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Do you have a dog that suffers from skin allergies? Have you tried to use different dog foods to help him find relief? If so, we understand it can be frustrating. The process of going through so many different dog foods is also quite expensive. So, what can you do to help your dog and keep expenses down?
You may want to consider making homemade dog food recipes for your allergic fur baby. There are many benefits that go along with making your own dog food. But how do you know where to start?
Find the Cause – Allergy Testing
The very first thing to do may be to visit the vet and talk with them about your dog’s skin allergies. They may prescribe some medication to help your dog find relief. The vet may also want to conduct allergy testing to find out what’s causing your dog’s allergies.
Dogs are very much like us when it comes to allergies. They can develop allergies to foods, anything in the environment, chemicals, and more. Food allergies can be more challenging to determine; however, the vet can tell you whether food allergy tests are needed or not.
Another way the vet may test your dog for food allergies is with an elimination diet. The elimination diet is sometimes used for humans, too! The test involves feeding your dog different foods. The test is always supervised by the vet, so they can act in case your dog has a serious allergic reaction. The diet includes a limited number of ingredients and may take about 12 weeks to conduct.
If your vet wants to do an elimination diet test, they will tell you how to ensure your fur baby gets all the calories and nutrients he needs during the test.
Eliminate Allergens
Once your vet has determined what your dog is allergic to, they will explain how to avoid and eliminate these allergens for your dog. The best way to keep a dog from having an allergic reaction is by avoiding the allergen(s). That can be very challenging if your dog has environmental allergies, but it’s still doable. The vet may say your dog needs to practice avoidance and take medications, which work together to help your dog feel better.
When it comes to foods, these may be clear after the allergy tests and the elimination diet. Some of the most common food allergens for dogs include:
- Beef
- Lamb
- Chicken
- Chicken eggs
- Soy
- Gluten and/or wheat
If a dog eats food that contains ingredients he’s allergic to, he will have an allergic reaction. And these are not the only foods that can cause problems in dogs. Some dogs are also allergic to fish, shellfish, and dairy products (including milk).
It’s important to understand that any allergy cannot be completely cured. The best way to control allergy symptoms is by avoidance and elimination. These methods may also be combined with medications, depending on what the vet finds during allergy testing.
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Ask a Vet Live NowFood Allergy Symptoms in Dogs
Dogs may show the following symptoms if they have a food allergy:
- Diarrhea
- Itchy, irritated skin
- Hives
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Hyperactivity
- Weight loss
- Lack of energy
- Aggression
Food allergies can be debilitating and miserable in both dogs and humans!
Homemade Dog Food Can Help Food Allergies
Another way to manage your dog’s food allergies is to make homemade dog food for him! That may sound like a daunting task, but once you get used to this, it’s pretty easy. Dogs aren’t that picky (usually) and love to eat! So, the key is to find dog food recipes that don’t contain ingredients your dog is allergic to and other ingredients he loves!
You may want to check with the vet before starting your dog on a homemade dog food diet. The reason is that you want to be sure to get the nutrients and calories correct for your fur baby. He needs a certain amount of both to stay healthy. Your vet will have the best advice on how many calories and the specific nutrients your dog needs. They may also have some examples of homemade dog food recipes to get you started.
In addition, be sure to avoid any ingredients that are toxic to dogs, such as onions, garlic, and more. Ask the vet about the toxic ingredients you should avoid using in your dog’s food.
Be sure to ask the vet if your dog will need additional supplements on a homemade diet.
Homemade Dog Food Recipes for Allergic Dogs
In this section, we’ll share some recipes that are perfect for dogs with allergies. However, because each dog has different allergies, be sure to review the ingredients to make sure they’re safe for your dog and his allergies! OK, let’s get started!
1. Turkey Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 2 lbs turkey (cubed)
- 1 ½ lbs of turnips
- 1 lb of spinach (minced)
- ½ lb lentils
- ¼ cup of olive oil
Instructions
- Add turkey and olive oil to a frying pan or wok.
- Cook on medium-high for about five minutes, stirring often.
- Add other ingredients.
- Cook everything for an additional 15 minutes, stirring often.
- Cool & serve!
2. Crockpot Duck
Ingredients
- 1 lb of duck
- 1 cup of rice
- 1 cup of carrots
- 1 cup of green peas
- 2 cups of water
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in the crockpot in this order: rice, water, veggies, and duck.
- Cook food on low for eight hours.
- Cool & serve!
3. Easy Deer Meal
Ingredients
- 1 lb venison (ground or cubed)
- 2 cups of sweet potatoes (diced)
- 8 oz frozen broccoli/cauliflower/carrots combo
- 1 tbsp. dried rosemary
- 6 cups of water
Instructions
- Put water, venison, sweet potatoes. And rosemary into a large Dutch oven or pot.
- Bring to a boil, stirring often. Reduce heat to low.
- Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add frozen veggies and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Cool & Serve!
4. Mutton Dinner for Dogs
Ingredients
- 8 oz of mutton (cubed)
- 3 ½ cups of oatmeal
- ½ cup of cucumber (shredded)
- 5 tbsp. of fish oil
Instructions
- Boil mutton for 1 ½ hours or until done.
- Cook oats accord to the package directions.
- Drain water from mutton and mix in oatmeal, cucumber, and fish oil.
- Serve when cool.
