Food Allergy Testing For Dogs
If you suspect your dog is suffering from a food allergy, the first thing to do is talk to your vet about how to pinpoint the allergen. There are commercial skin and blood allergy tests on the market, and your vet may recommend starting there. You can read about one owners experience of this testing here.
However, theres no evidence yet to show that these tests are accurate, so the most thorough way to discover which foods your pet is allergic to is an elimination diet.
The process goes like this, according to Dr. Susan Wynn, a veterinary nutritionist, in an interview with PetMD.
What we do is take the dog off all the foods its eating and we put him on a food that hes never had before. Ive sent people out for alligator and yak. Once the dog has improved, we start reintroducing the old foods that we think caused the problems in the first place. If he has a reaction, which usually takes a few days to a few weeks, then we know he has a food allergy.
Tips For Making Your Own Dog Food At Home
PETA
Making your own food from scratch is hands-down the most reliable way to ensure your dogs diet has not come into contact with anything theyre allergic to. Weve got some healthy dog food recipes to share with you and some great dog food recipe hacks to make cooking for your dog less of a chore.
We hope this guide to dog food allergies helps you find a solution to your dogs symptoms. As a reminder, please always talk to your vet before introducing your dog to a new food.
Signs Of An Allergic Reaction
When looking for the perfect dog food, its important to first know what an allergic reaction looks like.
Symptoms of a food allergy can affect multiple organ systems in your dog, but the skin tends to be the most affected, says Burch. Skin symptoms include severe itching along the face, paws, rear, and underbelly. Other signs can include fur loss from around the eyes, repeated ear infections, and secondary skin infections.
When you know the signs of an allergic reaction to look out for, you will be able to better pinpoint whats causing their discomfort.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Pet Allergies
The best way to know if your dog has food allergies is to have them checked by their veterinarian. However, you may want to identify your dog’s symptoms prior to scheduling an appointment. If your dog displays any of the following symptoms, take note of them and consult their veterinarian at their next appointment. .
- Red, irritated skin
As you may have noticed, dog allergies usually affect the skin and the stomach. The system impacted is also the primary source of potential complications, which can happen if the sensitivities are left for too long without being addressed by a vet.
For instance, dogs with skin sensitivities are more susceptible to developing skin infections. When your dog continually itches, those breaks in your dogs skin allow potentially dangerous bacteria to get inside and cause systemic problems.
Sensitive stomach issues not only impair your dogs digestion process but can also wear down your dogs immune system. Chronic vomiting and diarrhea also put your dog at risk for dehydration and impact their ability to hold onto any nutrition.
Final Thoughts On 25 Best Dog Foods For Itchy Skin In 2022
No matter what the cause of your dogâs itchy skin is, there are a few things you can do to help provide relief. By following the tips above and working with your veterinarian, you can help your dog find relief from their itchiness and get back to enjoying life.
Donât forget to switch your dogâs food to one of the best dog foods for itchy skin featured here today as a first step in solving your dogâs itchy situation.
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Why Would My Dog Need To Eat The Best Dog Food For Dogs With Allergies
There are a few reasons. First, if your dog has allergies, he may have sensitivities to certain ingredients in his food. Second, the best dog food for dogs with allergies will be free of any potential allergens.
And third, the best dog food for dogs with allergies will be packed with nutrients that can help to support your dog’s immune system.
Prescription Diet D/d Dog Nutrition Therapeutic Skin/food Sensitivities Potato & Venison Formula 8 Lb
| Lowest Price |
Product Details
There can be a variety of reasons for your dogs scratchy skin condition, including sensitivities to food. Hills nutritionists & veterinarians developed Prescription Diet d/d clinical nutrition especially formulated to support your dogs skin and food sensitivities.
In fact, d/d is clinically tested nutrition to help avoid adverse reactions to food.
Reviews From Real Customers
My food-allergic Airedale has been on this food for about nine years. We obtained it through our vet. About four months ago, it became unavailable at the vet because of supply chain issues. With the veterinarians guidance, we tried two other foods.
She began to have digestive issues which grew Increasingly seriousvomiting and diarrhea. Treatment with antibiotics did not help much neither did switching her to a boiled rice and boiled chicken diet.
About a month ago, I did an internet search, and found that it was available from a very few sources. Have now ordered twice from Chewy, and am thrilled. Her digestive issues have totally resolved, she is eating well, and has more energy.
Thank you, Chewy!.
So Timber is a American Bully. Lots of allergies. She is allergic to so many things that are in Al dog foods. Rice, chicken, peas, oats well this food made her coat shine and she stopped shedding and she stopped getting bubbles between her toes, she had so much more energy and she was sleeping better.
Hoping the company will go back to the previous formulation.
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What To Feed A Dog With Allergies
Eliminating common allergens may work for some dogs, but when dealing with allergies or sensitivities stemming from digestive issues, you may need to consider a more limited ingredient diet to help identify the ingredients that are triggering reactions.
