Fresh Food for Itchy Pups: Supporting Dogs with Environmental Allergies
Written by Kelly Gredner RVT, VTS (Nutrition)
When people think of an itchy dog, the thoughts often go towards food allergies. But adverse reactions to food are not as prevalent as people think, with sources stating widely different occurrence rates.
A more common problem for our canine companions is dog environmental allergies, also called atopy or dog atopic dermatitis. Though dogs can suffer from both conditions at the same time, the amount of dogs with confirmed cases of both is currently unknown.¹
If your dog appears to be itchy and uncomfortable during seasonal changes, or if they remain itchy after food allergies have been ruled out, then they could also have atopy.
Atopic dermatitis (AD, for short), is one of the most common and chronic inflammatory skin conditions.¹ These can often relapse creating frustration from the pet parents, expensive ongoing management, and uncomfortable flare ups for the dogs.
What Is Dog Atopic Dermatitis?
Dog atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition linked to itchiness, skin barrier changes, environmental allergen triggers, and microbial imbalance. It is not usually “fixed” by one food change alone, but nutrition can still support the skin while your veterinarian manages the condition.
Compared to food allergies, atopy is much more challenging to treat as the allergens are so hard to avoid! The International Committee on Allergic Diseases of Animals defines atopic dermatitis as “a hereditary, typically pruritic, and predominantly T-cell–driven inflammatory skin disease involving interplay between skin barrier abnormalities, allergen sensitization, and microbial dysbiosis.” ¹
To put it simply, it’s an inflammatory condition characterized by:
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Itchiness
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A change in the protective skin barrier
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Environmental allergen triggers like mold, pollens, dust mites, etc.
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Bacterial balance disruption
What Causes Dog Environmental Allergies and Atopy?
Dog environmental allergies are complex. They may involve genetics, environmental allergens, food or non-food triggers, changes in the skin barrier, the skin microbiome, and immune system changes.
The cause of allergic dermatitis is not entirely understood. It’s a complex system with multiple factors like:
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Food or environmental allergens
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Genetics
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Deviations in the skin barrier and skin microbiome
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Immune system changes
This can also set off the itch-scratch cycle, which is persistent itching that causes the skin to break inviting bacteria and yeast to flourish, creating an itchier environment that repeats.¹
Treatments for Dogs With Atopy
Dogs with atopy often need a multimodal treatment plan. Bathing, medications, allergy testing, immunotherapy, and nutrition may all work together to help manage symptoms, but atopy is usually managed rather than cured.²
If there are allergens in the air (or in the home!) landing/resting on your dog’s skin and coat, then it’s a good idea to remove them, as best you can, to reduce any negative reactions. As once the scratching starts, the skin barrier breaks down and infection can set in.
If your dog suffers from atopy, therapeutic recommendations from your veterinarian may look like:
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Bathing regimens with or without medicated shampoos
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Anti-itch medications
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Anti-fungals
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Anti-histamines
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Antibiotics
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Allergy injections, usually provided by veterinary dermatologists
Treatments for atopy commonly require a multi-modal approach to managing symptoms — not a cure. Oral and topical medications, along with a diet to enrich from the inside out can work synergistically to help keep our pups comfortable!
Nutrition for Dogs With Atopy: What Food for Dogs With Itchy Skin Should Do
The best food for dogs with itchy skin should be complete and balanced first. From there, skin-support nutrients like essential fatty acids, zinc, vitamins, hydration, and overall diet quality can help support the skin barrier and coat quality.
Malnutrition, unbalanced diets, and poorly formulated or poor quality commercial diets can affect your pet’s skin and coat, making it thin, dry, brittle, and flaky. If your dog suffers from seasonal allergies then the above nutritional concerns could exacerbate uncomfortable skin problems.
But, the good news is that if a pet is eating a high quality, complete and balanced diet (whether kibble, gently-cooked, home made or raw), then it can help support the skin while your veterinarian manages those pesky allergies!
There are veterinary therapeutic diets available formulated to help promote a healthy skin barrier, replenish fatty acids, along with containing other nutrients to help support damaged skin and coat. They have various nutritional inclusions, but their individual effects on a dog with atopy is not fully known.³
However, if a veterinary exclusive diet isn’t recommended by your veterinarian, hasn’t worked, or is not desired by a dog parent, then a freshly prepared, complete and balanced gently-cooked diet can be fed.
