There are many potential causes of hair loss. Depending on the cause, diet can help to control the signs. Here are our picks and reviews for the best dog foods for hair loss, but you should always discuss dietary changes with a vet.
Disclaimer: The foods reviewed here were chosen because they have certain characteristics that might help with some of the causes or consequences of this medical condition. However, they are not a medical treatment or a substitute for medical treatment. Keep in mind that each medical case is different and what works for some pets may not work for others. A veterinarian is the right person to advise you on the best diet for your pet’s individual case.
In this article
A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2025
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Best Overall
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The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Beef Subscription |
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Budget Buy
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American Journey Active Life Formula |
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Taste of the Wild Ancient Stream |
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Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach |
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Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach |
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The 8 Best Dog Foods for Hair Loss
1. The Farmer’s Dog Beef Recipe Fresh Food Subscription – Best Overall
| Main ingredients | Beef, sweet potatoes, cooked lentils, carrots, beef liver |
| Protein content | 39% |
| Fat content | 29% |
| Calories | 721 kcal/pound |
The Farmer’s Dog beef recipe is the best overall dog food for hair loss. Made with high-quality beef instead of chicken, which is a common source of skin allergies in dogs, this recipe boasts the second-highest protein content and includes fish oil, a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids for joint and skin health. All recipes are formulated by a team of veterinary specialists board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition.
Though beef is our pick, the company also offers pork, chicken, and turkey, and each recipe is formulated for your specific dog’s size, age, and activity level. It’s only available through a subscription, however, and it can get expensive.
- Convenient subscription
- High-quality beef and fish oil
- Customized recipes
- Recipes formulated by vets
- Choice of proteins
- Expensive
2. American Journey Active Life Dry Dog Food – Budget Buy
| Main ingredients | Deboned salmon, menhaden fish meal, brown rice, peas, rice bran, chicken fat |
| Protein content | 25% |
| Fat content | 15% |
| Calories | 345 kcal/cup |
American Journey Active Life Formula is a great option if you’re on a tight budget. This value-packed recipe offers complete and balanced nutrition with deboned salmon as the first ingredient and nutrient-rich vegetables like sweet potatoes and carrots. Dogs get plenty of nutrients and antioxidants for a healthy immune system and skin and coat health.
This formula is made without wheat, soy, poultry byproducts, artificial colors, artificial flavors, and artificial preservatives. There are also easy-to-digest grain sources like brown rice and barley. Some reviewers noted a stark difference in skin and coat health, but some objected to the high sodium content.
- Deboned salmon as first ingredient
- Promotes skin and coat health
- No byproduct, wheat, soy, or artificial ingredients
- High sodium content
3. Taste of the Wild Ancient Stream Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients | Salmon, salmon meal, ocean fish meal, grain sorghum, millet, cracked pearled barley, dried yeast, canola oil |
| Protein content | 30% |
| Fat content | 15% |
| Calories | 413 kcal/cup |
Taste of the Wild Ancient Stream Smoke-Flavored Salmon with Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food is another good dog food for hair loss. Crafted with smoke-flavored, roasted, and fresh meats and fish combined with ancient grains, this recipe offers the protein your dog needs, along with superfoods and fatty acids for skin and coat health. It also contains K9 Strain Proprietary Probiotics for overall health and wellness.
All Taste of the Wild foods are made in the USA using quality ingredients from trusted domestic and global sources. There’s no chicken in the recipe, which is a common source of allergies in dogs. The food is also free from wheat, fillers, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. Some reviewers experienced quality control issues.
- Salmon as first ingredient
- Omega fatty acids for skin and coat health
- No wheat, fillers, or artificial ingredients
- Quality control issues
4. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Puppy Food
| Main ingredients | Salmon, rice, barley, fish meal, canola meal, oat meal, dried yeast, pea protein |
| Protein content | 28% |
| Fat content | 13% |
| Calories | 417 kcal/cup |
Purina Pro Plan Development Sensitive Skin & Stomach Puppy Food offers a good start for puppies that may be prone to skin issues. Real salmon is the primary ingredient, followed by rice for good digestion. The recipe contains live probiotics to support immune and digestive health, as well as vitamin A and sunflower oil for a healthy coat and skin.
Like other Purina recipes, this puppy food is made in the US in Purina-owned facilities and free from wheat, soy, or artificial flavors and colors. Reviewers saw good results with their pups, but some wouldn’t eat the food. It’s also a little bit pricey.
- Real salmon for DHA
- Probiotics
- Vitamin A and sunflower oil
- Expensive
- Some dogs don’t like it
5. Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dog Food
| Main ingredients | Water for processing, salmon, rice, fish, protein, corn oil, carrots, inulin |
| Protein content | 7% |
| Fat content | 5% |
| Calories | 467 kcal/can |
Purina Pro Plan Select Adult Classic Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Entrée Canned Dog Food offers pretty good nutrition and ingredients. The recipe contains salmon loaded with DHA, an omega fatty acid that promotes cognitive development, and ingredients to reduce skin-irritating food allergies. The omega fatty acids also promote healthy skin and coats to reduce skin sensitivities and prevent hair loss.
All Purina Pro Plan foods are made in Purina-owned USA facilities and made without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Some dogs did well with this formula, but others didn’t enjoy eating it. The food is also a little pricey.
