Dog Treats for Allergic Dogs

Treats are a great way to reward your pet, but not if the treat will hurt the pet and cause irritation. Choosing a treat can be easy, but there are dogs with food allergies that won't be able to eat all types of treats. There are special treats for allergic dogs that may be purchased. Allergic dogs may also get normal treats, but special care should be taken and the labels should be checked for any possible allergens. The most common food allergens in dogs include wheat, grains or the synthetic preservatives used in the making of food and treats. Natural treats and homemade treats are an alternative for dogs with allergies.

Natural Treats

Natural treats are healthy and will not cause obesity. Many commercial treats contain a lot of carbohydrates, and if treats are administered too often the dog may become obese or even worse, develop diabetes. Commercial treats may also contain artificial colors and preservatives, which can lead to digestive issues.

Vegetables and fruits are healthy, inexpensive treats, providing extra fibers. It is very unlikely that dogs are allergic to fruits and vegetables such as:

  • Apples
  • Carrots
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Peppers
  • Plums

If your dog is allergic to any of these natural treats, opt for those the dog's system agrees with. Remove any seeds or cores, which may be toxic for dogs. Stay away from garlic and onions, because these are poisonous in high amounts.

Wheat Free Treats

There are a lot of dogs that are allergic to wheat. Opt for treats that don't contain wheat. If your pet still displays allergic symptoms, the dog is allergic to other components in the treats. Discontinue the administration of these wheat free treats and test a few different types of treats.

Grain Free Treats

Grains are also one of the top food allergies in dogs. Grains are great fillers and are used by a lot of commercial treat manufacturers. All labels should specify whether they use grains, so make sure you check.

Homemade Treats

To be safe and avoid treats that don't necessarily contain allergens that can irritate your dog, but may contain ingredients that could cause allergic reactions, you can prepare the treats for your pet at home. Select a few ingredients you are sure your dog is not allergic to. There are a few recipes including:

  • Chicken jerky made with a food dehydrator by slicing the meat and adding some salt or apple cider vinegar
  • Turkey jerky
  • Beef jerky
  • Sweet potato chips, using the same food dehydrator
  • Apple or banana chips

Commercial Hypoallergenic Treats

Commercial hypoallergenic treats employ mostly natural ingredients and compounds that dogs don't normally develop allergies to. These hypoallergenic treats won't contain synthetic additives, colors or preservatives, which can cause allergies in some pets. Make sure that these treats have natural preservatives.

 

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