Best Food For German Shepherd With Skin Allergies

Best Dog Food For German Shepherds With Skin Allergies

German shepherds often suffer from skin allergies. This condition is referred to as atopy by veterinarians. This typically affects the dogs belly, feet, ears, and folds of the skin. The most common signs include frequent ear infections, rubbing the face, and licking the paws.

Fortunately choosing the right type of dog food can often help to alleviate this condition. Below we give a few guidelines on how to choose the best dog food for German shepherds with skin allergies.

Treating Food Allergies In Your German Shepherd

When it comes to allergies, food allergies are much more tricky to treat.

Since the only way to cure your German Shepherds distress is by finding the source of the allergy in their food, the process of treatment can be lengthy.

Though there are a few ways to eliminate the allergy in their diet, lets first discuss a food trial.

The first method of getting to the bottom of your German Shepherds food allergy is by doing a food trial or elimination diet.

This simply means testing new sources of proteins and carbs until you find an option that suits your Shepherd companion.

Though it sounds simple, the process can take some time. A food trial should be practiced for a minimum of 12 weeks to get an accurate answer, meaning it could take months to figure out which protein and carbohydrate combination is safe for your beloved GSD.

Thankfully, there are many pet food brands that offer limited protein diets, and diets that only offer one individual protein at a time.

For example, Wellness Limited Ingredient Kibble offers a salmon and potato diet that is free of common allergens such as chicken, dairy, eggs, and more.

Another option for a food trial is by creating an at home diet that allows you to be aware of every single ingredient that goes into your German Shepherds food.

Though this is possible, its important to be sure to have every single recipe approved by your vet before offering it to your dog.

Other Allergies In German Shepherds

Your dog can have other allergies besides those to foods they eat.

One or more different things can cause an allergy in your German Shepherd.

Allergens are categorized into three main groups. Within each group, your GSD might have an allergy to something very specific but, generally, the groups overlap. This means your dog might have an allergy to things from one or all of the three main groups.

The main groups are:

• and atopic dermatitis

Read Also: What Do German Shepherds Usually Die From

Prospective Dog Breed Owners Should Be Aware That Their Beloved Pet May Be Predisposed To Developing A Range Of Allergies Here Are 10 Breeds Of Lovable Dog Likely To Develop Allergies

A huge number of us decided to welcome new puppies into our homes in the last two years according to Kennel Club figures dog ownership soared by nearly eight percent and post-lockdown demand for four-legged friends remains high.

There are a whopping 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds, so theres plenty of thinking to do before you select your familys latest addition.

Theres even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Corens book The Intelligence of Dogs ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.

Read more

Another thing to take into consideration is that some breeds are prone to developing allegies.

If you know that your particular dog is predisposed to a certain allergy then you can keep an eye out for telltale signs and seek treatment quickly.

Here are the 10 breeds of dog that are predisposed to developing allergies.

For all the latest dog news, chat, advice and information, join our Scotsdog group here

Comparison Chart For German Shepherd Puppy Doggy Food For Skin Allergies Pethonesty Liquid Allergy Supplement The Puppys Food It May Even Entice A Picky Eater To Finish Their Meal Down To The Last Morsel

But it doesnt end there

Omega fatty acid oils reduce the itching and scratching associated with inflamed skin and add moisture to soothe inflamed skin. Dont you think thats great?

If your puppy is extremely picky, you may need to introduce the oil gradually. Salmon Flavored Soft Chews Skin & Coat Supplement from PetHonesty is ideal for dogs with allergies because of its chewy texture.

Puppy dry kibble is balanced and complete, so multivitamins are not needed. Vitamins and minerals taken in concentrated form may cause joint damage during growth if calcium or phosphorus levels are out of balance. Yikes!

If you stick with me here, youll learn a lot about how to deal with your German Shepherds itchiness.

Also Check: What German Shepherds Look Like

Treating Contact Allergies In Your German Shepherd

The best way to treat a contact allergy in your German Shepherd is by removing the allergen itself.

Since a contact allergen will generally affect the area it touched on your German Shepherd, you can begin to narrow down the possibilities of what caused the irritation.

For example, if your German Shepherd has a red patch in the area that you applied their monthly flea prevention, you can begin to assume the allergy was caused by the topical treatment.

If your German Shepherd has skin irritation all over their belly and you know they love to lay on their belly in the grass each time they go outside, you may begin to assume that they are having a reaction to the grass.

If you are able to eliminate the allergen entirely, this is the best method.

However, if you are unable to remove the possible allergen completely, you should try your best to limit their exposure to it.

If you are unable to limit their exposure, you can speak with your vet about prescribed allergy medications that can bring them relief.

Keep in mind that you may need to have the irritated area treated by a veterinarian if it appears to be infected or is causing your dog great discomfort.

Contact allergies can lead to further complications, so be sure to keep a close eye on the area for your canine companion.