5. Hearty Healthy Stew
Ingredients
- 3 lbs of turkey thighs (boneless & skinless)
- 2 medium carrots (peeled and sliced)
- 1 cup of frozen green beans
- 1 cup of frozen peas
- 1 apple (cored & sliced)
- 1 handful of fresh parsley (chopped)
- 3 cups of water
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
Instructions
- Add water, turkey, carrots, green beans, and apple to slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 7 hours.
- Add peas and parsley, then cook for 15 minutes.
- Transfer all to a mixing bowl, add olive oil and mash together.
- Cool and serve.
6. Veggie Delight
Instructions
- 2 lbs of lean ground turkey
- 2 tbsp. of raw turkey liver (pureed)
- 2 medium carrots (chopped)
- 1 cup of broccoli
- 1 cup of cauliflower
- ½ zucchini (sliced)
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
Instructions
- Steam carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and zucchini for about 10 minutes.
- Cook turkey and liver in skillet until fully browned, then drain.
- Combine meat and veggies, then mash or chop in a food processor.
- Toss with olive oil.
- Serve when cool.
7. Doggy Turkey Stew
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 large sweet potato (diced)
- 1 medium carrot (diced)
- ½ cup of frozen peas
- 2 tbsp. coconut oil
- 2 cups of water
Instructions
- Saute meat in pot until browned.
- Stir in coconut oil, potatoes, carrots, and water.
- Bring to a boil, then lower heat and cover; simmer for 20 minutes.
- Stir in frozen peas until heated.
- Cool and serve
8. Lamb & Rice Meal
Ingredients
- 7 oz of lamb meat
- 1 ½ cups brown rice
- 1 tsp. sunflower oil
- 5 tsp. powdered multivitamin & mineral supplements (if the vet says these are OK for your dog)
Instructions
- First, cube the lamb or grind it—either will work.
- Cook the lamb meat in a skillet. Add water to just cover the meat. Wait until the water comes to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer. Cover the meat and cook for about 30 minutes.
- Drain excess liquid.
- Cook the rice in another pot, according to package directions.
- When the ingredients are finished, let them cool down, then mix together and serve!
9. Easy Crockpot Beef & Rice Meal
Ingredients
- ½ cup frozen peas
- 1 ½ cups brown rice, uncooked
- 1 ½ cups butternut squash, chopped
- 1 ½ cups carrots, chopped
- 1 can of kidney beans (15 oz), drained and rinsed
- 4 cups water
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
Instructions
- Add 4 cups of water to crockpot.
- Add the rest of the ingredients.
- Cover and cook for 6 hours on low (on high for 3 hours).
- Stir occasionally.
- Allow to cool and serve.
10. Beef Stew of Dogs
Ingredients
- 1 sweet potato, small
- ½ cup of diced carrots
- ½ cup diced green beans
- ½ cup flour (can substitute gluten or wheat-free flour for dogs with wheat allergies)
- ½ cup water
- 1 lb beef stew meat
- 1 tbsp. vegetable or olive oil
Ingredients
- Microwave sweet potato for 5 to 8 minutes, until tender and firm.
- Slice beef stew chunks into small, bite-sized pieces for your dog
- Cook meat in skillet in vegetable oil over medium-heat until well done (about 10 to 15 minutes)
- Remove stew meat from pan, keeping drippings.
- Dice sweet potato.
- Heat drippings to medium heat and slowly add water and flour, whisking to create a thick gravy.
- Add in the meat, carrots, green beans, and sweet potato, stirring till coated.
- Cook for about 15 minutes until veggies are tender.
- Allow to cool and serve.
11. Turkey Dog Food Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup carrots
- ¼ cup broccoli
- ¼ cup cauliflower
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 6 cups water
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 capsule fish oil (if your dog’s not allergic to fish!)
- ½ cup rice
Instructions
- Cut carrots, cauliflower, and broccoli.
- Add 6 cups of water and oil to ground turkey in a large pot and boil until meat is cooked.
- Add vegetables and fish oil to the pot and continue cooking until veggies are tender, then drain.
- Cook the rice in a separate pot according to the package directions.
- Combine rice and turkey/veggie mixture.
- Let cool and serve.
12. Pork & Veggie Meatballs
Ingredients
- ¾ cup of vegetable blend: broccoli, carrots, sweet potato, and zucchini
- 1 lb pork
- 1 tsp ground flaxseed
- 1 ½ cups quick oats
- ¼ cup plain yogurt (if your dog is not allergic to dairy or lactose intolerant)
- 1 tsp. vegetable oil
- 1 tsp. fish oil (if your dog isn’t allergic to fish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Cut or grate all veggies.
- Combine pork, flaxseed, oats, yogurt, oil, and fish oil in a large bowl. Mix well.
- Form this mixture into 1 oz meatballs and place on a parchment-covered cookie sheet. Bake for 25 minutes.
- Let cool before serving.
Summing It Up
When a dog has allergies, he’s miserable and doesn’t feel good. If your fur baby has symptoms of allergies or has an allergic reaction, be sure to call the vet right away. Your dog needs to be evaluated for allergies.
The vet may run allergy tests and an elimination diet to find what your canine companion’s allergic to. This process can take a while, so be patient. When the vet has learned your dog’s allergies, they will explain how to avoid and eliminate these allergens so your dog can feel better. They may also prescribe medicine and a homemade dog food diet!
You’ll be surprised at how much better your dog feels once his allergies are managed and controlled! We hope some of the recipes in this article will be a good fit for your allergic canine companion!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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