Hypoallergenic dog food is made for food-related canine teeth that cause adverse effects on their physical health. The molecule that usually becomes an allergen is the whole protein or glycoprotein. The hypoallergenic dog food offers a variety of unique protein sources using proteins that are not recognized by dog ââantibodies as antigens, minimizing allergic reactions. Adding a source of new proteins, such as new meats that dogs or their ancestors have never been exposed is one method. New proteins can also be made by modifying known chemical sources of proteins using hydrolysis techniques, making proteins not recognized by the gastrointestinal tract. Not all antigens are specific to proteins, however, and possibly to anything that the body inges becomes allergens. Providing food with limited amount of material can be used for diagnostic purposes, as well as for dogs who are allergic to common ingredients used in pet food. Certain nutrients are usually incorporated into hypoallergenic dog foods to help alleviate the symptoms of allergic reactions. These ingredients include omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamins A and E, zinc, new carbohydrates, and fiber.
Video Hypoallergenic dog food
Allergen responses and symptoms
Allergens can lead to immunologic and non-immunological responses. Immunological reactions, also known as Type 1 reactions are caused by the binding of digested molecules to specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. After binding occurs, mast cell degranulation follows, releasing granules that initiate symptoms of allergic reactions in the body. This immunological reaction is almost instantaneous, and it is widely accepted that the molecules binding to IgE antibodies are usually whole proteins. Non-immunologic, or non-IgE mediated reaction is poorly understood, but is known to present similar symptoms as an immunologic reaction. These reactions can be classified under food sensitivity and it is said that they are not really allergic. Whether the reaction is completely allergenic or sensitivity, it is important that the hypoallergenic dog food provides the ingredients necessary to keep the canines from experiencing discomfort.
The symptoms of dog allergy or sensitivity vary greatly, but the most common to look for include rashes, swelling, itchy or tender skin, and gastrointestinal disorders. These symptoms are very similar to, but should not be confused with Canine Atopic Dermatitis, which is not caused by food allergies.
Maps Hypoallergenic dog food
Type of diet
Hydrolyzed protein diet
One possible cause of food allergies in dogs is the reaction of the dog's immune system to the protein in the diet. One method that can be used to try and combat this immunological response in dogs with food allergies is the use of hydrolyzed proteins in foods. All proteins consist of a single amino acid organized into the chain, which then interacts to fold the protein into its last three-dimensional structure. Hydrolyzed proteins are whole proteins that have been broken down into smaller polypeptides through a process called protein hydrolysis. One method of protein hydrolysis involves the use of special enzymes for proteins called proteases. Proteases act by dividing or cutting entire proteins in certain amino acids in their structures to form several small polypeptides of one whole protein. Different proteases are different for different amino acids, and because some of these proteases can be used to cut proteins in several different locations. The theory behind the use of small peptides in these foods as an alternative to whole proteins is that their small size will prevent it from stimulating the immune system of the intestine, thereby reducing and/or preventing allergic reactions. When the hydrolyzed protein is used in the hypoallergenic canine diet it is in the hope of avoiding an immunologic reaction either in dogs that have consumed all the previous proteins and in dogs whose intestinal tract has not seen all the previous proteins but has been known to react to others. type of protein.
New protein diet
Beef, soy, chicken, turkey and egg products are the ingredients commonly used in commercial dog food as a source of protein. This source of protein has been shown to cause an allergic response in dogs with food allergies. New protein sources can be used instead of these allergenic ingredients to meet the dog's dietary requirements, while minimizing or eliminating the possibility of an allergic response. For a protein that is considered new, it must be one that is not consumed by the dog before. New protein sources include venison, veal, kangaroos and fish, such as salmon.
Diet limited material
Introducing foods consisting of limited ingredients is a common method of reducing the occurrence of food allergic reactions in dogs. Diet limited material consists of fewer ingredients. This is an attempt to improve digestion and reduce the likelihood of reactions that occur in dogs with sensitivity to common ingredients found in most commercial dog foods. These foods will avoid sources of protein and carbohydrates, such as beef, milk, poultry, barley, and wheat. There are many feed ingredients that have been observed to affect animals for dietary reactions. This is because they are often exposed to these materials, allowing them to adopt sensitivity and allergies to commercial dog food. Studies have shown that it is possible for dogs to have symptoms caused by more than one ingredient in a given diet, this makes the use of restricted dietary material relevant as a result of the inclusion of a single source of protein and carbohydrates. If food allergy symptoms persist after the introduction of this type of diet, it can also help to determine which new allergens are causing a bad reaction due to the limited amount of material. Although this diet consists of less food, they still provide all the necessary nutrients to meet the animal's needs.
Nutrition included in the hypoallergenic diet
Omega-3 fatty acids
Essential n-3 fatty acids in dog food help to treat the inflammation associated with allergic reactions. These essential fatty acids help to manage the inflammatory response by altering the levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory eicosanoids produced during the reaction. They also help maintain healthy skin and maintain cell structure. These n-3 fatty acids are usually incorporated into dog food by ingredients such as fish oil.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in cell growth and division, as well as hair growth and skin care. Because some of the major food allergy symptoms include damage to the skin, it is important to include Vitamin A in a hypoallergenic diet to help clear up the damage caused by previous allergic reactions that a dog may have. The content in dog food that serves as a source of vitamin A is fish oil such as cod liver oil.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that has important functions in immune health. These compounds scavenge free radicals, protecting cell membranes from damage caused by lipid oxidation. It is beneficial to do in a hypoallergenic dog food diet to help maintain cell integrity in case of reaction damage. Vitamin E is generally found only as a vitamin supplement in the diet, but also present in other food ingredients such as soybean oil, corn oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil.
Zinc
Zinc supplements in hypoallergenic dog food help in the maintenance of skin health and coats. Zinc also plays a role in relieving inflammatory and immune reactions. Zinc can be found added as a mineral in the diet, but can also be added in the food through sheep meat, because this material is known to be high in zinc.
Novel Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are large macronutrients that supply energy to the organism that consumes them, and include nutrients such as sugar, oligosaccharides, and starch. Dogs may become sensitive or allergic to certain carbohydrate sources in their diet, and new carbohydrates may be used in an attempt to avoid this reaction. New carbohydrates are carbohydrates where the dogs they eat have never been consumed before. Some examples of new carbohydrate ingredients include brown rice and sweet potatoes, and brewer's rice.
Fiber
The negative digestive effects that accompany dietary food allergies can be reduced by including soluble and insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber has relatively low fermentability, which helps reduce negative digestive effects such as gas and soft impurities. When soluble fiber is mixed with water they form a gel-like substance that helps to reduce gastric emptying in order to increase the time available for nutrients to be absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Compounds called fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are found in a variety of soluble fiber, which helps in promoting intestinal health. FOS acts as a prebiotic to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria and inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria in the animal's digestive tract. Common ingredients in dog food that provide such fibers include bits of pulp, cellulose and chicory roots.
See also
Dog food
Dog health
Veterinary medicine
Allergic animals
Allergy
Fatty acid
Rash
Animal food
Food sensitivity
Border Collie
Collie
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia