allergies and food?

I will let others respond on the scratching.

loretta

Also I have read that a high protein diet can cause kidney problems. 

That is a debunked myth.  In more advanced cases of renal failure the amount of phosphorus (not protein) may need to be restricted.  That would mean restricting some high-phosphorus proteins (and other high-phosphorus foods), but not the overall protein percentage.

http://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/is-it-necessary-to-reduce-protein-in-the-diet/
"Oftentimes dog owners are told to reduce protein in the diet if kidney disease is suspected. They are often told reducing protein will prolong the health of the kidneys. But new studies have found this is not exactly true. It isn't reducing protein that helps, but rather reducing the phosphorus (a part of protein) levels that help. However, reducing phosphorus isn’t helpful until the renal values in the blood work show elevations in creatinine and BUN.

A general rule of thumb is when the BUN values go over 80, and creatinine levels are over 2. Along with these two levels, indications of the kidneys inability to handle phosphorus also results in an elevation in the phosphorus level. At this time, reducing phosphorus will help with comfort as less phosphorus will be filtered through the kidneys. High phosphorus foods include bone, organ meat and egg yolks.

So before jumping the gun and reducing protein (necessary nutrients for good renal health), check the blood work to determine when you might start needing to reduce the level of *phosphorus*. For dogs being fed a raw diet, lowering phosphorous levels might mean removing bones and organ meat and adding carbohydrates for fiber (firm stools).  For those feeding home cooked diets for your dog, it may mean removing organ meat and egg yolks and using low phosphorus carbohydrates. Don’t reduce the *quality of protein,* simply reduce the level of phosphorus."

  First of all, I'm sorry Snickers is scratching. When it comes to food allergies, I've been there, done that, bought the T shirt, etc. Does the Canidae have the same protein source as the Nutro she was on? If so, and her scratching is caused by a food allergy, that won't help. You need to find a simple food that has a different protein source as well as a different carb source than the Nutro. The reason I said a simple food is because dogs can be allergic to lots of ingredients; besides chicken and fish, Jessie's allergic to spinach, potatoes, yeast and barley. California Natural makes a Venison and Sweet Potato and a Chicken and Sweet Potato formula. Natural Balance also makes some simple potato and meat formulas. It sounds like the Canidae's not agreeing with her stomach; it could have too much fat for her. Jessie has chronic pancreatitis and quite a few food allergies, and she does great on Nutro Natural Choice Venison Meal and Whole Brown Rice. It's 20% protein and 10% fat.

loretta

Also I have read that a high protein diet can cause kidney problems.  So now I am wondering if I made the situation worse. 

  Does Snickers have kidney problems now? If so, you should consult with your vet about what to feed her. But, if she doesn't, than the high protein shouldn't be a problem. Older dogs actually need more protein than younger dogs to maintain muscle mass, which is why both ProPlan and Royal Canin senior formulas are about 28% protein. Jessie is 12 and I add lean meat and egg white to her diet to make sure she gets enough.

First piece of advice....take a deep breath, look for your patience and developed a sense of humor. Your going to need it.

Second, get a calender and start keeping track of your changes and the changes in the dog. Also keep a list of ingredients, I went so far as to see what ingredients each bag had in common and what they didn't.

I have an allergy dog and we went through...Nutro, Natural Balance regular, Canidae, Purina Pro Plan Sensitive and Stomach, Taste of the Wild to Natural Balances Buffalo and Sweet potato, LID. The journey took a little over 2 years and we still have issues, I will get into that more towards the end. Remember now, deep breaths.

Allergies dogs are a frustrating lot and a trial on ones patience. They do not change their spots overnight either. Your currently still in transition with the old food, once thats done it can take as long as 4-6 weeks for you to see changes.Which is why I suggest the calender and keeping a list of "problems". If the "problems" are still there or worse, change again.

Now here is the end advice. Environmental issues are a big player in allergies. It is not all food. My dog suffers in the late spring to late fall. So be aware of what is going on outside as well as the food.

Good luck.

Truley

Environmental issues are a big player in allergies. It is not all food. My dog suffers in the late spring to late fall. So be aware of what is going on outside as well as the food

This is a biggie-----also be aware of what could be causing these problems inside your home---carpet fibers, laundry detergents, cleaning products shampoos, dust, etc.......

If you do decide to change foods, the general rule is to switch to a food that your dog has not been exposed to---so if the dog has eaten lamb, chicken, rice,potato,  etc...., switch to a food that has none of these ingredients----Natural Balance carries an extensive line of limited ingredient foods to check out---just make sure you compare the ingredient list of your current foods to which ever new food you decide on.

    Like Truley  said, keeping records is important. When Jessie was on an elimination diet to see which foods she was allergic to, I kept a detailed record of which foods she reacted to and which ones she didn't, so I could remember them.  Jessie also has many environmental allergies. I had her tested by a veterinary dermatologist and two of her worst ones are mold and house dust mites, which can cause flare ups for her in late summer and fall. Pollens will cause itching from spring through fall. If you live where it gets below freezing in the winter and there's a good snow cover, and Snicker's still itching, that makes food allergies more of a possibility. Where she itches can also be a clue; according to my veterinary dermatologist, if a dog's itching is mainly confined to the ears, face, and rear (anal area), the cause is more likely to be food allergies.

tzu_mom

If you do decide to change foods, the general rule is to switch to a food that your dog has not been exposed to---so if the dog has eaten lamb, chicken, rice,potato,  etc...., switch to a food that has none of these ingredients----Natural Balance carries an extensive line of limited ingredient foods to check out---just make sure you compare the ingredient list of your current foods to which ever new food you decide on.

   Absolutely; that's what my derm vet said too. Keep in mind that once you've made the change to a new food, you need to allow about 8 weeks for Snickers to show signs of an improvement. Sometimes, it can take as long as 12 weeks. It's important to only give her the new food during that time, because ingredients in treats can cause itching as well.

  All this being said, if you decide to continue with the Canidae, you could take longer for the changeover, going slower, to see if that helps with the grass eating. If you decide to try a simpler diet, she should probably go back on the Nutro 100% to give her stomach time to settle before introducing another new diet.

 Hi,

Dog allergies to food create hotspots and the itching and scratching of the skin. Food intolerances, however, can cause a dog to have an upset stomach, diarrhea, gas, or vomiting. Getting rid of the food culprit can cure both issues.

Thanks

Hans luckee

 The most common food allergens (food is not the most common allergen) are corn, wheat, soy, yeast, chicken, eggs and dairy products.  The odds are that if it is a food allergen, one of those is the likely culprit.  Find a food that has none of those.  Blue Buffalo Lamb and Brown Rice and Wellness Lamb Barley and Salmon Meal.