We keep coming back to talking about hypoallergenic food for dogs for this is a topic close to our hearts. After all; most dogs are, to some extent, allergic to wheat or other ingredients found in commercial dog foods. We always encourage pet parents to feed their pets delicious, nutritious, and hypoallergenic homemade dog food if they have the time. This extra effort can make a huge difference in your pet’s health. Your pet might even show immediate improvement in its coat, alertness, energy levels, and firmness of stools. One ingredient I have been looking into when it comes to food for dogs with food allergies is bison. Bison meat is a lot easier to digest compared to other proteins. It is usually wild and organic and when you choose grass-fed bison, you can avoid harmful antibiotics and hormones which can harm your pet’s health.
So let us go ahead and discuss the best bison based dog foods for dog allergies and also why bison makes such a wonderful protein source for sensitive dogs.
Allergies in dogs
There are many different types of allergies in dogs. Once you’ve targeted food as the culprit your vet can recommend special prescription food for your pet. This is an important step in identifying what is troubling your dog. You might have to feed your pet one kind of ‘limited ingredient ‘food for a few weeks. If no improvement is seen, your vet will ask you to change to another one. The trial and error can help eliminate the exact allergen. Here are some of the common food allergens that could trouble dogs:
- Beef
- Lamb
- Eggs and chicken
- Dairy
- Whey
- Corn
- Soy
- Wheat
Remember: these are just the big-ticket items and that every dog is different. Your pet might be troubled by some other allergen. Of course, if you are dealing with allergies, you may want to avoid all of the above ingredients completely. Most vets recommend single meat protein, limited ingredient foods, prescription foods or home-cooked foods for pets with allergies.
Which ‘single meat’ protein foods are acceptable to dogs with food sensitivity?
The following are some of the common proteins tolerated by dogs with food sensitivity:
- Fish
- Venison
- Bison
- Duck
- Kangaroo
The foods can also contain one carbohydrate source like peas, sweet potato, brown rice or millets.
Is bison good for dogs? Can I safely feed it to my pet with allergies?
Bison is an easy-to-digest protein source for dogs with severe food allergies to corn, wheat, soy or gluten. It is non-allergic and helps formulate dry and hard stools. Many bison-based dogs foods are limited ingredient – they are free from colors, preservatives, dyes, and hormones. Many dogs that are fed bison meat soon start showing healthier coat, fresher breath, and fewer stomach issues.
Two wonderful Bison recipes for allergic dogs
You can also make bison based homemade hypoallergenic food for your beloved pet. Don’t let the shaggy hair, big shoulders and dramatic hump fool you. When all that is taken away, you are left with meat cuts that are easier to cook than beef cuts. Bison meat cooks faster than beef. You only have to gently sear it or cook it in the slow cooker with veggies to make a delicious stew. Bison meat isn’t wild or gamy. It is sweet, hearty and dense and your dog will love you for it.
Here are some recipes with bison meat that your dogs will love:
1. Slow cooker recipe of homemade dog food with bison, beef, and peas
If your dog is allergic to beef, then avoid it in this recipe.
Ingredients
- 3 cups ground beef
- 1 cup ground bison
- 1 cup green peas
- ¼ cup grated carrots
- 2 eggs hardboiled and peeled
Method
- Brown the beef and bison and cook thoroughly.
- Place all vegetables, eggs and browned meat in the slow cooker.
- Cover with enough water.
- Set the cooker on low.
- Simmer ingredients all day.
- You can divide this recipe and place portions in airtight containers.
- Store in refrigerator.
Variation: You can add different vegetables if your pet can tolerate them: kidney beans, green beans, squash, and pumpkins.
2. Bison and millet
Here is another hypoallergenic bison recipe for your dog.
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw bison
- 1 cup each pearl millets and green beans chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Method
- Put the millet on to cook. The package will come with instructions. Just follow them, drain off excess and cook.
- Cut meat into bite-sized pieces. Brown until done.
- With the heat on low under the meat, add the cooked millet and fresh green beans.
- Cook until tender.
- Turn off heat and stir while adding oil.
- Divide mixture in two servings and place them in airtight containers.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Bison vs. venison for dogs – which is better?
Both bison and venison meats are good for dogs with sensitivity or allergies. Both types of meat are better than meat from commercially raised livestock. These wild game feed on what Mother Nature has provided: seeds, grass, nuts, etc. They are also more active and hence the meat is leaner. However, these days, many manufacturers are commercially raising these animals. Hence a lot of bison and venison meat is filled with antibiotics and pumped up with hormones. Hence, when looking for the best bison based dog food brands for allergies, look for ones that state the bison is ‘wild’ and ‘grass-fed’.
Best bison dog food brands
1. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe High Protein Grain Free, Natural Adult Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food
This dog food with bison and venison is tasty, protein-rich and free from grains. It includes anti-oxidant rich fruits and vegetables. There is no chicken (poultry), soy or wheat. Blue Buffalo Wilderness is a highly reputed brand so you are assured of quality. This dry dog food is also suitable for weight watchers.
2. Taste of the Wild Dog Food with Bison and Venison
This is another grain-free dog food with high quality wild roasted bison and venison. Taste of the Wild bison dog food has probiotics that benefit the GI tract and it has no grain fillers, corn, wheat, artificial colors, and preservatives. This USA-based dog food is also made by a family-owned company using the most advanced safety protocols.
3. Earthborn Holistic Great Plains Feast Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Earthborn Holistic dog food contains wild lean bison meat and red lamb. It also contains peas and pea protein making it a high-quality dog food for pets with allergies and food sensitivity. Dogs love the flavor of this food and it gives rise to dry and stink-free poop. Earthborn Holistic dog food comes in BPA free bags made using recyclable materials; so it is good for the environment.
Conclusion
If your pet is suffering from colitis, allergies, diarrhea, dull coat, and other skin problems, do try changing his diet after speaking to a vet first. Bison is a great protein source and it has shown great results in many sensitive dogs. Do try it out!