7 Best Dog Food For Dogs Allergic To Chicken | No More Scratching

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The 10-ingredient formula that stopped chronic ear infections after years of failed attempts.

Real deboned lamb is the first ingredient here, and the formula keeps the rest of the list tight — just 10 key ingredients, no soy, corn, wheat, dairy, or eggs. This makes it a strong option if your dog has multiple sensitivities beyond just chicken. One reviewer noted, “It’s been 6-7 months, no more ear infections, not nearly the amount of scratching, better poops” — a direct result of removing poultry and relying on a single novel protein.

Compared to the Farmina above, Merrick is more budget-friendly while still delivering glucosamine and chondroitin for hip and joint health and omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids for the coat. It is made in USA facilities (Hereford, Texas) and contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. The main catch is the bag size — the 4-pound option is small, so owners of large breeds will need multiple bags, which adds to the recurring cost.

Reach for this if: your dog has chronic ear infections or scratching that has not responded to other “chicken-free” foods with longer ingredient lists. Know before buying: the 4-pound bag is small; factor in buying multiple bags if you have a large breed.

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A salmon-first kibble that resolved vomiting, diarrhea, and ear itching in a mini Aussie.

This Nutro recipe keeps it to 10 key ingredients or less, with salmon as the single animal protein and lentils providing natural fiber for digestion. The formula is fortified with vitamin E and selenium (a mineral that fights cell damage) for immune support, plus omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that nourish sensitive skin. One owner summed it up simply: “Chicken allergy resolved: no more diarrhea, vomiting, ear itching.”

Where this pick beats the Merrick above is the salmon protein — if your dog has already tried lamb and not improved, salmon is a different novel protein that often works. Reviewers also specifically praise the “truly chicken free” nature of this recipe, noting that even Nutro’s own regular lamb and rice formula may contain chicken meal. The main limitation is the bag size (4 pounds), but the kibble works for all breed sizes, unlike Farmina’s Mini-only focus.

Choose this for: a dog with a confirmed chicken allergy who has not tried salmon as a protein — the switch often resolves GI and skin issues fast. One thing to note: the 4-pound bag is a trial size; you may want to test one bag before committing to a larger purchase.

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The lamb recipe that regrew hair in a pug’s facial folds after the scratching stopped.

Lamb is the number one ingredient here, and the formula explicitly states “no chicken and no beef” — a rare double guarantee for dogs who react to both poultry and red meat. It is grain-free and made with 10 key ingredients or less, plus omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat health. One pug owner reported, “My black pug stopped scratching & regrew hair in his folds once I switched him to this poultry free food.”

This is essentially the lamb counterpart to the salmon Nutro above, so the choice between the two depends on which protein your dog tolerates. The sweet potato provides natural fiber for healthy digestion, and reviewers with hound mixes noted their dogs maintained weight on just 1/2 cup of dry food twice daily. The main complaint is the price — one buyer mentioned that “a product with fewer ingredients costs more,” which is true across the limited-ingredient category.

Go with this one if: your dog needs both chicken AND beef removed from the diet, or if you prefer lamb as the single protein. The honest catch: price per pound is higher than standard kibble, and some dogs may not like the pumpkin inclusion in the recipe.

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A salmon recipe with patented probiotics that tackles skin issues and yeast problems at the gut level.

Nulo stands apart from the other salmon options on this list by adding BC30 probiotics (a patented patented probiotic strain that adds live, beneficial bacteria to the gut) to the kibble for digestive health. The single animal protein is salmon, and the formula is free of chicken, eggs, peas, grains, corn, wheat, soy, rice, and artificial preservatives. At 30% crude protein, it is one of the higher-protein picks here, supporting lean muscles and steady energy. Reviewers report that it “helped with skin issues and yeast problems; reduced irritation, itching, and flare-ups.”

Compared to the Nutro Salmon option, Nulo has a larger bag size (5.5 pounds) and adds prebiotic fibers and antioxidants like vitamins C and E. The probiotic angle makes this a stronger pick for dogs whose chicken allergy shows up as chronic yeast infections or loose stool. The only concern raised by reviewers is the possibility of bad batches — a risk with any dry food — but the overall rating of 4.6/5 from 574 ratings suggests consistency is solid.

Buy this if: your dog’s chicken allergy shows up as yeast problems or chronic loose stool — the probiotics directly address gut health. The budget buyer picks this over #1: you get high protein and gut support for less than Farmina per pound.

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A high-beef recipe with a freeze-dried coating that turned one Shih Tzu’s scratching and vomiting around.

ACANA takes a different approach: instead of a long list of supplements, it packs 65% high-quality beef ingredients into the recipe, with the remaining 35% being fruits, vegetables, and nutrients. The freeze-dried coating (a thin layer of freeze-dried beef on each kibble) adds flavor without artificial additives. This formula is grain-free and includes pumpkin and sweet potato for digestive support. Reviewers report that the kibble is “good for digestion; reduced scratching and vomiting in Shih Tzu and Maltese.”

Where ACANA beats the Farmina above is the sheer protein density — beef is the first ingredient and the dominant component, making this a good choice for active dogs who need sustained energy. The main drawback is the kibble hardness: one owner reported the kibble is “little tough to chew so dogs with soft gums will struggle,” which is worth considering if you have a senior dog with dental issues.

Reach for this if: your dog does well on beef as a single protein and you want a high-meat, grain-free formula with digestive support from pumpkin. A caution on texture: the hard kibble may not suit senior dogs or those with dental problems — you may need to soften it.

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The venison-based diet that turned a French bulldog’s months-long bloody diarrhea solid within 24 hours.

If your dog has already tried lamb, salmon, and beef without success, venison is the next novel protein worth testing. Natural Balance uses venison as the single animal protein in this grain-free, limited-ingredient recipe, with sweet potato providing easily digestible carbohydrates. It is also free of poultry, corn, wheat, and soy, and contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. One owner of a 7-month French bulldog reported, “Within 24 hours of switching to this hydrolyzed diet, stool became solid; within 2 days, no irritation or bleeding.”

This is the largest bag on the list at 22 pounds, which brings the per-pound cost down compared to the smaller bags from Nutro and Merrick. The trade-off is consistency: one customer observed a bad batch of the duck and potato recipe that caused severe food poisoning in their dog. While the sweet potato and venison formula got better reviews, the quality control concern is worth noting. A 4.3/5 rating from 972 reviews is solid but lower than the other picks above.

Pick this for: a dog that has failed on lamb, salmon, and beef, or one with severe IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) that needs the simplest possible formula. A real concern: batch inconsistency has been reported — buy from a seller with good return policy and inspect the kibble when it arrives.