15 Best Dog Foods for St. Bernards with Allergies
My Saint could only eat NutroMax Sensitive. Even his treats were NutoMax Sensitive.
Author: Paige T.
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We had our puppy tested for sensitivity. We used 5 strands. You mail in a hair sample and they test for about 400 different items. Lot less expensive than a vet. The test ranks them on how sensitive he was. The report was 11 pages and divided into food intolerance and environmental intolerance. Interesting because he was sensitive to Greek yogurt but not plain yogurt. Found her was sensitive to salmon oil. But just because he shows up sensitive doesn’t mean he will have a reaction. We ended up with nature’s logic dog food and he is doing well on it.
Author: Dale K.
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We feed ours IAM’S.
Author: Elizabeth M.
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I had a saint who could only eat salmon dog food. Maybe try that
Author: Tina G.
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We had a lot of problems with ear infections so we switched to a new brand of food and have no problems since
Author: Terry-Anne D.
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Mine was allergic to chicken had to find dog food without chicken
Author: Debi H.
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Author: Terry L.
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My boy does great with a blue salmon potato blend. So much healthier now. His nemesis was chicken.
Author: DawnMarie E.
Likes: 1
Have him tested, then you will know for sure. But Fish usually works, I have a bulldog that’s allergic to Millet, which is in a lot of kibbles.
Author: Julia M.
Likes: 1
I made Abby’s food for the last 5 years of her life. I boiled Boneless chicken breasts, added rice, mixed veggies and dinovite. Put a weeks worth in containers and froze it. Abby thrived on it.
Author: George N.
Likes: 1
Grain free everything.. worked for 8 years until he passed
Author: Wennschmee S.
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Gentle giants made for saints
Author: Crystal C.
Likes: 0
Katherine Heigel makes a great one that’s dehydrated called Badland’s Ranch. Also Dr Marty makes a good freeze dried food Nature’s Blend. Really good ingredients in both, but quite expensive. We use it as a supplement. Also check into the Farmer’s Dog. They say the most common allergies in dogs are corn, chicken, and wheat. Try to find something without those 3 things.
Author: Chad M.
Likes: 2
Rice cooked with plain roasted chicken.
Author: Dawn N.
Likes: 0
Lamb and rice. Mine has an allergy to chicken. You wouldn’t believe when you read the ingredients how things that don’t have chicken in it had chicken in the ingredients. It was really struggle. Make sure you read all the ingredients.
Author: Lynn Connors A.
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Foods for St. Bernards with Allergies
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What are common food allergies in St. Bernards?
St. Bernards commonly suffer from allergies to proteins like beef, chicken, and dairy, as well as grains such as corn, wheat, and soy. Identifying the exact allergen often requires an elimination diet or allergy testing conducted by a veterinarian. -
How can I tell if my St. Bernard has a food allergy?
Symptoms include persistent itching, ear infections, gastrointestinal issues (like vomiting or diarrhea), excessive licking of paws, and skin rashes. If these signs appear consistently after eating, a food allergy may be the cause. -
What ingredients should I avoid in my St. Bernard’s food?
Avoid common allergens such as beef, chicken, wheat, corn, soy, artificial additives, and dairy. Opt for limited ingredient diets or foods labeled “hypoallergenic” to reduce the risk of allergic reactions. -
Are grain-free diets better for St. Bernards with allergies?
Not always. While grain-free diets can benefit dogs with grain sensitivities, not all St. Bernards are allergic to grains. The focus should be on identifying the specific allergen—whether it’s grain, protein, or something else—before switching to grain-free. -
What are some recommended protein sources for allergic St. Bernards?
Novel proteins like duck, venison, salmon, rabbit, and kangaroo are often used in allergy-friendly dog foods. These are less likely to trigger an immune response if your dog hasn’t been exposed to them previously. -
Can homemade dog food help with allergies?
Yes, homemade meals can offer better control over ingredients and are often recommended during elimination diets. However, it’s crucial to consult a veterinary nutritionist to ensure the food is balanced and meets your St. Bernard’s large-breed dietary needs. -
What are the best commercial dog food brands for St. Bernards with allergies?
Brands like Zignature, Natural Balance L.I.D., Hill’s Prescription Diet, Royal Canin Hypoallergenic, and Blue Buffalo Basics offer limited ingredient or hypoallergenic formulas ideal for managing food allergies in large breeds like the St. Bernard.
As always, be sure to consult your veterinarian before making any health changes to your St. Bernard’s food. iHeartDogs is reader supported, so some of the links above may be affiliate links where we receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Toledo, United States.