Here you can find out what to do if your dog has a food intolerance or food allergy and what is the best way to feed your dog.
Signs of sensitive skin in dogs
- Does your dog scratch often?
- Does he have any skin problems?
If other causes such as parasites or bacterial infections have already been ruled out, these could be symptoms of a food allergy or intolerance.
What is the difference between and allergy or intolerance?
- An allergy is when your dog's immune system is involved.
- An intolerance is when the body cannot process certain substances from the food in the course of digestion.
However, the symptoms in a dog with a food allergy or a food intolerance can be very similar, which is why it is often difficult to differentiate. Treatment in both cases, however, is mostly to avoid whatever food your dog is reacting to.
How to tell if your dog has a food intolerance or food allergy?
- Most owners notice digestive and skin problems in their dog.
- Recurring ear issues or conjunctivitis in their eye.
Since your dog may be allergic to other substances outside of the food, it should also be considered whether he really reacts to the food.
Typical allergy triggers include:
- Shampoo,
- medication,
- flavourings in food or treats,
- fertilizers or sprays that your dog may be exposed to on a walk,
- a pollen allergy,
- road salt that your dog licks off its paws.
How to treat sensitive skin caused by a food intolerance or food allergy through an elimination diet.
An intolerance or a food allergy cannot always be proven with a single test, so if you suspect it, there is a possibility to find out what your dog is reacting to by means of a so-called elimination or exclusion diet.
In doing so, you reduce as many components in the food as possible and temporarily only feed one source of protein and one source of carbohydrates, which the dog has ideally never been given before.
Typically, observing changes in your dog's symptoms for six to eight weeks. If the symptoms have subsided, you can then gradually add individual feed components that were previously part of the diet back to the food to test which components your dog reacts to. This is then the so-called "provocation diet". Such a diet may only be used if your dog's allergy symptoms are not life-threatening and should only be done after consulting your veterinarian.
Food types that do not cause sensitive skin
Depending on your dog’s allergies or intolerances we have some complete foods that are suitable for an elimination diet. There is no need to add vitamins and minerals here, as your dog is already supplied with everything through the food. For example,
Africa – Ostrich with Potato
France – Duck with Potato
Karibik – Sea fish with Potato
Vet Line Hypersensitivity – Quail with Sweet Chestnut
Benefits of hypoallergenic dog food for sensitive skin
- Allows you to implement an elimination diet.
- Single source of protein and a single source of carbohydrates that your dog has never encountered.
- Exotic meats such as ostrich, kangaroo or buffalo are used.
- Makes it clear which food components your dog cannot tolerate.
- You will know which food to avoid in the future and you can set up a new menu for your dog.