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Allergens in Dog Food

Most healthy dogs do just fine on any of the better brands of dog food. There are some ingredients that are used in some dog foods that dogs can be allergic to, so therefore they should be avoided with your pet.

3 Most Common Allergens in Dog Foods:

• Corn – is usually fine for most dogs, especially if it has been cooked before processing, and is used in whole-grain form. Some dogs can be allergic to corn though, especially when corn gluten is used. I personally avoid foods with any glutens as an ingredient.
• Wheat – is not used too much any more in the better dog foods, but it is a source of allergens for some dogs.
• Soy – again, you don’t see this much in the better brands of dog food… for a reason.

If you are feeding your dog food that was bought from a grocery store, and your dog is not reacting well to that food, check the ingredient panel of the food to check for these ingredients. Also be aware that these allergens may be used in different forms such as cracked, bran, or gluten.

How to Tell if Your Dog is Having Food Allergies

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How to Transition Your Cat or Dog to a New Food

When you are changing pet foods, particularly when you are changing brands of food, you’ll want to transition, or slowly introduce, your pet to the new food.

I’ve talk to some people that take literally months to transition their pet to a new food. I’m not a big believer in that. I figure if you’re going to change foods, then do it. Chances are, if you’re trying to get your pet off of a particular food, then there’s a reason for it, so I believe in transitioning the pet to the new food as quickly as possible so your pet can reap the benefits of the new food faster.

How I Transition Pet Foods

Like I said, I like to transition pet foods rather quickly, a week.

• 2/3 old food, and 1/3 new food for 3 days
• 2/3 new food, and 1/3 old food for 3 days
• Done!

Transition Aids

Chances are, if you are transitioning foods, you are transitioning your pet to a better food. Therefore, your pet will be getting better, and somewhat more intense nutrition. This could show up with your dog or cat being a little “gassy, or they may have a little bit of the “runs.” This is actually pretty normal, the symptoms should go away within a day or two, but here are a couple things you can use to help in the transition…

• Since you are transitioning to a food with better nutrition, cut back on the portion size. Try easing back about 25% from what you were feeding. If you were feeding a cup of the old food, try 3/4 cup of the new food.
• Try more, but smaller meals.
• Add a tablespoon or so of either plain (not flavored) yogurt, or canned pumpkin. Either one will help firm things up in the back yard, and settle the stomach, though the pumpkin will turn things bright orange in the yard! : )
• Add a spoonful of Holistic Transition. It’s a great probiotic powder you sprinkle over your pet’s food.

Hope this helps!