If you have come across the term "hydrolyzed protein dog food," you might be curious about what it is and whether it could be in your dog's food. Pharmacy Veterinarians usually prescribe hydrolyzed protein dog foods to handle specific health challenges.

However, pet parents should remember that these foods have various alternatives. Once they know the substitutes available, they can make informed choices for their furry friends.

As is customary, if you note any health issues with your dog, consult your veterinarian before making any changes to their diet.

What Is It Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food?

Hydrolyzed protein dog food is food that has undergone chemical changes to produce. These chemical changes break down the proteins into smaller molecules called peptides and amino acids, which can then be used by your pet's body.

By doing this, the molecules your dog's body utilizes to determine which type of meat the protein comes from being destroyed.

In simpler terms, even after food has undergone hydrolysis, the protein can still be utilized by your pet's body. However, their body won't determine whether it came from beef or chicken.

So, why would a vet recommend a diet of chemically treated food for your canine friend? Hydrolyzed protein dog food is prescribed for your dog if they are suspected of having a food allergy or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

This reduces or eliminates your dog's violent reactions to their meals. The concept here is this: it doesn't matter whether your dog is allergic to a particular protein source if their body doesn't realize they are feeding on that specific protein source.

Food Allergies in Dogs

Food allergies or hypersensitivities are the commonest allergies in the canine family. If a pet ingests food it is allergic to, their immune system produces antibodies to fight a part of the food, usually a complex carbohydrate or protein.

Food Allergy Symptoms in Canines

If you pay keen attention to your little friend, you'll notice when they have food allergies. You may notice the following symptoms:

• Itchy Skin: Excessive itching could be an indication of a food allergy. If you notice your pets locking their paws, scratching their armpits, itching their ears, or scooting, they are likely to be experiencing an allergic reaction to food.
• Ear and Skin Infections: More than 80% of canine food allergy cases have reported skin lesions resulting from itching. The inflammation, coupled with trauma to the skin, could result in skin infections. Excessive licking of the paws could also cause yeast infections and secondary skin infections. Also, watch out for skin infections.
• Hives: You might notice hives on your dog's stomach after they have ingested a substance they are allergic to. These are usually raised red patches that cause irritation and itching.
• Gastrointestinal (GI) Issues: Sometimes, food allergies can cause GI issues in dogs. Signs to look out for include nausea, stomach upset, diarrhea, and excessive gas.
• Lethargy: If your dog always looks bloated and fatigued, it could be that they have a food allergy.

The solution for allergies is avoiding allergens, and food allergies in dogs are no different. Your veterinarian will diagnose the food allergy and formulate a treatment plan for your little friend to prevent future reactions.

Dog Food Allergy Causes

scientific research has revealed the following food groups as the major causes of food allergies in canines:

• Beef
• Dairy products
• Wheat
• Chicken
• Fish
• Rice
• Coen
• Eggs
• Lamb
• Pork
• Soy

Treating Food Allergies in Dogs

The bad news? There is no medication to help cure allergies. The best approach is avoiding the allergens responsible for the reactions. However, you can find a remedy to manage your pet's symptoms if they have an allergic reaction.

Ponting out the specific food your pet is allergic to is difficult, as most dog meals are a mix of different proteins. The only way to accurately diagnose a food allergy is to undergo an elimination diet trial. Veterinarians recommend two approaches for this trial:

Novel Protein and Carbohydrate Diet

This elimination diet uses a "novel" protein source. Novel in this context refers to a food substance that your dog has never encountered before, so logically, they cannot react to it. The trial time is typically ten weeks, during which your dog isn't allowed to eat any additional treats, meals, or supplements.

A limitation of this approach is that it is difficult to ascertain which protein is "novel," as there ate various dog foods that could have it. Besides, over-the-counter dog foods could contain several protein sources not mentioned on their ingredients list. For this reason, it is wise to conduct the trial with your vet to obtain accurate results.

Hydrolysed Protein Diet

As mentioned earlier, the hydrolyzed protein diet utilizes hydrolysis, breaking down protein molecules into tinier fragments. Like the novel diet, this diet takes about ten weeks, and your dog cannot consume any other food substances.

Say your pet responds well to the elimination diet trial, and their allergy reactions have been resolved; the next course of action is placing them on a "challenge." The best way to go about this is by introducing one ingredient for a fortnight and checking to see their response to that particular ingredient.

