Does your dog suffer with food allergies or food intolerances?
If you’ve got a canine companion that has an adverse reaction to certain types of dog food, you may be eager to try a new dog food format.
Some pet parents may be accustomed to buying their pup’s food at their local supermarket but some common dry food brands use confusing labels and mystery ingredients in their recipes.
Therefore, it can be difficult to identify whether certain foods such as processed meats are contained within your dog’s kibble that could trigger an unwanted flare up of allergies or intolerances.
However, British dog owners will be relieved to know that there are a growing number of dog food delivery companies who can customize your pooch’s food to ensure their requirements are met.
These innovative dog food brands work with British pet parents to find pinpoint a recipe that doesn’t contain any foods that your dog may have intolerance to.
Editor's note: The content on this website is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as veterinary, medical or professional advice. The content of our articles does not constitute veterinary advice. It’s always best to speak with your vet or a certified pet nutritionist before making any changes to your pet's diet or feeding routine.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at the leading dog food delivery companies who can provide British dog owners with customized meals to meet your dog’s specific needs.
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Best Dog Food For Dogs With Allergies UK
| Rating | Summary | Website | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butternut Box |
|
• Rip-and-serve • Six recipes • Human grade | Buy Now | |
| Pure |
|
• Air-dried food • Backed by vets • Customised | Buy Now | |
| Poppy's Picnic |
|
• Raw dog food • Locally sourced • Reliable deliveries | Buy Now | |
| Scrumbles |
|
• Limited Ingredients • Gluten Free • Hypoallergenic | Buy Now |
What Is A Food Allergy?
Just like humans, our canine companions can also suffer with allergies to specific foods. Such allergies can affect our dog’s health and wellbeing if left undetected.
Dogs will usually develop an allergy to a particular food source when they’re less than a year old but it’s worth nothing it can occur at any point in their life.
Some dogs can suffer with food allergies, which can lead to a range of skin and stomach problems. However, it’s possible for a pooch to struggle with allergies that aren’t detected.
The PDSA (People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals) provide a definition for food allergies where dogs are concerned on their website.
A food allergy is when a dog’s immune system overreacts to one or more of the ingredients in their diet. Symptoms usually include skin problems (allergic skin disease) and/or tummy problems (such as diarrhoea and vomiting).
The PDSA go on to add that dogs can be allergic to certain proteins in their diet such as dairy or meat. Alternatively, some canines can have an adverse reaction to other common food items, such as wheat.
Symptoms Of Food Allergy
If you suspect that your dog is suffering with food allergies, you should speak to your local veterinarian to learn more and seek advice about the steps you can take to help remove the offending allergen.
There are an array of dog allergy tests and pet food intolerance tests that can indicate whether your canine companion is allergic to a specific food source.
My Alaskan Klee Kai struggled with a spate of stomach problems and I couldn’t figure out why. They started to turn their nose up at their kibble which served to exacerbate the problem.
I learned thanks to a dog allergy test that my mini huskies were allergic to beef and fish.
These two protein sources made up over half of their diet so I found recipes that didn’t contain either beef or fish which led to a noticeable improvement to their health.
The PDSA list some of the symptoms of a food allergy. These include:
• Itchy skin
• A rash or red, sore skin (especially on the feet, ears, face, chin, tummy and groin)
• Saliva staining (a pink or brown stain on areas of the coat)
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Sore tummy
• Excessive wind (farting).
The Different Between Allergies And Intolerances
It’s important to note that their is a difference between food allergies and food intolerances.
As a general rule of thumb, the reaction to allergies is more severe than intolerances and usually it occurs immediately.
The Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association in the UK provide British dog owners with a useful explanation of the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance where pets are concerned.
Food allergies and intolerances are two different conditions which often have similar symptoms. They are both examples of adverse food reactions, however food allergies involve the animal’s immune system while food tolerances do not.
The difference between a food allergy and food intolerance can be difficult to clearly define so you should speak to your vet if you need clarification or guidance.
Dog Allergy Tests And Dog Food Intolerance Tests
If you’re worried that your dog is suffering with a food allergy or an intolerance to a particular type of food, your vet may recommend a dog allergy test or dog food intolerance test.
