Food Intolerances in Dogs
Food intolerances, defined as a dog inability to digest a certain kind of dog food, are far more common in dogs than food allergies. Compare dog food intolerances to allergies: only 10% to 12% of the canine population has allergies while up to 50% could suffer from an intolerance. Nearly half of all dogs are unable to stomach a certain kind of food and could become sick within half an hour of consuming it.
There is a distinction that needs to be made between food allergies and food intolerances. Food allergies are true allergies and show the characteristic symptoms of itching and skin problems associated with canine and feline allergies. Food intolerances can result in diarrhea or vomiting and do not create a typical allergic response. Food intolerances in pets would be similar to people that get diarrhea or an upset stomach from eating spicy or fried foods. Fortunately, both food intolerances and allergies can be eliminated with a diet free from offending agents.
While milk is not necessary to a dog diet, it can be a treat if given from time to time. However, some dogs cannot tolerate milk because they do not produce an enzyme called lactase. Lactase helps with the digestion of lactose, which is found in milk. After weaning, the level of lactase activity falls to about 10 per cent of its peak activity. In some animals, diarrhea will occur if more lactose (i.e. milk) is consumed than the pet can digest. This is called “lactose intolerance”. On the contrary, in dogs that are able to tolerate it, milk can be an excellent source of protein and calcium.
A dog may develop intolerance to foods that they have been eating for years. Closely monitoring your dog diet is the best way to manage an intolerance. Vitamins and minerals are essential in maintaining tissue and are required for energy. Every time you feed your dog food that he or she cannot stomach, your dog is missing out on these necessary nutrients.
Most dogs do best with a varied diet. Variety helps keep immune systems strong and maintain good health. It also may help prevent food intolerance, obesity, allergies and other problems. Variety may also protect a dog from nutrient deficiencies not yet discovered by science. Many people provide variety by first feeding a dry food that matches the dietary requirements of the breed, age, activity level and overall health. Then they rotate high quality canned or raw foods for protein from a variety of sources.
It is important to identify an intolerance as soon as possible. There are several ingredients in commercial and natural dog food and any one of them could be the cause of the problem. Often there is information in the latest dog food reviews that can help you find a healthy alternative for your dog.
If your dog intolerance is caused by a common ingredient, then you will need to read labels extra carefully before feeding your dog anything. Management of dog food intolerances is relatively simple once the root of the problem is identified.
By: Alan Low
About the Author:
There is a distinction that needs to be made between food allergies and food intolerances. Food allergies are true allergies and show the characteristic symptoms of itching and skin problems associated with canine and feline allergies. Food intolerances can result in diarrhea or vomiting and do not create a typical allergic response. Food intolerances in pets would be similar to people that get diarrhea or an upset stomach from eating spicy or fried foods. Fortunately, both food intolerances and allergies can be eliminated with a diet free from offending agents.
While milk is not necessary to a dog diet, it can be a treat if given from time to time. However, some dogs cannot tolerate milk because they do not produce an enzyme called lactase. Lactase helps with the digestion of lactose, which is found in milk. After weaning, the level of lactase activity falls to about 10 per cent of its peak activity. In some animals, diarrhea will occur if more lactose (i.e. milk) is consumed than the pet can digest. This is called “lactose intolerance”. On the contrary, in dogs that are able to tolerate it, milk can be an excellent source of protein and calcium.
A dog may develop intolerance to foods that they have been eating for years. Closely monitoring your dog diet is the best way to manage an intolerance. Vitamins and minerals are essential in maintaining tissue and are required for energy. Every time you feed your dog food that he or she cannot stomach, your dog is missing out on these necessary nutrients.
Most dogs do best with a varied diet. Variety helps keep immune systems strong and maintain good health. It also may help prevent food intolerance, obesity, allergies and other problems. Variety may also protect a dog from nutrient deficiencies not yet discovered by science. Many people provide variety by first feeding a dry food that matches the dietary requirements of the breed, age, activity level and overall health. Then they rotate high quality canned or raw foods for protein from a variety of sources.
It is important to identify an intolerance as soon as possible. There are several ingredients in commercial and natural dog food and any one of them could be the cause of the problem. Often there is information in the latest dog food reviews that can help you find a healthy alternative for your dog.
If your dog intolerance is caused by a common ingredient, then you will need to read labels extra carefully before feeding your dog anything. Management of dog food intolerances is relatively simple once the root of the problem is identified.
