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Dog food that worked best for westie skin problems stemming from food allergies

A few nice best dog food images I found:

Dog food that worked best for westie skin problems stemming from food allergies
best dog food

Image by Rubber Slippers In Italy
Now I know that every dog is different and that everyone has their own opinion, but I honestly must say that I did not expect the absolute difference it has made to take our westie off from Hill’s prescription Z/D and on to Burns Lamb & Brown Rice. She has more energy, her coat isn’t oily, her skin isn’t dry and what few remaining skin irritations she had is now healing nicely. I had spent countless hours researching what foods dogs should AVOID, and taking into consideration the experiences of other westie owners who went through the same skin problems caused by food allergy, I felt that Burns was the best option for our 5-year old westie. As you can see, it has no wheat, wheat gluten, soy, dairy or artificial ingredients.

I purchased a 15 kilo bag online, because where I live it’s only possible to obtain high-quality dog food through mail order. Needless to say, the change in our Maddie is nothing less than amazing. She has more energy, doesn’t have a greasy coat, dry skin or bad breath. And less or no windbreaking at all, which used to be a common occurence when we had her on Forza 10 dog food (corn was the main ingredient!). Burns pet food has other flavors combinations to suit your dogs’ particular tastes or needs. For more information visit the website: shop.burnspet.com/

the best dog food ever
best dog food

Image by ahurtt
our friends @ the loyal biscuit are awesome! they shipped us more sojos food.

Dog Food Review

Your dog’s food directly impacts her health and happiness. Therefore, it’s important to provide your pup with various nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. It’s important to note that dogs are omnivores, which means they can eat both meat and vegetables in order to satisfy their nutritional needs. As a result, make sure you provide a balanced diet which includes the correct amount of protein, carbohydrates, fats, fiber, and supplements for best health. Additionally, make sure your dog always has access to clean water at all times; this is critical to proper mental activity (for both humans and dogs).

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Select the Proper Food for Your Dog

Consider Size and Lifestyle

Your dog should be fed according to her age, size, shape, and lifestyle. For example, a herding dog who works for 8 hours per day on a farm will have a drastically different diet than a Maltese who spends her days on the sofa (or on your lap). Similarly, a pregnant pooch has different dietary needs than a male dog, and newborn puppies require more nutrients for proper physical growth and neurological development. As dogs move into the golden years, they will also require a different diet.

Understand the Various Types of Food

You must know not only what you’re feeding your pet, but also how much you should feed on a daily basis. Again, this is also derived from the size and activity level of your pup. Many owners think they’re scoring points by providing enormous servings and loads of delicious snacks throughout the day. You may actually cause significant harm to your pup by giving the dog more food than her body requires. You could be encouraging obesity and paving the way for illness and high vet bills down the road.

From Table Scraps to Gourmet

In the good ol’ days, feeding the family dog was a straight-forward proposition. You’d go to the grocery store, find the biggest bag at the cheapest price, toss it in the cart, and keep on moving. Or, forget the official “dog food”; maybe the dog’s dinner was whatever the family had for dinner…meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and peas…okay, kids, scrape your leftovers into the dog’s bowl and get ready for bed!

Ah, those were the days…Your dog led a happy life and lived well into his mid-teens without contracting any serious illness or disease. Maybe the reason it was all so easy back then was because there were only a handful of foods to choose from. Also, all of these foods had basically the same ingredients, only varying in color, flavor, and price.

But now, we have countless varieties to choose from. Also, the scientific research of dog nutrition has advance which coincided nicely with the explosive growth of disposable household income which is now earmarked for our beloved pets.

5 Types of Dog Food You Should Consider

1. Organic Dog Food
Most dog food at your local supermarket contains pesticides, fillers, and other less-healthy additives. If you want to give your dog food that is free of these ingredients, then think about going the organic route. But remember the term “organic” is often very misleading, so make sure you read the ingredients carefully before buying.

2. No Preservative (or Natural Preservative) Dog Food
Most dog foods contain preservatives such as ethoxyquin, BHT, and BHA. These are typically added to prevent the food from spoiling while maintaining taste. In efforts to eliminate these harmful ingredients, some foods now have “natural preservatives” such as vitamin C (often listed as ascorbic acid) and vitamin E (often listed as tocopherols).

