Pets Food Allergies - What Are They?
“I must stress that I am not a vet. The following information is easily sourced and to most reasonably intelligent people it is simple common sense.”
A food allergy is an adverse immune response to a food protein. They are distinct from other adverse responses to food, such as food intolerance, pharmacological reactions, and toxin-mediated reactions.
A protein in the food is the most common allergic component. These kinds of allergies occur when the body's immune system mistakenly identifies a protein as harmful. Some proteins or fragments of proteins are resistant to digestion and those that are not broken down in the digestive process are tagged by the Immunoglobulin E (IgE). These tags fool the immune system into thinking that the protein is harmful. The immune system, thinking the organism (the individual) is under attack, triggers an allergic reaction. These reactions can range from mild to severe. Allergic responses include dermatitis, gastrointestinal and respiratory distress, including such life-threatening anaphylactic responses as biphasic anaphylaxis and vasodilation; these require immediate emergency intervention.
Certain breeds of dog are especially prone to allergies, for example:
- Maltese
- Pekingese
- German Shepherd
- Bull Terriers
- Bichon Frise
- English Cocker Spaniel
- Brussels Griffon
- American Hairless Terrier
- Bohemian Terrier
- Shih Tzu
- Lhasa Apso
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- Wire-Haired Fox Terrier
- Chinese Crested/Powderpuff
- Poodle
- Irish Setter
- English Bulldog
- Pug
- Dalmation
- Retrievers
- Miniature Schnauzer
- West Highland Terriers,
- American Bulldogs
- 2nd Generation Cross Labradoodles.
But there are many, many more. Many cats also have allergy issues. Traditional vet thinking treats the symptoms via prednisone pills or shots or a 'super premium dry food' that still contains beef, chicken or wheat.
Prednisone is a great anti-inflammatory drug, pity about the side effects.
Usually these allergies are in response to beef, chicken or vegetable-based proteins- grain and grain free. Grain free is just as bad as grain when it comes to feeding carnivores vegetable-based foods.
The best way to treat allergies is by using a 'novel protein'. In short this is a protein that the body has not encountered previously. Usually this could be rabbit, hare, wallaby, goat, possum or fish.
The bottom line is that we offer genuine alternatives that negate allergies without the need for medication. If your dog or cat has allergy issues by all means see an 'intergrative veternarian' (a vet whom treats the underlying causes, not just symptoms of an illness), formulate a diet and talk to us.