Hypoallergenic dog food

Hypoallergenic: what exactly is that?

A term you often hear and apparently in many cases a positive contribution. But what exactly is hypoallergenic? The literal meaning of hypoallergenic is ‘low in foreign substances’, these are products that, thanks to their composition, give a minimal chance of allergic reactions.

Food allergy

An allergy can show or feel itself in different ways. It can of course have an external cause, but often the cause is a hypersensitivity to allergens in food. This often manifests itself in complaints on the skin (itching/inflammation/spots) or the gastrointestinal tract (diarrhoea/vomiting).

When your dog has a food allergy, a hypoallergenic diet can help. But how do you know which substances are causing the allergic reaction? For this, you put your dog on an elimination diet; this is the only way to find out what your dog reacts to.

What is an elimination diet?

An elimination diet consists of food containing ingredients your dog did not eat before. This special dietary cure lasts a minimum of six to a maximum of eight weeks. When the complaints diminish or even disappear, food from the old diet is added step by step after six weeks. As soon as the symptoms return, it is clear which ingredient is causing the allergy. Then you can switch to foods that do not contain this particular ingredient.

During the elimination diet, it is very important that your dog does not eat any snacks or snacks. So not on the street, not from other housemates, not even accidentally. Even the smallest amount can trigger the allergy and it is then difficult to find out what causes the reaction.

Food for dogs with allergies

Depending on what your dog is allergic to, adjust the food accordingly. Consider, for example, a gluten allergy, for which there is a wide range of gluten-free dog food. Is your dog hypersensitive to grain? Then choose from grain-free feed. With an allergy to proteins, there are single/mono protein products.

Contact with Puro

We fully understand that finding out where the allergy comes from is not easy. It is logical that you want to get help for that. A vet can help you with an elimination diet, for instance, and we are happy to help you find suitable food. So be sure to contact with us if you have any questions about the right food. After all, it's all about your dog's health and well-being.