Puppy
For growing puppies of all breeds
Allergy-conscious recipes
Hypoallergenic dog food, and what the word really means
Complete recipes built on a protein most dogs have never eaten, with the ingredients dogs most often react to left out.
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- Trial bags available
The definition
What does hypoallergenic actually mean?
“Hypo” means less, not none. A food allergy is the immune system reacting to something it has met before, most often a protein. Dogs tend to react to what they have eaten for years, which is why the usual suspects are the most common ingredients in dog food.
A hypoallergenic food works around that in two ways. It uses a novel protein, one the dog’s immune system has not learned to react to. And it leaves out the common triggers. That lowers the odds of a reaction. It cannot remove them.
How the recipes are built
What makes Nala Health an allergy-conscious food?
A novel protein
Black soldier fly larvae are a complete protein that most dogs have never eaten, so most immune systems have had no chance to become sensitive to it.
Common triggers left out
All four recipes are made without chicken, beef, egg, dairy, soy, wheat and maize.
Support for gut and skin
Fibre, prebiotics, probiotics and butyrate for digestion; DHA omega-3 and cold-pressed canola oil for normal skin and coat.
For the full picture, the recipes do contain peas, lentils and chickpeas, and sorghum and millet, which are gluten-free ancient grains. They are not legume-free or grain-free. If your dog has a confirmed reaction to one of those, check the ingredients first.
Finding out
How do I find out whether food is the problem?
There is no reliable shortcut. The accepted method is an elimination trial, planned with your vet: one food and nothing else for long enough to see a real difference.
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See your vet first
Itching and stomach trouble have many causes. Rule out fleas, infections and other conditions, and agree that a food trial makes sense.
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Change over gradually
Move to the new food over about seven days, or 10 to 14 for a sensitive dog.
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Feed it alone for 8 to 12 weeks
No other food, treats, chews, table scraps or flavoured supplements. One slip can blur the result.
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Review with your vet
Compare skin, ears, stools and comfort with where you started, and decide together what happens next.
Sensitive dogs, in their owners’ words
What owners of sensitive dogs tell us
These are individual experiences, not typical results or medical claims.
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Nala Health is the only thing that has worked perfectly for Brumle! We have tried a lot of different things, but since we started with Nala Health, his coat is fantastic and his itching is completely gone. Nala Health is one of the only types of food that doesn’t contain anything he’s allergic to without being ultra-processed and completely tasteless.
Brumle Silje, pet parent -
Kiran, who has struggled with allergies and has been on different expensive allergy foods for years. After switching to Nala Health he has had no issues. Mali, who has always been a picky eater, has a good appetite and eats well. Their stools are also good and their fur is shiny.
We are so happy with the food!
Mali and Kiran Ida, pet parent -
I have a GSP dog who is allergic to all dry dog foods (I have tried all the main brands and she gets a horrible rash on her stomach and a very sore gut) and up till now she has only tolerated ostrich or turkey wet food. I introduced the Nala very slowly over three weeks and its working! No rash and back to her high energy self.
Georgi Jacqui, pet parent -
Lulu is very happy with Nala Health and can live a happy life now. He is an allergic dog but this food suits him so well. Also thank you for the good services and quick delivery.
Lulu Killy, pet parent -
This food is the best. My 9 year old French bulldog no longer itches, she has no redness under the chin, no loose stools and no shedding!
She has had all these problems for years. Now the old problems have disappeared.Wilma Eva, pet parent -
This food has changed my baby’s life. He has a lot more energy and his allergies are under control now. He is an old man with a new lease on life. Thank you to Nala you have made my fur baby live longer.
Colby Angie, pet parent
The recipes
Four recipes, the same allergy-conscious base
Every recipe uses insect protein and leaves out the same common triggers. Choose by your dog’s age and size.
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Adult Small Breed
For adult dogs under 10 kg
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Adult Medium to Large Breed
For adult dogs over 10 kg
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Senior and Weight Management
For dogs over 7, or adults watching their weight
Hypoallergenic dog food questions
Is Nala Health hypoallergenic?
In the sense the word should be used, yes: it has a novel protein and is made without chicken, beef, egg, dairy, soy, wheat or maize. It is not allergy-proof. Any dog can react to any ingredient, including insect protein.
What are the most common food allergens for dogs?
Mostly proteins that dogs eat often, such as chicken and beef. Dairy, egg, soy and wheat are also frequent triggers. All of these are left out of our recipes.
Can a dog be allergic to insect protein?
Yes, it is possible, although insect protein is new to most dogs. If your dog’s symptoms get worse on any new food, stop and speak to your vet.
How long before I see a difference?
A proper food trial takes 8 to 12 weeks of feeding the food on its own. Digestion often settles sooner than skin does, but judge it at the end of the trial, with your vet.
Can I give treats during a food trial?
Not other foods. Everything your dog eats has to be part of the trial, so use pieces of the kibble itself as rewards.
Is it the same as a prescription hypoallergenic diet?
No. Prescription diets are usually based on hydrolysed protein and are used under veterinary supervision. Nala Health is a complete everyday food with a novel protein. Your vet can tell you which approach suits your dog.
My dog’s main problem is itching. Where should I start?
With the cause. Our page on why dogs itch goes through the possibilities and when to see the vet. If chicken is the suspect, see dog food without chicken.
A new protein for a sensitive dog
Complete, allergy-conscious recipes for every life stage.