4health Special Care Adult Sensitive Skin Formula Dry Dog Food
- Switch your dog to the 4health Special Care Adult Sensitive Skin Formula Dry Dog Food. Made with skin and coat health in mind, this dog food features a limited number of carefully selected ingredients. With less irritants and more wholesome ingredients, your dog will be on his/her way to enjoying healthier skin in no time. The kibble is made with easily digestible, hydrolyzed salmon as the single animal protein source and has a tasty flavor your pet is sure to love. May be fed long-term. Made in USA.
- DEPENDABLE NUTRITION: 4health is manufactured following rigorous quality-control processes and contains carefully selected ingredients.
- GRAIN FREE FORMULATION*: Peas provide quality carbohydrates and enhance palatability in this grain free formulation. *The facility in which this food is made also makes food that may contain other ingredients, such as grains. Trace amounts of these other ingredients may be present.
- TAURINE: Taurine-fortified to help support a healthy heart.
- LIMITED-INGREDIENT DIET: A narrow selection of quality ingredients provides complete nutrition for your dog.
- GUARANTEED PROBIOTICS: Each cup of food provides live, active cultures to support healthy digestive and immune systems, and help your dog maintain an active lifestyle.
- SKIN AND COAT: A blend of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids helps keep the skin and coat healthy and shiny.
- ANTIOXIDANT FORMULATION: Guaranteed levels of zinc, selenium and vitamin E help support a healthy immune system.
- AAFCO STATEMENT: 4health Special Care Sensitive Skin Formula for Adult Dogs is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance.
$24.99 – $46.99
How We Discovered 4health Sensitive Skin and Said Goodbye to Itchy Skin
As a new fur mom to the most adorable Beagle named Benny, I’ve been on a mission to learn everything I can about caring for my precious pup. It didn’t take long for me to realize one of the most important factors was finding the perfect dog food for Benny’s needs. With his sensitive skin that was prone to itchiness and irritation, I knew I had to find a formula that would provide gentle nutrition without any harsh ingredients.
After tons of research and trial and error, we’ve finally found our winner: 4health Sensitive Skin dog food! This stuff has been an absolute game changer for helping relieve Benny’s skin woes. I can’t wait to share our journey to finding this great dog food in hopes that it might help other pet parents who are struggling with similar sensitive skin issues.
Attempting to Pinpoint the Cause of the Itchies
When Benny first came home, I started feeding him what the breeder had been providing – a popular, grocery store brand of dry kibble. I quickly noticed Benny was licking and biting at his paws constantly, his belly would get red and inflamed, and the poor guy would rub and scratch his face repeatedly.
My heart broke seeing him so uncomfortable. I knew we had to get to the bottom of what was causing his sensitivity and itchiness. I started researching and learned about some common triggers like:
- Food allergies – some dogs can be allergic to ingredients like corn, wheat, chicken, beef, dairy and eggs.
- Environmental allergies – things like dust mites, pollen, grass and mold can cause skin irritation.
- Bacterial or yeast infections – bacteria, yeast and fungus on the skin can lead to secondary infections.
- Parasites – mites, fleas or tick bites can cause intense itchiness and skin irritation.
- Dry skin – lack of fatty acids, vitamins or nutrients in the diet can cause flaky, itchy skin.
I knew we needed to change Benny’s food to something gentle for sensitive skin to see if it provided relief, since food allergies can be a major culprit. Time to read those dog food labels!
Learning to Read Dog Food Ingredient Labels
When I started analyzing dog food labels, it felt like decoding a foreign language. What the heck is all this stuff?! Meat by-products, corn gluten meal, beet pulp – seriously, what ARE these ingredients?!
With Benny’s sensitive skin issues, I knew I had to learn what to look for and what to avoid. Here are some key things I discovered:
1. Whole Protein Sources – Look for identifiable protein sources like beef, chicken, salmon. Avoid by-products which can be mystery meat.
2. Limited Ingredients – Choose a formula with fewer ingredients to avoid triggers. Avoid things like corn, wheat, soy.
3. Nutritional Add-ins – Omega fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants are great for skin health.
4. Gentle Carbs/Fiber – Look for gentle sources like brown rice, barley or oatmeal. Avoid fillers like corn.
5. Probiotics & Prebiotics – These support healthy digestion for less irritation.
Armed with new label-reading wisdom, we were ready to try some new dog foods!
The Struggle Was Real – First Attempts at New Dog Food
Over several weeks, I slowly transitioned Benny from his old kibble to a Limited Ingredient duck and potato formula from a premium brand. Keeping a detailed journal, I noted any changes in his skin, stool, energy levels, etc.
Unfortunately, the itching persisted and the stools were really loose. Poor pup!
Next, we tried a Sensitive Skin salmon recipe from another reputable brand. Keeping up with my journaling, I saw slight improvement in the itchiness but Benny’s tear staining got worse and stools were still not great.
