Healthy Treats for Dogs with Allergies

If you’ve ever had a dog experience an allergic reaction, you’ll know just how upsetting it can be for the poor pooch. Allergies for dogs can be extremely serious, causing respiratory problems, terrible skin rashes, hair loss, digestive issues and even behavioural changes. So, it’s crucial to understand your pet’s dietary needs early on in their life and manage their food and treats as they grow with you. After all, a healthy pooch is a happy pooch!

What are dogs allergic to?

What’s interesting about allergies for dogs is that, like humans, they aren’t all allergic to the same food groups. Some common foods like chocolate, grapes, onion or avocado are actually generally toxic to all dogs and should be avoided at all times, but foods like wheat, corn, and soy are considered allergens.

So, what should you look out for in your dog’s diet? Here’s a list of foods to keep an eye on:

Beef, chicken, pork, or lamb
Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yoghurt
Gluten in grains like wheat, corn, rice, barley
Peanuts, cashews, almonds, and other nuts
Small seeds like sesame or sunflower
Eggs and fish
Soy and soy products
Many preservatives used in foods

What can we do for healthy treats?

A lot of people often ask what kind of treats are best for their dogs' health. It's actually really important to make sure you're giving your dog treats that are healthy and packed with energy for playtime and training, but without any harmful ingredients that can cause allergies or make them sick. One great habit to get into is checking the labels of the treats you buy to see what's inside and look for natural and healthy options that your dog will love. It's all about finding the right balance between giving them a tasty snack and making sure it's good for them.

So, what makes a great dog treat? Peanut butter is an age-old classic snack, that’s (in most cases) extremely safe for a dog, and very tasty to boot! Bow Wow have a new Pea-Mutt Butter Roll full of the old favourite peanut butter and wrapped in rawhide for a long-lasting treat.

Other good things to look for in dog treats are natural ingredients. Certain grains, preservatives and other filler ingredients are often used in treats to save money, but they can be unhealthy, and even dangerous, in some cases, for your pets. Check the ingredients and only buy from reputable businesses to keep your dog happy. We make our Proscuitto Wrapped Bones and Super Snack Sticks with no grains, so no gluten, and also no nasty preservatives, just wholly natural ingredients. Another safe bet is to treat your pet with all-natural snacks like a Pig Ear - it’s gluten, grain and soy free!

Above all - learn what your dog can safely eat, and what they should avoid. A healthy, tasty treat will feel better for your dog and give them the energy to play and learn. Find the right treat, with the right ingredients - we list allergens on our treats, so you can know what is and isn’t right for your pet.

What is my dog allergic to?

So, healthy snacks are good, and some - but not all - potentially allergenic foods should be avoided, but how do you know what foods suit your dog? If you’re really worried about your pet, you should always take them to a vet to be checked. You can have them tested for allergies there, and find out the right diet to provide them with. But there are other signs to look out for going through your day-to-day life with your pet!

Watch what your dog is eating, and look out for signs of an allergic reaction. Some of the most common reactions include:

Itchy skin - especially their paws and ears
Irregular digestive movements
Rapid or unexpected weight loss
Hyperactivity or unusual aggression
Low energy
Lack of appetite

If you find that your dog is exhibiting some of these symptoms, it might be a good idea to exclude certain food groups (like those in our list above) to see if the problem rights itself. But if it becomes severe, you should always default to a vet visit. And don’t forget to read the labels on food packaging and recognise the things your pet should be avoiding, it’s a fantastic habit to have!