hypoallergenic dog food

[dennis in se pa]

For the PPOT brain trust.....
"hypoallergenic dog food" has the same old rip off scenario associated with it as many other nationally marketed products. So I am asking here, where I know I will get some good info. Who has knowledge in this area? My research indicates that there is more marketing than quality product behind these $3 a lb dog foods.
One of my dogs has symptoms the vet thinks could be food allergy related. That is what has prompted me to ask. Your input is appreciated.

respects,
Rev Dennis
Minister of Peace and Love

[HHI944]

My Lab had terrible hotspots for a while.....tried everything, then switched his food to Blue and the hotspots were gone in 3 days. I wouldn't dream of feeding my current pup anything other than Blue.
But blue isn't $3/lb, it's just over $2

[mattdavis11]

A good vet is going to be able to find what he/she is allergic to. Mine pulled some blood and ran some test. He was allergic to beef tallow.

We didn't switch to a high dollar hypoallergenic food, we just made sure there was no beef tallow. Lamb and rice (along with other stuff, but no BT). It cleared him right up.

BTW, the vet had never seen the dog prior, and nailed it at first sight.

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by mattdavis11

A good vet is going to be able to find what he/she is allergic to. Mine pulled some blood and ran some test. He was allergic to beef tallow.

We didn't switch to a high dollar hypoallergenic food, we just made sure there was no beef tallow. Lamb and rice (along with other stuff, but no BT). It cleared him right up.

BTW, the vet had never seen the dog prior, and nailed it at first sight.

My situation EXACTLY! My Dogue De Bordeaux had a tough time for her first year. She was underweight, hotspots, and eventually stopped eating. I went through a plethora of high-end and "Hypoallergenic" dog foods. No help.

Finally, she was diagnosed with food allergies. Test showed reaction to wheat and glutins, plus borderline sensitivity to beef. I switched to Nutro Lamb and Rice. It was like a miracle. She transformed. Now all my dogs are eating it and doing great! My 7 year-old Boerboel Mastiff looks and acts like a two year old.

I have no affiliation to this company, and recent price increases even irked me, but it's still cheaper than the supposedly "high-end" boutique brands.

Limited Ingredient Diet - Lamb & Whole Brown Rice Natural Dry Dog Food : NUTROŽ NATURAL CHOICEŽ Dog Foods - The Nutro Company

[Rikao4]

2 big boys & big Pup..
all on Blue...(not the wilderness line)..

Rika

[dennis in se pa]

Since dogs are basically carnivores, it seems for the price of the special dog food one could just buy chicken and hamburger and feed that. What would be wrong with that? Never heard of a wolf eating rice or wheat in the wild.

[Rikao4]

tried the raw diet long ago..
stinks..
messy...
not real cost effective as you want to buy the good stuff..
and most important..
the boys hated it..

Rika

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by dennis in se pa

Since dogs are basically carnivores, it seems for the price of the special dog food one could just buy chicken and hamburger and feed that. What would be wrong with that? Never heard of a wolf eating rice or wheat in the wild.

This is good in theory, and there is a whole sect of people doing all meat diets. The main problem....it's extremely expensive. My Boerboel would probably require at least 4 pounds of hamburger or one full chicken per day. That's over $300 per month.

[matt711]

English bulldog with bad food alergies. Blue has fixed it all.

[mattdavis11]

It's a bit steep to feed a pet what you can consume yourself. My lab is about 85 lbs, she eats the cheap stuff, and loves it. I got lucky I guess as it's about $.55lb. What did tick me off was when the mfg changed the recipe, that was a bad week. I thought they should have at least put a notice on the bag.

Lately she's been getting what I call "crack sticks", actually they are pedigree dental sticks. She goes nuts within 10 minutes of mowing one down. 11 years old, on Pedigree Adult (ought to switch to Senior)healthy as can be.

[Bill Douglas]

What has worked for my dog, and other dogs with food alergies is the Douglas diet for dogs. Steak for every meal for a month. Then slowly reintroduce other foods into their diet. It does work.

Some people said expensive, I said cheaper than vet bills.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by dennis in se pa

Since dogs are basically carnivores, it seems for the price of the special dog food one could just buy chicken and hamburger and feed that. What would be wrong with that? Never heard of a wolf eating rice or wheat in the wild.

hhhhmmmmm....

1. wolves do eat veges (the stomach contents of the herbivores they kill - and they love it)

2. dogs have been domesticated for > 30,000 which is plenty of time for evolution of various aspects of the digestive system

But, you are right - grains are usually just cheap fillers in dog foods and a good vet may tell you to mix vegetables, fruit, and meats to feed you dog - "may" tell you

the best advice will come from a DVM with a specialty in allergy medicine and your regular vet can refer you

or you can simply try a QUALITY dog food with no fillers; be sure the package says they use human quality food (i.e. they aren't using things that were rotted and rejected for human use or a bunch of hooves and hair)

[RWebb]

can be spendy to eliminate allergy causing ingredients from dog chow - you'd need to feed certain things for a-2 months, then switch to something else and see what happens; then try a 3rd, 4th, etc. etc.

another resource is a pet food store that specializes in quality foods - we have one here that is run by a DVM & that would be a LOT better if you can find one vs. some spendy fru-fru place for yuppie dogs

also, problems may be caused by inhalation of pollen or pollutants not by food...

[monoflo]

For what its worth I feed Blue
I have and have had Labs. Some with issues some not
Works with this guy and his new bro who comes home in 4 day will have the diet.
Mostly stay off table food and processed dog chows

[JAR0023]

We've had a handful of Labs over the last twenty years. I had one chocolate that had a corn allergy. Once we switched him over he was a much happier dog. I don't buy boutique food but I do stay away from corn. Been feeding Diamond lamb & rice for probably the last ten years. Feed the cats Diamond as well. -J

[Arthropraxis]

Taste of the Wild is a good all natural food that does not use any fillers and uses all real meat for its kibble. It comes in 4 different protein sources and is sold at Tractor Supply stores for a reasonable price.

[Mark Howard]

Have a Westy here, same reported problems as above, hot spots, constant scratching, etc, poor dog was miserable. Went to the vet, Changed to lamb and rice, cured within a week or two. Best thing I ever did for her.

[dennis in se pa]

Wow...lots of great input. Thank you all. I am looking into the Blue food as well as what I have seen some others do - just feed them beef, chicken and some veggies mixed together like people eat. Potatoes, carrots and ground beef mixed together costs about as much as "store bought".
Thanks again. Great board.