JAWOHL! *salutes* <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> That's why I came here and asked. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> The Vet here in town has various foods that I'm going to take a look at. I'm almost positive that they have Innova there.

Now, the older one also has a very sensitive stomach. Will switching him over to these Hi-Pro foods help that too? And he did develop allergies in his eyes, so theoretically, this food switch should help that out too?

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JAWOHL! *salutes*

What does this mean? <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

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Now, the older one also has a very sensitive stomach. Will switching him over to these Hi-Pro foods help that too? And he did develop allergies in his eyes, so theoretically, this food switch should help that out too?

These are not necessarily all "Hi-Pro" suggestions -- THK, for example, will be a similar protein level to a lot of good foods. The big point is that the protein is high QUALITY (meat) protein, and not protein from grains, which is largely unavailable to dogs' systems.

Food sensitivites are often to grains, but also milk, soy, etc. Food allergies will be helped IF you switch from a food that contains the allergen (to that dog) to one that does not. There is no one-size-fits-all food for allergies; you have to eliminate the allergen.

Is there some reason you suspect that it's not an environmental allergy, which is far more common?

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Good luck with the shedding, and I am envious of that Dyson vacuum!

!!slight thread hijack here!! (my apologies)

We invested in that Dyson at the oldest dog's 6 month birthday because of his shedding. We vaccumed very well (so we thought!) as we normally did weekly with our regular vac then followed up with the Dyson and it got up 3 big canisters full of dog hair! <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Threw the old vac out! The Dyson still works to the same quality level over a year later.

It helps tremendously since I have allergies to dust!

Both GSDs get very mad at us and POUT(!!!) if we don't vaccum them with it!

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JAWOHL! *salutes*

What does this mean? <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

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Now, the older one also has a very sensitive stomach. Will switching him over to these Hi-Pro foods help that too? And he did develop allergies in his eyes, so theoretically, this food switch should help that out too?

These are not necessarily all "Hi-Pro" suggestions -- THK, for example, will be a similar protein level to a lot of good foods. The big point is that the protein is high QUALITY (meat) protein, and not protein from grains, which is largely unavailable to dogs' systems.

Food sensitivites are often to grains, but also milk, soy, etc. Food allergies will be helped IF you switch from a food that contains the allergen (to that dog) to one that does not. There is no one-size-fits-all food for allergies; you have to eliminate the allergen.

Is there some reason you suspect that it's not an environmental allergy, which is far more common?

"Jawohl" is German for "Yes Ma'am" <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Trust me, these dogs are our babies and my wife and I want to do what we can (within reason) to keep them healthy and happy. They may not be show or working dogs, but they're our kids!

I suspect that it could be an environmental allergy (since we live in an area with a lot of pine pollen) but I want to try to eliminate any food allergens, just in case that might be causing this problem. And if the food does turn out to be the problem, then that's another problem solved by switching to something better for them.

(I really appreciate all this input!!!) THANKS!!! <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I'm impressed that your vet carries Innova istead of just Science Diet (ick). Since you think they carry it, perhaps the vet would offer some feeding suggestions specific to your dogs' issues. I'm a little surprised s/he hasn't already. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

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....."Jawohl" is German for "Yes Ma'am" <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.....

HAAHAHAHA! Actually, I knew that, in some other part of my aging brain; putting it all in caps made me assume it was an acronym.

sigh

Off to get some coffee......... <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I *thought* (dangerous habit!) that I saw Innova there. The Vet specializes in Large Breed dogs, but me (being a typical male...) never really paid any attention to the food they sell there.

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.......I suspect that it could be an environmental allergy (since we live in an area with a lot of pine pollen) but I want to try to eliminate any food allergens, just in case that might be causing this problem. And if the food does turn out to be the problem, then that's another problem solved by switching to something better for them.....

Well, food allergens are specific to the individual dog. They are usually proteins, and often the protein is a grain protein. However, beef and milk are pretty common, too...... What I mean is that there's no way to eliminate all possible food allergens; we can eliminate some of the most common, but then the idea is to identify the individual dog's allergens. Unfortunately.

But you mentioned that you suspect an environmental (or inhalant) allergy. As it happens, I do believe that good food can help with even non-food allergies. Allergies are an immune response, and appropriate food supports the immune system.

So, whether it's coat or allergies or sensitivites, I do believe that good food is a good start. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I really appreciate all the help. I'm going to run some of these foods past my financial supervisor (aka my wife) and see what she wants to do. If it stops the shedding, then I think she may want to spend the money.

Thanks again!

Total agreement with Connie here, you never want to fix the symptom, you want to go straight to the source of the problem and fix that. Once you have diet solved you can examine other things. Also, make sure to give your dogs *time* on the new diet. Switching over to a different diet may stress their systems and they may do worse for a little bit before doing better. Give it time, maybe a month or more, and examine the dog overall. Does he smell worse or better? Must you wash your hands after touching the dog because he's so oily and full of dander? Or does the shedding stop, does the coat seem to sleek up, do the dogs seem more fit, healthy, vigorous, and does the poop look and smell nicer? Switching to raw will definitely be the best (and could be quite cheap if you have local farmers or suppliers in your area) but THK and kibble like TWO, Chicken Soup, Innova, and so on will be like switching off of a McDonalds-type diet and onto an Emeril Lagasse-type diet. Less BAM! though. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />