8 Best Dog Food for Great Danes with Skin Allergies

Itching, rashes, skin inflammation, paw chewing and ear infections can all be signs that your Great Dane has an allergy. Many things can cause it.

Flea allergy and environmental allergies to pollen, grass, mold or dust mites are common causes. Merck notes that food allergies are less common than airborne allergies.

Food allergies do happen, though, and changing the diet under your vet's guidance is the only way to confirm them. This article covers how food allergies are diagnosed, eight popular foods for sensitive dogs and what to look for when buying.

How can you tell if your Great Danes are Allergic to Food?

Signs of food allergy include year-round itching, paw licking, ear infections, skin infections and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea. Merck notes that food allergy signs look much like airborne allergies but vary little from season to season.

Blood, saliva and skin tests are not reliable for diagnosing food allergies in dogs. The best test is an elimination diet trial.

During the trial, your dog eats only a food with a protein he has never eaten before (a novel protein) or a hydrolyzed protein diet. Merck says the trial lasts up to 3 months, and no other treats, table food or flavored medications are allowed.

If the signs clear up, your vet will reintroduce old ingredients one at a time to find the trigger. A few days on a new food is not enough to tell.

Two Elemental Diets of Best Dog Food for Great Danes with Skin Allergies

Foods for dogs with suspected food allergies fall into two main groups:

Limited Ingredient Diets:

Limited ingredient diets use fewer ingredients, often a single main protein. They are sold without a prescription.

They can help some sensitive dogs, but over-the-counter foods may contain traces of other proteins, so they are less reliable for a strict elimination trial.

Hypoallergenic Dog Foods:

Veterinary hypoallergenic diets are usually available by prescription. Hydrolyzed diets use proteins broken down into pieces so small that the immune system usually doesn't recognize them, and some prescription diets use a novel protein.

These are the diets vets typically use for elimination trials.

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My Top Picks

Best Pick

Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach Dog Food

• Flavor: Salmon and Rice
• Item Form: Dry kibble
• Breed Size: All Breed sizes

Budget Pick

Diamond Naturals Premium Formula Dry Dog Food

• Flavor: Beef
• Item Form: Dry kibble
• Breed Size: All breed sizes

Editor Pick

Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food

• Flavor: Chicken and Barley
• Item Form: Dry kibble
• Breed Size: All Breed sizes

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Our Best Dog Food for Skin Allergies

1. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach Dog Food (Best Overall)
2. Diamond Naturals Premium Formula Dry Dog Food (Best under Budget)
3. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food (Editor Choice)
4. Purina ONE Natural Sensitive Stomach Dry Dog Food (Best Premium Food)
5. Blue Buffalo Basic Skin and Stomach Dry Dog Food (Best For Stomach)
6. NUTRO Limited Ingredient Grain-free Dry Dog Food (Best Dry Food)
7. Eukanuba Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food (Best for Large Breeds)
8. Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food (Best for small Breeds)

Recipes and guaranteed analyses change over time, so check the current label before you buy. None of these foods can cure an allergy, and a dog allergic to an ingredient in any of them will keep itching.

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1. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach Dog Food – Best for Skin Allergies

Reasons to Buy

• No corn, wheat or soy
• Salmon as the first ingredient
• Gentle on stomach
• Contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids

Reasons to Avoid

• Contains several grains and fish, which won't suit dogs sensitive to those ingredients

Product Description:

Purina pro plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach uses salmon as its main protein. It includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to support skin and coat.

Features:

• The first ingredient is real salmon.
• No artificial colors, corn, wheat, or soy.
• Contains fatty acids for healthy skin and coat.
• Prebiotic fiber to support digestive health.
• Added antioxidants.

Company Review:

Purina Pro Plan is Purina's premium line and includes several formulas for sensitive stomachs and skin. Purina is one of the largest pet food makers in the world.

About the Product:

Purina pro plan sensitive skin and stomach dog food uses salmon as the primary ingredient, along with grains such as oatmeal, barley and rice. It is a common choice for dogs with sensitive digestion that tolerate fish.

The formula comes in versions for different life stages and sizes, so pick the large-breed puppy or adult version that matches your Dane. It is a non-prescription dog food, so it is not designed for a strict elimination diet trial.

Specifications:

First 5 ingredients	Salmon, oatmeal, barley, canola meal, rice (check current label)
Type	Include Grain
Best for	All breed sizes
Life stage	Adults
Form	Dry kibble
Design	Sensitive skin and stomach

Highlights: A fish-based formula for dogs with sensitive skin and digestion.

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2. Diamond Naturals Premium Formula Dry Dog Food – No Artificial Flavors

Reasons to Buy

• Budget-friendly
• Contains omega fatty acids
• Includes prebiotics

Reasons to Avoid

• Contains grain, egg and beef, which are common allergens for some dogs

Product Description:

Diamond Naturals dry dog food is a beef-based adult formula. It is made without artificial flavors, wheat or corn.

Merck lists beef, chicken, eggs, corn, wheat, soy and milk among the foods dogs are most often allergic to, so this formula suits dogs that tolerate beef and egg rather than dogs with a confirmed beef allergy.

Features:

• The first ingredient is beef meal.
• Made in the USA.
• Contains omega fatty acids to support coat and skin health.
• Prebiotics to support digestion.
• Made without wheat, artificial flavors, and corn.

Company Review:

Diamond Naturals is a line from Diamond Pet Foods, a U.S. pet food maker. Its foods are generally priced below premium brands.

About the Product:

Diamond Naturals premium formula dry dog food includes beef, grains, fruits and vegetables, with added prebiotics and omega fatty acids for skin and coat.

If your Great Dane is sensitive to grain, beef or egg, this is not the right food. Ask your vet before choosing it for a dog with allergies.

Specifications:

First 5 ingredients	Beef meal, Ground white rice, dried yeast, egg product, grain sorghum (check current label)
Type	Include Grain
Best for	All breed sizes
Life stage	Adult
Form	Dry kibble

Highlights: An affordable everyday food for dogs that tolerate beef, egg and grains.

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3. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food – Supports Great Dane’s immune system

Reasons to Buy

• Designed for sensitive stomach and skin
• Contains prebiotic fiber
• Includes omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E

Reasons to Avoid

• Contains chicken, a common allergen

Product Description:

Hill’s science diet dry dog food for sensitive stomach and skin contains prebiotic fiber to support digestion and a balanced gut microbiome. It also includes omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E for skin and coat.

Features:

• It contains omega-six fatty acids and vitamin E.
• Contains prebiotic fiber to support a balanced gut.
• Highly digestible for nutrient absorption.
• Chicken is the first ingredient.
• No artificial flavors or preservatives.

Company Review:

Hill’s makes both everyday Science Diet foods and prescription diets. Its prescription line includes hydrolyzed diets that vets use for food allergy trials.

About the Product:

This Hill’s science diet dry dog food uses chicken as its first ingredient, plus grains such as brown rice and barley. It suits dogs with sensitive digestion that tolerate chicken.

Because chicken is one of the most common food allergens in dogs, this is not the best pick for a dog with a suspected chicken allergy. Choose the large-breed version for a Great Dane if available.

Specifications:

First 5 ingredients	Chicken, yellow peas, chicken meal, brown rice, cracked pearled barley (check current label)
Type	Include Grain
Best for	All breeds size
Life stage	Adult
Form	Dry kibble

Highlights: A widely available food for sensitive digestion in dogs that tolerate chicken.

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4. Purina ONE Natural Sensitive Stomach Dry Dog Food – Delicious and Healthy flavour

Reasons to Buy

• Salmon as the first ingredient
• Contains omega-6 fatty acids
• Widely available

Reasons to Avoid

• Also contains chicken by-product meal and beef fat, so it is not a single-protein food

Product Description:

Purina ONE sensitive stomach formula uses salmon as its first ingredient and includes fatty acids for skin and coat.

Features:

• The #1 ingredient is real salmon.
• Designed for dogs with a sensitive stomach.
• It contains vitamin E and omega-six fatty acids.
• Supports skin and coat.
• Added antioxidants.

