As a dog owner, it’s your primary responsibility to take care of your pet’s needs and ensure they’re healthy and happy at all times. You need to feed them, groom them, bring them to the veterinarian, and provide everything they need. However, there may be instances wherein your furry companion could be exposed to certain health risks. One of them is the so-called skin allergies.
Typically, skin allergies are one of the common health conditions dogs have. They’re the body’s immune response to exposure to a foreign substance, such as pollen, mold, or other substances that cause specific reactions. Most importantly, you should know that a large portion of dogs’ skin-related allergies is caused by food. This can mean changing your pet’s diet to avoid such health risks.
So, if you want to choose the right food for dogs with skin allergies, below are a few ways you need to consider to ensure you find the perfect one:
Talk To Your Veterinarian
To help you pick the proper food for your pet with skin allergies, you have to consult your veterinarian before making a decision. They can examine your canine and conduct specific diagnostic tests to determine the cause of their allergies. Generally, dogs’ skin allergies can be categorized into the following:
- Food Allergies: These are abnormal responses that a dog experiences when they ingest a particular food. Their body will recognize the food as a threat, thereby attacking it as a response. Consequently, they result in symptoms, such as diarrhea and itchy skin.
- Environmental Allergies: These occur because of certain epidermal barrier defects that let allergens like pollen seep through the dog’s skin surface to trigger an incorrect immune response.
Once your veterinarian identifies the cause of your pet’s skin allergies, they may advise you of the proper diet your dog should consume to ease the discomfort and prevent allergic reactions. They may provide you with certain food ingredients that should be avoided to keep your furry friend in good shape.
Get Familiar With The Common Food Diet
It’s essential to educate yourself about the common food diet you can find in most commercial dog foods. Specific dog food options may contain potentially harmful ingredients which may trigger a dog’s allergic reaction. These ingredients can include artificial preservatives, modified ingredients, and even pesticides.
Thus, if you want to err on the side of caution, you should be careful with the food diet you give to your pet. Some common commercial dog foods to choose from can include:
- Natural Diet: These options contain certified organic ingredients and are free from preservatives and artificial colors and flavors. Since these dog foods come from fresh ingredients, they may be one of the perfect choices for your dog with skin allergies. If you want to know where to buy natural dog food, you can visit some dog food websites and review them to learn more information.
- Limited-Ingredient Diet: If you have no idea what causes your pet’s allergic reactions, then choosing products containing limited ingredients can be an excellent idea. These dog foods contain a single protein source which may help reduce your canine’s allergy symptoms.
- Grain-Free Food: If you’ve found out that your dog is allergic to grains, such as corn, rye, or wheat, buying a grain-free dog will make a lot of sense. Just don’t forget to obtain a go-signal from your veterinarian before purchasing to ensure the one you’ve got suits your pet’s nutritional needs.
- Prescription diet: Another dog food option to consider is the one prescribed by your veterinarian. A prescription diet is necessary when your canine has severe allergies. It’s specifically formulated by a vet nutritionist for your dog’s particular needs.
Check Dog Food Labels
Dogs have different nutritional needs based on their breed or profile. These pieces of information are accessible on specific dog food labels. Hence, if you’re looking for the perfect food for your pet with allergic reactions, it’s best to check the labels before making a purchase. Doing so can provide you with a better idea about the food’s nutritional contents and ingredients. It can also help you determine whether a particular product isn’t good for canines with skin allergies.
Bottom Line
Ultimately, dealing with your dog’s skin allergies can be challenging. As a dog parent, it’s painful to see them suffering from mild to severe allergy symptoms. Choosing the right food for your dog is key to avoiding or lessening allergic reactions. The appropriate food choice may depend on your dog’s needs.
By keeping the information mentioned above in mind, you’ll know what types of food you should add to your dog’s diet to mitigate allergic reactions. That way, you can ease their suffering and improve their chances of living a happier and healthier life.