Frequently asked questions about hypo-allergenic dog food range H-Allergen HA+

FAQS

Dog nutrition FAQs

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My pet has problems keeping his food down and has loose stools.

We recommend that veterinary advice be taken if this situation has not cleared up in a day or two. It may be a simple viral disease which, as in humans, may clear quickly or it may be some underlying complaint needing more specialist attention. However the problem may be because your dog is sensitive or allergic to food ingredients such as wheat, soya or dairy products. It is for these pets that the H-Allergen HA⁺ Complete range of diets was formulated. The range allows common sensitising ingredients to be simply excluded in a well-balanced and highly digestible diet.

Why do you need a separate food for puppies?

H-Allergen HA⁺ Puppy food has been developed to meet the unique nutritional needs of young, growing pets by providing high quality, easily digestible protein along with an appropriate level of calcium and phosphorus – in a smaller kibble. A young animal's nutritional needs vary from breed to breed, and even litter mates will eat different amounts. Because young animals experience growth spurts, pay close attention to your pet's food consumption and its overall condition. Growth needs to be controlled and if it is too rapid there is a danger of complications such as hip dysphasia. H-Allergen HA⁺ recipes have been developed to ensure a careful balance of ingredients to ensure your pet has the right start in life.

What is the best way to introduce puppy food to my pet?

Introduce from about 4 weeks of age or when the puppies are able to lap from a dish. Initially, soften the food with warm water and feed at body temperature. Do not use cow's milk. Gradually decrease the amount of water over the next two weeks.

How do I prevent my puppy having problems with his food?

Start with feeding a good quality food such as H-Allergen HA⁺ Puppy. Also it is very important to understand that to prevent future behavioural problems remember that your dog is a pack animal and you must establish at an early age that you are the head of the pack. To help achieve this always feed your puppy after your own meal and this will help to establish your pet's position in the family. Feed your puppy in a quiet out of the way place. Occasionally when your dog is having its meal, take the bowl away for a minute before replacing the bowl. Again this helps to establish your position in your dog's eyes as the leader of the pack.

Why do you need a separate recipe for an older pet?

When ageing, various changes occur. Metabolism is slower and the kidneys are less active. The pet is less active than before, the skeletal system may partially decalcify, hearing and visual problems can originate, the skin becomes less elastic etc. So to ensure a good condition for as long as possible, it is necessary to adjust the nutrition to accommodate these changes in metabolism. H-Allergen HA⁺ Senior is especially composed so that older pets keep their condition in an optimal way. It helps to slow down some of the symptoms of old age. The lower protein percentage is gentle on the kidneys, and the vitamins and minerals are appropriately balanced to the other food materials.

My pet suffers from hip and elbow problems. What causes this, and what can I do?

A common problem - particularly in older cats and dogs - as they may suffer from bone and joint abnormalities because their bones are less dense. These include hip and elbow dysphasia, arthritis and degenerative joint disease. Healthy joints require glucosamine and chondroitin, which are available from natural sources such as cartilage. H-Allergen HA⁺ Senior recipes are specially formulated with high levels of cartilage and a unique blend of fats to help reduce joint inflammation.

My pet has some skin and coat problems

We recommend that Veterinary advice be taken if the situation is severe. Sometimes the cause can be simply a flea problem, which is easily treated. Occasionally it may be caused by an allergic response to factors from the environment or food. H-Allergen HA⁺ complete range can help reduce the risk of this by excluding common allergens. The range has also been formulated to contain a balance of omega fatty acids that help to maintain healthy condition for coat and skin.

How do I help keep my pet healthy?

Regular check ups at the Vet's, feeding the right food such as H-Allergen HA⁺ Complete and regular exercise. There is no substitute for regular exercise and you should try to exercise your dog for a minimum of 30 minutes a day, at least three times a week.

I am told to always give my pet fresh water with his meal but my pet never drinks water?

Yes, it is extremely important that your pet has access to a plentiful supply of water to prevent urinary tract problems in the future. However some pets, and particularly cats, will not drink fresh water out of the tap. This is because fresh tap water can often contain high levels of chlorine, which some pets are particularly sensitive to. In such a case, leave the water for 24 hours to allow the chlorine to dissipate before you give the water to your pet.

My dog has a wheat allergy and as yet I have seen no improvement since switching to H-Allergen HA⁺ Complete - why?

We often cause problems to our pet's health through kindness. Who can resist giving their pet a biscuit as a treat, or giving them leftovers such as spaghetti from the dinner table? These products all contain wheat. Also many of the pet treats you can buy contain wheat. Children in particular understandably find it hard not to give their dog a treat from the biscuit tin when parents are not looking. It has also been known for dogs to eat the bread that has been put out for the birds. It is very important that if your dog has a wheat allergy that the whole family knows the importance of not giving your dog any product that contains wheat. The term gluten is used in human food labelling and refers to a particular protein in cereals. Humans showing an allergy to wheat gluten will probably also show some allergy to other cereals. Dogs appear to be more specific in that other cereals such as barley, oats, maize, rice and sorghum can be fed to a wheat gluten sensitive dog without ill effect.

