Food Allergies in Dogs: What Helps Affected Animals?

Many dogs suffer from food allergies, which lead to certain components of their food causing potentially very unpleasant symptoms. These can be distressing, particularly for first-time dog owners who may turn to an online dog owners guide for help. Owners of affected dogs should therefore act promptly and improve the condition of their four-legged friends by changing their food.

How does a food allergy develop?

Allergies are overreactions of the immune system. In the case of a food allergy, the animal’s immune system classifies one or more components of the food as a hazard for the organism. An immune reaction is triggered which ultimately leads to the symptoms associated with the allergy.

The substances responsible for this reaction are known as allergens. When it comes to food allergies, they are mostly animal proteins. Beef in particular is known for its high allergy potential and therefore causes problems for many dogs.

How do I recognise a food allergy?

A food allergy manifests itself in affected dogs through different symptoms, which can vary in severity. The most common symptoms include skin and coat problems as well as indigestion. In addition, allergic dogs quite often suffer from severe itching, watery eyes and inflamed ears.

A visit at the vet brings clarity

The symptoms mentioned above are not unique to food allergies. They could also be caused by various other health conditions. It is therefore advisable that you consult a veterinarian if your dog experiences symptoms. The veterinarian can examine your dog and rule out other triggers, such as parasites for example.

How is a food allergy treated?

The most effective treatment method for allergies is consistently avoiding exposure to the responsible allergens. In order to get a food allergy under control, it is necessary to switch to a food that is free from incompatible ingredients.

For this purpose, an exclusion diet can be followed. However, this approach is very time-consuming and might therefore not be an option for every dog owner.

A possible alternative to the exclusion diet is to switch to hydrolysed dog food. The proteins it contains have been broken down into very small components using a process known as hydrolysis.

This is to ensure that the dog’s immune system does not recognise potential allergens in the food, which is supposed to prevent allergic reactions. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work in practice. In addition, some hydrolysed dog food leaves much to be desired in terms of quality.

An innovative solution for allergic dogs

The dog food manufacturer Bellfor has developed a very special solution for allergic dogs that does not require the use of hydrolysed protein. Instead, the company’s hypoallergenic dog food contains insect protein from the larvae of Hermetia illucens (black soldier flies).

Since the launch of the first dry food with insects in 2016, Bellfor has continuously expanded its range of insect-based products. Today, dog owners can find around 30 different products in the company’s shop that use this unusual ingredient.

The protein of the insect larvae has a high biological value and is very easily digestible for dogs. Since the unusual protein supplier has so far played practically no role in the diet of dogs, the allergy potential of the insect protein is extremely low.

An unusual protein

This idea might need getting used to at first, but on closer inspection it turns out to be a high-quality alternative. With insect-based dog food, allergic reactions can be reliably avoided, and at the same time it guarantees a protein supply that is tailored to the animal’s needs. Experience has shown that even animals that suffer from a pronounced food allergy tolerate insect-based food very well.

In addition to dry food, the range also includes wet food and healthy dog treats. If you want to feed your nutrition-sensitive four-legged friend with wholesome products and don’t want to compromise on quality, you will find everything you need at Bellfor.

Since the breeding of insect larvae uses significantly fewer resources than factory farming, insect-based dog food is also a sustainable alternative to conventional brands that environmentally conscious owners can use to feed their four-legged friends appropriately.