Do I have a dog with allergies? Every dog owner wants their four-legged friend to live a happy and healthy life. However, more and more dog owners are asking themselves whether their pet suffers from allergies. A dog with allergies presents many owners with unique challenges. In this article, we'll discuss the signs of allergies and offer tips for everyday life with your four-legged friend.
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About the author: Lea Reich
Lea is the founder of Alpenwuff and an expert in dog nutrition. Drawing on her extensive scientific training, the development of several Alpenwuff food varieties, and years of experience working with dogs, she summarizes current topics and shares her knowledge in our Alpenwuff blog.
Recognize: Signs of an Allergy Dog
First, it's important to know whether your dog actually has an allergy. Therefore, observe your dog closely and check for the following symptoms that could indicate an allergy:
- Intense itching that causes the dog to frequently scratch or lick its paws or belly
- Redness and inflammation of the skin
- Digestive problems such as diarrhea and vomiting
- Respiratory problems , coughing and sneezing
- Watery eyes
- Recurrent ear infections .
If you're unsure whether your furry friend has an allergy, you can also have a dog allergy test done. There are various online providers for this. Veterinarians also usually offer allergy tests.
Tips for everyday life with an allergy dog
If your dog has an allergy, it may be helpful to make some changes to your daily routine to prioritize your pet's health and well-being. Depending on the type of allergy, different measures may be more or less important for each individual.
Allergy-friendly diet:
Diet plays a key role. Some dogs react to certain protein sources, gluten, or other ingredients in their food. If your dog has a food allergy, allergy problems can often be resolved quickly with a change in diet and food . Hypoallergenic dog foods specially developed for allergy sufferers, for example, avoid known allergens and rely on highly digestible ingredients.
Skin and coat care:
Gentle shampoos and hypoallergenic grooming products can relieve itching. More and more companies are distinguishing themselves by including natural ingredients in their grooming products. Regular brushing also helps remove allergens.
Low-allergen environment:
If your dog has an environmental allergy, you should definitely ensure a low-allergen environment. In addition to regularly cleaning the living area, dog blankets and beds, in particular, should be washed frequently. Also consider whether carpets are really necessary, as they can trap environmental allergens.
Fresh air & exercise
Frequent ventilation and the use of air purifiers reduce allergen levels in the home. Furthermore, every dog enjoys long walks and exercise in the fresh air.
Natural remedies:
Many dog owners swear by natural remedies such as coconut oil, aloe vera, or certain herbal supplements. However, it's important to check individual dog tolerance and, if necessary, consult a veterinarian or conduct an allergy test.
Hypoallergenic dog food made from insects for allergy sufferers
Finding the ideal food solution for dogs with allergies can often be challenging. An increasingly popular and effective solution in this regard is hypoallergenic dog food based on insect protein. Unlike traditional protein sources like beef or chicken, insects offer a less common protein source to which dogs are less likely to have allergic reactions.
This makes them an excellent alternative for allergy-prone four-legged friends. Insect protein also offers a number of other advantages : It's a more animal-friendly, ethically sound alternative to the factory farming of protein sources. At the same time, insect foods score highly in terms of sustainability, as only a fraction of the water, space, and feed required for their rearing is used. So, if you notice your dog experiencing allergic reactions to conventional food, switching to a hypoallergenic insect-based food could provide just the relief your pet needs. It's a sustainable and healthy choice that prioritizes your dog's well-being.
Conclusion: Dog Allergies
While a dog with allergies requires more attention and care, with the right knowledge and patience, your four-legged friend can still live a happy and symptom-free life . Our mission is to support you with information and products to make everyday life with your dog with allergies as pleasant as possible. If you have any further questions, we're always here to help!
What does "open declaration" mean?
The " open declaration " in the context of dog food refers to the transparent disclosure of information about the composition of the food in terms of the individual ingredients and their processed quantities.
"Open declaration" means that we transparently list all ingredients and their exact percentages in Alpenwuff food. So you always know exactly what's in every bag of Alpenwuff.
An open declaration serves to give pet owners clear information about the food so they can make informed decisions about their daily diet. By reading the declaration, pet owners can determine which main ingredients are contained in the food. This helps to rule out allergens, evaluate the quality of a food, and develop an understanding of a dog's behavior. For example, if a food consists primarily of corn, this is often reflected in its behavior. An open declaration therefore makes it possible to ensure that the food meets the dog's individual needs and promotes its health. In addition, the declaration ideally includes information about the manufacturer and the manufacturing process, which creates confidence in the product quality and traceability of the raw materials.
Why should cold-pressed food be better?
The comparison between extruded and cold-pressed dog food can be shown using several aspects that illustrate the advantages of cold-pressed food:
- Gentle manufacturing process: Cold-pressed feed is produced at lower temperatures (60°C). In contrast, extruded feed is produced at high temperatures (up to 200°C), resulting in a greater loss of natural nutrients.
- Better nutrient preservation: The gentle manufacturing process helps to better preserve the natural nutrients of the ingredients, similar to steam cooking. Due to the gentle temperatures, natural vitamins and nutrients in cold-pressed food remain largely intact.
- Better digestibility: Cold-pressed food breaks down quickly into its components in the dog's stomach and doesn't bloat when exposed to liquid like most extruded food briquettes. This means the nutrients are quickly accessible and digestible. The easier digestibility of cold-pressed food can help dogs experience fewer digestive problems. This leads to less bloating and an overall happier dog.
To what temperature is the food heated?
Our feed is gently cold-pressed at low temperatures to preserve nutrients. The cold press reaches a maximum temperature of approximately 60°C.
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