Skin allergies are prevalent in dogs, and different dog foods are made especially for sensitive skin that has had the allergic ingredient removed. There is a chance that the right food for one dog is not suitable for another dog.
Even different brands make dog food for sensitive skin. It is now easier than before to select dog food for sensitive skin.
If they ingest any food containing an allergic ingredient, dogs with sensitive skin can suffer excessive scratching, distress, biting, and licking of the skin.
Being a pet parent, when you see these signs in your puppy, you stress yourself out. But this problem can be solved by giving your dog food made specifically for sensitive skin.
Here’s the complete discussion on dog allergies and dog food for sensitive skin. Along with there is comprehensive information on the type of food for sensitive skin.
Are Food Allergies Common in Dogs?
Food allergies are widespread in dogs, and dogs with sensitive skin are often allergic to flavors, dyes, fillers, processed proteins, and some artificial by-products. Apart from that, dogs can also be allergic to wheat, corn, and different food grains.
So when buying dog food, always look at the food label. Unfortunately, most food brands are full of wheat and corn, which is a trigger for canine food allergies.
Many canine nutritionists believe that feeding your puppy a grain-free diet is the best way to protect him from sensitive skin conditions.
Generally, grains contain carbohydrates and fibers that can irritate the intestinal lining, as well as allergies and digestive problems.
So, always select a dog food that has high-quality meat-based ingredients.
The Different Types of Foods for Sensitive Skin
Basically, dog food for sensitive skin can be divided into four categories.
- Hydrolyzed protein dog food;
- Novel protein diets;
- Skincare diets;
- Fish-based diets.
Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food
Protein is one of the essential components of dog food. The hormones present in a dog’s body, muscles, and antibodies are proteins in nature. To meet the body’s needs, dogs take protein from the food source and then break it down into small parts called amino acids and then again use them to make new proteins.
However, in some dogs, these dietary proteins can be the cause of an immune reaction. However, this problem can be controlled by the hydrolysis of proteins. Hydrolysis is the process that breaks down proteins into small parts so that they cannot react with the immune system.
Most vets generally prescribe hydrolyzed protein dog food for sensitive-skinned animals.
Hydrolyzed protein dog foods are made under full pharmaceutical conditions. It means that there are some additional safety steps involved in removing the contaminated protein source.
Skin Care Diets
If your puppy suffers from sensitive skin problems, the best dog food for him is one that contains all the minerals and vitamins. Deficiency of any mineral or vitamin can lead to different skin problems such as itching, dryness, and skin infection. A vet can recommend any particular prescribed diet based on the problem your puppy is facing.
Another essential thing to keep in mind when buying dog food is always to purchase food that is made in accordance with AAFCO requirements.
This food contains all the minerals, vitamins, proteins, and fats for the healthy growth of the epidermis.
If any dog foods are deficient in vitamin A, vitamin B5, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, omega 3, and omega 6, your dog will suffer from skin problems. Another thing to keep in mind is buying food according to your puppy’s life stage because puppies and adult dogs have different nutrient requirements.
Novel Protein Diet
The novel protein diet is defined as food that contains protein from a lesser-known animal source. Generally, pet food companies use primary protein sources, such as beef or chicken. In general, there is nothing wrong with these protein sources. They are actually the best source available and are also used in our daily food chain. These protein sources are known as leftovers from a human food culture, but the problem is that some dogs develop allergies to these food sources.
When a previously allergic dog is exposed to such familiar protein sources, there is a potential for a food allergy to develop. In the case of these dogs, if they are fed a diet with new proteins, there is a possibility that they will not acquire any allergies. The science behind allergies is that they require prior exposure. That means if your dog is not exposed to any protein before, he will not develop any allergies to it.
The most common novel protein sources are bison, rabbit, kangaroo, and elk.
Some people feed these protein sources based on personal preference, but they are actually recommended for dogs with signs of food allergies.
Fish-Based Diet for Dogs
The fish-based diet is the new trend in dog food. This diet basically has two benefits. First, it is a novel protein source, and second, it has many benefits for the skin.
Fish-based diets are an excellent source of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids that are good for dogs with food allergies and skin problems.
Another benefit of the fish-based diet is that it doesn’t contain grains either. Therefore, if your dog is allergic to grains, this diet will help.
There are many dog owners that have reported the benefits of a fish-based diet for their itchy dogs. However, it has been investigated if it is due to the exclusion of common allergens such as beef or chicken or if it is due to the increase in the level of natural fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids. As long as allergies are corrected, no one will matter how the food work.
Digestive Supplements
Dog gut impacts their skin. If your dog faces any digestive issues it might reflect on its skin condition. Often provided diet doesn’t include all the necessary nutrients to keep the digestive system healthy. Therefore, owners may use supplements that provide a nutrition boost.
For example, Black Balance by Medrego prebiotics contains a bunch of natural ingredients, which have been used in traditional human medicine for a long time.
This healthy combination can improve the work of the stomach and intestinal microbiome, absorption of nutrients from the gastrointestinal tract, and removes heavy metals and free radicals from the body.
Thereby, by improving the microbiome and balancing bacteria in the organism, Black Balance by Medrego supplements also integrally impacts your dog’s skin and coat conditions.
They are worth the try, as they can’t cause any damage.
Conclusion
Skin sensitivity is widespread in dogs, and most of the food causes are behind this problem. If you select the food according to the veterinarian’s recommendation, this problem can be corrected in a short time.
The Medrego team always suggests consulting a qualified veterinarian for personalized advice.
