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Monday, 23 July 2012

Does Your Pet Need Dog Food That Is Hypoallergenic?

By Jamie Bleich


Hypoallergenic dog food can be an essential dietary need for some dogs, but how can you know if your dog needs this type of food? Numerous dogs will develop food allergies over their lifetime. These allergic reactions may be the effect of a wide range of foods, and the specific cause may be different in each circumstance. Some dogs develop allergies to certain meats, like beef, pork, or chicken, while others can no longer tolerate grains such as corn or wheat. In some cases allergies may be caused by chemicals or preservatives that have been put into the pet food.

A hypoallergenic diet is usually advised by the veterinarian if the dog is encountering specific conditions that are typically due to allergies or nutritionary issues. There is no set time limit for allergies to take place. In some instances your pet may start a food and develop allergic reactions within days while in other instances the allergies may not develop until years after the food has been used regularly.

A hypoallergenic dog food may be needed if your pet develops any itching that is continual, or when the dog starts to lick themselves incessantly and will not stop. Dogs who are afflicted by allergies may frequently rub their faces against the floor or things in an attempt to get rid of any itchy skin or eyes. Other typical allergic reactions normally include diarrhea, too much gas and flatulence, vomiting that is continual or excessive, and a general feel of discomfort.

Usually if allergies are suspected the veterinarian will advise providing an exclusive diet for 1-2 months, and this diet will not include any ingredients that may cause or worsen allergic reactions in your pet. Oftentimes a prescription diet is initially used to get rid of any possible allergens in the dog food your pet eats. This is referred to as an eradication diet trial, and it usually takes 6-8 weeks. Once this has been achieved then the veterinarian will have you put any thought allergens back into the dog's diet on an individual basis so that the specific reason behind the allergies can be identified.

On many occasions this kind of dog food can eradicate all allergy symptoms while providing the nutritional support needed.




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