If your dog is constantly itching, scratching, or experiencing gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, food allergies might be the culprit. Identifying the specific allergen can be challenging, but a lamb and rice diet, often used as part of an elimination diet, can be a helpful tool. This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how a lamb and rice diet can assist in managing canine allergies.
Understanding Food Allergies in Dogs
In general, allergies are the body’s immune system gone haywire. Instead of protecting your dog’s body like it’s supposed to, the immune system starts attacking something that’s typically safe. For example, your dog could have a food sensitivity to wheat or soy. I’ve even heard of dogs experiencing allergic reactions to beef, chicken, or fish. These four are still considered a few of the top food allergens in dogs, though truth be told, we could add to the list any and all foods our dogs eat. Allergies of any kind negatively impact your dog’s overall health. They can make your dog feel bloated and lethargic. In some cases, your dog may have respiratory problems.
The Role of a Lamb and Rice Diet
For many dogs, lamb is a novel protein. That’s because most dog food includes meat sources like chicken, beef, or fish. Any of those are fine protein sources unless your dog has a protein allergy to one of them. From picky eaters to sensitive stomachs, lamb meat can be an excellent high-quality protein source. If needed, it can also help perk up your dog’s appetite because it’s a new flavor. Lamb is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamin B12, niacin, and essential amino acids like taurine for supporting overall health.
Why Lamb and Rice?
Lamb and rice diets have historically been considered hypoallergenic options for dogs. The premise behind this is that lamb is a novel protein source for many dogs, meaning they haven't been exposed to it before. Rice is a bland, easily digestible carbohydrate source that is less likely to cause an allergic reaction compared to other grains.
However, it's important to note that while lamb and rice was once considered the hypoallergenic diet of choice, this is no longer necessarily the case. Dogs can develop allergies to any food they are exposed to, including lamb and rice. Despite this, a lamb and rice diet can still be a useful starting point for an elimination diet due to its relative novelty for many dogs.
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The Elimination Diet: A Step-by-Step Approach
One excellent way of getting to the root of your dog’s allergies is with an elimination diet. Your ultimate goal is to determine the specific food/s that are causing problems for your dog, and an elimination diet is one way you can approach the issue. Starting an elimination diet can be daunting and requires a lot of commitment and patience. Even conventional medications need to be considered in your elimination plan.
Setting the Stage for Success
Every single person that comes into contact with your dog becomes part of the “experience”. Family members, visitors, and even your postman, if he happens to carry treats, have to be told that your dog is not to be given any food item other than those you have designated as “safe”. This means you have to stop your current feeding program, including all those tasty tidbits from your dinner; supplements, including vitamins and minerals that may contain fillers that could cause an allergic reaction; all treats (no sneaking); and anything else that could be considered a food item, such as trachea chews and bully sticks.
The Elimination Phase
Once you have made the decision to try an elimination diet, it is essential to stick to it for eight to 12 weeks. From this day forward, your dog becomes the subject of the next Netflix Original, because it is crucial to write down a script for everything you need to do, and everything happening right now, that could have a potential impact on your dog - from the daily weather report, to the areas you walk your dog, to the soaps you use, and so on. In other words, anything and everything. Remember, an elimination diet means just that.
The question is, what should you feed your dog now that you are bringing to a halt everything that was part of her regular feeding program? Basically, you have the job of selecting one protein source and one carbohydrate source that your dog has never been exposed to before. To do this, you will need to read every label on everything your dog has eaten, or may have eaten, and make a list in your journal so you can develop the script you want to follow.
Reintroduction and Confirmation
If you’re lucky, your dog’s problems will begin to improve in a few weeks. As a result, you can be fairly certain there was something in his old diet that triggered her allergies. If fairly certain isn’t good enough for you, return to the beginning of your script and reintroduce the original feeding program. If symptoms reappear within seven to 14 days, you have confirmation of a food allergy. If you don’t want to be that adventurous, new foods can be added one at a time once your dog is doing well on the elimination diet, and you can then carefully monitor her for any adverse reactions.
Read also: Chicken and Brown Rice: A Healthy Choice
Alternative Novel Proteins
If lamb isn't a suitable option, consider other novel proteins. Buffalo is an excellent protein choice for dogs that have allergies encompassing both skin-related issues and gastrointestinal problems. It is heart-healthy because it’s low in fat and cholesterol. Kangaroo is another great source of novel high quality protein. Ostrich is another novel protein to try.
Homemade Lamb and Rice Diet Recipes
If you’d like to try prepared lamb dog food from the largest-scale humane feeding trial by a pet food company, try JFFD lamb pet food. No fillers or unnecessary byproducts. However, you can prepare your own lamb and rice meals at home. Here are a couple of recipes to consider:
Basic Lamb and Rice Recipe
- 1 pound ground protein of choice, e.g. lamb
- Choose organic ingredients whenever possible.
- Put olive oil in pan and turn heat to medium high.
- Add ground protein.
- Gently mix with the olive oil, add spices, and continue to stir.
- As soon as bubbles appear, turn heat down to simmer, and continue to stir until there is no pink in the meat.
- Cool and serve. Top with Kale Kocktail or serve alongside Kale Krunch.
Kale Kocktail
- Choose organic ingredients whenever possible.