Choosing The Best Dog Food For German Shepherds: What To Look For

German Shepherds are some of the most brilliant and lively dogs youll ever meet. However, German Shepherds are also known for having weak stomachs, and introducing new dog foods to their diets must be done as carefully as possible. Here are a few things to consider when buying dog food for German Shepherds.

Read Also: Are German Shepherds Kid Friendly

German Shepherd Skin Allergies Prevention Tips

German shepherds commonly get exposed to skin allergies but there are some preventive measures you can follow to reduce their risk of exposure to allergens.

• You should get a flea preventive treatment for your German shepherd every three months.
• Make sure to provide them with a clean environment to minimize allergic reactions. Cleaning your house properly, vacuuming carpets and getting rid of dust mites will help your German shepherd stay safe.
• Regular washing of your dogâs bedding, toys and food bowls is always a good idea to help reduce infections, including skin allergies.
• You should not give your German shepherd a diet containing dyes or preservatives.
• Use an air purifier to cleanse the air. It protects your German shepherd from different infectious agents and allergens.
• Feeding high-quality nutritious food also helps them stay away from allergies. Diet having omega 3 and 6 fatty acids is best for their coat health.
• Avoid taking your German shepherd to places where pollens can be easily found and clean their paws after returning from a walk.
• Regular grooming like bathing and combing their hair twice a week is important to get rid of many allergens.

Give the complete medication dosage prescribed by your vet to heal the allergy completely.

The best thing is to hospitalize your German shepherd if he is showing severe symptoms of skin allergies. Sometimes your vet may recommend visiting a veterinary dermatologist for treatment of severe German shepherd skin allergies.

Best Dog Food For German Shepherd Puppies: Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition

Royal Canins Breed Health Nutrition dog food for puppies is as nutritious and beneficial for dogs as its adult-specific counterpart above. However, its specially formulated to cater to the special needs of a still-growing GSD. This dry food provides all the essential nutrients and supplements needed and is suitable for pups 8 weeks to 15 months old. It improves digestive issues and helps with overall development.

• Designed for growing GSD puppies
• Improves digestive issues and helps with overall development
• Contains essential minerals like calcium and phosphorus
• Easy to absorb

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Signs Of German Shepherd Skin Allergies

Diagnosing skin allergies can be complicated sometimes because he can show multiple symptoms. Below are some signs to look out for German shepherd skin allergies.

• Scratching the skin
• Gastrointestinal pain
• Alopecia

Ears, eyes, paws, legs, and stomach are of prime importance when looking for signs of allergy in your dog. Hair loss is one of the common symptoms of skin allergy that develops along with red patches or swelling.

The Allergy Elimination Diet

Elimination diets strive to determine what food ingredient your dog is allergic to, sort of like limited ingredient dog foods.

Your veterinarian will help prescribe a specific diet plan for you to follow.

A food trial consists of feeding a dog a novel source of protein and carbohydrate for 12 weeks .

This is a food trial and will take time to yield results.

The elimination diet wont contain any ingredients your pet has eaten before. No other foods, supplements, or treats are fed during this trial, either.

The best and most accurate method of diagnosing food allergy is to feed a hypoallergenic diet for eight to twelve weeks as a food trial called an elimination trial .

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Contact Allergies In German Shepherds

Contact allergies are the most uncommon form of allergies in German Shepherds, but they can certainly cause them great discomfort.

Since this allergy involves your dog coming in direct contact with a substance that her body does not approve of, this can result in localized pain and severe itchiness.

Though its irritating enough for our furry friends to deal with a contact allergy, many times our German Shepherds will continue to be exposed until we become aware of the problem.

Because of this, some contact allergies in German Shepherds can be severe.

The most common forms of contact allergies include topical flea and tick prevention, flea and tick collars, shampoos, fragrances, certain types of fabric, collars, our lotion, plants, cleaning supplies, and more.

Virtually any substance can cause a contact allergy if your German Shepherd is sensitive to it.

What Are The Benefits Of Raw Eggs For Dogs

There are a few potential benefits of feeding raw eggs to dogs. Some people believe that raw eggs can help increase a dog’s energy levels, improve their coat, and even help with joint pain. While there is some anecdotal evidence to support these claims, there is no scientific evidence that raw eggs offer any health benefits for dogs.

Read Also: What Can A German Shepherd Eat

Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Puppy

Rating:

Complete Health Large Breed Puppy is one of 13 dry recipes evaluated in our review of the Wellness Complete Health product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, peas, ground brown rice, salmon meal
• Type: Grain-inclusive
• Profile: Growth
• Best for:German Shepherd puppy

Complete Health Large Breed Puppy derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh chicken as well as chicken meal and salmon meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 32% protein, 14% fat and 45% estimated carbs with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 44%.

