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A hydrolyzed diet for your Biewer Terrier involves feeding your pooch food that has had all the protein in it blasted to minuscule pieces. In most cases, this will help to stop your Biewer Terrier’s ongoing GI issues and help bring them back to health.
What is a hydrolyzed diet?
A hydrolyzed diet involves feeding your Biewer Terrier hydrolyzed dog food. This type of food contains just one protein which has been broken down by hydrolysis.
Hydrolysis breaks the protein down into the smallest possible form. The protein becomes so minute that it cannot be detected by a dog’s immune system when it is eaten and digested. As a result, your Biewer is unlikely to experience an upset stomach or allergic reaction.
Why is a hydrolyzed diet for your Biewer Terrier good?
If your Biewer Terrier has a sensitive stomach, then feeding him or her a hydrolyzed diet is a good idea.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in dogs is a chronic condition that typically presents with ongoing vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of appetite. There’s a good chance that your Biewer Terrier has IBD if they have these symptoms over and over again.
One 2020 study found that feeding dogs with IBD a hydrolyzed diet, alongside prebiotics (PRBs) and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), improved the lipid metabolism of dogs with IBD. This improvement could help protect the gut membrane and improve the overall health of dogs with IBD. The study also suggested that lipid metabolism could play a crucial role in the development of canine IBD.
An earlier study highlights how hydrolyzed diets can benefit dogs with GI issues:
- Hydrolyzed protein diets can reduce the risk of antigenic stimulation and mast cell degranulation by disrupting the protein structure and removing allergenic epitopes.
- Hydrolyzed protein diets can improve the bioavailability and absorption of nutrients and peptides, and may also have functional properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects.
- Hydrolyzed protein diets can reduce the amount of undigested protein reaching the colon, which can decrease the production of harmful bacterial metabolites such as ammonia, amines, phenols, and sulfides.
- Hydrolyzed protein diets can be used in elimination trials for the diagnosis of adverse food reactions, and the initial management of inflammatory bowel disease.
Hydrolyzed diets for Biewer Terriers work – fact!
My Biewer Terrier, Buddy, has been on a hydrolyzed diet for around 7 years and it’s been a miracle cure!
His problems started when he ate an elderberry by mistake. Elderberries are poisonous to dogs and, according to Pet Poison Hotline, cause the following symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Anorexia
- Lethargy
Buddy was vomiting, had diarrhea and, zero energy. He ended up at the emergency vets on a drip which cost a small fortune! The next day, he was transferred to our vets to continue treatment. It was scary and awful not having him home with us.
After that episode, he had recurring vomiting and diarrhea episodes which continued to need emergency vet treatment.
Eventually, the vet suggested that Buddy may have a food allergy and a hydrolyzed diet was prescribed.
Occasionally, Buddy still has stomach issues, but vomiting and diarrhea are rare. We’ve even be able to reintroduce chicken and non-hydrolyzed dog treats to his diet.
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How long does it take for a hydrolyzed diet to work?
It can take as long as 8 weeks for a hydrolyzed diet to work for your dog. During this time, your dog’s old diet will completely be removed from its system, allowing the new hydrolyzed one to take effect.
The risks of a hydrolyzed diet for your Biewer Terrier revealed
As you’ve seen, there are lots of advantages in feeding your Biewer Terrier a hydrolyzed diet. But, not all dogs get on with this diet.
A recent study pointed out that dog owners should be aware of the potential problems of hydrolyzed protein diets. These problems include:
- Poor palatability
- Diarrhea
- Reduced nutritional value
- May be a persistent allergenicity
What’s the best hydrolyzed dog food?
There’s a range of hydrolyzed dog food brands on the market. The best hydrolyzed dog food for your Biewer Terrier will depend on your dog’s preference, your finances, and accessibility.
Some hydrolyzed dog food brands to consider include:
- Hill’s Prescription Diet: A well-known brand of veterinary-recommended dog food, they offer different hydrolyzed protein formulas for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies. Their popular z/d line comes in dry and wet food varieties.
- Royal Canin: They also offer various hydrolyzed protein dog food formulas, including Hypoallergenic HP dry food and Canine Hydrolyzed Protein wet food. These formulas are designed for easy digestion and suit dogs with food sensitivities or allergies.
- Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets: Their HA Hydrolyzed Chicken Flavor Canine Formula is a dry food specifically formulated for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies. It contains hydrolyzed chicken protein, broken down into smaller pieces for easier digestion.
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Ultamino: This hypoallergenic diet is formulated with hydrolyzed poultry protein and a limited number of ingredients, making it ideal for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities. It comes in both dry and wet food varieties.
- Forza10 Ocean: A grain-free, fish-based dog food that’s also hypoallergenic. It contains hydrolyzed fish protein, easier for dogs to digest than whole fish protein.
- Wellness CORE Digestive Health: A grain-free, protein-rich dog food formulated with hydrolyzed salmon protein. This formula is also a good choice for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies.
- Earthborn Holistic Sensitive Stomach: A grain-free, poultry-based dog food formulated with hydrolyzed chicken protein. This formula is also a good choice for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies.
Buddy currently has Purina’s PRO PLAN VETERINARY DIETS HA Hypoallergenic Dry Dog Food and has been on it for years. He has previously had hypoallergenic food from Royal Canin and Hills too.
Does a vet have to prescribe hydrolyzed food for a Biewer Terrier?
It’s advisable that your vet prescribes hydrolyzed food for your Biewer Terrier or any other breed of dog. After all, a food intolerance or sensitivity may not be the reason for your Biewer Terrier’s stomach issues. A thorough examination and tests should be done by the your vet so they can rule out any other potential causes first.
Saying that, you do not need a prescription to buy hydrolyzed dog food for your Biewer. I fell in to this trap when Buddy was first told to go on a hydrolyzed diet. I bought the food directly from the vets not realizing that it could be bought elsewhere. It ended up costing me a lot more money than it should have!
I now buy Buddy’s hydrolyzed food from Amazon at a much healthier price!
Alternatives to a hydrolyzed diet for your Biewer Terrier
There are several alternatives to a hydrolyzed dog food diet, depending on your dog’s specific needs and sensitivities. Here are some options to consider:
1. Novel protein diet: This type of diet contains a single protein source that your dog has never eaten before, such as venison, kangaroo, rabbit, or duck. This makes it less likely that your dog will be allergic to it.
2. Elimination diet: An elimination diet is a short-term diet that involves feeding your dog a single food source, such as brown rice and salmon, for several weeks. This can help to identify the specific protein or other ingredient that your dog is allergic to. After the elimination diet, you can gradually reintroduce other foods to see which ones cause a reaction.
3. Raw food diet: Some dogs with food allergies thrive on a raw food diet. However, it is important to make sure that the raw food is balanced and complete to meet your dog’s nutritional needs. You can also discuss concerns like food safety with your veterinarian.
4. Homemade diet: If you are interested in more control over your dog’s diet, you can cook your own dog food. However, it is important to ensure that the diet is complete and balanced and that you are using safe ingredients. It’s advisable best to consult with a veterinary nutritionist before starting your dog on a homemade diet.
5. Probiotics and prebiotics: Probiotics and prebiotics are live bacteria and food sources for these bacteria that can help to improve your dog’s gut health. Research suggests that they may be beneficial for dogs with food allergies.
