Pet Digest

  What Is Hypoallergenic Dog Food? Walk down any pet food aisle and you’ll see the word “hypoallergenic” on many labels. But what does it really mean? If your dog has itchy skin, ear infections, or digestive issues, your vet may recommend trying a hypoallergenic diet. However, the term can be a little misleading — especially when you notice that some so-called hypoallergenic foods are chicken-based, even though chicken is one of the most common food allergens in dogs. What Does “Hypoallergenic” Mean? Hypoallergenic doesn’t mean allergy-free. It simply means the food is formulated to reduce the risk of allergic reactions . In veterinary medicine, this usually falls into two categories: Novel protein diets – Using less common proteins such as venison, duck, rabbit, or kangaroo, which your dog’s immune system is less likely to react to. Hydrolyzed protein diets – Proteins (often chicken, soy, or fish) that are chemically broken down into tiny fragments (peptides) so the imm...

Are We Getting Enough Variety in Our Pets’ Diets? What Common Ingredients Mean for Their Health Last updated: August 2025 A recent 2025 report from NARA reveals that U.S. pet food production used over 600 different ingredients in 2024, including a substantial volume of upcycled rendered ingredients like organ meats, fats, and bones 0. As pet food formulators continue to depend on these staples, a key question emerges: are our pets getting enough dietary variety—and could popular ingredients be driving allergies? What the Data Tells Us About Ingredient Variety Here’s what the NARA report reveals about ingredient usage and sustainability: Manufacturers used over **600 safe, nutritious ingredients** in 2024, thanks to rendering and smart sourcing 1. Upcycling through rendering repurposed more than **4 million tons** of otherwise wasted materials—3 million for dogs, 1 million for cats—helping reduce landfill waste 2. Despite the sheer number of ingredients, many p...

Fish is often seen as a safe, novel protein for dogs with food sensitivities. But surprisingly, some dogs develop allergies to fish—or to specific species of fish. Even more confusing? A dog might react to salmon but do just fine with whitefish or cod. Let’s untangle the fishy truth behind canine food allergies. --- 🐟 Why Use Fish in Dog Food? Fish is a great source of lean protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential nutrients like B vitamins and selenium. It’s often used in limited-ingredient diets for dogs with sensitivities to more common proteins like chicken or beef. But as fish becomes more common in pet foods, we’re starting to see a rise in fish-based allergies, especially to certain frequently used species like salmon or menhaden. --- ⚠️ Yes, Dogs Can Be Allergic to Fish Like all food allergies, reactions to fish happen when the dog’s immune system mistakenly identifies specific proteins as threats. Over time, repeated exposure to the same protein can trigger an allergic resp...