[Allergy Prevention] How to identify allergens and how to choose dog food.
Just as humans suffer from various allergies such as pollen and house dust, dogs can also suffer from allergies. Possible causes of allergies include fleas, mites, pollen, mold, dust, and ingredients and additives contained in the dog food you feed them every day.
The key to preventing allergies is for owners to create an allergy-free environment and feed their dog food that suits their constitution, and in order to do this, it is necessary to identify the substances that cause the allergy.
In this article, we will introduce the allergens that cause dog allergies and points to consider when choosing dog food for those who are concerned about allergy countermeasures in dogs. Please refer to this article if you are thinking about allergy countermeasures.
A must-read for those who are concerned about allergy prevention! Learn about the main allergens
Besides food and the environment, stress is also thought to be one of the causes of allergies. However, because various factors can be intricately intertwined, it is sometimes difficult to pinpoint the exact cause.
If you know the allergens that your dog is prone to reacting to, it will be easier to identify the cause, and you may be able to take some measures against allergies simply by cleaning and changing your dog's food.
Here we will introduce the main allergens that dogs react to and how to deal with each one.
◆ Fleas and house dust
If you have symptoms of dermatitis, it is often due to fleas, dust, mold, etc. Always keep the area your dog spends time in clean, administer preventative medication to combat fleas, and brush and shampoo frequently.
◆ Dog food
The allergens contained in dog food are proteins, grains, and additives. Specifically, proteins include meats such as beef, chicken, and lamb, as well as eggs, milk, and soybeans, grains include corn and wheat, and additives include preservatives and coloring agents.
If dog food is the cause, it is important to identify the allergen and switch to dog food that does not contain it.
Points to consider when choosing dog food after identifying allergens
Since different allergens cause allergic reactions in dogs, the first thing to do is identify the allergen.
As a countermeasure against allergies, there are three common points to identify allergens:
◆ Get an allergen test at a veterinary clinic
It takes 1 to 2 weeks for the test results to become available, and the cost is approximately 40,000 to 70,000 yen.
◆ Use a commercially available test kit
It is cheaper than getting tested at a hospital, but the accuracy varies depending on the test kit.
◆ Identifying allergens in food
The same food is given for a certain period of time and the allergens are identified by observing any changes in symptoms.
Once you have identified the allergens, you can choose dog food that suits your dog's condition. Here are some points to consider when choosing dog food that is allergy-friendly:
Choose dog food that does not contain allergens
To prevent allergies, we recommend choosing dog food that does not contain grains or that contains lamb or fish, which are less likely to cause allergic reactions.
◆ Choose dog food with fewer ingredients
The fewer ingredients used, the easier it is to identify allergens.
Choose dog food with broken down proteins
Since the proteins have been broken down in advance, allergic reactions are less likely to occur, making it good for preventing allergies.
List of products for allergy prevention
Selling allergy-friendly dog food
When purchasing allergy-friendly dog food, it is important to buy it from a store that specializes in dog food. On the BAUWAW website, you can search for dog food by purpose.
There is also a category for allergy prevention, so you can find the perfect dog food for your dog. In addition, there is a 90-day return guarantee, so even first-time customers can feel free to use it. Please use BAUWAW when purchasing dog food.
