Last Updated: 07/09/2026
Scientific Nutrition to Support Health Conditions in Dogs
Feeding your dog a diet designed to help prevent or support certain health conditions is something you can do everyday. Find out how.
Author: Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 5 minutes - short read
No one likes to see their beloved one unwell. Having a pet with health concerns, especially those suffering from chronic health conditions, can be stressful, and at times for some pet parents even leave them feeling completely helpless.
A healthy, well-balanced dog food is an important starting point when it comes to any dog's health - whether you're just choosing the right food for your dog or managing a specific condition. Feeding your dog a diet designed to help prevent or support certain health conditions is something you can do everyday to optimise your pet's daily health.
How can nutrition support health conditions in dogs?
Science based pet foods are formulated by nutritionists and veterinarians with the backing of years of scientific research and trials. Brands such as Advance, Royal Canin and Hills Science Diet offer diets tailored to common conditions including skin allergies, sensitive stomachs, dental disease, weight management, joint issues, kidney disease and Cushing's disease. These diets are fortified with specific ingredients aimed at managing or improving the signs of these conditions.
What's the best diet for a dog with itchy skin?
A skin support diet with reduced allergen protein sources is usually the first step - look for options like Advance Sensitive Skin and Digestion, Royal Canin Dermacomfort and Hills Science Diet Sensitive Skin and Stomach, with additional Omega 3s and pre/probiotics to calm irritation and support digestion.
For severe or persistent cases, a prescription skin support diet or a dedicated hypoallergenic diet may work better than an over-the-counter skin diet - and if a novel protein hasn't been tried yet, our guide to novel protein diets covers how that option works.
Looking for more information? Read our veterinary written article Best Dog Food For Skin Allergies.
Can supplements help?
Skin supplements such as PAW Coat, Skin and Nails and Zamipet Coat, Skin and Nails are packed full of the same beneficial nutraceuticals to support a healthy and strong skin layer. These supplements can be given in combination with a skin support diet or in addition to your dog's regular food.
Read more about the best products for skin support in our article all about dogs with sensitive, itchy skin.
What's the best diet for a dog with a sensitive stomach?
A highly digestible protein diet with pre/probiotics and added fibre - such as Royal Canin Digestive Care or Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach - is usually the right starting point for occasional loose stools, gas or mild digestive upset.
If digestive upset is persistent rather than occasional, it's worth ruling out a specific condition with your vet. Your vet will be able to determine if a prescription gastrointestinal diet is the best choice for your dog.
Our guides to Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs, food allergies, pancreatitis and dogs with diarrhoea go into each in detail. Always check with your vet before starting a prescription diet.
Can supplements help?
Digestive supplements such as pre and probiotics contain 'good' bacteria known to be beneficial for gut health. These healthy bacteria help fight infection, strengthen the immune system, digest food, and produce nutrients for absorption. Supplements such as Pro Plan Fortiflora and EAC Animal Care In-side Out can be fed in combination with a sensitive stomach diet or added to your dog's regular food.
Read more about digestive supplements in our guide to digestive supplements - prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics explained.
How can diet help manage my dog's weight?
A commercial weight management diet - lower in calories and fat, higher in fibre - is the first step for most overweight dogs, alongside portion control and regular exercise. Options like Advance Healthy Weight and Eukanuba Weight Control are formulated to support weight loss without sacrificing key nutrients.
Studies have shown that 41% of pet dogs in Australia are overweight or obese, with 90% of pet owners completely unaware!
For dogs diagnosed as obese, a prescription weight loss diet may be recommended - check with your vet. Read more in How To Help Your Dog Lose Weight.
What's the best diet for dental health in dogs?
Dental care diets use specifically shaped kibble that mechanically scrapes plaque off the tooth as your dog chews, often combined with ingredients like sodium polyphosphate that bind calcium in saliva to slow plaque formation. In some cases a veterinary prescription dental diet may be recommended - check with your vet.
Read more in our full guides: Dental Care For Dogs and Can Diet Improve Your Pet's Dental Health.
What's the best diet for joint health and arthritis in dogs?
Joint support diets contain ingredients like glucosamine, chondroitin and Omega 3 fatty acids at therapeutic levels to help reduce inflammation and support mobility, alongside easily digestible nutrition to help maintain a healthy body condition - extra weight puts more load on already-sore joints.
In some cases a prescription joint diet may be recommended. Joint supplements such as Antinol, PAW Blackmores and 4 Cyte can be used alongside a joint diet or added to a regular diet.
For the full picture on managing arthritis through diet, see our guide: Best Dog Food for Arthritis and our guide to the Best Joint Supplements for Dogs.
What's the best diet for a dog with kidney disease?
Dogs with kidney disease usually do best on a diet that restricts phosphorus rather than simply cutting protein - the current veterinary thinking has moved away from blanket protein restriction. Renal diets like Royal Canin Renal or Hills k/d are formulated specifically for this.
Our full guide, Best Food for Dogs with Kidney Disease, covers what to feed at each stage and what to avoid.
What's the best diet for a dog with Cushing's disease?
Cushing's disease is usually managed primarily with medication, but a lower-fat, moderate-fibre diet can help support dogs who are also prone to weight gain or pancreatitis as a result of the condition.
See our full guide: Best Diet for Dogs with Cushing's Disease
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Mon 7 Sep 2026
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr Belinda graduated from The University of Queensland in 2009 and has worked as a Small Animal Veterinarian for over 10 years in South East Queensland. She also has experience as a telehealh consultant, providing veterinary advice for online customers.She has a special interest in animal behaviour, preventative health, the human-animal bond and internal medicine. Outside of work hours she is closely affiliated with a kitten rescue and is also a devoted carer of orphaned rescue kittens.