Company Review:

Purina ONE is Purina's mid-priced line. It offers complete and balanced foods for different life stages.

About the Product:

Salmon is the first ingredient, but the formula also lists chicken by-product meal and beef fat. That means it is not suitable for a dog with a confirmed chicken or beef allergy.

Other ingredients include rice flour, oatmeal and pearled barley. It suits dogs with sensitive digestion that tolerate these ingredients.

Specifications:

First 5 ingredients	Real salmon, rice flour, oatmeal, pearled barley, chicken by-product meal (check current label)
Type	Include Grain
Best for	All breed sizes
Form	Dry kibble

Highlights: A salmon-first formula at a moderate price.

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5. Blue Buffalo Basic Skin and Stomach Dry Dog Food – Essential proteins and carbohydrates

Reasons to Buy

• Limited ingredient formula
• Salmon as the first ingredient
• No chicken, corn, wheat, soy, dairy or eggs

Reasons to Avoid

• Contains peas and potatoes

Product Description:

Blue Buffalo Basics Skin and Stomach is a limited ingredient formula aimed at dogs with food sensitivities. It uses salmon as its main protein.

Features:

• The first ingredient is real salmon.
• No chicken or beef.
• No corn, wheat, soy, dairy, or eggs.
• Contains omega fatty acids from fish oil.
• It is a limited ingredient diet.

Company Review:

Blue Buffalo makes a wide range of dog foods, including limited ingredient lines. It is now owned by General Mills.

About the product:

This recipe uses deboned salmon as its main protein, with carbohydrates from oatmeal, brown rice, potatoes and peas. A limited ingredient food can help some dogs with food sensitivities, but it cannot cure allergies.

It also includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from fish oil for skin and coat. If your dog is allergic to fish, choose a different protein.

Specifications:

First 5 ingredients	Deboned salmon, oatmeal, brown rice, potatoes, salmon meal (check current label)
Type	Include Grain
Best for	All breeds size
Design	Limited ingredient
Life stage	Adult
Form	Dry kibble

Highlights: A limited ingredient salmon formula without chicken, beef, dairy or eggs.

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6. NUTRO Limited Ingredient Grain-free Dry Dog Food – 10 Key Ingredients

Reasons to Buy

• Limited ingredient formula
• Lamb as a single main protein
• Chicken-free

Reasons to Avoid

• Grain-free with legumes, which the FDA has looked into for possible links to heart disease

Product Description:

NUTRO limited ingredient dry dog food is built around a short list of key ingredients, with lamb as its main protein.

Features:

• The first ingredient is lamb.
• Made with non-GMO ingredients.
• No chicken, corn, wheat or soy.
• Grain-free.

Company Review:

NUTRO makes limited ingredient and everyday dog foods. Its limited ingredient line is aimed at dogs with food sensitivities.

About the Product:

This grain-free formula lists lamb, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, dried potatoes and lentils among its first ingredients. A single main protein makes it easier to avoid ingredients your dog reacts to.

Great Danes are a breed prone to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The FDA has investigated reports of DCM in dogs eating certain grain-free diets that list peas, lentils, other legumes or potatoes high in the ingredients, though no link has been confirmed. Talk to your vet before feeding a grain-free food to a Great Dane.

Specifications:

First 5 ingredients	Lamb, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, dried potatoes, lentils (check current label)
Type	Grain-free
Best for	All sizes of Breeds
Design	Limited ingredients
Form	Dry kibble

Highlights: A lamb-based limited ingredient option. Discuss grain-free feeding with your vet first.

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7. Eukanuba Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food – Supports healthy teeth

Reasons to Buy

• Made for large-breed adults
• Contains glucosamine and chondroitin
• Kibble designed to help reduce tartar

Reasons to Avoid

• Contains chicken, corn and wheat, all common allergens
• Not designed for dogs with food allergies

Product Description:

Eukanuba adult large breed dry dog food is a complete and balanced diet for large-breed adults. It is formulated to support joints and lean muscle.

