Are Your Pooch's Dog Food Intolerance Symptoms Driving Her (and you) Crazy?

It's no wonder!  What's causing these darn dog food intolerance symptoms?  Is it a dog food allergy (immune response) or some other kind of allergy?  Or... is it a gastrointestinal sensitivity to a dog food?  For example...

Adult dogs, big and small, should not drink milk...

These are just a few questions among many others below you need answered so you can help your poor doggy...  

• Most dogs in general seem to have occasional tummy upsets... why? 

• “What do I do if my pooch has an upset tummy?”  Does she need an upset stomach home remedy?... here's more on this.

• Are some breeds more prone?

• Is there an over-the-counter dog diet that really works?

• Have you tried raw dog food (barf dog food), variety and moderation?

Maybe you (and your dog) are tired of going back and forth to the vet.  Your dog is stressed out (and you!).  Is your savings account  diminishing?  You've gotten so much (good and bad) advice you feel like your going in all different directions!

I think Nimble and I can help your dog and you... honestly.  If you read on...  you'll be asking yourself  “How come nobody else told us this stuff?... 

This is one of the reasons our site is "different from the rest of the pack!"

Dog Food Intolerance Symptoms and Dog Food (and other) Allergies...

Doggy Upset Tummies, Itching, Rashes... You Name it!

We need to accept the fact that our furry companions live in our environment and has it's consequences.  As a result... your safe healthy dog food diet (well... you thought it was!) causes unfavorable reactions to our dogs' bodies.  

Although this dog food pictured below is healthier than many other brands... it's impossible to duplicate a proper healthy dog food diet from a can, bottle or box...

... which can cause one of many dog food intolerance symptoms.

There's tons of reasons why our dogs' food doesn't agree with them.  Dog chow causes only a small percentage of these unfavorable symptoms.  The biggest percentage is caused by other toxic and non-toxic substances from our environment.  

One more thing...

What about impure water?  It's also a “dog food.”  You'll enjoy our article (we hope)... just click here.   Make sure it's pure (we distill our own).  I also add seeds to Nimble's water bowl for added nutrition...

Causes of your pal's dog food intolerance symptoms

Here's a list of bad dog foods, additives, alterations, etc., we feel are the culprits.  You might end up asking yourself... “How come I didn't hear about some of this stuff before?  It' because we're not trying to make money off your doggy's misfortune!

See... we are different from the rest of the “pack!”  For example... have you ever seen a picture of daddy syringe-feeding his little furry rascal  pureed fruit or veggies on another website?...    

Ok... back to that checklist...

After reading the following dog food intolerance symptoms list you'll probably think “It's no wonder my dog's irritated... and so am I!”

• Ill-combined dog foods.  Is your canine's food combined properly with other dog foods?   Is your dog vomiting undigested food?  Some foods don't mix well with others... 
  
  As a result... they sit in your dog's stomach too long undigested while rotting and fermenting.  A good example is meat and potatoes... never mix a protein with a starch.

Furthermore...

• We tend to mix a bunch of different foods together... then serve 'em at the same time.  In this case... less is best.  It's harder for your furry pal to digest multiple ingredients.  Is your dog throwing up undigested food?  Hmmm.... 

Here's more on proper dog food combining.   

• Cooking your dog's vittles (alterations).  Have you ever seen a wild dog cooking their food?  Cooking kills most dog nutrition.  Don't get me wrong... hats off to all of you that take the time to cook for your dog...
  
  Your homemade dog food is much, much healthier than the store-bought stuff! 
  
  Slow cooking on low heat for the shortest amount of time is better.  Also... make sure you add the best dog supplements you can find.  Here's ours...

• Additives in dog food.  Preservatives, artificial sweeteners, stuff to hold those “pretty little dog food cubes” in shape, fillers, etc.  Your dog's body can't handle this stuff... don't let anyone tell you different. 

• Dog food quality.  The dog food industry isn't regulated like the human food industry.  What's worse... what you see isn't always what you get.  All the bad dog food ingredients don't have to be listed on the product label... another cause of dog food intolerance symptoms! 
  
  Dead, dying and diseased animals are used.  Also... discarded waste from human food processing plants is added to your dog's food.  Unhealthy fillers are added to the mix.  The list goes on and on...
  
  Dog food quality is sooo important.  Check out our article about this... it'll surely raise your blood pressure!     

• Spoiled dog food.  Some commercial dog foods might be spoiled before they get to your pooch's mouth.  A wild dog eats lots of rotten, raw meat in their world.  But... their digestive systems (and our dogs' systems) are healthy and designed for this.  And... it's pure, wild food (not altered by humans).
  
  

Talk about pure, unprocessed food that man hasn't had a chance to ruin... check out these beautiful sea perch below (of course... I caught them!).

Nimble feasts on these... just like a wild dog on an Alaskan stream full of salmon...

Have you changed your dog's food lately?  I know of some dogs who had a dietary reaction after eating a new, healthy dog food.  However, over time... their systems seemed to adjust to their new dog chow.

