If your pooch has a sensitive stomach, suspected food allergies, or suffers from chronic digestive issues, your vet may have suggested hydrolysed dog food. But what is ‘hydrolysis’, and why is this food such a hero for turbulent canine tummies?
In this article, we’ll lay out the facts about hydrolysed dog food and delve into its uses for food allergies and stomach sensitivity in dogs. Read on to learn whether hydrolysed food might be useful for your pooch.
What is hydrolysed dog food?
Hydrolysed dog food is a specialist diet for dogs that have trouble digesting certain foods.
This could be because of
- An allergy or intolerance
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A digestive disorder, such as IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
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A chronic gut sensitivity, which might cause them to vomit or have diarrhoea.
It’s also useful for dogs who have skin complaints caused by an allergy.
Hydrolysed food looks like regular dry dog food or kibble, but inside each piece, the proteins have been broken down into their base amino acids, so they pass through a dog’s body without triggering an immune response.
We asked Pooch & Mutt’s resident Vet Linda, about her take on hydrolysed dog food, and she states:
“I'm a huge fan of hydrolysed diets, where appropriate. It is great to be able to offer owners a "safe" source of food when more mainstream diets just aren't appropriate. For those dogs with allergies, it is important to understand that diet isn't always the magic bullet we want it to be.
This is because many dogs also have environmental allergies causing reactions, and they're also commonly dealing with secondary bacterial and yeast infections, which need to be addressed. But still, a hydrolysed diet is an important part of the treatment plan for many of my patients.”
How is hydrolysed dog food made?
Hydrolysed dog food is made through a method called hydrolysis. As specific protein molecules are usually responsible for triggering allergic reactions in dogs, hydrolysis pre-splits those molecules with a gentle, water-based process.
If you imagine the chain of amino acids which make up a protein, it is separated, through hydrolysis, into its individual links.
When a dog eats the hydrolysed food, their immune system doesn’t recognise the broken-down molecules as a threat, and therefore doesn’t respond in the usual, protective way. In other words, hydrolysis allows the proteins to basically wear a disguise. In theory, this means a dog that is allergic to chicken could eat hydrolysed chicken with the reduced risk of a reaction.
Pros and cons of hydrolysed dog food
Hydrolysed food is a great option for dogs with digestive issues, intolerances, allergies, or those who have trouble eating regular food. Here are the benefits and drawbacks of hydrolysed food.
Pros
- Hydrolysed food is gentle on digestion, so it’s great for pooches with sensitive tummies, or who are going through a period of sickness or tummy upset.
- It doesn’t trigger food allergies, so if your allergic dog needs sustenance without having a reaction, or you want to try an ‘elimination diet’ to identify a potential food allergy - hydrolysed dog food might be your golden ticket.
- It’s prescribed by vets when absolutely necessary, so you’ll know that it’s the best option for your pooch at that time.
- It gives your dog’s body time to heal and for inflammation to settle, if they’ve suffered an allergic reaction, or a period of sickness or digestive disruption.
Cons
- At least at first, hydrolysed food can taste bitter to dogs. Try to find a dog food recipe using tasty, natural ingredients, without artificial additives, or perhaps add some warm water to release the flavours before serving. However, many dogs love it once they’re used to the switch.
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It’s not a substitute for a well-balanced diet. The ‘breaking down’ process and use of simple ingredients can be less nutritionally diverse than a varied, well-balanced diet.
This is why hydrolysed dog food should only be used to help those with food-driven medical issues, not as an alternative diet for otherwise healthy dogs.
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It can be more expensive than regular dog food because of the careful processes involved during hydrolysis. However, it can be worth its weight in gold when trying to treat your dog’s digestive problems.
Signs your dog may have a sensitive stomach or an allergy
A vet will prescribe this sort of food if your dog has shown symptoms of gut sensitivity or allergies. Here are some signs to watch out for:
Sensitive stomach or intolerance
- Frequent diarrhoea or toilet issues. You simply never know what your dog’s poops are going to do next, and they’re often soft, runny or messy.
- Bloating and smelly gas. All dogs fart, but with digestive issues, they’re particularly foul.
- Vomiting. If your dog is being sick regularly, this is a clear sign that something isn’t agreeing with them.
- Lethargy or low mood after eating. More than just post-dinner contentment, your dog barely moves when they’re full.
- Weight loss. At its most severe, your pooch may even lose weight (this can be a sign of more serious, chronic digestive issues).
Food allergies
- Skin issues such as redness, itchiness, and rashes are one of the most common signs of a food allergy in dogs.
- Swelling or lesions on the skin might appear, particularly around the face, ears and paws.
- Hair loss can occur, maybe due to your pooch's constant itching and scratching.
- Frequent ear infections that have a strong smell and cause your dog irritation can be due to an allergic reaction.
- Tummy issues like vomiting, bloating and diarrhoea may occur.
- Bum-scooting. This is a sure sign of inflammation in their gut and anal glands.
Should my dog be eating hydrolysed food?
