Cathy's Kitchen Table: Did you know that pets can have problems with gluten, too?

 Thanks Pmuths1956 for the photo!

In a previous post, I talked about how to work around some of the complications of a family member trying a gluten-free diet. I'd like to go two steps further here and talk first about how your pets' food can affect you, and then about pets that may need to make a similar change to going gluten-free.

Generally, people who have decided to go gluten-free don't often think about the fact that what they feed their pets may be affecting their own health, as well as their pets health, because of the gluten in the pet food. A gluten intolerant family member must be very careful feeding pets because of the potential for cross contamination — what your pet eats can affect you. So, if you're gluten-sensitive, always wear gloves when handling their food and use separate utensils. Remember to wash your pets' dishes with separate sponges and be careful of all those “wet kisses” which could contain gluten.

It's also important to note that, just like people, pets can be gluten intolerant. For example, gluten can be a problematic ingredient in pet food — causing stomach upset, itchy skin, and ear infections in sensitive animals. What you might see is excessive licking, sneezing, watery eyes, chewing at feet, or incessant kicking at their ears. If your pet has any of these symptoms, it's always best to get your veterinarians advice first before making a major dietary change to gluten-free.

If your vet recommends a dietary change, remember that it's an adjustment for your pet, too, and it's best to make the change very slowly. Start by giving just 25% of the gluten-free food with 75% of the regular food mixed together. Every day, give a tiny bit less of the “old” food and a little more of the gluten-free until you are feeding a completely gluten-free meal. This could take several weeks to accomplish, but doing it this way should help to make an easier adjustment for your pet. The improved health benefits your gluten-sensitive pet can experience by going gluten-free are worth the time and effort. Then bring on those “wet kisses!”

Finding honest to goodness gluten-free pet food isn't as easy as you might think. Most pet foods are not labeled as to gluten content, so it's very important to read the labels carefully in order to avoid gluten-containing ingredients such as wheat, barley, and rye. Unfortunately, “grain free” doesn't necessarily mean gluten-free because there may be other ingredients that do contain gluten in the pet food. If you have any concerns at all about a certain ingredient, call the company directly with your question.

And don't forget to watch for gluten in pet products other than just the food. Pet treats, shampoos and soaps, and even dog or cat toothpaste can contain gluten, so read labels carefully. Gluten-free treats are difficult to find, but they're out there...or you can make your own! Lastly, for the kitties, beware of the wheat (or other grain-based) cat litters. Wheat litter brings wheat powder and dust into your home and can cause problems for people coming into contact with it and for animals that lick it off their paws.

If this is your first experience with a gluten intolerant pet, this might seem overwhelming. But just take this one step at a time. The relief and health benefits your four-legged friend will experience will make your efforts well-worth the time that the process may take.

Next posting, look for gluten-free recipes for both you and your pet!