We have put everything you need to know about hypoallergenic foods for dogs all in one place.
Hypoallergenic dog food so what it is? Hypoallergenic dog food is a diet formulated food for dogs that are allergic to normal dog food and is made with limited ingredients. It is made using a nutritious and whole ingredients that you may not always find in standard dog food. A hypoallergenic diet avoid any ingredients that are commonly linked to an allergy.
Hypoallergenic dog food is a diet that generally made with no artificial colours, flavourings or preservatives.
There are no set rules for specific ingredients that can or cannot to be included in hypoallergenic dog food but they should have a high level of natural sourced protein of meat or fish. This type of diet usually only has a single source of carbohydrates as even plants contain protein!
Before deciding to make major changes to your dogs diet, it maybe worth discussing with your local vet.
The most common food allergy in dogs is protein.
The main proteins that are known to cause common food allergen in a dog include:
Allergy is something that your dog will have had since being a puppy.
Intolerance is something that has developed however you could try a variation of the same recipe with a couple of differences in the ingredients such as if they were eating fish, perhaps try chicken.
The signs of an food allergy or sensitivity in a dog can vary however the most common signs of a dog showing signs of a food allergy include:
The simple answer is no, as there are hypoallergenic food for dogs that contain grains in the ingredients. Grain free dog food should not contain grains in the ingredient list however it could still contain another ingredient that may cause a dog to suffer an allergic reaction. A grain free dog food can minimise the risk if they suffer from a food allergy however they usually cannot be considered to be completely hypoallergenic. To find out more about grain free, see our article all about grain-free pet food
Tips for a hypoallergenic dog food
Every dog has different needs and whilst some dogs may encounter sensitive skin, digestive problems or another health condition not every brand of dog food will suit every dog. That's why we offer a variety of difference ranges of dog foods so that you can find one that is best suited for you and your dogs requirements. The difference ranges include grain free dog food and wheat free dog food.
Usually, the formula will be limited to:
Will usually have nutrients such as:
Generally, a hypoallergenic dog food is free from:
Despite the ingredients being limited in a dog diet being hypoallergenic, they should still provide all the necessary nutrients to meet a dogs requirements.
Your dog deserves the best food available and it is really down to personal choice to suit. Ultimately, its important that your dog enjoys their food, gets good nutrition for a healthy and happy dog life. Feeding guides in the quantity you need to feed your dog do vary by manufacturer so its important to always check the recommendations and adjust accordingly. Also, if you choose to feed both a wet and dry dog food diet, remember to check the manufacturers feeding guide.
There are different types of dog food available including dry or wet.
Dry dog food usually come in the forms of kibbles, biscuit or pellet.
Wet dog food may come in a gravy sauce or contain chunks of jelly.
The main points to consider include:
When you are changing over from your original dog food, it is important to do introduce this process gradually. We would usually recommend that you introducing a new dog food gradually over a period of approx a week. Its important to check the daily feeding guide from the manufacturer as every brand and food can be slightly different.
If your dog is suffering from a food related allergic reaction, by making sure your dog does not eat food that contains the problem ingredient, a reductions in the signs of reaction such as scratching should reduce by approx 50% within the first four weeks however it may take up to 12 weeks.
Here at My Pets Supply, we offer a wide range of hypoallergenic dog food brands, grain free food for dogs, gluten free dog food. To see what dog food that is available on the menu for dinner, click here.
Thank you, a clear and concise explanation, to help me understand what is causing my dogs stomach problems.