Does Your Dog Have Food Allergies?

by | Apr 27, 2016 | All, Dairy Free, food allergies, Food Sensitivity, Gluten-Free, Hypoallergenic Pet Food, Nutrition, Organic

For many of us, our dog is considered another member of the family. They are considered our four-legged child or fur baby as some endearingly call them. I have a miniature schnauzer and I can tell you that she has us wrapped around her little paws and she is the boss around our house!

Our pets are more alike our family members than you might realize. Our furry friends have the risk of having a food allergy or intolerance just like we do. Even though only 10% of dogs have food allergies, there are still some signs you should be aware of.

If your dog is biting its paws, obsessively licking, itching around its ears, feet, face, forelegs or armpits or has some kind of rash, then it might have a food allergy. Food is only the third leading cause of allergies in dogs, so just because they are experiencing these symptoms doesn’t mean that food is what’s causing their symptoms.

If your dog is allergic to its dog food however, it’s not always the brand or quality of the food that plays a role. Your pet could simply be allergic to a particular ingredient in the dog food, regardless of the brand. In fact, it might not even be the ingredient at all, but contaminants in their food like mold, insects, grain mites, etc. Make sure you clean out your dog’s food bowl frequently and watch out for an critters that might be crawling into their food. Food allergies can pose a serious threat to your pooch.

Dogs can even have a food intolerance like humans. Some signs to watch for include gas, bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, or nausea.

Here is a list of some common foods that your pet might have an allergic reaction or an intolerance to:

  • Beef
  • Chicken
  • Fish
  • Lamb
  • Dairy
  • Corn
  • Wheat
  • Soy
  • Eggs

Sadly, these ingredients are the most common ingredients found in most commercial dog foods. That’s why we are sharing our favorite homemade dog food recipe that you can try to see if it clears up their symptoms.

Doggy Doodles: Hypoallergenic Dog Food Recipe

Does Your Dog Have Food Allergies Savor Culinary Services Fort Worth

Ingredients:
  • 2 Cups gluten free flour (Angel’s is a good brand)
  • 2 large scoops raw vegan protein powder (Green Smoothie Girl Life- Vanilla Flavored is a good one or you can use any raw, vegan vanilla protein powder )
  • 2 scoops super greens powder (Green Smoothie Girl Life is a good one or you can use any raw, vegan green powder)
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 2 tbsp peanut oil
  • 1 cup water
Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.  Mix together peanut oil, water, and peanut butter.  Add dry ingredients and mix until dough forms.
3.  Roll out dough to 1/4″ thick on lightly floured surface.  Cut out treats with cookie cutters.  Put treats on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
4.  Cook for 15-20 minutes.  Remove from oven and leave on sheet until cool.

 

One of our dear friends had a cat with severe food allergies and once we identified the issue and made homemade food, her cat’s symptoms went away and she was able to get off all the horrible medications the poor cat was on.

Making your own dog food might not always be convenient, but at least you know what ingredients are going into your pet’s food and you’ll be able to sleep at night knowing your pooch is healthy and well and getting the nutrients they need.

While changing their diet is important if they’re experiencing these symptoms, make sure to consult your vet to make sure your pet is as healthy and happy as  can be and that there isn’t another issue that is unresolved.