5 Best Dog Food For German Shepherds With Skin Allergies

Allergies are a lifetime problem that all German Shepherds face on a daily basis. German Shepherds, like people, are prone to allergic responses. The symptoms of allergic responses in German Shepherds, unlike humans, are restricted to the skin. There is no sneezing fits, itching eyes, or coughing.

Allergies in German Shepherds are more challenging to diagnose since the signs are similar to normal German Shepherd behavior: Scratching, kicking, and licking.

Because disease germs do not cause it, an allergic response in a German Shepherd is not considered a sickness.

Though skin allergy is not a disease, it may quickly scar your dog’s lovely body and make it agitated; therefore, it is essential to solving skin allergies. 

Skin Allergies In German Shepherd

Unfortunately, skin allergies such as canine atopic dermatitis make the German Shepherd a high-risk breed (CAD). Food hypersensitivity and parasite infections are two environmental factors that any German Shepherd pet parent should anticipate experiencing. German Shepherds are susceptible to immunological problems, dry and flaky skin, rashes, allergic flea dermatitis, secondary bacterial skin infections, scabies, and other kinds of contact dermatitis are common in this breed.

Because allergies are so common in German Shepherds, if you see him shaking his head excessively or repeatedly, scratching, chewing, or biting on portions of his body, he most likely has an allergy.

Some common types of Skin Allergies in German Shepherd

The following are some common types of allergies in German Shepherd.

1. Flea Bites Allergy in German Shepherd

The most frequent allergic response in German Shepherds is flea bite allergy. Flea bites, particularly saliva from a flea, are highly dangerous to dogs.

Because a dog’s body is susceptible to insect saliva, it will itch quickly after a flea bite. Itching can quickly turn into red patches and irritation.

Flea management is the most effective therapy for flea allergies. Fleas may be controlled on your dog’s body, your home, and fields if you take proactive measures.

You may also want to avoid allowing your dog to interact with other dogs since fleas may readily spread from one dog to another through body contact.

The itching caused by flea saliva can be relieved quickly with the application of steroids or antihistamines.

2. Inhalant Allergy In German Shepherd 

German Shepherds are very sensitive to pollen allergies. When pollen is absorbed, the immune system of German Shepherds perceives it as a disease-causing pathogen, and it responds violently.

Pollen allergies can’t be treated because they’re hereditary. Therefore, they can be controlled. Pollen allergy often develops in the first three to six months of a dog’s life.

Atopic Dermatitis is one of the most common side effects of pollen allergies in German Shepherds. Atopic Dermatitis is a skin condition caused by the skin’s sensitivity to pollen, grasses, molds, dust, and trees. This sort of allergy generally appears in puppies as early as three or six months old.

Atopic Dermatitis will grow until a dog is practically resilient to anything they inhale. Skin irritation around the lips, nose, armpits, stomach are common Atopic Dermatitis symptoms.

3. Food Allergies in German Shepherd

Like other dogs, German Shepherds are sensitive to food allergies. Itching is a common symptom of food allergies. It’s crucial to figure out what’s causing your itchy allergy before getting treatment. In most situations, your veterinarian will be able to assist you with this.

A dog might be allergic to various dietary allergies, some of the most frequent of which are soy, meat, dairy, wheat, maize, and others.

Finding out what kind of food your dog is allergic to might be difficult, so get assistance from a veterinarian.

Your veterinarian will provide you an elimination diet plan to determine which foods your dog is allergic to. At the start of the elimination diet, your dog only needs to eat one meal. Other meals will be gradually introduced until an allergic response occurs, at which point you may quickly eliminate the allergic food element from your dog’s diet.

Correlation between the Food & Skin Allergies in German Shepherd

Food hypersensitivity is common in German Shepherds, and if your dog has suffered a food allergy, chronic inflammations typically manifest themselves on the skin. A cutaneous adverse food response (CAFR) can cause a variety of skin problems.

If your dog’s skin problems are associated with persistent scratching, itching, biting, or if he rubs his face a lot, a food allergy might be the cause. Secondary bacterial or yeast infections with crusting, seborrhea, or alopecia can result from chronic allergic responses and self-trauma.

