If your dog suffers from food allergies or inflammatory bowel disease, your vet may suggest a hydrolyzed diet. If that is the case, here are reviews of hydrolyzed dog food to help you determine the best option for your pet.
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A Glance at Our Winners in 2026
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall
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Hill’s Food Sensitivities Hydrolyzed Dog Food |
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Best Value
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Diamond Care Sensitive Skin Adult Dog Food |
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Blue Buffalo Natural Hydrolyzed Dog Food |
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| Best for Puppies |
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Purina HA Hypoallergenic Vegetarian Dog Food |
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Hill’s i/d Digestive Care Dry Dog Food |
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The 8 Best Hydrolyzed Dog Foods
1. Hill’s Prescription Diet z/d Skin/Food Sensitivities Hydrolyzed Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food — Best Overall
| Main ingredients: | Corn starch, hydrolyzed chicken liver, hydrolyzed chicken, ground pecan shells, powdered cellulose |
| Protein content: | 19.1% min |
| Fat content: | 15.5% min |
| Calories: | 348 kcal/cup |
The Hill’s Prescription Diet z/d Skin/Food Sensitivities Hydrolyzed Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food is our pick for the best overall hydrolyzed dog food. The diet helps to improve your dog’s skin and coat and relieve irritation. It is available in wet and dry formulas. Whichever you choose, it will help with the digestion process, and you will likely see an improvement in your dog’s stool. The formula promotes urinary health and is shown to lower the risk of kidney stones.
The food was formulated by veterinarians and nutritionists to improve the diet of dogs with intolerance and sensitivities to food. This is a prescription diet, though, so it requires approval from your vet, and it can be expensive for pet owners on a budget.
- Available in wet and dry formulas
- Contains hydrolyzed chicken liver
- Helps with skin and coat
- Improves digestion
- Expensive
- Requires a prescription
2. Diamond Care Sensitive Skin Formula Adult Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Dry Dog Food — Best Value
| Main ingredients: | Peas, pea flour, hydrolyzed salmon, canola oil, flaxseed |
| Protein content: | 22% min |
| Fat content: | 12.0% min |
| Calories: | 358 kcal/cup |
Diamond Care Sensitive Skin Formula Adult Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is the best hydrolyzed dog food for the money. The main ingredient in this recipe is peas. Some studies suggested a link between peas and canine heart disease (dilated cardiomyopathy), but this has since been disputed. If in doubt, talk to your vet to see if this food is right for your dog. The formula contains minerals and vitamins, along with probiotics for healthy digestion, and eliminates ingredients that may cause skin irritation.
If your dog has food sensitivities, this may be the product for you. It is made with hydrolyzed salmon as the only source of protein. The hydrolyzed formula does not require a prescription, and it is not a subscription plan. It is, however, a dog food that promotes healthy skin and coat and supports digestive health at a cost that is a bit more affordable on a tight budget. Some dogs may not like the taste.
- Contains single source high-quality protein
- Limited ingredients
- Contains probiotics to aid in digestion
- Affordably priced
- Grain free
- Some owners noted their dogs did not eat the entire serving
- Some dogs may not like salmon
3. Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet HF Hydrolyzed for Food Intolerance Grain Free Dry Dog Food — Premium Choice
| Main ingredients: | Salmon hydrolysate, pea starch, potatoes, peas, pea protein |
| Protein content: | 24% min |
| Fat content: | 12.0% min |
| Calories: | 368 kcal/cup |
Our premium choice for the best hydrolyzed dog food is Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet HF Hydrolyzed for Food Intolerance Grain Free Dry Dog Food. This premium recipe begins with salmon that is hydrolyzed to minimize immune system stimulation. It contains omega-3 from fish oil and flaxseed, among other vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, for healthy skin and a beautiful coat. According to most reviewers, dogs enjoy the taste.
This special formula requires a prescription from your vet, and it’s important to note that peas are one of the main ingredients. This food can also be a little pricey for pet owners on a budget.
- Salmon is the main ingredient
- Helps with skin sensitivities
- Contains pumpkin and kelp to support the immune system
- Dogs like the taste
- Requires a prescription
- A little pricey
4. Purina HA Hypoallergenic Vegetarian Dog Food — Best for Puppies
| Main ingredients: | Corn starch, hydrolyzed soy protein isolate, coconut oil, partially hydrogenated canola oil preserved with TBHQ, powdered cellulose |
| Protein content: | 18% min |
| Fat content: | 8.0% min |
| Calories: | 291 kcal/cup |
Purina HA Hypoallergenic Vegetarian Dog Food contains a single, high-quality protein source and single carbohydrate source to limit immune reactions in dogs with food sensitivities. It is a highly digestible formula that offers the best nutrition for the special needs of your growing puppy or adult dog.
Purina HA requires a prescription and vet approval. Like other prescription foods, Purina HA Hypoallergenic Vegetarian Dog Food can be on the expensive side.
- Highly digestible
- Suitable for adult dogs and growing puppies under veterinary guidance
- Dogs like the taste
- Available in wet and dry
- Expensive
- Requires vet approval
5. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Hydrolyzed Protein Potato & Soy Formula Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Potato, hydrolyzed soy protein, coconut oil, potato protein, natural flavors |
| Protein content: | 19% min |
| Fat content: | 10.0% min |
| Calories: | 302 kcal/cup |
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Hydrolyzed Protein Potato & Soy Dry Dog Food is a veterinarian-approved diet that contains specialized ingredients for dogs with sensitivities to foods. The process of breaking down the proteins to minimize immune system response helps reduce digestive and skin reactions. It offers nutrients for healthy skin and prebiotics and fibers for easy digestion.
