20 Best Foods for Schnauzers with Allergies

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Dealing with your Schnauzer’s food allergies can be beyond frustrating! We asked our 800,000 members of Schnauzer community on facebook the following question: “Those of you with Schnauzer’s who have allergies…. what food do you use and why?” We received hundreds of replies, and summarized the top 20 responses here.

As always, be sure to consult your veterinarian before making any health changes to your Schnauzer’s diet.

Healthier Meals for Dogs With Allergies

My current schnauzer has no problems, but with our previous one she had poultry allergies. Everything seemed to have chicken or chicken fat in it. She did fine with Merrick’s brand (they had beef and buffalo).

Author: Rosina P.

Likes: 0

My oldest, now 12, has a chicken allergy from birth. Unfortunately took us a LONG time to figure it out since most puppy food was chicken-based. Once we switched him off chicken as the protein, he’s been fine. His current food is Purina Pro Lamb. Lamb seems to be his fav over any of the fishes so we stick with that.

Author: Michelle S.

Likes: 1

I cook for mine: lamb and lamb only, no chicken or birds in general. I cut off the fat from the meat and if needed change the water to cook it again, to make it as fat free as possible. I add mashed sweet potato, carrots and peas. Sometimes beets. She loves it and not only it helps with allergies but also prevents pancreatitis. My pup already has the pancreatitis and it made a world of difference for her. She is 14 years old and full of energy!

Author: Eliza M.

Likes: 3

All my schnauzers have eaten lamb and brown rice. Never an issue and been told by my vets that’s the best due to allergies they can have on other food. I use Earthborn.

Author: Debbie M.

Likes: 1

Our schnauzer has an allergy to poultry foods, and because we feed raw/dehydrated, we switched her to Honest Kitchen Beef and Stella and Chewy Freeze-Dried Beef. We also added a tsp of steeped green tea to her food and curcumin. Absolutely, like night and day!

Author: Dillon B.

Likes: 0

Clearly there is not once answer to your question. Mostly a trial and error. Mine had ended up with a 1/4 cup blue buffalo, and is ok with chicken or salmon and a variety of vegetables and fruits that are approved for dogs. I also supplement with omega 3 6 9 oil, walnut oil, and his meat I cook using a bit of coconut oil. I don’t give much in treats but the ones I do are home made. He also likes a raw carrot as a treat. Took about a year to fine tune it, but now he is super healthy, soft fur, no itching and no gastric issues.

Author: Tammy Breton D.

Likes: 1

Blue Buffalo used to have a salmon formula food that completely fixed my schnauzer allergies!! Good luck

Author: Susan Huggins M.

Likes: 5

Not a food recommendation, but I would HIGHLY recommend this allergy supplement. Reduced my dog’s itching substantially. My vet said keep using it!

Author: Jay C.

Likes: 18

My schnauzer had skin allergies and my groomer suggested Brewers Yeast with Garlic pills. I am a believer of them. She’s had one allergy outbreak in 5 plus years and she takes them every day. All natural

Author: Jennifer Baker C.

Likes: 0

For years we did Natural Balance Venison and Sweet Potato wet food mixed with the same dry food. Unfortunately the wet food has been out of stock long term and is hard to find, so we switched to fresh pet instead of the wet food, but had to make sure it was the grain free one.

Author: Kimberly Costa L.

Likes: 0

Ours had bad skin allergies. We tried several types of food with no change. We bought a water bowl that circulates the water through a carbon filter and use bottle water to fill it. Her skin got so much better. She no longer has skin issues. Just something you might want to try. Chewy has several filtered water bowls to choose from.

Author: Joe C.

Likes: 1

Fresh Pet!!! We use the beef log for our two schnauzer. Our mini’s had the worst skin and tummy issues. We’ve had our mini’s on Fresh Pet for 4 years now with no issues. We buy at Walmart or Harps

Author: SonnyandTammy Mead H.

Likes: 1

Hydrolyzed Royal Canin was the only food that worked for mine. She suffered from recurrent ear infections until we switched the food. Unfortunately, we found the doctor that gave us the solution at the end of her 14 year life.

Author: Karen P.

Likes: 0

Currently: Acana Singles Lamb & Apple Limited Ingredient.

Previously fed him FirstMate Australian Lamb. This was a really good food but it’s not readily available on the east coast. Used to order through Chewy but during Covid availability and shipping wasn’t reliable. This is why I made the switch to Acana.

Fed him Blue Buffalo Lamb and Brown Rice from a puppy. He didn’t have any issues with it but I switched when their true formula was revealed. This was around the time when we were out on the west coast-this is when I switched to FirstMate.

