One Minute Articles: Planning the Diet for a Dog with Sensitive Skin

June 12, 2024   |   By David Jackson

Is your dog itching, shedding excessively, or dealing with dandruff? A diet change might be the solution.

Key Steps to Finding the Right Food

1. Avoid Common Irritants:
• Artificial Additives
• Preservatives
• Colourings
• Common Allergens
• Chicken is the top offender according to many polls.


2. Opt for Novel Proteins:

Introduce meats your dog hasn't been exposed to, such as:

• Rabbit
• Bison
• Pheasant


3. Wet Food Caution:

Avoid foods stabilized with carrageenan. Studies are inconclusive, but it's better to be safe.

Allergy Testing: Is It Reliable?

Vet-Administered Allergy Tests:

• Accuracy issues: false positives and false negatives are common.
• Results may not be very helpful for pinpointing specific triggers.

The Best Approach: The Elimination Diet

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Remove Known Foods:
• Eliminate all current food items from your dog's diet.
2. Introduce Novel Ingredients:
• Choose foods with completely new ingredients.
3. Monitor and Reintroduce:
• Observe if symptoms resolve.
• Gradually reintroduce old ingredients one by one.
• Identify the specific ingredient causing the problem.

By carefully selecting the right food and methodically testing ingredients, you can help your dog achieve healthier skin and a happier life!

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