Royal Canin Hypoallergenic is formulated for dogs with food allergies, food intolerances, or food adverse reactions. It is also beneficial in the management of chronic diarrhoea and inflammatory bowel disease.

Food adverse reactions are thought to be responsible for at least 10% of allergic dermatitis cases in dogs, ranked third after flea allergy and atopic dermatitis (airborne allergies).

Signs of an adverse food reaction:

• Itchy, red and inflamed skin especially around the face, belly, feet, and perineum (backside)
• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Recurrent ear infections

It is often though that food sensitivities in pets occur in response to additives or preservatives, but this is a common misconception. Food allergies or adverse reactions in pets are actually most commonly caused by a protein contained in a food that they have eaten for a while. Over time an abnormal response from the immune system causes it to become sensitised to the proteins from the food. As the food is digested, protein molecules react with receptors on immune cells to trigger an allergic response. The food ingredients that are most commonly associated with adverse reactions in dogs are beef, dairy, wheat, lamb, chicken and egg.

Diagnosing food allergy in dogs can be difficult as there are no accurate laboratory tests available. Instead, food allergies are diagnosed by a food elimination trial. This means that the dog is fed a diet with a novel (new) or hydrolysed protein and starch source for a period of time, generally a minimum of 8 weeks. A hydrolysed protein is a protein that has been treated by a process called hydrolysis to break it into smaller molecules that do not react with receptors on the cells of the immune system, therefore they cannot trigger an allergic response. If the symptoms reduce or disappear on the elimination diet, a diagnosis of food allergy or intolerance can be made. To then determine what was causing the allergy, more proteins are slowly re-introduced one at a time to challenge the animal and see if they react. An alternative approach is just to continue feeding the diet used in the elimination trial for life, provided that it is complete and balanced and provides the dog with adequate nutrition.

Royal Canin Hypoallergenic is made from hydrolysed soy protein to reduce the risk of an adverse food reaction or allergy. It contains the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA to help support the health of skin and coat, and reduce symptoms of skin inflammation. Hypoallergenic is also formulated with Royal Canins patented skin support complex which helps to strengthen the skins natural barrier function. In order to promote digestive health, Hypoallergenic contains a combination of highly digestible proteins, prebiotics, beet pulp, rice and fish oil. It is a balanced and complete diet suitable for long term feeding.

Key Benefits:

• Hydrolysed soy protein to reduce the risk of an adverse food reaction or allergy
• Formulated to maintain digestive health
• Skin support complex and omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat health
• Suitable for long term feeding

Not suitable for patients with pancreatitis or a history of pancreatitis, or hyperlipidaemia