Dogs can share the same allergies and intolerances as human beings, and one of those intolerances can result from gluten consumption. While gluten intolerance is fairly uncommon in dogs, its not unheard of. Most dry and wet dog foods contain a considerable amount of gluten along with many other potential allergy-inducing ingredients, like beef, chicken, pork, lamb, soy, and dairy, which can make it difficult to determine what is causing your pet’s intolerance/allergy.
Symptoms
Your pet may be allergic to gluten if he or she has symptoms including: poor appetite, gassiness, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, or chronic skin problems & itchiness. If you are not sure what is causing these symptoms, try feeding your dog a brand of food that does not contain gluten. If he or she starts feeling better, gluten is most likely the culprit. If not, then you may need to consult with your veterinarian to determine what else your dog may be allergic to.
Gluten intolerance in dogs can lead to similar health problems as in humans, so its highly important to keep a close eye on your dog’s well-being. If his or her gluten intolerance is not addressed, your pet could experience extreme discomfort and pain on a daily basis and possible degeneration of the digestive tract. You will probably also have to clean up frequent “messes” around the house if it is not brought under control.
Choosing a Food
Once you’ve determined that your dog does indeed have a gluten intolerance, the next step is to find a high quality, gluten-free food. There are many options you can choose from, including both wet and dry food. Gluten-free food tends to be slightly more expensive than regular food, but the price is definitely worth your four-legged friend’s health (and avoiding numerous vet bills).
Some popular dry food brands include: BLUE, Nature’s Select, Pioneer Naturals, Whole Earth Farms, and Back to Basics. Wet foods include: BLUE, PeopleFud, Nature’s Recipe, Kirkland, and EVO. You probably won’t find a lot of these brands at your local supermarket, but they can easily be found at specialty pet stores, such as PetSmart, Pet Country, or online.
