Help! I Am Trying to Avoid Medication! (Vet Answered)
This question has been answered by a vet
Veterinarian & Animal Behaviorist
With nearly two decades in veterinary medicine, Dr. Paola brings hands-on experience across multiple species. A graduate of the University of Guadalajara, she specializes in preventive care, animal welfare, and positive reinforcement training.
The Question
“I have been using Hills Prescription Derm Dog food for my 8-month-old puppy, Gabi, as she must have allergies and is always itching or biting. I don’t want to use a prescription medicine and have been trying all sorts of treats that are supposed to be probiotic for allergies and skin sensitivities. A friend told me she uses Open Farm, Salmon and Oatmeal. I would like to try it. Does Open Farm have all the nutrients and vitamins that dogs/puppies are supposed to get from regular dog food. I don’t want to make my own dog food as you need to add supplements but am willing to try Open Farm Dog Food.
Please let me know what you think. I never had this problem with any dogs I have had in the past, just this new puppy this year. Thank you for your help.” – Barbara
Quick Info about Gabi
Hi Barbara.
Skin itchiness and chewing can indeed be related to food allergies, but they can also be caused by environmental allergens, parasites, or skin infections, so it is always important to have your veterinarian confirm the cause before making dietary changes. Prescription diets like Hill’s Derm are carefully formulated for elimination or hydrolyzed protein trials, which are the gold standard for diagnosing food allergies in dogs. Introducing multiple treats or switching foods without a structured trial often makes it difficult to know what is truly helping.
Regarding your question about Open Farm Salmon and Oatmeal, this brand is marketed as a complete and balanced diet, and, when labeled as such by AAFCO, it should contain the nutrients and vitamins required for maintenance or growth. However, if you are feeding a puppy, you must ensure the formula specifically states that it meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for growth, including large breed growth if that applies to your dog’s breed. While Open Farm can provide complete nutrition, it is not designed as a diagnostic tool for allergies, the way prescription diets are. If your puppy truly has a food allergy, switching to an over-the-counter food without ruling things out first may prolong her discomfort.
The best next step is to work with your veterinarian on a structured elimination diet trial, which typically lasts 8 weeks and uses a single novel protein or hydrolyzed protein diet with no other foods or treats. This is the most reliable way to identify if food is the cause of her itching. Once that is established, your vet can guide you on safe, long-term diet options that may include high-quality commercial foods like Open Farm.
Good luck!
– Dr. Paola