Best Dog Food for English Bulldogs with Skin Allergies

english bulldog puppy looking at the camera with blurred background

English bulldogs have a unique anatomy and, therefore, have special needs when it comes to nutrition which calls for the Best Dry Dog Food for English Bulldogs. Their skin is especially sensitive and finding the best dog food is sometimes difficult. English bulldogs with skin allergies can be challenging to feed. Many times, these dogs tend to gain weight due to a limited ingredient diet, plus having other health issues that should be addressed. Here, we will outline the best food for English bulldog, especially the ones with skin allergies.

 

 

English Bulldogs and Their Allergies

English bulldogs are prone to a variety of skin infections due to their folds and wrinkles, among many other reasons. Some of them include the following:

  • Canine atopic dermatitis or Eczema

    Eczema is a common problem encountered by owners of English bulldogs. This is an infection not caused by a parasite and causes dry, itchy skin. Insect bites, allergies, and stress can cause eczema in English bulldogs especially during the summer, when the weather is warm.

     

  • Pyoderma, dermatitis, and staph can cause bacterial infections in bulldogs.

     

     

    These infections either affect the surface of the skin or delve deeper and allergies and insect bites can worsen these.

     

  • Seborrhea is another type of disorder that can affect English bulldogs by making their skin excessively oily or, on the other hand, excessively dry.

    Bacterial or fungal infections can cause this to happen. These infections can appear as patches of skin that emit a foul odor, and vets can treat these using antibiotics. Seborrhea is also problematic because English bulldogs have folds all over their body. A collection of discharge from the skin will cause problems in the folds themselves, leading to more extreme allergies.

     

  • Acute moist dermatitis is another common skin problem with English bulldogs.

    These are caused by allergic reactions to food, insect bites, and even anal gland problems. Aside from these, acne is also common, which is caused by dirt entering the skin pores. Acne, however, is more common among younger bulldogs.

chunky english bulldog with forehead wrinkles and teeth sticking out of a closed mouth laying down
english bulldog in a green grass yard sitting horizontal and looking to the right

Best Dog Foods for Dogs with Allergies

There are many signs that point to a dog with allergies. The signs may not be the same for all dogs, but they are common in general. Aside from those listed above, there are more common signs of dog food allergies that can alert you to skin problems with your English bulldog. These signs are quite obvious and should prompt you to seek veterinary

  • Scabs or rashes on the skin
  • Chronic ear infections
  • Red skin that appears to be inflamed
  • Gassiness
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Itchiness that leads the dog to excessive scratching, often causing wounds and scabs on the skin, which leads to patchy skin and coat
  • Reduced energy levels

There are two kinds of food that are acceptable for dogs with allergies – the Limited Ingredients Diet and hypoallergenic food. 

Limited Ingredients Diet contains only a select number of ingredients, which helps you pin down the exact one that causes the allergy. These diets can be bought over-the-counter and do not require a prescription by a vet. Limited ingredients often contain only 2-3 ingredients, which will help you pinpoint which food is causing the allergy. It will also help you avoid foods that are potential allergens. 

On the other hand, hypoallergenic foods are usually bought with a prescription from a vet and is widely available online. These are made of animal protein that has been hydrolyzed into its basic building blocks or amino acids. This results in the allergen being virtually ‘invisible’ to your pet’s immune system. 

Dog food manufacturers often take great strides to ensure that the food they make is of high quality. This means that there is a balance between proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, as well as nutrients, such as omega fatty acids and vitamins. 

Natural dog foods are designed to keep your pet at a healthy weight, have a high protein content, and prevents eye issues. Treats should also be hypoallergenic.

Keys to a Balanced Diet

As with any other animal, English bulldogs need a specific nutritional profile in order to keep them healthy. 

  • The primary ingredients should be good quality protein, such as lamb meal, chicken meal, and fish meal
  • You may also want to consider grain free dog food, or even grain free dry dog food
  • Raw dog food is a viable alternative, with many pet owners saying that it produces better health
  • Make sure that the dog food you pick is soy-free. Many bulldogs are allergic to soy
  • It should be a good sources of carbohydrates without any fillers

Specific Food for Specific Allergies

Specific allergies sometimes need a specific change in diet. Not all diets can solve all allergies, and this is why there are particular changes that you can make for a particular type of allergy:

  • Changes in coat color: increase amino acids that can be sourced from proteins, which means greater than 75 grams per 1000 calories
  • Accompanying gastrointestinal symptoms: avoid any food with histamine and tryptamine. These include dairy and fermented vegetables
  • Chronic itching and dermatitis: include increased amounts of vitamin E, vitamin B, and zinc. Also, increase the concentration of omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids. Adding a probiotic is helpful as well. 
  • Scaling and dull coat: adjust the DHA and EPA levels in your dog’s food. Add fish oil and zinc
  • Crustiness and dandruff: add vitamin A and zinc 

Other Non-Food Treatments

It’s important to also know the non-food treatments for allergies in English bulldogs. These non-food treatments can come in handy in case the food treatment does not work. 

  • Sulfate-free, hypoallergenic shampoo is recommended for bulldogs with allergies
  • Look for additional ingredients like aloe vera and hydrocortisone
  • For lesions and acute moist dermatitis, antihistamines, organic, sprays, topical creams can help
  • Probiotics for dogs is another option. These build better and more robust immune and digestive systems

Conclusion

Your dog deserves the best nutrition for optimal health. An English bulldog that has skin allergies should be given the same amount of care as a child. Dogs with skin allergies should be given special diets, such as dog food for bulldogs. It should have the right balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. It’s also important to determine, early on, which foods or ingredients cause allergies. Limited ingredient foods are better in this regard since they may have food allergies. Shop now for the best dog food for your pet!