- Contains salmon with fatty acids
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Designed to promote skin and coat health
- Pricey
- Some dogs don’t like the smell or texture
6. Zignature Select Cuts Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients | Trout, salmon meal, oats, millet, natural flavors, sunflower oil, sunflower meal, potassium chloride |
| Protein content | 28% |
| Fat content | 15% |
| Calories | 376 kcal/cup |
Zignature Select Cuts Trout & Salmon Formula Dry Dog Formula features real trout from Idaho and oats and millet from the Midwestern US and Canada. Trout and salmon are the first ingredients and a source of omega fatty acids for skin and coat health. There are also no common allergens, like chicken, eggs, tapioca, potatoes, wheat, or soy.
All Zignature foods are made in the US and sourced from trusted farmers and growers in the US and Canada, New Zealand, Australia, or France. Though some reviewers had a good response, many noted that Zignature seemed to have changed the recipe recently and their dogs no longer wanted the food. It’s also quite expensive.
- Trout and salmon as first ingredients
- No common allergens
- Sourced from trusted farmers and growers
- Expensive
- Formula may have changed
7. Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat All Life Stages Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients | Salmon, fish meal, potatoes, lentils, peas, pea flour |
| Protein content | 25% |
| Fat content | 14% |
| Calories | 408 kcal/cup |
Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Formula All Life Stages Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is a good option for dogs that have food-related skin sensitivities. Wild-caught salmon is the first ingredient, followed by whole-food fruits and vegetables like peas, lentils, pumpkin, blueberry, and papaya. It also has K9 Strain Proprietary probiotics for digestive support.
Formulated for all life stages, this recipe is nutrient-rich and designed to support skin and coat health. There is no wheat nor artificial flavors or colors to limit allergens. Diamond foods are made in the US with quality ingredients from domestic and global sources. Some reviewers struggled to get their dogs to eat this food, however.
- Wild-caught salmon
- Whole fruits and vegetables
- Made in the US
- Picky dogs may not like it
8. Blackwood 5000 Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients | Catfish meal, pearled barley, oat groats, millet, ground grain sorghum |
| Protein content | 23% |
| Fat content | 12% |
| Calories | 410 kcal/cup |
Blackwood 5000 Sensitive Skin & Stomach formula offers easy-to-digest ingredients, including all-natural catfish protein for skin and coat health. Probiotics are also included to help with digestion. The rest of the formula provides complete and balanced nutrition for adult maintenance.
Each recipe is cooked in small batches in the US. Ingredients are sourced from in the US as much as possible, but some come from Canada, New Zealand, or other trusted suppliers in other countries. Reviewers saw relief of their dogs’ skin issues, but some mentioned that the food gave their dogs bad gas. The price has also been increasing, leading some to switch foods.
- Catfish meal
- Probiotics
- May cause gas
- Price hikes
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Dog Foods for Hair Loss
Dogs shed naturally, but they shouldn’t shed to the point of noticeable bald spots or clumps of hair on the floor.
If you see excessive hair loss, it’s important to determine the cause.
- Allergies: Allergies can trigger itching and cause dogs to lick and bite, eventually losing hair in the irritated areas.
- Cushing’s disease: Cushing’s disease, or hyperadrenocorticism, is a condition that causes an overproduction of cortisol. The condition is very treatable, fortunately. Along with hair loss, dogs with Cushing’s may have signs like eating and drinking more, panting, and having a pot-bellied appearance.
- Genetics: Some breeds are prone to bald spots, such as dogs with short, thin coats like Chihuahuas, Whippets, Greyhounds, and Dachshunds. These bald spots are typically benign.
- Skin infection: Parasites and infections can lead to hair loss, including mites, ringworm, and mange. If this is the case, it’s important to seek treatment from a vet.
- Rashes: Dogs can break out in a rash or hives from insect bites, medications, or other environmental irritants.
- Pressure sores: Older dogs or overweight dogs can get pressure sores from bony body parts that contact hard surfaces, such as the elbow. The consistent pressure creates a callous, which causes the skin to thicken and the hair to fall out.
When to See a Vet
If you’re not sure what’s causing the hair loss in your dog, it’s important to make an appointment with a vet. Diet alone can’t reverse hair loss, and you need to know what the cause is to address it effectively.
- Itching
- Odor
- Skin irritation
- Behavioral changes
- Skin problems in more household pets or family members
If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's our online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!
Our Selection Process For Dog Foods For Hair Loss
To create this buyer’s guide, our writing team and editorial staff checked customer reviews, brand reputation, and veterinary approval ratings to present the dog foods we think should be highlighted for our readers. In some cases, we conducted hands-on testing along with seeing how much our dogs liked the dog foods. All these factors were considered when selecting these listed dog foods to help you make the best purchase for your furry friends.
Why Trust Dogster?
Since 2004, Dogster has been a trusted brand for dog owners online, which means we have a lot of experience with dog foods. We take pride in promoting the well-being of all dogs—from toy breeds to giant canines. Our in-house veterinarians, writers, and editors examine each product on our lists, ensuring its quality and reputation. As pet owners ourselves, we only want the best for our furry companions. At Dogster, we are transparent about the products we promote. The nutritional information, overall brand reputation, and customer reviews are all considered for these lists. We inform you how we want to be informed.
Conclusion
Hair loss in dogs can be concerning. It could be caused by something simple, or it could indicate an underlying condition. Only your vet can help you determine the appropriate treatment, but dog foods designed for skin and coat health can be beneficial while you address the cause. Our top pick is The Farmer’s Dog beef recipe for its fish oil and absence of chicken products.
For a good budget option, we’ve chosen American Journey Active Life Formula for its salmon and fish meal ingredients. All in all, many of the dog foods on our list offer quality ingredients and good value. We hope this article helps you find the perfect food for your dog.
Featured Image Credit: Alyaalya, Shutterstock