Kale Krunch
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper for easy clean-up.
- Remove the leaves from the thick outer stems of the kale.
- Cut or tear the leaves into big bite-sized pieces.
- Wash the leaves with filtered water, then dry them in a salad spinner or pat dry with a tea towel.
- Spread the kale pieces on the cookie sheet.
- Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with sea salt and turmeric.
- Bake for ten to 15 minutes, until the edges of the leaves are turning golden in color.
- Remove from the oven, cool and serve.
Lamb Protein Biscuits
- 2 cups novel protein, e.g. lamb.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the protein and water in a food processor or blender, and whirl until smooth.
- Begin with ¼ cup water, and add more as needed.
- Transfer dough to the cookie sheet.
- Flatten with a fork or the back of a spoon until the dough goes to the edges of the cookie sheet.
- Score with a sharp knife.
- Bake for 30 minutes, and then turn the oven down to 275°F.
- Bake for 1½ hours.
- Turn oven off and allow the biscuits to cool completely before storing them in an open contain or in the fridge.
Commercial Lamb and Rice Dog Food Options
If you prefer the convenience of commercial dog food, several lamb and rice formulas are available. Here are a few examples:
American Natural Premium Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe
American Natural Premium’s Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe is a nutritious and wholesome meal for your canine companion. It can be ruff to find the right food for dogs with food intolerances and sensitive stomachs - that’s why we created this dry dog food with lamb! Not only does it provide the high-quality ingredients your dog needs, it’s free of the ones your dog doesn’t need.
- Key Highlights
- High-Quality Lamb Meal: Sourced from the USA, lamb meal serves as a premium protein, ideal for dogs with chicken or beef intolerances.
- Balanced Vitamins & Minerals: A careful blend of nutrients, including calcium and phosphorus, supports strong bones and vibrant health.
- Sensitive Stomach Friendly: Specifically designed without chicken or potatoes to meet the needs of dogs with specific food intolerances.
- Fiber-Rich Ingredients: High-quality grains and added pumpkin promote healthy digestion for your canine companion.
- Supports All Life Stages: From the energetic playfulness of puppies to the dignified grace of seniors, this recipe caters to every phase of your dog’s life.
- Immune & Digestive Health: Enhanced with prebiotics and probiotics to bolster your dog’s immune system and ensure optimal digestion.
KOHA Limited Ingredient Bland Diet Lamb & White Rice Recipe Dog Food
KOHA Bland Diet for dogs is ideal for dogs with upset stomach, loose stool, or diarrhea. This gently formulated limited ingredient dog food recipe has just one protein source for easy digestion. When your vet suggests feeding your dog a bland diet of meat and white rice, there's no need to spend time cooking. KOHA Bland Diet is convenient and ready-to-serve!
Read also: Everything You Need to Know About the Rice Diet
- KOHA Limited Ingredient Bland Diet Lamb & White Rice Recipe Dog Food is formulated to meet the nutritional level established by the AAFCO Dog food Nutrient Profiles for Maintenance.
- Guaranteed Analysis
- Crude Protein……………….…. (Min.) 7.0%
- Crude Fat………………………… (Min.) 5.0%
- Crude Fiber…………….….….… (Max.) 0.5%
- Moisture………………………….
- Bland Diet Dog Feeding Instructions:
- The amount of food your dog requires will depend on activity, age, environment and breed. Feed at room temperature and refrigerate unused portion. Always provide access to clean fresh water.
- ADULT: Feed 1 pouch per 15 lbs. of body weight per day.
General Feeding Guidelines
L.I.D. Divide the recommended amount to feed into two meals per day. The amount of food required each day will vary depending on breed, environment, temperament, and activity level. Overweight and Senior dogs may be fed a reduced amount, depending on the dog’s weight and activity level. Dogs should be fed based on their ideal weight, not necessarily their current weight. Add 1/3 cup for each additional 10 lbs.
Additional Considerations
Supplements
When the time comes to reconsider adding supplements back into to your dog’s diet, take a look at whole fish body oil, evening primrose oil and borage oil - essential fatty acids that are known to have a positive impact on allergies. Consider adding some canned wild salmon or sardines, packed in water.
Reading Labels
Always watch your furry friend’s behavior after eating. Like us, if your dog’s body’s built up a sensitivity to an ingredient, it’ll make them feel terrible when they eat it. That’s why a limited-ingredient diet is an excellent way to reduce or eliminate potential allergens. Check the ingredients list. Because food manufacturers list ingredients by volume, you want to see a protein source as the first ingredient. So, if you’re feeding lamb dog food, lamb should be the first ingredient. After that, you might choose vegetables and rice as the additional ingredients.
Consulting with Your Veterinarian
Additionally, you should work with your veterinarian to get to the source of the allergy. Can you trace them to anything specific? New surroundings? Once you’ve defined these, you’ve set the stage for your dog’s health rebound. Removing the allergens can significantly impact your pet’s overall health. It’s easier to tell what causes the allergic reactions without a bunch of filler ingredients. You’ll know once you switch foods or animal protein if your dog shows a reduction in itchy skin, digestive problems, and other allergy symptoms. You’ll know from the lack of paw chewing, the change in stool size, and there may be a new bounce in your pup’s step.