Features:

• The first ingredient is chicken.
• Designed to support lean muscles and joints.
• Contains glucosamine and chondroitin.
• Rich in protein and antioxidants.

Company Review:

Eukanuba is a long-established dog food brand with breed-size-specific formulas.

About the Product:

Lean body condition matters for a giant breed like the Great Dane. This large-breed formula is designed to support muscles and joints in big dogs.

It is a reasonable everyday food for a Great Dane without food allergies. Because its main ingredients include chicken, corn and wheat, it is not a good fit for a dog allergic to any of them.

Specifications:

First 5 ingredients	Chicken, corn, chicken by-product meal, wheat, chicken fat (check current label)
Type	With grain
Best for	Large breeds
Life stage	Adults
Form	Dry kibble

Highlights: A large-breed adult food with joint support, best for Danes without food allergies.

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8. Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food – Balanced Nutrition

Reasons to Buy

• Limited ingredient formula
• Salmon as the first ingredient
• No wheat, corn or soy

Reasons to Avoid

• Contains peas and potatoes
• Some dogs dislike the fish flavor

Product Description:

Wellness Simple limited ingredient dry dog food is designed for dogs with food sensitivities. This version uses salmon and potato.

Features:

• Contains omega-fatty acids for skin and coat.
• No chicken.
• Made in the USA.
• Designed for dogs with food sensitivities.
• The first ingredient is salmon.

Company Review:

Wellness offers grain-inclusive and grain-free recipes, including a limited ingredient line for dogs with food sensitivities.

About the Product:

This limited ingredient formula uses salmon as its main protein and potatoes and peas as carbohydrates. It contains no wheat, corn, soy or artificial flavors.

It comes in different kibble sizes. Because it includes peas and potatoes and may be grain-free depending on the version, ask your vet whether it suits your Great Dane.

Specifications:

First 5 ingredients	Salmon, salmon meal, potatoes, peas, tomato (check current label)
Flavor	Seafood
Best for	All breeds size
Design	Limited ingredients
Life stage	Adult
Form	Dry kibble

Highlights: A salmon-based limited ingredient option for dogs that tolerate fish.

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Comparison of Blue Buffalo and Purina Brand

The comparison of Blue buffalo and Purina is as follows:

Blue Buffalo:

• Offers limited ingredient lines for dogs with food sensitivities.
• Offers recipes for all sizes of dog breeds.
• Most recipes list a meat or fish as the first ingredient.
• Generally priced above Purina's everyday lines.

Purina:

• Offers complete and balanced foods at several price points.
• Its Pro Plan line includes sensitive skin and stomach formulas.
• Purina also makes veterinary diets, including hydrolyzed options for allergy trials.
• Widely available.

What are the four most common Food Allergens?

Merck lists beef, chicken, eggs, corn, wheat, soy and milk among the foods dogs are most often allergic to. These ingredients are common in dog foods, which is partly why dogs react to them.

What other causes of Great Dane Allergies and Dry, Itchy Skin?

Food is often blamed first, but it is not the most common cause of itchy skin. Fleas and environmental allergies, such as pollen and dust mites, are more common.

Skin infections, mites and hormone problems can also cause itching or hair loss, so see your vet for a diagnosis.

Is your Great Dane have a food Allergy or Food Intolerance?

A food allergy happens when the immune system reacts to a food protein as if it were harmful and produces antibodies against it.

A food intolerance does not involve the immune system. The dog simply can't digest an ingredient well. For example, the ASPCA notes that pets lack enough lactase to digest milk sugar, so dairy can cause diarrhea and digestive upset.

Different conditions with Different symptoms

Food allergy signs often include itching, paw licking, skin rashes, hives, ear infections and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea. Food intolerance usually causes digestive signs such as gas, vomiting, bloating and diarrhea.

For instance, a dog with lactose intolerance gets diarrhea and gas after milk, while a true milk allergy is more likely to cause itchy skin.