Animal proteins such as beef or chicken are frequent sources of food allergies in dogs. Other food elements, such as milk, maize, and eggs, can cause food intolerance in dogs. Your German Shepherd’s skin responses to a food allergy may not be confined to his skin; he may also suffer gastrointestinal problems, making life much more difficult.

How to treat Allergies in German Shepherd?

• If your itchy German Shepherd is suffering from environmental allergies, several over-the-counter remedies can give temporary relief to your dog. Organic shampoos that are hypoallergenic, sulfate-free, and antibacterial can help your dog feel better.
• Anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as tree tea oil or aloe vera, can enhance the soothing and relaxing impact on your German Shepherd’s skin. 
• Topical creams and organic hot sprays are both practical and affordable weapons to utilize in the battle against your dog’s allergies. In addition to these treatments, your veterinarian may prescribe antihistamines and corticosteroids.
• If your dog is suffering from fleas or ticks, talk to your veterinarian about the best treatment options.
• Skin allergies caused by food allergies can be challenging to diagnose and treat. First, take a bit of advice from your veterinarian, as well as an allergist or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, to determine whether a specific food is causing the reaction on your dog. 
• A single-ingredient diet can be advised with the assistance of a veterinarian or nutritionist to establish if food allergies are to blame. Fresh dog food diets are an excellent method to figure out whether your dog has food allergies.
• Feed your German Shepherd a new limited-ingredient or single-ingredient meal for eight weeks. The most satisfactory outcomes will come from a single-ingredient meal. During this time, make sure your dog eats food that only contains single sources of animal protein, vegetable protein, and carbohydrate calories.

• Avoid giving your dog table food, snacks, flavored medicines, or supplements during the elimination diet since they may affect the outcome.
• Slowly transition your German Shepherd back to his usual food after eight weeks, then monitor for adverse responses.
• Adding probiotics to your dog’s diet is another affordable approach to help to strong your dog’s digestive and immune systems. Probiotics are a cost-effective way to lower your dog’s inflammatory reactions to allergens, and in some circumstances, they can even help to eliminate food allergies. Probiotics have been shown in studies to be an excellent way to decrease inflammation and boost your dog’s immune system.
• Fatty acids, zinc, and antioxidants all have the potential to alleviate allergy symptoms. This is one of the primary reasons to include in food to improve dog Skin & Coat.
•  If your dog is suffering from a pollen allergy, avoid bringing your German Shepherd on early morning or late afternoon walks. Additionally, you can vacuum or bathe the dog in hot water regularly to eliminate allergies. Keep them away from the laundry, basement, and other humid parts of the house.

Best Dog food for german shepherds with skin allergies

German Shepherds require a low-protein diet that has around 18% protein and 1,740 to 2,100 calories per day. High-quality dog food should contain all vital vitamins and minerals. Here are some best dog food brands for your German shepherd if they are suffering from any type of allergies.

1. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach

Purina Pro Plan focuses on advanced nutrition. That is why this formula can support healthy aging. Adult Dry Dog Food & Wet Dog Food without Corn, Wheat, or Soy contains prebiotic fiber to ensure healthy digestion even for sensitive stomach Dogs.

Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Adult Dog Food comes in 4 flavors. Lamb, Lamb & Oat Meal, Salmon (for small dog breeds), and Salmon & Rice (for adult dogs). 

Salmon is the first and primary protein source in dog food. The salmon fish contains nutrients that will help to protect the dog from several diseases and helps to maintain muscle mass and promote the dog’s overall growth and development.

 Salmon is also a good source of taking essential fatty acids (Omega-3), EPA, and DHA. This will assist in protecting your dog from cancer and keep the skin and coat healthy. 

Fish Meal is another beneficial ingredient in the Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Rice Formula. This ingredient is included cooked fresh fish powder. The fish meal in this formula provides your dog with some protein and Glucosamine to keep your German shepherd’s bones and joints strong and healthy.

The canola meal is also another vital ingredient of that formula that helps to develop healthy skin and coat. Additionally, it contains essential vitamins and minerals for a powerful immune system and building amino acids.

