Hypoallergenic dog food is a special type of food for these animals , although not for everyone, but only for example, for those who may have problems with the digestion of certain foods. This is something relatively new, which didn’t exist a few years back.
Thus, in this post we will talk in full about hypoallergenic dog food. For example, we will tell you what it is for, how it works and which brands are the most popular. Also, if you are interested in knowing more about feed, we leave you this interesting article on 7 best dog food .
Allergy and intolerance, the first step in the need for hypoallergenic food
First, let’s talk a little about allergies and intolerances in dogs, because, just like we can have gluten or lactose intolerance , our pet can be allergic to a specific food.
Thus, allergy is the body’s immune response to allergens, proteins that the body perceives as harmful substances. On the other hand, a food intolerance is an abnormal physiological response of the body, such as intoxication or an enzyme deficiency that causes a specific element not to be digested properly.
what are the most common
The foods most commonly causing allergies or intolerances are beef, lamb, chicken, eggs, or gluten. On the other hand, it should be taken into account that our pets can develop intolerance or allergies at any age, which means that they can spend years with the same feed and at a certain moment begin to feel bad. It is also useful to note that there are breeds that are more prone than others, such as West Highland White Terriers, Cocker Spaniels and Irish Setters.
Symptoms of Allergy and Intolerance
Often these effects translate into gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain or flatulence ; or skin problems such as itching and redness of the skin, even hair loss.
The tricky thing about this issue is that, while it is sometimes easy to realize that there is a problem, as in the case of vomiting or diarrhea, other times it is not so simple . For example, a case of scabies is a difficult symptom to detect, as dogs scratch from time to time, naturally lick and lick themselves, without any allergy or intolerance problems.
what is hypoallergenic food
Now that we’ve talked in depth about allergies and intolerances, we can better define what this type of food is. Thus, l hypoallergenic food for dogs is a type of food specially designed for dogs that suffer from any of these allergies or intolerance to certain foods.
How hypoallergenic food works
Brands are based on three principles to create their hypoallergenic feeds. First, the number of ingredients is limited and the main sources of allergy and intolerance are eliminated, such as dairy products, grains containing gluten or meat protein sources.
Second, they also tend to hydrolyze proteins, meaning that the protein causing the reaction is broken down into smaller particles , which causes the immune system to no longer recognize it as an allergen.
Finally, they also choose to add new ingredients such as buffalo meat, since it is unlikely that our pets have been exposed to this animal before and have not produced antibodies that cause allergies. In addition, recently interesting brands such as Belfiore have added hypoallergenic insect-based food to their products , which is surprising, although it is still logical, since they are a great source of protein, which, of course, can be of any kind. Does not cause intolerance.
Other uses of hypoallergenic food
Hypoallergenic dog food is not only used to treat allergies or intolerances. As they are also extremely easy to digest feed is used to treat all kinds of digestive disorders . It should also be noted that not all feeds are created equal, and this is also the case with hypoallergenic. It is entirely possible that one of these hypoallergenic dog foods may not sit well with our pet, which is why it is so important that our veterinarians advise us.
When to give hypoallergenic food to our dog
We always try to do what we think is best for our pets, but sometimes without consulting a vet. Therefore, although it seems obvious, before giving this type of hypoallergenic dog food to our pets, as we said, it is worth consulting an expert, since you will have more information on this subject than us and we will Will be able to give better advice as to which one might be best for our pet.
how to know what i like
A visit to the vet is important not only to see what I think we can give the dog, but also to find out what allergies or intolerances you have, which can be achieved through blood tests. is done . From here, professionals will advise us on a feed that does not contain the protein that causes intolerance and most likely integrate it into your diet and pay attention to whether it makes you feel worse.
Hypoallergenic food types
The king of hypoallergenic dog food is, without a doubt, feed. This product is one that offers the most variety of both brands and flavors, so we’re sure to find a product that you not only like, but will love.
In addition to feed, which as we have said is the most widespread type of hypoallergenic food, cans of this type of food are also sold , which allows you to vary a bit. However it is important to remember that the important thing is not so much the type of food we can give to our dog as trying to avoid the problem causing element. This means that, for example, if we know you are allergic to beef, we can offer you sweets or other foods that are not made from beef.
Where to buy hypoallergenic food
Being a very niche food, it’s not usually available in large commercial areas , so you’ll have to do some research.
- For example, it is highly recommended to visit specialized feed stores, such as Belfour , in which you will find all varieties of brands and products that may interest you and your dog. It is most recommended if you like a particular brand.
- Another option is to choose online pet stores like Kiwoko or TiendaAnimal. They tend to have more feeds in the online store than the physical versions, though visiting the latter can be useful if you want to view feeds in person.
- L vets they are one of the places you will find this type of more specialized feed. They are one of the best places to go if you want professional advice.
- Finally, Amazon and other similar companies have very little variety, although they do have good prices and shipping included in their Prime option, for example.
Hypoallergenic dog food is very helpful for owners of animals with these symptoms. Although, of course, you always have to go to the vet first. Tell us, does your pet like this type of feed? Which brands does your dog prefer? Remember you can tell us in the comments what you want!