An unhealthy dog is more susceptible to dog food intolerances.  It's the unhealthy dog food she's been eating that got her this way in the first place.  Of course... exercise, sunshine, fresh air and a great environment are  also needed. 

By the way...

My Dog has an Upset Stomach... What Should I Do?

Your dog just threw up her dinner.  It's too bad you spent an hour slaving away in the kitchen... oh well.  Maybe your pooch has the runs (dog diarrhea) or other dog food intolerance symptoms (check out our list of reactions below).  What should you do?

It's nice to have a few ingredients around like the canned pumpkin, rice and chicken (ready to be steamed) in case mother nature needs a head start...

Does you dog have a fever?  Is she not her normal self?  Has she thrown up more than 2-3 times in a day even after you discontinued giving her more of that same dog food?  How about diarrhea?  Also... 

Is she acting like she's in pain?  Take her to the vet! 

On the other hand... if you can answer no to all the above... don't worry.  Just let her body do it's thing... even if she's not hungry.  Your canine won't starve!  If you feel mother nature needs a boost... maybe try a home remedy.  

Dog Food Intolerance Symptoms

Many believe eggs cause unwanted dog food reactions.  What a bunch of b.s!  My dogs have been eating raw, organic eggs like these for years...

Want more proof?  Nimble and I accidentally scared off a coyote ready to gorge on this egg...

Ok... I feel better now.  I've been wanting to get that off my chest...

Sometimes dog food allergies have the same symptoms as dog food intolerances.  Digestion is affected by an intolerance.  Reactions to your dog's skin (can be caused by an intolerance) or immune system are caused by allergies.  By the way... 

Is your dog is itching a lot?  Maybe she has fleas... click here for a healthy, homemade flea relief!   

Here's a list of reactions when your doggy's food doesn't agree with her...

• Gas... this is one of those dog food intolerance symptoms your doggy can handle!  How about you?  Arf! 
  

• Doggy squirts (dog diarrhea).  You might enjoy this page... tap here!

• Your dog throwing up undigested food.

• Abdominal pain and discomfort.

• Watery poop.  It might appear slimy and smelly.

• Scratching/itching.

• No appetite (yes... even dogs can loose their desire to chow down!).

Figuring out What's Upsetting Your Tail-Wagger's Digestive System

Is it the flour?...

Could be.  "But it's organic!"  Organic is the best choice but it can still cause dog food intolerance symptoms. 

Dog foods made with these soybeans are also said to cause problems.  Sorry... I don't feed them (as well as flour) except maybe in an occasional home made dog treat so I have no proof...

... but remember... these foods are not natural to a wild dog's diet.

Before you jump in your car and rush your canine to the vet... please take a deep breath and close your eyes.  Believe me... Nimble has to constantly remind me of this!  

Figuring out what the culprit is can be a long, expensive process.  To add to this... it can be very stressful for you and your companion.

Think about this...

Maybe the offender isn't your dog's food!  As we've mentioned above... dog food only causes a small percentage of our dogs' annoying symptoms.  The last thing you and your furry pal need is...

… for this to go on and on (believe me... it can!).

Dietary elimination trial for dog food intolerance symptoms.

Do you feel your dog's food is causing havoc to her system?  If so... putting your doggie on a “special” dog diet with very limited healthy dog food ingredients is a process that's frequently used.  

Hopefully, your vet can design a regimen for you.  Or... you can go the homemade dog food route (I would).  In a nutshell... this is how it works...

Using limited ingredients that aren't known to cause gastrointestinal upsets, your dog is fed these every day.  Over time... other foods are added slowly... one by one.  

Eventually (hopefully), a food will be added that causes the dog food intolerance symptoms...  

There's sooo many variables in play here!  I'd definitely try making your own dog food and doing it at home.

Blood tests don't work for dog food stomach upsets!

Blood tests are a great tool for an occasional doggie physical.  Or... is your pooch feeling under the weather?  Again... blood tests have their place here.  

When it comes to determining what's causing the dog food intolerance symptoms... forget it.  Don't waste your money and don't stress your doggie unnecessarily!

Known dog foods that can cause intolerance symptoms

Raw, organic chicken does not cause Nimble problems.  However... when they're cooked like these home made chicken dog treats... just feed in moderation...

I've frequently read that these foods are common culprits...

• Chicken.

• Beef.

• Dairy.

• Egg.

• Lamb.

• Fish.

• Corn.

• Wheat

• Soy

Nimble & I are gon'na throw in our two cents worth...

I've been feeding these foods to my dogs for years except the dairy, wheat and soy.  Why no dairy?  Because milk is designed by mother nature as the only food for the first couple of months a pup is on this earth.

How come chicken, beef (lamb, etc.) and eggs agree with my canines and wild dogs?  Because I feed 'em the way mother nature intended... raw!  And... they're combined properly with other dog foods...

...like Nimble's raw, organic free-range lamb we just picked up...

