Diamond Naturals Real Meat Recipe Premium Specialty Dry Dog Food
Hypoallergenic foods are great for dogs with skin allergies, as the ingredients have their components broken down to the most basic building blocks, reducing the risk of an adverse reaction when ingested. The Diamond Naturals Real Meat Recipe is one of these types. While most dog foods for sensitive skin and allergies are limited to adult dogs, the Diamond Naturals is suitable for all life stages, so even puppies and seniors can benefit from the grain-free, salmon and potato formula.
Ingredients & Nutritional Benefits
The Diamond Naturals boasts premium, hypoallergenic ingredients with added vitamins and minerals, as well as a variety of fruit and vegetable-based superfoods that are rich in antioxidants. 100% wild caught salmon offers high quality protein and an optimal amino acid profile for lean strong muscles. Salmon has essential fatty acids which are important for skin and coat health. Meanwhile, lentils, peas and carrots are superfoods and complex carbs that are more readily digestible, and pets benefit from the presence of powerful antioxidants in their diet in the form of blueberries, spinach, oranges, coconut, papaya, chia seed, pumpkin and carrots, as well as phytonutrients from vegetables and fruits. The food has zero grains, since many pooches are allergic to grains such as wheat, and contains no corn, fillers, artificial flavours, colours or preservatives.
Safety & Quality
Value & Convenience
Pros
What Dog Breeds Are Prone To Canine Skin Allergies
Not all dog breeds are prone to developing skin allergies. A few breeds more susceptible to skin allergies include Beagles, Bulldogs, Dalmatians, English and Irish Setters, Golden Retrievers, Labradoodles and Goldendoodles, Labrador Retrievers, Lhasa Apsos, Miniature Schnauzers, most terriers, Old English Sheepdogs and Pugs.
This list is by no means exhaustive, and it doesn’t guarantee that any breed listed will or will not develop skin allergies. It’s simply a list of dogs that are pre-disposed to atopic dermatitis.
Your Dog Has Chronic Ear Infections
Relatedly, many dogs with allergies will experience ear infections that recur frequently or never seem to fully go away. As with the feet, this problem is often caused first by the allergies.
The allergies break down the healthy skin barrier, then opportunistic bacteria or yeast create an infection, which all further contributes to the itch .
Dogs that have gone years with allergies that are either undiagnosed or undertreated will often have ears that are raw, smelly and thickened.
In severe cases, ear infections may become so resistant to treatment that surgery to remove the ear canal may be required. To avoid this situation, it is important to have your dog examined by your veterinarian as soon as you suspect that your dog may have allergies or ear infections.
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Can I Give My Dog An Egg Every Day
Eggs cant be the sole source of protein for your dog, as dog food contains other much-needed nutrients for any dog. Plus, since eggs are packed with protein, if your dog ingests too much it can lead to weight gain from too many calories consumed. In general, dogs shouldnt eat more than one egg per day.
How To Identify What Food Your Dog Is Reacting To
Luckily, diagnosing food allergies and sensitivities is a straightforward process involving feeding your pup a limited-ingredient dietwhich includes no treats or table scraps. By reintroducing ingredients, one at a time, you can watch for a reaction and pinpoint the allergen. The process usually takes 6-8 weeks but could take as long as 12 weeks for the symptoms to resolve.
Two common approaches to the elimination trial:
1. Hydrolyzed protein diet provides a non-allergenic as possible nutrition
2. Novel ingredient diet uses proteins like venison, rabbit, or duck instead of beef or chicken
Before beginning an elimination trial , its important that all other potential problems have been ruled out. Atopy, flea bite allergies, intestinal parasite hypersensitivities, sarcoptic mange, and yeast or bacterial infections can all cause symptoms similar to food allergies and food sensitivity.
Its important to note: if your dogs reaction coincided with switching their food, they might be reacting to a sudden change as opposed to an ingredient. Whether youre feeding puppies, adult dogs, or senior, always introduce your dog to a new diet slowly to allow their gastrointestinal system the time it needs to adjust.
