If your dog is constantly scratching, licking, or biting their skin, you might find yourself asking, "Why is my dog itching so much?" Persistent itchiness can be more than just a nuisance—it might be a sign of atopic dermatitis in dogs, a common allergic skin condition. While environmental factors like pollen and dust mites are typical culprits, emerging research suggests that diet plays a crucial role in managing this condition. Understanding Atopic Dermatitis In Dogs Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting up to 15% of dogs 1. In fact 58% of dogs with skin disease can have atopic dermatitis 1. It's characterized by symptoms such as redness, itching, and recurrent ear infections. Certain breeds, including Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Bulldogs, are more predisposed to this condition 2,3. While environmental allergens are often blamed, food sensitivities can also trigger or exacerbate symptoms. The Role of Diet in Managing Itchiness Veterinary clinical research has highlighted the positive impact diet may have for dogs with atopic dermatitis. A study published in Veterinary Dermatology that compared therapies for treating atopic dermatitis in dogs found that “a significant number of canines benefited from dietary modification,” 4. The study observed reductions in pruritus (itchiness), redness, and skin secretions in dogs over five-year and ten-year time periods. Introducing Rayne Nutrition's Skin Relief Dry Food for Dogs At Rayne Nutrition, we understand the challenges everyone — pet parents, pets, and veterinary care teams — are facing when dealing with skin issues in dogs. That’s why we’ve introduced Skin Relief Dry Food, a diet formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists that’s specially designed to provide itch relief for dogs with sensitive skin and coat. This anti-itch dog food features: High Levels of Omega-3 Fatty Acids: The diet is rich in unsaturated Omega-3s EPA and DHA which have...

Navigating the world of dog food allergies can be daunting as a pet owner, but understanding the signs of food allergies in dogs and exploring nutritional options for dog allergies can make a world of difference. One of the most effective treatment options for dog allergies is the introduction of novel protein diets for dogs, which aim to eliminate common allergens by using unique protein sources. At the forefront of this approach is Rayne's hypoallergenic dog food, crafted with innovative proteins like kangaroo, rabbit, and black soldier fly larvae. By choosing the best dog food for allergies, you can help alleviate your dog's allergy symptoms, promoting a healthier, happier life for your furry friend. Dive into the world of hypoallergenic dog food and discover how these ground-breaking options can transform your pet's well-being. Understanding Dog Food Allergies Common Signs of Food Allergies Itchy Skin: Persistent scratching, licking, or biting at the skin. Gastrointestinal Issues: Vomiting or diarrhea may occur after meals. Chronic Ear Infections: Frequent ear problems might indicate an allergic reaction. Red or Inflamed Skin: Noticeable redness or swelling, particularly around the face, ears, and paws. These symptoms can often be mistaken for other conditions, making it essential to consult a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis. Testing and elimination diets are typically used to identify specific allergens. Once identified, the most effective treatment for dog allergies is often a dietary change to novel protein diets for dogs. These diets utilize unique protein sources to help manage and alleviate allergy symptoms. By understanding these signs, you can take proactive steps to ensure your dog's comfort and health. Identifying Dog Allergy Symptoms Identifying dog allergy symptoms promptly can lead to more effective management. Begin by observing behavioral changes in your pet. Symptoms such as excessive scratching, licking, or facial rubbing often...

A healthy weight loss program for a dog or cat includes not only regular exercise, accounting for treats and proper meal measurement, but also an effective weight loss diet. Reducing excess calories and reviewing what goes into a pet’s bowl are all ways to make healthy changes to a regular feeding pattern. Healthy weight loss requires an appropriate calorie intake while continuing to meet essential nutrient needs. A diet specifically formulated for weight loss can help, particularly when substantial calorie restriction is needed. A pet's every meal is important, especially when on a weight loss diet. In combination with exercise, avoiding excess treating and veterinary oversight, a diet tailored to your pet's specific needs can support healthy weight loss while providing them all the nutrients they need for overall health during calorie restriction. WHY NOT JUST FEED LESS? At first glance, reducing the volume of food a pet consumes daily might seem like the easiest way to reduce excess weight. It sounds simple, feeding less food should mean weight loss. Feeding less of the same food reduces both the calories and essential nutrients including protein, vitamins and minerals. When portions are substantially restricted a pet may not receive enough of some nutrients even if the food is complete and balanced for adult maintenance. A diet formulated for weight loss can help provide essential nutrients within a lower calorie allowance while supporting lean muscle preservation. Consider talking to your veterinarian about an individualized feeding plan dedicated to healthy weight loss for your pet’s needs. WHAT IS A WEIGHT LOSS DIET? To support appropriate calorie restriction, a healthy weight loss diet demonstrates nutrient density. Diets formulated for weight loss typically provide more protein and micronutrients per calorie. This helps ensure pets receive what they need while consuming less calories. Additional fiber helps...

