Thanks to Mudd, my lab/basset mix, I became quite the expert on allergy-provoking dog food ingredients. The poor guy was always struggling with the runs, puking, or stinky, gunky ears. Or a combination of all three. His health problems led me to the wonders of grain-free foods for dogs. And what a life-saver that proved to be! We did try the "breed-specific" foods (for labs, as they have a strong tendency to be sensitive to corn) with no success. We also tried the foods that were advertised for dogs with "sensitive stomachs" - these foods had oatmeal listed as a primary ingredient. Still, no success. Probably due to the various other not-so-healthy ingredients also included. After doing more research, I moved on to the "limited ingredient" class of foods. These are the foods with a single protein and single carbohydrate source - such as duck and potato. Ahhhh - success!!! The secret to these foods is that the ingredient list is KEPT SIMPLE. Also, the carbohydrate present is NOT just an inexpensive filler, and therefore most likely one that the dog has not been exposed to - and reacted to - in the past. It is for this same reason that the meat sources in these foods seem a bit "exotic" as well. When you are dealing with a dog with sensitivities, it is best to introduce a new protein - one that they have not encountered before, and therefore have not been "sensitized" to. A few dog food companies now offer good options to choose from as far as limited ingredient foods go. Just remember to read those labels, and avoid the unhealthy ingredients I listed in "The Dog Food Dilemma Part I: Ingredients".
~Happy, Healthy Hounding
No comments:
Post a Comment