Allergy sensitive diet for weight gain...any tips?

[LoveEcho]

So I've been dealing with Echo's allergy problems for a little while, and he does not do well on lamb or fish based formulas. I was curious if anybody had any tips for a diet that's hypoallergenic but that will help keep weight up? He's an extremely active dog and I've been having a hard time keeping weight on him. The array of options is dizzying, so I figured I'd ask what people's personal experiences are to start off. How about TOTW? I'd be curious to see how he does in bison...

[qbchottu]

I have an allergic dog, and I had the hardest time keeping weight on her. I used to use Natural Balance LID, but then I switched to TOTW High Prairie. Main meat is bison and venison. TOTW also has a higher fat and calorie content which helps keep weight on. I also liked TOTW better than NB because it has a higher protein content which is great because my dogs are VERY active. I also use OLEWO carrots and beets with salmon oil for one meal a day. OLEWO and salmon oil helps with allergic problems, coat/skin health, and stools. I also use grain-free treats during the day for training which also helps keep weight on.

[4TheDawgies]

Originally Posted by qbchottu

I have an allergic dog, and I had the hardest time keeping weight on her. I used to use Natural Balance LID, but then I switched to TOTW High Prairie. Main meat is bison and venison. TOTW also has a higher fat and calorie content which helps keep weight on. I also liked TOTW better than NB because it has a higher protein content which is great because my dogs are VERY active. I also use OLEWO carrots and beets with salmon oil for one meal a day. OLEWO and salmon oil helps with allergic problems, coat/skin health, and stools. I also use grain-free treats during the day for training which also helps keep weight on.

Just curious since I've never heard of OLEWO. What benefits are you finding from it?

[qbchottu]

Originally Posted by 4TheDawgies

Just curious since I've never heard of OLEWO. What benefits are you finding from it?

Robin Huerta actually recommended that I give it to my dogs when I purchased Whiskey from her. I took before/after photos that I have to find, but here are some differences I've observed:
- A very luxurious coat. Very thick, soft, and rich. I have started to obsessively stroke my dogs because their coats feel like thick cashmere
- perfect bowel movements. Always solid, consistent and firm. My dogs used to have loose or wet stools occasionally. That has completely stopped now.
- A rich pigmentation. The blacks are midnight black and dark while the red is vibrant and rich. They seem to "glow" more in the sunlight. It doesn't CHANGE color, but it makes colors pop more. However, it has turned some white coats a reddish tint. The red goes away when the white dogs are taken off Olewo.
- One of my dogs is very allergic. She used to itch so much that she could barely walk. After the carrots/beets, her skin is not as flakey and she doesn't itch obsessively. There are oils and a softness in her coat. Her coat used to be incredibly lusterless and dull. Now it has a sheen and is soft.
- The dogs LOVE the taste. I used to hand feed my allergic female because she always refused food (for days). If I mix up the carrots with her food, she gobbles it down in no time. The carrots are highly concentrated and the carrots are naturally sweet so the dogs love it.


It's very simple to prepare and actually cost efficient. I buy 11lb bags from https://www.olewousa.com/ 11lbs dehydrated carrots make about 110lbs of actual carrots when reconstituted. I mix 2 tblsp of carrots with a couple cups of warm water and mix in 2 tsp of salmon oil. Let it sit for 15 mins, then add normal food and feed. I love it

[sable123]

Originally Posted by Vprice1030

So I've been dealing with Echo's allergy problems for a little while, and he does not do well on lamb or fish based formulas. I was curious if anybody had any tips for a diet that's hypoallergenic but that will help keep weight up? He's an extremely active dog and I've been having a hard time keeping weight on him. The array of options is dizzying, so I figured I'd ask what people's personal experiences are to start off. How about TOTW? I'd be curious to see how he does in bison...

Most bison foods are either very low in protein and fat or not really bison at all, rather pea or potato protein or even chicken. The TOTW mentioned above is really a chicken and lamb food. And they are all expensive.

You might try pork. There are many good pork-based foods out there, and frankly pork has been shown to be very effective with protein intolerances. By Nature has a very simple Pork and Sweet Potato diet as does Blue Seal and Fromm.

