Hi,

This past fall our golden retriever was put on hypoallergenic food for a possible food allergy - it seems to be helping his skin condition, but the food is expensive! Anyone know of something that is cheaper and the same ingredients wise as the following food: Royal Canine - Adult HP in a turquoise/white bag

Thanks!

Melissa

I don't know about the food but I was wondering what kind of skin issues your pup was having because mine is having a lot of itching that I can't figure out.

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Hi Cari,

He was having really bad itching over the summer - we ruled out fleas, ring worm, scabies, fungal infections and even had him on antibiotics several times to help with the infected sores he had. We are now thinking that it was either a food allergy or something in the environment that was in bloom in the summer. Our vet thought food because the itching was everywhere and with the winter coming it would be hard to figure out what (if anything) he was allergic to in his environment. Overall his skin was red/purple/brown and itched a ton to the point where he ripped his fur out and caused additional problems because he was itching so much. How long has your pup been itching for?

Petsmart's Simply Nourish has a salmon and sweet potato for about $50 for a 30 lb bag. Costco has a similar food, $34 for a 30 lb bag I believe.

Did your vet ever do a thyroid panel? Do a search on thyroid disorder in dogs & bring this to your vet.

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Vicky, mom to Ruby-5 years
Birthday 9/1/07

AUTOIMMUNE THYROIDITIS

From what I understand, food allergies are rare in dogs

Food rarely causes allergies although it is possible. It is, however, much more likely that it's an environmental allergy. Allergies to grass, ragweed and other such things are very common in dogs, just as they are in people. If its seasonal it's also more likely to be environmental.

RC HP (Hypoallergenic HP Dry / Veterinary Therapeutic Formulas / Canine Nutrition / Veterinary Exclusive Nutrition / Home - RoyalCanin) is a prescription food and it has other prescription brand equivalents like Hill's ZD and ZD Ultra (z/d® Canine ULTRA Allergen-Free - Dry), and Purina's HA (HA Hypoallergenic® Canine Formula | Purina Veterinary Diets). I think RC is usually cheaper than Hills, but perhaps equivalent to Purina?

What is common in these prescription Hypo diets is that the animal protein (commonly considered the most likely allergen) is either excluded or is hydrolized. Plant-based proteins (like soy) are put in instead.

There are non-prescription foods that mimic this type of make-up or they include only one animal protein so that you can elminate things your dog may be allergic too more easily. These are commonly called limited ingredient diets and are made by Natural Balance, Nature's Variety and some other popular brands.

You can also run allergy AND intolerance panels through labs such as Dr. Dodds.

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Jacqueline

"I have just met you and I love you" - Dug (Up!)

Has the Royal Canin HP food your dog is on been helping/have you noticed a change? If not, then the food wouldn't be the issue. If it HAS (which points to possible food allergy), I don't think there is anything you can buy at a pet store that is the same ingredient-wise as the presciption food. Perhaps you can talk to your vet about transitioning on to a simple ingredient (California Natural food perhaps? Or Blue Buffalo and Wellness have "simple" lines, I believe) food, with a novel protein?