🦴 Updated on July 17th, 2023
Pitbulls require plenty of protein in their diets, but their susceptibility to skin allergies can make it challenging to find food that won’t trigger an itchy reaction. So, we reviewed the best dog food for Pitbulls with skin allergies to streamline your search.
Don’t have time to browse our list? Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food is our top pick for the best dog food for Pitbulls with allergies because of its digestibility, prebiotic fiber content, and ingredients that promote healthy coats and skin.
The Best Dog Food for Pitbulls with Skin Allergies Reviewed
Finding the best food for Pitbulls with skin allergies can be time-consuming, so check out our top ten picks.
Hill’s Science Diet – Best Overall
Hill’s Science Diet’s formula is our top pick for the best dog food for Pitbulls with skin allergies. It’s available in a few flavors, including chicken and barley, making it ideal for managing Pitbull allergies in food. It contains several quality ingredients that enhance your Pittie’s digestion.
This formula incorporates beetroot, an excellent source of prebiotic fiber. It's packed with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, essential for nourishing your Pitbull's coat and skin.
It’s the best food for Pitbulls with allergies because of its rich vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. This dog food’s small kibble size makes it ideal for Pitbulls to swallow and digest without issues. Its crunchiness encourages Pitbulls to chew to prevent them from swallowing it whole.
Despite having excellent prebiotic fiber content that helps Pitbulls digest easier, it might cause diarrhea in some dogs if they’re prone to stomach sensitivity. It can be a bit pricey for some Pitbull owners looking for quality formulas to manage their dog’s itchy or flaky skin. The dog food formula’s only ideal for adult Pitbulls.
Pros:
- Excellent digestive properties
- Packed with prebiotic fiber
- Promotes healthy skin and shiny coats
- Small kibble size
Cons:
- Causes diarrhea
- Expensive
- Not ideal for puppies
Purina Pro – Best Antioxidant-Rich Formula
Purina Pro is the perfect solution for owners looking for the best dog food for Pitbulls with allergies if they want something to boost their Pittie’s immune system. It’s rich in antioxidants that reduce chronic inflammation in their bodies, making it extra healthy without sacrificing quality flavor.
Besides having salmon as its first ingredient, Purina Pro’s formula doesn’t contain poultry by-product meals, wheat, soy, or corn, which can cause allergic reactions in some Pitbulls.
The nutrients promote joint health and mobility for your aging best friend. Because Purina formulates recipes to meet the needs of pets at different ages, this is an ideal food to use throughout your dog’s life.
Other notable ingredients in Purina Pro’s recipe include oatmeal for enhanced digestion for sensitive stomachs. Its fish oil contains omega-3s for improved joint health, resulting in improved mobility.
It’s available in several package sizes, ranging from four pounds to 41 pounds, so owners can save extra if they want to test whether or not the formula causes allergic reactions.
It’s only available in a salmon and rice formula, so it might not be the best option for Pitbull food allergies to salmon protein or picky Pitbulls who prefer other flavors. Purina Pro’s formula isn’t ideal for young Pitbull puppies.
Pros:
- Packed with immunity-enhancing antioxidants
- Wheat, corn, and soy-free formula
- Oatmeal aids with digestion
- Excellent bag size variety
Cons:
- Limited flavor options
- Not ideal for puppies under a year old
Nutro – Best Grain-Free Recipe
The best dog food for allergies Pitbull owners can get for dogs with grain sensitivities is Nutro. Its grain-free formula nourishes sensitive skin and makes coats softer and shinier because of its abundance of beneficial nutrients.
Nutro's formula doesn't contain beef and chicken, the most common animal protein allergens in dry dog food.
Pitbull owners can choose from a wide selection of single-protein flavor options for their dogs to sample, including salmon, venison, duck, and lamb. A single serving contains about 22% of crude protein.
Nutro uses sweet potatoes, lentils, and chickpeas as hearty substitutes for grains. It doesn’t contain GMOs.
The formula is suitable for Pitbulls one year or older, so you might need to find alternative options if you own a younger Pittie prone to skin allergies. It might be expensive for some dog owners.
Although Nutro might be ideal for Pitbull with grain allergies, the grain-free formula can cause potential canine heart issues due to the lack of certain nutrients and the breed’s congenital susceptibility to this health problem.