Please always discuss with your Veterinarian before changing diets or starting a supplement(s) for your dog. With a thorough understanding of your dog’s medical history, they can help decide on what’s the most appropriate to use.
Skin Support Nutrients for Dogs With Environmental Allergies
Skin support nutrients can be helpful alongside a balanced diet, especially when dry, patchy, itchy skin or a dull coat are part of the picture. These nutrients should be used thoughtfully, because dosing and balance matter.
In conjunction with a balanced diet, there are specific supplements that have been shown to help with dry/patchy/itchy skin and a dull coat. Here are a few of them:
Essential Fatty Acids
Omega 3 for dogs with allergies is often discussed because EPA and DHA may help support normal inflammatory responses when used appropriately. Omega-6 fatty acids like linoleic acid are also important for skin and coat quality.
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) can have anti-inflammatory properties — when dosed appropriately — which may help reduce the overall redness/discomfort from the dog’s internal/external allergic response.⁴
EPA is found at high levels in omega 3 fatty acids, with the best sources being cold water fish oils. Although the oils shouldn’t contain any animal proteins, with severe fish allergies your Veterinarian might recommend an alternative like algal oil instead.
Found in plant oils like sunflower/canola/walnut, linoleic acid is an essential omega 6 fatty acid required in the diet for optimal skin and coat health. It helps to reduce water loss at the skin level and improves overall coat quality positively when included at the appropriate level as part of a well-formulated diet, or supplement routine. Adequate levels of linoleic acid can improve the shine and gloss of your dog’s coat while helping to decrease flakiness and scaling.
It’s important to include BOTH of these sources in a nourishing pet meal.
The Omega 6:3 Ratio
The omega 6:3 ratio matters because omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids work together. The goal is not to remove omega-6, but to build a balanced fatty acid profile that supports skin and immune health.
Not only is the dosing of omega 3 fatty acids important, but so is the ratio of omega 6 fatty acids to omega 3 fatty acids — which is often an overlooked component.
By reducing the ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids, we can incorporate more of the anti-inflammatory effects of the omega 3s, all while supporting immune status.⁴
Though the exact ratio for optimal effects has yet to be defined, current recommendations are for a ratio of </= 10:1.⁴
Zinc
Zinc used in conjunction with essential fatty acid supplementation can support skin and coat health by reducing water loss and scaling, along with improving the shine of the coat. It is also important with the development of a normal/healthy skin barrier.
Though deficiencies are rare, it might be a consideration if your pet is eating an unbalanced home cooked or raw diet.
Biotin/B Vitamins
Biotin/B Vitamins support normal skin integrity and coat quality. They should come from a complete and balanced diet first, and supplementation should be discussed with your veterinarian if your dog has ongoing skin concerns.
Biotin (Vitamin B7) and the broader B vitamin complex are essential for maintaining skin integrity and coat quality. Biotin plays a key role in the synthesis of fatty acids and the production of keratin (the primary structural component in hair and skin) which can help reduce water loss from the skin and minimize flakiness.
Other B vitamins such as B6, B12, and niacin, are vital for regular cellular metabolism, supporting the rapid growth and repair of skin cells and ensuring a healthy coat growth cycle. Including these nutrients at an appropriate amount can help in preventing a dry, brittle coat, and promoting overall skin barrier health.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is essential for maintaining healthy skin cell turnover and supporting the production of sebum, the natural oil that keeps a dog's coat lustrous and skin hydrated. Adequate levels are critical for repairing damaged skin and maintaining a strong barrier against environmental irritants.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that helps protect skin cells from oxidative damage caused by inflammation and environmental stressors. It supports the immune system and works synergistically with other nutrients to maintain skin elasticity and promote healing in irritated or itchy skin.
Quercetin
Quercetin is a plant-derived flavonoid that is thought to act similarly to a natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory compound. Quercetin can help reduce the release of histamine, potentially calming the intense itching and inflammation associated with environmental allergies.
