Hypoallergenic Dog Food
If your dog suffers from an ailment caused by food allergies, making the switch to hypoallergenic dog food may be the right choice for you and your pet. After your dog has been diagnosed with symptoms of a food allergy, it can often be difficult to locate which ingredients are causing the allergy and what dietary changes should be made. It is always a good idea to discuss the issue with your veterinarian, and switching to a high-quality hypoallergenic product is usually the first step that should be taken to stop the allergy from affecting your dog.
The most common symptoms of a food allergy in dogs is dry, flaky, and itchy skin, which should become noticeable to you through increased scratching, licking, and hair loss. Other signs and symptoms include ear infections and digestive problems like gas or diarrhea. If you suspect a food allergy, exchanging your dog’s normal food for a brand of hypoallergenic dog food will let you see if the symptoms go away when the potential allergen is eliminated. Dogs can be allergic to a number of ingredients that are found in most major dog foods including preservatives, coloring, flavorings, chemicals, and more. Even some of the food’s primary ingredients like chicken, corn, or wheat could be what is causing your dog trouble.
The only true way to pinpoint the allergen that is troubling your dog is through a series of diet changes and trial and error. Most hypoallergenic dog foods will be free of foreign substances like artificial flavor and colorings, so if these are the problem you should notice a difference soon. Pick one or two primary ingredients to eliminate first, such as chicken or wheat, and begin your dog on a hypoallergenic option that is free of these foods. If you can’t see a noticeable difference in three or four weeks, try a new type of dog food and eliminate different ingredients. Keep track of which ingredients you are eliminating and save the labels from food packages so that you can identify any similarities between them that may be helping or hurting your dog’s health. Also, during this time make sure to not feed your dog any table scraps or treats outside the diet plan.
Purina, Royal Canin, and Fromm’s all make high-quality hypoallergenic dog food options that can be found at most pet stores. It is usually best to consult your doctor and do more research about your dog’s breed and health standing before making any serious diet changes.
Hypo-allergenic Totally Natural Shampoo
