Food advice (non-GSD) with allergies, please

[chelle]

I have an 8 year old American Eskimo mini. Over the past couple of years, her skin breakouts have increased and I need to make some changes and want to start with the food. I don't recall we had any skin problems her first four? years of life. Then it was once per year.. and has increased to several per year.

It is unclear whether the allergies are food related or environmental. She does have a flea allergy. (2 out of 3 vets have said she has a flea allergy, anyway)

When she gets a breakout, she itches a lot, the skin becomes red, flaky, irritated. If I don't get to the vet in time, she will get an ear infection as well. Now that I know a little better what I'm dealing with, I monitor her skin and ears closely. Her skin is doing this now so we're headed to vet next week for yet more meds.

She has been on Lamb Meal and Rice (Science Diet) all her life. I realize now this is pretty sucky food.

I'm just starting my research and am looking at two brands:

--Natural Choice Grain Free Adult, either Turkey and Potatoe or Venison and Potatoe. (No clue about the Turkey vs Venison)

--AvoDerm Salmon Meal and Potatoe

I'm not sure why I'm shying away from other Lamb and Rice blends; just thinking she's been on that for so long already?

There are so incredibly many dog foods out there, it's overwhelming.

I would like to go ahead and switch over my Shiba Inu (4 y/o) at the same time, since they eat in the same room together and it would be so much easier... but I don't have to if this would be to the Shiba's detriment. The Shiba has no known allergies, never had any skin issues, ear issues and her coat has no issues.

I've tried to get some feedback on my Eskie forum and haven't gotten too far. Well no comments at all haha.. so I am hoping someone here might be able to give some feedback. I'm open to all suggestions, other than raw. As much as I'd love to do that, I have to be realistic and my schedule just won't allow it.

Thanks very much.

[Jax08]

Just my uneducated opinion, but from what I've read, if I had a dog with a suspected food allergy then I would go with a fish based food. Venison would be good to because it wouldn't be something in the dog's every day diet so should be a novel protein.

As far as the brands listed, I feed RAW so have no input for you.

[CelticGlory]

I second the fish based food as well. Also, you could tried an oatmeal bath as well for her skin issue until you can take her to the vet, it should help How to Make an Oatmeal Bath for a Dog | eHow.com

[dazedtrucker]

TOTW has a fish based kibble...and really, raw isn't that hard. I'm the busiest queen of lazy, it really isn't. The only time consuming part is LEARNING it. At least add some fish oil, that could help...

[chelle]

Ok thank you. Fish based. I need to learn more about raw before I just say I don't have time. I cook a lot... it's not like I'm not already in the kitchen hours per week. Hum. Just gathering as much info as I can, thank you.

[sable123]

Originally Posted by chelle

Ok thank you. Fish based. I need to learn more about raw before I just say I don't have time. I cook a lot... it's not like I'm not already in the kitchen hours per week. Hum. Just gathering as much info as I can, thank you.

Annamaet Option, nothing is better.

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

I had posted on the other thread that the Pinnacle Turkey was a good weight loss choice, or at least all my dogs dropped weight on it. My dogs don't do well with chicken, I was a little nervous about poultry, but they did really well on it.

[DnP]

Chelle,

If you truly suspect a food allergy, you might want to try a homecooked elimination diet. It is ONE protein and ONE carb. There is a lot out there on home cooked elimination diets. That is the best kind of elimination diet you can do. Chicken and beef tend to be the biggest allergens protein wise. Lamb used to be the go to novelty protien as it USED to be a novel protein (rarely used by kibble manufacturers), but not anymore as nearly all kibble makers have a formula that is lamb based or has lamb in it.

Also, NO treats for the time of the elimination diet (whether home cooked or kibble or raw) If you want to give a treat, use the food you are feeding.

Duck and fish should be the way to go protein wise.

If you don't see an improvement in a couple of weeks, it may not be JUST a protein, but also a carb. Not all carbs, but it could also be a specific carb such as a specific grain, especially wheat. BUT, very few dogs are actually allergic to grains but many do have intollerances to grains (as in digestive tollerances) Potatoes seem to be the safest bet when you want to do any kind of elimination diet. Most dogs do not have an intollerance to potatoes. Barley and Millet are suppose to be

Flaxseed tends to be another allergen for some dogs who have a food allergy, so keep that in mind when choosing a food.

As a owner with food allergy dog, you learn to be a reader of ingredients.

After you think you have the food allergy under control, you can start introducing (one at a time) new items to the dog. Only one item at a time. If the dog is allergic, you will quickly see a reaction and you will know that either that specific protein or carb are triggers.

Phoenix, as I have found, is allergic to everything chicken (including chicken fat and raw chicken) and processed beef in kibble and treats(raw beef or home cooked beef he is fine with) and it seems like every freakin grain under the sun. He is fine with flaxseed.

You may also want to investigate into adding fish oil to his diet, even if you feed a fish based diet.