Much like humans, dogs are prone to developing allergies, too. It’s a prevalent ailment and a natural immune response to unnecessary ingredients that are often added to commercial-grade dog food. Mild allergic reactions can cause discomfort, but severe cases can cause your dog agony. And sometimes, a food allergy can go unnoticed as it establishes itself over time, especially if you feed your furry friend the same kibble day in, day out. Regardless of the breed, or whether they are male or female, dogs can suffer from food allergies when they are pups, or they can unexpectedly develop symptoms well into their golden years.

Thankfully, a strict hypoallergenic diet can relieve your furry friend’s painful and irritating symptoms — so they can live a happy, adventurous and active life. In this blog, we will unpack everything you need to know about hypoallergenic dog food, what this rigid elimination diet entails, how it helps minimise symptoms and the best course of action to take when you think your puppy needs special dog food for skin allergies.

Common symptoms of food allergies in dogs

Dogs with food allergies will present symptoms like itchy and irritated skin, obsessive chewing, biting their paws, ear infections or skin infections. In some severe cases, dogs may also experience vomiting, an itchy bottom, diarrhoea and excessive gas. While it often varies depending on the breed, symptoms typically begin when dogs are under the age of one.

If your pooch is suffering from uncomfortable symptoms and non-seasonal itching, it’s likely they could be highly sensitive or allergic to an ingredient in the commercial-grade pet food you’re currently giving them. Nevertheless, it’s best to chat with your local vet to rule out other potential issues and seek further guidance on the best course of action for your four-legged friend.

What is a hypoallergenic diet for dogs?

A hypoallergenic diet is an excellent way to alleviate irritating and uncomfortable symptoms our pups might experience on a daily basis. Given it’s usually a type of protein (dairy, pork or beef) that causes reactions, the best way to diagnose your dog’s allergy is through a dietary elimination trial. This method involves testing different foods and removing common allergens to determine which ingredient is impacting your pooch’s health and wellbeing. Given most dry dog foods include a variety of meats, it can be difficult to begin the process. If you’re unsure where to start, your local veterinarian will be able to guide you in the right direction. Discuss your dog’s diet and symptoms with your vet and see if they have any recommendations for foods to try in an elimination diet.

Once you have received advice from an industry professional, the diet elimination trial should take place over a two month period. Although some breeds may need to be on a diet for an extended period of time, if you see a noticeable improvement, you should test the potential diagnosis by reverting your dog back to its previous diet.

If the symptoms present themselves once again, this suggests that your dog does have an allergy that’s irritating them. If no improvements are seen during this trial period, your dog may be allergic to something entirely different that’s unrelated to food allergies. Whatever the case may be, you should discuss the outcomes with your vet to determine the next best steps for your pooch.

How can hypoallergenic dog food help my furry friend?

Once you have determined what your pooch is allergic to through an elimination trial, you can decide on a hypoallergenic diet that best fits their needs. Food allergy symptoms are easy to manage when you choose our all-natural dry puppy food. Containing all the essential nutrients, minerals and vitamins your pup needs for healthy growth and development, you’ll find the best hypoallergenic dog food in Australia right here at MFM Australia. Our grain-free kibble is made from wholesome and nourishing ingredients that are free from typical fillers found in commercial dog foods.

If your pup is prone to allergies, they’ll love our salmon and sardine hypoallergenic dog food, which is free from common allergens such as soy, dairy, corn and wheat. With a unique blend of probiotics and strengthening nutrients to maintain a healthy immune system, our hypoallergenic dog food provides optimum nutrition while keeping your dog energised and satisfied throughout the day. Backed by science and extensive research, our in-house food science team ditched the antibiotics, colours, flavourings, chemical preservatives and typical GMOs found in other pet foods to ensure your four-legged friend is munching on the healthiest ingredients available. With over 40 years of experience in the field of performance animal nutrition and hypoallergenic natural holistic diets, our kibble has been formulated to exceed the rigid standards set by AAFCO nutrient profiles. Giving your pooch our dry pet food will help reduce nutritional stress, improve digestive efficiency and promote optimal wellbeing.

Order hypoallergenic dog food in Australia online today at MFM

At MFM Australia, we focus on bringing harmony to your pet’s overall health, so they can live a happy and fulfilling life that’s filled with cuddles, long walks, licks and love. Opting for our hypoallergenic dog food will effectively reduce and alleviate your puppy’s allergy symptoms while ensuring they’re consuming all the vitamins, nutrients and minerals they need for optimal health and wellbeing. Free from chemicals, additives, artificial flavours and preservatives, our holistic, grain-free puppy food will no doubt be beneficial for your pet’s physical health. If you’d like to learn more about the wholesome ingredients we include in our puppy food or what makes our premium formulas so unique, feel free to check out our FAQs page or email us at enquiries@mfmaustralia.com.au. If you’d like to chat with one of our dog-obsessed staff members, feel free to visit our in-person stores located across Australia.