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What the Hug is hydrolysed dog food?

In recent times, we have seen an increase in food allergies and intolerances in our dogs. More often than not, we can trace these back to a poor microbiome. Whilst we must treat the underlying cause for long term improvement, in the short term, we need to be able to offer our dogs a diet that doesn’t exacerbate their symptoms. Enter hydrolysed dog food.

Suppose your pooch suffers from an allergy or intolerance. In that case, your vet may have suggested a hydrolysed prescription diet; this is part of a new generation of pet food, one many pet parents are unfamiliar with. Wondering how hydrolysed dog food works – and what benefits it delivers? We’re here to explain.

Hydrolysed dog food defined

In certain canines, specific dietary proteins can cause an abnormal immune reaction. In many cases, these are proteins such as chicken and beef, commonly found in dog foods. Some dogs get to a stage where they can’t consume the majority of popular dog food ingredients without triggering a reaction, leaving owners with little choice of what to feed.

The problem is that dogs need protein – you can’t simply cut it out of their diet. Upon ingesting protein, their bodies use and combine the amino acids it contains to create new proteins; their muscles, disease-combatting antibodies, and hormones are all comprised of proteins. In other words, hounds depend on protein to remain strong and healthy.

So, what do you do if your pal’s body rejects protein? One option is feeding hydrolysed dog food. 

Hydrolysis is a natural method that uses the enzymes in water to partially digest long chains of amino acids in proteins, breaking them down into shorter ones – just as your dog’s digestive system normally would.

Feeding these pre-digested proteins doesn’t generate the abnormal immune response it usually would in an allergic dog, as, in effect, the proteins have changed shape, so remain unrecognisable to the immune system. This allows canines with severe protein intolerances to enjoy meat like any dog while avoiding an allergic response.

When is hydrolysed dog food prescribed?

Hydrolysed dog food is most commonly prescribed to treat IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) or a protein allergy.

We’ve talked a lot about the merits of a robust microbiome: a network of good bacteria on and inside a pooch’s body, safeguarding the digestive system’s walls.

A thriving microbiome is critical for good digestive and immune health. When the microbiome is in poor condition, the digestive system becomes compromised: its walls become weakened, which allows for toxins (food particles and pollen, for example) to enter the bloodstream, causing the immune system to go on the attack.

A potential knock-on effect of this? Your dog’s immune system begins (incorrectly) to earmark dietary proteins as a health hazard and starts going on the attack each time it identifies their presence.

Symptoms of a protein intolerance can include:

• Itchy skin •  Vomiting •  Repeated ear infections •  Flatulence •  Nausea • Rumbling stomach •  Weight loss •  Constipation •  Lethargy •  Fresh blood/mucus in stools • Reduced appetite

If you spot any of the above, it’s best to consult your vet.

A protein intolerance is typically diagnosed by placing a dog on an elimination diet, feeding a novel (new) single-source protein for several weeks, then rotating between other proteins over time. If a canine’s symptoms improve during the period, then reemerge upon feeding a specific protein, a protein intolerance can potentially be pinpointed.

Which hydrolysed dog food should I feed?

As with any dog food, not all are created equal. The selection of hydrolysed diets for dogs is limited, and many prescription hydrolysed diets contain low-grade ingredients. You’ll find items such as chicken feathers instead of good-quality muscle meat used for protein, in addition to artificial preservatives and fillers – not a recipe for robust long-term health.

We created Chicken Comfort with this in mind. In addition to using top notch cuts of free run, hydrolysed chicken, it’s rich in immune-boosting nutrients, soothing lavender, and chamomile. Nourishing and comforting, it’s a hug in a bowl.

Better still, our hydrolysed dog food is complete, grain free, and cold pressed. Rather than blasting ingredients at high temperatures, the cold pressing method uses low temperatures to lock in maximum goodness – exactly what your dog deserves.

Still have questions? We’re more than happy to help.