Food and Allergies- need opinions

[ParisStreetPitCrew]

Sidney has severe environmental allergies. Her worst allergies are mites, specifically storage mites (which are found in kibble).

For the past couple years I have been fighting a tough battle. We switched to pre-made, ground raw and she showed a little improvement. However, I do not love feeding raw and it is a bit difficult for me to get a good variety of foods. She can eat canned food without issues as well, so she gets a canned meal here and there.

Once we started Atopica, things were the best they had ever been. She made HUGE progress and is like a brand new dog.

So, I thought since the Atopica helped so much, I might be able to switch her back to kibble. I tired a few months ago giving her one meal a day Healthwise chicken/oatmeal, since that's what I feed the other dogs. Within a day she was itching and I put the idea on the backburner. Now I'm running out of raw again and thought I could try a grain-free kibble instead. Last week I picked up a bag of TOTW bison/venison to try it out. She has been sporadically getting a kibble meal. I have noticed her itching a lot more again.

So my question to you is this: should I try a different kibble and see if I can find one that works or continue the raw that I'm not completely comfortable with but she seems ok on...??

[BullyLady]

I'm a little confused on why you aren't comfortable with raw? Is it because you find it icky (me too!) or is there a health concern involved?

I only ask because, if it's because you are icked out by it.... I would have to say stick with it anyways. Shelby grew up a raw dog, but I'm a vegetarian and it became increasingly hard for me to feed raw, to the point where I spent my entire meal packing time dry heaving, bleh. I put her on kibble for about four months over the summer and it was a disaster. She got an aural hematoma and the poor thing was itchy all over ALL the time. She also kept getting staph infections on her belly that became increasingly hard to clear up. She has been back on raw since early December and her symptoms have drastically decreased. We actually have been working to clear up this current staph infection since December, but it is now almost totally gone and I think once it's gone we will be finished with them.

Anyways.... all that to say, if the raw aversion is an ick thing, your dog would probably much appreciate it if you would feed it anyways, as she will feel better. And you will feel better for seeing her feel better, I know I do.

[Malli]

Hm, what about "home" cooked?

I know that many of the kibble companies actually make recipes to give to clients...

[ParisStreetPitCrew]

The raw isn't the ick factor. It's mainly a couple things. I'm never sure I'm doing it RIGHT. That's why the premade, and still I'm not sure she's getting all that she needs. There is so much to know about it and I know I don't know enough. And I'm really just not comfortable with uncooked meat due to the microorganisms and having a bird around too. I don't exactly trust that it is safe.
And aside form that, it is difficult for me to get a good variety of foods for her here. I have to order online and have them shipped or drive hours to get it and I simply don't have the time or resources to do that.

As far as homemade-- if I could find a recipe that is easy enough, I was sure I could do right, and wasn't cost prohibitive I would certainly do that for her. I believe the last time I looked into it, it cost a lot more that raw feeding (which is about our food budget limit for her since the Atopica is super expensive too)

[hugapitbull]

They generally recommend a single source protein and single source carb for allergy control. We used Royal Canin duck & potato for years and have recently switched to Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison. I've had good results with both. The Natural Balance is not as expensive and is rated higher than the Royal Canin, and is also more available - you don't have to get it from a vet. I'd try a small bag of the NB and see what happens.

[ParisStreetPitCrew]

Thanks for the suggestion. Should I just pick up a bag and try it, or should I wait and do no kibble for a while first? I know we can get NB here, but not sure about Royal Canin. Is it the LID formula?

[hugapitbull]

Thanks for the suggestion. Should I just pick up a bag and try it, or should I wait and do no kibble for a while first? I know we can get NB here, but not sure about Royal Canin. Is it the LID formula?

It is the LID. If you recently had an itchy episode, I would do no kibble until it is under control, otherwise you may not get true results.

[ParisStreetPitCrew]

Ok-- raw and canned until she's feeling better. Then we will try LID. Thank you.

[Pit♥bull]

Shanna failed to mention that Trouble was on Atopica for several years until she developed cancer.
During the Atopica period we gave her medication with peanut butter but later discovered that to be one of the main sources of her allergy's.

[hugapitbull]

Yes, all meds with cream cheese now. And Duke gets a placebo dab just so they both get a bite

[ParisStreetPitCrew]

I'm looking at recipes for homecooked, but it seems like a lot of work and ingredients... and expensive.
Anyone have experience with homecooked?

[hugapitbull]

I found one once that had a bag of frozen veggies or fresh chopped veggies and a meat source. It's been a really long time, I don't remember if you added supplements or not. I'm thinking you would have to, that doesn't sound well rounded.

[Pit♥bull]

Here's a few viewtopic.php?f=7&t=11487&p=130012

[ArtGypsy]

They generally recommend a single source protein and single source carb for allergy control. We used Royal Canin duck & potato for years and have recently switched to Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison. I've had good results with both. The Natural Balance is not as expensive and is rated higher than the Royal Canin, and is also more available - you don't have to get it from a vet. I'd try a small bag of the NB and see what happens.

When Dar was having issues earlier this year, Christine recommended the Natural Balance Sweet Potato and Duck.......BOTH Dogs eat that now, instead of Innova----there's canned and dry kibble--plus treats that stay within the guidelines!!
Both dogs are doing much better!!

Thanks again, Christine!!!

[dlynne1123]

They generally recommend a single source protein and single source carb for allergy control. We used Royal Canin duck & potato for years and have recently switched to Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison. I've had good results with both. The Natural Balance is not as expensive and is rated higher than the Royal Canin, and is also more available - you don't have to get it from a vet. I'd try a small bag of the NB and see what happens.

We have a fwe clients rave about the Wellness Fish and Sweet Potato or Duck and Rice. Over the counter, not as expensive at the Royal Canin but still a bonified 'limited antigen' diet. (The fish stinks! but works)

[ParisStreetPitCrew]

I'm thinking, though, that maybe it is not the ingredients-- just the mites in the kibble.
?
Can storing it in the fridge minimize this issue?

[Malli]

might work to store it in containers in the freezer...

[amazincc]

Okay... there are mites in kibble??? Seriously???

[Malli]

There are mites everywhere They are just so tiny you don't see them.

[blabsforbullies]

There are mites everywhere They are just so tiny you don't see them.

That's just it... they are everywhere .... not just in food (and not just in dry kibble... in EVERY type of food). They are in the environment, and there is virtually NO way to get rid of them, unfortunately. A lot of animals that are allergic to storage mites are also allergic to dust mites, etc.