Hypoallergenic feeds are becoming more widely known and used. They are recommended for dogs that suffer from a food intolerance or allergy and, therefore, need a controlled diet in terms of its ingredients. That is why they are usually recommended by veterinarians as part of a diagnosis and treatment. If this is the case with your dog, you are concerned and you wonder how to know if a hypoallergenic feed is good, we will explain it to you in the following article on our site.
What is a hypoallergenic feed?
For clarity, we can say that a hypoallergenic feed is one that does not trigger allergies or does so to a lesser extent than one “normal . It is a definition that must be taken with care, since allergies are reactions of the immune system of a specific individual, so, really, there are no components that cause allergies and others that do not, but rather sensitivities of each individual.
These feeds receive that name because among their ingredients they choose products that tend to be different from the usual ones in the production of feed for dogs and, on the contrary, they dispense with those that are known to be behind canine allergies, such as cereals, dairy or soy. As the animal will not have been in contact with these ingredients before, they will not be the cause of its allergy.
Therefore, if it is suspected that a dog is being allergic to a food included in its food, the veterinarian will recommend the so-called elimination diet, which can be a hypoallergenic feed based on new ingredients for him, and that it will be necessary to provide him for a minimum of 8-10 weeks in a strict way, that is, without giving him any other food, not even prizes.
Keep in mind that food allergies usually manifest with itching and skin problems and not with gastrointestinal symptoms, although these can also appear. If you suspect your dog has a food allergy, consult your vet.
On the other hand, feed with hydrolyzed proteins is also marketed In this case, the proteins are broken down in a chemical process of hydrolysis to that they acquire a size to which the immune system will no longer react because it is too small. Thus, a hypoallergenic feed for a dog allergic to chicken could contain chicken without harming it if its proteins have been hydrolyzed. An example of this can be found in the brand NFNatcane, specifically, in its pienso Fish Gourmet, which we will talk about later. In any case, it is the veterinarian who should recommend us to start a hypoallergenic diet for our dog.
Composition of a good hypoallergenic feed
In hypoallergenic feed, as we have explained, it is important to look at the ingredients, since we must choose those that our dog has not consumed to date. In other words, a hypoallergenic feed may contain chicken, but if your dog is allergic to this ingredient, no matter how much the label says that it is a hypoallergenic food, it will not be a good hypoallergenic feed for him, on the contrary (unless the proteins have been hydrolyzed, remember).
By the way, to identify a good hypoallergenic feed we use the recommendations given to choose any other feed. That is, animal protein must be the main ingredient of the recipe. This can come from meat or fish. The rest of the ingredients are complementary and among them we can find cereals, vegetables, tubers, fruits, herbs, prebiotics, omega 3, etc. The percentage of all of them must be less than that of meat/fish.
Of course, we must opt for a feed as natural as possible, without artificial additives. An example of hypoallergenic feed, as we have mentioned before, is that of Fish Gourmet from NFNatcane, with the particularity that it contains protein of insect larvae, among other ingredients, which makes it suitable for practically all dogs with allergy problems, since it is not an ingredient that they are used to consuming, so it will be totally new and therefore well tolerated. In fact, in this other article we talk in depth about the Benefits of feed with insect protein. It also contains hydrolyzed white fish and the cereals are replaced by sweet potatoes, legumes and potatoes.
What is the best hypoallergenic feed?
The best hypoallergenic feed for dogs will be the one that meets the characteristics described in the previous section, but also must be palatable, that is, that it tastes good so that the dog wants to eat it.
In any case, we insist, the best hypoallergenic feed will be the that is adapted to the specific situation of the dog in question. To do this, we must choose the best hypoallergenic feed based on its composition, that is, the type of meat, fish, cereals, etc. Thus, if our dog is allergic to fish, he will need a hypoallergenic meat-based feed. If the problem is in the cereals, you will have to look for a feed with potatoes or legumes.
That is why we must focus on the quality of the ingredients more than on them by themselves, since in the choice of a feed of this type, the first premise is that it is made from ingredients not previously consumed by the dog. The origin of the ingredients, in other words, their quality, will make the feed more or less digestible, that is, the dog will be able to make better or worse use of its nutrients, contributing to better digestion. In the first case, the feces will be less abundant and smelly and will be well formed. That the raw materials are of quality, natural, come from sustainable, local agriculture or livestock, or that the ingredients are suitable for human consumption and not discarded, are data that represent a plus of quality for the feed.
In short, natural and recognizable ingredients and a production process that helps preserve nutrientsare characteristics to look for in the best hypoallergenic feed. For all these reasons, you can try NFNatcane's hypoallergenic feed, which, without a doubt, is among the most recommended, and not only for the quality of its formula, but also for its excellent value for money.
