Switching out your non hypoallergenic kibble for the best dog food for allergies offers tons of potential benefits for your canine friend. Making this switch isn’t necessary for all pet owners, but consider hypoallergenic dog food if your dog is experiencing an allergy of some kind. Many canine allergies go unnoticed by pet owners, especially since some symptoms are extremely mild.
However, even something as common as shedding can be linked to an allergy. If you dog has trouble keeping food down or properly digesting the current dog food, this could also be in response to allergies. When in doubt, you can always ask a local veterinarian about whether or not your canine seems to be experiencing allergies.
If you or your vet determines that allergies are the root cause of your pup’s health problems, there is an easy solution. No, you don’t have to give your dog Claritin D everyday or use an Epi pen injection. The simple solution is to try out a new dog food, one that is specifically meant for canines with allergies.
The Benefits of Switching to Dog Food for Allergies
The more traditional dog foods on the market are filled with allergens, allergens that some dogs can handle and digest. Unfortunately, not all dogs can handle these allergens, especially the ones experiencing severe allergies. One of the most common dog allergies is gluten, and gluten-sensitive dogs react to gluten in the same way that humans do.
Depending on the severity of the allergy, a dog might react through vomiting and diarrhea, scratching and itching, or coughing and wheezing. Some allergies can be fatal, but this is rarely the case in canines. No matter the severity of the allergy, it is in the hands of pet owners to keep their dogs as healthy as possible. The best way to do that for dogs with allergies is with a hypoallergenic dog food alternative.
How Hypoallergenic Dog Foods Work
As mentioned before, most dog foods contain a variety of allergens; some dogs can handle and digest them, while others cannot. Just imagine how the human body works – some humans can digest gluten, while others are unable to. For those dogs that cannot, hypoallergenic dog food might be the best solution.
Hypoallergenic dog food works because it contains a miniscule amount of allergens. Ideally, it would contain none at all, but creating a dog food with absolutely no allergens has so far proven to be impossible for dog food providers. However, the majority of dogs with allergies can handle a small amount of allergies. This is because their bodies break down the food through digestion, and the allergens are broken down into tiny molecules that won’t be detected.
Tips for Switching to Hypoallergenic Dog Food
If this sounds like something you would like to try for your canine, there are a few things you can do to make the transition an easy one. First, switch out the current dog food bowl for a brand new one. Allergens might have contaminated the bowl, so it’s best to start fresh. Then, simply take note of how your dog reacts to the food. Switching dog foods can be a difficult transition at first, so try out the hypoallergenic food for at least a week before determining its effectiveness.
