Hypoallergenic dog treats : Which are the best?
If your dog is prone to having an upset tummy or suffers hair loss, dry skin, reddening and itching or a whole host of other symptoms then it could be that they have an allergy to something either in their environment or more likely in their food. If that is the case then it is really important that you not only think long and hard about the right food and its constituents for your dog but also be aware of the treats that you give around meal times.
It is incredibly easy to forget to apply the same diligence with regard to hypoallergenic treats as with your dog's main food source. The good news is that there are many natural products which can be added to and subtracted from a dog's diet in isolation in order to establish any intolerances where treats and choose are concerned.
You will also find that the natural dog treats are actually more flavourful, highly scented, nutritious and enjoyable so a little work in this area gives your pet significant enjoyment.
WHAT ARE HYPOALLERGENIC DOG TREATS?
It isn't entirely clear how far and wide the phrase hypoallergenic covers. Like humans, all dogs will be capable of being allergic to something potentially. There are however a considered and known list of common allergens and these usually act as a starting point for us when investigating unpleasant and unwanted symptoms in dogs.
Whether the allergen is known or not, reducing exposure to single items gives us a far more straightforward and binary troubleshooting experience. Put simply, if they eat A, and react badly then a was the cause and we can move on to B.
Your vet will also be able to give you some advice and assistance here as will some research into your particular breed. There are, for instance some breeds who show adverse reactions quite often to particular food types, chicken being a prime example and this would be a good starting point in this situation.
After having been through this process of adding and subtracting maybe just one item at a time to your dog's diet you will hopefully find a combination of foodstuffs which are tolerable and keep your pet in good health. This can of course be a lengthy process as after each flareup it may well take a period of days or more for say the tummy or skin to readjust and calm.
Some diligence and time spent will however leave you with a clear and safe feeding plan and will hopefully insure the least discomfort for your dog.
ALLERGIC SYMPTOMS IN DOGS
- Respiratory issues
- Skin irritation
- Scratching and loss of fur
- Ear or eye infections
- Sneezing and runny nose
- Upset tummy/diarrhoea
- Lack of appetite
- Weight loss
- Vomiting and sickness
COMMON FOOD ALLERGIES IN DOGS
It can be the case that lack of variety and diversification in your dogs diet can eventually bring about an allergic reaction. Most of the dog foods on the market have large amounts of chicken and to a lesser degree beef by-products within them and it could be the case, a little similar to dairy intolerance in humans, that this builds over time and eventually shows itself.
As stated earlier it could also be the case that the quality of the court produce, cheap battery produced livestock filled with enhancers, artificial additives and growth hormone is to blame here. It is also the case however that an increasing number of dogs display wheat and gluten intolerances and also dairy and eggs.
THE BEST HYPOALLERGENIC DOG TREATS
If you are fortunate enough to discover a key food that causes irritation obviously cut it out in its entirety and do not return to it once the symptoms have subsided! It is then time to find an alternative and preferably single source treat or foodstuff.
There is still a wealth of dog food and treats available for dog owners with pets with say a sensitive stomach that there is not need to despair if you need to cut out the seemingly omnipotent "chicken". There are many other options available and man single source, hypoallergenic grain free treats your dog will love.
A new watch word in the dog treat and hypoallergenic dog food vocabulary is "novel" ... and particularly novel proteins. The idea is that these are unusual and not present in many products so enable you to move away from the problematic mainstream protein. They may be marginally novel in terms of the biggest pet store chains but these products are widespread, reasonably priced and available.
If your dog is allergic with food sensitivities we can turn to other natural ingredients such as turkey, duck, venison, boar and various fish products. Many of which will be food your dog loves but will also be able to boost the immune system with the addition of for instance high quality Omega 3 and 9 form the fish products.
The key here is the limited ingredient list and isolation of the allergic products. As progress is made it also possible to include some other nutritious and gentle vegetable products like sweet potato which can be a beneficial carbohydrate and fibre source for dogs. As a first stab though, remember single ingredient is the watch word in the early stages.
Single source 100% meat strips
Single source 100% meat strips are available in a number of different proteins. Indeed they can be the more common beef chicken and pork but they are also available in single source venison rabbit lamb and partridge or pheasant. As a result they are really easy to handle and carry and make a perfect hypoallergenic dog treat whether used for reward or training treats. There are also sausage derivatives but it is important here to check the ingredients and contents as they can sometimes be mixed protein and misleading.
XL stag leg or Roe deer leg
These are an absolute favourite at the Dog Chew Company. They range in size so that they are suitable for all sizes of dogs from small to medium to large and the most powerful of chewers. They are air dried and completely natural and come either with or without further, so there is an option for a deworming quality as well.
The extra large stag legs are some of the most robust choose you can find and provide enormous satisfaction and entertainment as well as being highly flavoured and scented for your dog. These are one of the very best hypoallergenic dog treats.
Venison skin
A satisfying chew for both large and small dogs, including puppies over 12 weeks old, Venison skin is 100% natural and hypoallergenic. High in protein and low in fat, venison is flavoursome with a gamey odour that dog's adore. They have all of the usual natural chew and treat benefits by supporting healthy teeth and gums whilst also containing no gluten or grain ingredients.
Goose necks and turkey necks
Goose necks and turkey necks make a wonderful tasty treat. They are more crunchy than the other chews listed but highly flavoured with a slightly higher natural fat content for a really yummy and tasty treat.
Sprats for dogs and fish treats
Fish treats for dogs are currently getting more and more popular, with dried sprats for dogs being in the lead due to their versatility. As they are ready made in single portion size they are really versatile and can be added to a meal or carried for a guaranteed tasty dried fish dog treat or reward.
There are many benefits of including fish treats for dogs in your routine:
- They are grain and gluten free.
- Sprats are completely hypoallergenic dog treats.
- Sprats for dogs are a perfect low fat and high protein natural treat for your pet.
- Sprats and other fish treats for dogs are high in Omega 3 and 6. These are just as beneficial for your pet as for humans. They have key anti-inflammatory benefits and aid coat and skin health.
- The sprats and natural fish treats help with immune function and hormonal levels and are a dried fish treat super food for your dog.
Rabbit ears
In short rabbit's ears are great for dogs, much of the benefit being how the hair on the rabbit ear effects the digestive tract. There are many benefits that can be found here. Now last but certainly not least - rabbit ears taste great! Your dog will love you for it.
Rabbit ears are the perfect once a week treat or chew for dogs and hairy rabbit ears are packed with all those benefits as well being low fat, high protein and nutritious. They are suitable for dog's of all ages and even a great tasty hypoallergenic treat for puppies.