my dog is allergic to everything what can i feed him

My Dog Is Allergic To Chicken: What Can I Feed Him?

Food allergies can be quite an issue when choosing foods for your pets.

You not only have to think of the best alternatives that dont have the food they are allergic to but you also have to think of how to supplement the nutrients they are missing.

If your dog is allergic to chicken, for instance, you will have to look harder for alternative foods because most dog foods have chicken in them.

However, there are still some awesome chicken-free protein options for your dog.

Before we delve deeper into these options, lets understand why your dog may develop chicken allergy in the first place

Chicken Allergy in Dogs

So, what causes chicken allergy in dogs?

Well, like other forms of allergies, a dog will develop an allergy to a protein source (like chicken) when his immune system becomes overly sensitive to the ingredients in the protein source.

In the case of chicken, your pups system will begin to identify chicken proteins as dangerous, and will trigger an allergic response every time your pup eats chicken or foods containing chicken.

This implies that every time your dog eats chicken or foods containing chicken, his body wont break the chicken proteins completely considering that his immune system will be categorizing it as a dangerous substance.

As a result, your pups immune system will respond by sending enterocytes to fight or eliminate the proteins.

One important thing to note about protein allergies in dogs is the fact that it is something that builds over time.

Your dog has to encounter the bad protein source enough times for his body to recognize it as an unwelcome substance.

This explains why your dog may not manifest any signs of chicken allergy the first time he consumes chicken.

But once his sensitivity to chicken develops, things can get out of hand, especially if you continue feeding him chicken.

For instance, his immune system may respond more vigorously over time, agonizing allergy symptoms.

Learn more about protein allergy in dogs here: Protein Allergy in Dogs: What Every New Dog Parent Must Know

What to Feed

One of the best ways of dealing with protein allergy in dogs once it has been identified is to eliminate the suspected ingredient from a dogs diet.

This translates to feeding your dog chicken-free foods or a special diet recommended by your vet.

If you opt for the first option, here are some good options of dog foods that have no chicken.

Disclaimer: Strive to always discuss your pups new diet with your vet or canine nutritionist to be certain that whatever you feed your dog meets all his nutritional needs.

1. Beef

Dogs are carnivores and will therefore be OK on a meat diet.

However, there are other essential nutrients like vitamins and carbs, so make sure to add those to your diet as well.

Your dog will enjoy cooked meat but you can also serve them some raw beef but only in moderation.

You should be very careful with raw beef however because it can lead to food poisoning.

As a rule of thumb, make sure the meat is fresh and has no seasonings.

2. Fish

Fish is one of the greatest sources of proteins for humans and the same applies to dogs.

Fish has Omega-3 and lots of other useful amino acids that are needed in a dogs body.

For instance, the Omega-3 fatty acids are known to keep arthritis at bay, prevent kidney disease and heart disorders among many other health benefits.

Both cooked and canned fish are ok but you may want to avoid raw fish.

Also, too much fish may cause more harm than good, so use it in moderation.

If your dog consumes too much fish, the fish protein could kill vitamins and thereby cause a vitamin deficiency.

3. Whole grains

Contrary to common belief, grains are not just fillers they also provide minerals, vitamins, fiber, digestible protein, and essential fatty acids.

It is also generally believed that dogs should be fed on grain-free diets because they are carnivores and therefore ill-equipped to handle whole grains.

But there isnt any scientific proof that grains are harmful to dogs. Examples of grains that are good for dogs include oats, corn, and polenta.

You can also try brown rice, wheat berries, and barley.

The secret to preparing grains for your dog is to mash them up before serving.

Also, ensure the grains are well-cooked because your dog may not fully digest raw or partially cooked grains.

4. Eggs

Eggs are another awesome protein alternative to dogs that are allergic to chicken.

Most breeders add eggs to their dogs diet to give them healthy claws, shiny coats, and lots of other health benefits.

Most off-shelf dog foods also have eggs in them as a way of increasing the protein percentage in their treats.

Eggs are not just a rich protein source but they also have taurine, vitamin A, D, E, and B-12, iron, thiamine, zinc, biotin, selenium, and riboflavin.

All these nutrients play a significant role in the health and well-being of your dog.

However, just like beef and fish, make sure to only feed your dog with cooked eggs because raw ones can cause health issues.

5. Veggies

Canines dont taste sweet flavors and that explains why most dont like fruits and vegetables.

However, veggies are rich in potassium, magnesium, vitamins, and fiber, so you may want to include them in your dogs diet.

