Best Dog Food for Hypothyroidism – Nutrient-Packed Diets for Healthy Thyroid Function

Thyroid disease can cause canine hypothyroidism!

Hypothyroidism or low thyroid activity can lead to some medical conditions, including Cushing’s disease, congenital hypothyroidism, and lymphocytic thyroiditis.

Your dog may have unusual weight gain, behavioral changes, hair loss, otitis, dry and brittle coat, intolerance to cold, decreased heart rate, lethargy, and even depression.

You can treat and manage the condition and its symptoms with the right nutrition.

You won’t run short of dog food brands to choose from. But! How do you know which one is the best dog food for hypothyroidism?

I researched on your behalf and found nine nutrient-packed diets that fit the description.

The Best Dog Foods for Hypothyroidism Are:

1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry Dog Food — Best for Low Thyroid Activity

The Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula is the overall best dog food for hypothyroidism. It’s rich in good quality protein, vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, zinc, copper, and iron.

The food features deboned chicken as the first ingredient, which ensures your dog receives healthy proteins without adding extra calories.

The omega 3 fatty acids that are naturally sourced from flaxseeds help treat canine hypothyroidism by decreasing inflammation that interferes with normal thyroid function.

I appreciate the inclusion of vitamin A in this recipe because it is necessary for activating thyroid hormone receptors and increasing iodine uptake.

Another good nutrient in this dog food is zinc (an essential trace mineral) that is critical to the function of the entire immune system and the production of thyroid hormones.

But the thing is, it is possible to receive a ripped bag.

Concluding Statement

The Blue Life Protection Formula is more than capable of restoring your dog’s normal thyroid function, thanks to its high-quality nutrients.

Overall Rating – 4.7

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2. Nutro Wholesome Essentials Healthy Weight Adult Dry Dog Food — Most Palatable Kibbles

This nutritious and healthy recipe is made with real recognizable ingredients, which are great sources of nutrients and micronutrients for treating hypothyroidism.

The farm-raised chicken is a great source of protein for energy, preservation of lean body mass, and joint inflammation reduction.

This great nutrition is augmented with zinc sulfate and selenium, which are two important micronutrients for improving hormone levels and thyroid function.

This diet is enriched with vitamin A supplement as well as vitamin E to help prevent selenium deficiency and treat hypothyroidism.

I appreciate the fact that this diet is enriched with powerful vitamins, which support normal iodine uptake for superior thyroid hormone reproduction.

What I don’t like; however, is the high amount of legumes that may not be suitable for some dog breeds.

Concluding Statement

If you are looking for tailored nutrition that will supply your pooch with the energy and nutrients necessary for fighting hypothyroidism, then look no further than this food.

Overall Rating – 4.7

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3. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

If your pooch is allergic to grain, the Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is your best bet. It includes a lot of supplements and nutrients for treating hypothyroidism.

This is grain-free dog food, which is great because it is made with digestible carbohydrates like fruits, legumes, and vegetables.

Formulated in the US facilities, this formula uses unique lean and highly digestible protein sources like buffalo and lamb to give your canine a flavor straight from nature.

Vegetables, fruits, and legumes provide powerful antioxidants that help boost your dog’s immune health and reproduction of thyroid hormones.

This diet is also rich in powerful micronutrients like vitamin A, zinc, and selenium to boost thyroid function for optimal cell activity, growth, and development.

But the fat content in the food may be too much for overweight dogs or canines who exhibit adverse symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Concluding Statement

This recipe offers a wild taste sensation like no other and it is supplemented with antioxidants and micronutrients for supporting healthy thyroid function.

Overall Rating – 4.7

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4. Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Earthborn Holistic believes in formulating food that supports your dog’s overall health, and that’s why this recipe includes premium proteins and a carefully selected blend of nutrients.

This dog food is formulated without gluten, potatoes, or grain, making it a great choice for pooches that are allergic to these ingredients.

Herring meal is the first ingredient, which is good because it is a great source of vitamin D, omega 3 fatty acids, and protein for immune health and overall wellbeing. The antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies (cranberries, blueberries, spinach, carrots, and apples) help support immune and thyroid health.

Another good feature is the L-carnitine in the diet, which supports lean body mass preservation by converting body fat into energy and muscle.

What I don’t like; however, is the quality of the bags, which tend to rip easily.

Concluding Statement

This special nutrition is packed with high-quality proteins, antioxidants, nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that support normal thyroid function in canines.

Overall Rating – 4.7

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5. Hill’s Prescription Diet W/D Dry Dog Food

One of the most common symptoms of canine hypothyroidism is weight gain, which you can successfully treat with Hill’s Prescription Diet W/D.

Hill’s Prescription Diet W/D is a digestive, weight, and glucose management nutrition to help canines who are prone to weight gain due to low thyroid activity and other causes.

This nutrition contains optimal blends of soluble and insoluble fibers for supporting a healthy digestive tract and soften stools.

