Hypoallergenic Dog Food and Intolerance

If you are finding that your dog is suffering from adverse reactions to his usual brand of dog food then it may be that he is showing signs of food intolerance. These adverse reactions could be common symptoms such as vomiting, flatulence, itching or diarrhoea and they may have been slowly increasing over time.

Reactions such as this are often misdiagnosed as an allergy; in fact they are probably more likely to be as a result of food intolerance. 

The most common triggers of food intolerance in dogs are:

• ·       Wheat
• ·       Wheat gluten
• ·       Eggs
• ·       Dairy
• ·       Beef
• ·       Chicken
• ·       Soya

Over time as you feed these foodstuffs to your dog his digestive system builds up a sensitivity or intolerance towards them, resulting in the above mentioned side effects. Because these symptoms build up over time they can be very difficult (and expensive) to diagnose, but often all it takes is a change of diet to eliminate them completely from your dog’s life.

Any breed of dog can suffer from a food intolerance and it is also true that it can affect any age and sex of dog. 

Just as with humans it can be tricky to pinpoint the exact cause of the problem and identify the single offending food. The good news is that many pet food manufacturers now provide hypoallergenic dog food made without any of the common triggers; click here for one such example. Whilst the cost of such foods is generally higher than typical, run of the mill products found on supermarket shelves, you will usually be buying a product of much higher quality. Seek out an ingredient list with the lowest possible number of components, so a single source of meat (protein) and a simple carbohydrate such as rice.

When introducing a new food to your dog try and make the process gradual by “testing the water” first. If your dog is a good eater and takes to the new food quickly then make the switch over a few days. If however your dog is a fussy eater and will not eat the new food you will need to mix it in with his old kibbles, gradually phasing them out and phasing in the new hypoallergenic food. 

For more information about hypoallergenic dog food please visit http://www.supadogsensitive.co.uk

Keeping Your Dog Healthy

If you want your dog to live a long, happy life, then you must do what it takes to keep it healthy.  Choosing the right food, exercise plan, and veterinarian can make all the difference in the longevity of your dog’s life. 

Use the following tips to help keep your dog healthy...

Choosing the right food. With so many food options available to choose from, how will you ever know what food is right for your dog?  Perhaps one of the healthiest options that you can choose for your dog is high quality dry dog food that is full of protein and nutrients that will help keep your dog healthy.  Dry dog food not only has nutrition benefits that are second to none, it is easy to store, making life easier on you.  If your dog’s diet does not include dry dog food, perhaps it is time to rethink your decision and discover the healthy dry dog food options available for your pet. 

Exercise, exercise, exercise.  The same words that your doctor always tells you are true for your pet as well. The more exercise your dog gets on a daily basis, the healthy it will be.  Consider taking up running and bring your dog along for journey. Both you and your dog can benefit from the added physical activity.  If running isn’t an option, be sure that your pet has plenty of places to roam and play.  A large backyard or a few days a week at the park will help keep your dog healthy and fit.

Finding the right veterinarian.  Just as if you search to find a quality doctor to help keep you healthy, you want to find a veterinarian who is skilled to take good care of your dog. A good veterinarian can be very beneficial throughout the lifespan of your dog.  They can make recommendations on food, physical activity, and many other aspects of your dog’s daily routine.  Find a veterinarian that has your dog’s best interest at heart.  Read reviews or ask around to find out what veterinarian that your friends use.  Don’t settle for anything less than the best when it comes to healthcare for your pet.

Keeping your dog healthy can be easy if you choose to use the helpful tips listed above. Choosing the right food, encouraging your dog to get plenty of exercise, and finding the right veterinarian are all ways that you can keep your pet happy and healthy.

For more information on feeding and looking after your dog please visit the Burgess Pet Care website today.

My Dog has Allergies – What should I Feed Him?

Many dogs suffer from allergies. They will need a little more care and attention and you will need to pay special attention to their diet, but don't worry, it doesn't need to be a major issue.

When a dog is first diagnosed with allergies relating to food, the first thought many people have is that they are going to have to spend a lot of time and a lot of money preparing by hand, food for their dog. This is simply not true, in fact it's not even the best solution as it is virtually impossible to create a diet yourself for your dog that contains all the vitamins and nutrients he needs. You don't need to do this yourself as pet food experts have already done it for you.

There are plenty of hypoallergenic dog foods available, in plenty of flavours but you will find huge variations in price. These have been created by expert canine nutritionists to make sure the food contains all the nutrients and all the vitamins and minerals your dog needs, without any artificial colours, flavourings or preservatives that could cause an allergic reaction in your dog. Supadog Sensitive is our premium quality hypoallergenic food with a loyal, satisfied customer base.

If your dog is diagnosed with allergies then changing him over to Supadog Sensitive dog food is a necessity. However don't do it suddenly. You should change the food over gradually by mixing in the new food with the old food. Start by adding a handful to the bowl, then increase the proportion of new food to old until your dog is solely on the new food. A change in diet can upset a dog's stomach so making the change gradually should prevent this from happening.

When you change the diet keep a close eye on your dog and see if his allergy symptoms subside.  If they don't, one thing to consider is the flavour of the food. Sometimes dogs can be allergic to certain types of meat and most dog foods come in one of a variety of meaty flavours, so it can definitely be worth swapping to a different flavour if your dog's symptoms aren't improving. Beef is a particular problem protein. It might not be that he isn't getting better on that brand, it could simply be that he is allergic to the beef flavour but will thrive on the lamb flavour.

When your dog has allergies, you should also remember that he could well be allergic to treats, so always buy hypo-allergenic dog treats too. Again there are plenty of these available so your dog doesn't need to miss out on a tasty treat just because he suffers from allergies.

Once you and your dog get settled into a routine and find a food that doesn't cause allergic reactions then there will be little else to do other than ensure that well meaning friends and family don't feed your dog table scraps that could cause an allergic reaction. Your dog isn't going to refuse a tasty piece of meat just because he is allergic to it, so make sure everyone is aware of his condition. To find out more about Supadog Sensitive or to buy online visit the website today!