Skin allergies are becoming more and more common in dogs. They are mostly caused by being sensitive to certain foods, making it very hard for owners to detect what they are allergic to. These skin allergies usually manifest as itching, redness, and dry skin, accompanied by patches without fur.
Because the allergen is rarely found, most vets recommend feeding your canine homemade dog food for skin allergies. Giving your dog nutritious food with hypoallergenic ingredients can help alleviate their symptoms or make them go away altogether.
To track how your dog is reacting to their new diet, the Maven Pet smart collar can help by monitoring its progress as these changes are implemented. This will ensure that their health is improved efficiently.
Top 7 Homemade Recipes for Dogs with Skin Allergies
Wondering what is the best dog food for skin allergies? While no one ingredient can be called the best food for dogs with skin allergies, many low-allergenic foods are used to help alleviate skin allergy symptoms. Here are seven simple and fast recipes that are easy to prepare and with all the essentials to ensure your dog’s good health.
Preparation Tip: Avoid seasoning the food, since most seasonings contain allergens. Make sure the food is fully cooked to make digestion easier and the meal tastier for the dog.
1. Turkey and Sweet Potato
This recipe uses turkey meat as a substitute for chicken meat since it has more protein, while the sweet potato (which could be swapped for regular russet potatoes) provides vitamins and fibers. Cook the turkey in some olive oil, while the potatoes are boiled. The olive oil had omega-3 acid which is also good for their skin.
2. Fish and Quinoa
Any type of white fish could be used for this recipe, but we recommend cod or haddock. The fish could be baked or steamed, while the quinoa is boiled. Fish supports their skin health, which is very important when dealing with allergies. Fish is considered one of the best foods for dogs with skin allergies.
3. Lamb and Butternut Squash
This recipe uses lamb and has more proteins than turkey or fish. This will keep your dog feeling full for longer. Cook the lamb in coconut oil and add the squash alongside peas or some other source of plant protein. Coconut oil has natural anti-inflammatory properties which will reduce skin redness and itching caused by food sensitivities.
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4. Chicken and Pumpkin
Implementing pumpkin in your dog’s homemade diet could help as they transition to it, since pumpkin aids in digestion. Prepare the pumpkin either by boiling or baking it, but if time is of the essence, swap it for canned pumpkin to make this recipe faster. However, canned food brings many risks since it contains additives. Add chicken as a low-fat but high-protein source and some sort of natural oil, like fish oil which has natural anti-inflammatory and itching agents.
5. Beef and Carrot
Beef, similar to lamb, is another protein-rich meal source. This recipe uses ground beef since it cooks faster than other types of beef. Brown the beef and add steamed carrots, which are loaded with beta-carotenes that support coat and skin health. To round out this meal, add olive or coconut oil, which are rich in antioxidants.
6. Pork and Apples
Ground pork also cooks quickly and is a good alternative to protein. While cooking the pork, add grated apples and spinach, which are loaded with antioxidants that reduce inflammation and itchiness. They also have high levels of iron, minerals, and vitamins. Add them in the last five minutes since they cook quickly. Mix some sort of natural oil like flax or sesame seed oil to round out the meal.
7. Salmon and Spinach
Alongside its high protein level, salmon has high levels of omega-3 acids, which we already know supports your dog’s coat health and has an anti-inflammatory effect. Shred the salmon and add the spinach. To increase the meal’s nutritional level, add cooked rice which adds fiber and ensures the dog feels full for a longer time. Rice, alongside potatoes, is considered one of the best ingredients to use in homemade food for dogs with skin allergies because of their neutral taste and chemical components.
Transitioning to a Homemade Diet
Switching your dog to a homemade diet is a step-by-step process. Swapping their normal meal and giving something they don’t usually eat causes indigestion and even gastritis. Start by mixing small amounts of homemade food with their current diet and then increasing the proportions for over a week to 10 days.
Consulting with a veterinarian is also important to ensure their new diet is balanced and tailored to their needs. When starting with homemade food for a dog with allergies and itchy skin, it might be good to add supplements and multivitamins, to round out their meals properly. Most of them are available in local pet shops or in vet clinics.
If you think your dog might have an allergy, visit our find out here and you might get answers to some questions.
How Maven Pet Helps Monitor Progress
Maven Pet provides invaluable tools for tracking your pet’s wellness as it transitions to a homemade diet. It will note and document elements of your dog’s daily activity which most owners would miss while being at work and while sleeping.
Maven’s pet smart collar monitors their activity levels, scratching frequency, and restlessness. The activities are key indicators of allergy improvement. It also notes their sleeping patterns. But that’s not all – Mavens pet wellness journal allows you to log recipes, note changes in symptoms, and share updates with your vet, ensuring no details get lost and everything is tracked.
Conclusion
Homemade dog food for skin allergies can provide relief and improve your dog’s overall health. Making their diet mostly hypoallergenic ingredients can help manage their symptoms and discover which food they are most or least sensitive to.
Along with Maven’s Pet monitor, you can rest easily knowing your dog’s health is always in check, and can fine-tune their care plan with just one button. Ready to take control of your dog’s wellness? Discover the benefits of Maven’s innovative pet smart collar today!
Maven Pet focuses on improving the quality of life of our pets with technology, using artificial intelligence (AI) to enable proactive pet care. By accurately collecting and monitoring pet data 24/7 and flagging any irregularities, Maven Pet empowers pet parents and veterinarians to stay ahead of potential health issues, ensuring the well-being and longevity of our beloved companions.