Brewers Rice is also a good source of carbohydrates for a canine. Brewer rice is used in this recipe because of its high digestibility and makes this meal safe for sensitive stomach dogs.

Animal fat in dog food is almost beef fat preserved with natural vitamin E. Additionally, omega-three and omega-six fatty acids include in this recipe help to improve the kidney function of dogs.

Ingredients

• Carbohydrate 38.00 % (43.18 %) 
• Moisture (max)  12.00 % (0.00 %) 
• Crude Fiber (max) 4.00 % (4.55 %) 
• Crude Fat (min) 16.00 % (18.18 %) 
• Crude Protein (min) 26.00 % (29.55 %) 

Final Verdict

Purina pro plan dog food is specially designed for dogs that have sensitive stomach and skin issues. The primary source of protein in that formula is Salmon fish which helps to improve the coat, and skin and helps to reduce various types of skin allergies in dogs. This formula also contains rice in their recipe for easy digestion of the dogs and cannot contains any artificial flavors and preservatives in their recipe.

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2. Ps for Dogs 100% Hypoallergenic Dog Food

PS for Dog food is a formula explicitly manufactured for dogs with skin and food allergies; according to the PS brand, this formula is made with few ingredients and contains no grains, and it also promotes healthy digestion in dogs while reducing itching licking other allergy-related discomforts in your dogs.

To offer high protein levels to your German Shepherd dogs with skin allergies, this formula contains real Australian lamb meat chunks that have been thoroughly aired-dried and contain some additional hypoallergenic components.

It also helps to control foul-smelling and improves your dog’s coat health. This Dog food is ideal for dogs that are fussy eaters and require a high-protein, grain-free diet.

This formula contains low glycemic dog food that avoids yeast infections in your German shepherd dog and builds a healthy immune system for your dog with a high level of protein and hypoallergenic ingredients.

Ingredients 

The manufacturer of this formula cannot determine the ingredients of this recipe. But this formula contains actual pieces of lamb meat with some hypoallergenic ingredients.

Final Verdict

The PS 100% hypoallergenic dog food formula contains an all-natural and limited number of ingredients in their recipes. The main source of protein in this formula is Australian lamb pieces that contain a high amount of protein and some hypoallergenic elements that help to control skin and stomach issues and improve the overall health of your German shepherd dog.

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3. Forza10 Wet Hypoallergenic Dog Food

Forza10 Wet hypoallergenic dog food is suitable for all kinds of adult dogs of different sizes and ages that have sensitive stomachs, digestive systems, and some allergy issues.

This formula helps to reduce Stomach distress, diarrhea, vomiting, belching, flatulence, intestinal sounds, and gastric swelling among the German shepherd dogs. The first five vital ingredients of that recipe are a Meal of Anchovies, Peas, Beans, Fava, pork meat, and Fish Oil.

This high-protein formula contains an anchovy meal with omega-three fatty acids found naturally in anchovies. It also means that the kibbles have a lot of fish taste, which dogs love.

Because anchovies are easily digested, this formula is suitable for those dogs that have sensitive stomachs. It also contains all essential amino acids that dogs need to maintain lean and muscle mass, with a protein content of 30%.

Although this is a limited-ingredient recipe, it contains pig meal and hydrolyzed salmon and fish proteins.

The hydrolyzed proteins are processed so that they are broken down into smaller-chained amino acids that are absorbed considerably and more quickly by dogs’ bodies.

The rich amount of omega-three and omega-six fatty acids included in this recipe helps to reduce obsessive skin, licking, skin itchiness, dry fur, and formation of the knots on the dog’s skin and also helps to improve the brain and the overall body function of the dog.

Ingredients

• Protein: 30%
• Fat: 15.6%
• Fiber 3.7%

Final Verdict

This wet hypoallergenic dog food formula is specially designed to handle the dry skin issues of the dogs. The natural extracts of the aloe vera, pomegranate, and papaya add to this recipe helps to reduce skin inflammations. If your dog is facing hair loss problems, skin itchiness, dandruff skin, rough coat, and bad odors, then this is the ideal formula for your German shepherd dog.  

