Hypoallergenic dog food is a special type of feed for these animals, although not for everyone, but only, for example, for those who may have problems digesting certain foods. It is something relatively new, which a few years ago did not exist.
Thus, In this post we will talk about hypoallergenic dog food quite thoroughlyFor 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 with the 7 best dog foods.
Allergies and intolerances, a first step in the need for hypoallergenic food
First of all, let's talk a little about allergies and intolerances in dogs, since, just like we can have gluten or lactose intolerance, or having an allergy to a specific food, can also happen to our pet.
Thus, allergies are an immune response of the body to allergens, in this case the proteins that the body considers harmful elements. On the other hand, a food intolerance is an abnormal physiological response of the body, such as intoxication or the lack of an enzyme that causes a specific element to not be properly digested.
What are the most common
The foods that produce the most allergies or intolerances are usually beef, lamb, chicken, eggs or gluten. On the other hand, it must be taken into account that our pet can generate an intolerance or an allergy at any age, this means that it may have been years with the same feed and that at a given moment it begins to feel bad. It is also useful to note that there are breeds that are more prone than others, such as the West Highland White Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, and Irish Setters.
Symptoms of allergies and intolerances
Often these effects translate into gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain or flatulence; or as skin problems such as itching and redness of the skin, even hair loss.
The tricky thing about the issue is that, just as there are times when it is easy to realize that there is a problem, as in the case of vomiting or diarrhea, there are other times that it is not so easy. For example, the case of itching is a difficult symptom to detect, since dogs scratch from time to time, frolic and lick themselves naturally, without necessarily being an allergy or intolerance problem.
What is hypoallergenic food
Now that we have talked in depth about allergies and intolerances, we can better define what this type of food is. Thus, lHypoallergenic food for dogs is a type of food specially designed for those dogs that suffer from any of these allergies or intolerances to certain foods.
How Hypoallergenic Food Works
The brands are based on three principles to create their hypoallergenic feed. First, the number of ingredients is limited and the main sources of allergies and intolerances are eliminated, such as dairy products, cereals with gluten or meat protein sources.
Second, they also get used to hydrolyze proteins, which means that the protein that produces the reaction breaks down into smaller particles, which causes the immune system not to recognize it as an allergen.
Finally, they also choose to add new ingredients, such as buffalo meat, since it is unlikely that our pet has come into contact with this animal before and has not produced antibodies that cause an allergy. In addition, recently interesting brands such as Bellfor have added to their products hypoallergenic insect-based food, which is surprising, although it is still logical, since they are a great source of protein that, obviously, does not cause any type of intolerance.
Other uses of hypoallergenic food
Hypoallergenic dog food is not only used to treat allergies or intolerances. As they are extremely easy to digest feed as well are used to treat all kinds of digestive disorders. It should also be noted that not all feed is the same, and the same happens with hypoallergenic ones. 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 veterinarian advises us.
When to give our dog hypoallergenic food
We always try to do what we think is best for our pet, but sometimes without consulting a vet. So, although it seems obvious, before giving this type of hypoallergenic dog food to our pet, as we said, it is necessary to consult it with a specialist, since you will have more information on the subject than we do and will be able to advise us better on which one can be good for our pet.
How to know what I think feels better
The visit to the vet is not only important to see what I think we can give the dog, but also It is also vital to find out what allergy or intolerance you have, which is achieved through a blood test. From here, the professional will advise us on a feed that does not contain the protein that causes the intolerance and will most likely recommend that you integrate it into their diet and be attentive to whether it continues to feel bad.
Types of hypoallergenic food
The king of hypoallergenic dog food, without a doubt, is the feed. This product is the one that offers the most variety of both brands and flavors, so we will surely end up finding one that not only feels good to you, but also likes it.
Apart from the feed, that as we have said is the most widespread type of hypoallergenic food, cans with this type of food are also marketed, which allows you to vary a bit. Although it is important to remember that the important thing is not so much the type of food that we can offer our dog as trying to avoid the element that is causing problems. This means that, for example, if we know that you are allergic to beef, we can give you sweets or other foods that are not made from beef.
Where to buy hypoallergenic food
Being a very specific type of food, it is not normally available in large commercial areas, so you have to investigate a bit.
- For example, it is highly recommended specialized feed stores, such as Bellfor, in which you will find all the varieties of the brand and the products that may interest you and your dog. It is the most recommended if you like a particular brand.
- Another option is to opt for online pet shops like Kiwoko or TiendaAnimal. They tend to have more feed in online stores than in physical versions, although visiting the latter can be useful if you want to see the feed in person.
- The veterinarians They are another of the places where you will find this type of more specific feed. They are one of the best places if you want professional advice.
- Finally, Amazon and other similar companies tend to have little variety, although they have good prices and shipping included in their Prime option, for example.
Hypoallergenic dog food is very useful for owners of animals with these symptomsAlthough, of course, you always have to pay a visit to the vet first. Tell us, does your pet like this type of feed? What brands does your dog prefer? Remember that you can tell us what you want in the comments!