Hey there, dog PAWrents! We all want our pups to lead healthy and happy lives. But did you know that, just like us, dogs can have food allergies or sensitivities? These issues can significantly impact their well-being, through physical symptoms and behavioral issues such as increased reactivity due to discomfort.
A Couple of Food Allergy TAILS from The Mindful Mutt Squad
One pup who has attended daycare at The Mindful Mutt for a long time, Harley the hound mix, began displaying reactivity out of nowhere. Her parents and our team were confused about this new behavior. We eventually found out that she had a food sensitivity. Once the veterinarian helped change her to a special diet, her reactivity dissipated! She was acting out because she was not feeling well! Even though she had been in the same diet for a long time, her food sensitivities began to show after 1 year old, which is very common!
Another pup, Remi the Corgi, had diarrhea for at least a month. The veterinarian had ruled out anything that might be contagious like parasites. Her mom was distraught because she had a work trip coming up and was nervous about Remi being sick, and rightly so! She was going to bring her to the Emergency Room two days before her trip, but I asked her if she had tried eliminating chicken (the number one allergy in dogs!!!!) from Remi's diet. Her mom did not because her vet did not mention that chicken could be a culprit! When Remi's mom heard this information about chicken (which was a main protein in her food and part of the bland diet people often try when their dog has diarrhea), she put her on a bland diet without chicken. The next day, as I was walking into work, Remi's mom drove by and shouted out of her car window, "IT WORKED! YOU'RE A LIFESAVER!!!!" Since then, Remi has been on a hydrolyzed protein diet per the vet, and has been thriving ever since!
Let's dive into 10 common food allergies or sensitivities in dogs, what symptoms to watch for, and how you can evaluate if your pup might be affected.
Common Food Allergies in Dogs
Chicken
Beef
Dairy
Wheat
Soy
Corn
Eggs
Fish
Pork
Lamb
Symptoms of Food Allergies or Sensitivities
Watch out for these signs that your dog might be experiencing a food-related issue:
Itchy, flaky, itchy skin
Hives, rashes, or inflamed skin
Ear infections or persistent ear scratching
Gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea or vomiting
Chronic licking or chewing of paws
Most Common Breeds with Allergies and Food Sensitivities
Determining the exact breeds that are most prone to food allergies can be challenging, as allergies can vary significantly among individual dogs. However, certain breeds are often reported to be more predisposed to food allergies compared to others due to genetic factors or specific physiological traits.
The top 5 breeds that are commonly cited as having a higher likelihood of food allergies include:
Labrador Retrievers and Labradoodles
Golden Retrievers and Goldendoodles
German Shepherds
Bulldogs
Cocker Spaniels
It's important to note that while these breeds are often associated with food allergies, allergies can occur in any dog regardless of breed. Additionally, individual dogs within these breeds may or may not develop food allergies.
Evaluating for Allergies at Home
Wondering if your pup has a food allergy? You can try an elimination diet, removing one potential allergen at a time for a few weeks and monitoring for changes in symptoms. Keep a detailed food diary to track your dog's diet and symptoms to share with your vet.
Questions for Your Veterinarian
When you suspect a food allergy, here are some questions to discuss with your vet:
What tests can confirm a food allergy in my dog?
Can we try an elimination diet and how should we implement it?
Are there hypoallergenic diets or alternative foods we can try right now?
What are the best ways to manage my dog's specific allergy symptoms?
Conclusion
Understanding and addressing food allergies or sensitivities in your dog can significantly improve their quality of life. Identifying food allergies in dogs often involves a combination of careful observation, elimination diets, and, in some cases, diagnostic tests. Consulting your veterinarian is key to proper diagnosis and management of your dog's food-related issues. If you suspect your pup may be struggling with food-related problems, don't hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian for guidance.
FYI: If your dog is a member of #themindfulmuttsquad and has a food sensitivity or allergy, we are happy to give them only their specific treats during the day! Otherwise, we provide grain-free salmon kibble for training treats during the day!
Have you noticed any signs that your dog might have a food allergy? Feel free to share your experiences with dog allergies or shoot us a message on instagram or facebook @themindfulmuttboston or via email hello@themindfulmuttboston.com
DOG BLESS!
