Key Takeaways
- Skin allergies in dogs can be caused be various allergens. Check with your vet first if raw dog food helps your dog’s specific condition.
- A raw diet boosts dogs’ digestion and immune system—both important in fighting off allergic reactions.
- Oily fish, turkey, rabbit, and beef are some of the best proteins you can add to any raw dog food recipes for skin allergies.
A raw diet is one of the best ways to give your dog’s immune and digestion system the support it needs to develop and grow strong. It improves the dog’s overall health and relieves allergic symptoms by providing anti-inflammatory benefits. When dogs are on a poor diet, it sometimes manifests through skin rashes or a lackluster coat. The stronger the immune system, the better your dog’s skin and coat look. As a balanced diet, it also improves their chances of fighting off common dog food allergies without going to the vet. So you need to give them the appropriate diet to gain these benefits. Below we are sharing a few raw dog food recipes for skin allergies.
If you still have doubts about making homemade dog food, however, the best dog food delivery service platforms today offer high-quality and biologically appropriate raw diets for pets—brought straight to you home. We Feed Raw is one of the most sought-after pet food subscription brand due to it’s excellence in the raw feeding game. My dog develops skin allergies from certain ingredients in kibble which is why I turned to fresh dog food options. But if you do have the time to prepare a raw diet, read my guide below.
Skin Allergies in Dogs
Dog owners should realize that other than food allergy, your dog’s skin condition may also be affected by external factors such as flea bites, dirty beddings, pollens, dust, mold, etc. These are either inhaled or has come in contact with your dog. It is important to understand first what type of skin allergy your pup is having and find out what causes it so you can adjust from there.
If you are sure the allergy is caused by food sensitivity, seek further advise from your vet. Before following any of these homemade dog food recipe ideas or making any change to your dog’s diet, it is crucial to find out first which foods your pooch is allergic to so you can avoid them. A trip to the vet or an elimination diet should help you. Take note of your dog’s weight, age, breed, and energy levels as feeding guide.
Raw Fish and Veggies
Fish is rich in omega-three fatty acids, which veterinarians claim decreases the level of inflammation [1]. It is also a great alternative for dogs that have an allergic reaction to chicken or beef. Making your own dog food using this recipe is very easy.
Ingredients
- Five pounds non farmed oily fish fillet such as mackerel
- Eight ounces of kale
- Five ounces of broccoli
- Four ounces of dandelion greens
- Twelve ounces of blueberries or mixed berries
- Six tablespoons of seaweed calcium
Preparation
Grind or chop the fish meat into small cubes. Puree the broccoli, kale, greens, and bone meal in a food processor. Mix the fillet and veggie plus berry mix thoroughly and place the mixture into small containers. These are to be placed in the freezer for storage before serving to the dog. The food should also be frozen according to one to three-day portions.
Boneless Turkey and Eggs
Turkey is a good option for dogs because it is lean and easy to digest. That makes it a good candidate for dogs that have allergies. It also has some aspects like riboflavin which improves the metabolism process. The recipe’s ingredients have also been carefully chosen to ensure they meet the AAFCO minimum nutrition requirements for dogs.
Ingredients
- Five pounds of lean turkey meat
- Two pounds of chicken heart
- Six pasture-raised eggs without the shells
- Eight ounces of kale
- Eight ounces of dandelion greens
- Eight ounces of broccoli
- Twelve ounces of blueberries
- Six tablespoons of ground pumpkin seed (for healthy fats)
Preparation
Grind the chicken heart and the turkey meat. If it is not possible to obtain a grinder, you can chop the meat into small cubes. Make a puree from the eggs, broccoli, kale, greens, pumpkin seed, and berries. Mix the puree with the cut or ground turkey and stir to ensure good dispersal. Divide the mixture into small containers and place them in the freezer for storage. The food should be frozen in one to three-day portions.
Rabbit and Veggies
Rabbit is one of the best options for dogs that have allergies. It can also be used as an elimination approach to see which meat the dog is sensitive to. In a dog elimination diet, the proteins the dog tends to eat are removed, and you feed it a single option. If this is the case, though, it should not be given alongside poultry or beef because the results would not be reliable.
Ingredients
- Four pounds of rabbit, or two rabbits carcasses
- Eight ounces of broccoli
- Half an ounce of chopped spinach
- Six ounces of blueberries
Preparation
Cut the rabbit into small pieces. It can be fed as muscle meat whole or ground with organs such as the liver and the heart. Puree the broccoli, berries, and spinach in a food processor. Mix the rabbit meat with the vegetable puree and put the remaining mixture into small containers, which are then to be placed in a freezer. The homemade food is to be frozen in one to three-day portions.
Homemade Beef and Lentils
Ground beef and lentils are nutrient-rich and non-toxic homemade dog foods. They also come available with great nutrients and fiber. It is also very digestible and great for your dog’s skin, so you do not have to worry about unpleasant gassiness.
Ingredients
- Ground beef
- Sweet potatoes or brown rice
- Carrots
- Spinach
- Eggs
- Sunflower oil
- Salmon oil
Preparation
This time you will not have to worry about cutting the meat up as you need to mince beef to get the best results. Blend the eggs, carrots, spinach, and sweet potatoes in one setting, along with the sunflower oil. Then mix the egg and vegetable puree with the beef. Separate your dog’s food into small containers and put these in the freezer for storage.
Looking for breed-specific raw recipes? Check these out:
- Raw dog food recipes for pitbulls
- Raw dog food recipes for golden retrievers
- Raw dog food recipes for German shepherds
FAQs
Are dog food allergies really a thing?
Dogs’ most common food allergens are protein based from chicken, beef, or wheat gluten. Every time a dog that is allergic eats these foods, the antibodies cause a reaction with the antigens leading to allergic symptoms. These may present as itchy skin, coughing, or runny discharge from the eyes and nose. Hence the need for raw dog food recipes for skin allergies.
How to make raw dog food?
The best way to make homemade dog food recipes is to find a base animal protein your pet is not allergic to. The meat is cut up or ground to make it easily chewable and then mixed with a puree of vegetables. The vegetables may include kale, berries, and dandelion greens. These are mixed with the meat and stored in containers for later serving.
What is raw dog food?
Raw dog food can be homemade or freeze-dried. A raw diet includes muscle, organ, ground bone, and fresh vegetables. It depends on the recipe you would like to use as the meal plan for your dog.
Is a raw diet good for dogs?
According to the American veterinary medical association, they oppose the unregulated feeding of raw food. However, several fresh dog food platforms are verified by the Association of American Feed Control Officials.