For instance, if you reintroduce chicken and they develop a reaction towards it, stop feeding it to them and put your pet back on the hypoallergenic diet. You have just established that your little friend has a chicken allergy. Once they are back on track with the hypoallergenic diet and the allergy symptoms have faded, try introducing a new ingredient.

How to Prevent Allergic Reactions to Dog Food

The best way to prevent allergies is by avoiding allergens. Once you have identified the allergens causing your pet's reactions, only purchase foods and treats that do not contain these allergens.

Dog Treats for Dog Allergies

CBD oil is growing in popularity as a go-to natural supplement for humans and their canine companions. This is because numerous studies have concluded that it yields innumerable benefits for skin health.

Mammals have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) composed of transmitters, receptors, and enzymes throughout their body. The ECS plays a regulatory role in the body. It is responsible for maintaining a state of homeostasis. This system regulates inflammation responses, gut health, and skin health. These are the processes that affect allergy symptoms in dogs.

Skin Health

The ECS influences skin health and has become a target for many skin disorders, such as eczema and skin cancer. As you may already know, the skin contains neural receptors that regulate vital skin functions like skin moisture, cell death, and cell growth. Most of these receptors interact with cannabinoids like CBD (also see our CBD oil for dogs).

Inflammation and Pain

CBD is known for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving attributes. These properties could help relieve skin issues caused by food allergies in dogs. Dogs suffering from dermatitis, in particular, could benefit from CBD treats.

Constant itching and scratching may result in open wounds that could get infected. The good news is that CBD possesses antibacterial properties too.

Gut Health

According to reports by pet parents that have used CBD oil, the product significantly improves gut motility. In some cases, food sensitivities could cause itchy, dry skin in your dog. However, some skin problems could be caused by poor gut health. Vets have established that CBD oil relieves such symptoms and has no adverse effects.

Is the Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food Best for Dogs with Chicken Allergy?

No, hydrolyzed protein dog food is not best for dogs with chicken allergy. Hydrolyzed protein diets are applicable during food trials but are not intended for long-term use. 

“Hydrolyzed diets are considered effective for food elimination programs in companion animals with food hypersensitivity,” according to a study “Hydrolyzed Diets May Stimulate Food-Reactive Lymphocytes in Dogs,” published in The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science in 2020.

Hydrolyzed protein food is best for diagnosing chicken allergy in dogs. There is no need to feed hydrolyzed protein diets once the chicken allergy is established. A chicken-free diet is sufficient for managing the situation. 

Is the Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food Best for Dogs with Egg Allergy?

No, hydrolyzed protein dog food is not best for dogs with egg allergy. A hydrolyzed protein diet is best for diagnosing egg allergy in dogs.

Hydrolyzed protein dog food contains proteins broken into smaller particles. The minuscule particles escape the dog’s immune system and move through the body undetected. 

Feeding hydrolyzed protein diets during food trials helps diagnose egg allergy in dogs. There is no need to use hydrolyzed diets once a diagnosis is made and the dog is fed egg-free foods and treats. 

Is a Hydrolyzed Protein Diet Recommendable For Your Dog?

The hydrolysis procedure is not new; it was previously used in the instant formula to aid in the digestion of cow milk by infants. Even so, is a hydrolyzed protein diet healthy?

The diet has some benefits. First, the food is easier to digest than most commercial dog foods. As a result, IBD symptoms and general digestive distress are reduced. Second, if everything goes according to plan, a hydrolyzed protein diet could help reset your furry friend's digestive system.

It is tailored to relieve your puppy's stomach from allergy symptoms. After this, you can start introducing ingredients one at a time and monitor their reactions.

As expected, dogs will react differently to this hypoallergenic diet. Therefore, you can expect side effects. While they may not be adverse, they could be frustrating for you and your dog.

Side Effects of the Hydrolysed Protein Diet

Here are the common side effects to expect from a hydrolyzed protein dog food diet:

• The food could trigger constipation, diarrhea, or other digestive upsets
• Owing to the food's reduced nutritional value, some dogs may be unimpressed by its texture and smell, leading to appetite loss.
• Some hydrolyzed protein dog foods don't always help alleviate your pet's allergies.
• The foods could sometimes contain corn and soy, which are unsuitable for dogs.

Ultimately, hydrolyzed protein dog food isn't meant for long-term use. It serves as a temporary solution to your dog's allergy symptoms as you figure out the ingredients that could be causing the reactions. Once you've figured this out, your dog can return to a more natural diet plan.

Choosing the Best Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food

Care should be taken when buying hydrolyzed protein food for your dog to avoid worsening the already bad allergy symptoms.