By: Alan Low
About the Author:
I have studied the topic of dog allergies for about ten years. My goal is to help the dog owners to have better understanding of the treatment options in treating dog allergies. Find out more information about food allergies in dogs at my site.
How To Maintain A Balanced Diet With Food Intolerance
Coping with food intolerance would mean that you will have to forgo certain food. Does that mean that you might not get the essential vitamins and minerals your body needs? It is not true that you will develop any deficiency when you follow a balanced diet plan. There are many foods that would healthily and readily replaced the vitamins and mineral found in the food which you are intolerance to.
The best diet plan for people with food intolerance is to have a Balanced Diet. Maintaining a balanced diet means ensuring that we have a balanced daily intake of protein, fats and carbohydrates.
Eat a balanced diet consisting of the following food group:
Meat and Fish are valuable for their protein and other nutrients. You can get iron from red meat, liver and calcium from fish. Meat, fish and eggs are sources of high biological value proteins. A meal with either fish or meat will ensure that we get the essential proteins per day.
Fruit and Vegetables are a major source of minerals and vitamins. Some fruit and vegetables also contain starch and sugar essential energy for our body. Take as wide a variety as possible to ensure a broad spectrum of nutrients.
Grains such as cereal and breads provide carbohydrates, vitamin B, calcium and it is also a good source of fibre. People that have a reaction to wheat can still get the desired carbohydrates from other non wheat grain such as millet, buckwheat and rye.
Milk and Dairy products provide calcium and other minerals, protein and fat soluble vitamins. Nutrients in dairy milk can obtained from other sources like soya milk and oat milk. Most of us obtained calcium through dairy milk hence in order to continue our intake of calcium, they are also found in fish, shellfish, parsnips, sesame seeds and walnut.
Beans and Pulses are an important low fat source of protein especially for vegetarians. They contain starch and dietary fibre which is an ideal energy food. Beans and pulses are also rich in vitamin B and minerals.
Nuts and Seeds are an important source of protein, fibre and essential fatty acids especially Omega 3 which have been proven to reduce heart disease. It also contains many essential vitamins such as A an E, minerals such as phosphorus and potassium.
Your intake of essential minerals and vitamins will not be reduced when you maintained a balanced diet in your daily meals. Not only will you discover new cuisines and new ingredients, you can be free from your ailments and feel well again.
By: Jenn Lim
About the Author:
The best diet plan for people with food intolerance is to have a Balanced Diet. Maintaining a balanced diet means ensuring that we have a balanced daily intake of protein, fats and carbohydrates.
Eat a balanced diet consisting of the following food group:
Meat and Fish are valuable for their protein and other nutrients. You can get iron from red meat, liver and calcium from fish. Meat, fish and eggs are sources of high biological value proteins. A meal with either fish or meat will ensure that we get the essential proteins per day.
Fruit and Vegetables are a major source of minerals and vitamins. Some fruit and vegetables also contain starch and sugar essential energy for our body. Take as wide a variety as possible to ensure a broad spectrum of nutrients.
Grains such as cereal and breads provide carbohydrates, vitamin B, calcium and it is also a good source of fibre. People that have a reaction to wheat can still get the desired carbohydrates from other non wheat grain such as millet, buckwheat and rye.
Milk and Dairy products provide calcium and other minerals, protein and fat soluble vitamins. Nutrients in dairy milk can obtained from other sources like soya milk and oat milk. Most of us obtained calcium through dairy milk hence in order to continue our intake of calcium, they are also found in fish, shellfish, parsnips, sesame seeds and walnut.
Beans and Pulses are an important low fat source of protein especially for vegetarians. They contain starch and dietary fibre which is an ideal energy food. Beans and pulses are also rich in vitamin B and minerals.
Nuts and Seeds are an important source of protein, fibre and essential fatty acids especially Omega 3 which have been proven to reduce heart disease. It also contains many essential vitamins such as A an E, minerals such as phosphorus and potassium.
Your intake of essential minerals and vitamins will not be reduced when you maintained a balanced diet in your daily meals. Not only will you discover new cuisines and new ingredients, you can be free from your ailments and feel well again.
By: Jenn Lim
About the Author:
Jennifer Lim has condensed her research and experiences which she hope could help others in similar condition. Get more information on food intolerances and tips on coping with food intolerance in facts on food intolerance