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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Blue Buffalo Basics Lid Turkey & Potato Recipe Senior
First 5 ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Potatoes, Peas
For our senior furry friends with food allergies, this senior dog food is a fine choice. Real deboned turkey is the first ingredient, plus turkey meal, as turkey is the only animal source in this limited ingredient dog food. Oatmeal and brown rice are the main digestible carbs in this dog food.
This grain-inclusive recipe also has fish oil for fatty acids and pumpkin for healthy fibers to help support the digestive system. It also has probiotics for gut health. This is a high-fiber formula, with a max 7% fiber load.
This diet received an impressive 4.7 out of 5 stars average rating from over 200 Chewy customers, and with a 96% acceptance rate. Even more remarkable is that 92% of the reviews were very encouraging, with many pet parents saying their senior pets loved this kibble and that it was great for their pups sensitive skin and sensitive stomach.
Only less than 8% of the reviews were negative, almost half of which were about picky-eating dogs. Some found the price a bit expensive, and a couple thought the kibble was a bit hard.
Pros:
- Single animal source real turkey
- Balanced diet, rich in antioxidant
- Free from chicken, beef, corn, wheat, soy, dairy and eggs
Cons:
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Should I Feed My Puppy Wet Or Dry Food
The kind of food you feed your puppy depends on your preference, but there are some upsides to wet food .
Wet food may be more filling due to water content, and it may be more aromatic, which may entice a pickier pet to eat, Dr. Smith said.
Wet food can be a good transition for puppies who have just recently been weaned from their mothers milk since theyre not used to solid food yet. Puppies also still have their baby teeth or are just starting their teething phase, so wet food can be a good choice because its softer than kibble and wont hurt their sensitive teeth and gums.
But while wet food can get your puppy interested in his food, it can also make some dogs even pickier. Giving too many options may also lead to picky pet syndrome, where the patient is given too much food and thus only picks the type and amount that they like the best, leaving behind the rest, Dr. Smith said.
Wet food can also lead to overfeeding in some cases since its harder to tell exactly how much youre serving to your dog. I like to promote dry food unless there is a medical need, as it is easier to not overfeed, Dr. Smith said. However, I am usually not so worried about overfeeding in growing puppies, so wet or dry or mixing is just fine.
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How Do Puppies Nutritional Needs Differ From Adult Dogs
The nutritional needs of puppies are in accordance with their development stage. This is when theyre developing organs, building muscles and bones, and growing. On the other hand, adult dogs require nutrition to maintain their already grown bodies. Naturally, the nutritional requirement of puppies is higher than adult dogs to fuel their growth and development.
Canned Dog Food Treats For Dogs With Special Diets
If your dog cant have anything but her prescription food, heres your Haily Mary pass! Simply dice up a can of prescription food into bite-size pieces and pop them in the dehydrator until you get your preferred texturechewy or crunchy.
No dehydrator? Use your oven at the lowest temperature for a similar result.
Pro tip: a food dehydrator is great for making healthy homemade jerky and dried fruits and veggies for you AND your dog. You can get one for these days.
- 1 can dog food of your choice
If your dog cant enjoy eggs, heres how to make a flax substitute.
To replace one egg, combine 1 tablespoon ground flax seed with 2 tablespoons of warm water and let it set a few minutes until thickened.
Need to adjust the consistency? You can add a little oat flour to thicken or water to thin your mixture.
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How To Paw Through The Nutrition Label
Reading pet food labels can be complicated, Whittenburg says. Marketing is a huge force in pet food sales, and it can be hard for even the most educated pet parents to be aware of the tricks of pet food companies.
Be wary of marketing-speak like human-grade, which the pros say really is too good to be true. While the term is supposed to mean the food is free of the 4 Ds: Diseased, Dying, Down, or Dead animals those things are already illegal in dog food, at least in the U.S.
Plus, no food made in a pet food factory is legally classified as human-grade, Simon says.
And no, you really shouldnt eat it even if your fridge is looking pretty empty. It is not food that humans could or should eat! Simon says. We tend to see it more of a marketing ploy than anything else, she says.
Its also pretty tough to read the label without a thorough understanding of dog nutrition, she adds.
In general, though, heres what the pros say is ideal:
Ultimately, though, before pet food shopping, Whittenburg first and foremost recommends visiting your vet. Lets face it theyre experienced. Every pet is different with different nutritional needs, and your vet is the best resource for help with choosing their food.
Puppy Feeding Schedule: How Often To Feed Your Pup
Your puppys nutritional requirements not only mean that he should be given a different type of food than adult dogs, they also mean that your pup should be fed on a different feeding schedule than adult dogs should.
