How To Help Dogs With Meat Allergies?

Allergies, a word that sends chills down every pet owners spine as the thought of cooking up daily meals and stockpiling the freezer with ready meals for pooches strikes. It can be particularly upsetting as a pet owner, figuring out what it is that your pet is sensitive to in the first place and can take a lot of testing and trialling to figure out the cause of your dog's upset stomach or itching, red skin. If you suspect your dog may be suffering from an allergy, we recommend speaking with your vet before you start their exclusion diet to make sure they don’t have any other health issues.

Here are the signs to look out for:

• Itchy, scratchy, flaky skin
• Lethargy
• Hyperactivity
• Ear problems
• Light brown loose stools
• Diarrhoea
• Slime or jelly like substance being passed with stools
• Flatulence
• Bloating
• Weight gain or loss

A growing number of dogs are developing sensitivities to meat which can feel very confusing and frustrating for owners who trusted their dogs regular kibble to be the best way to feed them. Yora provides a great alternative protein source, insect, with simple, hypoallergenic ingredients that fuel a healthy diet for dogs that have a sensitivity.

If your dog has recently had a sensitivity identified we have compiled some advice to help keep your pet safe and well.

1). TRY AND REMOVE THE ALLERGEN FROM THE HOUSEHOLD

It is best to try to remove the allergen from the household if possible. If this isn’t an option remove the dog from areas where the meat is being eaten to avoid them accidentally eating it.

2). FIND AN ALTERNATIVE PROTEIN

Dogs develop sensitivities to specific proteins which is why they can suffer after eating things like chicken or beef but not from other meats like insect protein. Finding an alternative which suits your dog will give them the nourishment and nutrition they need to thrive.

3). KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR ANY CHANGES

If you notice that after some time the symptoms you saw before come back, or that your dog develops a different condition, they may need to change their diet again. Similarly if your dog looks under/overweight, loses/gains weight, or does/doesn’t put weight back on after losing it before the diet change, then your dog has probably got another or the same allergen present in their diet.

4). REGULARLY GROOM YOUR DOG

Regular grooming is a great opportunity to check over the condition of your dog. Apart from helping you to bond and increase trust (handy when you have to apply creams or give medications), grooming helps to keep skin clean preventing infection risk. It will also encourage hair growth in patches where hair loss has occurred.

5). TREAT ITCHING SKIN

Food allergies can really affect skin by making it flaky, sensitive, itchy and uncomfortable. To help soothe the itch and soreness you could try bathing with a hypoallergenic, medical shampoo. Various natural ointments and creams are also available to help repair and calm any redness caused.

Allergies can seem like a bit of a pain, very worrying and upsetting but with easy solutions such as switching to Yora and removing the allergens from their diet it can be easily manageable.

**The above tips are recommendations and any concerns about your dogs health should be discussed with a vet before you make any drastic changes to your pets diet/lifestyle**