Is having fat in pet food bad for the animal?

Too much fat is bad for you, but the correct level of fats in a pet's diet is essential for the following three reasons: (i) The fats act as a concentrated source of calories, giving sustained energy. (ii) They are essential for your pet to absorb fat-soluble vitamins, especially A, E and D. (iii) They supply essential fatty acids, such as linolenic acid, DHA and linoleic acid, to maintain a healthy coat and skin.

Dry food upsets my dog's tummy – why?

When we as humans go on holiday we sometimes try different foods for the first time, some of which at the beginning of our holiday can upset our stomachs. This can happen even though the food may be well cooked, and even if it is healthier for us than our normal diet. Our digestive system may take a few days to adjust to the sudden change in our diet but after this period we can really enjoy the food. In the same way, some pets may have upset tummies even when switching to a better food. If this happens to your pet, then mix the new food with the existing food and gradually reduce the old with the new over a period of 7-10 days.

My Vet suggests that I feed a good dry complete food to both my dogs, but they prefer tinned food. What should I do?

Pets like people are creatures of habit and some pets may need some help in switching to a new food. Unless recommended by a Vet, gradually introduce the new diet over a 5 to 10 day period. Mix the new diet with your pet's former food, gradually increasing the proportions. Most pets will readily accept a good complete diet but some are more reluctant than others to give up what is familiar to them. If your pet does not easily switch, you may want to try one or more of the following suggestions:

Hand feed the new diet for the first few days.
Mix the diet with a small amount of warm water and wait 10 minutes before serving (do not use this method for cats).
Introduce the complete food as a mixer and gradually reduce the amount of tinned food over a 5 to 10 day period.
Put the food down for 15 minutes only, after which remove the bowl until the next feeding time, and repeat.

I am concerned about BSE in human food; can pets get BSE from their food?

According to government sources there have been less than a handful of recorded cases in the past decade and the risk is considered to be negligible. However, if you are concerned avoid any pet food that contains beef protein. If the ingredients on the pet food state ‘Meat and Animal Derivatives' remember this may contain beef. H-Allergen HA⁺ Complete is free from all beef products.

What digestive ailment or skin complaints can be alleviated by feeding H-Allergen HA⁺ Complete?

These can range from eczema, dermatitis, red meat allergy, and colitis. If you have any concerns regarding your dog's diet then please consult your vet.

I am worried about urinary tract problems. My Vet has informed me that this can be prevented by the use of an appropriate diet. Is H-Allergen HA⁺ complete suitable?

Problems can occur in a pet with the formation of stones in the urinary tract. H-Allergen HA⁺ Complete has been formulated to help maintain a healthy urinary tract. However, there are many forms and causes of urinary tract disorders and if you have any concerns please consult your Vet.

My pet struggles when he goes to the toilet - what should I do?

You may find that your pet is constipated. This can be caused by obesity, lack of exercise, ill health, dehydration, stress or due to the food your pet is eating. Constipation means that there is difficulty with the passage of stools. The longer the stool remains in the colon, the more water is absorbed from it, resulting in stools, which are dry and hard to pass. A common belief is that constipation is caused by a lack of fibre in the diet. However this problem is often seen in low quality foods, which are difficult to digest. Diets high in fibre produce a larger stool size, which may be difficult to pass. A pet suffering from constipation should be fed small amounts of highly digestible food such as H-Allergen HA⁺ Complete. This should produce smaller stools, which are easier for your pet to pass. It is important that you do not overfeed. Remember to ensure that your pet has access to plenty of fresh water and ensure that your pet has sufficient exercise. If your pet is an indoor pet, stimulate your pet with more exercise by having toys for your pet to play with, and change the toys regularly to prevent them getting bored. If you have any concerns please consult your Vet.

My pet is loose all of the time, what should I do?

This may be a cause of ill heath so please see your vet immediately. It is important for long term good health that your pet produces a firm stool. There may be many reasons why your pet is loose such as stress, depression, ill health and one common reason are owners who give their pets a human food diet as opposed to a pet food diet. Dogs are not small humans and the wrong diet can make your pet unhealthy and loose. This problem is often seen in toy dogs whose owners tend to spoil them with too many human food meals or treats. To help this problem, feed a good quality food such as H-Allergen HA⁺ Complete. It is important that you do not overfeed. You will find that once your pet's stools start to firm up that your pet may struggle to begin with but it is important that you persevere, as a firm stool is important for long-term health. If you have any concerns see your Vet.

My pet suffers from an allergy to gluten, would your pet food be suitable?

Different types of cereal gluten can cause a problem in some pets. The allergy can result in excessive scratching, hair loss and excessive body odour. H-Allergen HA⁺ Complete is particularly suitable for dogs suffering from wheat gluten allergy. However, if you have any concerns please consult your Vet.

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