There are a number of established DNA companies who can help pet parents in the UK by providing tests that can highlight whether your dog has an allergy to a particular food substance. You can check out our updated guide to the best dog allergy tests here.
These DNA testing companies will require a sample of salvia or hair before their lab examines your pet’s sample against a range of food items, household products and environmental factors to learn about allergies and intolerances.
They’ll provide a detailed report outlining allergies or intolerances your dog may have to certain items. These DNA testing companies will usually grade the sample’s response.
As I mentioned above, it wasn’t until I ordered one of these tests I learned that I had been feeding my Alaskan Klee Kai beef and fish that triggered their allergies.
Things To Consider When Looking For Best Dog Food For Allergies
If you’re looking for a new type of dog food after discovering that your dog has food allergies, there are a number of things to consider.
• Avoid Allergens – It goes without saying that you’ll want to avoid any diets that include food items that you know your dog is allergic to. For example, my Klee Kai are allergic to beef and fish so I looked for fresh dog food meals that didn’t contain either of those proteins. Some hypoallergenic dog foods will avoid using ingredients that are common allergens or difficult to digest, such as dairy, grain and wheat.
• Single Protein Source – Some dogs can suffer with allergies to meat, whether it’s chicken, beef, pork, turkey, salmon etc. You’ll often find some common dog food brands use a number of different processed meats in one recipe. These can prove difficult to digest as well as making it difficult to identify the offending protein source. You may find it beneficial to stick with a customised dog meals that use just one protein source. The meat – whether it’s beef, fish, poultry or pork – is unprocessed and sourced from local farmers and suppliers.
• Transition Process – If you’ve identified a preferred dog food company that you believe can cater to your dog’s special needs, you should speak to your vet (and the dog food company) about how to make the transition to the new meals. If you make an abrupt change to your dog’s diet, you could risk causing further stomach upset.
1) Butternut Box
Website: www.butternutbox.com
Alaskan Klee Kai Copper with his Butternut Box recipes (Photo: @lifewithkleekai / Instagram)
Butternut Box are a British dog food company who are looking to provide a fresh take on dog food.
They use fresh, high-quality ingredients in their recipes, including UK and Irish meats that are gently cooked.
Butternut Box create vet-approved recipes that are easy to digest, while their meals are stored in perfect-portioned pouches.
Their meals don’t contain any nasties, while you can work with Butternut Box to customise your dog’s food to meet their specific needs.
The Pros
• Customised Meals
• Fresh, High Quality Ingredients
• 6 Different Recipes
• Pre-portioned Meal Pouches
• Taste-tested by humans
The Cons
• Price
• Can Only Order From Their Website
What Dog Owners Are Saying
Butternut Box gets an average rating of 4.9 stars out of 5 based upon nearly 7,000 reviews on independent review website Trustpilot.
Simpson gave a five-star review after feeding her Cocker Spaniel these meals.
My beautiful Cocker Spaniel had suffered for so long with his anal glands and after spending a fortune having them expressed by the vet over many years, we were told it was an allergy causing swelling preventing the anal glands emptying. I found Butternut’s story of their determination to help their dogs with their allergies and thought I would give it a go. I am so glad I did as my Cocker, although quite mature now at 11, loves the food and is allergy free now which is such a relief.
Thompson revealed the impact of these meals on his pug and a friend’s dog – too.
After feeding every grain free wet food to a pug who had completely gone off his food I decided to try Butternut Box and it’s been a revelation. He now goes nuts at feeding time, licks the bowl clean and is looking for more food. His coat which was already shiny is even more so and scratching at his ears has reduced drastically. I recommended this to a friend who’s dog had been allergy tested as was always itchy, smelly and had a bad tummy and they can’t believe the change as all symptoms have disappeared since feeding Butternut. This food may seem a little on the expensive side when you are paying on a subscription basis but it’s only actually pennies more expensive per day than I was paying for some of the other food that he wouldn’t touch.
Our Verdict
Butternut Box recipes (Photo: helloBARK!)
