English Bulldogs have a ravenous appetite but the catch is that they also have sensitive tummies. These two characteristics don’t always mix together, especially if your pet has a food-induced skin allergy. In this case, you need the best dog food for English Bulldogs with skin allergies that will nourish your pet without the frills.
Below, I reviewed three dog food options that will be a good choice for your allergic English Bulldog. See which one your pet will like:
| PRODUCT | BRAND | EXPERT RATING | CHECK PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Taste of The Wild Grain Free Premium Dry Dog Food Pacific Stream Adult |  | Check Price |
 | Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Recipe with Real Salmon Natural Dry Dog Food |  | Check Price |
 | Canidae Pure Weight Management | | Check Price |
Skin Allergies among English Bulldogs
The English Bulldog has a unique skin fold pattern, which can result in dermatitis, muzzle acne, and other skin issues. The areas around the skin folds and wrinkles of the English bulldog tend to become itchy and irritated due to yeast and other infections. Meanwhile, the folds around the ears can also suffer from the same skin problem.
Moreover, environmental factors such as parasitic infestations can result in skin inflammations and allergies in your English bulldog. Particularly, Demodex is an extremely tiny mite that thrives on the dog’s hair follicles, which can torment your English bulldog.
Top 3 Best Dog Food for English Bulldogs
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Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Dog Food
When it comes to the best dog food for English Bulldogs with skin allergies, I highly recommend the Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet. This is a grain-free formula that’s easy to digest and unlikely to cause allergic reactions. The best part is that it only has minimal ingredients, perfect for canines suffering from allergies.
Moreover, this dog food product has salmon meal as its main ingredient. It’s mixed with peas, freeze-dried raw cod, coconut oil, real salmon, and a nutrient blend. Each kibble piece is coated by a freeze-dried raw for the best taste and odor that your Bulldog can’t resist.
Each serving of the Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet contains 28% protein, 18% fat, and 3% fiber. Your Bulldog will also get a dose of Omega fatty acids that will improve its skin health. This is aside from Vitamin C, which is a great immune system booster.
Unlike other cheap dog food products, this one from Instinct doesn’t have dairy, by-products, grains, beef, soy, and other potential allergens. It’s formulated with sensitive Bulldogs in mind.
Under this diet, your Bulldog will have better digestion, firmer skin, weight improvement, and excellent energy levels.
Canidae Pure Weight Management Limited Ingredient Dog Food
Another limited ingredient diet I recommend is the Canidae Weight Management Formula. While this is intended to keep your Bulldog within a healthy weigh, it’s also an effective meal against skin allergies.
This dog food has real chicken as its first ingredient. It’s blended with turkey meal, peas, sweet potatoes, garbanzo beans, and more. It doesn’t have corn, soy, and gluten that can piss off your dog’s tummy and skin.
Each serving of this dog food contains 28% protein, 9% fat, 5% fiber, and Omega fatty acids. It’s also packed with glucosamine and chondroitin that will help boost your pet’s joint health. On top of that, this has 100 CFU/lb. of Lactobacillus acidophilus probiotic for better digestion.
As the best dog food for English Bulldogs with skin allergies, this food is made easy to digest and yummy at the same time. There are also no artificial preservatives that may cause skin and stomach irritations.
Overall, the Canidae Weight Management Dog Food is catered to canines with sensitivities. Just remember that this is made for adult canines and not for puppies.
The Connection Between Food and Skin Allergies
English Bulldogs are vulnerable to developing adverse food reactions. They are susceptible to at least two food-related issues, which are food intolerance and food allergies.
Food intolerances and allergies can be traced to animal protein such as chicken, beef, and pork, but it can also be triggered by just about any food ingredient.
Remember that an allergy and food intolerance are two different things, though they share similar symptoms. Allergy occurs due to the over-reaction of the immune system while food intolerance happens when the digestive system can’t break down a specific substance.
Treatment Options
Antibiotics
Consult with your vet for a prescription of antibiotic medication for dogs. They will have a recommendation after diagnosing and determining what causes your dog’s skin allergy.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines such as Benadryl or Claritincan can help appease your Bulldog’s skin allergt symptoms. It’s important to consult the vet for the proper dosage based on your dog’s weight and overall health condition.
Steroids
A short-term steroid boost will provide your dog with temporary relief. However, long-term steroids may result in more harm than benefits. As with antihistamines, steroids should be administered with complete guidance and prescription from the vet.
Diet
When it comes to food allergies, it is crucial to switch to another food product. Vets will usually recommend a limited ingredient diet to Bulldogs with sensitive skin. This will help them pinpoint allergens easily while preventing further irritations. You can also consult with a pet nutritionist to formulate the right diet for your pet.
Shampoo
Externally, you can ease your Bulldog’s itching skin by bathing it with oatmeal or medicated shampoo. Take note that this is just a supplementary treatment. You still need to eliminate the allergen causing the skin problem, so your dog won’t suffer from further allergy attacks.
Nevertheless, both oatmeal and medicated shampoos help neutralize skin flares. It also locks in moisture on the canine’s skin to prevent irritations and further itching.
Preventing Allergies in English Bulldogs
While skin allergies can be food-induced, there are more ways to prevent it aside from changing your dog’s food. Here are some of the helpful tips you can follow:
Proper bathing
Bathing your Bulldog regularly can help alleviate itching and get rid of environmental allergens and pollens clinging on the dog;s skin. Consult with your vet about the best medicated shampoos, in case there are scabs and wounds from previous allergic reactions.
Never use human shampoo on your dog because it will just exacerbate the irritation and even cause other health problems.
Reduced exposure
For environmental allergies, the best way to prevent irritations is to reduce your dog’s exposure to them. Keep outdoor trips short and consider giving your Bulldog a quick rinse if it rolled on the grass or soaked on a lake. This will help remove allergens even before it wreaks havoc on your pet’s skin.
Keep your house clean
Sometimes, the allergens that trigger Bulldog skin allergies are found inside your home. When is the last time you vacuum-cleaned your carpets? Have you washed the curtains and sheets lately? All of these items can harbor nasty dirt that could trigger skin irritations not just on your Bulldog, but also on your family.
Diet
As discussed, an optimum diet is required for a dog suffering from allergies. It is not only for dogs with a food allergy. A food that is well-balanced with high levels of vitamins and minerals will enhance their immune system function. Make sure that you switch your Bulldog to a new diet that doesn’t contain the allergen.
Vitamins and Supplements
There are many types of supplements and vitamins available on the market specially designed for dogs. It comes in pills, powders, as well as drops. Some are specially formulated for the skin and coat. While supplements won’t cure your Bulldog’s skin allergy, they will help ease the symptoms. It will also improve the canine’s immune system.
Final Thoughts
It is crucial to provide your English bulldog with optimum care and maintenance. Despite their fierce look, these tough dogs are vulnerable to numerous health issues. Mitigate the growth of diseases by providing your dog with the best dog food for English bulldogs. Make sure your English bulldog is healthy inside out. Please give them the best nutrition to have a healthy appearance starting with allergy-free skin and coat.
