Sensitive tummies don’t have to mean bland bowls. Food allergies and intolerances show up as itchy ears, paw-licking, dull coat, vomiting or diarrhea. A vet-guided elimination diet helps you sniff out the culprit protein, and PetMax.ca stocks allergy-friendly formulas, think limited-ingredient, hydrolyzed-protein and gentle prebiotic blends, to keep whiskers twitching and tails wagging. 🐾
Spotting the Signs of Food Sensitivities
Red-flag symptoms
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Chronic scratching, ear infections or hair loss often precede digestive upset.
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Soft stool, flatulence, vomiting or intermittent diarrhea can signal an adverse food reaction rather than a quick “oops-I-ate-the-garbage” moment.
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Behavioural changes, restlessness after meals, reluctance to eat, even night-time pacing frequently accompany GI pain.
Allergy vs. intolerance
An allergy is immune-mediated and usually protein-driven; an intolerance is a non-immune sensitivity (often to fat, fibre or additives). The outward signs overlap, so diet trials are essential for clarity.
How to Run an Elimination-Challenge Diet
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Choose a truly novel or hydrolyzed protein (e.g., kangaroo, salmon, duck, insect, or hydrolyzed fish).
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Feed exclusively for 8–12 weeks. No treats, or table scraps, yes, that means Grandma’s roast beef is off-limits. Sorry, Grandma!
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Re-introduce one ingredient at a time; any flare-ups may confirm the offender. Keep a log to show your veterinarian.
Cat Cusine: Sensitive Stomach Cat Food in Canada
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Product (PetMax.ca) |
Why It Helps |
Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
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Highly digestible proteins + prebiotics support microbiome balance. |
Adult cats with frequent hairballs or loose stool |
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Hydrolyzed fish, pumpkin, and probiotics calm gut & skin. |
Cats with dual GI and skin flare-ups |
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Single-protein, grain-free, omega-rich recipe. |
Elimination trials needing novel protein |
Canine Choices: Allergy Pet Food for Dogs in Canada
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Product (PetMax.ca) |
Key Features |
Best Use-Case |
|---|---|---|
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Salmon first, oat & barley digestibles, added probiotics. |
Everyday maintenance for itchy-skin pups |
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ACANA Singles L.I.D. (Duck & Pear / Pork & Squash / Lamb & Apple) |
65–75 % single animal protein, no legumes, Canadian-sourced. |
Rotation diets; novel-protein trials |
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Hydrolyzed fish concentrate plus omega-3 & pumpkin. |
Dogs with both GI and dermatological issues |
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Eco-friendly black soldier fly larvae, grain-free, L-carnitine for gut motility. |
Pets needing sustainable, novel protein |
Transition Tips
Go slow: Mix 25 % new + 75 % old for three days, then increase by 25 % every three days.
Add probiotics: Ask your vet about companion supplements during transitions to cut down loose stool. We've had lots of great feedback on the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary FortiFlora Probiotic Tablet Dog Supplement.
Track results: Keep a symptom diary (coat shine, stool score, energy). Share with your vet at re-check.
Final Nibbles
Managing food sensitivities is a journey, not a sprint. Lean on your veterinarian for diagnosis, and let PetMax’s curated sensitive-nutrition lineup do the heavy lifting in the bowl. With the right limited-ingredient or hydrolyzed meal, itchy skin fades, stools firm up, and mealtime becomes a paw-sitive experience again.
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