For example, weaned puppies should typically be fed four times per day until they reach 12 weeks of age. It may be necessary to moisten the food of young puppies with a bit of water, but they should be able to handle crunchy kibble by about 9 to 13 weeks of age larger breeds are capable of making the switch more quickly than small breeds are.
Sometime between 3 and 6 months of age, youll want to provide the same amount of food each day, but youll want to split it up into three meals, rather than four. After another 6 months, you can further reduce the number of daily feedings to two.
Once your dog is about 12 months old, hell probably be ready for adult food. However, you should always consult with your vet before making the switch and stick with puppy food if you have any doubt.
Additionally, as when making any food change, try to do so gradually, by mixing increasingly large portions of the new food in with your dogs current food over a period of a week or so.
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How Often Should I Feed My Dog
Swanson explains that several factors determine the frequency of feeding, such as life stage, health status, and palatability. “The most important thing is to feed a complete and balanced diet and provide controlled amounts of food. Monitor your dog’s body weight and body condition over time and adjust feeding amounts so that a healthy body weight is maintained,” he says.
Dog food labels include feeding guidelines. However, these are general recommendations. Your veterinarian can provide individualized feeding recommendations for your dog to ensure proper nutrition and calorie intake.
Free choice feeding is not recommended because it can lead to overeating. Dogs aren’t known for their portion control, so food should not be left out for all-day eating.
Many dog owners love to feed treats to their dogs. When overdone, though, treats can add lots of extra calories to a dog’s diet, possibly leading to weight gain. Treats should comprise no more than 10% of a dog’s daily caloric intake. Your veterinarian can help you determine how many “treat” calories your dog can have each day.
Whats The Right Time To Start Feeding Solid Food To My Puppy
After about four weeks, puppies required nutrition is not fulfilled from their mothers milk. Thats a good time to introduce them to solid food. By the sixth week, puppies are weaned off. However, feeding kibble directly can be a little harsh for their soft teeth. You may need to moisten dry food with water or a wet food blend to make it soft and spongy. You can even stick to a nutritious wet food formula to ensure your little pup gets all the required nutrition through flavorful, soft meals.
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What Ingredients To Avoid In Dog Food
If youre a dog owner, you probably know how difficult it can be to find the best dog food for your pet. The problem is, you may not know which ingredients to avoid when looking for the best dog food available. This list is a great start to help you find the best dog food, but there are a few things you should always consider before buying.
A balanced diet for your dog should be comprised of a variety of ingredients. These are the ones you should avoid in dog food: artificial flavors, preservatives, and colors. Artificial flavors can cause diarrhea and upset stomach, and some preservatives can cause skin rashes and vomiting. Coloring, on the other hand, can be good, but if too much is used it can turn into a problem.
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Avoderm Natural Puppy Canned Dog Food
Last on our list is a chicken and rice recipe canned dog food by AvoDerm. This canned dog food for puppies is specially designed for a puppies nutritional needs and is made free of any additives, artificial flavors, preservatives, and other additives.
Instead, it is rich in natural ingredients and high in protein. It is also loaded with plenty of good fatty acids to promote your puppys natural growth, a healthy immune system, and brain and eye development.
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Hills Science Diet Puppy Small Paws
Rating:
Puppy Savory Stew with Chicken and Vegetabales is one of 4 wet recipes analyzed in our review of the Hills Science Diet product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken broth, chicken, pork liver, brown rice, wheat flour
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Profile: Growth
- Best for:Small and medium breed puppies
This Science Diet recipe derives most of its animal protein from fresh chicken and pork liver. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 28% protein, 17% fat and 48% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 60%.
Moderate meat content. Reasonably priced.
Sample buyer reviewMy puppy had been eating Hills Science dry food. Got this to see if wet appealed to him. He absolutely loves it! I add some dry to it and its gone in a flash. Will be convenient for travel.
The Company Of Canidae Canned Dog Food
Canidae is a family-owned company consisting of passionate staff and pets. The management team has a long-standing passion for pet nutrition which provides the driving force behind their products quality.
As such, all Canidae products are made with high-quality fresh, natural ingredients designed to help your dog stay as healthy as possible.
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Best Prescription Dog Food For Allergies
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Most Convenient Wet Dog Food Delivery
| Yes | Yes |
Ollie is one of our top choices when it comes to the best fresh dog food delivery services, so naturally its one of our favorite wet dog food options, too. Their human-grade, nutritionally-balanced recipes feature real chicken, beef, turkey, or lamb as the first ingredient, rounded out by leafy greens, root veggies, and plant-based proteins like chickpeas, peas, or lentils. To get started, simply fill out a quick quiz and Ollie will create a customized meal plan based on your dogs age, weight, breed, activity level, and allergies or sensitivities. We love the easy-to-follow instructions, serving spoon, and airtight puptainer that are included with the starter box to make mealtime even more convenient.
