Looking for wet hypoallergenic dog food is really no different from looking for dry dog food. When you’re deciding on a wet hypoallergenic dog food, you’ll want to focus on ingredients. Finding the right dog food for your pooch with food sensitivities or allergies is a game of trial and error, and that’s just as true for wet food as it is for dry.
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Do You Need Hypoallergenic Dog Food
First and foremost, talk with your vet. If your dog is experiencing the symptoms of food allergies or sensitivities, take it to the vet as soon as possible. Food allergies are uncomfortable on their own, but they can lead to other health problems that are downright painful and nasty.
Symptoms of Food Allergies
- Excessive licking and chewing of the paws, groin, and anal area
- Watery eyes and inflamed eye lids
- Brief, intense bouts of chewing at the body
- Scooting
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Flaky or oily skin
- Skin that is hot to the touch (due to inflammation)
- Lethargy (because the dog feels so down)
Conditions Secondary to Food Allergies
- Chronic ear infections
- Chronic eye infections
- Chronic hot spots
- Chronic skin infections
- MRSA secondary to chronic skin infections (in severe cases)
If your dog exhibits any of the signs of food allergies, get it to the vet so you can being your search for hypoallergenic dog food and head off the secondary consequences of uncontrolled food allergies.
Related: The Low Down on Hypoallergenic Dog Food
Finding a Good Wet Hypoallergenic Dog Food
Again, talk with your vet. After you’ve determined that your dog has food allergies, you need to find a food that’s right for it. Your vet can help you make determinations on brands that he or she has found to be effective. They can also help you decide which protein and carbohydrate combinations to try.
With your vet’s help, you’ll begin looking for a wet hypoallergenic dog food that has the ingredients you’re looking for. In addition to a wet hypoallergenic dog food with the protein and carbs you’re looking for, you’ll also want to find one that supports energy and the skin. One of the effects of food allergies can be lethargy, or low energy. Dogs become lethargic because their bodies aren’t digesting their food properly, and they are tired from feeling so down all the time.
A quality wet hypoallergenic dog food with a high level of B-vitamins and omega fatty acids is a great choice. The B-vitamins increase energy and make your dog feel more peppy, while the fatty acids help repair your dogs skin and support future skin health.
Finding the Right Wet Hypoallergenic Dog Food is Journey
So don’t lose faith if the first hypoallergenic dog food you try doesn’t work for your pooch. Finding the right hypoallergenic dog food, be it wet or dry, is a game of trial and error. You may luck out and find one that’s perfect for your dog right away, or it may take several different tries.
The important thing to remember is that you should always work in conjunction with your vet. They have the medical knowledge and experience to help you find the right hypoallergenic dog food for your pooch. It’s better to trust their expertise rather than a commercial on the television.
If your dog is showing any of the signs of food allergies, I highly encourage you to visit your vet immediately. The sooner you address the problem, the sooner your dog will be on its way to feeling so much better. And remember not to give up. Finding a good hypoallergenic dog food might take a while, but it’s worth it in the end.
