Just like humans, dogs suffer from allergies. Not all pets but a good majority of them do. When your pet suffers from an allergy, it can be put on a hydrolyzed protein diet by your vet.
Hydrolyzed protein diets are formulated to be high in protein and low in fat, so you’ll want to make sure your pup isn’t missing out on all his favorite foods. Try healthy additions such as fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Here are some great options: dried or fresh liver shaped into bones, beef or chicken jerky, beef or fish bones, green beans, liver pate truffles (you can find these at your local pet store) or hot dog sticks.
Scattered throughout the house or yard are always fun and easy-to-find treats for dogs on a hydrolyzed protein diet: raw grated sweet potatoes mixed with raw grated carrots, and raw ground flaxseed mixed with water.
These diets will restrict the amount of other food you can feed your hungry dog. Knowing what to feed your dog will help ease the suffering from allergic reactions and still provide your pet with a healthy menu.
To learn what to feed your dog when on a hydrolyzed protein diet, just continue to read our article. It has the information you need to know.
Should you make Homemade Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Treats ? Click here to find out.
How Long Can a Dog Be On Hydrolyzed Protein?
The first thing that needs to be mentioned here is that the hydrolyzed diet is very safe for pets. There are some side effects to this diet plan but if you keep your eye out for those negative issues, you can prevent anything bad from happening.
Depending on your pet and what is wrong with them, your dog can start to come off their hydrolyzed diet in about 2 to 3 weeks. This is the time frame where your dog’s problems should have been resolved.
Make sure to wean your pet off this diet so as to not cause them any discomfort. This process may take several days to complete due to the nature of a dog’s stomach. If you are not sure how to do this weaning, talk to your dog’s vet for advice and guidance.
Also, you may start seeing positive results after only 2 to 3 days of their being on this diet. However, you need to wait until about 3 weeks before your pet is 100% better.
Hydrolyzed Protein Vs Hypoallergenic Diet
There are some similarities between these two dietary plans, but they are not the same. The main difference between them is that the hypoallergenic diet may have some novel proteins added to the ingredients to help stop allergic reactions.
This is done even though the hypoallergenic food is corn, soy, and grain free. The hydrolyzed diet plan uses one main protein like beef, lamb, and so on as well as grains and vegetables.
However, those food items are broken down into smaller bits making them easier for your dog to digest and go unnoticed in your dog’s digestion system. Your pet still gets the nutrition it needs just in a different form.
Both are good for your pet and help them fight their allergies.
Want to make your dog some special frozen treats? Make them some of these Homemade Frozen Dog Treats with Yogurt.
Are There Any Negative Side Effects?
This topic is still under study at the moment as currently, not many long-term side effects are known. While your dog will get increased energy, it may also get increased flatulence due to the change in its food.
That side effect is temporary and will go away in a couple of weeks or so. Then, your pet may need to go to the bathroom more often and their stool size may increase while on this diet. These two effects are also temporary and only last until your dog’s stomach gets used to the change in food.
If these side effects last longer than normal, then talk to your vet and see what can be done about them. The hydrolyzed diet is not dangerous for your pet in almost all cases. There may be an odd exception, but those exceptions do not spoil the positive work this diet performs.
Tips to Help You Start and End This Diet
- Gradually add the new food to your dog’s current menu. You start with small amounts and slowly increase those amounts over time. This gives your dog’s stomach time to adjust to the new food.
- If your dog doesn’t like the taste of the new food, cover it up with the old food until they get used to the taste.
- It takes time for your dog to adjust so be patient. It can take a few days or a week or more for your dog to adjust to the new food
- If there is a digestion issue, talk to your vet and see what they say. They may change their diet.
Some Final Words
When you put your dog on this diet alternative, do not expect to see immediate results. It will take time for the dog to adjust to the new food. Plus, it will take time for the new diet to help resolve the problem.
For the most part, 2 to 3 weeks is all that is needed to help your dog get better. In the meantime, you may put up with some foul-smelling side effects, but it is worth it. Talk to your vet to get all the details on how to administer this diet plan.
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