| Food allergies are as predominant in the canine world | | | | There are many breeders who have switched to |
| as they are in the human world. The trend towards | | | | what was once called the BARF diet. It consists of |
| natural and organic food is helping these dogs eat a | | | | bones and raw food. There are those who swear by |
| safe nutritious diet. Allergies appear in many forms, | | | | them and wouldn't consider feeding their dogs |
| some simple, some hidden and intense. | | | | commercial or even home cooked foods. Before |
| Wheat allergies are prominent and especially prevalent | | | | embarking on the raw diet, some research needs to |
| in some breeds. That one isn't that hard to go | | | | be done. Your veterinarian is the best consultant for |
| around. There are foods out there on the | | | | that project. |
| supermarket shelves that do not contain wheat. The | | | | That will bring us to bones. There is so much talk |
| next step up is grain allergies. These dogs can eat no | | | | about not feeding dogs bones. If your dog is not |
| grain at all. This presents a different problem for the | | | | allergic to the meat the bone came from he can eat |
| owner. Most commercial dog foods do contain some | | | | the bone RAW. Raw bones do not splinter as easily |
| grains, corn, wheat, barley being the most prevalent. | | | | as cooked bones. Be careful with your dogs and small |
| Recently some companies have started | | | | bones of any kind. The larger knuckle bones or thigh |
| manufacturing grain free foods. | | | | bones are safer for the chewers in your home. |
| The grain free foods that are easiest to find at the | | | | In the vegetable category, there has been recent |
| pet store will usually contain some type of fish and | | | | issues with corn and soy. Diarrhea, vomiting and |
| potato base. Dogs do like fish. Some have sweet | | | | other symptoms can present with these food |
| potatoes which are loaded with anti-oxidants for | | | | allergies. |
| good health. | | | | The best advice one can offer is to consult with |
| Along comes meat and is it possible that dogs can be | | | | your veterinarian and carefully read the nutritional |
| allergic to some meats? Yes it is. There have been | | | | label on the food you purchase for your dog. The |
| instances where a dog was allergic to cooked beef | | | | ingredient labels on dog food works the same as it |
| but tolerated raw more easily. This can be the case | | | | does on human food. They are listed in the order of |
| with chicken as well. Lamb doesn't seem to have as | | | | their proportion to the food. If meat is 5th on the |
| many issues as beef and chicken. If food allergies to | | | | list, you may have junk in your basket. |
| meat are present in your dog, remember to read the | | | | Don't forget to check the treats as well. Enjoy your |
| labels closely. Also, if you dog is allergic to a particular | | | | happy, healthy friends and feed them well. They are |
| meat product chances are the liver or gizzards will | | | | bound to show their appreciation for the good care |
| react in the same way. | | | | you administer to them. |