Because supplement quality, dosing, and interactions matter, always talk to your veterinarian before adding quercetin or any other supplement to your dog’s allergy plan.
Water: The Overlooked Nutrient for Itchy Dogs
Hydration matters for skin comfort. A high-moisture diet can contribute to total water intake, but dogs should always have free access to fresh water.
Hydration status is important to consider in all medical conditions, even skin related ones! Dehydrated skin is dry and itchy, so ensuring your pet is properly hydrated through high moisture diets and free access to fresh water is important for their comfort.⁵
The Skin Microbiome and Fresh Food for Itchy Dogs
The skin microbiome is an emerging area of interest. Early research in healthy dogs suggests that fresh food may influence skin microbiome diversity compared to dry food, but more research is needed in dogs affected with atopy.⁶
Although more research is needed, diet does affect the bacteria living on a dog's skin; specifically, fresh foods appeared to have a greater impact on the diversity of the skin microbiome compared to kibble.⁶
The hope is that through positively impacting the skin microbiome, we can help dogs affected with atopic dermatitis and have nutrition play a larger role in management and comfortability for these cases.
Dr Hannah has a full blog on the subject here.
Best Dog Food for Environmental Allergies: Tom&Sawyer Meals to Consider
The best dog food for environmental allergies is the one that fits your dog’s medical history, provides complete and balanced nutrition, supports skin nutrients, and is tolerated well. At Tom&Sawyer, these gently-cooked recipes may be useful options to discuss with your veterinarian.
All of Tom&Sawyer meals are high in moisture, meaning they are ~75% and above in water content. Based on current research in our furry canine friend, fresh pet food can support total water intake.⁵
Gently-cooked meals are designed to deliver essential nutrients in a complete and balanced format, which means each bite is built with purpose.
For the omega skin support, consider:
These were formulated by Dr Hannah to hit the recommended omega 6:3 ratios providing nourishing, anti-inflammatory, tasty meals that enrich from the inside out.
How to Start a Fresh Food Plan for a Dog With Itchy Skin
A fresh food plan for a dog with itchy skin should start with your veterinarian, especially if your dog has recurring ear infections, paw licking, hot spots, vomiting, diarrhea, or suspected food allergies. Once your dog’s medical needs are clear, a complete and balanced gently-cooked plan can help make feeding more consistent.
If you are ready to explore a tailored option, start with Tom&Sawyer’s custom meal plan. This helps match your dog’s age, weight, activity level, and needs with meal recommendations that fit their daily routine.
Management, Not a Cure
Environmental allergies and atopy are managed over time. Diet by itself may not manage every symptom, but it can play an important role as part of a complete care plan.
This condition is best managed through various methods, and finding the right diet for your pup can potentially support the overall plan your veterinarian recommends. Medication changes should always be made with your veterinarian.
A diet by itself might not manage all their symptoms, but it does play an important role in helping support skin comfort and overall wellness.
When it comes to any type of allergy it’s all about maintenance! There are many dogs who are on strict food, supplements, and medical treatments regularly to create a good quality of life. Allergies are very uncomfortable and it can be troublesome to get them under control but once you do, your dog will thank you for it!
* currently available in Canada only
Resources
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Merck Veterinary Manual. Atopic Dermatitis in Dogs. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/integumentary-system/atopic-skin-conditions-in-dogs-and-cats/atopic-dermatitis-in-dogs
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Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Atopic dermatitis (atopy). https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-topics/atopic-dermatitis-atopy
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AAHA. 2023 AAHA Management of Allergic Skin Diseases in Dogs and Cats Guidelines. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37883677/
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Burron S., Richards T., Krebs G., et al. The balance of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids in canine, feline, and equine nutrition: exploring sources and the significance of alpha-linolenic acid. Journal of Animal Science. 2024. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11161904/
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Sires R., Yamka R., Wakshlag J. Feeding fresh food and providing water ad libitum is clinically proven to exceed calculated daily water requirements and impact urine relative supersaturation in dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2025. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12636039/
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Leverett K., Manjarín R., Laird E., et al. Fresh Food Consumption Increases Microbiome Diversity and Promotes Changes in Bacteria Composition on the Skin of Pet Dogs Compared to Dry Foods. Animals. 2022. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9329806/
