Dog allergies are common. It is associated with transferred infectious diseases, poor ecology, and increased sensitivity to any food products. The cause can also be a helminth infection. An allergy can be hereditary. One way or another, if your dog has this unfortunate ailment, it is necessary to choose the right diet for it. After reading this article, you will get acquainted with the best hypoallergenic dog foods. And also find out what is included in their composition.
What is added to dog food
Initially, a dog is a carnivorous animal, most of its diet should be occupied by protein food. However, in order to reduce the cost of feed, many manufacturers add cereals to it. This negatively affects the work of the stomach and intestines of the animal, and can also cause irreparable harm to the body as a whole. Proteins of animal origin must be present in the dog’s diet, because they are necessary for growth and proper metabolism.
Today, the stores offer a huge assortment of dog food, however, it is difficult to say for sure what is right for your pet. The body of each dog is individual, therefore, what is suitable for one can cause a strong allergic reaction in the other.
In any case, each owner should be aware of what foods should not be given to a dog with allergies. So, the most dangerous: dairy products, eggs, seafood, soy, wheat, tomatoes, eggplant, chicken.
Varieties of dry food
There are 4 classes of dog food. From each other, they differ in the quality of the raw materials used, calorie content, balance of nutrients. It:
- Economy-class feeds are among the cheapest and most affordable. They are made from low quality products. If you feed a dog with such a food, then you must additionally acquire a vitamin-mineral complex.
- Premium class is made from offal and meat waste. The quality of these feeds is average. They contain vitamins necessary for dogs.
- Super premium feeds are ideal for continuous feeding. They use selected meat, high quality products.
- The best dry feeds are those that belong to the holistic class. In their production, selected products are used, and their cost is much higher than that of other classes of feed.
Hypoallergenic feed
How to feed a dog who has a food allergy? How not to harm the pet? The best option is a hypoallergenic dog food of a super-premium class, during the creation of which all the needs of the animal are taken into account. If your pet has noticed a reaction to any type of meat, then you can pick up food for him containing horse meat, turkey or rabbit meat. After all, they are well tolerated for allergies. If your dog does not tolerate the proteins contained in meat, then you can choose for it a diet made using protein hydrolysis technology. In the production of such feed, the protein molecules of meat or fish are “broken” into small particles. In this form, they are not able to cause an allergic reaction in the animal. So, they are acceptable for use.
The selection of hypoallergenic super-premium dog foods is very rich. In this article we will consider the most high-quality and popular.
List of feeds, which, according to reviews, are the most popular among owners of dogs with allergies:
- Diet Pro Plan Purina.
- Royal Canin Hypoallergenic food.
- 1st Choice Sensitive Skin & Coat Adult Lumb & Fish.
- Lamb & Okanagan Apple feed of the Canadian brand Acana.
- Hypoallergenic Brit feed series.
- Hypoallergenic Food Hill's Prescription Diet.
In more detail about each of them we will tell a little below.
How to choose hypoallergenic food: advice from veterinarians
Veterinarians advise you to select food in which there is no so-called trigger - a component that "triggers" an allergic reaction. Once you find this food, your pet’s food allergy symptoms will disappear in a matter of days. Experts recommend paying attention to the composition of the feed. High-quality hypoallergenic food contains fiber, which improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, vitamins and minerals. Sometimes they add medicinal herbs that help minimize the manifestation of allergic reactions.
Pro plan purina
Hypoallergenic premium dog food . There are many varieties of diets. Food is selected depending on the age, weight, characteristics of the pet. The composition includes: protein (meat or fish, depending on the selected species), rice, animal fat, vitamins, minerals, yeast, fish oil and other components.
Pros:
- Affordable price.
- Availability in stores.
- It can be selected taking into account the characteristics of the dog (age, weight, health problems).
Only one minus. It is difficult to call the food hypoallergenic due to the presence of eggs and corn in the composition, which can cause an undesirable reaction.
Pro Plan Purina food is positioned as safe for dogs with allergies, however, the composition contains not entirely harmless products.
Royal canin hypoallergenic
Royal Canin dry food is recommended for dogs with pronounced reactions to any food component. The composition does not contain pure protein; its function is performed by hydrolysates of the liver of poultry and soy. The feed also contains animal fats, rice, fish oil, minerals and other auxiliary components.
Pros:
- The main advantage of the feed is the lack of animal protein in its “pure” form. It contains hydrolyzed protein, which is of great benefit to the animal, but does not cause allergies and other troubles associated with disruption of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Royal Canin Hypoallergenic does not contain gluten, which is a fairly strong allergen.
The disadvantages include the fact that the manufacturer did not indicate exactly which bird's liver was used in the manufacture of the product.
In general, this hypoallergenic dry dog food complies with the declared properties. According to indications, some animals are advised to give it all their lives.
1st Choice Sensitive Skin & Coat Adult Lumb & Fish
Hypoallergenic dog food super-premium, which is produced by a Canadian company. The main sources of protein in it are lamb meat and diet fish. The composition also contains brown rice, parsley, potatoes and even green tea extract. This food is intended for adults aged 1 to 7 years. It does not contain harmful additives, dyes and preservatives. This food is perfectly balanced. It also has all the vitamins and minerals necessary for a dog.
Pros:
- The food has an excellent effect on the functioning of the intestines and helps maintain the health of the dog.