But—just as with organic food–be sure to check the ingredients to ensure the preservatives are actually derived from nature. I’ve seen many “natural preservative” foods which, after inspecting the ingredients list, are actually artificial.

While we’re on this note, you can also purchase dog food that is 100% free of all preservatives. These products must be properly sealed in a cool, dry, bug-free place and used promptly to assure freshness.

3. Vegetarian Dog Food
Vegetarian dog owners should be able to exercise their dietary beliefs with their dogs. With adequate planning, vegetarian meals can contain all of the necessary vitamins and nutrients that your dog needs, as long as they are properly prepared. A veggie diet is also beneficial for dogs with meat allergies, although you may need to supplement the diet with vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids.

4. Raw Dog Food (BARF Diet)
Many dog owners believe that a diet of raw food is the healthiest way to feed a dog since this most closely resembles the way wild dog species & wolves ate before human domestication. And even though this belief has little scientific fact to substantiate its accuracy, the raw food diet is immensely popular. Many owners report significant savings in the cost of food, although you will need adequate space to keep all food refrigerated (or frozen). Also, be very careful when handling raw animal parts as you may be exposed to dangerous bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli.

5. Therapeutic Dog Food
In conjunction with the necessary medical care, therapeutic dog foods are flourishing. These diets are available through your veterinarian and are typically prescribed after surgery diet or for acute health problems such as food allergies.

What do you feed your dog? Does your pup require a special diet?

Dog Insurance: Should You Insure Your Pup’s Health?

Did you know that you can buy health insurance for your dog? Similar to your HMO at work, most pet insurance plans offer multiple options. Services covered can include surgery, routine checkups, prescriptions, and even dental care. If nothing else, make sure your plans covers costs associated with catastrophic events such as transplants and chemotherapy (yes, dogs can get cancer). As with humans, these major medical procedures are incredibly expensive for you to pay out of pocket, but a quality insurance policy will allow for the best possible doggy health care.

Dog Insurance Image

A Routine Vet Visit

General First-Aid Tips

When it comes to proper health care for your dog, the best solution is always prevention. By implementing some basic  measures into your daily routine, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re pup is getting the best health year-round.

So before shopping around for an insurance policy, brush up on your own first aid skills. Locate a reliable vet near you, and learn the physical symptoms of a sick dog. In fact, by simply investing time to focus on these two tips, you’ll save loads of time and money going forward.

Pet Insurance = Lower Costs

It’s not hard to find a quality veterinarian in most cities. Rather, it’s the costs of veterinary care that are prohibitive. Even a simple checkup can be pricey, and by the time you request vaccinations, heartworm treatments, and dental procedures, costs very quickly skyrocket. This is where dog health insurance steps in.

A quality policy lessens the costs of routine care, minor injury, or major medical surgery. Depending on the company, your pet insurance policy may also even help you cover the following costs:

  • Annual checkups
  • Dental care
  • Prescriptions
  • Chemo therapy
  • Organ transplants
Check out our Pet Insurance Review for the specific companies we recommend for your pooch.

Selecting a Proper Diet for Your Dog

Selecting the best diet for your dog is similar to selecting the best diet for yourself. Depending on size, weight, allergies, and activity level, each person’s nutritional needs are unique. Likewise, every dog is different, and your pup’s diet should be well balanced for her lifestyle and personality.

In efforts to increase the nutritional content, many owners are preparing homemade meals for their pups, while others find themselves purchasing premium foods. This of course is in stark contrast to those who simply feed their dog whatever’s on sale at the grocery store (or whatever scraps fall off the dinner plate and onto the floor). A major problem with the grocery store option is that commercial dog foods have no formal guidelines concerning ingredients. Okay, so that’s not exactly true. Guidelines state the product must contain: vitamins, minerals, protein, fat, and carbohydrates. But then again, I could probably find each of those ingredients in the kitchen garbage right now…not much of a standard, huh?

