DogtorJ.com’s Elimination Diet
Food allergies are on the rise in veterinary medicine in both
dogs and cats. These are manifested mainly as dermatological (skin and ears) and gastrointestinal problems. Chronic ear problems
in the dog and chronic vomiting in the cat are big “red flags” for food allergies and intolerances.
However, many immune-mediated diseases (those caused by or triggered by the immune system) have been linked recently to food
intolerance. Such things as hypothyroidism, diabetes, lupus, coronary artery disease, epilepsy, asthma( cow milk and
corn), hyperthyroidism (Grave’s disease), and rheumatoid arthritis as well as many psychological disorders (such as
autism and ADHD in people) have been tied to food intolerance in the recent past.
Dog foods and treats many times contain the food ingredients that have been
most often incriminated in food allergies and intolerances. Historically, the main allergens have been dairy
products, cereal grains (wheat, barley, corn) and beef in the dog. In the cat, the primary
allergens are dairy products, cereal grains, and fish. So, when deciding which foods to buy for your pet, especially
for the allergic pet, try to follow these basic guidelines first:
Things to Eliminate:
1) Wheat, barley, rye - ALL of them. (including
bread, snack crackers,treats, wheat/gluten, etc.)
2) Dairy products - ALL of them. (including
milk, cheese, whey, casein, dried skim milk, etc.)
3) Soy – ALL (This is also a major problem in people. See www.mercola.com‘s Soy Index Page)
4) Corn- ALL
(including corn gluten meal)- This is important in asthma, pain syndromes, and epilepsy.
5) Beef and fish - (only if allergy symptoms
are present/persist. These are “secondary“ allergies.)
6) Artificial preservatives and colors - (You want
to see “preserved with vit.E“)
By eliminating the above items, you will be taking
care of at least 80% of all food allergens and all three of the major sources of food intolerance (gluten
in grains, casein in dairy, and soy protein.)
This must be considered in ALL foods, including TREATS and TABLE FOOD. Milk Bones and Beggin’
Strips, for example, are loaded with wheat, artificial preservatives, and many of the animal proteins to which pets may
be allergic. In the cat, Pounce is a problem in that it is a “who’s who” of artificial preservatives
and colors.
Below are some of the “safe” foods for your pets that leave out most or all of the above ingredients. ALWAYS
READ LABELS. Not every flavor variety is safe.
Safe
Pet Foods:
*Nutro Natural Choice Lamb and
Rice Adult formula (available at pet shops)
*Dick
Van Patten's Natural Balance Duck and Potato (available at B&B PetStop, Cottage Hill)
*I.V.D.
- Potato-based diets available through veterinarians. The “Cadillac”.
*I.V.D.,
and Nutro Treats- Available here and at pet shops.
*Lambaderm
by NaturalLife- Available at select WalMarts.
*Canidae and Felidae Pet Foods- None of the "big 4" but many different
proteins present.
*
Life's Abundance Premium Health Dog and Cat foods- Great food for the dogs and cats www.manna4pets.com
If symptoms persist after 3-6 weeks of starting
these diets, then blood testing is available to identify other food allergies. These can be varied and numerous, especially
in aged pets.
Above all, BE STRICT. Food allergies can be very sensitive conditions and the least amount of the offending
substance can trigger reactions that can last for days. Be creative in finding safe treats for your pets- those that
MATCH the diet. This will be a lot harder on you than your pet.
NEW: www.dogtorj.net www.celiac.com www.gfcfdiet.com www.manna4pets.com (Life's Abundance) http://www.mercola.com www.nomilk.com
www.mercola.com/article/soy/ www.notmilk.com
www.dldewey.com/hydroil.htm
- Print out and read “Hydrogenated oils- The Silent Killers” and Aspartame paper.