Consider these tips:

• For over-the-counter purchases, check the labels for the manufacturer name, ingredients, calorie statements, nutritional adequacy statement, and an analysis of the food contents.
• Ensure the product contains a hydrolyzed protein and not soy or any other ingredients
• Go for foods with fat sources and animal-based protein
• Stay away from foods with meat byproducts, preservatives, artificial colorings and flavors, and other artificial fillers
• Avoid foods with synthetic minerals and vitamins
• Go for balanced hydrolyzed foods with sufficient nutrition levels
• Remember that even with hydrolyzed food diets, you may have to try different combinations before eventually establishing what is best for your dog.

Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food for IBD

Hydrolyzed protein diets are also used in food elimination for dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This condition may result from infections, food intolerances, or allergies and is characterized by diarrhea and chronic vomiting.

Because IBD is food-related, your veterinarian may prescribe hydrolyzed protein dog food to prevent unpleasant reactions from your dog's immune system. While most dogs have improved after being put on a hydrolyzed protein diet, returning to their regular dietary plans may cause symptoms to flare up again.

7 Facts about Hydrolyzed Protein

We thought it would be good to share some interesting facts with you!

1. Hydrolyzed protein dog treats are treats made from proteins that have been broken down into smaller pieces, making them easier for dogs to digest.
2. Hydrolyzed protein dog treats are often made from animal sources such as chicken, beef, or pork.
3. Hydrolyzed protein dog treats are often used for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities, as the smaller pieces of protein are less likely to cause an allergic reaction.
4. Hydrolyzed protein dog treats are usually more expensive than regular dog treats due to the additional processing required.
5. Hydrolyzed protein dog treats are usually highly palatable and can be used as a training reward.
6. Hydrolyzed protein dog treats are often fortified with vitamins and minerals to ensure that your dog is getting the nutrition they need.
7. Hydrolyzed protein dog treats are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and flavors.

Final Thoughts

Like humans, dogs, too, have unpleasant immune reactions to some food substances. This is what is referred to as a food allergy. A popular way to identify your pet's allergy-causing allergens is by putting them on a hypoallergenic diet.

TA hydrolyzed protein dog food diet is an example of such a diet. The diet utilizes the hydrolysis process to break down protein molecules into tiny particles that cannot trigger immune responses from your canine companion. While the diet may work for some dogs, it might fail in some. All in all, this is a trial and error-process.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Best Treat Food Allergies in Dogs?

The most effective way of treating allergies in dogs is by identifying the allergens and avoiding them. For example, if your dog is allergic to a particular food ingredient, consider doing away with the food altogether.

Can My Dog Become Allergic to Foods It Has Eaten Before?

Yes, like humans, dogs can, later on in life, develop new allergies. With aging and hormonal changes, your dog may develop a new sensitivity or intolerance to the food they were initially okay with. However, food allergy symptoms in your dogs could also signify some underlying infections and illnesses. Therefore, if your dog suddenly becomes allergic to certain foods, take them to the vet as soon as possible.

How Long Do Allergic Reactions Take To Manifest?

The time a pet takes to react to an allergen varies based on the nature of the allergen. It is also affected by the allergen's severity. While mild reactions may manifest hours or even days after contact with the allergen, the more severe ones will manifest immediately.

While your dog is on the hydrolyzed protein diet, your veterinarian may recommend feeding CBD dog treats to them. This is because they are known to alleviate allergy symptoms in dogs. Are you ready to make your orders? We have a wide range of products in store for you.

How are hydrolyzed protein dog treats made?

Hydrolyzed protein dog treats are made by breaking down proteins into smaller pieces using a process called hydrolysis. This process is done by adding water to the proteins, which causes them to break down into smaller pieces. The smaller pieces are then dried and formed into treats. The process of hydrolysis begins with the selection of the proteins that will be used to make the treats.

How do hydrolyzed protein dog treats compare to other types of dog treats?

Hydrolyzed protein dog treats are a type of dog treat that have been treated with a process called hydrolysis. This process breaks down the proteins into smaller molecules, making them easier for your dog to digest. This type of treat is often recommended for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies, as the hydrolyzed proteins are less likely to cause an allergic reaction.

How do hydrolyzed protein dog treats benefit dogs?

Hydrolyzed protein dog treats are a great way to provide your pup with the nutrients they need to stay healthy and happy. Hydrolyzed proteins are proteins that have been broken down into smaller pieces, making them easier for your pup to digest. This can be especially beneficial for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities, as the smaller pieces are less likely to cause an allergic reaction.

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