Pros:
- Chicken, beef, and dairy-free
- Made with limited non-GMO ingredients
- Ideal for adult Pitbulls with sensitive stomachs
- Excellent flavor variety
Cons:
- Expensive
- Might cause heart problems
- Not ideal for puppies
Merrick – Best Protein-Packed Formula
Pitbulls require high amounts of protein for their daily diets, so Merrick’s formula is your best option if you’re interested in building your Pittie’s muscle mass without triggering skin allergies.
It’s available in several flavors, from beef and chicken to bison and salmon. Deboned meat is the first ingredient in each recipe and includes other ingredients.
The main ingredient in this Merrick dog food is real deboned salmon with no poultry ingredients or grains. It's safe to feed to dogs who don't tolerate ingredients like gluten, wheat, corn, or soy. Merrick's formula is a whole-food dry dog food suitable for any breed.
It’s grain-free and incorporates sweet potatoes into its recipe as a reliable source of fiber to improve your dog’s digestion. Other natural ingredients include flaxseed, sunflower oil, and blueberries.
Its traces of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids keep your Pitbull’s skin healthy and its coat shiny while maintaining your dog’s healthy weight range. The formula contains glucosamine and chondroitin, essential for preventing a dog’s hips and joints from deteriorating over time.
Its fiber-rich properties can cause some dogs to poop more often and make your dog feel gassy. The packaging might have an overbearing fishy smell that takes time to dissipate.
Since Merrick incorporates natural ingredients into its formula and has premium flavor options, it might be pricey for some owners.
Pros:
- High in protein and fiber
- Packed with healthy fats
- Ideal for hip and joint health
Cons:
- Causes gas
- Overbearing fishy scent
- Expensive
Royal Canin – Best for Allergy-Prone Pitties with Sensitive Stomachs
Royal Canin is the best dog food for a Pitbull with allergies and sensitive stomachs. Its savory morsels are tiny yet crunchy, encouraging any Pittie to take their time with every mouthful. Its texture makes it easy to digest.
This skin allergy-friendly dog food is formulated for adult medium dogs between the ages of one and seven years. The recommended weight range for dogs suitable to eat this food is 23 to 55 pounds.
This crunchy kibble contains easy-to-digest proteins and balanced fiber to improve your dog's digestion. The formula’s omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA, promote healthy canine coats and skin.
Its minimum protein content is 23%, while its minimum fat content is 12%. It’s packed with essential prebiotics and antioxidants for improving your Pitbull’s health. The DHA and EPA found within the formula’s fish oil improve your dog’s coat and skin.
Royal Canin comes in a resealable bag, ensuring freshness for several weeks without worrying about spending extra money on extra bags.
Two of Royal Canin’s main ingredients are brewer’s rice and chicken by-product meal, limiting the kibble’s flavor options. Pitbulls who prefer other protein flavors might not enjoy this recipe. It can be expensive on some Pitbull owners’ budgets.
Pros:
- Ideal for Pitbulls ages one to seven
- Crunchy and savory texture
- Formulated for medium-sized breeds
- Resealable bag
- Easy to digest
Cons:
- Limited flavor options
- Expensive
Blue Buffalo – Best Alternative to Chicken-Based Recipes
Blue Buffalo is an excellent dog food Pitbull owners can rely on if they need a tastier alternative to chicken. If you’re dealing with a picky Pitbull and allergies, the first ingredient listed in its recipe is real deboned turkey, ensuring lean single-protein in every bite.
Besides containing no beef or chicken by-products, it doesn’t contain soy, wheat, dairy, artificial preservatives, or corn. The pea protein, pumpkin, and potatoes enhance digestibility without grains in the dry food’s recipe.
Blue Buffalo is known for their commitment to high-quality ingredients, and you see from the look and smell of this kibble that it’s packed with nutrients.
We consider this one of our top contenders for the best dog food for Pitbulls with skin allergies because it’s packed with essential fatty acids courtesy of its fish oil and flaxseed that keep a Pittie’s skin and coat in top condition, reducing their excessive itching habits.
Blue Buffalo’s blueberries and cranberries make it an excellent source of essential vitamins for boosting your Pitbull’s immunity.
This dog food comes in a resealable bag that lets Pitbull owners preserve its freshness for an extended period. The packaging might be prone to tearing, making it susceptible to mold growth.