Best Dog Diet Image

Best Dog Diet Image

Begin with the Labels

The only way to determine the quality of your dog’s food is by reading the label, and even then, it seems that you need a biology degree to understand the ingredients. And with ongoing dog food recalls, many owners refuse to trust any manufacturers and ultimately believe homemade food is the best answer. But of course, “best” does not always equal “practical”. It takes time, preparation, and dedication to ensure the homemade meals are fresh, properly prepared, and nutritionally balanced. Regardless of your decision, you must know what your dog is eating.

The Banned List

Some foods should never be fed to your dog. Dietary experts now believe dairy products, chocolate, grapes, and sugary foods can be harmful, if not fatal to your pooch. And although chicken, fish, lamb, and turkey are typical ingredients in dog food, the jury is still out on the safety of pork in a dog’s diet.

Price as a Consideration

You may think premium dog food is too expensive, but I encourage you put it into perspective. If you feed your pup a healthier food, you usually have to give her less per feeding. This is because premium food is denser and packs a bigger nutritional punch per serving. Also, think about the potential long-term effects of substandard health for your pooch and the associated medical costs.

What’s Your Dog’s Health Worth?

Your dog’s well-being is the primary concern. And aside from exercise, diet is perhaps the most vital aspect of ongoing positive health and happiness. Of course, as your pooch ages, so will her dietary needs. As a result, be sure to monitor any changes in energy level and weight so that you can continue to provide optimal nutrition for your pup.

What food, vitamins, and supplements do you give your dog? Any recommendations?

Hypoallergenic Dogs

If your allergies have kept you from adopting a loving pup, you’re not alone. Millions of people have some form of allergic reaction to dogs, which can range from minor skin irritation to life-threatening anaphylactic shock. But if you’re willing to do a bit of homework, then you’ve still got a shot at dog ownership. Despite your reaction to most canine breeds, you may be able to bring a hypoallergenic dog into your home.

Note: The concept of a “hypoallergenic dog” has been debated for years. Many believe the low-allergy breeds reduce allergic reactions as promised, while others are skeptical and think the concept of a “low-allergy” dog is a silly marketing ploy. As objective observers, we encourage you to speak to your dermatologist in addition to a local veterinarian for specific details and advice. But for the purpose of discussion, let’s review some common questions and concerns relating to the celebrated hypoallergenic dog breeds.

Dogs and Allergens
Non-hypoallergenic dogs tend to shed a lot. This is because their fur is often loose and dense, which traps pollen, dust, and dander. As the dog sheds its coat throughout the day, these particles are released into the air, carpet, couch, car, and anywhere else your pooch roams. Eventually, the allergens find their way onto your skin and eventually into your mouth and nose. These dogs may also have an undercoat, which is an additional thick layer of fur that protects them from harsh temperatures, water, or other environmental conditions. The undercoat is another culprit in allergic reaction as it can also trap dander is also shed frequently.

Also, some non-hypoallergenic dog breeds salivate more often than other breeds, which also leads to more allergic reactions. This is because dog saliva contains bacteria that many people are allergic to. Of course, a dog can’t control the amount of saliva she produces, so if you’re highly allergic, then be sure to select a breed that keeps their doggy spit to themselves.

Realize that you can have an allergy to dog fur, saliva, or any of Mother Nature’s particles that are picked up by your pooch. Therefore, the first step you should take is to visit a dermatologist and identify precisely which allergens cause your reactions. Then work backwards to find a suitable breed to match your allergy profile and lifestyle.

Hypoallergenic Dog Traits
Hypoallergenic dogs have shorter coats, and many don’t have an undercoat at all. While this lack of extra fur makes most hypoallergenic dogs unprepared for extreme climates, these pups may be just what the doctor ordered for allergy sufferers. The hair (notice we’re not calling it “fur” anymore) on these dogs is similar to that of humans, which means it typically won’t shed as frequently as non-hypoallergenic dogs. In fact, for low-allergy dogs, the hair may need to be trimmed regularly to prevent it from growing too long. And if hair itself is the problem, then some hypoallergenic breeds don’t have a coat at all. Oh, and here’s your trivia for today, a dog is considered “hairless” even if it has some hair on the paws and head. Also, hypoallergenic dogs don’t salivate as much as other breeds. As a result, when your pooch is cleaning herself, she’ll leave less bacteria behind.

