Best Dog Food for Hypothyroidism : 8 Healthy Recipes + a Homemade Option [2023]

The thyroid is a small gland located in the neck and it produces hormones that help regulate a variety of essential bodily functions.

When the thyroid doesn’t produce enough of these hormones, it can lead to serious health problems – this is called hypothyroidism.

Dogs with hypothyroidism often exhibit symptoms such as thinning fur, dull coat, excessive shedding, scaly skin, reduced activity, and changes in weight and appetite. Fortunately, hypothyroidism is not life-threatening, but it is a condition that requires lifelong treatment with synthetic hormones like levothyroxine.

In addition to taking daily medications, dogs with hypothyroidism can benefit from taking glandular extract supplements and making certain changes to their diet. Choosing a high-quality diet made from wholesome natural ingredients is essential – a diet made with low-quality fillers and artificial additives will only make your dog’s condition worse.

Keep reading to learn more about choosing the best dog food for hypothyroidism.

Homemade Dog Food Recipe for Hypothyroidism

When it comes to the best dog food for hypothyroidism, there are no specific nutritional requirements that you need to think about. The best thing you can do is provide a wholesome, balanced diet made with high-quality natural ingredients to ensure digestibility and optimal nutrition. Because many commercial dog food diets contain grains, fillers, and artificial additives, you might consider making your own homemade dog food for a dog with hypothyroidism instead. Here is a quick recipe:

Turkey, Rice, and Vegetable Dog Food

Ingredients:

• 2 cups uncooked brown rice
• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 6 cups water
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 pound frozen mixed vegetables

Instructions:

1. Combine the brown rice, turkey, and water in a large Dutch oven.
2. Stir in the rosemary and keep stirring until the turkey is broken into smaller pieces and distributed evenly.
3. Bring the mixture to boil then reduce the heat to low.
4. Simmer on low heat, covered, for 20 minutes.
5. Stir in the frozen vegetables and simmer for another 5 minutes then remove from heat.
6. Cool the mixture to room temperature then store in airtight containers in the refrigerator.

When making homemade dog food, you need to be sure to choose a vet-approved recipe. Dogs require a certain balance of nutrients in their diet and if you just feed your dog a blend of meats and vegetables, he may not get everything he needs. If you’re worried about meeting your dog’s nutritional requirements, you may be better off with a high-quality commercial dog food.

Nutritional Requirements for a Dog with Hypothyroidism

For a dog with hypothyroidism, the main nutritional requirement is a balanced diet. Dogs require plenty of protein to support lean muscle mass and it is best from animal-based sources like meat, poultry, and fish. Healthy animal-based fats like chicken fat and salmon oil provide energy and essential fatty acids to address skin and coat problems caused by your dog’s hypothyroidism. Your dog can also benefit from digestible carbohydrates such as fruits and vegetables to provide dietary fiber for digestive support.

In addition to feeding your dog a complete and balanced diet, there are a few specific nutrients that may help support his thyroid function. Iodine, for example, is a nutrient that is used by the thyroid to make thyroid hormones. Most commercial dog foods contain plenty of iodine, but it is still something to be aware of. You might also want to look for dog foods that contain liver, a natural source of vitamin A, vitamin B, folic acid, and iron. These nutrients support blood health and thyroid function.

5 Things to Look for in a Good Hypothyroidism Dog Food

If your dog suffers from hypothyroidism, you need to make sure his daily diet provides for his nutritional needs in the healthiest way possible. The healthier his diet, the healthier his body will be and the better it will be able to heal and restore optimal function. You’ve already learned the basics about your dog’s nutritional needs, but here are five things to look for in a good hypothyroidism dog food:

1. High-Quality Ingredients – To maintain healthy bodily function, your dog needs a diet made up of high-quality ingredients. The shorter the ingredients list the better and look for wholesome, natural foods like animal proteins and fats plus fresh fruits and vegetables.
2. Animal Protein – High-quality animal proteins like meat, poultry, and fish should be the foundation of your dog’s diet. Animal proteins are biologically valuable for dogs and they are complete proteins which means that they contain all ten essential amino acids your dog needs. Lean proteins like chicken and turkey are great if your dog gained weight due to hypothyroidism.
3. Grain-Free – Some dogs can tolerate whole grains but many of the grains used in commercial dog foods are GMO ingredients which can impact your dog’s hormone balance. To be safe, you may want to select a grain-free diet.
4. Highly Digestible – To gain the maximum nutritional benefit from his food, your dog needs to be able to digest it well. Animal-based ingredients are the most digestible for dogs, but you should also look for digestion-supporting supplements like prebiotic fibers and probiotics.
5. No Artificial Additives – Things like artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives can impact your dog’s thyroid function so make sure the recipe you choose is naturally preserved (ex: mixed tocopherols or citric acid) with no artificial colors or flavors.