The veggies can be a low-calorie alternative to dog treats that have chicken.

However, remember to feed your dog with another food that has protein for the main meal.

Vegetables that you can try feeding your dog include broccoli, cucumber, asparagus, or cantaloupe.

You can even try giving your puppy a veggie burger but make sure the patty doesnt contain any onions and garlic.

6. Venison

Venison is an awesome protein source and it has more protein per gram than beef.

It also has very small amounts of phosphorous and oxalic acid and that makes it an ideal food for dogs.

Venison for dogs should be lean and not cooked with any spices.

However, do not overdo it because deer meat is red meat which means it shouldnt account for more than 20% of your dogs diet.

Also, dont serve it raw you can cook it till it is rare or rare medium and then serve.

You also want to remove any bones from the meat as the bones can be a choking hazard.

7. Cheese

Cheese is not a meal but an awesome snack that can replace any chicken treat.

Cheese is often a clever way of hiding medication from the dog.

It is important to serve the cheese in moderation though e.g. the size of dice at a time.

Because cheese is a dairy product, you may want to avoid giving it to your dog if they are lactose intolerant.

Feeding cheese to dogs that are allergic to dairy products can result in diarrhea, gas, itchy patches on the skin, vomiting, and hair loss.

8. Duck

Wild dogs which have to rely on hunting to survive have made duck an important part of their diet.

While domesticated dogs might not necessarily hunt for duck, you can still make duck meat a part of their regular diet.

Duck is actually a great alternative for dogs with chicken allergies.

In addition to protein, duck meat has copious amounts of zinc, Vitamin B, and Iron.

Just as is the case with any meat, prepare your duck as simply as possible and resist the urge to add herbs and spices.

9. Chicken-free feeds

Even though most off-shelf foods have chicken, there are lots of alternatives that are chicken-free.

Just go to the store and ask for the options you have for a dog that is allergic to chicken and you will have enough brands to choose from.

You can also buy them online on Amazon or on any other website that stocks pet foods.

Parting Thoughts

If your dog is vomiting or scratching his body due to chicken allergy, it is high time you eliminated chicken protein from his diet

However, as aforementioned, you may want to consult with your vet before you switch to any new food that you havent been feeding your furry friend.

This is especially so if you are thinking of feeding them with human food.

Also, as you think of chicken alternatives, remember that your dog still needs a balanced diet.

Even though protein is the largest nutritional requirement for canines, they still need minerals, vitamins, and fiber.

So, make sure you are feeding them a balanced diet to avoid any nutritional deficiency.

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7 Tips on How To Feed Dogs to Deal With and Prevent Allergies

Allergies in dogs are more common than you may think, and should not be confused with food intolerance. Intoleranceis dealt with in a completely different way than allergies. Regardless, if your pooch seems to be having digestive issues or a reaction to his food, you need to take him in to see a veterinarian right away.

Food allergies in dogs are a result of your pups immune system overreacting to an invading ingredient contained in his dog food. Nearly all of the pet food your dog eats has ingredients that could cause an allergic reaction in the dog.

Common food allergens include:

• beef
• chicken
• eggs
• wheat
• lamb
• pork
• soy

As with people, most dogs will only be allergic to one ingredient, but some have reactions to multiple ingredients in their diet.

That's why it is best to bring your dog in to the veterinarian if you suspect he has a food allergy. They can test to find the exact cause of the allergy and help guide you in beneficial ways to change Fido's diet to cope with the allergy issue.

RELATED:8 Resources for Most Common Dog Allergies

Feeding Dogs WithAllergies

How to TellIf Your Dog Has Allergies

Allergies in dogs manifest themselves in a lot of ways, but one sure way to tell if your dog has allergies is by observing for anything ranging from chronic ear inflammation, digestion problems often characterized by constipation, chronic diarrhea and chronic gas constantly licking his feet, or scratching his rear end and ears.

Basically, any significant changes in your dog's regular behavior should be seen as a symptom that something is wrong with his diet.

As of now, there is only one sure way to diagnose food allergies in your dog accurately, which is through an elimination diet and challenge. This is usually done by taking the dog off all the food he eats on a day-to-day basis and introducing new food that hes never had before.

Common foods used in this process include kangaroo, oatmeal, venison and potato. This prevents the immune response system from being triggered. Once the dog has shown signs of improvement, the old foods that are thought to have caused the problem are slowly re-introduced.

