Food Allergies and Dietary Management for Your Furry Friend – A Comprehensive Guide

• Defining Food Allergies and Sensitivities
• Symptoms to Watch Out For
• Diagnosing Food Allergies
• Treating Food Allergies in Dogs
• Supplements for Allergies
• Nala’s Journey with Food Allergies

Just like humans, our beloved dogs can suffer from various health issues, including food allergies and sensitivities. As pet owners, it can be distressing to see our furry friends uncomfortable or in pain. That’s why it’s crucial to understand the nuances of food allergies in dogs and how to manage them effectively. In partnership with Nala Health dog food, we present this comprehensive guide to help you recognize, treat, and manage food allergies and sensitivities in your canine companions.

Defining Food Allergies and Sensitivities

Food Allergies: These occur when a dog’s immune system mistakenly identifies a particular food ingredient as harmful, leading to an allergic reaction. While they can develop at any time, symptoms often begin during a puppy’s first 6 months.

Food Sensitivities: Also known as intolerances, these involve a less severe reaction and are typically associated with the digestive system’s inability to process certain food components. The treatment for both allergies and sensitivities can include hypoallergenic diets, medication, or a combination of both.

Symptoms to Watch Out For

If your dog is experiencing food allergies or sensitivities, they might exhibit the following symptoms:

• Skin irritation or inflammation
• Itching, especially around the paws, mouth, groin, and ears
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Chronic ear infections
• Excessive gas

In rare cases, dogs may even experience anaphylactic shock, although this is very uncommon and can also occur as a reaction to bee stings, certain medications, or vaccines.

Diagnosing Food Allergies

If you suspect your pet has a food allergy or sensitivity, it’s crucial to consult with a veterinarian. Diagnostic methods may include:

• Elimination Diets: This systematic approach involves temporarily restricting your dog’s meals to specific, limited ingredients unlikely to trigger allergic reactions. Over a few weeks, various foods are reintroduced to observe any adverse reactions.
• Blood Tests: These can help rule out other potential issues such as environmental allergies (e.g., pollen), though they are less effective for uncovering food allergies.
• Parasite Elimination: External parasites can also contribute to itching and discomfort, so addressing these is an essential step.

Find vets near you here.

Treating Food Allergies in Dogs

While food allergy symptoms can be effectively managed. Working with your veterinarian, you can develop a management plan that may include:

• Allergy-Friendly Food: Specially formulated diets like Nala Health exclude common allergens such as beef, chicken, and soy, providing a gentle yet nutritious alternative for your dog. Nala Health uses insect protein from black soldier fly larvae, which is both nutritious and less likely to trigger allergies.
• Gut Health: Nala Health includes probiotics and prebiotics in their food to support a balanced gut microbiome. This is crucial for maintaining gut integrity and regulating immune responses, helping to prevent conditions like “leaky gut.”
• Medication: Your veterinarian may prescribe medications like steroids/corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, or Apoquel (oclacitinib) to manage itching and inflammation associated with allergic dermatitis.

Supplements for Allergies

Enhancing your dog’s diet with supplements can also be beneficial:

• Omega 3 and 6: Essential fatty acids can offer anti-itching benefits by reducing inflammation. Nala Health provides a balanced diet rich in these nutrients, along with zinc and vitamin B complex.
• Probiotics: These support a healthy gut, aiding in nutrient absorption, immune response, and waste excretion.
• Other Supplements: Quercetin (a natural antihistamine), nettle leaf (for antihistamine effects), and turmeric (anti-inflammatory) can also be beneficial.

Always consult with your veterinarian before adding supplements to your dog’s diet to ensure they are safe and appropriate.

Nala’s Journey with Food Allergies

Cecile Hemsen Berg, co-founder of Nala Health, delves into her dog Nala’s journey battling food allergies: “Nala was battling with itchy skin, hair loss and recurrent ear infections, as well as paw licking. As a result, we went to different veterinarians who in their own unique way, contributed to expanding our knowledge and giving us more insights. Gradually, we gained a better understanding of what was causing Nala’s ailments, and it turned out that she reacted to both food and pollen, especially grass.

One can experience cross allergies, where some of the proteins in the pollen are similar to the proteins in the food. Our immune system, therefore, reads the proteins from the food incorrectly and thinks that it is pollen.

Initially, Nala was fed dog food from an internationally renowned producer. We also tried various speciality diets with no effect. After years of trial and error trying to find the best for Nala, we were inspired to create Nala Health. In collaboration with animal nutritionists, we developed our holistic, balanced, and allergy-friendly dog food. You will find more articles on our website that provide advice on diet and general lifestyle.

Food allergies in dogs can be complex, but with the right knowledge and approach, pet owners can help their canine companions live comfortable and healthy lives. If interested in exploring Nala Health dog food, their allergy-friendly options could be a great choice for managing a dog’s food sensitivities. Visit Nala Health to learn more about their specially formulated diets. Normally, we cooked enough food for a week and froze into daily portions. If you are going to cook yourself, you must ensure the diet is balanced and contains all the vital nutrients. You also have to ensure your dog gets the right amount of food to maintain a healthy weight. Therefore, it may be easier and safer to find allergy-friendly food and that ensures that the dog gets a complete and balanced diet.”