Your Dog's Allergies may stem from Malnutrition or Toxins in their food

Does your dog have skin rashes, red eyes, hot spots, frequent itching, chronic diarrhea or vomiting? These manifestations can all be signs of allergies. Unfortunately, allergies are symptomatic of your dog's organs having to work overtime in an attempt to detox and not quite keeping up with the load. Environmental causes of allergies can include toxins from poor quality foods, fertilizers, pesticides, flea, tick and worm medications or other drugs, vaccines, bacteria, parasites, heavy metals and more. 

If you are fed up with seeing your pet suffer and simply don't know where to start, below are some common allergy culprits (source: https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/a-new-look-at-canine-allergies/): 

"Processed kibbles, regardless of ‘quality’, can be laden with toxins.  Here is a short list of possible issues:

• Premixes – because most kibbles are processed and baked at high temperatures, they will not meet minimal AAFCO nutritional standards unless synthetic vitamins and minerals are added back in.  Nearly all of these products are manufactured overseas, mostly in China, where quality standards are questionable.  Remember the melamine that was added to pet foods in the late ’90’s that harmed and killed countless dogs.
• Bacteria – many kibbles contain dead stock which may not reach the rendering plant for a day or two and the carcass can be contaminated with bacteria including E. coli. and Salmonella.  While the cooking process may kill the bacteria, it does not eliminate the endotoxins some bacteria produce.  Pet food manufacturers do not test their foods for these toxins.  Because sick and dead animals can be processed as pet foods, any drugs used to treat or euthanize them will also be included in the kibble.  Antibiotics used in livestock production are also thought to contribute to antibiotic resistance in humans.
• Mycotoxins – these are toxins from mold or fungi.  Pet food ingredients most likely to be contaminated with mycotoxins include grains such as wheat and corn and fish meal.
• GMOS – genetically modified plant products create inflammatory conditions.  Most of the soybean, corn and cotton crops in the U.S. are now genetically modified.
• Acrylamide. This is a carcinogenic compound formed at cooking temperatures of about 250°F in foods containing certain sugars and the amino acid asparagine (found in large amounts in potatoes and cereal grains). It is formed in a chemical process called the Maillard reaction.  Most dry pet foods contain cereal grains or potatoes, and they are processed at high temperatures (200–300°F at high pressure during extrusion; baked foods are cooked at well over 500°F); these are perfect conditions for the Maillard reaction. In fact, the Maillard reaction is considered desirable in the production of pet food because it imparts a palatable taste, even though it reduces the bioavailability of some amino acids, including taurine and lysine. The content and potential effects of acrylamide formation in pet foods are unknown."

We recommend feeding your dog fresh and or supplemental whole foods rich in antioxidants, vitamins C and E, beta carotene and alpha lipoic acid such as broccoli, brussel sprouts, green peas, carrots and bovine (cow) organ meats such as kidney, heart, spleen or brain, to name a few. Omega-3 fatty acids such as those found in salmon, sardine, anchovy and other fish oils can also help alleviate the inflammation associated with allergies.

By choosing high quality commercial raw or dehydrated foods or feeding your dog your own raw foods with the necessary supplementation, you can be proactive about reducing the amount of toxins your dog’s body has to eliminate. Choose 100% grass-fed, organic animals and pesticide free/organic vegetables, whenever possible.

- Contributing Editor M.G.