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4. Lucy Pet Formulas for Life

Lucy dog food has been specifically designed to help dogs with their digestive health and stomach problems. Antioxidants included in this dog recipe assist in improving the overall immune system of the German Shepherd dog. This dog food is recommended by Dr. Fahey, a renowned veterinary dog expert.

This dog food recipe is designed to solve the dogs’ general health problems, focusing on maintaining the dogs’ gut health, which leads to the overall health of the dogs. 

This nutrition recipe includes real ducks that are specially imported from France, which are a great source of protein for dogs. The duck meat also helps to keep their muscle strength and maintain their skin and hair.

The dietary supplements such as Taurine and L-Carnitine include in this food recipe help to maintain your dog’s heart health and stress reduction.

The omega-3 and natural fatty acids elements in this formula help enhance coat health and shine and decrease many kinds of canine skin allergies.

The manufactured, designed each food packet, keeping in mind the nutritional needs of the dogs of various ages and the types of breeds, and the prebiotic supplements included in that formula helps to improve the stomach and strengthen the dog’s immune function.

Ingredients

• Crude protein 25. 0%
• Minimum crude fat 14. 0%
• Minimum crude fiber 6. 0%
• Maximum moisture 10. 0%
• maximum zinc 110 ppm omega-3 fatty acids*
• 3%omega-6 fatty acids*
• 0% aafco dog food nutrient profiles

Final Verdict

This dog food formula is made in the USA with high-quality ingredients. The primary source of protein is a duck in that formula that is also sourced from France. The rich blend of Omega3 and six fatty acids include in that formula helps to improve the coat health of the German Shepherd. The probiotics included in that formula helps to improve the dog’s stomach and keep its immune system strong.

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5. Forza10 Dry Dog Food – Best dog food for GSD

Forza10 Legend is a grain-free dry food suitable for adult dogs of all breeds and sizes. This daily diet is designed to solve the various skin issues like stop scratching, redness, hot spots, tear stains, dry and dull fur, paw licking, and constant fur loss of the dogs. The First five vital Ingredients of this recipe are

• Whole Anchovy Meal
• Sweet Potato
• Potato Protein
• Fish Oil
• Pea Starch

This Legend dry food recipe also has anchovy meal as its primary source of protein and is very easy to digest. It is also highly palatable for dogs.

Fish such as the wild-caught anchovies used by the brand are plentiful for dogs with sensitive skin because they are naturally rich in omega-fatty acids.

One of the differences between this Legend dry food formula and the Sensitive Skin Plus recipe is that it only contains single-source protein.

It contains no other animal ingredients aside from an anchovy meal that makes it ideal for susceptible pups. It gets its extra protein from pea and potato proteins.

The Forza10 dry dog food formula contains sweet potato as the primary carb source. It also contains pea protein and pea starch. Dried kelp is another plant-based ingredient that is included in this recipe. Kelp has 60 different vitamins, minerals, and trace elements, as well as 21 amino acids.

It is rich in iodine, which helps to support your dog’s glandular system as well as his metabolism.

It is highly enriched with omega-three fatty acids that promote healthy skin, and lustrous coats; improve heart and brain health; help to improve dogs’ anti-inflammatory response; strengthen their immune system, and help them to fight against cancer.

Ingredients

• Protein: 29.5%
• Fat: 15.5%
• Fiber: 2%

Final Verdict

The Forza 10 dry dog food formula contains a rich blend of omega-three and omega-six fatty acids that are very helpful in solving various skin issues of dogs. This dog food contains only one source of protein which is fish. When you give this formula to your dog, you can see the improvements in your dog’s skin in a brief period of time.

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 Key points to Consider When Buying The Best Dog Food For German Shepherds with skin Allergies

The following are the factors you must consider when buying the best dog food for German shepherds:

At the time of buying dog food, make sure all the ingredients are sourced from reliable sources. Always buy quality dog food that has enriched with minerals and vitamins. When selecting the best dog food for German shepherds with

Check the Ingredient’s

skin allergies make ensure that it also contains vegetables and fruits that are high in antioxidants.

Food contains essential fatty acids.

