How To Choose The Right Food For Your Dog
Choosing the right doggie chow for a pooch with food allergies can be challenging if you dont understand the mechanism behind the development of such conditions. Sadly, many dog food manufacturers also fail to understand the unique pathophysiology of food allergy such that they continue to produce doggie food products that have highly allergenic potential. As much as possible, such food products must be avoided. Instead, you need to focus more on looking at doggie chows that are least likely to produce an allergic response from your pooch. Heres how you can choose.
Blue Buffalo Basics Grain
This;Blue Buffalo Basics;dog food boasts a single source of animal protein as well as easy-to-digest carbohydrate sources, making it a good options for dog food that is hypoallergenic. Its balanced with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that promote healthy skin and a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that promote immune system health. Made with high-quality ingredients that are gentle on your dogs stomach, this salmon and potato recipe has no chicken, beef, corn, wheat, soy, dairy, or eggs.
Blue Buffalo Basics Grain-Free Natural Hypoallergenic Recipe
This salmon and potato recipe is formulated with truly minimal ingredients: it has no chicken, beef, corn, wheat, soy, dairy, or eggs.
Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Adult Dry Dog Food
If your pet is scratching or licking constantly from their food allergies, consider Nutros adult dry dog food to give their skin and coat a new lease of life. Instead of poultry, which most dogs with allergies are susceptible to, the Nutro uses lamb as a single-source protein. Because it is formulated for adults, the dry kibbles texture can be a little hard for senior dogs to chew on.
Ingredients & Nutritional Benefits
The Nutro features a limited ingredient recipe of not more than 10 key ingredients, enhanced with natural flavours, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. The main ingredients are high quality Australian and New Zealand lamb, and real sweet potatoes which are an easily digestible source of carbs and fibre. It also contains lamb meal, which is the dry, rendered part from mammal tissues which are specially prepared for feeding purposes by tanking under live steam or dry rendering.
Chickpeas, dried potatoes, lentils and potato starch are further sources of carbs, while canola and sunflower oil provide omega fatty acids for healthy fur and skin. Added vitamins include biotin , Vitamin B2, B1, A, B12, B6 and D3, as well as folic acid and rosemary extract. It is free from ingredients that are common causes for food sensitivities, like corn, wheat, soy, dairy, chicken and beef. However, it does contain salt for flavour, which might not be ideal for dogs with renal issues.
Safety & Quality
Value & Convenience
Pros
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Taste Of The Wild Canine Formula
Our next food rather ambitiously claims to offer a taste sensation like no other. Lets see how Taste of the Wild* checks out.
This food offers some real variety. The three most abundant ingredients are buffalo, lamb meal, and chicken meal, and the food goes on to include three more meat products.
This seems to have done mainly to bolster taste, and whether your dog appreciates it depends on her! Its a grain free food, so its hypoallergenic for dogs with grain allergies.
The high meat content is also very in line with what our dogs ancestors would have eaten in the wild. The meats in question will contain omega 3 and 6, but not as much as fat alone.
This being said, just removing the grain will do a lot for an allergic dogs skin.
Is It Likely That My Dog Could Develop Other Food Allergies
Dogs that have developed an allergy to one particular food may develop other food-related allergies in the future. In addition, many dogs with food allergies have other allergies, such as atopy or flea allergy.
“Dogs that have developed an allergy to one particular food may develop other food-related allergies in the future.”
If you think your pet may have a food allergy, you should discuss this with your veterinarian, who can help your pet resume a healthier, itch-free life.
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Blue Buffalo Grain Free Dog Food For Allergies
Blue Buffalo wants your dog to be free from the symptoms of dog food allergies. That is why it has formulated its BLUE Freedom Grain Free Dry Dog Food that comes with one of the lowest protein contents for a dry kibble. The BLUE Freedom is available in various flavors such as beef, chicken, and lamb. However, to really benefit from its hypoallergenic dog food potential, you simply have to choose the lamb version as it provides a safer profile than beef and chicken.
While it is true that chicken meal has been added into the BLUE Freedom Lamb Recipe, this constitutes a very minor portion of this hypoallergenic diet for dogs. Its principal component is still deboned lamb with the secondary ingredient being turkey meal. Together, both lamb and turkey are known to have lower allergenic potential than chicken or beef. Whats more, BLUE Freedom comes with the ideal ratio of essential fatty acids at 1:4 as well as the inclusion of 6 different strains of probiotics, giving your pooch the means to improve its digestive functions and boost its immune system.;
Minimum percentage of protein: 22%
Minimum percentage of fat: 14%
Maximum percentage of moisture: 10%
Maximum percentage of fiber: 6%
Principal ingredients are deboned lamb and turkey meal
With wholesome peas, potatoes, tomatoes, flaxseed, and chicken meal
Ideal 1:4 omega 3 FA to omega 6 FA ratio
With calcium, glucosamine, phosphorus, and other minerals
With vitamins and other nutrients
With 6 different strains of probiotics
What Is The Best Medicine For Dog Food Allergies
Food allergies can wreak havoc on a dogs body if not addressed. If your pup is currently struggling with food allergies, youre likely wondering what you can give Fido for relief. Our experts show you the safest and most effective allergy treatments to help your dog in our;best allergy medicine for dogs;article.
