Horizon Veterinary Service

Dear Dr. Wise: Last week your Registered Veterinary Technician briefly explained food allergies and food trials. My dog is being tested for this very problem, but my family is having trouble adhering to the rules. They want to give him treats! What should I do? Answer: Once again, I am turning this over to my Registered Veterinary Technician who helps many of my clients through this problem. Treats for the pup! Dogs like treats and usually expects them on a regular basis. It makes us feel good to give our pets treats! This is a very difficult part of a food trial but it can be handled if some creative thought is used. Let’s get started: Dry food: Some dogs think all food is a treat, so divide the total daily ration of the kibble into several smaller portions. Allow family members to “treat” the dog using some of these small portions. Soak some of the kibble in water to make a mush and then stir in a seasoning (garlic powder and Worcestershire sauce are favorites for many canines). Spoon this mixture onto a cookie sheet and bake in the oven until dried into a cookie-like product. If rice is on the OK list, then one can also stir in some cooked rice with the moistened kibble for added texture to these “cookies”. Canned food: Food that has a solid form can often be pushed out of the can in a loaf form. Slice this loaf and place the slices on a baking sheet. Sprinkle seasonings over the slices and bake in a slow over until dry. Cookies! Food dehydrators can also work for this process. Consider the ingredients in the test diet. If the diet has items that are commercially available for humans, you are in luck. For instance, if lamb is in the test diet, you can purchase lamb from the grocery store and prepare it in several ways. Ground lamb can be used to prepare a jerky-like product by adding some seasonings, and pressing it into strips for drying in a dehydrator or slow oven. Lamb shanks are often available to make a thickened broth that can be spooned into the kibble mush mentioned earlier. Similarly duck, rabbit, and even venison can often be purchased and used in a similar manner. Raw fruits and vegetables may be used as treats if your veterinarian approves them as a part of the test. Slices of frozen banana, whole grapes, carrots, even green beans may be considered a tasty treat by your canine patient. For some dogs, ice cubes are adequate! Use your imagination and some of these ideas when dealing with food allergic pets. You will be amazed at what you can come up with when you really think about it. Be sure to check with your veterinarian before adding anything to the food trial. If you have a question, write Dr. Wise, Indiana Veterinary Medical Association, 201 S. Capitol Avenue, Suite 405, Indianapolis, IN, 46225 or www.invma.org. Horizon Veterinary Service presents... You and Your Pet A public service with the aim of promoting animal health. HORIZON VETERINARY SERVICE 11152 W. State Rd. 18 Phone 765-564-3400 <WEBSITE>www.invma.org</WEBSITE> <EMAIL>horizon@ytci.com</EMAIL>