Causes, symptoms and solutions for dog food allergies
Dog food allergies, often linked to 'leaky gut syndrome,' can cause symptoms like itching and digestive distress; addressing these with high-quality, novel protein diets and Omega-3 fatty acids can alleviate symptoms and improve overall health. An elimination diet may help identify specific allergens, and maintaining a variety of high-grade foods prevents the development of new allergies. It's important to note that dogs can also experience environmental allergies, especially in places like Florida.
Dog Food Allergies: Key Points
Symptoms and Causes of Allergies:
Dogs may cough, scratch, lick excessively, lose hair, develop hot spots, or have diarrhea and vomiting, often due to 'leaky gut syndrome.'
Leaky Gut Syndrome: Damage to the gut lining allows semi-digested nutrients into the bloodstream, triggering allergic reactions.
Immune Response: The immune system reacts to these nutrients, causing allergy symptoms.
Seek Veterinary Help: Consult a vet for a proper diagnosis if your dog shows these symptoms.
Allergens:
Foods like beef, dairy, wheat, chicken, lamb, soy, and fish can cause allergic reactions, with protein being a frequent culprit.
- Widespread Allergens: Any food can potentially trigger an allergic reaction.
- Protein Sources: Proteins are the most common allergens in dog food.
- Vet Consultation: Important to identify the specific allergen causing the reaction.
Quality and Variety:
Feed dogs 100% fresh, human-grade ingredients without preservatives or fillers; poor-quality food can lead to allergies.
- Avoid Fillers: Many commercial pet foods contain fillers and starches that are not biologically appropriate.
- High-Quality Ingredients: Invest in high-quality food from the start to prevent allergies.
- Biologically Appropriate Food: Ensure that the diet is suitable for dogs' nutritional needs.
Elimination Diet:
When allergies are suspected, an elimination diet with one protein and one carbohydrate source for two months can help diagnose and treat food allergies.
- Elimination Process: Feed only one protein and one carbohydrate for two months.
- Gradual Reintroduction: Slowly add new proteins and carbohydrates to identify allergens.
- Diverse Diet: Eventually reintroduce a variety of foods to maintain a balanced diet.
Novel Proteins and Omega-3:
Specialized diets with novel proteins and Omega-3 fatty acids reduce allergy symptoms and promote gut and coat health.
- Novel Proteins: Use less common protein sources to avoid allergens found in typical commercial dog foods.
- Omega-3 Benefits: These fatty acids reduce inflammation, alleviate itching, and improve coat condition.
- Recommended Products: Pork + Sweet Potato or Venison + Squash which include novel proteins and are easy to digest.
REMEMBER TO ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR VETERINARIAN
FAQ
We currently ship to the 48 contiguous states. Your dog's food arrives in refrigerated and environmentally friendly boxes that keep it safe.
Visit our Shipping Information page for exact costs.
The amount of food your dog requires depends on their age, weight, activity level, and overall health. We recommend consulting with a veterinarian to determine your dog's ideal weight and using that number in our Online Feeding Calculator or our Starter Box form.
Yes, all of our meals are formulated to meet AAFCO standards, and we work with a team of veterinary nutritionists to ensure our meals are nutritionally complete and balanced.
Wynwood Dog Food Co. has a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We offer a hassle-free refunds and returns for any of our products purchased within the last 30 days.
You can always contact us for any return question at (305)505-5712 or orders@wynwooddogfood.com.
Damages and issues
Please inspect your order upon reception and contact us immediately if the item is defective, damaged or if you receive the wrong item, so that we can evaluate the issue and make it right.
Exceptions / non-returnable items
Unfortunately, we cannot accept returns on gift cards.
MADE FRESH DAILY IN MIAMI, FLORIDA
Ready to try fresh? Discover why veterinarians trust Wynwood Dog Food Co.