It all started with the itching. And then the uncontrollable licking. Then he began to lose his hair, and he had clumps of bloody fur on his sides. We thought our dog was suffering from some strange disease. But it turned out, he was simply suffering from allergies.
Our Doberman was allergic to wheat. But we soon found out he wasn't the only one. Many dogs suffer from allergies, and it's one of the most commonly misdiagnosed problems in dogs because vets take only, on average, one basic nutrition class for dogs. One. That's it. Surprised? Keep reading...
Wheat and corn are the number-one cause of dog-related allergies. And yet, it's also the most common ingredient in most dog foods. Why is this? Simply put... wheat and corn are cheap. They're cheap fillers so dog food manufacturers pour them into their food to boost their profits. Even the expensive dog food like Iams and Eukanuba use wheat and corn in their ingredients.
And wheat and corn aren't just bad for dogs suffering from allergies! The fact is, wheat and corn are not part of a dog's natural diet. Period. Both corn and wheat are not easily digestible and are a poor source of protein for your pet. Most of it is passed directly through the digestive system and some reports even link corn consumption to long-term ear problems.
When it comes to selecting your dog's food, your best place to start is with the ingredient list. Read down the list. If you find corn or wheat in the ingredients, put the bag down and move on. Some brands that are wheat free include Solid Gold and Blue Buffalo. You can find both brands in your local pet mart.
Do you give your dog treats? Don't think the wheat and corn fillers stop with your dog's food. Most dog treats also contain these ingredients. Again, check the ingredients before you purchase. Search the web for wheat free treats and you'll find some online dog bakeries like The Wheat Free Boutique that offer completely wheat free dog treats.
If the latest pet food recall hasn't convinced you that wheat should not be in your dog's diet, than I hope this will. For more information on why you should go wheat free visit www.wheatfreetreats.org
If you think your dog may be suffering from an allergy check for any of the following symptoms: Itchy skin, Paw licking, Ear Scratching, and/or Hotspots.
30 days on a wheat free diet should alleviate your dog's allergy symptoms.
Tracy Jerry is co-owner and founder of The Wheat Free Boutique - the only place to find fresh, healthy wheat free gourmet dog treats.
www.wheatfreeboutique.com
Source: www.articlealley.com
