If your dog has been itching, scratching, or suffering from recurring tummy troubles for months, and you have already tried changing shampoos, switching to a grain-free food, and cutting out treats with no lasting improvement, you are not alone. For some dogs, the trigger is a food allergy that is hard to pin down — and for those dogs, vets sometimes turn to a diet that goes further than an ordinary hypoallergenic food.
That diet is Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Anallergenic Dog Dry Food. It is a prescription diet, available at Paw Store in 3kg, 8kg, and 2x3kg packs, and it is formulated to support dogs with severe food allergies and long-term digestive problems.
Food allergy vs food intolerance: why the difference matters
A food intolerance mainly upsets the stomach. A food allergy involves the immune system, and it can affect the skin, ears, and digestion at the same time. Typical signs include constant itching, licking the paws, recurring ear infections, red or inflamed skin, and loose stools that keep coming back. Because the immune system reacts to a protein in the food — most often chicken, beef, or dairy — the reaction can continue for as long as that protein stays in the bowl.
The tricky part is that many dogs react to more than one protein, or to one hidden in a treat or table scrap. That is why a vet may recommend a strict elimination diet: one carefully controlled food, and nothing else, for several weeks.
What makes Anallergenic different from an ordinary hypoallergenic food
Most hypoallergenic diets limit the number of protein sources or use a protein your dog has rarely eaten before, such as a novel protein. That helps many dogs. But a dog that has already reacted to several proteins may still react to a new one, because the immune system recognises the shape of the protein.
Anallergenic takes a different approach. Its protein source is broken down — hydrolysed — into very small fragments, so small that the immune system is far less likely to recognise them as a threat. The formula is also highly digestible, with fibres that help support a healthy digestive tract.
This is also why Anallergenic is a prescription diet rather than an everyday food. It is meant for dogs whose vet has diagnosed, or strongly suspects, a food allergy that has not responded to simpler diets, and it should only be fed under veterinary supervision.
What to expect during the transition
If your vet prescribes Anallergenic, expect a gradual changeover over about seven days, mixing increasing amounts of the new food with the old. During an elimination trial, your vet will usually ask you to feed only the prescribed diet — no other treats, chews, flavoured medicines, or table food — because even a small extra can undo the trial. Keep a simple diary of itching, stool quality, and ear redness, and share it at the follow-up visit. Improvement is often gradual, over weeks rather than days, and your vet may adjust the plan based on what the diary shows.
Fresh water should always be available, and daily portions should follow your vet's feeding guidance for your dog's size and weight. Do not be tempted to add extras "just this once" during a trial — consistency is what makes the results meaningful.
Everyday care alongside the diet
Diet is only one part of managing a sensitive dog. Regular flea control matters, because flea allergy can look very much like food allergy. Gentle bathing with a vet-approved shampoo can soothe irritated skin, and keeping ears clean and dry helps reduce recurring infections. Keep going back to the vet for reviews — a diet that works well at first may need adjusting as your dog's weight, age, or health changes.
Is Anallergenic right for your dog?
Anallergenic is not a first step for every itchy dog. Many dogs do very well on a standard hypoallergenic diet, and some itching turns out to have nothing to do with food at all. But if your dog's symptoms keep returning despite careful diet changes, ask about it at your next visit. A proper diagnosis saves months of guesswork — and a lot of discomfort for your dog.
You can find Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Anallergenic Dog Dry Food at Paw Store: https://pawstore.in/products/royal-canin-veterinary-diet-anallergic-dog-dry-food — available in 3kg, 8kg, and 2x3kg packs.
A note on veterinary advice
This article is general information only and is not veterinary advice. Prescription diets should only be fed under veterinary supervision. Always consult your vet before changing your dog's diet, especially if your dog has allergies, digestive problems, or any other health condition.
Shop genuine Royal Canin Veterinary Diet products at Paw Store (pawstore.in) — same-day delivery in NCR and fast shipping across India.