Did you know that dogs can be allergic to food just like people can? Dog allergies work just like human allergies. There will be a particular food that a particular dog’s system just can’t handle, even though it’s perfectly safe for most dogs to eat. Allergic reactions in dogs can range from minor skin irritations to eye irritations, diarrhea and even severe illness. None of it is pleasant to deal with for either the dogs or for the humans that love them! If your dog is allergic to one or more of the traditional ingredients in dog food, it isn’t time to panic.
Many of the lower grade commercial foods are the ones you need to avoid. The higher-end foods provide better quality ingredients with less allergy-causing fillers. So remember, there are still plenty of healthy meals out there for your four-legged best friend. You can even get hypoallergenic dog treats for them, so they don’t feel left out at snack time!
Many food allergies in dogs are the result of sub-par ingredients in dog food. Commercial dog foods contain a surprising amount of food that dogs can’t digest properly. Cereal grains are the worst offenders—foods like corn and wheat, that dogs would never eat in their natural state. Dogs’ digestive systems aren’t meant to handle this type of food and while some dogs aren’t harmed by them, they aren’t helped by them either. Dog treats also fall prey to this bad composition.
The Advantages of Hypoallergenic Dog Treats
One of the first things you’ll notice about hypoallergenic dog treats is that they don’t contain grain-based ingredients. One particular way to attempt to fix your dog’s food concerns is by testing them out on a raw food diet. This diet consists of ground raw meats, raw bone and often raw fruits or vegetables. This diet eliminates all the fillers and nasty by-products found in commercial foods and kibbles – you’ll notice a difference. This sort of regular diet will pair well with hypoallergenic dog treats too because they are also all natural.
Another advantage to hypoallergenic dog treats is that, unlike many foods that could be considered a treat, these dog treats don’t have to feel like a guilty pleasure for your dog. They contain the same healthy ingredients as good dog food, so you can feel good about treating them to something nice. This especially comes in handy when you’re training your dog and you want to have a guilt-free reward to offer them for good behavior.
It’s also nice to have some good dog treats on hand to give them for no real reason—just because you love them. You should always opt for hypoallergenic dog treats over table scraps or other ‘human’ foods as these can exacerbate allergies or cause an upset stomach.
Having a dog with a food allergy can seem difficult at first, but it’s not the end of the world and it’s certainly not the end of your friendship with your special canine companion. It just means that you need to be extra careful about what you let them eat. Just like with “people food”, dog food companies list the ingredients in their food on the packaging it comes in. It’s easy enough to read over the list and make sure it doesn’t contain any problem foods for your dog.
If you want to make extra sure that you’ve got hypoallergenic dog treats, a good dog food company will be happy to address any questions you ask them. Having a pet with special food needs does not need to be a burden. Once you find the treats and foods that work for your pup – stick with it!
You love your dog, and you’re not going to love them any less because they have extra dietary concerns. All dog owners know that one of the quickest ways to a dog’s heart is through their stomach, so most dog owners like to have a supply of treats on hand as a special way to say “I love you” to their furry friends. If your dog has a food allergy, pick up some of our hypoallergenic dog treats for them, give them lots of love and insist on a healthy diet. It will make you both happy!
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This article was written by Danny Pedroza, who has a dog allergic to several grains. He feeds his pet hypoallergenic dog treats, which are just as nutritious and healthy as normal ones.
