Allergies in pets can be rather debilitating to both the pet and the owner. All this requires to keep allergies at bay and restore health and comfort to your pets is the identification of the culprit ingredients by their replacement through a change in diet. The aim of this article is to pay attention to common allergies in pets, associated symptoms, and exactly how such issues can be put under control through changes in diet.
Understanding Pet Food Allergies
It is a sort of adverse reaction in which the immune system of the pets overreacts to the ingredients of some food. Unlike food intolerance, usually causing digestion disturbance, allergies may be far more dangerous and require very careful management.
Common Allergens
Some ingredients are more likely to trigger allergies in pets. Common allergens include:
Beef: This is the most common single allergen, especially in regard to commercial foods for your pet.
Chicken: Another common allergen which can cause allergic reaction to some pets.
Dairy: Animals also can be allergic or sensitive to dairy products.
Grains: Animals can also become allergic to some food ingredients processed from wheat, corn, or soy.
Fish: Though not as common, there are those animals that acquire allergies to this form of protein.
Eggs: Eggs are another one of the many kinds of hidden allergens in a variety of pet foods and treats.
Symptoms of Pet Food Allergies
The recognition of symptoms is always a good first step towards its early treatment. Some of the common signs include:
Skin Reactions: Pimple-like lesions, itching, hot spots, redness, and ear infections that never seem to clear up.
Gastrointestinal Signs: Vomiting, diarrhea, or gas frequently.
Respiratory Symptoms: Though less common, sneezing, coughing, and nasal discharge may occur, too.
If you suspect a food allergy affecting your pet, consult with your veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Changes in Diet: Dietary Changes in Managing Canine Food Allergy
Food allergy management in pets is basically a question of identification and elimination of the allergen from your pet’s diet. The following is a chronological procedure for effective management of food allergies.
- Identification of Allergen
The first part of managing food allergies is the identification of the specific ingredient responsible for the reaction. Your veterinarian might suggest an elimination diet in which new, different proteins and carbohydrates are fed to your pet in order to find out what the allergen is.
Elimination Diet: Feeding a diet of ingredients your pet has never seen is usually done for 8-12 weeks.
Allergy Testing: Some veterinarians offer allergy testing to identify exactly what your pet is allergic to. This is often less accurate than an elimination diet.
- Choose an Allergy Diet
After the allergen has been identified, find a diet that avoids the offending ingredient. There are several types of allergy-friendly diets that may be used to manage food allergies:
Limited Ingredient Diets: This is a diet that is formulated with the fewest possible ingredients in an attempt to minimize the number of potential allergens. Look for those preparations that exclude common allergens, such as beef, chicken, and grains.
Novel Protein Diets: These diets are based on unusual sources of proteins in pet foods, which can include but are not limited to duck, venison, or kangaroo. These just might do magic for pets allergic to common proteins.
Hypoallergenic Diets: These are diets that have a reduced propensity for allergic reactions, being prepared with hydrolyzed proteins broken down into smaller, less reactive fragments.
- Read the Labels Carefully
When you go to buy food for them, be cautious with the ingredient lists and make sure the food does not contain the identified allergens. Be very careful with ingredient lists, especially with items that include generalized or very vague terms or hidden sources of allergens.
Ingredient Lists: Take an ingredient list into consideration for potential allergens. Especially avoid foods with generalized or generic-type words such as “meat by-products.”
Watch for Cross-Contamination: Be wary if the food is manufactured in a facility that also processes the food allergens.
- Gradual Food Introduction
During the transition of your pet to a new diet, gradually add foods in order to minimize gastrointestinal upset, and to make monitoring of your pet for the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction easier.
Pronto Transition Plan: Mix in small amounts of new food with your pet’s current diet, and gradually increase the amount over 7 -10 days proportionally.
Monitor Closely: In this period, you need to monitor your pet closely for symptomatic fluctuation and adverse reaction.
- Homemade Diets
If the commercial allergy diets wouldn’t work for you or if it is not effective, then you may try preparing homemade meals for your pet. Homemade diets allow you to enjoy the total liberty to add and exclude certain ingredients in their food.
Work with Your Veterinarian: This involves working in conjunction with your veterinarian to formulate a homemade diet that is complete but lacks the allergen. Novel Protein Sources/Recipe Ideas: A few examples are listed below and include novel protein sources, but common allergens must be avoided. Your veterinarian may also be able to give you some recipes and nutritional guidelines. 6. Ongoing Monitoring and Changes
After the dietary changes are in place, continue regular monitoring of your pet’s health and symptoms. Improvement may sometimes take longer, and often only one or two tweaks to the diet are needed.
Health Monitoring: Amongst the better ways to monitor improvements in health are regular visits to a veterinarian with relevant modifications in diet.
Symptom tracking: Keep a record of all the symptoms and health changes of your pet to report back to your vet accurately.
Additional Hacks for Food Allergies in Pets
- Avoid Allergens in Treats
Most commercially available pet treats contain common allergens. You can make use of treats made up of hypoallergenic or novel ingredients.
Treats and Chews: Only buy those labeled as suitable for food-allergic animals and do not make homemade treats, which may inadvertently contain the allergen.
- Clean Up the Feeding Area
Keep your pet’s feeding area clean. This may reduce cross contamination and lessen the chance of exposure to a potential allergen.
Clean Bowls: Food and water bowls should be washed regularly with hot soapy water.
- Be Knowledgeable
Keep abreast with regard to common allergens and new products available for use in the management of your pet’s diet.
Research: Review information about pet nutrition and allergies monthly to maintain awareness of best practices and new products.
Food allergy management in pets involves identification of allergens, choice of appropriate diets, and gradual change of diet. Your veterinarian will be able to guide you appropriately in all these aspects and thus will help manage your pet’s allergies quite easily. Keep a watch on the health of your pet from time to time and make the necessary adjustments that will help them get a nutritionally appropriate and hypoallergenic diet.