The problem with most dog foods is the number and variety of ingredients. Multiple proteins and carbohydrates in a food can make it tough to figure out what your dog is digesting properly and which ingredients are leading to allergic reactions.
Here are a few methods for managing your dog’s allergies and the uncomfortable symptoms of food allergies in dogs:
How Common Is It For Dogs To Have Food Allergies
According to WebMD, approximately 10% of dogs experience allergies to one or more ingredients in their dog food. Allergic symptoms are caused when a protein from your dogs diet is mistakenly flagged by their immune system as an invader , and their body creates an immune response. A true allergy can cause symptoms all over the body, such as skin, ear, or eye infections, as well as digestive trouble.
There are also dogs who have food intolerances. These dogs are more sensitive to certain ingredients in dog food and will experience an upset stomach or bowel issues. Food intolerance is different than allergies, as it only can cause tummy trouble, rather than the skin and other symptoms seen in true allergic reactions.
In either case, changing your dogs diet can greatly relieve their symptoms and lead to a happier, healthier pet.
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Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Venison & Sweet Potato
Image courtesy Nutro
The first two ingredients in Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Venison & Sweet Potato Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food are venison and sweet potatoes. This food is made with high quality proteins and essential nutrients to support your dog’s overall health.
This food also contains omega-fatty acids to promote a healthy skin and coat. Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Venison & Sweet Potato Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is also supplemented with vitamins and minerals to support your dog’s overall health.
Whats The Difference Between A Food Allergy And A Food Intolerance
A food allergy occurs when a dogs immune system identifies a particular ingredient as harmful.
And then creates defensive antibodies to fight the invading enemy .
On the other hand
A food intolerance is a digestive problem rather than an immune response.
An intolerance occurs when a dogs digestive system is unable to digest a specific ingredient.
For example, lactose intolerance is a common condition in which a dog is unable to digest lactose .
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What Is An Elimination Diet And How Can It Help You Determine The Best Dog Foods For Allergies
If you suspect your dog may have an allergy, you should take them to the vet first and foremost. If they agree a food allergy might be an issue, they may suggest a dog elimination diet prior to attempting something like a limited ingredient dog food. Elimination diets are a great way to determine what foods are causing an allergic response in your dog. Whole Dog Journal has a great method for starting an elimination diet to determine what your dog is allergic to, as well as finding ingredients your dog can eat without a reaction moving forward:
If youre looking for how to help a dogs upset stomach caused by potential food allergies, an elimination diet that helps you figure out what your dog is allergic to can be a great first step. All sorts of allergies like chicken allergies in dogs and grain allergies in dogs can be discovered by doing an elimination diet. However, there is a chance that your dog may not have allergies and instead just has a sensitive stomach.
If your vet thinks an elimination diet is a bit extreme for a first step, they may suggest trying a sensitive stomach dog food like our Coastal Catch or Meadow Feast recipes first. When it comes to what to feed a dog with an upset stomach, an easily-digestible protein for dogs with allergies like lamb or fish is recommended. If switching to a sensitive digestion dog food recipe doesnt do the trick, then allergy testing or an elimination diet may be in order.
Food Is The Foundation To Balancing The Body Long
Every dog, allergy sufferer or not, thrives on a species-appropriate diet, regardless of propensity or cuuute aesthetic , dogs, as a species scavenger carnivores are designed to devour and consume meat.
So, their diet should be high in protein from meats and organs and low in carbohydrates from vegetables, fruits, and seeds . As a pet parent, this should be your gold standard. You want to get as close as possible to this as you can. Its the recipe for success with every single d.o.g.
As were talking food, we should qualify that were referring to real, whole food ingredients. You want high-quality, clean, digestible proteins. Chicken breast from the butcher or deli is VERY different from the meat meals youll find in pet foods. So, the quality of the ingredient NEEDS to be a consideration especially with food allergies.
Low Carbohydrate is KEY
If you take one thing away from this post, its that you have to find a food that gets as close to a proper diet as possible and that means 25% carbs or less. Above that and a diet isnt just species-inappropriate , but its proinflammatory a true detriment to dogs, those suffering from allergies included.
Think back to that hyper-sensitivity the immune system stuck in overdrive producing heat and inflammation and symptoms like itching, licking, panting, restlessness, stress Every bowl of a pro-inflammatory diet dumps inflammation on a dog whos already ablaze, exacerbating their symptoms.
Why Dry Pet Foods Dont Make The Cut
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Types Of Hypoallergenic Dog Food
Hypoallergenic dog food could be misleading since an ingredient that triggers food allergies in dogs varies from one dog to another.
For example, for a dog that’s allergic to chicken, any food that does not contain this common allergen can be considered hypoallergenic dog food.
But that’s not the case for dogs that are allergic to various ingredients other than chicken, like rice or beef, pork, and others.
A vet typically recommends this type of dog food once your dog’s food allergies are determined. Though hypoallergenic dog foods are often regarded as prescription dog foods, some are readily available over-the-counter and online.
