As I have mentioned in previous articles, one of my Maltese Dogs has an autoimmune deficiency called Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA). In addition to that problem, the vet thinks she may have some kind of food allergies. We now have her on the Hill's Prescription Diet z/d Canine food for dogs with skin and food sensitivities. The food was developed by Hill's nutritionists and veterinarians. It is purported to improve the skin and coat within 30 days, help normalize the dog’s stool, promote a healthy skin barrier and help support the immune system. The food has a high level of vitamin E and natural fiber, essential enriched fatty acids and has no gluten, soy, lactose, artificial color, or preservatives. My dog appears to be doing quite well on this diet; however, it food is quite expensive. My daughter likes to do research regarding health and wellness practices for her dogs. She has started to prepare homemade food for her dogs using recipes found on the internet. One of the recipes she uses consists of white rice, eggs, meat with additional nutritional supplements and fatty acids. One needs to add supplements that include amino acids, fatty acids, zinc, vitamins, and other nutrients that support a dog's immune system and body function. Fatty acids and vitamin E are needed to help prevent dry, flakey itchy skin or a brittle dull coat. One of the author’s with posts regarding homemade dog food makes the point that people food from the grocery store is labeled as fit for human consumption; whereas, dog food is labeled as unfit for human consumption. It is important to remember, if making your own dog food to not use any spices or herbs. It is noted that dogs have a shorter digestive track than humans so it is more difficult for them to digest food such as raw vegetables and brown rice. That is why it is important to use white rice. There is a continuing discussion whether to cook the homemade food prior to feeding it to your dogs or to let them eat it raw. Most vets recommend cooking the food first because many of the animals and grains today contain various chemicals used by farmers and food producers. If you have a dog with allergies or digestive problems, it would behoove you to conduct your research and make an informed decision what type of food is best for your pet.
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