Arden Grange: Is your dog a sensitive soul?
Like humans, dogs can sometimes suffer with sensitive skin and digestion. This may be an occasional hiccup, a seasonal irritation or perhaps something more serious, like an intolerance or allergy to a specific ingredient in their food. Ignoring these issues can turn into a ‘ruff-time’ for your dear pal.
Tell-tale signs of a sensitive stomach
Is your playful pup looking a little off their game? While a dog with access to the outdoors will have a sensitive tummy at some point, untreated long-term digestion issues could be making your pet pal less peppy. But don’t fear, we’re here to lend a paw and tell you the signs to look for…
• Flatulence, very smelly stools or the tendency to pass loose stools
• Scooting or circling – anal gland problems
• Bad breath (although this may be related to dental problems or other illness)
• Increased frequency of passing stools or passing excessive volumes of waste
• Gulping or bringing up bile or froth – acid reflux
• Easily upset tummy if the diet is changed or a new type of treat is fed
• Often reluctant to eat (this may not be down to fussiness; it could be due to neophobia – an innate fear of certain foods due to their potential to cause an upset)
Tell-tale signs of sensitive skin
The occasional scratch should not cause concern, but a more regular itch-a-thon could be cause for pause. Your dog’s endearing rear-leg jig might have you smitten, but it could be their way of giving a distress signal. If your pet is regularly trying to combat a nasty itch, here are the signs to look for which might suggest they have sensitive skin…
• White or pale-coated dogs and cats. Not all pale dogs and cats are sensitive, but many are due to their skin pigmentation just like people who are very fair
• Head shaking, itching, or licking
• Rubbing on the furniture or other objects.
• Long-standing dandruff that cannot be attributed to a normal moult
• Excessive moulting or patchy hair loss
• Sore, red, or inflamed areas of skin or hive-type reactions
• Foul smelling skin or ears.
So you think you’ve noticed your dog is experiencing some of the symptoms listed above… what’s next?
Common allergies
While your dog could be allergic to any ingredients within their food, some of the most common offenders are dairy, beef, soya, and wheat-gluten.
How do I get a diagnosis?
Diagnosing allergies is difficult since testing remains unreliable. Many vets suggest that food trials are still the most effective way to obtain a diagnosis.
How are food allergies treated?
Food allergies can be treated by avoiding the triggering ingredient. To start with, you can swap your pet to a hypoallergenic diet (and treats) which should immediately eliminate some of the more common food allergy offenders from their diet. If symptoms persist, the next step is to try a food with a novel primary protein and carbohydrate source (i.e., ones that your dog has not eaten as dietary staples previously).
How to swap to a suitable food
If your dog is experiencing a reaction to their ‘regular’ food, this could be either itchy skin or tummy distress, consult your vet and discuss whether you should try feeding a sensitive diet to help alleviate these issues. In cases where food is thought to be exacerbating a health condition, ceasing the current diet as quickly as possible may be advisable.
Arden Grange is allergy friendly!
All of Arden Grange’s dry food recipes are naturally hypoallergenic and benefit from glucosamine and chondroitin for joint aid and FOS and MOS prebiotics to help with digestion and immunity.
Their specially formulated Sensitive Adult Ocean White Fish & Potato range includes life-stage and size-specific dry food, wet food and tasty treats that are ideally suited for dogs with delicate digestion and/or sensitive skin. The cereal and grain-free recipes include fresh ocean white fish and provide all breeds of dog with a wholesome, naturally hypoallergenic diet.
This diet also includes a blend of nutrient-rich superfood ingredients, to promote optimal health and vitality.
Here's what pet parents are saying about Arden Grange's sensitive range:
“I changed over to Arden Grange sensitive for my girls and can honestly say hand on heart it was the best change I've ever done for them.”
“We have struggled to get her settled on a dog food since getting her at 8 weeks old. We put her on the Sensitive food and 1 week in, the difference has been amazing. No more upset tummy and poop you can actually pick up!”
“Our boy came with a bad bacterial infection. After a lot of vet bills and expenses, I contacted you and got some EXCELLENT advice, so we put him solely on the sensitive food. Now he's so healthy and handsome. I get stopped so frequently as people ask what he's fed on, as his coat is so shiny and smooth!”