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Discovering Where Those Allergies Spring From Can Be Tricky
Discovering where those cat and dog allergies and allergy symptoms come from isnt easy!
Your pets are always in contact with pollens, molds and other airborne allergens. For people with allergies, this can lead to sneezing, itchy eyes and a runny nose. But if you notice an itchy, splotchy, red-pawed pet, it doesnt matter the season because you need to get to the bottom of their discomfort now. The trouble is, it can be difficult to determine what, exactly, is behind the symptoms. Could it be parasites? Is food the culprit? Maybe its pollen? Worse yet, could it be a combination of these things?
Are Bananas Good For Dogs
Yes, dogs can eat bananas. In moderation, bananas are a great low-calorie treat for dogs. Theyre high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper. They are low in cholesterol and sodium, but because of their high sugar content, bananas should be given as a treat, not part of your dogs main diet.
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Pet Tao Harmony Diets Limited Ingredient
First 5 ingredients: Turkey, Carrots, Celery, Green Beans, Broccoli
For dogs that prefer wet food, we picked Pet Tao Harmony as the best wet dog food for allergies. This is because this US-made limited ingredient wet dog food is made with high-quality ingredients that are safe for any dog with food intolerance and food allergy.
This hydrating meal features real turkey meat as the only animal protein source. This holistic diet, guided by the Yin-Yang philosophy, only uses all-natural ingredients too. Aside from the first five ingredients, this diet suitable for all life stages also includes spinach, honey, and sesame oil.
While the brand does not have that many reviews on Chewy.com yet, online reviews for this product have been mostly positive, with most saying their pups have renewed energy and noticeable overall health improvement.
A Chewy.com customer gave this hypoallergenic dog food a perfect 5 out of 5 stars grade, adding that her skin-problematic dogs did well with this formula.
Pros:
- Holistically formulated to promote harmony and energetic balance
Cons:
- Not widely available in the market
Choosing The Best Dog Food For Skin Allergies
Are you looking for the best dog itching remedies or dog skin allergies treatment? If so, you may want to consider changing your dogs diet as there may be specially formulated recipes that can help or at least minimize your dogs skin allergy symptoms.
If your pet is dealing with skin issues, some of the best dog food for dry, itchy skin often is a fish-based dog food for allergies. Fish protein naturally contains a good amount of omega fatty acids that work to help maintain your dogs healthy skin and a shiny coat. Often, a dog food with a balanced ratio of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and a fish protein like Ocean Fusion will help clear up a lot of skin issues. Ocean Fusion is made with Pacific Whiting meal and is a tasty whole grain formula for adult dogs.
Hypoallergenic dog food, limited ingredient dog food and sensitive skin dog food provide less possible irritants in your dogs diet and can be helpful in improving skin allergy symptoms.
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Treatment For Common Skin Problems
If your pets skin problem is minor, or youre dealing with seasonal allergies, then youll want to bring some relief to your itchy pet. Natural soothing treatments like an oat bath, apple-cider vinegar spot treatment, or the use of CBD coconut oil can soothe dry patches and relieve itching temporarily.
How Do You Diagnose A True Food Allergy
The only way to definitely diagnose a true food allergy is to do a diet trial, Dr. Heinze says. Even then, if food is the culprit of a dogs symptoms and the dog is having GI upset rather than itching, its hard to distinguish sometimes whether its a food allergy or a food intolerance. But at least youre getting at the source of the problem.
Before the diet trial begins, its critical to get a complete diet history a list of every single ingredient in the foods a dog ever eats, particularly when he is doing poorly, either with itching, GI problems, or both.