Like several foods on this list, this blend requires authorization from your veterinarian to purchase. Based on reviews, though, many dogs enjoy the taste, and it’s free from peas. However, it is a little pricey.
- Contains hydrolyzed soy protein
- Dogs like the taste
- Contains omega-3 fatty acids
- Pea free
- The cost is high
- Requires a prescription
6. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Hydrolyzed Protein for Small Breed Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Brewers rice, hydrolyzed soy protein, chicken fat, natural flavors, vegetable oil |
| Protein content: | 22% min |
| Fat content: | 14% min |
| Calories: | 375 kcal/cup |
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Hydrolyzed Protein for Small Breed Dog Food has M&M-sized kibble that is easy for small dogs to chew, or you can add water if needed.
The small breed formula is recommended for dogs 22 pounds or under that may have reactions to protein. It supports their urinary tract and creates an unfavorable environment to the development of both struvite and calcium oxalate crystals. Most owners said that their dogs are happy with the taste. This food is prescription only and a little on the pricey side. There’s also no variety in recipes.
- Helps support urinary health
- Kibble is small for tiny mouths
- Tastes good
- Reduces gastrointestinal and skin reactions
- Needs vet approval
- A bit costly
- No variety
7. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Hydrolyzed Protein HP Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Brewers rice, hydrolyzed soy protein, chicken fat, natural flavors, dried plain beet pulp |
| Protein content: | 19.5% min |
| Fat content: | 17.5% min |
| Calories: | 324 kcal/cup |
After trying Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Hydrolyzed Protein HP Dry Dog Food, customers saw remarkable results in their dogs. They had improvement in skin and digestion and formed stools rather than diarrhea. Many reviewers also said their dogs enjoyed the food.
The formula allows for long-term use for dogs that have sensitivity to foods. Peas may be linked to heart problems, and fortunately, this food is free from peas. The specialized diet can be costly, however, and it requires approval from your veterinarian.
- Dogs like the taste
- Good for long-term use
- Improves digestion
- Improves skin and coat
- Pea free
- Vet approval required
- Pricey
8. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Hydrolyzed Protein Loaf Wet Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Water sufficient for processing, pea starch, hydrolyzed soy protein, powdered cellulose, hydrolyzed chicken liver |
| Protein content: | 5.0% min |
| Fat content: | 2.5% min |
| Calories: | 340 kcal/can |
With Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Hydrolyzed Protein Loaf Wet Dog Food, customers report their dogs scratching less and enjoying the taste of the food. Some owners suggest using the Royal Canin wet food for meals and the hydrolyzed dry kibble for treats. We would, however, recommend discussing that idea with your vet.
This food is only available with a prescription. Like most prescription diets, it is expensive.
- Dogs like the taste
- Contains prebiotics and fiber to aid in digestion
- Contains, vitamin B, omega-3, and amino acids
- Veterinarian prescribed
- Expensive
Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Best Hydrolyzed Dog Food
What Is Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food?
If you have ever owned a pet with health problems, it can be heartbreaking. After all, we want our pets to be healthy and happy. Unfortunately, diet plays a big part in causing problems or promoting good health. If you have ever owned a dog with food sensitivities, you know that problems like skin sores and chronic diarrhea can seem endless. Hydrolyzed protein may be the answer for you.
Hydrolysis is the process of using water to break proteins into tiny pieces. Since the pieces are so small, the immune system does not recognize or react to them. The hydrolyzed dog food can be successful in treating dogs with food allergies and inflammatory bowel disease.
Manufacturers of hydrolyzed dog food have strict measures in place to prevent ingredients that are not on the label from getting into the specialized food.
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How We Selected These Hydrolyzed Dog Foods
This buyer’s guide was carefully crafted by our writers and editors in collaboration with our team of in-house veterinarians. The dog foods reviewed here are rated on a combination of factors: brand reputation, customer reviews across multiple retail outlets, personal experience, and in some cases, feedback from our own dogs! Together, we choose and review only the best dog foods available, to help you make the most informed decisions that foster the well-being of your furry friends.
Why Trust Dogster?
Dogster has been a trusted brand for dog owners online since 2004, which means we have a lot of experience with dog foods. We are a team of passionate dog owners who care about our pups as much as you do yours. We want the best for every canine on the planet. Dogster’s writers, editors, and veterinarians are deeply invested in the well-being of our pets, and we believe that all pet owners share this dedication to providing only the highest quality products and services for our dogs.
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!
Conclusion
For dogs with allergies and irritable bowel syndrome, our top pick among these food reviews is Hill’s Food Sensitivities Hydrolyzed Dog Food. For those of us who don’t have much wiggle room in our budget, the best-value pick is Diamond Care Sensitive Skin Formula, and Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Grain Free Dog food is our pick for premium choice. Finally, our pick for best for puppies is Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets.
Featured Image Credit: DegrooteStock, Shutterstock
2 Responses
My golden is on royal canine hydrolyzed protein adult dog food because the vet thought he might be reacting to animal protein. Stomach gurgling and upset, occasionally vomited. It has been better but not perfect. Should I give him a probiotic and if so, which would not contain animal protein?