5 Allergy-Friendly Treats for Dogs
Does your dog suffer from food allergies or sensitivities? If so, then you know how difficult it can be to navigate the food and treat options currently on the market.
Check out these 5 brands and small-businesses that deliver high-quality, allergy-friendly treats for dogs.
After all, no dog should have to go without treats!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I will earn a commission if you purchase through my links, at no cost to you. For more info, Please read my full Disclosure.
Many dog treats that are readily available on the shelves of the big box stores are made with artificial flavours, fillers, by-products and preservatives.
These are often the most popular treats due to the fact that they are readily available and low-cost.
Unfortunately, they are also the biggest offenders in terms of triggering food allergies and sensitivities or causing other health-related concerns.
As a dog owner trying to navigate the world of dog nutrition, I have become a master of reading food labels. Not necessarily because I wanted to, but because I had to in order to identify any hidden offenders in my girl’s diet.
In recent years, we have seen a big shift towards organic and all-natural pet products. This means that there are more options than ever before.
This news can be both exciting AND overwhelming for dog owners.
To help you get started, I am going to share a list of 5 brands and small businesses that I recommend for dogs that are suffering from various allergies or sensitivities.
Depending on your dog’s allergies, you may find a treat on the list below that contains ingredients that your dog cannot eat. Every dog’s needs are different.
However, this list can serve as a great starting point in your journey to discover new options for your pup.
Dog Allergies 101
Our dogs can suffer from food-related allergies just like us. This includes both allergies that they have grown up with as well as allergies that develop over time.
Your dog could eat a specific food throughout the early years of their lives only to develop an allergy later in life. In fact, some pet nutrition professionals will warn that allergies can be developed due to over-exposure (eating the same thing over and over).
Common signs and symptoms of food allergies include:
- Dry itchy skin
- Excessive itching or licking
- Red, inflamed ears
- Excessive discharge or odour in the ears
- Puffy, red, or runny eyes
- Hot spots or bald patches from hair loss
- Chewing or licking paws excessively
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
While your dog could develop a sensitivity or allergy to anything, the most common food allergens for dogs include chicken, beef, eggs, corn, wheat, soy, and milk.
What should you do if your suspect that your dog may be suffering from food sensitivities or allergies?
The process of determining what your dog is allergic to can be long and frustrating as you work through the list of what your dog eats using a food trial.
Food trials are best conducted with the help of a veterinary or nutritional professional to ensure that any health-related considerations aren’t overlooked.
They will start your dog on a very limited diet and slowly introduce different ingredients to identify the problem.
Once you have identified the offender (or offenders), you will be armed with the knowledge necessary to select the best food and treat options for your dog’s unique needs.
Check Out These 5 Allergy-Friendly Treats for Dogs
PureBites
One of the first brands that come to mind when someone asks about allergy-friendly treats for dogs is PureBites. After all, there is no better way to adhere to a limited diet than with treats with a single ingredient.
PureBites offers a wide variety of freeze-dried dog treats, each made from high-quality, human-grade ingredients.
The freeze-drying process that they use preserves the nutritional value of these ingredients while eliminating the need for preservatives and other additives.
PureBites Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
These single-ingredient treats are made from USA sourced human grade beef liver. That means no artificial colors, fillers, sweeteners, preservatives or other unnecessary additives. The company offers a wide variety of flavours including beef liver, chicken, duck, cheese, salmon, and more.
Northern Biscuit Bakery
A well-known Canadian dog bakery, Northern Biscuit Bakery’s line of limited ingredient treats was one of the first options that we discovered when searching for treats for our allergy-prone pup.
The company started in 1992, making a single recipe and selling it at a local farmer’s market. Today, there are a wide variety of different treats available including wheat-free and grain-free options.
National Biscuit Bakery uses human-grade ingredients sourced from Canadian farms and growers, many of which are located within a couple of hours from the bakery itself. They also prioritize the environment by using compostable packaging.
Their biscuits are available in a variety of sizes and can be purchased online or through many Canadian retailers.
Tail Wagger Treats
A local business here in Windsor/Essex, Ontario, Tail Wagger Treats are 100% human grade made from high-quality ingredients with no added preservatives.
The limited ingredients included in these treats make it easier to find an option that will work with your dog’s unique dietary needs. There is even an option for those that need a gluten-free option.
Amanda, the face behind Tail Wagger Treats, is a Registered Veterinary Technician with a true love for animals.
If you are reading over the options available and are unsure about whether or not her treats will meet your needs, send her a message. She is friendly, easy to talk to and focused on providing you with the best option for your pup.
This is a local business that only offers pickup/delivery in the Windsor/Essex area. If you are one of my local followers, make sure to check her out!
Drool Central
Another great small business that deserves to be mentioned is Drool Centra, a ‘mum & pup barkery’ located in Anchorage, Alaska.