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The Difference Between Dog Food Allergy And Intolerance
Its important to recognize that your four-legged friend has a food intolerance or food allergy. This is how the treatment can be really effective.
As I mentioned, in a dog food allergy, the immune system responds to proteins. This is because certain whole proteins are not digested properly and will not become amino acids.
The immune system does not respond to amino acids, but it is activated when these whole proteins are absorbed in the small intestine.
In case of intolerance, it is simply that the dogs digestive system is unable to digest some food or any of its ingredients. A common example of this is lactose intolerance, when a dog cannot tolerate lactose in dairy products due to a lack of the enzyme lactase.
Intolerance and allergies have similar digestive symptoms. However, food allergy allergies can also cause other symptoms in dogs, such as skin allergies. Usually, both conditions are resolved by excluding the food or ingredient in question from your puppys diet.
What Is A Food Allergy And How Common Is It In Dogs
Dog food allergy is a serious health condition in which certain proteins in food trigger immune reactions. This can have several symptoms, such as on the skin, ears, or digestive system.
Food allergies can be inherited, so a dog whose parents are allergic will most likely suffer from this condition.
The time of exposure to the triggering proteins is crucial. After exposure, an immune response develops, releasing various substances into the dogs body, such as histamine. Essentially, it causes a variety of allergic symptoms.
This can easily be confused with intolerance, as it also has similar digestive symptoms. According to some experts, about 10% of dogs experience some form of food allergy in their lifetime.
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Zignature Duck Lid Formula Grain
This grain-free formula is made with a limited list of ingredients, including a novel source of high-quality animal protein: duck. Packed with nutritious ingredients and supplemented for balanced nutrition, this recipe is highly digestible and completely free from corn, wheat, soy, and artificial additives.
Zignature Duck LID Formula Grain-Free Canned Dog Food
This duck-based dog food is grain-free and made with a limited-ingredient hypoallergenic formula.
Common Causes Of Food Allergies In Dogs
Often in dogs with food sensitivities, proteins from animal or plant-based ingredients in the diet are the cause. Beef, corn, dairy, and wheat are some of the most problematic ingredients.
It may seem counterintuitive, but it can take a long time for symptoms of food allergies to become apparent. Often dog’s appear to ‘suddenly’ become allergic to a food that they have been eating for months.;
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Grains And Bugs: The Gross Connection
Some grains, such as cereal grains, also have the potential to cause allergic reactions in dogs. Interestingly, this isnt necessarily due to the grains themselves in some cases, its a result of the bugs that get into these grains.
Yes, bugs get into grain supplies on occasion. Sorry to share such gross news, but it is the truth.
Accordingly, grain-eating bug carcasses and their droppings can be found in some dog foods. And since grain mites are a close relatives of dust mites ,;its no shock that the grain mites that wind up in your poochs food and possibly be the culprit of allergic reactions.
Whether its the actual grain or the bugs within the grains that are at fault, grains occasionally cause dogs to have allergic reactions.
Ps For Dogs 100% Hypoallergenic Dog Food
If your furry pal is suffering from skin issues as a result of food allergens, PS for Dogs 100% Hypoallergenic Dog Food just might be the solution that you and your pooch are looking for! This formula has a low glycemic index, which helps to reduce yeast growth on the skin that can lead to redness, bumps, irritations, itching, and foul smells.
This formula contains absolutely no corn, wheat, or soy, which many dogs are allergic toy, making it a grain free dog food. Its also packed with protein, as it features human-grade New Zealand lamb as one of the first ingredients, so you can rest assured that your pet will be getting a premium quality protein that he needs to develop healthy muscles and maintain the health of his skin and coat.
This formula is also packed with other wholesome ingredients and infused with essential vitamins and minerals to ensure your canine companion is receiving the very best nutrition possible while reducing his allergies. Since the kibble is air-dried, the morsels are meaty, tender, easy to chew, and very palatable.
In fact, most pet owners who have used this product say that their dogs love the taste! Made in the USA and backed by a satisfaction guarantee, you can rest assured that your pet will be eating the best food when you feed him PS for Dogs 100% Hypoallergenic Dog Food.
What We Like About It
- Some users complained about the size of the bag
- Others said that the cost was high
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Purina One Smartblend Sensitive Systems Formula
PetListed Verdict:
Purina ONE Sensitive Systems is made for dogs with food sensitivities and intolerances. It includes salmon as the main protein, and contains ingredients that are easier to digest for a dogs stomach. Note that this product does contain chicken and beef in smaller quantities; keep this in mind if your dog is allergic to these proteins.
