Hypoallergenic Dog Food and Dog Food Allergies

We aren’t the only ones who have to deal with allergies. The inability to process and metabolize certain proteins is a condition also found in our four-legged companions. Dogs can experience allergic reactions that can bring severe physical discomfort and irritability. Dog food allergies can often be cured simply by switching to a hypoallergenic dog food diet. Before changing your pet’s diet, you must determine whether he or she is suffering from a food allergy or some other ailment.

Does my dog have a food allergy?

Food allergies account for 10% of all allergies in canines. What may at first seem like an allergic reaction to food, may be something else entirely. Symptoms of food allergies include excessive itching and scratching, skin and ear infections, and sometimes hair loss. Flea bite allergies, inhalant allergies, intestinal parasites, and bacterial infections call also have similar symptoms. Food intolerance can also be mistaken for an allergic reaction. Vomiting and diarrhea are often the symptoms of this condition. If your pet does not exhibit the common allergic reactions of itching and scratching, food intolerance may be the culprit. Once these other ailments have been ruled out, you can begin testing for allergies to specific ingredients.

Which ingredients are causing the allergic reaction?

Once you have determined that your dog is indeed suffering from a diet-related allergy, you can begin to test for ingredient(s) responsible for causing the allergy. The ingredients most often responsible for dog food allergies are:

• beef
• soy & dairy products
• chicken
• fish
• lamb
• wheat
• eggs
• corn

These are also the most common ingredients found in all dog foods. Even products by top dog food manufacturers such as Cesar, IAMS, and Science Diet contain significant amounts of animal by-products. You may be surprised to learn that, in addition to these common allergens, products from several “premium” brands contain restaurant grease, hooves, hair, and even diseased and euthanized animals. In order to test which ingredients are at fault, it is necessary to switch to an alternative diet for at least 12 weeks.

                        

Trial and elimination

If you would like to determine exactly which ingredients are causing the allergic reaction in your pet, you need to develop a rigorous food trial regime in which you substitute different ingredients and observe changes in allergy symptoms. If you have the time and desire to undertake this scientific process, there are online guides and worksheets you can use. However, switching to a completely organic diet of hypoallergenic, allergen-free products can help you bypass this process. Many experts agree that the best diet you can provide for your pet is allergen-free, hypoallergenic dog food. Only human-grade ingredients are used so no fillers, artificial coloring or animal by-products will make their way into your pet’s stomach and intestines.

                       

What kinds of hypoallergenic products are there?

Hypoallergenic dog food is available in wet and dry varieties in retail stores and online. Both single meat and mixed-ingredient varieties are produced by several reputable manufacturers. The most comprehensive resource I’ve come across for genuine, impartial product reviews is AskSusanPeters. The author has tested hundreds of brands by all of the top dog food manufacturers. Acana, Avoderm, Flint River Ranch, and Orijen have all received a 10/10 rating for hypoallergenic products. They are all completely natural and are often chosen by breeders for their nutritional value. When choosing a new kind or nourishment for your dog, it may be best to buy a small quantity at first just in case she doesn’t take to it. If you do find that your pet is allergic to one of these products, try switching to a different flavor before trying another brand entirely.

In addition to curing dog food allergies, following a hypoallergenic dog food diet carries a host of other benefits for both pet and owner. Regulating bowel movements, preventing organ failure and diabetes, and improving the energy level and lifespan of your pet are just a few of the benefits of switching to a healthy dog food diet.

Photo by @vampiretta