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! Keep reading for tips on how best to feed a dog with allergies.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. 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.

2. When you get the results, make a copy that you can keep in your wallet, purse or car. If your pet has a variety of allergies, it's best to have the list right in front of you whenever you go shopping.

3. 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.

4. 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%-meat formulas or meat and vegetable mixtures that your dog can tolerate.

5. 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.

6. 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 great dog food cookbooks at your library, bookstore and specialty pet shops to help you make the perfect meals. See Resources section.

7. 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. See Resources section.

8. 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.

9. 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!

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. If they are marginally allergic to carrots and carrots are the 12th ingredient in the product that is otherwise acceptable, go ahead and buy it.
• 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.

Resources

• Find a variety of allergy formula pet food at Natural Balance.
• Check out dog food recipe books at Barnes and Noble.
• Find dog treat recipes at All Natural Dog Treat.com.

[teddypee2]

on 3/1/2009 For dog Allergies: INSTINCT dog food by Natures Variety. 2tbl. Plain organic yogert, 1-2 tbl. Fish oil. That is for a 45lb. dog. No treats!! All treats have grain in them and that is bad for allergies!!No rice, corn, wheat..... Instinct is hard to find. Look up the web site and find a store near you. www.naturesvariety.com

[Audi5]

on 5/6/2008 This could help with food allergies to certain protein sources used in dogs food: http://www.willorillkennels.com/productmain.asp?ID=30
VERRRRY GOOD FOOD!