Veterinary experts told NBC News that specific dog foods can help ease allergy symptoms in dogs. Allergies are among the most common chronic health problems in dogs, particularly as a cause of itchy skin (pruritus) and atopic dermatitis. In specialty or university veterinary settings, food allergies account for approximately 10-20% of allergic dermatological signs in dogs, or 5-15% of all dogs with skin or ear disorders.

The article compiles guidance from veterinary dermatologists on dietary approaches that may reduce inflammation and support the skin barrier, noting formulation details and regulatory guidance owners should consider when choosing a therapeutic diet.

Dr. Susan Paterson, a veterinary dermatologist and telemedicine veterinary director at Veterinary Dermatological Ltd and Virtual Vet Derms, stressed the role of fat in skin health. “Diets enriched with fatty acids can reduce inflammation, improve skin health and strengthen the skin barrier,” she said. Common signs of food allergies in dogs include itchy skin, paws, or ears, often with excessive licking, scratching, or chewing, and recurrent ear or skin infections.

Dr. Cherie Pucheu-Haston, a veterinary dermatologist and professor of veterinary dermatology and immunology at Louisiana State University, described the immune mechanism behind food reactions. “Food allergies typically occur when the immune system responds to a protein in the food,” she said. Digestive symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, soft stool, increased gas, or more frequent bowel movements are also prevalent in affected dogs.

The piece highlights that some therapeutic kibbles are formulated specifically for healthy skin and come in controlled package sizes. A prescription from a veterinarian is required for purchase, which aligns with the rigorous approach necessary for food allergies. Pet owners should work with a veterinarian to run a strict elimination diet trial using a prescription novel protein or hydrolyzed diet for 6-12 weeks, with most dogs showing improvement by 8 weeks, then reintroduce the old food or individual ingredients to see which ones trigger symptoms.

The article also cites the Association of Animal Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), the nonprofit that provides nutritional guidelines for dog food, as part of the framework owners and clinicians use to assess whether a diet meets complete and balanced standards.

Veterinary commentary in the article focuses on how diet formulation—particularly inclusion of fatty acids—may reduce the signs of allergic skin disease and help strengthen the skin’s defenses against irritation. Experts characterize dietary options as part of a broader clinical approach to animals showing symptoms consistent with food-related allergic reactions.

Readers seeking technical or research perspectives can consult peer-reviewed work and established clinical references for deeper context; relevant studies appear in outlets such as Frontiersin, and clinical guidance on diagnostic and dietary strategies is outlined in reference texts like the Merck Veterinary Manual.

The NBC Select piece attributes its recommendations to practicing veterinary dermatologists and frames dietary change as a clinical decision involving prescription products when appropriate. It notes formulation details owners may encounter on labels and flags the involvement of regulated nutritional standards in evaluating those products.

For owners considering a change, the article underscores that some therapeutic formulas are available only with veterinary authorization and that product packaging and nutrient profiles are part of the decision-making process discussed by the veterinarians quoted.

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Original reporting: view the original article.