Many dogs suffer chronic digestive distress, skin irritations and respiratory issues from problematic ingredients commonly utilized as affordable protein sources and fillers within commercial pet foods. Corn, wheat, soy and chicken most frequently trigger inflammation triggering reactions. Identifying and avoiding personal allergy triggers provides relief.
Pinpointing Problematic Allergens
Owners get frustrated attempting eliminating repetitive gastrointestinal issues, itchy feet or ear infections. These conditions commonly indicate food allergies rather than isolated occurrences of sickness requiring only medication treatment. Certain overused cheap kibble ingredients like corn, wheat, eggs, dairy, chicken, beef or soy generate antibodies viewed as foreign invader threats by dog’s immune systems. Reactions range from mild to life-threatening.
Confirming Root Allergens
Trialing skin prick tests or blood exams help veterinary diagnosticians definitively identify specific triggering components for each dog. However, putting your dog through an elimination diet most easily confirms causation. Methodically feeding limited proteins and carbohydrates in a rotation narrows down causes through the process of elimination when troublesome symptoms eventually resolve showing exclusions worked. Expect 8-12 weeks closely monitoring conditions waiting for afflicted areas healing.
Selecting Allergy-Friendly Formulas
Once determining exactly which ingredients get implicated through combined testing methods and food trials, owners must vigilantly scan all pet food labeling avoiding personal allergy triggers unique to their dog by feeding only tailored dry dog food for allergies catering to proven tolerances. This requires careful reading of all labels before purchases, even within trusted brand names which frequently change recipes.
Seeking Limited Ingredient Diets
Once determining exactly which ingredients get implicated through combined testing methods and food trials, owners must vigilantly scan all pet food labeling to avoid personal allergy triggers unique to their dog. Food for dogs with chicken allergies represents one of the most commonly sought specialty formulas, as chicken protein frequently causes adverse reactions, even in products labeled as other protein sources because of cross-contamination. The experts over at Nextrition say that when selecting allergy-friendly formulas, look for products manufactured in dedicated facilities that minimize cross-contact with common allergens.
Knowing Nutritional Standards
Unfortunately, boutique pet store brands luring buyers through lovely labeling and claims of superior ingredients frequently lack scientific nutritional expertise formulating recipes legitimately supporting good health. They simply mix trendy ingredients without considering long-term impacts and deficiencies. Always verify labeling states consultation with board-certified veterinary nutritionists and meets Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards, indicating validity through feeding trials. Do not assume natural equates balanced.
Supplementing Essentials
Restricted protein and carbohydrate options require extra supplementation to round out missing nutritional elements no longer supplied from exclusions when feeding specialty allergy-friendly formulas or homemade mixes to pets with multiple food intolerances. For example, calcium gets added, which prevents bone loss. Omega fatty acids and vitamin E relieve dry, itchy skin lacking fats. Probiotics aid digestion. Antioxidants support immunity pathways typically overloaded dealing with allergens.
Treats Require Caution
Scrutinize all treat ingredients watching for hidden allergen elements that could undermine otherwise strictly controlled allergy prevention diets. For example, wheat lurks within seemingly safe rice biscuits. Many dairy derived broth powders and flavor enhancers contain milk proteins. Stick with plain freeze-dried liver or meat options avoiding cross contamination from processing equipment also used producing problematic products like poultry kibble. Veterinary prescription treats prove safest.
Conclusion
Dog food allergies greatly disturb comfort yet are frequently overlooked as causation possibilities when afflicted pets suffer chronic digestive, skin and respiratory complaints. Implement elimination diet trials working with veterinarians to pinpoint particular problematic ingredients for your individual dog. Then vigilantly avoid personal triggers by feeding limited formulas catering to confirmed tolerances. Supplement essentials accordingly.