What to Feed Dogs with Allergies to Reduce Symptoms and Improve Health

Feeding your dog with allergies requires careful consideration of their dietary needs. A novel protein source, such as venison or duck, may be beneficial for dogs with food allergies.

Dogs with allergies may also benefit from a hydrolyzed protein diet, which can help reduce symptoms. Hydrolyzed proteins are broken down into smaller peptides, making them easier to digest.

Some common allergenic ingredients to avoid include beef, dairy, and soy. These ingredients are often found in commercial dog foods.

A balanced and complete diet is essential for dogs with allergies, and can help improve their overall health and reduce symptoms.

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Dogs with allergies can be a challenge to care for, but understanding what's behind their symptoms is key to finding the right food solution. Some breeds are more susceptible to food allergies, including Boxer, Springer Spaniel, Dalmatian, German Shepherd, Miniature Schnauzer, Retriever Cocker Spaniel, Coolie, and Lhasa Apso.

Food allergies occur when a dog's immune system overreacts to a healthy substance and produces antibodies against it. This reaction is usually triggered by complex carbohydrates or proteins.

Common symptoms of dog food allergies include redness of the skin on the inner ears, itchiness of the ears, and chronic ear infections. Other symptoms include redness and itchiness of the feet or in between toes, patchy hair loss along the neck and trunk, and chronic skin infections.

Here are some common dog food allergy symptoms:

Dogs with food allergies often exhibit symptoms that can be mistaken for other health issues. Redness of the skin in the inner ears is a common sign.

Some breeds are more prone to food allergies, including Boxer, Springer Spaniel, Dalmatian, German Shepherd, Miniature Schnauzer, Retriever Cocker Spaniel, Coolie, and Lhasa Apso. These breeds may be more likely to experience skin issues due to food allergies.

The most affected areas of the body are the ears, paws, around the eyes, and sometimes the trunk and limbs. Skin issues are the most common symptoms of dog food allergies.

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Dogs with food allergies may exhibit a range of symptoms, including chronic ear infections, redness and itchiness of the feet or in between toes, and patchy hair loss along the neck and trunk. These symptoms can be caused by the release of immune cells, which can weaken the skin barrier.

Here are some common symptoms of dog food allergies:

Additionally, dogs with food allergies may experience gastrointestinal upset, including diarrhea, gas, and vomiting. It's essential to distinguish these symptoms from other potential causes.

Diagnosing allergies in pets can be a complex process. There is no easy test to determine the presence of a food allergy in your pet, unlike some online advertisements may claim.

A number of blood tests, salivary swab tests, and DNA tests are available, but they're not helpful in identifying specific food allergies.

The gold standard for diagnosing food allergies is a well-performed strict dietary elimination trial, based on your dog's specific long-term dietary history.

Careful review of your pet's long-term dietary history is required to come up with an appropriate dietary trial.

Some helpful indicators for presence of food allergy in dogs include:

A dietary provocation trial is pursued after a successful dietary elimination trial to confirm or rule out the presence of a food allergy.

Some breeds of dogs, such as Boxer, Springer Spaniel, and German Shepherd, are more susceptible to food allergies.

The most common proteins dogs are allergic to are beef, chicken, lamb, and wheat. These proteins can cause an overreaction in a dog's immune system, leading to antibodies being produced against them.

Dogs can also be allergic to complex carbohydrates, which can cause similar symptoms. If your dog is allergic to certain foods, it can affect its health and quality of life.

Other less common causes of dog food allergies include soy, eggs, corn, and nuts. These allergens can be just as problematic for dogs as the more common ones.

Changing your dog's protein source is a proven way to determine what they're allergic to, and can be done through an elimination diet trial.

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An elimination diet trial with hydrolyzed food is the best way to treat and diagnose a dog food allergy. This trial takes approximately two to three months to complete, giving the old proteins time to leave the dog's system.

It's essential to wait long enough to see a difference from the previous food, as changing what your dog eats for just a week or two won't give you complete results.

Feeding a dog anything other than the elimination diet during a trial is a common mistake. This includes table scraps and treats, unless the elimination diet has a compatible treat option.

If symptoms don't resolve after two or three months on the hydrolyzed elimination diet trial, it's likely that your dog has an environmental allergen or another underlying condition.

To introduce a new protein source, try feeding your dog a new protein every two to four weeks. If they react, stop and keep things steady for another two weeks before trying a different protein.

If your dog has food allergies, it's essential to choose the right food. An elimination diet trial with hydrolyzed food is the best way to treat and diagnose a dog food allergy. This diet has proteins that are too small to be recognized by the immune system.

To start, you'll need to get a prescription for a hydrolyzed diet from your veterinarian. They can recommend a diet like Hill's z/d or Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein. These diets are specifically designed to help dogs with food allergies.

If your dog shows a good response to the trial, you can try adding new protein sources like venison, fish, or kangaroo. Introduce one new protein at a time, every two to four weeks, and monitor your dog's reaction.

Here are some recommended dog food options for allergies:

Remember to introduce any new diet slowly to avoid stomach upset or diarrhea. And, as always, consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog's diet.

Dairy can be a tricky option for some dogs. Some dogs can be allergic to the lactose in milk, which manifests as itchy skin and rashes.

A dairy allergy is more serious than lactose intolerance, so it's essential to monitor your dog's behavior. If your dog develops itchy skin or rashes, stop feeding them dairy products immediately.

Lactose intolerance, on the other hand, causes gastrointestinal problems such as gas, vomiting, or diarrhea. These symptoms can be uncomfortable for your dog, so it's crucial to identify the issue and adjust their diet accordingly.

If you suspect your dog has a dairy allergy or intolerance, consult with your veterinarian for proper guidance and treatment.

Hydrolyzed dog foods are a great option for pets with food allergies. They contain proteins that are broken down into small pieces, making them less likely to trigger an allergic reaction.

These foods are often prescribed by veterinarians and are available through veterinary clinics. Some examples of hydrolyzed dog foods include Hill's Prescription Diet z/d, Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Ultamino, and Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein HP.

A hydrolyzed diet trial can take approximately two to three months to complete, allowing enough time for the old proteins to leave the dog's system. During this time, it's essential to stick to the elimination diet and avoid giving your pet table scraps or treats, unless they are compatible with the diet.

If your pet reacts to a new protein source, such as venison, fish, or kangaroo, it's best to stop the new protein and go back to the hydrolyzed food. Adding one protein at a time every two to four weeks can help determine which protein source is causing the reaction.

Here are some examples of hydrolyzed dog foods:

Puppies can develop food allergies, and it's not uncommon for them to be diagnosed as young as 6 months old.

Lamb and rice formulas can be a good starting point for puppies with food allergies, as they offer a novel protein source that may help alleviate symptoms.

Purina Puppy Lamb & Rice Formula is one option that's worth considering.

If your puppy's allergies are severe, your vet may recommend a hydrolyzed diet, and Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein does come in a puppy formulation.

This can be a more tailored approach to managing your puppy's allergies.

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Dogs can be allergic to a variety of foods, including beef, chicken, lamb, wheat, soy, eggs, corn, and nuts.

If you suspect your dog has a food allergy, you'll want to know the common culprits to avoid.

Some common food allergens in dogs include beef, chicken, lamb, wheat, soy, eggs, corn, and nuts.

Here are some common food allergens to be aware of:

Allergy tests for dogs are not reliable, so it's best to rely on trial and error to determine the culprit.