Fight Dog Food Allergies With Hypoallergenic Dog Food Brands
photo credit: Jordan Batch
It may be surprising to pet owners that dogs can have allergies just like people do! The most common dog allergies are allergies to fleas, food and environmental factors. These allergies can cause itching, scratching, hair loss, open sores and infections. In extreme cases your pet may experience difficulty breathing and irritability. It is important to see your vet immediately if you suspect that your pet has an allergy. Learn more about different dog allergies by exploring K9 Depot. Read on to learn about different hypoallergenic dog foods or purchase premium, natural foods for your pets while saving 10% Off your first order at Only Natural Pet Store exclusively from Ebates with Coupon Code!
Allergies to pet food are very common. Your veterinarian will make the diagnosis based on your pet’s symptoms because testing for food allergies is limited in dogs. If your vet suspects that your dog is allergic to his food, he will suggest that you feed your pet a special diet for approximately three months. This diet will be free of common allergens. During this time it is important to avoid feeding your pet table scraps and unapproved treats. Discuss all food products with your vet before feeding them to your dog. By giving your pet additional foods, you can skew the results of this trial diet.
Foods that are commonly to Blame for Dog Food Allergies
Food allergies in dogs seem to be on the rise. It is unclear why this is occurring but with so many commercial pet foods containing ingredients that are known allergens for dogs, it is important to know what foods to look for.
The most common allergy producing foods in dogs are:
- Corn
- Wheat
- Soy
- Chicken
- Beef
- Pork
- Eggs
- Dairy
- Artificial Ingredients such as dyes
What are Hypoallergenic Dog Foods?
Hypoallergenic dog food is a pet food that is formulated for pets with allergies and is free from artificial ingredients, preservatives and dyes. If you check the ingredient list you should notice that it is shorter than other types of pet foods. Hypoallergenic dog food does not contain products that are commonly known to cause dog allergies.
As you can see from the list above, beef and chicken are one of the most common allergens for dogs. Hypoallergenic foods do not contain these proteins. Instead these products typically use lam, duck, venison, salmon or other meats as their protein source. Grains such as corn, wheat and soy are also commonly used in many store brand foods. If your pet has food allergies look for foods made with barley, rice, potatoes and oatmeal. Hypoallergenic pet foods are carefully formulated to meet your pet’s nutritional needs without using cheap, allergy producing ingredients. Many commercial dog foods sacrifice quality nutrition to cut costs.
There are two types of hypoallergenic dog foods.
- Pre-mix: Pre-mix dog foods are hypoallergenic products that lack the protein source so that you can add your own meat. Brands of pre-mix hypoallergenic dog foods are Sojos and Honest Kitchen products.
- Complete: Complete hypoallergenic dog food products include all the ingredients that your pet needs for proper nutrition. Brands that produce complete formulas include Wellness, Sojos, Natural Balance, Addiction Raw and Wysong.
Hypoallergenic Dog Food Brands:
- AvoDerm Dog Food
: AvoDerm pet foods offer multiple choices for grain-free foods and unique protein sources. These natural dog foods are free from corn, wheat and artificial ingredients.
- Canidae Dog Food
: Canidae dog food products are also made from all natural ingredients and fresh meats. They produce a carefully formulated Lamb and Rice dog food that lacks potential allergens and are designed to meet your pet’s nutritional needs.
- Flint River Ranch Dog Food
: Flint River Ranch pet food products are produced in the United States and are 100% natural and free from artificial ingredients. This manufacturer produces foods that are designed for pets with food intolerance such as their Lamb Meal, Millet & Rice Ultra-Premium Canine Formula, Duck Meal & Oatmeal Formula, and Trout & Potato Formula.
- Honest Kitchen
: The Honest Kitchen pet foods are dehydrated meals. Just add water for a tasty, fresh meal. This food manufacturer makes formulas that are gluten and grain free and use fish and turkey in some of their foods. They also make a formula that is free of meat, just add your own!
- Life’s Abundance: Life’s Abundance products are free from artificial ingredients, corn and wheat but some varieties do contain chicken and other potential allergens. Always check the ingredient list before you buy.
- Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets: Natural Balance Dog Foods makes seven types of limited ingredient foods and treats, including a vegan and grain-free formulas.
- Orijen Pet Food: Orijen products are produced in Canada. The products are 80% protein and 20% carbohydrates. These foods are grain-free because they are designed to mimic the natural diet of a dog. Look for their foods that contain fish for a tasty, hypoallergenic meal for your pet.
- Pinnacle Brand Foods: Pinnacle dog food products are holistic foods that contain different protein sources such as duck and trout and are available in grain free, limited ingredient formulas.
- Sojos All Natural Dog Food
: These foods are pre-mix products where you add meat and water to complete the meal. These foods pare available in grain-free products.
- Sold Gold: Sold Gold Pet food products do not contain any artificial ingredients. This pet food manufacturer makes foods that are gluten free and uses unique protein sources such as bison, lamb and fish.
- Wellness Simple Food Solutions Dog Food
: Wellness dog foods have only five ingredients to reduce the risk of allergies to food. All types of this food contain only one type of carbohydrate, canola oil, tomatoes, vitamins and minerals. Wellness Simple Food Solutions is available in Lamb & Rice, Duck & Rice and Salmon & Rice in both canned and dry varieties. These natural dog foods provide your pet with top quality nutrition.
- Wysong Pet Foods: These natural, holistic dog food products have a large selection of pet foods that lack traditional allergens.
If your pet has dog food allergies, the good news is that there are many alternatives to the foods that line your grocery store shelves. Research these hypoallergenic dog food brands online and see which one will work best for you pet. These foods can be purchased from numerous online retailers or at local specialty pet shops. Improve your pet’s diet and you will notice that he is much happier and healthier.
photo credit: emarquetti
