Food intolerance can be very frustrating to any pet owner. Not only is it difficult to give them the proper nutrition, but you’re also wasting money trying to find a diet that’s both palatable and gentle to their stomach.
If your dog has a sensitive stomach, you’re switching brands, or simply want to take caution, here are some things you need to know that can help you take care of your sensitive dog better.
What is food intolerance?
Food intolerance, or digestive sensitivity, is when your dog can’t digest its food properly, resulting in an upset stomach. This results in any of the following symptoms:
- Runny stools (diarrhea)
- Mucus-like jelly in the stools
- Specks of fresh blood in the stools
- Gassiness
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Gurgling stomach
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
Food intolerance is not to be confused with food allergy as the latter is immune-system related. Food intolerance, on the other hand, involves your dog’s diet.
Why does your dog have it?
More often than not, meat is what triggers digestive sensitivity. Chicken or beef are the usual culprits, which can be very difficult to avoid as they are common ingredients in most pet protein food products.
Suddenly changing your dog’s food brand can also upset their digestive system. So, if you’re planning to switch brands, you should do it gradually over 14 days or more. You can also check your brand’s packaging if they have specific recommended transitioning guidelines.
How can I treat my dog’s sensitive stomach?
First, you need to rule out all other possible causes of your dog’s diarrhea or vomiting. Overfeeding or bacterial or worm infections can manifest similar symptoms. But unlike these diseases, food intolerance is chronic—meaning it lasts for long periods even after treatment. It is advisable to bring your dog to the vet for a professional diagnosis.
If your dog is diagnosed with food intolerance, start identifying the ingredient/s responsible for your dog’s upset stomach. That means you should only feed them dog food. Avoid giving them treats and table scraps or any human food. And make sure to keep them away from bins or other places where they may find other things to eat. Then, once you’ve learned which ingredient causes the problem, you can now work on finding a new food for your dog.
Fixing your dog’s diet
With most of the dog food products made with Chicken and Beef, it can be challenging for you to find a substitute that won’t upset your dog’s stomach but still tastes good for them.
One option is the limited ingredient diet approach. Limited ingredient diets are formulated to reduce the number of ingredients your dog is exposed to. It features novel proteins or meats not typically found in pet foods. An example of a novel protein is the Brushtail Possum.
Brushtail meat is an excellent source of Omega-3 and Omega-6, fatty acids that contain anti-inflammation properties for good skin, joints, kidneys, and heart health. One dog food that’s made with this delectable novel protein is Addiction Perfect Summer Brushtail.
Addiction Perfect Summer Brushtail is made with free-range Brushtail Possums which feed on the finest food in the wilds: fresh roots, berries, and herbs and grass. It’s blended with nutrient-rich sunflower seeds, papayas, spinach, and potatoes, making it not only a healthy choice but also a delicious and wholesome meal your dogs will enjoy.
Addiction Foods also offers Brushtail meat in moist, soft dog treats. Addiction Brushtail Recipe Meaty Bites features succulent, wild New Zealand Brushtail as the first ingredient, giving your dogs a full, rich taste they will surely love.
Taking care of your dog’s health can sometimes be a little bit of work and a lot of guessing. That is why Addiction Foods offers a wide variety of premium, novel protein options to give dogs with sensitive stomachs a healthy meal they’re sure to enjoy. – Addictionpet.com
