Common Wheaten Terrier Food Allergies – How to Avoid Them

Do you have a dog that has wheaten terrier food allergies? If so, you might be interested in the wheaten terrier food allergies that are common among them. 

Wheaten terriers are breeds most susceptible to food allergies, and wheaten terrier food allergies are dogs’ most common dietary disorders.

It is an allergy that affects the skin, the intestinal tract, and the immune system. A dog with wheaten terrier food allergies can have a life-threatening reaction to wheat, barley, rye, oats, corn, soy, dairy products, and eggs. 

Dogs fed these foods will develop an itchy, red, swollen, inflamed skin condition. If not addressed, it can cause major consequences, such as a bloated, bleeding, perforated digestive system, and death.

This blog post will review the causes of a wheaten terrier food allergy and the different treatment types that can help manage the condition.

History of wheaten terrier food allergies:

Wheaten terriers have a strong link to wheat. This is because the breed is highly sensitive to wheat proteins, and therefore the breed is commonly fed a diet high in wheat protein.

This can lead to a condition called wheat protein hypersensitivity (WHP), where the dog’s immune system reacts to wheat proteins.

Wheat terriers are prone to several skin conditions, and therefore dermatologists often recommend that the dog be fed a diet free of wheat and wheat proteins.

Symptoms of wheaten terrier food allergy in dogs:

• Dry, scaly, flaky skin on the paws
• A reddened, itchy nose
• A swollen, itchy mouth
• Allergic dermatitis
• Allergic rhinitis
• Frequent vomiting
• Licking of the lips and tongue
• Itching of the ears
• Itching of the feet

In a recently published journal “Nutrition and Dietetics,” researchers from the Animal and Plant Health Agency in the United Kingdom studied the wheat and wheat proteins commonly found in dog food and how these might cause allergic reactions in dogs.

They found that wheat protein in the diet of dog food can lead to an allergic reaction.

It’s estimated that up to 40% of dogs have a food allergy. It’s important to remember that it is impossible to eliminate food allergens from a dog’s diet.

The Cause of Wheaten Terrier Food Allergies:

The cause of a dog’s food allergies is unknown. The main problem is that we do not know the exact trigger for wheat allergy in dogs.

Wheat protein is found in many dog foods. The risk of developing a wheat allergy is greatest if your dog is fed a diet containing wheat protein.

If your dog is on a wheat protein-based food, it’s crucial to understand that eliminating the protein from the diet is difficult.

How to diagnose a wheat allergy in dogs?

The diagnosis of a wheat allergy in dogs is difficult. You won’t be able to eliminate wheat in your dog’s diet if he has a wheat allergy.

The only way to diagnose a wheat allergy in dogs is to perform a test.

The test is an allergy test that is performed on a blood sample. This test will detect the presence of specific antibodies to wheat proteins in the dog’s blood.

Your dog will create particular antibodies towards the wheat protein if it has a wheat allergy.

Pet foods that are safe for dogs:

You can safely feed your dog any foods that are wheat-free and beneficial for dogs’ healthy digestion. This includes:

• commercial dog food
• homemade dog food
• Raw dog food
• Wheat-free pet foods
• Some commercial dog foods are wheat-free. You can safely feed your dog any of the wheat-free foods. 

How to manage a dog with food allergies?

In another case, a food allergy can cause anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening reaction. If you suspect your dog has a food allergy, you should call your vet immediately. You should also get your dog to the vet if you see any of the following:

• Your dog has trouble breathing or swallowing; your dog has hives or rash.
• Your dog is drooling.
• Your dog has trouble breathing.
• Your dog is suffering respiratory problems or is experiencing anaphylaxis.

 You can feed your dog any of the wheat-free foods. When you are feeding your dog a diet free of wheat, you should ensure that your dog is given the right food. You can feed your dog 1-2 pounds of food every day.

Wheaten Terrier Diet:

A wheat-free diet for dogs is formulated for fulfilling dog’s nutritional needs. It’s a full and balanced meal designed specifically for wheat allergies dogs. 

The best dog food diet is free of wheat, gluten, corn, and barley. It is also a high protein diet. This diet is high in calcium and phosphorus and also rich in antioxidants.

