Hypoallergenic Dog Treats

Hypoallergenic dog treats allow your pet to enjoy an occasional extra in his diet without causing his food allergy clinical signs to flare up. These treats can be used as training aids or as rewards for good behavior.

Commercially Available Treats

Your dog’s hypoallergenic treats should complement his hypoallergenic diet. They should not contain any known allergy-causing ingredients, which means you must read the label carefully to protect your pet’s health.

Dog treat manufacturers use a wide variety of ingredients in their treats, including salmon, duck, goat milk, peanut butter and liver. Some commercial dog treats contain the same unique protein and carbohydrate sources as your dog’s hypoallergenic diet, while others contain hydrolyzed proteins and carbohydrates. Hydrolyzed proteins and carbohydrates have been broken down into such small molecules that they cannot cause an allergic reaction in sensitive dogs.

You can find a variety of treats that are compatible with your dog’s hypoallergenic diet at your veterinarian’s office or from your local pet supply store. Online retailers also offer an array of hypoallergenic canine treats.

The Organic Option

Some owners of dogs with food allergies opt for an organic diet for their pets. They believe that an organic diet containing natural ingredients and free from preservatives and chemicals is better for their dogs than a traditional commercially prepared canine diet. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some of the clinical signs of food allergy—itching, skin rashes and digestive system problems—improve when a dog eats an organic diet.

If your dog’s food allergy is caused by a sensitivity to chemicals or other food additives, he may benefit from organic treats. Look for them online or at your local pet supply store.

Homemade Treats

Among the homemade hypoallergenic treats your dog can eat are fresh fruits and vegetables, along with homemade biscuits or jerky.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are one of the easiest hypoallergenic treats to offer your dog. Keep a bowl of his favorites washed and accessible in the refrigerator to make that occasional snack easier for both of you. Some popular choices include broccoli stalks, carrots, celery and summer squash.

Remember that not all fruits and vegetables are safe to feed to your dog. Do not feed grapes or raisins because they can cause kidney problems, and do not feed onions because they can lead to anemia.

If you like creating special baked goods for family and friends, you may find baking hypoallergenic biscuits for your dog an enjoyable pastime. Recipes are available from your local library or by conducting an online search for homemade dog biscuits.

Making your own jerky treats is as easy as combining a few simple ingredients and using an oven or a food dehydrator. Look online for jerky treat recipes.

 

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