Royal Canin Anallergenic? (Food Allergies)

[SnoringHound]

My 4 year old has always had seasonal allergies (grass/pollen) but developed a year long allergy this year in particular. I’d taken her off grain free food as it contained peas, and now that legumes have been linked to heart disease in dogs, I figured it unsafe. However soon after, she began experiencing really itchy paws - to the point she’s excessively stained them, and without an antihistamine a day, she’s chewing/biting/licking her paws raw and crying.

Working closely with her vet, we both decided it was a good time for a trial diet/elimination diet to see if we can figure out what her allergy is. Vet has recommended the royal canin anallergenic, but I’ve never had any dog on royal canine, and as it disagreed with my sister’s Samoyed years ago, I’m hesitant. I’ll absolutely give it a go, but was just wondering if anyone here had experiences with it - positive or negative.

Thank you!

When I got my Labrador puppy he was on Royal Canin. It made his faeces very soft and gave him the itches. He's been on a salmon and rice kibble since and had absolutely no issues.

Mine had similar stool issues with Collard’s, but Burns fixed that. Unfortunately nothing has fixed her itchy paws yet, which is why the vet recommended the allergy-specific royal canin. Can’t say it would have been my first pick tbh but willing to try anything (just want to know what I’m potentially going to face)

I walk a dog who has Royal Canin hydrolysed food after she had repeated issues with her stomach and skin and she is thriving. Solid poos, healthy fur and no more pain, itching or anything. She wasn't expected to live past 18 months - she's now four and healthy as can be.

It's very dog dependent! My dog ended up on Chappie and thrived on it. I know its looked down on but he was on the fish one and no issues. Hills / Royal Canin didnt work for him.

Brilliant to hear!! Hopefully this helps my pup as well - even if it’s not the best for her digestion during the 8 weeks, hopefully it will tell me if she does have a food allergy, and I can find her a suitable food to help her (was thinking of going to customized foods like tails.com if the royal canin works for identifying allergies, but doesn’t work for her tummy)

I really hope it works! This dog was in the vets regularly with stomach issues, couldn't gain weight and had all kinds of hospital stays - it was awful. She's doing amazingly now - we do have to watch what she gets as treats as she can't have regular meaty ones - they have to be veggie based or things like cheese, but honestly, she's doing so well.

Hi OP, would be interested to hear how you get on. My ddog has just been seen by the vet today and they suspect she may have food allergies (she's had an itchy ear since we got her 9 months ago which is much better on a short course of steroids, which suggests allergy apparently).

Our vet has recommended Hills zd food or royal canin anallergenic. I'm freaking out a bit about the idea of the 8 week trial as dog not allowed to eat ANYTHING else, not a single bite apparently. Sues a terrible scavenger on walks so we're going to need to muzzle train her.

There's a big difference between the 'regular' RC foods (which I would never feed), and the prescription diets. My dog suffered terribly with food allergies - basically allergic to everything - but has been on the RC Anallergenic for nearly 10 years now and it's changed her life.

My pup has awful ear problems to the point she needed them surgically flushed to give her temporary relief.

My vets also recommended these special hydrolyzed kibbles from purina, hills and RC.

I have checked the ingredients though and it's basically sugar and carbs. 🤯

The little protein that is there is also so highly processed and Denatured to the point it's unregognisable by the body, hence no reaction (vets explanation not mine)

My gut feeling is screaming this can't be good surely. We'll end up with other problems.

I've switched her to raw, where I am in complete control with single proteins and veg that I choose. I am keeping a food log and symptom diary and going from there.

Regardless I would also recommend a vest or collar that says DO NOT FEED. Surprising how many people will slip the dog a treat or two in the pub, daycare, parties, BBQs etc....

My son’s 11year old springer spaniel had bad food allergies as a puppy, itching and diarrhoea. Vet put him on Royal Canin hypoallergenic and he’s been on it ever since with no more problems.

I'm with @UniverseRewardsTheBrave . One of my dogs has been on the Royal Canin Anallergenic food for 2 years now and is completely thriving.

She has it for chronic digestive issues though (after trying nearly every hypoallergenic food on the market. And Chappie!) and what a difference. Her coat is beautiful, she's back to a normal weight, and she does 2 very solid poos a day.

I'm actually now introducing it to one of our other dog's food because he has itchy skin. He's currently on about 50/50 with his current food and I am definitely noticing a difference.

hello! She’s only been on it a little over a week as I had to get it delivered. So far, no impact on allergies but in terms of digestive system, she’s absolutely fine. Not her favorite food, but she’ll eat it.

My 18 month old cocker is on Royal Canin gastrointestinal. She picked up a nasty bout of both Campylobacter and Giardia this time last year. Last Christmas was pretty rotten dealing with her diarrhoea!

We then tried all sorts of food, probiotics, slippery elm etc etc to get her back on track. But nothing really worked. She was originally prescribed the RC gastro short term when she had the initial illness and it was the only food (combined with a bit of Pro Kolin) which actually worked.

After many unsuccessful attempts to wean her off on to something more palatable, the vet suggested that she stay on RC gastro low fat for the long term.

She is now perfect. Good poos, sleeps so much better and just seems much happier and settled. Good luck.