Too simple... right?  If you haven't read more about this above... you should tap here. 

Furthermore...

Are dog food intolerance symptoms caused by... 

… feeding the same food (dog food ingredient) over and over again?  We think so. 

In the wild... coyotes and wolves eat a good variety of dog vittles.  We might tend to feed the same dog foods (ingredients) over and over again.  If your dog has an intolerance to that particular food... you say “Bingo... it's the chicken!”  

But...   

Could it be that chicken is one of the most common dog food ingredients used (as well as beef and eggs)?  Hmmm... just something to think about...

I alternate Nimble's chicken with other meats, poultry and fish.  She loves her chicken organ meat ground up!...

Also... some foods just ain't meant for bouser's stomach (for example... corn, wheat and soy)!

Dog Food Intolerances in Different “Types” of Dogs.

Dogs of any breed, gender or age can have a reaction.

“My dog seems awful healthy... she shouldn't have dietary reactions!”  Then you start pondering about other dog food offenders...    

Do certain breeds tolerate dog foods better than others?

As far as I know... there is no link between dog food intolerances and specific breeds.  However... I've read documentation that certain breeds are affected.  For example... Irish Setters are prone to gluten sensitivity.  I can't confirm this.

How about age and gender?  

Is there an Over-the-Counter Diet that's Designed for Dog Food Intolerances?

Numerous companies make an over-the-counter dog food diet that claim to work for dogs with a dietary reaction.  Many of these diets contain too many ingredients.  

Furthermore...

Aside from all the additives and other junk... all bad dog food ingredients are not required to be listed on the ingredients label.  The same applies to other dog foods, doggie treats and dog chews.  You got'ta be kidding me!   Here's more if you didn't click on the link above. 

You might try a healthy dog food diet designed by a vet who has a background in dog nutrition.  Your best bet is a holistic vet.  Here's a list of vets to choose from.

If you decide to do it yourself... make sure you don't use too many healthy dog food ingredients at one time.  Even our healthy, organic fruit (below) shouldn't be feed this way during a dog food trial.  Just serve one type at a time...

Are there Other Reasons for an Unfavorable Dog Food Reaction?

Let's look at some other possible causes of dog food intolerance symptoms not listed above.  I'm sure there are others Nimble hasn't told me about.  Even dogs aren't perfect (once in a blue moon)!  

• Does your dog have salmonella?  Wild dogs have a healthier immune system than most of our domesticated dogs.  And... they don't eat meat from animals raised in filthy environments.  In addition... this garbage might not be processed, shipped and stored properly.

• Bacteria.  Wild dogs can handle “natural” bacteria in nature.  But... give them a dose of the bacteria found in the garbage we feed our dogs and guess what?  Time for the doggie hospital!
  
  

• Has your dog been given vaccines, antibiotics or other drugs?  These can kill all the friendly bacteria in your dog's gastrointestinal system (among a ton of other bad things)!  Friendly bacteria help your doggie digest food as well as many other bodily functions. 
  
  Dogs given these poisons throughout their lives (especially young doggies) might be predisposed to dog food intolerances.  Of course... dog food reactions are only the “tip of the ice burg.” 
  

Drugs will kill your dog's friendly bacteria in her digestive system enhancing dog food intolerance symptoms.  She'll need to restore them.  Try a good quality probiotic supplement.  Some organic yogurts contain these friendly bacteria...

... but your dog may have an unfavorable food reaction from it (we've never had a problem... moderation is the key!).

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Different Types of Dog Food Reactions

Here's a list (we're working on more articles) of annoying symptoms your pooch has to put up with!...

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The Most Common Causes of "Dog Food" Intolerance Symptoms are...

...not dog food!  Some of the “other” things we listed above also include environmental allergies such as pollens and dust mites.  Dog fleas are another nasty critter to blame.

Skin infections, ear infections and itching are all indications.  To complicate things... dog food reactions can have similar symptoms.

 
Did Your Pooch Just Throw up...

… that doggy dinner you've spent sooo much time on (shopping, preparing, feeding, etc.)?  Don't get mad at her (I need to remind myself of this).  It wasn't her choice to be raised in your “human” environment... 

What if you were forced to eat the way she would in the wild?  I'm sure you would gag too.  But... at least the food wild dogs eat is not contaminated... it hasn't had the heck cooked out of it.  And... it's pure!

You Might Enjoy Reading these Other Related Pages...

Our website is a work in progress!  We'd love it (and so would your dog) if you returned regularly to check out all our new articles.  We can't wait to expand on the topics above! 

Also, we'll include our highly recommended products for you and your dog to choose from... only those we have used or would use ourselves.  Also...

Be sure to check out Scott & Nimble's News Flash for monthly helpful tips and other neat stuff!

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Nimble & I always reply to our visitors' comments below asap!

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I'm "re-replying" (arf!).  All comments from this moment forward will be posted forever (we love hearing from you). 

Scott & Nimble.

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