I was feeling discouraged, worried we’d never find the right food fit. After more vet discussions, we decided to try prescription hydrolyzed protein dog foods made for allergies.
The first hydrolyzed brand we tried was insanely expensive for the tiny bag size. Benny’s skin did seem less irritated, but the kibble made him vomit bile, he wouldn’t touch the canned version and his poops were barely solid.
The next hydrolyzed prescription dog food was also pricey and made zero difference in Benny’s symptoms. At that point, my vet recommended we consider transitioning to 4health Sensitive Skin. She reassured me it had great nutritional quality for a sensitive system.
I’ll admit, I had never heard of 4health but I was willing to give it a shot…and thank goodness I did!
Finding Sensitive Skin Success with 4health Dog Food!
From the very first day transitioning Benny to 4health Sensitive Skin Salmon & Potato recipe, I noticed a huge difference in his scratching and licking. He seemed so much calmer and more comfortable – it made my heart smile!
Within a couple weeks of fully switching to 4health, the red, irritated patches on Benny’s belly and feet were gone. His tear stains had lightened up and his coats was shiny and soft.
Not only that, but the ingredient list was a dream come true:
- Limited: salmon and potato as the first ingredients. No corn, wheat, soy, by-products.
- Gentle fiber sources: dried chicory root and dried kelp provide prebiotics.
- Vitamin E & Omega Fatty Acids: for healthy skin and coat.
- Antioxidants: from real fruits and veggies like blueberries and spinach.
- Probiotics: for healthy digestion and immunity.
- Natural: no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
Finally, we found something that provided complete, gentle nutrition for Benny’s sensitive system!
Why We Continue to Love 4health for Our Pup
While the relief of Benny’s itchy skin and discomfort was reason enough to love this dog food, there are so many other benefits we’ve continued to appreciate with 4health Sensitive Skin:
It’s budget-friendly! Compared to the prescription hydrolyzed diets, 4health saves us some serious cash without compromising quality.
Convenient options. We alternate between 4health Sensitive Salmon canned and kibble versions. I love having the canned option for adding extra moisture.
Supports overall health. In addition to relieving allergic itchiness, Benny’s coat is shinier, teeth look cleaner, and his vet was pleased at how well the food balances his nutrition.
Made Benny more energetic and playful! With his skin irritation now under control, Benny has perked up and loves playing with his toys. 4health provides balanced energy to fuel his activity.
Easy to transition and digest. 4health Sensitive Skin can be slowly transitioned and is formulated for easy digestion. No more vomiting or runny stools!
Provides peace of mind. Knowing Benny is getting tailored nutrition for his needs gives me comfort. I don’t have to stress about allergy triggers anymore!
Considering it provides premium quality at an affordable price point, 4health Sensitive Skin has been an amazing solution for us. We’re so thankful to have finally found a dog food that works wonderfully for our sensitive skinned Benny.
Answering Common Questions about 4health Sensitive Skin
If you’re considering 4health Sensitive Skin for your itchy, allergy-prone pup, you probably have some of the same questions I did at first. Here are answers to some key questions about 4health Sensitive Skin dog food:
What types of dogs is 4health Sensitive Skin suitable for?
4health Sensitive Skin is formulated to support the needs of adult dogs 1 year or older with food sensitivities or environmental allergies. It can work well for many breeds and sizes.
Where can I buy it?
4health Sensitive Skin is sold at Tractor Supply stores nationwide or on their website. Some online retailers like Chewy or Amazon also carry it. Buying directly from Tractor Supply is usually most affordable.
How much 4health Sensitive Skin should I feed?
Follow the feeding guidelines on the package based on your dog’s weight and activity level. Because it’s very digestible, you may be able to feed slightly less than other foods. Monitor your dog’s body condition and adjust as needed.
Does 4health Sensitive Skin help with itching and allergies?
Yes! The limited ingredients avoid common triggers while still providing complete nutrition. Omega fatty acids support healthy skin and relieve itchiness. Many pet owners (like us!) report major improvements in allergy symptoms.
What ingredients are in the Salmon recipe?
Salmon, potato, salmon meal, pea starch, ocean fish meal, canola oil, dried egg product, natural flavor, dried chicory root, salt, choline chloride, mixed tocopherols, dried kelp and more.
Does it contain grains or carbs?
4health Sensitive Skin is grain free. It contains potato, pea starch and small amounts of oatmeal. These are easily digestible carbs.
How should I transition to 4health?
Slowly transition over 5-7 days by mixing in more 4health and less old food each day. This allows your dog’s tummy to adjust to the new food.
Does 4health Sensitive Skin have any recalls?
As of this writing, there are no recalls of 4health Sensitive Skin products. The brand meets rigorous quality standards.
I hope these answers help provide a comprehensive overview of what to expect with the excellent 4health Sensitive Skin dog food! Our Benny is thriving on it and I wholeheartedly recommend it for any pup with food sensitivities or allergies. Let me know if you have any other questions!