Food-Sensitive Diet: Does Your Dog Need One?

Just like people, your dog’s stomach doesn’t always agree with the ingredients in their food. If your dog consistently experiences poor digestion or itchy skin, it could be a food sensitivity or food allergy.

Proteins are the most common ingredients associated with food sensitivities and include animal-based proteins (beef, dairy, egg and chicken), as well as gluten in grain-based proteins (wheat, barley and rye). Giving your dog food with simple ingredients and single-source proteins –– such as gluten-free or grain-free dog food –– can help to reduce the likelihood of food sensitivities.

What Are the Signs of Dog Food Allergies?

Dogs with a dietary sensitivity have an immune system that mistakes the food protein for a harmful pathogen. With continued exposure, this can cause digestive and skin issues as the body tries to mount its defense. Dogs may exhibit any of the following symptoms:

Itching or biting their skin
Licking their paws
Chronic ear inflammation
Gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea

Food sensitivities are usually diagnosed before three years of age; however, there are other medical conditions that have similar skin and digestive symptoms. If you notice these changes, consult a veterinarian to determine whether your dog has food sensitivity. He or she may recommend a limited-ingredient formula with a novel protein.

Switching to a Novel Animal Protein Dog Food

Isolating the exact problem-causing protein in your dog’s food can be difficult. A diet with novel proteins has a limited number of ingredients and often contains fewer protein sources. An animal protein is considered novel if it is not commonly consumed by dogs. For example, dogs that have previously been fed chicken or beef might tolerate a dog food made with lamb.

Gluten Proteins and a Grain-free Diet

Animal proteins aren’t the only ingredients that can irritate your dog’s digestive system and skin. Gluten found in grain-based proteins may also be at the root of their symptoms. In these cases, your veterinarian may recommend a grain-free dog food.

SEE MORE DETAILS

6 Comments

kd 14 says 2 years ago

I’m also commenting to let you know what a beneficial discovery my wife’s princess obtained visiting yuor web blog. She noticed many details, which included what it is like to possess an ideal giving character to let others smoothly learn about specific extremely tough things. You undoubtedly did more than our desires. Thanks for churning out these valuable, healthy, explanatory and also fun tips on that topic to Lizeth.

curry 6 says 2 years ago

I wish to show thanks to the writer just for rescuing me from this type of condition. After looking throughout the world-wide-web and getting tricks which were not productive, I believed my life was done. Existing without the strategies to the difficulties you’ve fixed as a result of your main article content is a critical case, and those which may have badly affected my entire career if I had not come across your website. Your mastery and kindness in handling every item was excellent. I’m not sure what I would’ve done if I had not come across such a solution like this. I am able to at this time relish my future. Thanks a lot so much for this specialized and results-oriented guide. I won’t think twice to refer your site to anybody who should get recommendations on this subject matter.

bapesta shoes says 2 years ago

I precisely desired to appreciate you again. I am not sure the things I would have made to happen without those methods revealed by you over such theme. It had been a real terrifying scenario for me personally, however , seeing a skilled mode you managed it forced me to weep with delight. I am thankful for the information and in addition expect you really know what a great job that you’re putting in teaching others via your webpage. I’m certain you have never encountered all of us.

bape shoes says 2 years ago

I wanted to write down a simple remark so as to say thanks to you for some of the marvelous items you are showing on this website. My time intensive internet look up has at the end of the day been compensated with pleasant concept to share with my family and friends. I ‘d assume that most of us readers are really fortunate to exist in a decent community with so many awesome individuals with valuable tips and hints. I feel very lucky to have come across the website page and look forward to really more amazing minutes reading here. Thanks a lot once again for everything.

supreme clothing says 2 years ago

My spouse and i have been so satisfied Jordan managed to carry out his reports through the entire precious recommendations he received through the blog. It’s not at all simplistic just to continually be giving out guides that people could have been selling. We really know we have got the blog owner to thank for this. The most important illustrations you made, the straightforward blog menu, the relationships your site help foster – it’s got everything superb, and it’s really making our son in addition to our family feel that that article is entertaining, and that’s tremendously essential. Thank you for all the pieces!

golden goose shoes says 2 years ago

Thanks a lot for providing individuals with such a pleasant opportunity to read critical reviews from this website. It is usually very brilliant plus jam-packed with a good time for me and my office fellow workers to visit your website particularly thrice a week to find out the new things you have got. And lastly, I’m so actually contented with all the brilliant advice served by you. Some 3 tips in this post are easily the most beneficial I have had.