Diet for allergy dog

[tftmom]

I have read several threads pertaining to diet and I am wondering if anyone has had success with a diet change on a dog with similar allergies to my dog. Since my dog was two years old he has had seasonal allergy problems where he gets watery eyes and itchy ears. my vet prescribed dexamethasone eyedrops and chlorempheneramine. Every once in a while he would get stomach cramps. Over the past year his allergies have been a problem nonstop. My vet changed him to benadryl syrup for children and I use Similisan eyedrops daily and dexamethasone twice a week. We tried him on Z/D by Science Diet which is for allergies. It eliminated his stomach cramps but did nothing for his other symptoms. I have tried several "natural" brands sold locally some very pricy from exclusive stores with no positive results.
Has anyone had greatly reduced allergy symptoms with a diet change and what diet did you change to?

[seraphicia]

I use Nature's Select which is delivered to my home and bought in a larger supply(two to four weeks worth for my five dogs) is a good deal. I don't know that they'd have it in your area, but it's worth investigating. My lab, Tobe, got severely irritated ears and belly and guky eyes from allergies, and we had been feeding Nutro, and we switched to NS which also has a food designed for dogs with problems called "Salmon & Sweet Potato" It's product info follows

"Introducing our newest dog food recipe! Nature's Select™ Salmon & Sweet Potato formula contains Wild Alaskan salmon, sweet potatoes, salmon oil, whole ground brown rice, pumpkin, cranberries and blueberries. This new recipe is excellent for dogs' skin and coat, as well as sensitive stomachs. It is high in natural antioxidants and omega fatty acids; it contains no corn, wheat, beef, chicken or lamb by-products."

Tobe hasn't gotten all the crud since and he has a coat. The Salmon and Potato kind is more expensive than the other kinds from NS, but I've had good results.

Hope you can find your pup some relief.

[Sweettuth]

My mothers dog also has allergies and he was on science diet also. I then changed him to Natural Balance Fish and Potato which is listed as a food for dogs with allergies, and his allergies have get better. Another one by Natural Balance is venison and brown rice formula which is also reccomended for dogs with allergies.

[Patch O' Pits]

tftmom
Have you done food trials to see what he is allergic too?

What foods have you tried?

A good idea for dogs with allergies is to try a diet with protein sources that aren't as common or are limited and make sure to eliminate the common allergens from the diet such as corn, wheat, soy, and by products

So for example

Salmon and rice

Duck and sweet potato

Fish and Potato

Something to that effect with limited ingredients

There are many companies that arry foods specific for dogs with allergies as described above

Adding Omega fatty acids and probiotics such as proyzme often help with allergies as well

here is an example of a food I think may be helpful to you...

http://www.timberwolforganics.com/cgi-bin/cp-app.cgi?&pg=ste_oform#
Ocean Blue™ Canid Formula
Low Ash White Fish Meal, Salmon, Potatoes, Sardine/Mackerel/Anchovy/Tuna Oils, Kelp, Alfalfa Leaf, Potassium Chloride, Carrot, Watercress, Spinach, Celery, Parsley, Fennel Seed, Blueberries, Cranberries, Pears, Figs, Thyme, Anise Seed, Ground Cinnamon Bark, Fenugreek, Garlic Pieces, Sunflower Seeds, Sesame Seeds, Apples, Taurine, Spirulina, Choline Chloride, Lecithin, Probiotics: (Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus Lactis, Bacillus Bifidum, Streptococcus Diacetilactis, Bacillus Subtillus), Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols (a source of vitamin E), Lysine, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine, Methionine, Carnitine, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Iodine Proteinate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine (a source of vitamin B6), Copper Proteinate, Selenium Proteinate, Cobalt Proteinate, Papain, Yucca Schidigera Extract.

[tftmom]

For six months he ate a shark and sweet potato diet which had rice, no corn, no wheat. It made no difference. Z/D is the only diet that has eliminated his stomach cramps. I suppose I should try to isolate that trigger by comparing ingredients from Z/D to other foods I've tried. I think his itchy eyes and ears probably have an environmental trigger. We moved to a new house about 8 months before his first symptoms. Initially it was a seasonal thing.

[Rio&Nickysmommy]

Patch this may sound like a dumb question- Can a dog take omega 3 tablets that we humans take. I know since I have taken them they have actually helped me with my arthritis and I keep hearing about it being good for dogs or do they have their own omega that has to be given?
Rio&Nickysmommy

[mama2ginger]

Try California Natural by Natura. Has fewer but essential ingredients. Good for dogs with allergies.

[tftmom]

He was on fish and potato diet by Natural Balance. I am trying California Natural Lamb and Rice. He was on Nutro Lamb and Rice as a puppy. He was two years old before he began to have allergy problems. I can't remember when I changed him from Nutro. I'm hoping something helps his itchy ears and eyes. I hate to keep treating symptoms especially now that it has become year round. It would be wonderful if it is diet related; easier to treat since I can't afford to move right now and don't know what environmental trigger(s) I might be dealing with. Has anyone had a problem with cramping after dosing with Heartguard? He just cramped again the day after his Heartguard which he gets seasonally only. I'm going to keep a diary to see if that is what is causing his occaisional cramping.

[Nancy]

One of my mini schnauzers had insufferable itching that wasn't relieved by meds. No rash or infection was ever evident. Someone suggested switching to a non-wheat diet. It worked immediately. For the past 3 years she hasn't had a problem. I use Royal Canin.

However, I have seen some dogs with severe eczema that have been on antihistamines & allergy injections & intermittent prednisone with temporary relief. Sometimes seems to be breed related, or something in the environment.

Good luck! If you try a wheatless diet, let me know how it works! :)

[poketmouse]

Can a dog take omega 3 tablets that we humans take.

I give Geiger fish oil capsules regularly. These taste great to him and give him the O 3's he needs.

tftmom, you might consider switching your pooch to a raw diet. By removing all of the grains/starch from the diet, you'll most likely get rid of any food allergy. My mom's lab suffered from skin allergies for seven years, she tried every food she could think of, but nothing helped. Once she switched him to raw, all the itchy skin went away and his coat is super glossy.

[Tori's mom]

Hello! Tori has some issues with food allergergies. We've since switched to Solid Gold Bark at the moon and have had no problems! Tummy cramps and soft stool were her worst symptoms, and It has made a wonderful difference. Good luck and let us know how she does!

[tftmom]

Thanks to all who have responded. I boarded my guy while we went on vacation. I spoke to the owner of the kennel about his problem and told her I was probably going to have allergy testing done after vacation. She mentioned a Westie she boards who had problems until she went on "the Westie Diet" which I got from the Southern California Westie Club. He has been on it for about a month and he has had no cramping and his stools are good. He still has itchy ears though I have seen improvement. They suggest a six week trial so we have a couple of weeks to go. If his ears are still itchy I will probably have the testing done as there may be some environmental issues, I'll tear out every plant in my yard if I have to to make him comfortable and THAT is love! I'm an avid gardener! I'll keep everyone posted. I'll get the address for the Westie club and post it in case anyone wants to try the diet.

[tftmom]

Here is the address in case anyone is interested in the diet.

westierescueca.com

Look at list in the column on the left of the home page and you will find a listing for the Westie Diet.