- Helps get rid of hair problems.
- It has a beneficial effect on the skin, relieves irritation.
- Considered affordable.
Minuses:
- The food is very high in calories.
- Not suitable for puppies.
- In some dogs, fish and potatoes can still cause allergic reactions.
Lamb & Okanagan Apple (Acana)
This food belongs to the class of super-premium. It is made in Canada. It contains hypoallergenic lamb meat and offal. The highlight of the feed is that it contains apples and pumpkin, which are considered very useful for the proper functioning of the intestines, and also serve as sources of carotene and pectin. Fiber is a source of carbohydrates. Gluten is absent in the feed, but legumes are present. The composition of the feed contains phytocomponents: roots of chicory and ginger, mint, lemon balm. Lamb & Okanagan Apple is made from high quality products. It does not contain flavorings, flavor enhancers, preservatives.
Pros:
- Food does not contain gluten.
- The main source of protein is hypoallergenic lamb meat.
- According to reviews, it improves the appearance of dogs.
Minuses:
- Expensive.
- Difficult to find in stores.
Brit
The country of manufacture of this line is the Czech Republic. The assortment contains hypoallergenic feeds for small breeds, large dogs, puppies, adult animals. The manufacturer in the manufacture of feed took into account all the needs of dogs depending on age. It contains rice or potatoes. The source of protein is chicken, fish or lamb meat. Also included are vitamins and minerals, vegetables and fruits.
Pros:
- Relatively affordable price for food of such a high class.
- You can choose the food specifically for your pet, as there are many varieties in the lineup.
Only one minus. The composition contains potatoes, which can cause an allergic reaction.
In general, Brit brand feeds have many positive reviews. Dog owners believe that it is very suitable for animals suffering from allergies.
Hill's prescription diet
A complete diet hypoallergenic premium dog food. Helps reduce skin itching, solve digestive problems. Chicken meat is used as a source of protein in feed production. It undergoes a special treatment - hydrolysis, in which the protein breaks down into tiny particles. In this state, they are absorbed much better without causing an allergic reaction in the dog. The composition also contains fiber, which is the main source of carbohydrates, corn starch, vitamins, minerals and other components.
Pros:
- The advantage of Hill's Prescription Diet is that it is truly dietary. The meat is hydrolyzed during production, due to which the proteins are well absorbed.
- Corn starch removes toxins, as it is a natural adsorbent.
Minuses:
- Some veterinarians believe that corn can provoke allergic reactions.
- It is not clear which fiber is used in the manufacture of the product.
Owner reviews
According to reviews, a hypoallergenic dog food that would be ideal for all animals, without exception, does not exist. Users consider that it is not worth saving on the health of the pet. If a dog has a food allergy, then it is necessary to switch to hypoallergenic food of a super-premium class. Their cost is higher than the budget, but the quality of the raw materials used is much higher. The owners of dogs consider it a disadvantage that such feeds are difficult to find in ordinary supermarkets. You need to look for them in pet stores or order on the Internet. According to reviews, after switching to a hypoallergenic food, their pets stop itching, their digestion normalizes. Dog owners note that their pets are often reluctant to eat such food, but attribute this to the lack of flavorings and flavor enhancers in it. Not everyone can afford to buy such an expensive dog food, but when it comes to pet health, there is no way out. Reviews indicate that many dog owners believe that the cheapest food is not worth buying, because it causes not only allergic reactions, but also causes serious diseases.
Dosage
The dosage of hypoallergenic food of a super-premium class for dogs is calculated individually. It depends on the weight of the dog, its physical activity during the day, age and other indicators. This type of feed is balanced and perfect for constant feeding. Super-premium class implies that the product is made from high quality raw materials. 100 g of dry food, as a rule, contains about 350-450 kcal. It is worth noting that an adult dog needs to be fed less often than a small puppy. On the package there is always a recommendation on the number of feeds per day and the approximate weight of one serving. Active dogs and service dogs need more food. And older and passive animals - in less.
Diet of dogs of small breeds
Hypoallergenic feeds for small pets are available in the range of almost every well-known manufacturer. The diet of animals of small breeds is characterized in that it must contain vitamins of group B in a larger amount. This is necessary to maintain their activity. Hypoallergenic feeds for small dogs are higher in calories. The volume of the daily norm varies from 50 to 200 grams.
Diet for big pets
Hypoallergenic foods for large dogs are highly nutritious. It is worth paying attention to the recommendations that are given on the package. No need to overfeed the pet, because this can negatively affect his health. The caloric content of dry formulations for large individuals is less than that of hypoallergenic food for small dogs. This is due to the fact that large animals have a good appetite, but a slow metabolism. The daily feed amount is calculated individually in each case.
Conclusion
If your pet has the symptoms of an ailment under study, it is best to switch to a super-premium hypoallergenic dog food. You can choose the one that is optimal for your dog with the help of a veterinarian. The most important thing is that the composition does not contain a product that causes allergies in the animal. Otherwise, there will be no sense.
Super-premium hypoallergenic dog food can not only improve the well-being of your dog, but also positively affect its appearance. Veterinarians advise you to choose a product depending on the age of the pet. Fortunately, this is very easy, because in the lineup of almost every well-known manufacturer there are rations for puppies, for adults and aging dogs.