After you’ve chosen your dog’s new hypothyroidism-friendly diet, you need to carefully transition him onto it – don’t just make the switch all at once. Start by mixing 25% of the new food with 75% of the old food for a few days and gradually increase the amount of new food as long as your dog is able to tolerate the change.

The Best 8 Dog Foods for Hypothyroidism

Now that you have a better understanding of your dog’s nutritional needs, you’re ready to start shopping for the best dog food for hypothyroidism. Remember, it should be made with wholesome, natural ingredients in a grain-free, highly digestible formula. Here’s our top pick for the best dog food for hypothyroidism:

Our 2023 Picks: Best Hypothyroidism Dog Foods:
Rank	Dog Food	Price	Rating
Overall Best	Taste Of The Wild Pacific Stream Grain-Free Dry Food Buy Online Customer Reviews	$1.55/lb	A+
#2	American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$1.49/lb	A+
#3	Zignature Trout & Salmon Meal LID Formula Grain-Free Dry Food Buy Online Customer Reviews	$2.40/lb	A+
#4	Victor Yukon River Salmon & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Recipe Buy Online Customer Reviews	$1.33/lb	A+
#5	Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Grain-Free Natural Dry Food Buy Online Customer Reviews	$1.80/lb	A
#6	Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Formula Grain-Free Dry Food Buy Online Customer Reviews	$1.17/lb	A
#7	Wellness CORE Grain-Free Ocean Whitefish Formula Buy Online Customer Reviews	$2.25/lb	A
#8	Wellness Simple LID Grain-Free Salmon & Potato Formula Buy Online Customer Reviews	$2.48/lb	A

Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Grain-Free Dry Food

Overall Best Hypothyroidism Dog Food: If you’re looking for the best dog food for hypothyroidism, this Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Grain-Free Dry Food is a wonderful option. Made with premium-quality natural ingredients and no artificial additives, this recipe is complete and balanced for wholesome nutrition. It features salmon and ocean fish meal as healthy sources of omega fatty acids to address your dog’s skin and coat concerns plus grain-free carbohydrates for healthy digestion. It also contains chelated minerals for balance, probiotic supplements, and plenty of natural flavor.

• Pros: Premium natural ingredients, rich in omega fatty acids, grain-free carbohydrates, rich in protein and healthy fat, probiotics for digestion, fresh fruits and veggies
• Cons: First source of fat is plant-based (canola oil)

7 More Top-Rated Dog Foods for a Dog with Thyroid Problems

American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Recipe

If you’re looking for an affordable option in dog food that will provide for your pup’s nutritional needs, look no further than this American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Recipe. This recipe features protein-rich salmon which is also a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. It is grain-free, made with nutrient-rich sweet potatoes, and completely free of corn, soy, and wheat products as well as artificial additives. Plus, it contains probiotics for healthy digestion.

• Pros: Salmon as main ingredient, rich in omega fatty acids, digestible grain-free carbohydrates, fresh fruits and vegetables, 32% protein and 14% fat, chelated minerals, probiotics
• Cons: Some dogs are sensitive to chicken ingredients, contains plant protein (pea protein)

Zignature Trout & Salmon Meal LID Formula Grain-Free Dry Food

To ensure that your dog’s nutritional needs are met with no artificial additives or unnecessary ingredients, consider this Zignature Trout & Salmon Meal LID Formula Grain-Free Dry Food. This recipe features trout and salmon meal as the main ingredients which, in addition to being premium sources of animal protein, are also rich in omega fatty acids. With peas and chickpeas for grain-free carbohydrates, this recipe is highly digestible as well. It also contains chelated minerals as well as fresh fruits and vegetables to ensure optimal nutritional balance.