This is a business that stood out to our pack because many dog owners seeking allergy-friendly treats for dogs will look at seafood as an option. Not only will the Wild Alaska Salmon Series check the box in terms of avoiding allergies, but the omega 3 fatty acids will help to promote a healthier coat and skin.
There are also a variety of grain free options for those dogs that need it.
Anchorage residents can pick up these treats in person, or they offer USA Domestic Shipping for online orders.
Fruitables
This last option is another larger pet treat provider that can be found in many pet stores around the United States.
Fruitables makes high-quality dog treats using fruits and vegetables as their main ingredients.
Not only are these treats that are allergy-friendly and delicious (according to our dogs), but they are also packed with additional nutritional benefits. For example, were you aware that pumpkin is a superfood for dogs?
The company was founded by John Bauer, a DVM and a world-leading Ph.D. in pet nutrition. Each treat variety is designed with your pet’s health in mind.
Fruitables Crunchy Baked Pumpkin & Blueberry Dog Treats
If your dog prefers a treat with a little crunch, Fruitables are a great option. These treats are free from common allergens, including corn, soy protein, and wheat, as well as artificial flavours, colours, and preservatives. If pumpkin or blueberry trigger your dog’s allergies, consider exploring their many other tasty options.
Homemade Dog Treats
Don’t see an option that meets your needs? Do you live in an area where it’s difficult to have allergy-friendly treats for dogs delivered?
Another option to consider is making your own treats!
This is obviously a more time-intensive option, however, it does give you full control over every ingredient that goes into your dog’s treats, among other great benefits.
Homemade dog treats can be as simple as dehydrating your pup’s favourite veggies or meats. Dehydrated sweet potato has always been a big hit in our house!
If you want to try your hand at baking, why not try our go-to recipe for Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Banana Dog Treats?
Do you share your life with a dog that suffers from food allergies or sensitivities? If so, what are your favourite allergy-friendly treats for dogs?
Feature Image Credit: Darkcloud | Canva
Some great new brands to try! We’ve bought Fruitables before but I am always up to expand our options 🙂
They are a great option! I like having a few options on hand for our crew so that we can change it up from time to time. That way they don’t grow tired of what we’re offering. It’s a little more challenging with an allergy-prone dog (her list of allergies is a little crazy) but it can still be done!
It’s great that there are treats specifically tailored to dogs with allergies and sensitivities. I especially like the look of the tail wagger treats. They look good enough for me to eat!
I am so glad that they are local to us. I’ve been talking to the owner about my girl’s food allergies and she has been incredible about helping to point out which ones would work for her and which I should avoid.
This is a great list. I’m looking forward to checking them out! My girl is allergic to all hot proteins which severely limits what she can have. Also peas, eggs and soy. I feel like most options have at least one of those ingredients.
I understand that all too well. Dav girl can’t do wheat or any protein source with the exception of fish and veggie. Even wild game has had adverse reactions for her so we stopped experimenting and settled on a fish-based diet. It’s not always easy BUT it definitely can be made to work with careful preparation.
Layla gets the Fruitables pumpkin daily in her food, she loves the purebites but will not eat biscuits LOL. UI make her treats at home also like beef jerky etc as I love to know what she is eating
Pumpkin is SUCH a powerful food for good health. We try to incorporate it in a lot of things that we feed around here for that reason.
I never knew dogs get allergic reactions!!! I’ve learnt something new thanks to you. Should I eve get a dog I’ll make sure allergy is on the checklist.
They definitely can – seasonal allergies, food allergies, you name it. Recognizing it and realizing what you’re dealing with is the first stage, after that comes learning to manage it effectively.
I don’t know if I could get my dog some of these and not eat them myself; that’s how great they look. It is so sad that we are all plagued with allergies, both humans and dogs. Takes a lot of fun out of life.
Don’t those treats look amazing? They look like little cookies for human kids instead of our furkids hahaha!
Great post that should help out pet parents with food allergic dogs! I have a girl pup that cannot eat any protein besides fish – and this makes it tough to get all of her amino acids in to her diet. So I sneak some in with cooking – here and there, just enough so she doesn’t get sick. But our go to is Fruitables – yeah, you mentioned them – because they are so well tolerated. Will share this round-up style post – I find it full of great info.
Thank you! It sounds like you are dealing with a similar situation to ours. Daviana can only have fish or vegetable-based protein sources. Anything else triggers her atopic dermatitis and the result is not good. It makes it hard to make sure that she’s getting everything that she needs, plus, so many treats have protein sources even as a base while advertising as a different flavour.
I don’t have a dog that suffers from allergies however this post is very helpful. I like that you have provided multiple options for dog Moms and Dads to explore. When in doubt I love the option of making your own treats/food from your own kitchen. This way you know exactly what ingredients your furry family member is consuming. Thanks for sharing.
