How To Control Allergies In Dogs

Gluten-Free, Natural Dog Biscuit Introduced by Dynamite

MERIDIAN, Idaho (PRWEB) June 27, 2011

A wheat-free, corn-free all-natural dog biscuit has been introduced by Dynamite Specialty Products, which has been making all-natural dog food and animal feed for four generations.

“We had requests for healthy dog biscuits because so many dog treats have questionable ingredients, including chemical preservatives such as BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) and ethoxyquin,” said Callie Novak, Dynamite CEO.

“Because of recent increases in dog allergies, many people are looking for corn-free, wheat-free and gluten-free dog food,” she added. “Dog treats with cereal grains such as wheat and corn cause a variety of dog allergies, including itchy skin and ears, and excessive weight gain.

“Several dog trainers who use our all-natural, gluten-free dog food, asked us for an easy-to-feed healthy dog treat to use in training sessions,” she added. “They also needed a treat that will avoid triggering dog allergies.

If Dynamite’s healthy dog biscuits are offered regularly, Novak recommends reducing the amount of dog food at meals to avoid weight gain.

The recommended amount of the natural dog biscuits is one to two dog biscuits for breeds up to 25 pounds, two to four per day for breeds 25 to 50 pounds, and five to six of the healthy dog biscuits per day for large breeds. The gluten-free dog food, as well as all other Dynamite animal feeds, is formulated according to standards of the American Association of American Feed Control Officials, Inc.

“The recommended amount of our natural dog biscuits is small enough that a dog is not likely to gain weight,” Novak said. “However, all canines are different and need to be watched for weight gain if dog treats are offered on a consistent basis.”

The paw-shaped, natural dog biscuits cost $19.95 for a 2.5-pound bag.

Dynamite’s all-natural dog foods are corn-free, wheat-free and gluten-free. Its Ultimate Dog Food is perhaps the only raw dog food on the market that needs no refrigeration.

A family-owned business that has specialized in animal nutrition for four generations, Dynamite Specialty Products makes products for virtually every member of the animal kingdom. It has long developed all-natural dog food and nutritional supplements for show dogs across the country and prize-winning racehorses. Its specialists in dog nutrition and animal nutrition can recommend exactly what vitamins, minerals and other supplements best support dogs with allergies, horses with laminitis, cats whose owners make their own food, and cows with digestive issues.

Flea Allergy - Dermatitis in Dogs | All Natural Dog Remedies

Flea Allergy, otherwise known as flea dermatitis, is the most common form of allergy found in dogs and is caused by the bite of a flea. It is the leading cause of itching in dogs, and it only takes the bite of one flea to create an allergic reaction on your pet’s skin. Flea allergies can leave your dog itching and scratching for anywhere from a few hours to a few days and can take 3 to 7 days to appear after the initial flea bite.

How Flea Allergies in Dogs Occur

Fleas can only be found on a dog when they are feeding. Similar to mosquitoes, the flea will bite the dog and suck out blood for nutrition. When they do this, they inject a small amount of saliva into the dog’s skin which can contain as many as 15 different allergens. If the dog is allergic to any one of these allergens that are injected by the flea, it will trigger an allergic response that leads to the dog itching and scratching. Nearly half of all dogs will develop flea allergies and though it is more common in adult dogs, puppies can also suffer from it.

Diagnosis and Symptoms of Flea Bites in Dogs

Dog owners usually aren’t aware that their pet has fleas due to their very small size and because of how difficult they can be to control. Making diagnosis even more difficult is the fact that it only takes one flea to cause a flea allergy and symptoms of flea bites in dogs may not be seen for up to one week after the flea bite occurs. It doesn’t take a flea infestation to cause flea dermatitis in dogs. Symptoms of flea bites in dogs can include excessive itching and scratching or biting of the skin and fur, inflammation of the skin, skin rashes, and reddening of the skin. As a result of the increased itching, loss of hair all over their body, particularly in the area from the middle of the back to the base of the tail and in the hind legs region, is also a pretty good indication of flea dermatitis in dogs. For more detailed information about dog itching, see our post on dog itching and scratching . A veterinarian can also detect flea allergies in dogs using sophisticated blood and skin tests to find specific allergens and to rule out other conditions including bacterial, fungal and yeast infections.

Dog Flea Treatment Starts With A Flea Control Program

The first step of any successful dog flea treatment involves getting rid of the fleas both on your pet and in the surrounding environment. Even with a strict flea control program in place, it is not uncommon for dog’s to still get an occassional flea bite. Dog’s that spend alot of time outdoors will pose an even more difficult challenge. Please see the post on Getting Rid of Dog Fleas for more details.

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