• Pros: Premium animal proteins, rich in omega fatty acids, grain-free carbohydrates, chelated minerals, fresh fruits and vegetables, contains 30% protein and 14% fat
• Cons: Doesn’t contain probiotic supplements, expensive to feed as a staple diet

Victor Yukon River Salmon & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Recipe

Developed to support the nutritional needs of dogs in all life stages, including active dogs and puppies, this Victor Yukon River Salmon & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Recipe is a great option for dogs with hypothyroidism. It features salmon and menhaden fish meal to provide 33% protein as well as the ideal balance of omega fatty acids. It contains sweet potatoes and peas for grain-free carbohydrates with dried vegetables for added fiber. This recipe also contains probiotics for healthy digestion as well as vitamin supplements and chelated minerals for balanced nutrition.

• Pros: Contains 33% protein, 76% of protein comes from fish, rich in omega fatty acids, chelated minerals, probiotic supplements, nutritionally balanced for all life stages
• Cons: Main source of fat is plant-based (canola oil)

Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Grain-Free Natural Dry Food

Featuring herring, salmon, and whitefish meals, this Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Grain-Free Natural Dry Food is an excellent source of both protein and omega fatty acids. In addition to plenty of protein, this formula contains ample fiber from fresh fruits and veggies to support healthy digestion as well as balanced nutrition. This recipe is naturally grain-free, highly digestible, and rich in antioxidants to support your dog’s immune health.

• Pros: Several sources of premium animal protein, rich in omega fatty acids, fresh fruits and vegetables, easily digestible, naturally grain-free, rich in antioxidants, probiotics
• Cons: main source of fat is plant-based (canola oil), contains plant protein (pea protein)

Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Formula Grain-Free Dry Food

If your dog is suffering from skin and coat problems related to his hypothyroidism, consider this Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Formula Grain-Free Dry Food. This formula features protein-rich salmon as an excellent source of skin-supporting omega fatty acids plus plenty of protein for lean muscle mass. It is rich in grain-free carbohydrates for fiber plus fresh fruits and vegetables to provide natural sources for key nutrients. It also contains probiotics for healthy digestion as well as vitamin and mineral supplements for balanced nutrition.

• Pros: Formulated for skin and coat support, rich in protein and omega fatty acids, grain-free carbohydrates, fresh fruits and vegetables, probiotics for digestion
• Cons: Main source of fat is plant-based (canola oil)

Wellness Simple LID Grain-Free Salmon & Potato Formula

To ensure that your dog gets the nutrients he needs without any unnecessary additives, this Wellness Simple LID Grain-Free Salmon & Potato Formula is a great choice. It features a limited number of premium natural ingredients to ensure optimal nutrition and easy digestion. It contains fresh salmon and salmon meal to provide plenty of protein as well as a blend of omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. This recipe also contains probiotics for healthy digestion as well as chelated minerals to help ensure optimal nutrient absorption.

• Pros: Rich in protein and omega fatty acids, grain-free carbohydrates, limited number of ingredients, probiotic supplements, contains 25% protein and 12% fat
• Cons: Man sources of fat are plant-based (flaxseed and canola oil)

Wellness CORE Grain-Free Ocean Whitefish Formula

For maximum digestibility, consider this Wellness CORE Grain-Free Ocean Whitefish Formula for your dog. It features grain-free carbohydrates and nutrient-rich vegetables as well as protein-rich whitefish as the main ingredient. This recipe is protein-packed for lean muscle maintenance with plenty of omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. It features probiotics for healthy digestion as well as fresh fruits and vegetables for antioxidant support. Plus, it is free from fillers, grains, and artificial additives.

• Pros: Grain-free formula, rich in animal protein, blend of omega fatty acids, fresh fruits and vegetables, no artificial additives, rich in antioxidants, probiotics for digestion
• Cons: Main source of fat is plant-based (canola oil), may be too high in fiber for some dogs

Dog Food for Hypothyroidism – RECAP

Hypothyroidism is a condition that cannot be cured, but it can be treated and managed with daily medication. In addition to your dog’s synthetic hormone treatment, you should also provide him with a high-quality diet to ensure optimal nutrition to support his long-term health and wellness. If you’re still not sure where to look for the best dog food for hypothyroidism, simply try one of our top 8 picks above. Good luck!