You should only feed your dog hydrolysed food if they have suspected food allergies, intolerances or a chronic digestive issue (and if your vet has recommended it). It isn’t a viable option for dogs who can eat regular food.
It’s important to note that only vets can prescribe hydrolysed food and give you specific advice around an eating schedule. If you think it’s something your dog would benefit from, get in touch with your vet to discuss potential options.
How long can a dog be on hydrolysed food?
Some dogs are prescribed hydrolysed food for the rest of their lives, due to their advanced age, allergies or because they have a chronic illness. Some dogs, however, are advised to eat hydrolysed food for a short period, such as 3-8 weeks, which gives their body time to heal and inflammation to reduce until they’re ready to try their regular food again.
Always ask your vet for specific advice regarding your pooch.
What is the best hydrolysed food?
The best hydrolysed dog food will have a few indicators that it’s better than the rest.
- The most effective hydrolysed food uses less reactive proteins like hydrolysed chicken liver, salmon or soy.
- It should be prescription-based or vet-recommended. This means the food is clinically tested and uses strict manufacturing processes.
- The food is stripped down to plain, natural ingredients. Often there’s a single hydrolysed protein source, or novel protein, with no artificial flavours, preservatives or ‘fillers’.
- It might contain useful supplements such as prebiotics and probiotics to nurture your dog’s healthy gut microbiome.
For the perfect blend of a potentially novel protein and hydrolysis, our Pooch & Mutt dry dog food for allergies is vet developed and uses hydrolysed salmon, which may be a novel protein for your dog, along with coconut oil, fibre-rich apple pulp and a burst of probiotics and prebiotics to keep your pooch’s sensitive gut running smoothly.
Disclaimer: Whilst our dry food for dogs with food allergies or intolerances does contain hydrolysed proteins, it also includes salmon protein. We use salmon to keep it mono-protein, and because it's a protein that is the most hypoallergenic. Any questions, be sure to contact our expert team.
Our entire vet-developed range was specifically designed to help out those pooches who need a bit of extra helping paw when it comes to their health and nutrition, and need their food on prescription. Shopping our vet range, whether that’s for diets that target Sensitivity, Gastrointestinal, Renal or Hepatic conditions, gives you peace of mind that your special pooch is getting everything they need to support their condition and get the nutrition they need.
What are some alternatives to hydrolysed food for dogs with sensitive stomachs?
If you need to simplify your dog’s diet due to stomach sensitivity or want to try an elimination diet, you could try some alternatives to hydrolysed dog food.
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A single-protein diet. Choosing a gently digestible protein such as salmon or cod, served with another simple ingredient, means your pooch’s gut won’t be triggered or put under undue pressure.
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Try a novel protein. A ‘novel protein’ is a protein source that your dog hasn’t eaten before, and is therefore unlikely to have an immune reaction to. These include protein sources such as rabbit, venison, duck or kangaroo - or fish, such as salmon (if they’re not usually a fish eater). As above, serve with gentle, nutritious ingredients such as buckwheat, carrots and peas.
FAQs
How long does it take for hydrolysed dog food to work?
It can take between 3 to 8 weeks to see the effects of hydrolysed food as your dog’s body clears itself of potential allergens. Also, it depends on the reason you’re using it. If you’re trying an elimination diet to identify an allergy, stick it out for 6-8 weeks without giving treats or any sneaky extra foods. If you’re looking to see a skin allergy clear up, this can take at least 4 weeks, while sickness or diarrhoea might start improving in just a week. In any case, if you don’t see any improvement within 12 weeks, get in touch with your vet for advice.
What is the difference between hydrolysed dog food and regular dog food?
The main difference is that hydrolysed dog food has been through a gentle, water-based process that breaks down the amino acids of protein into small, singular molecules. These small pieces of protein go ‘undetected’ in the body, so they’re easily digested by dogs with sensitive stomachs, digestive disorders and/or food allergies, without triggering an immune/allergic response. Hydrolysed food is the perfect option for dogs who need to eat without risking sickness, for instance, following an allergic reaction, or during an elimination diet. Pooches with chronic digestive disorders (such as IBD) can eat it for much longer, but in all cases, hydrolysed dog food should always be recommended by a vet.
What is the best dog food for a sensitive stomach?
If your dog has a sensitive stomach or food allergies, the best dog food is stripped down to basic, gently digestible ingredients. This can include a single protein diet (just fish, plain potato and a vegetable, for instance), and/or the use of a novel protein (a protein your dog hasn’t eaten before, potentially rabbit, venison, salmon or duck).
If your pooch has food allergies or chronic digestive issues such as IBD, speak to your vet about whether they’d benefit from going on a hydrolysed dog food diet. This is a specialist dog food that can move through a dog’s digestive system without triggering a reaction.
If your pooch has pesky digestive issues or a potential food allergy, try our range of food for dogs with sensitive stomachs. From single protein recipes to digestible fish, potato and peas, they’re perfect for healing your dog’s sensitive tummy. Remember to always consult your vet before switching to a specialist hydrolysed dog food.
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