I learned that my Alaskan Klee Kai had an allergy to beef and fish, which had led to spare of stomach problems, worsening tear strains and smelly anal glands.
However, my dogs made the switch to Butternut Box and they’re motivated at mealtime once again. This has provided me with peace of mind, especially knowing that Butternut Box’s meals are balanced and complete.
My Klee Kai no longer suffer with their stomach problems, they’ve got improved energy levels and they’re even shedding less since we made the switch to Butternut Box.
Our readers can get 50% off their first and second order of Butternut Box by clicking here.
2) Pure Pet Food
Website: www.purepetfood.com
Alaskan Klee Kai with Pure Pet Food (Photo: www.hellobark.com)
Pure Pet Food are a dog food company who provide dog owners with a dry food option that can cater to pups who suffer with food allergies.
This Yorkshire-based company use high quality ingredients in their recipes that are cooked using an air-dried method.
Pure underline on their website that they only use human-quality ingredients that don’t sacrifice on quality.
To prepare your dog’s meals, you just need to add water, stir and serve.
The Pros
• Air-Dried
• Customised
• No Nasties
• Vet Approved
The Cons
• Preparation Required
• Price
• You Can Only Order From Their Website
What Are Dog Owners Saying
Pure Pet Food gets 4.8 stars out of 5 based upon nearly 1,500 reviews on independent review website Trustpilot.
Fiona explained how Pure helped her Tibertan Terrier with allergies.
Clemmie is a Tibetan Terrier puppy with a refined pallet and from the day she arrived (with a bunch of dry bullets from her breeder) was difficult to feed, she had watery tear stained eyes and food allergies that made her itch. I was recommended Pure dog food from another TT owner and it was the best recommendation anyone has ever given me. Her coat is shiny and eyes clear – she wolfed the food down and feeding now is a pleasure. Pure’s a great company to deal with and they make the recipe to suit your dog needs.
Pam gave a glowing five-star review of Pure’s dog food.
I have fed Pure to my dog for around 4 years. He never refuses it. I feed it because it reduces the risk of him suffering with impacted anal gland issues which means I save a lot on vet bills. My dog is fairly active and looks fit on Pure Pet Food. He also shows no signs of the allergies that often cause obsessive licking of feet or licking of ears in our breed.
Our Verdict
Alaskan Klee Kai with their Pure Pet Food (Photo: www.hellobark.com)
I was encouraged to see the positive reviews on Trustpilot from dog owners whose dogs have previously suffered with allergies.
Pure’s customised air-dried dog food appears to be a big hit with dogs in the UK.
Their air-dried dog food passed the taste test with my Alaskan Klee Kai, who enjoyed their Pure samples.
It’s worth highlighting that Pure’s meals are backed by vets and formulated by nutritionists
3) Poppy’s Picnic
Website: www.poppyspicnic.co.uk
Alaskan Klee Kai with Poppy’s Picnic (Photo: lifewithkleekai / Instagram)
Poppy’s Picnic are one of the leading raw dog food companies in the UK.
Their meals are comprised simply of raw meat, bone, liver, kidney, garden vegetables and herbs.
Editor's note: It’s important to be aware of the risks associated with raw pet food, as it can be contaminated with harmful bacteria (such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria and E. coli). The UK government website offers the following advice to pet owners: wash your hands with hot water and soap immediately after handling raw pet food or treats; clean and disinfect all surfaces and utensils that the raw pet food touches; store and defrost raw pet food away from where human food is stored. Young children should not touch or eat raw pet food, as they’re more at risk of illness because their immune system is still developing and they’re more likely to put their hands in their mouth. You can check out the UK government’s guidance in full via this link.
The Pros
• Ingredients You’ll Recognise
• Handmade
• Delivered To Your Door
• No Chemical Flavourings Or Artificial Additives
The Cons
• Price
• You Only Order From Website
What Dog Owners Are Saying
Poppy’s Picnic get an average rating of 4.6 stars out of 115 reviews on their website.
Helen shed light on the impact of Poppy’s Picnic meals on her dog.
