks.

How To Identify Food Allergies in Dogs

The signs of food allergies in dogs usually show up as skin irritation or digestive trouble, though they can affect other parts of the body as well. Common symptoms include:

Skin problems: Itching, hot spots, redness, hair loss, or rashes
Digestive upset: Constipation, gas, vomiting, or diarrhea
Eye issues: Discharge, redness, or irritation
Infections: Chronic ear infections or skin infections from scratching

Note: The difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance in dogs is whether the reaction is triggered by an immune response or a digestive issue. In other words, they may have a food intolerance if they have trouble digesting certain ingredients, while a food allergy occurs when their immune system reacts against an ingredient. The symptoms may look similar, but the underlying cause is different.

What To Do if Your Dog Shows Signs of Food Allergies

If you notice signs of an allergy or intolerance — for example, if your dog develops a rash after eating — consult your veterinarian before doing anything else. The best way to tell whether your dog is suffering from a food allergy is to get them diagnosed by a professional. Your vet can review their symptoms, rule out other dietary conditions, and recommend the best treatment based on your pet’s particular needs.

If your vet suspects a food allergy or intolerance, they might recommend an elimination diet to identify what’s triggering your dog’s symptoms. For dogs, an elimination diet works by feeding just one protein source for around two months, slowly replacing the protein, and observing how your dog reacts. The goal is to give the digestive system time to reset and pinpoint the exact trigger. Once the culprit is identified, your vet may recommend switching to novel proteins, raw food recipes, or other allergy-friendly diets that support long-term health.

Diet Alternatives for Dogs With Food Allergies

After identifying allergy triggers through a dog food allergy elimination diet, your vet will work with you to find the best diet options for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Here are some changes they may recommend:

Incorporating More Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 essential fatty acids can help dogs with allergies because they soothe skin irritation and improve coat health. Omega-3s are essential to human and canine health, yet our bodies do not produce them naturally. Therefore, they need to be sourced through foods such as fatty fish oil. If you check out the list of unrefined supplements found in Primal Pet Foods recipes, you will find these omega-3-rich ingredients:

Cod liver oil
Salmon oil
Sardine oil

Try Novel Proteins

A novel protein is a protein source your dog hasn’t eaten before. Rabbit, venison, and lamb are examples of these proteins. Because dog food allergies generally develop through repeated exposures over time, it’s less likely that your dog will have a reaction to these ingredients. For this reason, a novel protein diet is one of the best diets for dogs with food allergies.

Primal’s raw recipes make this transition easier. When looking for novel proteins for your dog, try our:

This approach doubles as a raw meat diet for dogs with allergies, offering complete and balanced nutrition without the most frequent triggers.

Boost Their Bowl With Toppers and Hydrators

If dietary sensitivities are making it harder to meet your pet’s nutritional needs, adding our nutritious toppers and hydrators can help balance their bowl. They taste great — so they may help your pup to eat even when tummy troubles make it tough — and they contain vitamins and minerals to support skin health and digestion:

Our Fresh Toppers include the omega-3-boosting Omega Mussels recipe, along with options such as Awesome Squash or Power Greens, which are great for gut and skin health.
Shelf-stable dehydrated and raw goat milk are easy to serve, and they contain probiotics for digestion and immune support.

Managing common dog food allergies can feel overwhelming, but with the right knowledge and diet choices, you can help your dog get back to living in their prime. By recognizing the signs, working with your veterinarian, and exploring alternatives such as an elimination diet, novel proteins, and omega-3-rich supplements, you can ease your dog’s discomfort and support their long-term health. Get started by shopping Primal collections online or at a pet store near you.