My dog has food allergies

[OakLeaf]

I would worry about a vegetarian diet that excludes soy. Be careful there's enough protein.

Two of my dogs had allergies, and they did well on California's Natural and Wellness brand foods.

[Aggie_Ama]

Mine are allegeric to peanut butter. The fish oil does help but watch out, mine's breath smells well fishy!

[BethG]

My understanding is that it does take 6-8 weeks to determine if a food source is working, but you should probably check with your vet, especially if he's still itching.

Did the vet talk to you about introducing new food sources once Rebel's itching calms down? (I'd worry about the lack of protein, too)

You might also ask here: http://www.dogwise.com/forums/

I would research any advice you get, off course, but it's a good way to get started. In fact, I sometimes find it more useful to ask for sources of information, rather then just advice, when looking for info on health issues.

[singletrackmind]

Allergies, yech!
I had an extended test done on one of my Tervs long ago and he came back positive for 96% of the things tested and borderline on all but a couple others. That's plants and trees (allergic to all but borderline mullberry), foods (most), fibers (allergic to all but sisal), animals (allergic to birds, cats, dogs, horses, etc.). So long carpet, open windows, fuzzy chew toys, etc.

He did good with Nutro's lamb and rice, and a stainless steel bowl, thank goodness.

[Flur]

Mine doesn't have allergies per se, but he as a really sensitive stomach/digestive tract. He's fine on his current kibble, Eagle Pack, but if DH gives him too much bread, cheese, etc., or if he eats plants on his walk, it's dog-arrhea all over the floor. Some treats cause it too. We still don't know exactly what's causing the problem.

[ibcycling]

Poor doggy! My Great Dane has allergies too. He does very well on Natural Balance Fish & Potato and I'm careful about what treats he gets. I'm guessing with him it's a grain allergy and "hay fever" since there are a couple times during the year he is more itchy. The food has really helped and WOW does my dogs have nice shiny coats. Love that fish oil!

Good luck!

Lora

[Miranda]

Oh, I know your pain well. My yellow lab I have posted about on here that's on Rainbow Bridge now ate that brand. We used **** VanPatten's Natural Balance Duck and Potatoe allergy formula in a yellow bag. It's not as expensive as vet rx food, but pretty close. We paid about $50 a bag for it. Very limited suppliers carried it too locally. But, as soon as she went on it she was cured. We tried many other things, but this was the ticket.

She still had some of the foot chewing issues. Before Natural Balance her food literally went straight through her. A lab is a big dog and that makes for one big mess in a crate to clean up first thing in the morning. Bleah.

To this day, I am not exactly sure what happened to her. We have a new black lab now, same breeder, and same starting food. Iams large breed puppy. I am not sure if my yellow girl got triggered by something she ate in the yard? A cheap chew treat? And heavens forbid, post Mother's Day cookout I shared my treat with her in the form of a nice T-bone steak bone.

Then it all came... sick sick sick doggie. She was getting really thin too. After Natural Balance, she got fat. We fed her TOO much. It's a great high quality food with notta weird chemical stuff too.

FWIW... hope your pup gets better.