Once a veterinary nutritionist reviews the diet history, she will choose for the dog a diet to which the pet has never been exposed. Maybe a dog has been on a chicken, rice, and fish diet, Dr. Heinze says, so well put him on a therapeutic diet made with kangaroo and oats things the dog has never had. Or well put him on what is known as a hydrolyzed protein diet. Its generally the proteins in foods to which dogs are allergic, but if you take a protein-rich food like soy or chicken and use enzymes to break up the proteins into smaller pieces, the dogs immune system may not recognize the proteins for what they are and therefore not go into overdrive and cause an allergic reaction.
Then you put the dog back on the old diet, Dr. Heinze explains. If the symptoms start up again immediately, you know it was the food.
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Other Symptoms Of A Skin Allergy In Dogs Include:
- Exposed skin patches
- Always rubbing the face and ears
- Nibbling or biting on skin
- Scraping skin against surfaces
- Excessive shedding
Dogs with sore and itchy skin can become aggressive, so beware of dog bite injuries. If you have already visited the vet, they may have prescribed you a medication that solved the problem temporarily.
Many doctors recommend prescription foods as well, which can be expensive but worth your pets health. Several natural supplements can help alleviate or eliminate the issue as well. However, here we will talk about hypoallergenic dog foods that will prevent your best friend from contracting all sorts of skin allergies. A number of limited ingredient and grain-free dog foods are sold in the market that are great for keeping skin allergies at bay.
Avoderm Natural Dog Food
AvoDerms Natural Dog Food series comes in several variants, such as chicken, lamb and duck. It is developed based on L.I.D , which can help with food intolerance and sensitivities. Suitable for adult dogs of different breeds and sizes, the food may help relieve symptoms such as itching and scratching, and is high in protein for muscle and growth.
Ingredients & Nutritional Benefits
To limit the possibility of allergens and aid in digestion, the food uses a single animal protein, namely duck, as its main ingredient. It does not have grains nor gluten, instead using garbanzo beans, peas and pea flour as an alternative to carbs. AvoDerm is known for their use of avocado, a nutrient-dense fruit that is high in fiber and vitamins A,B6, C and E for brain, eye, heart and muscle maintenance and development, in addition to potassium, niacin and essential fatty acids for better skin and coat. However, avocado might cause diarrhea and stomach upset in some dogs.
Supplements such as B1, B12, B6, D3 and minerals including zinc, iron, selenium and manganese are also added. Natural ingredients like rosemary extract, avocado oil, sage extract, pineapple stem and dehydrated probiotics for gut health round up the list of beneficial ingredients.
Safety & Quality
Value & Convenience
Some owners have remarked that their dogs do not like the taste. If your dog is switching from their regular diet, get a smaller 4 lb bag to try out. Alternatively, there is a larger 22lb portion.
Pros
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Environmental Allergies In Pets
Dog allergies can come from anywhere.
Seasonal allergies is a phrase that is regularly thrown around, and its somewhat misleading. If your pet is allergic to something, theyre allergic to it all year round, and if its in their environment, its likely causing discomfort or worse. Environmental allergies are the second-most common cause of allergic skin disease in dogs, behind flea allergy dermatitis, which well discuss later.
Pollen from trees, grasses and weeds is the frontrunner for most common environmental allergen. In the spring, tree pollen might be the main cause of your pets allergy symptoms. Once summer hits, grass pollen becomes the enemy, and that can cause symptoms until the snow covers it all up! As fall falls, ragweed, sagebrush and wormwood release weed pollen. Though its common to say pollen allergy, there are many different types of pollen. And your pet can be allergic to more than one.
While pollen is somewhat seasonal depending on where you live, other environmental allergies can be present all year long. Dust, dust mites, mold spores and dander may cause skin or sinus issues in your pet. But how do you determine where those allergies are actually coming from?
Can I Get Allergy Testing For My Dog
Yes! In fact, as its very difficult for owners to differentiate between environmental and food allergies themselves, a vet visit should be the first step in treating your dogs allergies.
Once you bring your pup into the clinic, the veterinarian will ask you some questions about your dogs diet and medical history. Then the vet may recommend intradermal skin testing and/or serologic testing to try to identify what, exactly, is triggering your dogs allergies.
