What is a hypoallergenic diet trial?

We recommend a trial of food made up of proteins and carbohydrates that your dog has never eaten before to see if recurrent medical problems such as ear infections, skin infections, chewing at their feet, and anal gland problems could be caused by a food allergy.

You need to find a food that has potatoes or sweet potatoes as a starch base with proteins from duck (yes, it is different than chicken) or fish, such as salmon, and feed ONLY that for 4-6 weeks.

Foods with lamb, chicken, and rice are NOT the type you want to use for this initial trial.

BE VERY CAREFUL not to feed your dog any other treats, table foods, or flavored medication that may contain other ingredients that your dog may be allergic to. One bite can cause your dog to react for two weeks.

We carry the Science Diet D/D hypoallergenic diet that also comes in canned form and complementary treats. Please note: the ingredient list on the treat bag say they contain “hydrolyzed chicken”. By subjecting the chicken protein to a biochemical process called hydrolyzation, it breaks the protein into such small pieces that the body no longer recognizes it as a chicken protein. We usually recommend using the food from Science Diet because it is guaranteed not to have any other proteins or carbohydrates in it, ever. That way we know for sure if the dog is truly allergic to their food or not.

Now, many premium dog food brands have begun using novel proteins and carbohydrates and these foods can be found in many stores. You just have to be careful about reading the labels. We commonly recommend transitioning to these more reasonably priced alternatives after we know if there really is a food allergy.

Recommended Diets (ALWAYS CHECK INGREDIENTS)

Over the Counter Hypoallergenic Diets for Dogs

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Food Venison & Sweet Potato

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Food Duck & Potato

Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Salmon & Potato

Nutro Limited Ingredient Venison & Sweet Potato

Nutro Limited Ingredient Salmon & Lentils

Zignature Limited Ingredient Salmon

Zignature Limited Ingredient Whitefish

4health Grain Free Whitefish & Potato

Prescription Hypoallergenic Diets for Dogs

Hill’s Science Diet D/D Duck & Potato or Salmon & Potato

Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein

Hill’s Science Diet Z/D

Purina Hydrolyzed Protein Chicken, Salmon, or Vegetarian

Blue Buffalo Hydrolyzed Salmon

Treats for Dogs

Hill’s Hypo Treats for Dogs

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Potato & Duck

Cadet Duck Jerky

American Journey Limited Ingredient Duck Treats

Whimzees Dental Treats

Cadet Sweet Potato Slices

American Journey Limited Ingredient Salmon Treats

HYPOALLERGENIC FOOD FOR CATS ARE PEA-BASED

Over the Counter Hypoallergenic Diets for Cats

Taste of the Wild Canyon River

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Duck & Pea

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Green Pea & Salmon

Instincts Limited Ingredient Rabbit & Pea

Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care Duck & Potato

American Journey Limited Ingredient Duck & Pea

Prescription Hypoallergenic Diets for Cats

Royal Canin Selected Protein Rabbit, Venison, or Duck

Hill’s Science Diet D/D Duck & Pea or Venison & Pea

Hill’s Science Diet Z/D

Purina Hydrolyzed Dry Food

Blue Buffalo Hydrolyzed Salmon

Treats for Cats

Vital Essentials Rabbit Bites Freeze-Dried Cat Treats

Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Duck Liver Cat Treats

American Journey Limited Ingredient Duck Treats

Remember Always Check Ingredient Lists!