Here are the common types of hypoallergenic food for dogs: Limited Ingredient Diet, Hydrolyzed Dog Food, and Grain-Free Diet.
Limited Ingredient Diet
Limited ingredient dog food, otherwise known as limited ingredient diets , refers to dog foods with fewer ingredients. This diet helps eliminate and identify food ingredients that trigger dog food allergies.
Generally, limited ingredient diets include a novel protein and a different carbohydrate source.
A novel protein is a new protein that is not usually present in common dog foods. Examples of sources include kangaroo, venison, duck, venison, turkey, and ostrich.
Usual novel carbohydrate sources for limited ingredients diet are brown rice, sweet potatoes, and oatmeal.
Hydrolyzed Formula
Grain-Free Formula
Natures Variety Instinct Frozen Raw Bites
Instinct specializes in raw food, and it has several variations of base proteins available, including beef, cage-free chicken, and grass-fed lamb. These recipes contain 85% meat and organs, which are frozen and cold-pressured to preserve freshness and nutrients. Instinct uses a USDA-recognized pathogen-reduction process called High Pressure Processing to ensure safe raw food.
To thaw, Instinct recommends setting each serving of frozen raw bites out at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before feeding them to your dogs.
Natures Variety Instinct Frozen Raw Bites
The most affordable option on our list, this food also gets solid ratings from consumers, combining quality and price in a 3- or 6-pound bag. The grain-free recipe features cage-free chicken with apples, carrots, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash to round out the meal.
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Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey And Potato
Image courtesy Chewy
Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey and Potato Formula is a great food for dogs with allergies. It is made with only six ingredients, all of which are natural. This food does not contain any artificial additives, flavors, or preservatives.
This food is perfect for dogs with allergies or sensitivities to these ingredients. Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey and Potato Formula is also grain free and has no soy, corn, or wheat.
Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey and Potato Formula is a great food for dogs with allergies.
How To Determine What Is Causing A Dogs Allergies
Determining that your dog is suffering from food allergies is the first step. Figuring out what is causing their allergies is next and can take some time and effort. Many veterinarians recommend using an elimination diet to find out what is causing a dogs allergies.
With an elimination diet, the first step is to stop feeding your dogs all the foods they currently are eating. Then, youll want to feed them a very basic diet by eating new food. Give the dogs allergic symptoms from the old allergy time to clear up, then you can slowly start to reintroduce the old foods they were eating that may be responsible for the allergy.
If you notice a reaction to one of these foods, it will let you know that this was the cause of your dogs allergies, and you should avoid giving them any foods with that ingredient.
While dogs could potentially be allergic to any ingredient in their food, some of the most common allergens for dogs include:
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Brothers Complete Allergy Care Dog Food Goat & Egg
PetListed Verdict:
Brothers Complete Allergy Care avoids the majority of ingredients known to cause allergies, and includes goat as the main protein. As this is a novel meat for dogs, many havent developed a sensitivity to it. The brand also promotes healthy weight and balanced nutrition along with included probiotics for gut health.
Key Features:
- Limited ingredient, grain-free dog food
- Made with goat meal and turkey
- Includes eggs, which have all 23 amino acids, including the 9 essential amino acids
- Includes probiotics and prebiotics for healthy gut flora
Pros:
- No grains, potatoes, soy, sweet potatoes, or sugar
- Goat is a novel protein that many dogs havent eaten before, and dont have an allergy to
- High in amino acids
- Made in the USA from only American sourced ingredients
Cons:
- Still includes eggs, which is a common allergen for dogs
- Grain-free may not work for some pet parents
- Quality comes at a price more expensive than other food options
The Best Hypoallergenic Dog Food
Buying your pup pet food that doesnt trigger an immune response is one of the easiest ways to work around your dogs food allergy. Weve rounded up some of the best dog food that is hypoallergenic, including two budget-friendly formulas. These limited-ingredient diets will help you keep track of what your dog isand isnteating.
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Natures Logic Chicken Feast Patties Raw Frozen Dog Food
Overall Best Raw Frozen Dog Food: If you want to feed your dog raw food, frozen is the way to go. This Natures Logic Chicken Feast Patties Raw Frozen Dog Food offers excellent nutritional quality thanks to premium natural ingredients and a nutritionally balanced formula. This raw food is highly palatable and easy to digest, loaded with real muscle and organ meat as well as a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. This food consists of 90% poultry ingredients, making it very close to your dogs natural diet. Select whole-food ingredients are added to provide natural sources for key nutrients as well, with supplemental fats to provide omega-3s for healthy skin and coat. Overall, this recipe is loaded with natural sources of nutrients, highly digestible, and flavorful option for your dogs raw diet.
- Pros: Highly palatable and digestible, made with 90% poultry ingredients, selection of whole-food fruits and vegetables, complete and nutritionally balanced, full of natural meat flavor
- Cons: Needs to be thawed before serving, some dogs may not like the texture