Pet Keeping Encyclopedia

Quick answer: If you suspect your dog is sensitive to a certain type of meat, don't get a blood test—not because it's expensive, but because it's inaccurate. The American College of Veterinary Dermatology (ACVD) does not recommend serum IgE/IgG food allergy testing, because it is a perfectly normal immune response for a healthy dog to produce antibodies to food proteins, giving an extremely high false-positive rate. As of 2026, the elimination diet trial remains the only validated method for diagnosing food sensitivity. The correct approach has 6 steps: Step 1: Rule out other causes first—flea allergy and environmental atopic dermatitis are far more common than food sensitivity; running a food trial before dealing with fleas is a waste of time. Step 2: Understand why blood tests are unreliable—serum, saliva and hair testing are none of them recognised by veterinary dermatology. Step 3: Choose a single animal protein your dog has never eaten before—beef (34%), dairy (17%), chicken (15%) and wheat (13%) are the most common allergens and should be avoided. Step 4: Follow it strictly for 8–12 weeks—during this period zero treats, zero human food, zero flavoured medications; one slip and you have to start counting again. Step 5: Confirm…

To judge whether dog food is good, look at five things: 1) Is the primary ingredient named animal protein; 2) Whether crude protein and crude fat match the dog's age and activity level; 3) Whether there are complete AAFCO or FEDIAF nutritional standards; 4) Whether it contains clearly labeled fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals; 5) Whether it comes from reliable sources. Generally speaking, high-quality natural dog food centers on clear animal protein, suitable fats, digestible carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, and complete micronutrients. Key Summary TL; DR： Let's look at the first ingredient: High-quality dog food usually prioritizes well-known animal proteins such as chicken, salmon, and lamb. Adequate protein: Adult dogs generally consume about 20–25%, while puppies typically require higher protein to support growth. Fat is an energy source: Fat provides energy, helps absorb fat-soluble vitamins, and also affects the condition of hair and skin. Fewer carbohydrates are not always better: it depends on the source and digestibility. Sweet potatoes, brown rice, oats, and other foods are commonly found in natural formulas. Complete nutrition is most important: staple dog food should have AAFCO or FEDIAF complete and balanced claims. In Hong Kong, pay attention to storage: high temperature and humidity accelerate…