Sample buyer reviewMy almost year old GSD loves this food! I transitioned him to this at 9 weeks. He was on another grain free puppy food but was not large breed. This food for high marks and I wanted to have a food that contained grains and was formulated for large breeds. My dog had no issues transitioning and loves his food. Like a lot of GSDs he does have a sensitive tummy and most treats dont agree with him so we use this as a training treat as well and he still loves it.

What Causes Allergic Reactions In German Shepherds

Allergic reactions as stated earlier is not a sickness its just a reaction to a foreign body.

While allergies in humans are often dangerous and can lead to death, in dogs it is less severe and does not have any serious effects. However, it should be taken care of since it can make your pet jumpy or restless, plus it can easily damage its beautiful body.

Allergic reactions are caused by substances known as allergens. Allergens are a set of substances that a dogs immune system treats in the same way as a disease causing pathogens.

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German Shepherd Weight Gain

Why is letting my German Shepherd gain weight a bad thing? Letting a German Shepherd gain weight can be a very bad thing, largely because of how large these dogs are and how prone they are to arthritis and conditions like elbow and hip dysplasia, even without excess weight. Keeping him trim and active will help to prolong his healthy life and prevent these conditions from developing, or at the very least, keep from exacerbating them.

What Protein Sources Are Best For A German Shepherd With Skin Allergies

If your GSD has allergies, then choosing novel proteins may help.

Food allergies in German Shepherds are usually to a specific protein in the food. This is commonly gluten, beef, or dairy.

Food allergy treatments generally involve avoiding the offending protein. Diets based on novel proteins might help provide allergy relief for itchy skin problems.

• venison
• kangaroo

These meats are usually found in hypoallergenic diets for German Shepherds to reduce inflammatory skin and keep sensitive stomachs soothed.

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The 5 Best Dog Foods For German Shepherds With Skin Allergies

Finding the best dog food for German Shepherds with skin allergies can feel like a maze!

You turn left, you swing right

And BOOM!

All the flashy marketing and bright labels are shouting for your attention!

Its no wonder you feel so overwhelmed.

But getting your German Shepherd the food they need for their sensitive skin doesnt have to be a nightmare.

Its easier than you think to give your dog the relief they so desperately want

Because Im going to show you exactly how to buy the best dog food for a German Shepherd with skin allergies to soothe itchy, sore skin and ease your anxiety.

Lets get started!

Complications Of Allergies In German Shepherds

Not only can allergies cause great discomfort to our German Shepherds, they can also result in medical complications that can impact their daily lives.

Some of the most common complications of allergies in German Shepherds include:

• Skin infections
• Wounds from excessive scratching or biting
• Chronic upper respiratory symptoms
• Eye infections and ulcers from pawing at their eyes
• Fur loss
• Vomiting

Secondary infections are one of the most common complications of allergies in German Shepherds.

Skin, ear, and eye infections can become serious if left untreated, making it so important to take the symptoms of allergies seriously when they are first noticed.

If you fear that your German Shepherd is having secondary complications from their allergies, its best to contact your veterinarian.

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Treating Flea Allergies In Your German Shepherd

So how do you treat flea allergies in your German Shepherd?

The most important part of treatment is flea control.

Even if your German Shepherd does not have an active flea infestation, it is still extremely important to keep up with their monthly prescribed flea prevention and treatment of your environment.

Since just one flea can cause an allergy, its best to prevent the presence of fleas as best as possible.

Even if your dog is on flea prevention, you should try your best to comb through their fur and check for any live fleas. You can do this by using a flea brush like the Weback Flea Comb.

Actual treatment of your German Shepherds flea allergy will vary based on the severity of your dogs skin.

Some vets will prescribe steroids for the inflammation, they may prescribe antibiotics for any secondary skin infections, or may just recommend at home care if there are no open wounds or current infections on the skin.

Some of the most common at home treatments for minor allergies to soothe a dogs irritated skin include soothing shampoos such as Pro Pet Works Oatmeal Shampoo or Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo.

Lucy Pet Formulas For Life For Sensitive Skin And Stomach

Lucy Pet Formulas for Life is a revolutionary new dog food formula. A more nuanced approach to your pups dietary requirements, it can be tailored to meet the specific needs of their skin and stomach sensitivities with options like Buffet Blend for an inclusive mix of proteins or Allergy Free Bite that is great for dogs who have been prescribed certain diets by their doctors.

Itll taste better too! Available in hearty chicken soups flavors , Lucy Pet Formula offers life-giving health benefits for all your furry friends from young puppies to senior dogs looking out for retirement on the couch.

Treat your fussy, sensitive pup to a delicious meal that wont cause upset stomach, itching skin, or stomach pains.

Every bite of Lucy Pet Formulas for Life has been created with caring and love in mind. Made without corn, soy, rice, or wheat , green peas, split pea beans, and lentils which may contain trace elements of these ingredients and no artificial colors or preservatives

ucy Pet Formulas

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