First mate is an amazing food. The sales person in the store opened a small sample bag and gave me about 5-6 kibbles. Told me to take it home and put in a cup of water and see what happened. It was almost 100% meat. It didn’t crumble-it looked and felt like a small chunk of meat. Decided to buy and did the water test over to see if there would be a difference and there wasn’t. My dog put on lean muscle and bulked up a little bit. If you can get this food you should try it.

Author: Darnell J.

Likes: 0

Purina pro plan sensitive stomach salmon and rice. It’s helped so much since switching a few years ago.

Author: Chelsie W.

Likes: 1

Depends on WHAT they’re allergic to. I’ve had 4- all allergic to different things. Other than avoiding chicken, it didn’t make any difference what food we used. We choose a high protein, high quality food. DO NOT DO GRAIN FREE-our vet said it can lead to heart disease.

Author: Vicki Willhite S.

Likes: 1

The breeder I got mine from was a pet nutrionist and she recommended Bill Jack for small breeds and my two thrived on it. My male schnauzer had seasons allergies and I had him tested and he was highly allergic to milk, soy and rice. I fed them boneless, skinless boiled chicken breast sometimes in their Bill Jack as a treat and I gave them Full Moon human grade chicken strips, or natural dog treats as treats occasionally.

Author: Theresa T.

Likes: 0

My schnauzer is allergic to just about everything. He is on Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed food. He’s been on it for almost a year now and is doing great!

Author: Laurie S.

Likes: 2

We are currently trying Zignature (Zssential formulas) We have tried all different brands even trying one the vet. put her on to know avail. We now also have her on Candid-y drops for yeast infection. She stinks of stale corn chips and her underarms are all red and chewing her feet. We have been fighting this battle for over a year and it is so tiring. Vet tried injections – didn’t do a think. We have been told ‘no’ chicken so we have stayed away from chicken. We’ve been told no grains or sugars as that feeds the internal yeast which supposedly it the problem.

Author: Linda Dallmeyer M.

Likes: 0

CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Limited Ingredient Chicken, Lentil & Pea Recipe Dry Dog Food. I had him tested for allergies, this dog food had ingredients that he wasn’t allergic to.

Author: John L.

Likes: 1

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Foods for Schnauzers with Allergies

1. What are the most common food allergies in Schnauzers?

Schnauzers often develop allergies to common ingredients like beef, chicken, dairy, wheat, and soy. Identifying and avoiding these allergens is crucial to managing their symptoms effectively.

2. How can I tell if my Schnauzer has a food allergy?

Typical signs include excessive itching, ear infections, skin rashes, gastrointestinal issues like vomiting or diarrhea, and paw licking. A veterinarian can confirm the allergy through an elimination diet or testing.

3. What are the best hypoallergenic dog food options for Schnauzers?

Look for limited-ingredient diets with novel proteins (like duck or venison) and grain-free or grain-inclusive recipes that avoid common allergens. Some top-rated hypoallergenic brands include Hill’s Prescription Diet, Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein, and Natural Balance LID.

4. Are homemade diets good for Schnauzers with allergies?

Yes, homemade meals can be beneficial if they’re carefully balanced and supervised by a vet or pet nutritionist. They allow you to control every ingredient and eliminate known allergens from your Schnauzer’s diet.

5. Should I choose grain-free food for my allergic Schnauzer?

Grain-free foods can help if your Schnauzer is allergic to grains, but not all allergies are grain-related. Choose grain-free only if grains are identified as the allergen, and ensure the food is nutritionally complete.

6. Can treats trigger allergies in Schnauzers?

Absolutely. Many dog treats contain hidden allergens like dairy, wheat, or artificial additives. Opt for single-ingredient or allergy-friendly treats that match your dog’s specific dietary needs.

7. How long does it take to see improvement after switching foods?

It typically takes 6–8 weeks to notice improvement in symptoms after transitioning to an allergen-free diet. Consistency is key, and no other food sources should be given during this period.

Support Your Dog’s Allergy Relief With Better Nutrition

Choosing the right food can make a world of difference for dogs with allergies. When you select recipes made with gentle ingredients and clean nutrition, you help soothe irritation, support digestion, and keep your pup feeling their best. Every thoughtful choice brings your dog closer to the comfort and wellness they deserve. With the right allergy-friendly diet, you can ease symptoms and enjoy more joyful, energetic days together. Because a healthy, comfortable dog is a truly happy dog.

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