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The holidays are all about
indulgence, particularly the
gastronomic kind.When your
family circle includes a pet, that
indulgence extends to your beloved
animal. Giving treats to Fido or Kitty
can get tricky if your furry companion
has food-related allergies.
Still, food allergies don’t mean you
have to deny your pet something
special. By paying attention to
ingredient content and
sticking with all-natural
choices, you’ll find plenty of
tasty options for your pets,
according to Barbara Royal, DVM, a Chicago veterinarian who specializes in
acupuncture, physical therapy and postoperative
care and nutrition for pets.
The tough part isn’t finding treats
but determining what the allergen may
be, says Royal, who is consulted on
treat recipes by specialty pet
bakeries. “Food allergies in pets
are extremely individual,” she
explains. “Any animal can be
allergic to anything, and
unfortunately, the only way to
figure out food sensitivities is by
trial and error.”
That said, Royal notes that the most
common allergies she sees are to wheat
products. “Gluten, corn and many other
grains often irritate the GI tract in pets,”
she says, noting that cats are particularly
sensitive to grains.
Meat proteins are common
irritants, too, she adds. “We see
allergies to beef more than
anything else, simply because
most pets have so much
exposure to it. But allergies to
lamb and other meats are not
uncommon.”
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