Dog Prescription Diets - Dietary Sensitivity and Feeding Advice

Food related sensitivities in dogs are usually not instant, but develop over time. For example a hypersensitivity to beef or diary ingredients used in many supermarket brands is quite common!

There are two main types of dietary sensitivity. A food allergy - where your dog's immune system reacts to an ingredient in the dog food, usually in response to a particular form of protein, and food intolerance - where a particular ingredient does not cause an allergic reaction, but can't be tolerated. These reactions are often caused by cheap ingredients, fillers or derivatives. Further, certain forms of protein can cause digestive disorders or skin complaints, such as itchy, flaky skin, loose digestion or flatulence.

Any ingredient can cause a food intolerance, but protein sources such as beef and milk, or carbohydrates like wheat, are often problematic for many dogs. Chemical additives like colourings or artificial preservers can also cause adverse food reactions.

When combating food intolerance symptoms, your veterinary may recommend a premium dog food or prescription diet. These are costly but can mostly be replaced. For instance, specialist veterinary diets for food related sensitivities, digestion problems and even diabetic diets can be substituted with a more cost-effective brand such as Burns Dog Food, Natures Choice, Arden Grange, James Wellbeloved, Wafcol, and Skinners.

Things to look out for when choosing a premium hypoallergenic food

• No genetically modified ingredients
• Suitable for holistic veterinary treatment
• No artificial colours, flavours or preservatives
• Adult recipes suitable for adult and senior dogs
• Controlled levels of protein and fat in each recipe
• Fixed ingredients to avoid adverse food reactions
• Holistic approach to health and nutrition for your dog
• Hypoallergenic - contains no wheat, beef, soya or dairy products
• Made from high quality natural ingredients, with no unwanted fillers
• Contains brown rice, oats, peas, sunflower oil, seaweed, minerals & vitamins
• Low in fat and protein, high in complex carbohydrates

Burns dog food was developed by Johns Burns, a veterinary surgeon who realised many commercial pet foods contained poor ingredients, additives and undesirable fillers; making them unsuitable for treating food related allergies or sensitivities. Finding that for most owners it was not practical to make their own, he decided to develop a holistic range himself. Using the same homemade principles he recommended to owners, he created suitable alternatives to many prescription diets produced to treat various health problems and food sensitivities.

Burns recipes are naturally preserved, wholesome, easy to digest, delicious and contain no unhealthy ingredients or additives found in many other leading brands. Each contains only a single source of meat or fish protein, which allows owners to avoid certain forms of protein, which can cause digestive disorders or skin complaints in their dog.

All Burns varieties has been formulated to naturally boost the immune system, promote a healthy skin and glossy coat, and help protect the digestive tract. You are sure to find a hypoallergenic food suitable for each stage of your dog's or puppy's life.

Debbie McKay writes for ValuPets.com - providing help and advice to all pet owners. Specialists in dog food, including Burns Dog Food, cat food plus supplies for small animals, fish, reptiles and birds. Browse www.valupets.com for more information on discount pet supplies and accessories.