The fatty acids are essential for maintaining a healthy coat and skin and vital to the immune system of dogs. The Omega three and six fatty acids in dog food helps to improve the overall function of the dogs and help to reduce skin and stomach allergies.

Check the Protein portion.

One of the most vital points to look at at the time of purchasing dog food for your German Shepherd is that it includes an accurate amount of high-quality protein or not. We propose lamb or fish instead of beef because it might cause allergies in some dogs.

Check the Expiry date.

This may look very simple, but it is vital to check the expiry date of the food: Do not buy dog food that has passed or is close to its expiration date. Why should your best buddy eat it if you won’t?

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the common food allergies in German Shepherds? 

German Shepherds are prone to food allergies than other breeds; proteins, primarily derived from dairy products and beef, lamb, chicken, chicken, eggs, soy, or gluten, are the most significant dietary allergies in dogs. When a pet consumes these ingredients, the antibodies react with the antigens that cause allergy symptoms.

2. What to look for in high-quality German Shepherd food?

The following factors are considered at the time of buying high-quality dog food for German Shepherd:

• The food should also derive from high-quality, protein-rich ingredients.
• The food contains only natural ingredients.
• Promote healthy skin.
• The High-quality ingredients of dog food meet your large breed dog’s nutritional needs without trying to fill out the food with inferior ingredients, like excess corn.

3. What are the food ingredients German Shepherd never eating?

Chocolate, grapes, avocados, garlic, onions, leeks, wild mushrooms, macadamia nuts, walnuts, alcohol, and salt are toxic to German Shepherds. Some less common items, such as xylitol (sweetener), yeast bread, raw potatoes, hops, green tomatoes, and moldy food, are harmful to German shepherd dogs.

4. How much do you feed your German Shepherd?

Feeding German Shepherds 2.5 to 3.5 cups of quality kibble twice a day is an excellent beginning point for adult dogs. Adjust the amount of food supplied according to your dog’s size, weight, age, and daily activity level. Feeding a calorie-rich, high protein grain-free kibble like Origen will require you to feed somewhat less.

5. What are the common health issues in German Shepherds? 

 Unfortunately, the German Shepherd has been bred indiscriminately. As a result, a large variety of congenital disorders have developed in the dog’s genealogy. Some of the most prevalent health issues in these dogs are as follows:

• Epilepsy
• Stomach and skin sensitivities
• Hemophilia
• Diabetes
• Cataracts
• Degenerative myelopathy
• Eczema
• Blood disorders

6. Why German shepherd food requirements are different from other dogs?

German shepherd dogs have large chests and are very active breeding dogs. These traits make their dietary requirements unique from other breed dogs.

Because of their high-calorie requirements, they are high-energy and hard-working animals.

Unfortunately, German shepherds are susceptible to bloat, a life-threatening disease. Foods rich in fillers, chemicals, and low-quality ingredients, such as those made with too much maize, wheat, oats, or rice, might accelerate the disease and affect the growth of your dog.

7. How can food heal the common allergy issues of a German Shepherd? 

Rice is easily digestible by dogs and can aid dogs with digestive issues or relieve sensitive stomach issues. Fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids can also assist in dry and itchy skin conditions.

Wind Up

Allergy in German Shepherds is treatable and manageable—all you now have to identify and remove the source of the allergy. If your dog is suffering from a flea skin allergy, enter a flea management program and learn how to save your German shepherd from these skin allergies. 

Relatively prevalent food allergies are pretty simple to prevent and manage. Identify the food element that causes allergy and eliminate it from your dog’s diet, or better yet, eliminate your current dog food and replace it with another formula that has high quality and grain-free ingredients.

In this article, we also recommended some best dog food for German shepherds with skin allergies, and now we hope it is easy for you to select the best food for your dog according to their dietary requirements. 

References

• https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/food-allergies-in-dogs
• https://www.caninejournal.com/german-shepherd/
• https://wildearth.com/blogs/dog-knowledge/causes-and-treatments-for-german-shepherd-skin-problems/
• https://www.revivalanimal.com/pet-health/flea-control/learning-center
• https://worldofdogz.com/what-foods-are-poisonous-to-german-shepherds-hidden-dangers/