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Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Adult Dry Dog Food Venison Meal & Sweet Potato Dog Kibble
- First 5 Ingredients: Venison Meal, Dried Potatoes, Lentils, Chickpeas, Canola Oil
- Guaranteed Analysis: 20% Crude Protein, 14% Crude Fat, 3.5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 3,515 kcal/kg, 373 kcal/cup
- Breed Size: Small Breeds, Medium Breeds, Large Breeds, All Breeds
- Lifestage: Adult
- Key Feature: Human-Grade, Natural, Sensitive Digestion, Limited Ingredient Diet, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Grain-Free, Non-GMO, Chicken-Free
Reasons to suggest
- Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Sensitive Support comes with Real Venison Meal & Sweet Potato & This meal is completely Grain-Free.
- This food is ideal for dogs with sensitive skin. The fiber in the recipe improves blood circulation, keeps it thin, and allows more oxygen to the skin cells. Your furry friend will have a shiny, healthy coat.
- This formula contains 10 or fewer key ingredients, which will eliminate any potential allergies in your dog.
- These main ingredients are supplemented with all-natural flavors along with vital minerals and vitamins in a balanced form.
- There are many versions of this recipe, including those that include salmon, duck, or venison. Each alternative contains fewer than 10 ingredients, each containing sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and lentils for a diverse blend of fiber and nutrients.
- We have noticed that this product was made exclusively with non-GMO ingredients which stood out for us.
- This specific dog food was especially effective when it came to lightening rashes and hot spots in our puppies.
Diagnosing Dog Food Skin Allergies
Unfortunately, the symptoms associated with dog food skin allergies also are seen with a very long list of other canine health problems. When faced with a dog like Kiki, veterinarians typically start the diagnostic process with a complete history, physical examination and some diagnostic tests and/or treatments to rule out conditions like fleas, bacterial and yeast infections, mange, ringworm and allergies to environmental triggers, like pollen and mold.
Only then will most veterinarians turn to the possibility of food allergies. Why? Because food allergies are rare, and the diagnostic process involves a lengthy and inconvenient food trial. Blood tests and skin patch tests are available, but they do not generally produce reliable results.
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Dog Food Allergies Causes And Cures
Dog food is one culprit behind allergic reactions in dogs that owners often overlook it’s easy to attribute the itching or licking to an environmental factor that causes skin allergies. Just like us, canines can suffer from food allergies and intolerances. Food allergies in dogs can be very serious and cause not only digestive problems like vomiting and diarrhea, but also skin issues, and even behavioral problems.
We talked to Dr. Justin Shmalberg, a DVM and one of Nom Nom‘s own veterinary nutritionists, to create this comprehensive guide that covers the following:
Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Natural Dry Dog Food
The Nutrish Zero Grain natural dry dog food is designed for pets with food and skin allergies. Developed with pet nutritionists and veterinarians, the formula features real salmon and sweet potato as its main ingredients, and has no poultry by-product meal or filler ingredients. It is easy to digest and soft enough for senior dogs to chew on, in addition to being enhanced with vitamins and minerals.
Ingredients & Nutritional Benefits
Salmon is a highly recommended protein for dogs with skin allergies, as they are less likely to be allergic compared to beef and poultry. The salmon in Nutrish is wild caught in Alaska or farmed in Chile. The sweet potatoes provide fiber and antioxidants, the salmon meal is a rich source of essential amino acids for vision development and cognitive function, while the peas and tapioca are an easily digestible alternative to potato or rice-based carbs. Vitamins C, D3, A and riboflavin can also be found.
Safety & Quality
The Nutrish is made in the USA with no ingredients from China. Ingredient suppliers go through vigorous qualification and testing to ensure safety and quality standards are met.
Value & Convenience
The Nutrish comes in packs of 4, 12 and 23 lbs. It has a strong fish odour, which might not appeal to picky eaters.
Pros
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