When it comes to your favorite four-legged friend, you have to ensure that your dog gets the best. Be it the environment your dog lives in, the people he/she is around or the food he/she eats. You have to make sure that your dog gets no less than what your own kid might get!
Recently, there have been multiple instances of pet owners reporting that their pets are developing food-related allergies. It is possible that your dog has been eating the same food for the past three to four years and suddenly develops an allergy toward it. In such a case, you must get them on the best dog food for allergies.
Here are a few points to consider while purchasing the best dog food for allergies to take care of your loving pet.
Most common allergens
The most commonly reported allergens by pet owners in the country are as follows:
-Beef
-Dairy
-Chicken
-Lamb
-Wheat
-Fish
-Soy
-Corn
As you can see, these are all protein sources used in making dog food. Surprisingly, these are items that dogs are not known to be naturally allergic to. It just so happens that our pets are constantly exposed to such items and develop allergies. In such a case, you will be able to give your dog the best dog food for allergies only once you know what the underlying issue is.
Hypoallergenic ingredients
Now that you know the common allergens, what are the common hypoallergenic items that you can look for in your dog’s food? Here are some pointers for deeper insight.
Limited ingredients
When you are still in the stage of trying figure out which allergen is bothering your pet, purchase food with limited ingredients. This will help in easier pinpointing of the best dog food for allergies.
Novel ingredients
You could also try giving your dog food that contains novel ingredients. In other words, try looking for products with lesser common ingredients like buffalo, pheasant, kangaroo, and millets. They might not be allergic to these foods.
Prescription- or vet-suggested diets
As the name suggests, these products are typically prescribed and sold by veterinarians. These are generally rich in the common hypoallergenic substances and should help curb the problem. Prescription-suggested foods can also prove to be the best dog food for the allergies your pet is facing.
Allergy or intolerance?
Food allergies and food intolerance are two different scenarios that your pet might be facing.
A food allergy is like any involuntary autoimmune response that the body is responsible for. This is a way of your body deeming a certain substance as harmful. In such a case, it might not be very difficult for you point out the symptoms and pick the best dog food for allergies.
A food intolerance situation is different. It is more a digestive problem as the body is unable to digest the particular food. This is an inability that cannot be cured. You will have to work around it.
In either case, it is important that you get your pet examined and take the necessary precautions while picking the best food for the allergies your dog faces. It is always better when you understand the problem and work toward preventing it.
Is doog food always the cause of allergies?
Contrary to popular belief, food might not always be the primary cause for allergies in your pet. Reportedly, only 10% of the allergies found in pets are because of their diets. In any case, always ensure that your pet gets food that works around the allergy. It should always help them and not worsen the situation.
In the end, what matters is that your dog is healthy and sprightly. If you believe they have any symptoms like skin rashes, hives, itching, paw biting, nausea, and diarrhea, take them to a vet. You should consider feeding them with a commercial dog food that has been tested and specially designed to control such issues.