If he shows a reaction to the old food, then theres something in the ingredients that his body doesnt agree with. This could, however, take weeks to be observed. To rule out allergies, you should probably take your Fido to see a vet and have him tested for any infections or any signs of malnutrition.

SIMILAR:5 Best Hypoallergenic Dog Foods for Dogs with Allergies

7 Tips on How to Deal WithAllergies in Dogs

Allergies are impossible to get rid of, and containing them can be really difficult. There are a couple of things you can do to help your dog fight them off. Just be sure to speak with your vet before trying to control your dog's allergies on your own.

1. Provide proper nutrition

The stomach lining of dogs is comprised of structural and immune system components to prevent absorption of overly large proteins. It also aids in recognizing potentially dangerous contents in the intestinal tract.

In effect, the canine stomach lining functions as the first line of defense against allergens. This lining can be promoted by ensuring that our dogs are properly provided with adequate nutrition, good quality dog food brands and proper health care.

2. Dont let your dog eat garbage

There are theories that stomach flu (gastroenteritis) in puppies at a young age leads to dogs that are more prone to food allergies. This, of course, is just a theory and is easy to get your head around dont let your dog eat anything youre not sure of.

However, since dogs eat a bunch of things that we don't provide for them like grass, dirt, cow dung and wild berries, its hard to tell exactly what goes on in a dogs mouth.

For this reason, dont let your dog eat from a garbage can. If he does happen to and stomach upsets result, its best to feed him low protein meals (boiled rice or potatoes for example) until his digestion is back to normal.

If your dog exhibits a case of diarrhea that lasts more than three days without any signs of improvement, dont attempt to treat him yourself with over-the-counter medication; instead consult a vet as soon as you can.

3. Promote effective protein digestion

Your dog should, on the normal occasion, have no problem digesting proteins. If you are feeding a homemade diet cooked or raw dog foods grinding or blending the protein source in a food processor will be helpful in significantly improving protein digestion.

In kibble-fed dogs, the protein is usually already ground before it is kibbled, so there should be no need to grind it beforehand.

4. Pick the right kind of dog food

When picking out food for your dog, ensure you pick a brand with exclusive sources of proteins. Food with only one or two protein sources, typically like homemade dog food will make for a good fit if your dog starts to show signs of allergies.

If for example, you feed your dog food that has five different protein sources (e.g. chicken, beef, turkey, salmon and tuna) and he ends up with an allergic reaction, you have to find an alternative food that does not contain any of these ingredients. Its just as difficult as it sounds, singling out what exactly your dog is allergic to.

Dont get frustrated though, since some dogs are more prone to developing food allergies at some point in their lives than others. Allergies are also multi-factorial and can occur as a result of a genetic trait passed down from earlier generations, so it may not be your fault at all. Just a case of selective breeding gone wrong.

RECOMMENDED:Foods Dogs Should Not Eat

5. Feed your dog novel proteins

Novel protein and hydrolyzed diets could potentially help you to curb the issue of dog food allergies and are only available on prescription. They are superior to those that can be easily bought over the counter, since the latter type often contains some amount of the common food allergens.

A novel protein basically refers to a protein source that is completely new to the dog, and reduces the chances of an immune response by tenfold. Hydrolyzed proteins, on the other hand, are made when intact animal proteins that are broken down into incredibly small molecules.

Hydrolyzed proteins trickthe immune system, and it should not be able to recognize these molecules as allergens. Thus, eliminating the possibility of any sort of allergic reaction.

6. Dont Give Up

Dealing with dogs that have food allergies is really challenging and downright frustrating at times. I know because my golden retriever has had food allergies all his life, and trying to find out what exactly it was that caused the problem was an endless, tedious goose chase.

He would often end up regurgitating all the food he ate, scratching up his ears like crazy and biting off his fur coat like he was infected with fleas. We ended up changing his whole diet with a lot of help from the vet. Our vet also directed us to a canine nutritionist, and it became much easier to find novel protein sources for him.

Whats more, these types of diets are more readily available now than they were all those years ago. Once you find out what to get rid of, it will all get better.

7. Talk to your vet

On the same note, it is very important that you work with your vet in trying to deduce what dog foods you should stop feeding him and what to get him now that youve discovered hes allergic to something in his diet.

If youre trying to pin down what is causing the allergic reaction, make sure you ask the vet for help. Randomly eliminating some ingredients from your dog's diet without the input of a veterinary nutritionist is generally a bad idea, as it will most likely result in nutritional dietary imbalances.

Worse still, it may not help you to identify the underlying problem.

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