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HEALTHY EATING
Taking a good look at the food we eat could not only be the key to a better diet but the key to good health for all the family, and that includes the family pet.
Food intolerance can be the source of some of the recurring bouts of mystery tummy upsets or persistent skin problems that are often seen in pet dogs and cats.
In theory, any ingredient in any food has the potential to cause intolerance but the likely suspects are proteins such as beef, soya and milk, and are carbohydrates such as wheat, wheat protein and lactose (dairy products). Many of these are used in standard pet foods. Unsurprisingly, food additives, including colourants and preservatives, can also be responsible for an adverse reaction.
Human and veterinary research has identified chemicals in some colourants and taste enhancers as triggers for epileptic fits. The colours (essentially oranges, blues, reds and yellows) that effect hyperactivity in children have been found to do the same in dogs.
In dogs and cats the first symptoms are likely to be skin related: itchiness, scratching and perhaps hair loss. Digestive symptoms can be indicative of an allergy – increased bowel movements, frequent licking or chewing of the paws, hot spots, ear infections or changes in behaviour.
When the effect is delayed, the intolerance can manifest itself in an un-dramatic and non-specific way making diagnosis for any doctor or vet very difficult. Abdominal pains, loss of appetite, muscle stiffness and lethargy can make the sufferer (pet or human) feel generally ‘unwell’ but not necessarily pinpoint a reaction to food as its cause.
Dietary intolerance in dogs very often affects the animal’s skin or digestive system, but not exclusively.
“We have long been brainwashed by pet food manufacturers into thinking they are the only people who know how to provide nourishment for our pets so it’s difficult to step back from that and use common sense”.
“The worrying news is that food intolerance is probably more prevalent than pet owners and veterinary surgeons would imagine. This should act as a warning to follow up any persistent or recurrent symptoms of ill health. Food could be the cause or an aggravating factor. It is also imperative that dogs with skin disorders should have their anal glands emptied. By doing this we remove a great deal of toxic matter from the system. It’s like emptying the dustbin and can help to reduce signs of skin disease”.
Holistic, organic and hypoallergenic diets, exclude common allergens such as wheat protein or soya thereby minimizing the risk of an allergic reaction. Such diets also avoid low quality ingredients, cheap fillers, artificial additives and sugar. Sugar has an adverse effect on the digestive system because it is an irritant to the intestinal lining. When changing a pet’s diet it may take a few weeks before there are noticeable improvements.
For recovering pets, supplements designed to bring back health and vitality such as fatty acids can be added to daily feeds. The two main classes of fatty acids related to skin and coat are the Omega-3’s and the Omega-6’s.
Quality diet and balance in all things are just as important for pets as for people.
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=main
http://www.canine-health-concern.org.uk/
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