Tag: pet food

  • 6 COMMON SIGNS OF PET FOOD ALLERGIES

    6 COMMON SIGNS OF PET FOOD ALLERGIES

     

    Understanding Food Allergies and Intolerance in Pets

    Pets, like humans, can suffer from allergies, and one of the most common types is a food allergy. Being able to recognise the typical triggers, symptoms, and signs is crucial for pet parents to provide appropriate care. However, since many symptoms can mimic those of other diseases, consulting a veterinarian is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

     

    What’s the Deal with Food Allergies?

    A food allergy occurs when the immune system overreacts to a specific food ingredient, typically proteins, by producing antibodies against it. Common culprits include beef, chicken, eggs, and dairy for both cats and dogs. But sometimes, it’s the less suspect ones such as wheat or rice. These allergies can sneak up on your pet over time, with symptoms like itchy skin and tummy troubles.

     

    Common Signs of Food Allergy in Pets

    • Skin inflammation:

    Due to immune system activation, the skin becomes inflamed, leading to itching and potential bacterial infections.

    • Itching:

    Dogs typically show itching on the face, ears, paws, underarms, groin, stomach, and anal area, while cats may experience itching on the head and neck.

    • Other skin issues:

    Dry, crusty skin, hair loss, thickened or darkened skin, and secondary skin problems such as pustules and hot spots may occur.

    • Gastrointestinal problems:

    Symptoms may include increased defecation, flatulence, diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting, and colon inflammation.

    • Ear and paw infections (dogs):

    Inflammation in auditory canals or paws can lead to severe discomfort.

    • Eye problems (cats):

    Cats may experience eye inflammation, discharge, tear duct blockage, and conjunctivitis.

     

    First Steps

    • Narrow Down the Culprit:

    Try an elimination diet. Feed your pet a simple diet with ingredients they’ve never had before, such as duck or salmon, for a few weeks. If the symptoms improve, you might have found your answer.

    • Switch Up the Menu:

    Once you’ve identified the trigger, avoid feeding it to your pet. You can find specialised hypoallergenic foods or even cook homemade meals (with your vet’s guidance, of course).

    • Get Some Help:

    Your vet can recommend medication to soothe itching and treat any infections. They’ll also guide you through the whole process and make sure your pet is given the appropriate care.

     

    Allergies vs. Intolerance

    Allergies and intolerance aren’t the same thing! Allergies involve the immune system, while intolerance is more about digestion. Think of it like lactose intolerance in cats – their tummies just can’t handle milk after the kitten stage.

     

    Dealing with a pet food allergy isn’t fun, but with a bit of detective work and help from your vet, you can get to the bottom of it. Keep an eye out for those telltale signs. Try out some new foods and give your furry friend the relief they deserve. After all, a happy pet equals a happy pet parent!

     

  • VET ADVICE: PROPER NUTRITION FOR YOUR PET

    VET ADVICE: PROPER NUTRITION FOR YOUR PET

     

    The Importance of High-Quality Pet Food

    Dr Tessa earned her Animal Science degree in the Netherlands, after which she moved to South Africa to study Veterinary Science. After graduating in 2014, she worked with various wildlife species in Lydenburg and Hoedspruit.

    Between 2018 and 2020, Dr Tessa opened the Family Vet Clinic in Centurion, as well as the Family Vet Hazeldean, in Silverlakes.

     

    How does a pet’s diet contribute to their health?

    “The phrase you are what you eat is applicable to humans and pets alike. Pets should receive a diet, which is suited for their species, breed, age, metabolism, and activity level. A high-quality diet which is balanced and fits your pets’ requirements will ensure your pet remains healthy.”

     

    What are the distinctions between effective nutrition and mere fillers?

    “Fillers are ingredients, which do not add nutritional value. Sometimes corn is described as a filler. However, if it is processed (cooked) correctly, corn has an excellent nutritional value. It contains many amino acids and vitamins, and it’s a source of protein and carbohydrates. Some true fillers are fibres, which are added to pet food to increase bulk and water in the intestinal contents to help promote and regulate normal bowel functions. This can be beneficial for pets with intestinal tract diseases. Furthermore, this fibre can be added to weight loss diets to help the pet to feel fuller. With the right composition, fillers can be beneficial.

    It’s better to discuss high-quality and poor-quality pet nutrition. High-quality pet food will use human-grade ingredients. They have strict and regular quality controls before, during, and after production. These controls ensure the quality and consistency of the food. All ingredients are completely traceable during the entire production system. All nutrients, vitamins, and minerals are balanced and based on extensive scientific research. Not only is protein important, but fats, carbohydrates, fibre, and other ingredients as well.

    Poor quality pet foods often have a variable ingredient content and a lower meat content. The ingredients of these foods are often adapted to the market prices of the ingredients. These foods also contain artificial additives and preservatives. Higher protein levels don’t mean that a food is of higher quality. Too high levels of dietary protein can even be problematic for dogs and cats, especially when they get older.”

     

    How can pet parents strike a balance between specially formulated pet food and homemade food?

    “If you want to spoil your pet with some homemade food in addition to your pet’s specifically formulated diets, then always remember that you must decrease your pet’s normal food intake. This is to ensure your pet doesn’t receive too many calories per day. Obesity in pets can lead to diabetes, joint problems, heart disease, anal gland issues, and chronic inflammation. High quantities of soft food can result in increased plaque build-up, which results in dental disease.

    Most home-cooked diets alone do not provide proper and complete nutrition for the longevity of your pets. These diets have deficiencies of the vitamins A, Bs, D and E, and minerals such as copper, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, selenium, and zinc. These deficiencies can result in various health problems. Based on various studies, it’s recommended to always ensure that animal-based protein is pathogen-free before it’s fed to your pet. This can occur by cooking, pasteurisation, or even irradiation.”

     

    What are the variables that could impact a pet’s dietary needs?

    “Pets should receive a diet which is suited for their species, breed, age, metabolism, and activity level. For instance, large-breed puppy diets have a different calcium-phosphorus content and ingredients suited for a higher energy level compared to small and medium-breed puppy diets. This ratio ensures that large dog breeds have a slow and steady development of their skeleton. The kibble size of the diet should also be adjusted to the size of the dog. Larger kibble is more suited for larger jaws, helps to slow down the speed of eating and helps to keep their teeth clean.”

     

    Learn More About Our Vet of the Month (VOM):

    Dr Tessa loves working as a veterinarian, as she never knows what will come through the door. She enjoys working with a variety of species, especially the small, furry, exotic animals.

     

    When did you decide to become a vet?

    “I always wanted to work with animals. During my studies in the Netherlands, I was able to work in zoos and wildlife rescue centres, and study as a veterinary nurse. I was very fortunate to be accepted to the Onderstepoort Faculty of the University of Pretoria to study as a veterinarian.”

     

    Do you have any pets?

    “We have a Rhodesian Ridgeback, two German Shorthair Pointers, a guinea pig, a rabbit, and a hamster. Most of them are rescues.”

     

    Any last thoughts on the topic?

    “Remember to slowly transition your pet to a new diet. For dogs, the transition period is approximately seven days and for cats it’s 14 days. The transition can take up to two months. You want to transition your pets slowly onto a new food to ensure they will not have an intestinal tract upset.

    You should always check that your pet’s food does not contain added salt. Too much salt can result in kidney disease or bladder stones.

    Some websites will say that carbohydrates can cause skin allergies in pets. However, research shows that animal proteins such as beef, dairy products, chicken, egg, lamb, or soy are more prone to cause allergies in dogs.

    Please, always discuss your pet’s nutrition with your veterinarian.”