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What to look for before buying the Best Dog Food for Great Danes with skin Allergies

Before buying a food for a Great Dane with skin allergies, consider these factors:

Fat

Fat provides energy and helps the body absorb vitamins A, D, E and K. Too much fat can cause weight gain and stomach upset.

Omega-3 fatty acids, such as those in fish oil, can support skin and coat health. Some large-breed foods also include glucosamine for joints.

Protein

Protein provides the amino acids dogs need to build and repair muscles, organs, skin and coat, and to support the immune system.

For a dog with suspected food allergies, the type of protein matters most. Choose a protein your dog hasn't eaten before, or a hydrolyzed diet, as your vet recommends.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates provide energy, and whole grains and vegetables add fiber. Too many calories from any source lead to weight gain, which is hard on a giant dog's joints.

Grain allergies are less common than protein allergies, so grain-free food is not automatically better for itchy dogs. Given the FDA's DCM investigation, ask your vet before choosing a grain-free food for a Great Dane.

Life stages

Puppies and adults have different nutritional needs. Great Dane puppies should eat a puppy food made for large or giant breeds, which controls calories and calcium.

AKC notes that giant-breed puppies need special nutrition so they don't grow too quickly, since excessive growth can lead to musculoskeletal disease. Avoid extra calcium supplements unless your vet prescribes them.

Portion size and Feeding

How much to feed depends on the food's calorie content and your dog's age, size and activity. Start with the label's feeding guide and ask your vet to check his body condition.

Young puppies usually eat three or four meals a day, moving to fewer meals as they grow. Never feed a Great Dane only one large meal a day.

Cornell lists one large meal a day and eating quickly as risk factors for bloat, a deadly emergency that Great Danes are prone to. Feed adults at least two meals a day.

Activity Level

Active dogs need more calories than couch potatoes. Adjust portions to keep your Dane lean, and ask your vet if you're unsure.

Choose a complete and balanced food that meets AAFCO standards for your dog's life stage.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How much Should a Great Dane Eat?

It depends on the food's calorie content, your dog's age, size and activity. Follow the feeding guide on the label as a starting point, split the daily amount into at least two meals and ask your vet to check his body condition.

Why does my Great Dane Dog have Bumps all Over Her?

Bumps can come from allergies, skin infections, insect bites, mites such as Demodex, or growths. Demodex mites live in the hair follicles of most dogs and usually cause no problems, but they can multiply and cause hair loss and sores if the immune system doesn't keep them in check. See your vet for a diagnosis.

What can I Feed my Great Dane to Help with Itchy Skin?

It depends on the cause. If your vet suspects a food allergy, the only reliable test is a strict elimination diet trial with a novel or hydrolyzed protein food. Fish-based foods with omega-3 fatty acids may help skin and coat, but they won't help if your dog is allergic to an ingredient in them.

Are our lamb and rice suitable for Great Danes with skin allergies?

Lamb and rice foods can work for some dogs, but only if your dog isn't allergic to them. Lamb is no longer a novel protein for many dogs, so ask your vet which protein makes sense for an elimination trial.

How are Great Danes for Allergies?

Great Danes can develop skin allergies like any breed. Signs include licking the paws, scratching, rubbing the face, ear infections and head shaking. See your vet to find the cause.

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Final Thoughts

Itchy skin in a Great Dane has many possible causes, and food is only one of them. Work with your vet to rule out fleas, environmental allergies and infections.

If your vet suspects a food allergy, a strict elimination diet trial is the way to confirm it. Any of the foods above can be a starting point for a sensitive dog, as long as he isn't allergic to its ingredients.

Checkout our these Guides:

• 6 Best Wet Dog Food For Great Danes | [2022 Reviews]
• 10 Best Dry Dog Food For Great Danes
• How Much Food Do Great Danes Eat
• The Ultimate Secrets To FEED A GREAT DANE PUPPY
• 5 Steps About Caring For A Great Dane Puppy

Sources

• Allergies in Dogs, Merck Veterinary Manual
• FDA Investigation into Potential Link between Certain Diets and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
• Gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV) or "bloat", Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
• Great Dane Life Span & Health Issues, American Kennel Club