Food allergy is the most common ailment in pets. Many dog owners struggle with their pet's food allergies. Fortunately, dogs with allergies can live and function normally. Still, they should be fed a food that contains the right ingredients to eliminate the risk of allergic symptoms (itchy skin, loose stools, excessive hair loss, skin lesions, spots on paws).
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The most common cause of allergy is an allergy to chicken protein, as it is the most commonly used in dog food. Many hypoallergenic foods on the market contain chicken meat, but it is hydrolyzed, i.e., pre-digested with enzymes, which eliminates the allergens.
It's worth noting, however, that hydrolyzed protein puts a strain on the liver, which in the long run stops working properly (an organ that doesn't work "atrophies" - it loses its properties), which can lead to serious liver problems in the future and, over time, shorten the life of your dog.
Which Hypoallergenic Food to choose then?
First of all, if we determine that your dog is allergic to chicken, the best option is to find hypoallergenic food based on a different protein. Regular pet foods based on more protein than chicken will suffice for mild problems. In most cases, however, they contain small amounts of chicken meat, which may not be enough in the case of severe allergic issues.
Then a good solution is specialized hypoallergenic food with lamb, which is a slice of more delicate meat than poultry and less fattening. If your dog needs more energy, you can find feeds based on rabbit or duck.
Many people asking about food are surprised to find that hypoallergenic food, which was supposed to be suitable for chicken allergies, contains poultry fat.
Dry food for allergic dogs
An increasingly common ailment in dogs is a food allergy. This ailment can appear in animals of any age and at any time of the year. Along with flea allergy and atopic dermatitis, food allergies are among the most common problems in pets.
The cause of intestinal or skin problems is usually one of the food components. In this case, it is essential to feed your dog with an allergy the right food that is tailored to your pet's individual needs. Unwanted immunological reactions are usually triggered by proteins from milk, poultry, beef, eggs, soy, and cereals. Properly selected hypoallergenic dog food is devoid of specific dietary elements that may worsen your pet's condition, causing vomiting, constipation, or frequent diarrhoea.
It's worth remembering that ailments in dogs with allergies can appear at any stage of life, although it usually happens by the age of 4. There may come a day when the dry food your dog has been eating for a long time starts to harm him. That's why you should always be vigilant - watch appetite, frequency of bowel movements, skin condition, ears, and general wellbeing of your pet.
In case of any doubts, it's worth consulting a vet, who will advise what dog food will be best for your pet. Be doubly vigilant when introducing a new dog food containing an ingredient that your dog hasn't eaten before - this is when owners often catch allergic reactions in their pets.
In this section of pet products, you'll find veterinary dry foods for allergic dogs. These foods contain hydrolyzed protein that does not cause adverse reactions. They come in different sizes and flavours that will please your pet.
What is the best dog food for an allergic dog?
Before you start wondering which dry food for dogs with allergies will be best, make sure that what you observe in your pooch is a food allergy. A characteristic of this type of allergy is a lack of seasonality - this means that the discomfort occurs regardless of the season and environmental factors.
Ear complaints such as redness, excessive discharge, or ear inflammation are characteristic of dogs with allergies. Dogs with allergies may also be bothered by the appearance of their coat, which becomes rough and dull. You should also consider introducing an allergy to dog food if your pooch's itching does not disappear after being put on steroid medication.
Low-allergenic dog food with easily digestible, a low-molecular-weight hydrolyzed protein that does not provoke an adverse reaction is recommended for pets suffering from allergies. Dry food with hydrolyzed protein is one in which the protein has been pre-digested using special enzymes. This is an effective way to eliminate the most common allergens from dog food.
Most dogs are allergic to the chicken protein, and it is this protein should be avoided if an allergy occurs. However, it is worth remembering that dry food can contain chicken fat. There is no need to worry about it, as fat is not an allergen. Such dry food can be given even to an allergic dog. Food for adult dogs and puppies with hydrolyzed protein can also be used for intestinal disease and pancreatic insufficiency.
Allergy dog food contains selected ingredients that help maintain the correct balance of bacterial flora in the digestive tract. The addition of biotin and niacin has a positive effect on the condition of the dog's skin. In addition, hypoallergenic dog food is lactose- and gluten-free, which helps protect the intestinal mucosa.
Dry food for an allergic dog contains antioxidants that help fight free radicals. Oligopeptides and amino acids reduce the risk of an allergic reaction, and the correct formula reduces the number of possible allergens, making the food pet-friendly for allergy sufferers.
Hypoallergenic dry food for dogs and helping fight allergies allow you to take care of the excellent condition of the animal's teeth. Your pet cleans its teeth and removes tartar by eating dry food, which contributes to most oral problems.
Veterinary foods for allergic dogs - what should you pay attention to?
If you notice alarming symptoms of illness in your pet, first go to the vet, who will perform the necessary tests and determine the diet for your pet. Your veterinarian will be able to tell you which allergy-friendly dog food will help to eliminate unpleasant symptoms while providing your pet with all the necessary nutrients.
The best allergy dog food should positively affect your dog within a short period. If, however, there is no improvement in your dog's condition, make sure that your dog is not being fed or given treats by anyone in the household. Any food that contains protein can contribute to a relapse. So categorically follow the diet and advice of your veterinarian.
When focusing on the composition of the allergy dog food, you intend to give your pet, pay attention to the order of the ingredients listed. Arrangements of food products - both for dog food and food for us- are arranged in descending order, from the element with the highest content to the one with the least. Dry dog food with meat listed first is best if you want your dog's meals to have as much meat as possible.
Carefully read the composition of food, even food advertised as food for allergic and sensitive dogs. Food with a theoretically healthy and safe piece may contain an allergenic element that negatively affects your pet's health. To choose the right food for an allergic dog, it is best to rely on a specialist. Your veterinarian will be sure to recommend the right product for your pet.
What is hypoallergenic food?
Foods described by manufacturers as "hypoallergenic" or "sensitive" often contain a limited composition. They don't contain ingredients responsible for most food allergies and intolerances in dogs - chicken, beef, or wheat, among others.
These diets are usually based on lamb, fish, horse meat, rice, and potatoes. The vegetable additives they contain are designed to aid your pet's digestive processes and reduce the likelihood of diarrhoea.
Such diets may also contain potentially allergenic ingredients (for example, poultry protein) that have been hydrolyzed. Hydrolyzed proteins are broken down into small fragments so that they cannot irritate your pet's immune system and trigger allergy symptoms. In hypoallergenic foods, they provide an additional source of valuable amino acids, minerals, and vitamins.
Hypoallergenic dry food for dogs
When choosing a dry food for a dog with a sensitive stomach, we should be guided primarily by the content and type of meat used in its production. As in the case of essential foods, hypoallergenic diets include low-quality products based mainly on carbohydrates and foods containing a hefty dose of animal ingredients.
To provide our dogs with a valuable diet, we should choose food with a precise composition. That contains a hefty dose of animal protein and a limited amount of carbohydrates. It is worth it that the food we choose is enriched with omega-3 acids and prebiotics, which reduce inflammation, stabilize intestinal function and prevent diarrhoea.
A hypoallergenic diet should also meet the individual needs of the pet. What does that mean? It must be adapted to his age, activity level, and size.
Hypoallergenic wet food for dogs
Wet food will also work well when feeding dogs prone to diarrhoea and allergies. Many such products contain ingredients that rarely cause allergies in pet pets. The meat in such foods maybe lamb, fish, and game, combined with ingredients such as potatoes or rice.
Some wet dog foods are completely free of added unnecessary carbohydrates. This allows you to eliminate other elements that can irritate the digestive system and cause allergies in your pet.