The L-carnitine in the food does a great job of metabolizing fat for energy and preserving lean muscle and body mass. I appreciate the optimal levels of copper in the diet, which help improve the levels of T3 as well as T4 thyroid hormones.

What I don’t like; however, is the fact that this dog food requires a veterinarian prescription or recommendation.

Concluding Statement

If you are looking for a diet that will help your pooch lose weight and help treat canine hypothyroidism, don’t look beyond the Hill’s Prescription Diet W/D.

Overall Rating – 4.7

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6. Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal and Rice Formula Adult Dry Dog Food

The Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal and Rice Formula is carefully formulated with optimum levels of protein, fats, and other essential nutrients that are ideal for treating hypothyroidism.

This amazing dog food is enhanced with canine strain probiotics, which contain beneficial bacteria for healthy digestion with a strong immune system.

This diet contains proteins that are embedded with selenium (a powerful micronutrient), which is great because the micronutrient is of fundamental importance to thyroid function.

I appreciate the high amounts of zinc in this nutrition, which support normal thyroid function, optimal iodine metabolism, and improved immune system.

Another good thing about this food is the presence of L-carnitine, a great nutrient for the metabolism of fatty acids and accelerated rate of weight loss.

However, some picky eaters may not like the taste and texture of the food.

Concluding Statement

This is holistic nutrition that is specifically formulated for energy, improved immune health, and superior thyroid health.

Overall Rating – 4.6

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7. Canidae All Life Stages Dry Dog Food — Best Multi-Protein Formula

This amazing dry recipe includes probiotics, antioxidants, omega fatty acids, and added micronutrients for a healthy immune system and thyroid function.

This amazing recipe includes probiotics that help support your furred friend’s healthy digestion and antioxidants to help keep her immune system going strong.

The nutrition is enriched with fish oil, which is great because it contains omega 3 fatty acids and selenium to support skin, coat, and thyroid health.

Powerful micronutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, and zinc sulfate, which help support normal thyroid function by improving T3 levels significantly.

Another good thing about this diet is that it is enriched with naturally occurring glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate for supporting hip and joint health.

What I don’t like; however, is the varying quality control from one bag to another.

Concluding Statement

The Canidae All Life Stages Dry Dog Food is suitable for multi-dog families to treat and prevent low thyroid activity.

Overall Rating – 4.6

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8. Wellness Core Grain-Free Canned Dog Food

The Wellness Core Grain-Free Canned Dog Food is filled with probiotics, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to help support immune, thyroid, coat, bone, and joint health.

This is grain-free nutrition, which is great because it is a high protein natural diet with highly palatable and digestible carbohydrates.

It is made with no meat by-products and it contains lots of calcium and phosphorus for proper formation of healthy and strong bones.

I appreciate the fact that this nutrition is enriched with zinc, considering that this micronutrient helps support immune health and normal thyroid function.

This diet is also rich in omega 3 fatty acids to treat canine cognitive dysfunction, kidney disease, canine arthritis, and hypothyroidism.

But this canned nutrition has low fiber content, which can result in soft stools.

Concluding Statement

This amazing diet is packed with high-quality animal proteins, nutritional supplements, and powerful nutrients that will help treat canine hypothyroidism.

Overall Rating – 4.6

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9. American Journey Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

With the American Journey Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, your furred friend can get an abundance of the wholesome ingredients to help her fight hypothyroidism.

The first ingredient in this amazing diet is a high-quality protein, which is great because it will help your pooch build lean strong muscles.

Flaxseeds and salmon oil are great sources of omega fatty acids, which help promote brain, eye, cognitive, skin, coat, and thyroid health.

I appreciate the presence of copper and zinc in the diet, considering that copper helps to increase T3 and T4 hormones, while zinc helps to convert T4 to T3.

Another good thing about this diet is the presence of glucosamine and chondroitin, two key nutrients that support hip and joint health.

What I don’t like about this nutrition; however, is the inconsistent quality control from one bag to another.

Concluding Statement

The American Journey Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is just what your sensitive pooch needs to help her fight hypothyroidism.

Overall Rating – 4.6

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Buying Guide: Things To Consider Before Buying Dog Food For Hypothyroidism

The best dog food for hypothyroidism must be wholesome, complete, and balanced. This will help keep your furred friend’s immune system healthy and capable of fighting hypothyroidism.

But, there are a few key things you need to consider to find the best diet, such as:

Protein

This is the one ingredient that must not miss out on your dog’s nutrition. Your furred friend requires a constant supply of high-quality proteins for all her bodily functions. Vegetable and animal proteins occur naturally.

There are ten important amino acids that your canine must obtain from proteins supplied through nutrition (including valine, tryptophan, threonine, phenylalanine, methionine, lysine, leucine, isoleucine, histidine, and arginine).

