Food Allergies - where to start
So I was wondering if any one knows a website that cross references ingredients for more than 1 dog food brand. I need to research what will work best. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also - I am feeding her Nutro Lamb and Rice - here I thought it was a quality dog food good for sensitive stomachs. Too bad it was something she was allergic too. So we are debating how to switch her food over. Usually I would go slow and start with 1/4 cup and increase a 1/4 cup each week to know that she is tollerating. I am debating this method and being more agressive since I know she is allergic to the lamb. The results came in at the end of the day so we got them faxed to us. I am going to be talking with the vet tomorrow (hopefully) to get her advice but if anyone has some advice I would appreciate it. Thanks |
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| I would do it the low tech way.
Take my list of allergies and start down the rows of dog food reading ingredient labels. I have done it before for various reasons - it can be very enlightening.  |
| its probably also best to start (and stick with) a single protein source food at first. an allergy can develop to something the dog hasn't previously been exposed to. a single protein source food would allow you to identify that happening. Or you could try feeding raw. some of the allergies are to the protein in the cooked version. something to ask your vet about. |
Quote: Miley has many food allergies - poultry, lamb, oats, and brewers yeast
I agree with Kerry... start with a single protein source. Lamb and poultry are out so that leaves beef, fish... pork if you can find it (bison, venison, etc. too). Remember to select a food that doesn't have any poultry byproducts either. Then look at your cereals... oats are out. She doesn't have a problem with rice, potato, wheat or corn? so those can probably be your carb sources. You might try using this website- http://www.californianaturalpet.com/too ... arison.asp It looks like they have one canned food that might be appropriate (Salmon and Sweet Potato) but it will also allow you to check out other mfr. products ingredients. Don't rely on this alone though... be sure to check the labels before purchasing in case the mfr. has changed ingredients. Timberwolf Organics has some more exotic proteins but they add chicken fat and oat groats so the kibble is out. This canned variety might work- http://timberwolforganics.com/pet-foods ... 2-can-case Best wishes to Miley! |
| Be grateful you now have a course of action. You know what she must avoid!
I agree with the single protein source to start with and a carb or two. the vet will have special foods. Yes, I also thought of the fish and sweet potato food. You might consider making her food now. It could be cooked and frozen in portion sizes and thawed as needed. |
| I'd get a hold of a copy of Whole Dog Journal's yearly food review list where they go over all of the major ingredients in their recommended foods (which are all natural or holistic foods). They only put the issue out once a year but you can buy the issue online at their website. It's a great tool to have around and well worth the $5 or so that they charge.
http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/ |
| Ahhhhhh, welcome to our world. Everyone is right on the money - a food, with a single protein source and lowest carb sources is your best bet. Oscar has the best results with Venison and Rice. (He is allergic to beef, poultry and lamb.) Another alternative is salmon. As far as carb sources go, Oscar has trouble with potatoes......they give him gas, which my vet says is fairly common.
Jill, thanks for the info from Whole Dog Journal. I have ordered a copy of the 2008 food review, as well as a grain-free food review. They charge $10 for each, a cheap date as far as I'm concerned. 
Keep us posted on how Miley is doing. Laurie and Oscar |
| Eukanuba has some great allergy formulas as well.... |
| Wellness makes a Fish and potato dog food...they offer it in a dry kibble formula and canned |
WizardMerlin wrote: Wellness makes a Fish and potato dog food...they offer it in a dry kibble formula and canned
This is what Foz has been eating and we'll see how he does. |
| I thought about going raw - but hubby would rather stick with a dry kibble. I got a better more detailed report from the vets and it included a listing of foods that she should tolerate. But report really recommend double checking the label. I am finding some oats in the recommened food so while it is good place to start it is not fool proof.
So I have been label reading and here are what we are considering: Solid Gold - Millennia Beef & Barley or Wolfcub Wellness - Simple Foods Solution - either duck or venison Also was thinking about Honest Kitchen - rehyddrated raw - I thought it might be another option. I was not on the list but pet food warehouse we use recommened. Thank you for your support. I really appreciated it. I was a little shocked an surprised by the findings. I am glad I decided to do the testing. |
Sounds like you have a plan!  FYI, Oscar tried Solid Gold Wolfcub when he was a pup and it was way too rich for his system. On the plus side, when he had bloodwork drawn my vet was amazed at his nutrient-rich blood!
After we discovered that venison seem to work for Oscar, our food of choice was recalled (Natural Balance Venison and Brown Rice) and we tried the Wellness Venison product. It did not agree with Oscar's system either, so we moved on to Nature's Recipe Venison Meal and Rice. (I prefer any kibble WITHOUT "meal" in it, but it was the only other option that contained venison and rice.) This might be a bit of trial and error, and I wish you a speedy resolution to finding a food that will agree with Miley. Laurie and Oscar |
| we used wolf cub - the crazy ones did very well on it - BUT solid gold has distribution issues with it (and the adult version) I was thinking about this today and realized I forgot to mention orijens - very good single source food with no grains. |
Maisey and Kuzco both have allergies. They were on a crazy Prescription food, but it was $116.00 a bag and lasted less than a week, because it was the consistancy of popcorn...  Probably because it contained horrendous amounts of corn. ahem...
Tried them ( after MUCH cajoling from our groomer that breeds bloodhounds) on Orijen 6 Fish formula... WOW. $70.00 a bag, lasts almost 2 weeks (high protein  ) and no more ear infections!!!
It does have a huge protein ratio, but they have no more diarhea either. It has been a GODSEND!!! Sometimes it is hard to get so I buy it 4 bags at least a time.( Only one petshop in our sad little city carries it)Concerned also that it does not say "Large Breed" on the bag, but it contains Chrondroiton and Glucosamine. The risks outweighed the negatives for us, I wish you luck!!! |
| Oh, yeah...Dude, it stanks!!!
Like really stanks...before and after...  |
| dogs don't need carbs. I just feed meat and veg/fruits. No starches like rice etc. |
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