[4TheDawgies]

Originally Posted by qbchottu

Robin Huerta actually recommended that I give it to my dogs when I purchased Whiskey from her. I took before/after photos that I have to find, but here are some differences I've observed:
- A very luxurious coat. Very thick, soft, and rich. I have started to obsessively stroke my dogs because their coats feel like thick cashmere
- perfect bowel movements. Always solid, consistent and firm. My dogs used to have loose or wet stools occasionally. That has completely stopped now.
- A rich pigmentation. The blacks are midnight black and dark while the red is vibrant and rich. They seem to "glow" more in the sunlight. It doesn't CHANGE color, but it makes colors pop more. However, it has turned some white coats a reddish tint. The red goes away when the white dogs are taken off Olewo.
- One of my dogs is very allergic. She used to itch so much that she could barely walk. After the carrots/beets, her skin is not as flakey and she doesn't itch obsessively. There are oils and a softness in her coat. Her coat used to be incredibly lusterless and dull. Now it has a sheen and is soft.
- The dogs LOVE the taste. I used to hand feed my allergic female because she always refused food (for days). If I mix up the carrots with her food, she gobbles it down in no time. The carrots are highly concentrated and the carrots are naturally sweet so the dogs love it.


It's very simple to prepare and actually cost efficient. I buy 11lb bags from https://www.olewousa.com/ 11lbs dehydrated carrots make about 110lbs of actual carrots when reconstituted. I mix 2 tblsp of carrots with a couple cups of warm water and mix in 2 tsp of salmon oil. Let it sit for 15 mins, then add normal food and feed. I love it

Very interesting. Never heard of this product. I have an allergy dog but unfortunately she is white and I do like the white to be white LOL. She already has some cream highlights in her hair.

Thankfully controlling her diet by keeping chicken, duck, turkey out of it as well as any grains has done absolute wonders for her. This summer she blew her coat for the FIRST time in tufts and shes 4 years old. Never thought I'd be so happy to see a dog blow its coat. But she used to be naked year round and on her legs you could see her pink skin as she stood there.
I might give it a try for my male Loki though. He has some environmental allergies I cannot help him with other than benedryl. Maybe I will give that stuff a try on him for a trial.

[qbchottu]

Originally Posted by 4TheDawgies

Very interesting. Never heard of this product. I have an allergy dog but unfortunately she is white and I do like the white to be white LOL. She already has some cream highlights in her hair.

Thankfully controlling her diet by keeping chicken, duck, turkey out of it as well as any grains has done absolute wonders for her. This summer she blew her coat for the FIRST time in tufts and shes 4 years old. Never thought I'd be so happy to see a dog blow its coat. But she used to be naked year round and on her legs you could see her pink skin as she stood there.
I might give it a try for my male Loki though. He has some environmental allergies I cannot help him with other than benedryl. Maybe I will give that stuff a try on him for a trial.

If you like, you can PM your address and I can send you some samples. They always toss in a few sample bags with the bags you purchase so I have a few laying around

[4TheDawgies]

Originally Posted by qbchottu

If you like, you can PM your address and I can send you some samples. They always toss in a few sample bags with the bags you purchase so I have a few laying around

Sure I would love that sending PM now

[BlackGSD]

Originally Posted by sable123

Most bison foods are either very low in protein and fat or not really bison at all, rather pea or potato protein or even chicken. The TOTW mentioned above is really a chicken and lamb food. And they are all expensive.

You might try pork. There are many good pork-based foods out there, and frankly pork has been shown to be very effective with protein intolerances. By Nature has a very simple Pork and Sweet Potato diet as does Blue Seal and Fromm.

TOTW is also low in calories. The Wild Prairie(the one with some bison in it.) is only 370 calories a cup.

[LoveEcho]

Originally Posted by 4TheDawgies

Just curious since I've never heard of OLEWO. What benefits are you finding from it?

I'd definitely like to try this too, it sounds like just what I'm looking for. His coat definitely needs help...it's a little raggedy from constant scratching, etc. He currently gets 2000 mg of fish oil a day in capsule form. I'll be PMing you as well, if that's ok