Pros:
- Resealable bag
- Excellent source of lean protein
- Limited ingredients
- Corn-free formula
- Immunity-boosting nutrients
Cons:
- The bag is prone to mold growth
- Packaging quality can vary
Taste of the Wild – Best Budget-Saving Option
We consider Taste of the Wild the most affordable option in our rundown of the best dog food for allergy-prone Pitbulls of any age. Its grain-free formula is available for adult Pitbulls and puppies, while the recipe incorporating ancient grains is ideal for Pitties at any life stage.
It contains digestible venison and bison protein essential to a Pitbull’s muscle development and providing daily energy. You can count on this dog food as an excellent alternative to traditional beef or chicken-flavored kibble if you’re looking for something different yet nutritious.
Taste of the Wild supports dogs' immune systems, digestion, and overall wellness with its K9 strain of probiotics in every serving of this pellet dog food.
This flavorful dog food contains essential vitamins and nutrients for any Pitbull’s development. It incorporates sweet potatoes and blueberries into its recipe as a go-to source of antioxidants.
The grain-free formula uses potato and pea proteins as fiber. Taste of the Wild keeps Pitbull coats shiny with its blend of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.
Some dogs might feel gassy after eating this kibble. The grain-free formula can lead to heart issues, so unless your Pitbull is allergic to grains, consider sampling a smaller bag of their formula with ancient grains.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Contains live probiotics, prebiotics, and antioxidants
- High in protein
Cons:
- Grain-free formula causes heart problems
- Causes gas
Nulo – Best for Keeping Your Pitbull Full
One problem many Pitbull owners encounter when picking dog food is finding a recipe that keeps them full and discourages overeating or looking for scraps on the floor.
Nulo’s recipes contain ancient grains with natural fibers that make dogs feel full because it takes extra time to digest. This feature is ideal for allergy-prone Pitbulls who need to manage their weight.
Nulo offers plenty of essential minerals for keeping your pup in top condition. Its taurine content promotes heart health. You can expect healthier bones and teeth with Nulo's calcium and phosphorus content.
It’s available in several flavors, offering plenty of choices for finding the perfect recipe to counteract a Pitbull food allergy.
Nulo is available in several sizes, but the five and 25-ounce dog food bags have resealable packaging. You don’t have to worry about storing it in an airtight container to preserve its freshness.
Nulo might cause vomiting in some dogs if they overeat or are sensitive to its ingredients, from beef or chicken to dried blueberries. It might smell stale in the bag.
Pros:
- Natural fibers keep stomachs full
- Promotes bone and tooth health
- Contains heart-healthy taurine
- Resealable packaging
Cons:
- It has a stale odor
- Causes vomiting
Natural Balance – Best Limited Ingredient Variety
If you’re looking for variety in limited-ingredient dog food for allergy-prone Pitbulls, look no further than Natural Balance.
Each flavor incorporates a single animal protein to reduce the chances of an allergic reaction and provide plenty of nutrients without fillers. If your Pittie is sensitive to chicken, consider trying their salmon, duck, or venison variety.
Natural Balance’s recipe incorporates fiber-rich sweet potatoes and flaxseed to help dogs with sensitive stomachs enjoy their meal without sacrificing quality flavors.
The recipe’s menhaden fish oil and flaxseed are essential sources of omega fatty acids for relieving a Pitbull’s sore and flaky skin.
Natural Balance is the perfect dog food formula packed with essential minerals and vitamins for helping your Pitbull’s body systems. Its taurine content encourages heart health, while vitamin E improves the immune system, while its calcium and phosphorus content enhances your Pitbull’s bone and teeth strength.
Some Natural Balance dog food bags might emit a musky, burnt odor that Pitbulls and their owners might find unpleasant. This kibble can cause diarrhea in some Pitties if it doesn’t agree with their stomach.
Pros:
- Excellent flavor and bag size variety
- Easy to digest
- Keeps bones and teeth healthy
- Single-animal protein formula
Cons:
- Causes diarrhea
- Musky, burnt smell
Lucy Pet – Best for All Life Stages
Dog owners with more than one Pitbull might have trouble looking for separate life stages if their dogs vary in age. Lucy Pet’s formula is an excellent option because it’s safe for Pitbulls of all ages, from puppies to seniors. Its kibble is flat, making it easier for dogs to chew.
Lucy Pet incorporates quinoa in its recipe, which is easily digestible, packed with protein, contains complex carbohydrates, and is rich in several essential amino acids.
Its deboned salmon provides essential omega-3 fatty acids for keeping a Pitbull’s skin and coat clear and shiny. Its dried pumpkin is an excellent source of fiber and provides additional protein.
