How to Feed a Dog With Allergies
Like people, dogs can be plagued with a host of environmental and food allergies. Veterinarians have discovered that many of our pets are allergic to the common grain fillers in dog food and treats commonly sold in grocery and pet stores. If your dog has these or other food allergies, it's important to provide her with food that meets her nutritional needs but doesn't affect her health. It can be a challenge, but it's incredibly rewarding when these diet changes eliminate your dog's gastric problems, skin irritations and frantic scratching.
Instructions
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Visit a large pet store or specialty organic food pet store. Most of the familiar brands of dog food that you find in grocery or discount stores have similar ingredients. If your dog has more than one or two allergy triggers, it's very likely you'll have to move to more specialized brands to find the right food. If your vet has given you a list of ingredients that your dog is allergic to, bring it with you when you shop to refer back to.
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Read the labels. Many dog food brands come with special allergy formulas, as well as wheat-free and corn-free varieties. If your dog is allergic to grains, check into canned dog food, where you're more likely to find 100 percent meat formulas or meat and vegetable mixtures that your dog can tolerate. Fish and potatoes is a common hypoallergenic dog food, look for brands that have salmon as its first ingredient.
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Read the ingredients. It can be tedious to read so many packages and dog food cans, but once you find products your dog can eat, it will be simple enough to just buy those brands on future store visits. Be sure to check your allergy list to make sure the product is free of all your dog's allergy triggers.
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Make your own food. While it's fine to supplement your dog's basic food with some cooked chicken, vegetables or fruits, be aware that your dog needs well-rounded nutrition and vitamins. There are many dog food cookbooks at your library, bookstore and specialty pet shops to help you make the perfect meals.
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Make your own dog treats. For dogs allergic to grains, all-meat canned dog food can be sliced and baked in the oven for crispy homemade dog cookies.
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Pay attention to table scraps and rewards you give to your dog. When he's making those big sad eyes during the meal, it's easy to forget your pup is allergic to that bit of ham you just gave him. If you want to treat or reward your dog, keep some sliced fruit or veggies on hand that he's not allergic to and stick to those treats only.
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If your dog has a variety of allergies, talk to your vet about over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines to help with any triggers you can't eliminate. Allergy shot regimens are available for extreme cases but should be a last resort. The more allergy food triggers you remove from your pet's diet, the better she will feel.
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Tips & Warnings
If your dog has multiple allergies, it can seem impossible to find a dog food free of all the items. Use your best judgment. Find the foods they are severely allergic to and avoid those completely. Sometimes food allergies are obvious, and there's an immediate reaction after a dog eats a certain meat or vegetable. Other allergies are harder to pinpoint, so your best bet is to have your dog tested by a veterinarian. It's a simple blood test that can alert you to both environmental and food allergies your dog may have.
Be warned that allergy tests can be expensive. Ask your vet before the test is done how much it will cost, so you're not surprised by the bill when it arrives.
References
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