What you feed your dog can help or worsen their allergies and skin issues

If your dog suffers from chronic itching, hot spots, or red, inflamed skin, you know how hard it is to watch them struggle. And like most pet parents, you’ll try anything to help—vet visits, allergy tests, medicated shampoos, supplements. But the answer may not be another medicated shampoo or steroid prescription. The solution may be closer to home: what you are putting in your dog’s bowl.

The connection between your dog’s food and their immune system is closely linked—yet it’s something many overlook. At Elevate Pet Provisions, we think about this a lot. It’s why we’re so passionate about feeding your dog a healthy diet, as it can have a profound impact on a variety of health issues, including allergies and skin conditions.

But not all dog food brands share that same mission.

The Link Between Gut Health and Allergies

Most dog parents don't realize that approximately 70% of their pup's immune system resides in the gut. This means your dog’s food can have a huge impact on how their immune system functions, including inflammation levels, allergy triggers, and skin issues.  

Many traditional kibbles are carb-heavy and loaded with synthetics, artificial flavors, and highly-processed ingredients. These can disrupt the gut microbiome, the delicate balance of good and bad bacteria in the digestive system. 

When the bad bacteria begins to outcompete the good bacteria a condition called “leaky gut” may develop.

Leaky gut is exactly what it sounds like. The porous lining can allow for substances that would normally pass through the intestines, like undigested dog food, bacteria, and toxins, to enter the bloodstream through the lining.This can not only cause digestive issues but also disrupt the immune system. And for those prone to allergies, this disruption can show up in itchy skin, hot spots, and redness. 

Why Processed Kibble Can Make Things Worse

Here’s what happens behind the scenes with many dry dog foods:

• High-heat processing triggers something called the Maillard reaction, which can reduce the availability of key amino acids and lead to inflammatory responses.
  

• It also creates advanced glycation end products —compounds linked to chronic inflammation in both humans and animals.
  

• Many formulas rely on certain types of starches that can spike blood sugar and throw off the gut microbiome.
  

• The high pressure needed to create kibble results in loss of vitamins, cause digestibility issues, and other changes in nutrients – all of which support a healthy immune system.
  

• And then there are the preservatives, artificial colors, and flavors, which some dogs simply can’t tolerate and lead to digestive issues.

When your dog is constantly exposed to ingredients and processing methods that fuel inflammation, their immune system stays on high alert. Over time, this can lead to more frequent and severe allergic reactions, according to research.

How Elevate Dog Food Helps Heal From Within

At Elevate Pet Provisions, we do things differently.

Our recipes are gently air-dried, so we don’t use the extreme heat that breaks down nutrients or creates inflammatory byproducts. Instead, we focus on simple, whole food nutrition made with human-grade meats and naturally anti-inflammatory produce.

There are no fillers. No mystery meats. No artificial anything.

This approach helps us protect the integrity of the ingredients while supporting the gut microbiome. And when the gut is balanced, inflammation goes down, the immune system can relax, and your dog’s skin isn’t irritated.

This article is not intended to be medical advice. Please consult your veterinarian for any concerns you may have.