All the other amino acids are produced in the liver. The amount of protein in a given dog diet depends on the source and its digestibility. The amount required from a food source is dependent on protein quality.

A source with only a few amino acids would require you to feed your pooch higher amounts of the source.

Digestibility of protein refers to how long it takes the nutrient to be assimilated by your dog’s body.

Key Nutrients and Minerals

Nutrients that are important to your dog’s immune and thyroid health include, but are not limited to the following:

Iodine

This nutrient is mainly required by your canine to boost the reproduction of thyroid hormones.

You need to be careful with iodine because an excess of it can negatively affect your four-legged friend’s thyroid treatment.

But a deficiency of this nutrient could lead to hair loss and growth disturbances. Foods that are rich in iodine include tuna, cod, shrimp, seaweed, and other seafood.

Selenium

Selenium is a very important trace mineral that is essential for boosting immune health and helps defend the body against oxidative damage.

Not to mention that it is of fundamental importance to normal thyroid function. This micronutrient is required to convert the T4 thyroid hormone to the active T3 form to avoid low thyroid activity or hypothyroidism.

Most canine protein sources are rich in selenium, such as chicken, turkey, and fish.

Iron

This is a very important mineral for fighting canine hypothyroidism. Iron deficiency in canines may lead to hypothyroid symptoms, such as general fatigue, pale skin, and weakness to mention a few.

Lack of iron may also lead to low levels of T4 thyroid hormone levels. But excess of this mineral can lead to death in juvenile dogs. Great sources of iron include legumes, liver, and broccoli.

Copper

The function of this mineral is closely related to that of iron in dogs. For example, it helps to absorb as well as transport iron.

According to research, low copper levels may lead to lower levels of T4 and T3 thyroid hormones, leading to canine hypothyroidism. Copper deficiency in canines may lead to paleness, osteoporosis, and anemia.

Zinc

This is an essential trace mineral that is very important to your dog’s entire immune health. It plays a key role in cell replication and thyroid hormone reproduction.

Together with selenium, zinc helps to increase thyroid hormone levels by converting T4 to the active T3 version.

Vitamin D

This nutrient is particularly important in treating canine hypothyroidism. Not only does it help transport thyroid hormones into your dog’s cells, but it also helps regulate immune function.

This nutrient is necessary for the reproduction of thyroid hormones and in binding T3 hormone to its receptor.

This nutrient also plays a crucial role in cancer prevention and bone health. The main natural source of vitamin D in dog food is fish.

Dry or Wet Food

Dry dog food needs to have under fourteen percent moisture. Typically, it is lower than ten percent.

Dry dog diets can come in more than one form, including cold-pressed pellets and extruded kibbles.

The low moisture content and high matter content make dry dog diets more energy-dense.

This means that your pooch will need to eat less of the food to receive the same nutrition as she would get from a far greater amount of wet food.

Dry diets have a very long shelf life even when opened. The most important thing to remember when choosing dry dog foods is to read the labels.

Make sure that the diet is formulated with high-quality ingredients.

When choosing a wet food, be aware that between seventy-five and ninety percent of the can/container is made up of moisture content.

The moisture content can vary depending on the type of dog food brand. Wet diets have much more protein and fat on a dry matter basis compared to dry diets.

Canned wet foods have a variety of textures, making them more interesting for your furred friend.

Wet food can be a very convenient choice for hydrating your dog if she is a reluctant drinker or has reduced renal function.

What Should I Feed A Sensitive or Allergic Dog?

Dogs with allergies often have coexisting infections. Canines are usually allergic to certain ingredients in the diet.

There are specific food items that most sensitive dogs may be allergic to, such as gluten, corn, fish oils, eggs, chicken, beef, wheat, soy, nutritional yeast, animal by-products, and artificial colors and preservatives.

The most obvious solution would be to feed your dog foods that don’t contain the aforementioned items.

But you could also feed your furred friend a grain-free diet. Most grain-free diets don’t contain food items that may trigger allergic reactions in sensitive dogs.

This type of diet is great for a pooch with grain intolerance (signs include itchy paws, hot spots, diarrhea, and gas).

Grain-free diets are usually higher in protein, which helps to build leaner muscles. It is also easier for the stomach of your dog to digest and process a grain-free diet.

Also, consider a diet that is properly augmented soluble and insoluble fiber, essential minerals, and nutrients.

You could also consider a limited ingredients diet for a dog with a sensitive stomach.

Final Thoughts

The overall winner of this roundup is the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry Dog Food.

A complete and balanced diet for treating and preventing canine hypothyroidism.

What makes this food standout is its nutrient-packed protein source and premium natural sources of vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and micronutrients.

The deboned chicken supplies your dog with high-quality protein that is highly digestible and packed with essential amino acids.

This food is also enriched with key nutrients and minerals that are necessary for boosting thyroid function, such as zinc, copper, vitamin A, and iron.

Not to mention that it is also free of by-products, soy, wheat, or corn.