With a long list of allergies to work around with our girl, we often find it easier to just make her treats. However, I feel completely comfortable with the brands that I listed here! They all make great limited-ingredient options.
Tail Wagger Treats sounds like it offers a nicely wholesome selection! While it can be tough to find allergy-friendly treats, it is so nice to know that there are brands, however small, that are making diverse selections of dog treats.
Next to buying from a responsible brand, I also love the idea of making treats at home!
Thanks for sharing. <3
Yes, their treats are SO good for our pets, and come from someone with real knowledge of the health and well-being of our dogs.
One of my dogs has problems with wheat and corn, so this post is perfect for us! She loves fruitables and homemade treats, but I will keep an eye out for the other ones you mentioned. I like supporting small businesses.
I am a huge fan of supporting small businesses whenever possible as well!
I think if I ever get some time on my hands I am going to make homemade dog treats for my friends who own dogs. You give me a lot of great ideas and keep me so informed on doggie care.
I love baking treats for our pups and the other dogs that we know. It’s a lot of fun, plus, you get the relaxing benefits of baking without having a whole bunch of tempting goodies in the house all the time hahaha
So many of my friend’s dogs have allergies, which makes me so happy that Penny has avoided them. I know many of them struggle to find treats that don’t contain the things that their dogs are allergic to, so I am going to pass on this list to them and hopefully, some of these can help them out.
It can be really challenging, especially if your dog is allergic to something super common or you’re working with a long list of allergies like we are. That being said, it’s worth it to find something that they enjoy and also doesn’t give us any unnecessary stress.
It’s great that allergy-friendly treats exist for those dogs that suffer with allergies! The paw print shaped treats from Tail Wagger Treats look so cute x
Aren’t they adorable? Seeing a picture of them online was what first drew me in and encouraged me to check out the company!
This is such a helpful post. You have a lot of information that is really helpful when there are so many different treats on the market. Thank you for sharing.
Lauren
There are SO many different options on the market, making it really hard to know where to start. Especially if you’re a new dog owner or new to navigating food allergies with your dog. I hope that this can provide a starting point for those who need it.
Aw, a friend of mine has a puppy with allergies! This is a great post. I’ll definitely share this with her. Thank you for sharing x
Lynn | http://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
Thank you!
We’ll have to check some of these out! We have to be careful with our dog and treats; he throws most of them up.
It definitely sounds like there is some sort of food sensitivity there! I understand the struggle – trying to work around my girl’s allergies can bed difficult at times. That’s why I am always excited to share brands like this that I know I can trust.
This is such a great post. Thanks for sharing all these allergy friendly treats! I don’t have a dog, but this is such useful information for anyone who does!
Thank you!
I feel so ignorant that it only now occurred to me that, of course, dogs can have allergies just like we can. It makes perfect sense. It is great to see that there are so many great options available for dogs with allergies.
It’s actually something that A LOT of people overlook until they find themselves caring for a dog with allergies. I know that I didn’t put nearly as much thought into the idea before bringing our girl Daviana into my life.
Great post! You’ve got to be so careful what you give your dog sometimes. Mine lovessss his treats and thankfully we’ve never had no issues with any he’s had in terms of allergies. We do tend to stick with the same things though x
We’ve been really thinking outside of the box to try to avoid sticking to just the same things. It’s not always easy to have a variation when you’re really limited on what your dog can eat lol
I had no idea that dogs could have allergies the same way people do! I also thought it was bad to switch up their food, multiple times. Like that would do more harm than good. Clearly I was wrong. Totally learned something new about food allergies developing from eating the same thing for years and years. I’ve learned a ton from this post for my future dogs!
Suddenly switching foods can cause digestive issues but if you gradually switch things up so that they can adjust to their new food, it can be beneficial. That’s actually one of the questions that I get most often from people in terms of feeding dogs!
I’m glad that my dogs don’t have any food allergies so it’s not very difficult to have them. One of my dogs (chihuahua) eats everything from fruits to vegetables haha 😀 I need to save this post for future reference x
I wish that were the case lol Davi, my German Shepherd mix, is allergic to EVERYTHING! lol
This is such a great idea and I love some of the names, like Drool Central. It makes sense that dogs can be allergic to something, just like people, but I never knew there were specific treats for this.
Isn’t that adorable? I was lucky to find out about Drool Central in a Facebook Group that I was in. I love the name, the story behind it and the fact that the treats are such high-quality. What’s not to love?
My sister makes her pet treats all by hand these days and she said she’s noticed such a difference in her dog. Her coat is shinier, her tummy troubles are less and more!
Rosie
Feeding our dogs high-quality food and treats has such a significant impact on their overall health and well-being! I’m not surprised to hear that she’s made a difference. That’s why we love making treats for ours, as well.