Highlights
- High-quality, human-grade ingredients. No fillers, artificial flavors, or preservatives
- Four protein-packed recipes to choose from: beef, chicken, lamb, or turkey
- Food is minimally processed and gently cooked in U.S. facilities at low temperatures to preserve nutrients
- Vet-approved recipes are portioned for your dog and delivered right to your door on a flexible schedule
- Frequency of deliveries can be adjusted to receive more or less food at a time
- Starter box includes a guide to help you safely transition your dog over to Ollie. If your dog doesnt enjoy it, Ollie will give you a full refund
- Meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages
- Ships free anywhere in the contiguous United States
Things to Consider
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Blue Buffalo Wilderness Beef & Chicken Grill Canned Dog Food
Best for Weight Gain
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Beef, 2. Chicken, 3. Chicken Broth, 4. Chicken Liver, 5. Potatoes
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
- Caloric content : 1,477 kcal
- Analysis: Protein 10% | Fat 9% | Fiber 1.5% | Moisture 78%
Kickstart your dogs appetite and muscle mass with the high-protein Blue Buffalo Wilderness Canned Food. The food offers a ton of amino acids to maximize muscle growth from real beef and chicken meat. It also has a hefty 523 calories per can, which effectively puts your dog in a caloric surplus and helps the body build muscle blocks.
Being high in calories, the formula also serves as an excellent choice for active and working breeds. Your dog will also receive a full range of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, for better immunity and vitality. Blue Buffalo has also reduced the risk of stomach upsets and allergies by eliminating grains, gluten, artificial preservatives, and all kinds of fillers from the Wilderness Canned Food.
When Is A Dog Considered A Senior
Not all dogs get grey hair around their muzzles. In fact, many are as playful as a puppy for their entire lives.
In fact
You may have noticed that small dogs seem to age more slowly than large dogs. Its true. A small dog can live to be as old as 20 years. But a large dog can reach maturity much sooner.
So, how do you know when your dog has entered her golden years?
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association2
small dogs are generally considered senior at 7 years of age. Larger breed dogs tend to have shorter life spans and are often considered senior when they are 5 to 6 years of age.
Of course, all dogs are different. A healthy diet, regular exercise and good dental care can help extend your dogs middle age phase.
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Iams Proactive Health Senior Chicken & Rice Canned Dog Food
Best for Seniors
Ratings:
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Meat By-Products, 2. Chicken, 3. Chicken By-Products, 4. Brewers Rice, 5. Wheat Flour
- Life Stage: Senior
- Suitable for: Small, medium, large breeds
- Caloric content : 711 kcal
- Analysis: Protein 7% | Fat 3% | Fiber 1% | Moisture 84%
There are many reasons why senior dogs become picky eaters. They may not be able to digest as well as they used to, and their teeth and sense of smell arent top-notch anymore. This formula by IAMs proactive health keeps all those factors and mind and gives your dog a palatable meat that can also fulfill their dietary requirements.
It promotes good muscular and bone health in seniors while keeping their coat shiny and healthy. All the amazing ingredients are slow-cooked to avoid loss of flavor and nutrients.
What Is Wet Dog Food
The fundamental difference between wet and dry food is the water content. Dry food has a moisture content of between 3 – 12%, while wet food is between 60 – 84% moisture.
Wet foods are either canned or sealed in pouches, while dry foods usually come packaged in big waxed paper bags or packaged in cardboard boxes.
Whilst dry food brings many advantages in terms of ease of storage, price and cleanliness, wet dog food can be a good choice for puppies with poor appetites as the smell and texture is more likely to appeal.
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Are Meat Byproducts Bad
AAFCO defines byproducts as “secondary products produced in addition to the principal product.” Pet food advertising often portrays byproducts as undesirable and unappetizing, but byproducts that are properly processed are safe and nutritious. Byproducts include liver, for example, which is full of vitamins and minerals that are good for pets.
Before meat byproducts can be used in dry or canned pet food, they must be heat-treated and undergo additional processing to eliminate all disease-causing bacteria. Sometimes, pet food manufacturing facilities will render byproducts, meaning that the byproducts are cooked to kill disease-causing bacteria.
On a dog food label, you will see a meat byproduct listed as “byproduct” or “meal.” Either term indicates that the meat ingredient has undergone additional processing and is safe for your dog to eat.