- Deanna
- Nov 29, 2023
This new Canine Respiratory Infectious Disease (CRID commonly called "Kennel Cough") has made the news because it is caused by a pathogen that is not included in the standard dog CIRD tests. It is different from other CRID pathogens because the symptoms can last several weeks or months. The great majority (over 90%) of dogs who have reported this "mystery illness" recover on their own with only mild symptoms, much like the other known sources of canine coughs; however, some dogs develop a secondary bacterial infection like pneumonia, which complicates treatment if not identified properly by veterinarians in the first place. There is always a chance of a canine cough spreading during any dog-to-dog interaction, even amongst vaccinated dogs, but this one is a new one.
Until they identify the pathogen specifically, we will be taking some extra precautions. In addition to our high standard of daily cleaning and disinfection, here are ways we are mitigating the spread of germs at The Mindful Mutt:
1. Individual water and no shared toys. They are disinfected in veterinarian-grade stabilized hydrogen peroxide for a minimum of 10 minutes between each dog's use.
2. Limiting mouth-to-mouth play
3. We are instituting a covid-like symptom questionnaire at drop-off for every dog "Have you noticed any of the following?"
Coughing
Sneezing
Labored breathing
Nose or eye discharge
Lethargy
Decreased appetite
4. Checking dogs' temperature for signs of a fever at check-in (starting next week once we receive the thermometer that is on order)
Recommendations from Veterinarian:
1. My vet recommended an immune system booster called Imuquin, which can be given every other day to every day with their food. You can purchase this over the counter without a prescription. Of course, make sure to talk to your veterinarian to make sure it's good for your dog.
2. Add a humidifier at home with a humidity gauge. Humidity between 30-50% soothes the respiratory system and helps prevent transmission of viruses like the flu.
3. Ensure your dog is up-to-date on Canine Flu (every year) and Distemper (every 1-3 years) vaccines.
4. Get your dog the Bordetella vaccine every 6 months instead of annually, as the vaccine is less effective after 6 months.
Be Safe! Dog Bless!
- Nov 5, 2023
It's been 2 years that this magical place called The Mindful Mutt has been open! Dreams really do come true if you work hard to achieve them.
🥵 It's been a long journey from living in a motel room with a single mom, to eating food pantry off-brand cereal at my mentally ill father's house, to getting my first job when I was 12 cleaning houses, to working 2 jobs through college eating ramen and boxed Mac n cheese, to figuring out what my purpose is in this world through jobs that made me question my worth, but it all brought me to this beautiful place.
❤️ I, however, couldn't have done this without the love and support of all my friends/clients (not mutually exclusive). We had one of the fastest funded projects in the history of Mainvest, raising $90k in less than 3 months during a world-wide pandemic. I don't say this to brag, but to illustrate how much our community REALLY wants and needs better dog care options in the Boston area. I'm forever grateful to every single one of my 70 investors who took a leap of faith with their hard earned dollars to support this vision.
Thank you so much for being a part of this with me.
💖 I encourage you to take small steps toward your dreams every day, even if it seems like an unrealistic ideal future. I started when I was working as an Exec. Asset. for CEOs and hospital directors, bringing pups to my home for boarding as a side-gig. This schmuck I used to work with in real estate made fun of me in front of old colleagues for "walking dogs" in my spare time. One time a random parking meter maid made fun of me after writing me a ticket by condescendingly saying "that's why you're walking dogs!"
The truth is, out of college, I didn't pursue a career with dogs because I felt embarrassed that I wasn't "using my degree" in Human Services. I know my journey is the path less taken, but I use skills I learned in college as major advantages in my business and for my brand.
🙃 Let's be clear...I'm not saying a new career or following your passion won't be the most difficult thing you've ever done... I have had several mental breakdowns, countless sleepless nights, and took the scariest risks ever, but now The Mindful Mutt has a home and a community to share our love for enriching, fun, and SAFE dog socialization.
👎 And to ALL of the people who told me I was wasting my college degree, or made fun of me for my job, or asked me if I can actually make a living off of dog walking, or said I'm "just a dog walker": Think of me the next time you're asking your boss for permission to take a long weekend off or when you try to get me to watch your dog during the holidays 😉
🥂 Here's to all of us as a loving, intentional, inviting community! Here's to all our fur babies, both with us and those who have crossed the rainbow bridge: you have impacted us humans with your unconditional love, your stubbornness, and your ability to challenge us to be better!
Thank you and, as always, DOG BLESS! 🙌
- DeAnna