Both my dogs absolutely love their Poppy’s Picnic meals! I have one fussy dog and one who will eat anything but now they both wait for dinner licking their lips and lick their bowls clean. I’ve noticed such a difference in their health in general but mainly their fur which is now super silky and soft!
Maria has noticed a difference in her Terrier’s health.
I have a regular delivery of meatballs for Ella. She has been eating raw food since she was a pup & enjoys every meal. Compared to our previous terriers (fed on other dog food) there is a marked difference in her health and behaviour.
Our Verdict
Alaskan Klee Kai with Poppy’s Picnic (Photo: lifewithkleekai / Instagram)
If you’re thinking about making the switch to a raw fed diet, you should do careful research to learn more about the pros and cons of this particular type of pet nutrition.
We were sent some Poppy’s Picnic samples which made great toppers on my Alaskan Klee Kai’s regular meals.
If you’re looking for a raw dog food company in the UK, Poppy’s Picnic are one of the leading suppliers in the UK.
Our readers can get 12.5% off their first order of Poppy’s Picnic by clicking here.
4) Scrumbles
Website: www.scrumbles.co.uk
Alaskan Klee Kai Copper enjoyed Scrumbles (Photo: helloBARK!)
If your dog loves kibble and you see no reason to change, you may want to consider Scrumbles.
They provide hypoallergenic dog food that is created using a limited number of quality ingredients and is designed for easy digestion.
Their website explains that they avoid common allergens such as beef, pork, dairy and gluten.
Scrumbles write online that hypoallergenic means “less likely to cause an allergenic reaction”, but isn’t a guarantee that a reaction won’t occur.
The Pros
• Limited Ingredients
• Gluten Free
• Grain-Free Options
• Senior, Adult And Puppy Food
• Low Fat Recipe
• Recyclable Packaging
The Cons
• Limited Customisation
What Dog Owners Are Saying
Scrumbles get 4.6 stars out of 5 based upon over 160 reviews on their website.
Kathryn was impressed by how much her dog enjoyed Scrumbles.
My dog loved the Adult & Senior Salmon (2kg), I’m sure he could smell it through the bag before I even opened it! It’s a high quality food and good value for money. The ingredients are great; there’s nothing added that I would worry about feeding my dog. I also love that the packaging is 100% recyclable, however isn’t paper so I feel it stores better than previous dried food we’ve used.
Natalie was a big fan of the recyclable material.
I recently purchased the Scrumbles Complete dry food for dogs the adult and senior Salmon 2kg bag. I am so happy with this product. My Pug dog absolutely loved it and ate it all at once. Packaging is great and explains everything thoroughly. Love the natural ingredients and that it’s gluten free as my dog has to be very careful what she has. Absolutely love that it’s 100% recyclable.
Our Verdict
While I do feed my dog fresh meals, I have tried Scrumbles dry food range.
My youngest Alaskan Klee Kai was a big fan of the food and they made a tasty topper.
My dogs are fussy eaters with intolerances to beef. I really appreciate the fact that Scrumbles cater to dogs with allergies.
Their packaging is 100% recyclable so you can feed your dog Scrumbles dog food and do your bit for the planet too.
Anything Else To Consider?
If you suspect your dog is suffering with food allergies, you should make an immediate appointment with your vet.
You may find it useful to order a dog allergy kit or pet food intolerance test to learn more about any items that could be affecting your canine companion’s health.
If you do decide to go with one of the companies listed in this article or a dog food delivery company who provide tailored meals, we recommend you speak to your vet to learn more about how to make the transition to their new meals.
Wrapping Up
We’ve reached the end of our article on the best dog food for dogs with allergies article.
Butternut Box are my preferred choice given the impact that these meals have had on my Alaskan Klee Kai.
Once I learned through a dog allergy test that my Klee Kai had allergies to beef and fish, I was able to work with Butternut Box to find suitable meals for my mini huskies.
I love that Butternut Box use a single protein source in their recipes, while the ingredients in their meals are high quality and gently cooked.
If you’re a dog owner who cares about the health of the planet, you’ll be pleased to learn that Butternut Box have also adopted an eco-friendly approach to feeding your dog.
Our readers can get 50% off their first and second order of Butternut Box by clicking here.