Specific Breeds
As always, consider your lifestyle before selecting any dog, as this will impact your pup on a daily basis. Remember, smaller dogs are generally better for apartment living because they tend to have a quieter bark and require less room to run around. On the other hand, if you have a house, then you don’t have to worry about the upstairs neighbors, and you may also want to consider a larger breed that will be able to fully enjoy your huge backyard.

Here are five of the most popular hypoallergenic breeds. Of course there are dozens of other breeds for you to choose from, but we want to suggest a few to get you moving in the right direction. What’s your favorite low-allergy breed? Be sure to leave a comment and let us know!

The Poodle
Among the most popular dog breeds in general, the Poodle is usually the first low-allergy breed that comes to mind. Aside from the hypoallergenic qualities, a wonderful trait with Poodles is their versatility. Depending on which version you select: miniature or standard. Poodles are sporting dogs, service dogs, show dogs, guide dogs, and even lap dogs. It’s a very friendly breed and thrives on physical exercise, mental games, and constant human interaction. The Poodle is also considered one of the smartest and most obedient of dog breeds. They blend a spirit of adventure and playfulness with an irresistible personality that most people find adoring. The Poodle enjoys running, swimming, retrieving, and any other outdoor activity. They are also excellent with kids and other pets.

The Chinese Crested
The Chinese Crested is available in two varieties: the Hairless and the Powder Puff. Both are considered hypoallergenic. The Hairless, which is more common, actually has hair on its paws, head, and tail. The Hairless Chinese Crested loves to play outside, but due to its hairlessness, doesn’t fare well in cold weather. Actually, because they’re so small, you can exercise a Crested by just running it inside the house. These dogs love to jump and climb any everything, so be sure to maintain tight security to prevent injury or escape. Grooming requirements call for regular trimmings of the head, neck, tail, and feet. The Hairless Chinese Crested is prone to sunburn and acne, so be sure to purchase your pup a soothing moisturizer to keep her skin healthy and, for those outdoor days, an SPF-rated sun block. Aside from the skin care concerns, the Crested is very friendly and enjoys spending time with people and other pets.

Bishon Frise
These cuties are perky, playful, and maintain an overall happy-go-lucky outlook towards life. The Bishon is responsive, loving, and gets along great with children. On that note, Bishons require regular human contact, so don’t plan on leaving this pooch home alone all day while you’re at work. As for grooming, the Bishon Frise does not shed; however, some hairs may loosen and get entangled with the rest of the coat, causing it to mat. So you’ll need to brush your Bishon a few times per week to keep her tangle free. Also, the white puffy coat-a Bishon Frise signature- will need regular washes and trims.

Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog absolutely thrives on human interaction, so personal attention is in high demand for anyone who owns one. An active lifestyle is also essential because these dogs can’t sit still for very long without being overtaken by the urge to run around. The Portuguese makes an outstanding family pet since they love children and other dogs. They have an endless amount of energy and will play all day long if allowed. Excellent swimmers, they are the perfect dog for boating trips, fishing expeditions and water games at the lake. If bored, the Portuguese Water Dog will become frustrated and destructive, so unless you want chew marks on the sofa, do not keep this breed cooped inside all day while you’re at work. Grooming requires a thorough brushing every other day, with professional clipping about once a month. The Portuguese Water Dog is not bred as often as the other hypoallergenic breeds, you’ll likely have to search for a breeder online until you find the Portuguese pup of your dreams.

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is an athletic and playful member of the Terrier Group. Fun-loving and always ready for the next adventure, these dogs are a joy to have around the children. Always on the lookout for a new friend, be it human or canine, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is friendly and ready for training. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is available in four varieties: Traditional Irish, Heavy Irish, English, and American. The main difference is the size of the dog. This breed has a short coat that doesn’t shed much during the day. However, they will need to be groomed regularly to prevent clumping, matting, or skin rashes. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier thoroughly enjoys exercise and wants to be around people as much as possible. But due to their size and energy levels, we don’t recommend this breed for apartment living. The Wheaten Terrier loves to run and bark, so a large backyard is a necessity. This is a largest dog on our list, so if the hypoallergenic toy breeds turn you off, then take a close look at this big contender.