The breeds listed above are just a small number of the dogs who are more commonly affected by food sensitivity. Any commercially manufactured dog food in the UK that meets UK Pet Food guidelines will contain complete nutritional requirements for pets, says the British Veterinary Association (BVA). Crude Protein 18.5%, Crude Fat 8%, Crude Fibre 2%, Crude Ash 7.5%, Copper 21mg/kg, Sodium 0.22%, Calcium 1%, Phosphorus 0.75%, Magnesium 0.12%, Potassium 0.8%, Omega-6 fatty acids 1.78%, Omega-3 fatty acids 0.27%

UK Pet Food says: 'All "complete" pet foods must by law contain all the nutrients in the right proportions that a pet needs for healthy bodily function.' For more details on the most popular brands from above, see our guides to Bakers, Burns, Harringtons, Hill's and Royal Canin dog food. Common symptoms include lethargy, aggressive or hyperactive behaviour, chronic skin and ear problems, slime and jelly being passed with stools, flatulence, bloating and weight gain/loss. The PAW report also estimated that around half of the overweight and obese dogs had health issues which could be related to their weight.The primary aim of hydrolyzing proteins for specialized diets is to sufficiently disrupt the protein structure within the diet to remove any existing allergens and allergenic epitopes and thereby prevent immune recognition by patients already sensitized to the intact protein. Choosing the right food can make all the difference to the health and happiness of your pet, but it can be difficult to work out what’s actually best for your pet.

These diets will avoid protein and carbohydrate sources, such as beef, dairy, poultry, barley, and wheat. Studies have shown that it is possible for dogs to have symptoms caused by more than one ingredient in a given diet, this makes the use of a limited ingredient diet relevant as a result of the inclusion of single protein and carbohydrate sources. The most common food intolerances appear to be colourings, sugars, wheat, milk and soya. Obviously, not all pets are sensitive to these things, but if the effects keep reoccurring, it’s best to consult a vet. How much should I feed my dog? Vitamin A is involved in cell growth and division, as well as hair growth and skin maintenance. Since some of the key symptoms of food allergies include damage to the skin, it is important to include Vitamin A in hypoallergenic diets to help clear up the damage done by any previous allergic reactions a dog may have had. Ingredients in dog food that function as a source of vitamin A are fish oils such as cod oil. Vitamin E Pet obesity is the top welfare concern for vets, according to the 2021 PAW report . Another 2021 study from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) found that one in 14 dogs were recorded by their vets as overweight . The study also found that some breeds were more prone to gaining weight.Vitamin E is an antioxidant which has important functions in immune health. These compounds scavenge for free radicals, protecting cell membranes from damage caused by lipid oxidation. This is beneficial to have in hypoallergenic dog food diets to help maintain cell integrity in case damage does occur due to a reaction. Vitamin E is commonly found just as a vitamin supplement in diets, but it is also present in other food ingredients such as soybean oil, corn oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil. Zinc To find out which are the best and worst dog food brands, in November 2021 we surveyed 1,564 Which? members who had bought dog food recently and asked about their experiences with their chosen brand. Here's what animal charity PDSA suggests you look for – and what to avoid – when choosing dog food. What to look for The experts we spoke to don't advise DIY homemade dog food. This is because it can be extremely difficult to put together a balanced, homemade diet for your pet, so it's generally not recommended, unless it's supervised by a vet. Can I my dog have a vegetarian diet? Some pets have specific nutritional needs based on clinically identified issues, and they should eat diets appropriate to their needs under veterinary supervision.

Some of the reasons owners prefer feeding relate to it being 'natural', coupled with perceived improvements in their dog's health. This is an attempt to improve digestion and reduce the likelihood of a reaction ensuing in dogs with sensitivities to common ingredients found in most commercial dog foods. Some pets appear to be sensitive or intolerant to certain ingredients and additives, and this can cause a variety of problems. If symptoms of food allergies persist after the introduction of this type of diet, it can also be helpful for determining the new allergen that is causing the adverse reaction due to the limited number of ingredients. Vitamins: Vitamin A 25000IU, Vitamin D3 2000IU, Vitamin E 100IU, Taurine 1000mg; Trace Elements: Copper (copper (II) chelate of amino acids hydrate) 12mg, Iodine (calcium iodate anhydrous) 1mg, Manganese (manganous chelate of amino acids hydrate) 20mg, Zinc (zinc chelate of amino acids hydrate) 50mg, Selenium (3b8.11, Selenised yeast inactivated) 0.2mg.We've compared the monthly cost of the three most popular choices, as well as the best and worst-scoring brands from our survey. Dry foods are usually the most economical, and easiest for you to feed and store. Owners who feed wet food should monitor their pet's teeth, as it can predispose them to dental disease.