Hypoallergenic gluten free food

[Delorian]

I need to switch my dog (6 months) onto a hypoallergnic gluten free food. I also want to avoid glutamates (peas, chickpeas etc.)

Vet is recommending hypoallergenic Royal canin, Z/d Hills or Purina HA as the only foods that fit the bill. But are there other ones people recommend?

I don't think there are any others available in the UK unfortunately.

All of the foods your vet has suggested are hydrolysed diets these are very specialised diets where the protein and carbohydrates have a very small molecular weight that can't cause an allergic reaction. As well as the three you have already listed there is Dechra specific CDD-HY and veterinary hpm hypoallergy dog.

Your dog is only 6 months old? From memory, I think the only one suitable for puppies is z/d

Forthglade

Forthglade isn't hypoallergenic and contains peas which OP wants to avoid.

I was wondering about Millie's wolfhart. I think the most important thing is the gluten aspect as far as I can tell. Hypoallergenic would be a bonus but we are willing to do a bit of trial and error with his symptoms if a gluten but not hypoallergenic food is better nutrition.

Have you considered raw feeding?

I just don't think we can do it. I don't really understand how to do it for a start, I work 50 hours a week and I don't think I have the mental capacity to deal with it and the freezer is full. The vet was also very disparaging of it.

Unless there is a definite gluten sensitive ( there is a test for this) I wouldn't recommend it as studies have shown that gluten free dog food are linked to reduce contractility of the heart muscle leading to the heart condition DCM.
By using the foods I and your vet suggested you will have consistency of ingredients which non- prescription foods do not have to comply to. These are best for exclusion diets to see if food is the problem and if it is you can then do dietary challenges to see what you can feed.

This information is incorrect . There is no clear link between gluten free food and dcm in dogs. There may be a link in dog food that has no gluten but uses legumes peas and lentils etc.

OP If you vet has suggested Hydrolysed food that is very very different from hypoallergenic food. I would confirm with the vet if that hydrolysed diet is what they recommend. If it is stick to the ones recommended.

If it is gluten free then speak to Millies as you will then be able to do an elimination diet from their food.

Yes - as @KeenOtter says the link between grain/gluten free food and heart problems is tenuous at best. We don't feed grain-free as we just don't need to but I wouldn't hesitate if my dog was having issues.

It's just as easy as kibble. There's plenty of "ready made" frozen nuggets or just meat mince and you can add veg & rice if you want to avoid the peas.

On a side note how have you time and head space for a puppy if you work 50 hours a week?

We WFH, DH is taking most of the load in that sense. It means it forces us out to exercise too.

It's standing over the hob cooking rice for a dog which I have issues with. I think I'll cry if I have to do that every night!

Is there a specific medical reason why your pup needs such food? We feed raw completes. Defrost and serve. No rice. No added veg.

You don't have to cook every night, rice will be perfectly fine in the fridge for a few days. But I sense you are just not prepared to take dig ownership to that level.
Maybe have a look into companies like Butternut Box - I have no experience with them but it might be a solution for you as you are clearly time poor.

If you don't want the hassle of raw then don't let anyone on here push you into it. It is more work than feeding dry and you do need plenty of storage space too.

You need to ask your vet whether they want your dog on hypoallergenic or hydrolysed food - they're very different things. All the food in your OP is hydrolysed in which case something like Millie's would absolutely not suit - but if it's just hypoallergenic you need then it may well be okay.

• dog ownership 🤦🏻‍♀️

I can suggest raw to DH and see if he wants to cook rice and store it somewhere.

He has a movement disorder. They think gluten is the cause.

i haven’t heard of that. Can I ask how they diagnosed it?
I appreciate raw isn’t for everyone. I use completes. I defrost in “dog” plastic tubs. I use a separate washing up bowl etc for their stuff. Good luck.

I've pmd you

No need for being passive aggressive.

I suggested raw feeding as an alternative - just as you asked.

I also suggested ready made" frozen nuggets the cooking option was placed as OR.
Personally I have had mixed successes with it but found cooking for the dog (diabetic & allergies) the best option.

... and yes, I do question your level of commitment towards your puppy. You'll have these problems for many years to come. Kibble is fine, but you will find that over your dogs lifetime they will charge the composition and ingredients or case trading all together!
Again, my suggestion has taken all this into account.

It's your dog, so it's up to you what you do. Just remember it's a sentiment being. . It's also totally dependent on you to keep it healthy and pain free.

I would suggest you ring Millie's wolfheart and speak to them for advice about their suitability for your dog.
They have qualified nutritionists you can talk to, they are amazing and wouldn't recommend one of their products if it wasn't suitable

Genuinely wasn't being. I need DH to take this on really so I will relay all this. We could well go for raw but I don't trust my organisational skills not to run out of food constantly. He may feel like he can take on that load in which case we will.

Threads like this are what put people off posting here - OP has said she doesn't feel able to feed raw so why is everyone banging on and suggesting it?