Other ingredients in Lucy Pet’s recipe that are rich in vitamins that improve a Pitbull’s gastrointestinal health include turmeric, yucca extract, and dried chickpeas.
Lucy Pet isn’t a breed-specific dog food formula, so you’ll need to measure each serving thoroughly to meet your Pitbull’s age-appropriate nutritional needs. The flat kibble might be too large for smaller Pitbull puppies.
Pros:
- Safe for all Pitbull life stages
- Formulated for improving gut health
- Flat-shaped kibble for easier chewing
- Rich in amino acids
Cons:
- It isn’t breed-specific
- The kibble’s size might be too big for some puppies
Choosing the Best Dog Food for Pitbulls with Skin Allergies
Finding the best dog food for Pitbulls with skin allergies can be stressful for some dog owners, but there are several factors you should consider to ensure you find one that matches your Pittie’s needs.
Factors to Consider
Before choosing the best dog food for Pitbulls with skin allergies, there are several factors you’ll need to consider to ensure it’s the right pick. Here are a few examples to help you start your search.
- Ingredients: The best dog food for Pitbulls with skin allergies should have an animal protein listed as its first ingredient, fiber, healthy fats, complex carbs, and several vitamins and minerals.
- A Pitbull’s Age: Pitbull puppy food contains higher protein, fat, and calcium content than ones formulated for adults.
- Flavor Options: Consider looking for brands offering more than one flavor option if your Pitbulls is a picky eater. Uncommon protein options, such as venison, might cause fewer allergies to some Pitties than beef.
What Causes Skin Allergies in Pitbulls?
Pitbulls can develop skin allergies from several underlying factors, such as:
- Environmental allergens: A Pitbull’s short coat makes their skin more susceptible to seasonal environmental allergies, from dust mites to pollen.
- Food allergens: Common Pitbull food allergies, such as beef, pork, and chicken, can develop after years of eating the same food or a sudden change in their diet.
- Genetics: Pitties with congenital skin issues, such as canine atopic dermatitis, can develop red, itchy skin.
Why Are Pitbulls Susceptible to Food Allergies?
When picking the best dog food for a Pitbull with allergies, you might ask yourself why Pitties are prone to food allergies. Although many owners might assume some dog food allergies are as genetic as common human food allergies, Pitbulls can develop food allergies at any point in their lives.
What Ingredients Should I Avoid in Pitbull Food?
If your Pitbull is allergic to specific animal proteins or grains in dog food, consider looking for a formula that doesn’t contain them. Read each dog food bag’s labels thoroughly to ensure the recipe doesn’t have specific protein, such as beef or chicken, or protein by-product meals.
If grains are the source of your Pittie’s skin allergies, consider asking your vet if you can feed them a grain-free dog food formula since grain-free diets can cause heart issues.
When looking for the best dog food for a Pitbull with allergies, consider looking for formulas without artificial flavors, GMOs, artificial preservatives, food dyes, and MSGs.
Is It Safe to Consider a Raw Diet for Pitbulls with Allergies?
Some Pitbull owners might try incorporating a raw diet for Pitbulls with allergies if they’re unsure which ingredients trigger an allergic reaction in their dogs.
Some benefits of feeding a Pitbull a raw diet over dry food include:
- Faster absorption of fresh nutrients
- Complete control of what your Pittie eats without fillers
- Healthier skin and coats
- Enhanced immunity and digestion
Consider the risks of putting your Pitbull on a raw diet. Raw, uncooked meat contains bacteria that can make your dog sick. Smaller raw bones can become a choking hazard, while other bones can damage a Pittie’s teeth.
What Symptoms Indicate Pitbull Skin Allergies?
Common symptoms of skin allergies in Pitbulls include:
- Excessive itchiness,
- Licking or chewing red, inflamed skin
- Hair loss
- Foul odors emitting from the skin
Conclusion
Although each of the options in our dog food lineup is tasty and has its share of advantages, we chose Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food as our top pick for the best dog food for Pitbulls with skin allergies.
This formula incorporates beetroot, an excellent source of prebiotic fiber. It's packed with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, essential for nourishing your Pitbull's coat and skin.
Its vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids are essential in reducing inflamed skin caused by breed-specific allergies, and it has prebiotic fiber ideal for aiding digestion. Its small kibble size makes it easy for Pitbulls to pick up and chew.
