Just like us humans, doggos can also suffer from allergies and intolerances. Here are some signs to look out for:
- Skin may look red, feel scaly and dry, and seem itchy
- Scratching or licking much more than usual
- Diarrhea or loose stool
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
Why does it happen?
Many reasons can cause allergic reactions of dogs, like environment (pollens or dust mites), flea bites (or mosquitos or other parasites), and food. The reaction is triggered by the immune system, which acts aggressively to these factors by defending against foreign invaders that cause illness. However, sometimes our dogs’ immune system may overcompensate and respond abnormally to common and normal things, like certain components of food, causing allergic reactions.
What are common food allergens for dogs?
Many foods have been associated with allergies. We here at Kabo know it is never easy to know that your dog might be allergic to something they like or think is delicious! According to a few peer-reviewed studies (1,2), dogs can develop or be born with allergies to common ingredients, such as corn, dairy, eggs, soy, and wheat. What's interesting though, is that dogs are less likely to have or develop allergies to novel protein ingredients like salmon (or other fish), duck, kangaroo, hydrolyzed protein, insect protein, or even crocodile! These are proteins Kabo wanted to explore because it's not uncommon that a dog can develop allergies or have sensitivities to more "normal" proteins like beef or chicken.
How does a hypoallergenic diet benefit your lovely companion?
When you take your dog to the hospital, your veterinarian will conduct a series of tests to determine the root cause of the allergy and advise you on the best course of action. As a pet parent, you may also help manage any allergens they may encounter through their diet and care. A hypoallergenic diet is a great solution that is free of common dog allergens listed above and therefore benefits your pup's stomach. Kabo’s Hypoallergenic Salmon Recipe does just that. Kabo’s salmon recipe checks all of the boxes to be a great hypoallergenic diet:
- Limited ingredients
- Contains a novel protein, salmon
- Chicken, turkey, beef, and lamb free
- Grain free
- Dairy free
- Soy free
- Gluten free
- High in omega 3s to improve skin and coat health
- Supplemented with natural sources of antioxidants
- Includes anti-inflammatory ingredients to reduce itching and redness
- Low in fat and calories
- High in moisture (i.e. dust and mite free)
Why is Kabo's Hypoallergenic Fresh Cooked Salmon Recipe better than others?
You may see other hypoallergenic diets on markets, like limited ingredient diets and hydrolyzed protein diets. However, most of these options are now commercial pet foods, like kibble or canned food, which are subjected to significant heating during manufacturing. The high temperature process could induce Maillard reactions that produce less digestible compounds called melanoidins and give that brown colour to commercial pet foods. Certain melanoidins have been shown to be more allergenic according to a scientific study (3).
Another survey study (4) completed by 116 veterinarians of the American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology (AAVD) showed that homemade diets were recommended most often for dogs and cats suspected of having adverse reactions to food. However, the same study also indicated that most (90%) of the homemade diets were not nutritionally adequate for dogs.
Unlike common hypoallergenic commercial pet foods, our foods only include fresh, all natural ingredients that you would eat yourself. We gently cook the food at low temperatures according to CFIA standards and mimic how you cook at home. Besides, all Kabo fresh cooked recipes are formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles, which means our food has all the important nutrients that your dog needs!
References:
1) Verlinden, A., Hesta, M., Millet, S., & Janssens, G. P. J. (2006). Food allergy in dogs and cats: a review. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 46(3), 259-273.
2) Gaschen, F. P., & Merchant, S. R. (2011). Adverse food reactions in dogs and cats. Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice, 41(2), 361-379.
3) Maleki, S. J., Chung, S. Y., Champagne, E. T., & Raufman, J. P. (2000). The effects of roasting on the allergenic properties of peanut proteins. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 106(4), 763-768.
4) Roudebush, P., & Cowell, C. S. (1992). Results of a hypoallergenic diet survey of veterinarians in North America with a nutritional evaluation of homemade diet prescriptions. Veterinary dermatology, 3(1), 23-28.