Key Features:
- Single source of protein from salmon
- Antioxidant blend to help support a strong immune system
- Glucosamine to support optimal joint health
Pros:
- Included prebiotic helps your dogs digestive system more efficiently absorb nutrients
- Contains Omega 6 fatty acids and Vitamin E for skin and coat health
- Suitable for dogs of all breeds and sizes
Cons:
- Limited ingredient diet thats made for dogs with food sensitivities, and not necessarily allergies. Compare the ingredient list with any potential allergens your dog has.
- Contains chicken and beef products
Signs And Symptoms Of Food Allergies In Dogs
Of course, like any medical condition, dog food allergies also have symptoms. These are the following:
- Itchy skin
- Gassiness
- Shortness of breath
As you can see, you can encounter quite various symptoms as a pet owner when it comes to food allergies.
You also need to know that the symptoms are similar to the symptoms of other diseases in many cases. An example is an intolerance.
But skin symptoms can also mean environmental or contact allergies. The easiest way to filter this out is to examine seasonality. If your dog only has skin problems during certain seasons , it is probably not a food allergy but an environmental allergy.
Anyway, you should also consult your vet because he or she will be much better able to help you make an accurate diagnosis.
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Avoderm Natural Chicken Formula Dog Food
PetListed Verdict:
AvoDerm Natural Dog Food is a protein rich dog food featuring avocados as an essential ingredient for coat and skin health. The kibble is pressure cooked in order to make it more easily digestible, and is made with all-natural ingredients. A heads up that this food contains chicken, which is a food allergen for some dogs.
Key Features:
- Contains avocado for healthy skin and coat
- Available in four bag sizes, ranging from 4 pounds to 30 pounds
- Pressure cooked for easy digestion
- Suitable for dogs of all life stages
- Made in the USA
Cons:
- Food is made with chicken as the protein, a common dog food allergen. Dogs with this allergy should eat a different option.
- Not gluten free
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Canidae Pure Real Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe
CANIDAE has a reputation for providing high-quality dog food, and this is no exception. Using 8 simple ingredients, this formula is guaranteed to give your dog all the nutrition it needs to live a long and healthy life. These 8 ingredients are salmon, salmon meal, menhaden fish meal, sweet potatoes, peas, canola oil, sun-cured alfalfa, potatoes.
This is all enriched by vitamins, minerals, and a probiotics mix.;As we have spoken about previously, it is rare for a limited ingredient formula to be able to provide an above-average level of protein and fat, but this dog food goes the extra mile.
The formula contains 32% protein and 18% fat. This is an above-average percentage and will help your dog develop and maintain its muscle fibers.
Unfortunately, these percentages come at a cost. At $65 for a 25 lb bag, this is expensive dry dog food and not an option for a lot of dog owners.
The price is more than justified by the nutritional punch that CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Real Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food provides.
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When To Switch To Senior Dog Foods
Your dogs age will know when your dog is senior; it also depends on their breed and size.
Most dogs are mature dogs at 6 to 8 years old. The dogs age will help with the food choices since it will be easy to determine a specific dogs needs.
The aging process differs between pets and it affects them differently. When you notice that your dog is healthy with goo weight, there is no need to introduce any new food.
The advice is to get the right food for the dog; it nourishes the aging body. When choosing food for senior dogs, consider the following useful tips:
The Dogs Activity Level
Most of the old dogs are less active as opposed to the younger dog that is the reason they are prone to gaining more weight.
Look for food with fewer calories to maintain a healthy weight. It will be the right time to buy a senior formula with fewer calories.
Senior dogs are less interactive with lower engagement in daily activities, which happens a lot when they age. Always look for foods enhanced with botanical oils to nourish the dogs brain and mental alertness.
The Dogs Appetite
When the dog gets old, they lose their sense of taste and senses; leading to a reduction in the dogs appetite. In case your dog has no interest in their food, look for a vet to advise on the right path.
With a clean medical follow-up, you will have the right food to give to your dog. Always read all the packaging information before feeding your dog.
Distinguishing Between Food Allergies Vs Simple Food Intolerance
In addition to recognizing the possible signs of a food allergy, its also important to distinguish between true food allergies vs a simple intolerance.
When your dog has an allergy, it means that your dogs immune system is overreacting to a normally harmless substance . Intolerance simply suggests your dog has trouble digesting something.
You should always consult your veterinarian before self-diagnosing your dogs food allergies or intolerances. However, in general, dogs that have true food allergies will generally exhibit skin problems, while dogs with a food intolerance will just display intestinal upset. This commonly takes the form of gas, bloating, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Some food allergies may also cause digestive upset, but skin conditions are almost always the most prevalent problem.
Its very common for dogs to be intolerant of things like dairy products and fatty foods.
While dairy and high-fat foods often cause digestive issues;in canines, many pooches can eat one but not the other: My Rottweiler is capable of digesting fast-food quantities of fat , but a teaspoon of ice cream can make her hurl.
In an ideal world, you should probably avoid giving either type of food to your dog, regardless of the different biological factors at play.
Your dog may appear to take stomach ailments in stride, but you can bet they arent fun and they often lead to further problems.
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