Several commercial diets are wheat-free. These diets are designed specifically for dogs that have a wheat allergy. Corn and barley aren’t allowed in several of these diets. 

Wheaten Terrier Diet Ingredients:

There are several ingredients in the wheat-free diet for dogs. The first ingredient is chicken. 

• Chicken is the primary source of protein in this diet. Chicken is a safe source of protein for dogs with a wheat allergy.
• The second ingredient is egg yolk. Biotin is plentiful in egg yolk. Biotin is a nutrient that is necessary for healthy skin, hair, and digestion. 
• The third ingredient is fish oil. Fish oil is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for the health of the heart, brain, and nervous system.
• Poultry meal is a high-quality protein source used in commercial diets. This diet contains a variety of nutrients that are beneficial to dogs.
• Soybean meal is a protein source that is derived from the soybean. Soybean meal is rich in protein and is low in fat. 
• It is a complete protein source. It has all the required amino acids. It’s also a good source of protein sources.
• Oat bran is a by-product of the processing of oats. It is rich in fiber. It is also a high-quality protein source.
• Fish meal is also a high-protein, high-quality protein source.

How Do I transition My Wheaten Terrier to a new food?

• Transitioning a dog to a new food can be very difficult, as some dogs do not adjust well to change, no matter how much they understand the concept. 
• It’s a trial-and-error process that requires patience and persistence. You may find that your dog doesn’t want to eat the new food, in which case you should make it part of the diet at least three times, or try switching their meal times to see if they will take to the new food. 
• If your dog eats the new food, you should continue to feed them the new food even after the old one has been discontinued. If your dog doesn’t eat the new food, try feeding them small portions and gradually increasing the amount they’re eating over time. 
• Some dogs will also be able to transition to a new food with no problems, and others won’t take to a new food until they’re fed it daily for at least a month. 
• If, after one month of trying different foods, you still can’t get your dog to eat anything new, then you may need to consider a diet change. 

Home remedy for Wheaten Terrier dog allergy

There are many ways to soothe a dog with sensitive skin allergies. Here are a few things that pet owners can do:

• Take 2 tbsp of honey and 1/2 tsp. of garlic powder. Mix them. Place the mixture on the dog’s skin. This is a home remedy for dog allergies.
• Honey is also a great remedy for a dog’s allergy. 
• Use a humidifier. Humidifiers can help your dog breathe easier. They can also help your dog’s airways stay open.
• Bath your dog. A dog bath can help remove allergens from your dog’s skin. Several droplets of eucalyptus oil can add to your dog’s bath. Eucalyptus oil can help relieve dogs’ allergies.
• Try to remove allergens from your dog’s bedding. Your dog may have an allergy to anything in his bedding.
• Wash the dog’s coat with mild soap.
• Put a cap of vitamin E on the dog’s skin.
• Whereas shampoo is usually too harsh for your dog’s skin, soap is a good option for sensitive skin.
• Rinse the coat thoroughly. Do not just rinse the coat. Rinse until you are sure that all the soap has been removed.
• Let the coat dry naturally. You do not want to over-dry your dog’s coat. You want to make sure that your dog’s coat is not too dry.
• Do not use a blow dryer. Blow dryers can dry out your dog’s coat.
• Whereas regular soap can be harsh, mild soap can help your dog’s skin stay healthy.
• Clean your dog’s bedding. Wash your dog’s bedding in hot water.
• Clean your dog’s kennel. Wash your dog’s kennel in hot water.
• Clean your dog’s litter box. Clean your dog’s litter box in hot water.
• Wash your dog’s paws using a baby wipe.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Conclusion:

Some dogs, especially puppies, are born with allergies to wheat or gluten. These allergies can cause various symptoms, including skin irritation, diarrhea, vomiting, and even breathing issues. 

While many dog foods are safe for wheat and gluten-free, it’s important to avoid them for puppies. Wheaten terriers, in particular, can develop serious allergies to these grains that can be fatal. 

If your dog has difficulties breathing or has discomfort in his paw or fur, it’s time to make the shift. Please share your thoughts on wheaten terrier food allergies in the comments below!