You Are What You Eat
One of the most commonly frustrating situations for both veterinarians, pet owners, and of course pets is dietary sensitivity. There are several symptoms which alert me to the idea of a dietary sensitivity with a patient.
In dogs, it can be excessive gas, loose stools, and vomiting. But it can also present as chronic ear problems and skin problems. Most diets are a combination of poultry or beef based products with corn, rice, and wheat. Interestingly the most common allergens are known to be corn, wheat, dairy, beef, and soy. Whenever I’m presented with a dog who has GI signs or chronic ear problems, my first question is what is the animal being fed. Honesty is the best policy, so when looking at the diet, make sure you catalog the treats and chews as well. Alot of times the diet is ok but the rawhides, treats and “people food” have allergens which can trigger a reaction.
These sensitivities can start at a very early age, and in puppies,it is usually second to parasites as a cause for diarrhea. Probably the first thing to do when facing a dietary sensitivity is to change the diet initially to something that is easy to digest, and eliminate the treats etc. For example, most dogs are ok being fed chicken breast and white rice for several days. If the symptoms improve, try gradually introducing the previous diet. If the symptoms return, probably something in the diet doesn’t agree with your pet. Now, there are dogs who can have a sensitivity to chicken, rice or the combination. Often times feeding them mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes as the carbohydrate source will be helpful. Alot of controversy surrounds what type of food is best to feed to our animals. The simple answer is “it depends”. No one diet is agreeable to every dog, however, the better the quality, the better your chances are that it will not pose a problem. As a holistically minded veterinarian, I have patients on a variety of dietary choices. Some do well with their sensitivities being on a raw diet, some do well with comercial food, others with home cooked diets. The key is to find a diet that is economical for the most part and that is nutritionally complete and safe.
One of the latest crazes to hit pet food over the last few years is home prepared raw diets. The theory behind them has a good intent, but there are some serious consequences that can arise due to bacterial contamination both for the owners and the pets. These risks are due to the possibility of E.Coli and Salmonella contamination and possibly other organisms. Certain parasites can also be found in raw meat so as a general rule, I don’t recommend home prepared raw diets. After going through vet school and having seen how our food supply is prepared, there is definitely room for safety to fall thru the cracks. At least with commercial raw diets, there are some safeguards in place to prevent some of these risks. No food is completely safe, and even dry kibble and canned food can become rancid or contaminated. Always find a food that has not met it’s expiration date, and get in the habit of smelling the food for odd smells, and looking for an odd appearance. Especially when feeding from a new bag or new variety. Most commercial diets have some freshness policy and will often times provide you with a replacement bag or refund.
Home cooked diets can be economical when prepared in large batches but you will want to make sure it is a balanced diet. Often times owners will prepare home cooked diets and not include the right ratio of Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium and other nutrients. It is best to consult a veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist when considering a home cooked diet for long term use.
Now, another question which I often get is in regards to testing for these food sensitivities or allergies via the blood. Most dermatologists and research suggests that the blood testing doesn’t produce reliable results. Food elimination trials are what seem to work best, and owner commitment to the food trial is the most important ingredient. If the animals are still getting treats or the kids cookies etc it can throw off the whole trial.
It is a good idea to consider comprehensive lab testing to screen for other issues when dealing with a really chronic situation. Low thyroid levels can affect an animals immune system and metabolism, and with treatment can help to improve the sensitivity. There are also other conditions which may initially seem like a dietary problem but require specific treatment. Screening the bloodwork and urine can help to determine if a concurrent illness may be complicating the sensitivity. Please don’t forget to check a stool sample as well, I’ve learned the hard way that even though a pet may have a “formed” stool, it can still have one or several gastrointestinal parasites. Stools should be checked at least on an annual basis and with new episodes of GI distress.
As for supplements, I usually recommend to keep it to a limited number under most situations. Some animals might require additional therapy which is best discussed under veterinary direction. The addition of 1 teaspoon of ground psyllium per cup or can of dog food can help with chronic loose stools. Basically it is insoluble fiber, which acts as a bulking agent and helps to solidify the stool. Probiotics are another good choice but it is important to use a product which has the right kind and quantity of beneficial organisms. One product which I highly recommend is Vetri Pro Biotic by Vetri Science. It is in a tablet form and I like it because it has a variety of beneficial bacteria and a beneficial yeast. The number of organisms per serving is also at a beneficial level based on current veterinary research and information.
A third supplement which I use quite a bit is called Prozyme. This product contains plant derived digestive enzymes which when applied to the diet, help to partially digest the food prior to feeding. This allows the pet to not have to work so hard digesting the diet and makes the food easier to absorb in the small intestine. I use this product personally with our dogs and it has made a big difference in their coat quality, stools and weight maintenance.
For some dogs, all it takes is the right diet and one if not all three of the supplements listed above. For others, they require additional therapy. From a holistic or alternative spectrum, I’ve had success with stubborn cases using a combination of Acupuncture, western herbs, homotoxicology, homeopathy, and occasionally chinese herbs. My last resort is the use of medication, but sometimes these medications can make all the difference. Two commonly used medications are metronidazole and tylan powder. Both of which are antibiotics, but are also believed to have an anti-inflammatory effect on the bowel. They can be used long term but only under veterinary supervision.
Cats are obviously a little bit different than dogs. With cats, it seems regurgitation of the food shortly after eating is the most common sign of food sensitivity or food intolerance. Sometimes just the texture of the food and it’s shape are enough to cause the problem. Cats will commonly eat rapidly, and the food when in the stomach expands faster than it can be digested. The body’s response is to regurgitate the food. Often times you will find a “food loaf” on the carpet or floor in close proximity of the bowl. More times than not changing the food from dry to canned can fix the regurgitation problem. Other times an easily digestible diet makes the difference.
Cats are different than dogs in the sense that they are strict carnivores, and need meat as their primary nutrition source. They share some of the common allergens of corn, wheat, and dairy. Most cats do well on poultry based diets.
The food elimination trial works well with cats also, but with home cooked diets you have to make sure it is balanced and has taurine in the diet. A good source of taurine is clams or clam juice. The same diagnostics are recommended for cats as they are with dogs for chronic cases.
In terms of supplements, I like Vetri Science Acetylator and the psyllium. I rarely recommend digestive enzymes for my cat patients. The same alternative therapies can work well for cats with chronic cases.
Another question I’m always asked from both my dog and cat clients pertains to which pet food companies are best. My top choices are wellness, natural balance, and honest kitchen. That is not to say there are not other great choices, but these brands I like due to their cost, availablity, and/or ease of use. The most important thing to consider with the diet is to avoid any animal by products, and avoid foods that have a laundry list of preservatives or ingredients that are hard to understand. Hopefully this information has been helpful and the old adeage “you are what you eat” is true for our four legged friends as well. If you have any additional questions, feel free to send me an email and I’m always available for consultations to help you customize your approach for your beloved friends.
