Consumer confusion around allergies
Talking with my consumers can be really interesting. Conversations often reveal what consumers believe about food allergies that is, their dog has an allergy to a meat protein for example chicken, beef. etc. How do they know for sure? Could it be something else like a flea bite? Is it observed during the relative humidity months of the year? Is their pet bathed regularly? The typical response is always ‘I switched foods and the problems went away’. These include problems like dry skin, itching, flaking, dermatitis and diarrhoea.
Some protein allergies do exist but the nutritional formulation and processing controls can vary widely among pet foods. Nevertheless, consumers and the blogosphere are quick to blame pet foods for the use of some ingredients (preservatives, colours, fibres) which are unproven allergens. The Dog Man’s Choice recipes are formulated without artificial colours or preservatives.
Allergy vs intolerance
Consumers often misunderstand food intolerance as an allergy, interpreting an intestinal upset as an allergy. Research by our Nutritional experts believe that a true allergy is an immunological response to a protein allergen and can be seen in itchy skin, skin and ear infections and even hair loss. However, food reactions range from 1% to 6% of all dermatoses seen by Veterinarians. Most true allergies seen in pets with skin disorders are due to fleas, dust mites, grasses, pollen and other environmental issues. If the immune system is truly compromised, flea insensitivity and dermatitis can be triggered.
Consumer confusion around allergies
Veterinary practices will be able to offer allergy testing in order to try and identify the potential causes for the clinical signs being seen. Although, most would suggest this has to be done by process of elimination, changing from one food (or one ingredient) to another. From our experience a consumer family dog owner feeds many treats, table scraps, dental products along with their complete and balanced food(s). A new food regime must be fed 45 to 60 days to completely allow the new food to be seen to be having an impact.
Our pet food recipes are formulated for everyday health and well being and often exclude ingredients which may cause unwanted intolerance’s including grains (i.e wheat and maize) as well as beef, chicken, soya, or dairy. Our recipes may able to assist with food intolerance’s as opposed to allergic reactions and are not classed as an allergenic pet foods.
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