Hypoallergenic Dog Food

Most owners never thought that their “best friend” would have dog food allergies. Think about it – with humans there are an almost endless amount of choices. We have so many different things to choose from – so if we are allergic to one or two things, we just avoid those ingredients and move on. But it is way tougher for our little canine friends. There are only a handful of ingredients in most pet foods – what happens when they are allergic to one or more of those ingredients?

So what ingredients are dogs allergic to? Well just like humans every dog is different and there is always the possibility that they can be allergic to anything. However, there are certainly some dog food allergies that are more common than others. For instance, ingredients in common dog food that may cause problems include various types of meat (been, chicken, lamb), vegetables, grains, additives (preservatives, coloring, flavoring).

Now experts might say that not all of the pet owners who believe their dogs are displaying allergic reactions are right. They can say this because there is a difference between a dog being allergic to something and to being intolerant to it. But in the end – does that matter? Whether they are allergic or intolerant it is something that their master should try to remedy.

So what kind of symptoms should you look for in dog food allergies? General itchiness is one common symptom. If your dog is all of a sudden scratching all the time, it might be time to take him to the vet. Other symptoms can include skin infections and rashes, hot spots and hair loss. Now the experts would say things like vomiting and diarrhea are not actually signs of an allergy but of intolerance, but even so, it is still something you should take note of.

If you think there is a problem and you are ready to take your dog to the vet, you should let the vet know all information including when the problem started, what their diet consists of (including brand names of dry and wet food and all table scraps and other food the dog has access to).  When a professional is trying to diagnosis dog food allergies, the more info they have the better.

If your dog is diagnosed with dog food allergies prevention may be the best way to treat it. Many dogs or allergic to or intolerant to grains. Using grain free dog food is one way to make sure that they do not show symptoms of their problems.  Grain free dog food is just as it sounds; it is dog food that is made without grains, which is generally just used as filler. Grains can irritate some dog’s stomachs and digestive tracts and by eliminating them, you could be making life much better for your dog.

If in addition they are allergic to or intolerant to preservatives, coloring, additives or specific meats you might want to consider switching them to hypoallergenic dog food.  Hypoallergenic dog food uses grains (like brown rice) and meat which is not commonly used in traditional dog food. The combinations they use are designed to help dogs with food allergies and intolerances.

Dog food allergies are a serious topic that needs to be considered. If you dog have any symptoms of either is the best practice to consult your vet.