The puppy’s diet affects its risk of developing allergies and skin problems
Helsinki, Finland – New research shows that what you eat for your dog today can affect its health for years to come. Researchers at the University of Helsinki investigated the link between the puppy’s early diet and adult allergies or skin symptoms related to the immune system. In short, the findings suggest that puppies should eat more raw food.
“The young who had been fed raw lashes, raw body meat, and human meal remnants at a young age, showed significantly fewer allergy and atopy-related skin symptoms in adulthood. On the other hand, puppies that did not receive raw food ate most of their food as a dry food, a piece of fruit, and heat-dried animal parts had significantly more allergic and atopy-related skin symptoms in adulthood, ”says DogRisk. Anna Hielm-Björkman, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, university publication.
More than 4,000 researchers followed dogs This project evaluates both the general diet and individual foods. They defined the typical diet of each dog using online surveys conducted by the owners when the puppies were two to six months old.
More raw food improves health
The authors of the study report that a puppy’s diet that included at least 20 percent raw food or less than 80 percent dry food resulted in a much lower incidence of allergies and immune-related skin problems in adulthood. Similarly, puppies fed mostly dry food or no raw food were much more likely to develop allergies or skin conditions.
Processed commercial dog foods, such as canned or sausage-packed foods, also appear to cause health problems later in life, researchers say. Puppies whose diets included more than 20 percent of such processed foods were more likely to develop allergies or skin problems. Dogs that never ate processed dog food reduced the incidence of disease.
“These findings show that it was raw food component it was a useful health promoter, “Hielm-Björkman adds,” and that up to 20% of the diet is raw, is already healthy. “
“Fresh” meat also helps
It should be noted that even puppies that ate wildlife developed less allergies or skin problems.
“Our mission is to find ways in which a dog owner can influence the health of their own pet. We could see an association between allergies and lower incidence of atopy-related skin symptoms in adult and serving puppies fresh food and avoiding processed foods and sweet fruits. It is a good start for any owner, ”commented Manal Hemida, Principal Investigator, DVM DogRisk Research Group and Helsinki One Health Network.
“However, the study only suggests a causal link, but does not prove it. Dietary intervention studies are needed to elucidate the profound link between the development of skin symptoms associated with atopy and allergies and dietary factors such as raw and dry foods. leftovers from human meals and proper dosing of oils. “
The study has been published Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.