What is Hypoallergenic Food?

What is Hypoallergenic Food?

  • Does your dog scratch like crazy? Leaving red patches? 
  • Dandruff, dry skin or a flat coat without shine? 
  • Gastrointestinal problems: diarrhoea, vomiting, wind, bloating…
  • Loss of appetite, uninterested in food?

You may have recently been to the vet and they have recommended a hypoallergenic food or you simply have heard that a hypoallergenic food is better for your dog.

Your dog might already be on medication every month.

But what does hypoallergenic mean anyway? Let me explain to you what it means, and if you stay until the end of the article, I will reveal to you the ways manufacturers and the industry are lying to you. 

Let’s get started. Simply put, hypoallergenic dog food is a food that contains ingredients that are nutritious and free from allergens. 

Ingredients that do not cause your dog to have any reactions. 

Sounds good? Well, not quite. 

The main problem with hypoallergenic foods is that the list of ingredients has never been defined. 

Let me say that again, the ingredients that are or are not hypoallergenic are not defined. 

If your pet itches like crazy, has intestinal issues, or skin conditions, people recommend hypoallergenic food. 

This, simply put, is that people in the industry can label a food hypoallergenic, recommend it to you, and for that particular food to be making the problem worse. 

Let me illustrate this with common ingredients that get recommended as hypoallergenic:

Rice, hydrolysed soya protein isolate, animal fats, hydrolysed poultry liver, beet pulp. Maize starch*, hydrolysed soya protein**, minerals, coconut oil, sugar* 

Yes! Sugar! Maize Starch! Rice! Refined Carbohydrates that are best kept away from pet food.  If your vet recommends something with these ingredients, say no!

Also, if your dog has a food sensitivity or allergy, and you are feeding them animal fats (which animal?) Is it chicken, or is it deer? We don’t know. 

Hypoallergenic is now a token word used by the pet food industry to keep you appease. We strongly disagree with this unspecific term. 

So, how can you make sure people are not taking you for a ride? 

Well, you read the ingredients.

Listen, we could sell all these foods recommended by vets and the pet industry as a whole, but we will not out of principle.

So if you want to feed your dog something that’s actually good quality, you can visit The Pet Quarter, digitally or in person. 

Well, you read the ingredients. And in order for you to understand what’s good or bad in pet food, you can follow us on social media, or ask us in the comments. 

To learn more.

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook @thepetquarter 

Youtube: The Pet Quarter

Do not be fooled by the pet food industry, we solve dog's problems with nutrition. 

Call now:  01642903650 

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