Because every dog is unique, it's sometimes very difficult to
determine what causes food-related allergies and what doesn't.
Common pet food culprits include wheat, corn and soy. Various
proteins also create their share of problems in certain dogs.
I was shocked to learn that some dogs are allergic to chicken,
while I know from first-hand experience that my Jack Russell
Terrier Lucy used to be allergic to beef. Here's an approach
worth trying if your dog is exessively itching and scratching.
If excessive itching and scratching are the problems, that may
simply be the lack of Omega 3,6 and 9 fatty acids in your dog's
diet that's making their skin and coat dry. Winter indoor
heating may also be exacerbating the condition. Adding simple
food additives to your dog's food may be the key without
switching diets. Supplements like Mrs. Allen's Shed Stop,
Flaxseed Oil, Pet Botanics Skin & Coat supplement, Royal Coat
from Ark Naturals or Health & Shine from Dr. Harvey's are all
viable solutions for supplementing your dog's diet with the
needed Omegas that dog's and cats need to lubricate their skin
and coats.
Excessive and compulsive foot licking, or chewing and biting
other parts of the body, are generally a sign that allergies
are to blame.
Assuming it's food allergies and not environmental, many vets
and pet nutritionists recommend substituting a protein source
that your dog doesn't normally eat. Lamb is often used for
this purpose, because it's not as common a dog food ingredient.
Lamb, in and of itself, is not "non-allergic", but it's less
common than chicken and beef so it enables you to introduce
something new into your dog's diet, in effect, starting with a
clean slate.
Some vets sell expensive "allergy free formulas" but there are
ways to figure this out on your own and a lot less expensively.
Increasingly, pet owners who have dogs with food allergies are
feeding various pet food mixes like Dr. Harvey's or Solid Gold
Holistique Blendz. Dog's with allergies related to grains can
try The Honest Kitchen's FORCE formula, which is grain free, or
Sojourner Farms' new grain free Europa formula.
Mixes, while a bit more work, allow you to more closely control
what your dog is eating by beginning with a good "base" that
contains the proper nutrients and vitamins especially
formulated for dogs. Then, you can experiment by introducing
your own protein sources (whether raw or cooked) and seeing how
your dog reacts over the next few days.
Because The Honest Kitchen FORCE Formula is grain free but
chicken-based, I would stick to the Dr. Harveys or the Europa
which have no protein or grain sources. The Solid Gold
Holistique Blendz formula is also a good choice but that
already contains fish protein. Because fish-based protein is
an unlikely protein source for your dog to begin with, it's
unlikely that it will cause allergy problems now -- same theory
with the lamb or any other uncommon protein like venison or
buffalo or rabbit. If later you find that chicken is ok, I
would give The Honest Kitchen FORCE Formula a second look, too.
Beginning with one of these neutral, grain-free formulas, try
adding chicken for a week. If that goes well, than your dog is
probably ok with chicken. Then try beef. Then lamb. Try,
fish, too. If that goes well, than it was probably one or more
of the grains.
Now a picture is starting to form. Your dog's allergies have
improved with a grain free diet that includes certain proteins.
As we mentioned before, the point of introducing a different
protein source to test your dog's tolerance is because if your
dog is suffering some type of food-related reaction, common
sense tells you it's something she's already eating. Can't be
having reactions to something she never had yet, right?
Please note that when switching a dog's food, do it gradually
over 5 to 6 days. Begin a 4 to 1 ration, old to new food, then
3 to 2 on day 2, then half and half on day 3, then 2 to 3 on day 4 and 1 to 4 on day 5. Day six, you're switched over
completely. Then the real allergy testing can begin in earnest
by sticking with the new protein source for a week and then
introducing a new one every week taking note of your dog's
reaction or, hopefully, lack of one.
As you've probably figured out by now, there's no one answer or
"Silver Bullet" that will miraculously solve all your dog's
allergy problems overnight. You have to break the cycle by
moving your dog to a neutral, grain-free food and begin
experimenting with different proteins. Once you find a protein
or combination of proteins that work, try slowly introducing
grain formulas back into the diet to see if there's a reaction
or not. Using this gradual, common sense method combined with
a good quality dog food should have your dog on the road to a
happy, itch-free life.
About The Author: Gene Sower is the author of the ebook "The
Dog Food Report: Do You Know What You're Feeding Your Dog?"
Download your free copy here:
www.lucythewonderdog.com/dogfoodreport.htm, Copyright 2005. All Rights Reserved. This article can be reprinted as
long as this resource box along with the link remains intact.
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