In this article on our site we will talk about food for dogs with food intolerance, we will see what this disorder consists of, its main signs and what basic characteristics should the food we offer our dog have to improve its symptoms and, consequently, its quality of life. Although in these cases it is possible to provide a homemade diet, the advantages of offering our dog a commercial diet are considerable, as we will see.
If the veterinarian has just diagnosed that your dog has a food intolerance or suspects that he may suffer from it, keep reading and discover how to choose food for dogs with food intolerance.
Differences between food intolerance and allergy
Sometimes dogs react to food components as if they were pathogens. It is what is known as adverse reaction to food Among those that cause the most problems are milk proteins, beef, wheat, eggs, soy or corn. They are the trophoalergens, that is, allergens that are part of the food itself.
If the adverse reaction is mediated by the immune system, specifically by IgE, it will be called food allergy Otherwise, will be known as food intolerance which, in turn, is classified according to the type of substance that generates it. Thus, this may be metabolic, pharmacological, toxicological or idiopathic, when it is unknown why it is caused.
The symptoms of allergy and intolerance are the same, as we will see. Generally, these disorders cannot be cured, but treatment can help the dog lead a normal life. The key is to establish an elimination diet, as we will explain in the following sections, where food for dogs with food intolerance is going to be fundamental.
Symptoms of food intolerance in dogs
Among the clinical signs shown by dogs with food intolerance, we can highlight the following:
- Skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis, usually manifested by non-seasonal itching.
- Otitis, related to the previous point, it is an ear infection.
- Digestive disorders such as intermittent vomiting, diarrhea or loose stools, or increased digestive sounds known as borborygmus.
- Respiratory signs characterized by sneezing, rhinitis or asthma.
This clinical picture can appear in dogs of all ages, although it is more common in younger animals, from puppies to those under 3 years of age. In addition to treating these symptoms, the adverse reaction to food requires a specific feed for dogs with food intolerance.
Elimination diet for dogs with food intolerance
When we suspect that our dog has an adverse reaction to food, the treatment of choice is to prescribe an elimination diet, generally based on a feed for dogs with food intolerance. It is about offering the dog a meal made from proteins and carbohydrates that he has not consumed before. Therefore, to choose the best feed we must carry out an exhaustive history taking note of absolutely all the foods that the dog has eaten throughout its life. If it is not possible to make this list, we can opt for a hydrolyzed feed, which is one in which the proteins undergo a hydrolysis process by which they break down into fragments so small that it is not possible for them to generate any adverse reaction. In this sense, NFNatcane stands out for being one of the most recommended dog food brands. It uses natural ingredients to manufacture its products and has a wide range of so-called hypoallergenic, highly digestible and assimilable feed. Likewise, its Gourmet range stands out for containing 100% of hydrolyzed meat and fish, a fact that also reduces the risk of intolerance.
Once the feed is chosen, the dog is fed with it for about 8-12 weeks In the case of gastrointestinal symptoms, it can be treated for 3 -4 weeks. For the evaluation of this treatment, it is essential that the animal is given absolutely nothing else to eat, not even prizes, and even if the dog is one of those that eats leftovers on the street, it will be necessary to put a muzzle on it during walks. We should also stop using toothpaste, if that's the case.
If the symptoms disappear, you must subject the dog to a provocation which consists of giving him his old food again. If it relapses, we can confirm the diagnosis of adverse reaction to food. There may be cases of dogs that respond positively to the elimination diet but do not relapse when offered their old food. It is considered that they benefit from the characteristics provided by elimination diets, which are usually more digestive.
Composition of feed for dogs with food intolerance
For a feed for dogs with food intolerance to be successful it must be monoprotein, that is, it must have a single source of protein and In addition, this should be rare because that way it will be less likely that the dog has already consumed it. Among those that can be used are rabbit, pork, horse, tuna or any other oily fish, duck or venison, always depending on what the dog has previously consumed. In addition, the protein must be of quality and specified in the list of ingredients of the feed, as well as carbohydrates. These can also be rare, such as potato, pea or barley.
On the other hand, including omega 3 fatty acids help control inflammation that can cause intolerance. Some feeds also add prebiotic fiber, such as those produced by NFNatcane.
Advantages of choosing a quality feed for dogs with food intolerance
It is recommended to use feed for dogs with quality intolerance because it has clear advantages over those whose composition is not detailed, their manufacturing processes are not specified or their ingredients are not the most suitable. Likewise, if you do not have the appropriate knowledge to establish an adequate homemade diet for dogs with food intolerance, the best option is also to opt for a specific feed. Below we present the most notable advantages of this type of food:
- We guarantee that the diet is complete and balanced, which includes the possibility of supplying feed for specific phases of the dog's life, as would be the case with a growing puppy.
- Its management is easier in terms of administration, accessibility, transport, storage, conservation, etc.
- The only small disadvantage is the presence of additives, although these are not usually responsible for adverse reactions.
- We provide the animal with the fatty acids, the vitamins, the minerals and the carbohydrates you need through a single food and, moreover, in its fair measure.
- Depending on the type of intolerance suffered by the animal, the price may be more affordable than that of a homemade diet.
In relation to the price of feed, it should be noted that not because it is higher is it better than the rest, since we currently find on the market food brands with prices very competitive and natural ingredients, which make their feed products of great quality. To learn how to recognize them, we recommend consulting the article "The best quality-price ratio for dogs". However, when in doubt, your trusted veterinarian will guide you and help you choose the food for your dog with food intolerance.