When dinner time comes around, are you looking for the measuring cup in your cabinet?  The convenience of using a measuring cup allows for an easy way to brush through meal time with your pet, but there is a more effective way of feeding that is helpful for both weight management and maintaining a healthy body condition. To more accurately understand what’s going into your pets’ bowl, minimize imprecise feeding and support a weight loss program, consider using a gram scale. THE ISSUE: WHY USING A MEASURING CUP ISN’T AS PRECISE AS YOU THINK Many owners’ first instinct is to pull out a measuring cup at their pet’s meal time. It’s easily accessible, something most people already have in their kitchen, and is typically inexpensive. It is often as a simple method to provide your pet the correct amount of their favorite kibble. However, measuring an accurate scoop with this utensil could lead to inaccurate and inconsistent portion sizes that can negatively impact any pet, but especially those that are smaller in size or on a weight loss program.  When having to measure out small amounts of food, the tendency is to overestimate. A study on imprecision in measuring found that inaccuracy ranged from 18% underestimating to 80% overestimating the amount1. Measuring cups measure volume, but the amount of food in each scoop can vary. Weighing food with a gram scale helps you serve the recommended portion more accurately and more consistently. A cup's fullness and how kibble settles can affect the amount of food it contains. Even when using the same food scoop, portions may vary just because we’re human. A heaping scoop or eyeballing to the measuring line-it’s easy to do! This can lead to over or underfeeding over time that may impact weight or nutrient intake. For...

October is Pet Obesity Awareness Month, and at Rayne, we understand that keeping your pet healthy has to come down to science. Healthy nutrition is unique to every pet. Individual nutritional needs ebb and flow throughout a pet’s lifetime, but one thing remains consistent: a healthy pet is a happy pet. Supporting pet health can mean understanding how feeding habits, veterinary care, environmental enrichment, activity and body condition work in tandem. Sometimes, small daily changes throughout your dog or cat's routine can truly make a difference in creating a long, healthy life. This month gives us all the opportunity to take a closer look at what healthy weight and weight loss means for our pets and how nutrition can play a role in supporting it. SHOULD I JUST FEED LESS? After identifying that a pet is overweight, pet parents may choose to simply feed less of their dog or cat’s typical diet. This method of feeding less food might lead to weight loss, but doesn’t mean it’s healthy weight loss. Restricting calories alone results in eating less protein and micronutrients that can negatively impact pets in the long run. This may include the loss of lean body mass and nutrient deficiencies over time. Healthy weight loss not only sheds pounds, but also supports the maintenance of lean muscle mass,helps prevent disease and improves quality of life. The solution is to find an individualized diet dedicated to healthy weight loss so that key nutritional benefits remain while excess weight is shed. HOW TO BETTER SUPPORT YOUR PET'S WEIGHT Understand your pets lean body condition score: Being overweight increases the risk of developing diabetes, osteoarthritis, exercise intolerance and other health issues. Understanding your pet’s body score can guide you on how much to feed your pet and lead you to improving their...

Mycotoxin contamination is a common reason that pet foods are recalled. Because of Rayne’s ingredient selection and comprehensive quality control, our diets are low-risk for this issue. Read on to learn more about what mycotoxins are and how Rayne proactively prevents contamination. WHAT ARE MYCOTOXINS? Mycotoxins are a category of naturally occurring toxins that are produced by various fungal species. These fungi typically grow on stored ingredients such as corn, grains, and nuts. While fungi are easily killed by heat, the toxic secretions, known as mycotoxins, are heat-resistant and tasteless, making them a dangerous by-product of an otherwise well-known and manageable nuisance. WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Consumption of mycotoxins can cause severe health issues in both humans and pets. Though our bodies are capable of handling small amounts of mycotoxins with no ill-effect, continuous consumption of a contaminated product can lead to negative health outcomes ranging from acute poisoning to long-term chronic conditions. Humans, overall, tend to eat a varied diet, which makes continuously eating a contaminated product unlikely. Our pets, however, often eat the same food scooped from the same bag for every meal, day after day. So if that bag of food happens to be contaminated, it can become a serious issue. HOW DO YOU PREVENT IT? Since mycotoxins cannot be killed by heat, the only way to prevent them from being present in the final product is to ensure they are not there in the first place. This can be done by either avoiding the use of at-risk ingredients, or if that is not possible, then to strictly test for mycotoxins on raw ingredients ahead of production. Recalls occur if a company neglects testing at-risk ingredients. WHAT IS RAYNE DOING? Rayne diets are low-risk for mycotoxin contamination, a common reason that pet foods are recalled. Mycotoxins are associated...

At Rayne, we believe that the key to your pet's optimal health lies in their diet. This belief has led us to be data and ingredient obsessed and is why Rayne works with hand-in-hand with PhD and board-certified animal nutritionists, as well as veterinary specialists to formulate our line of therapeutic diets.  This group, known as the Clinical Advisory Team, guides Rayne's focus on better health outcomes, and designing a range of therapeutic diets made with natural, less-processed ingredients wherever possible.   Over a Century of Industry Experience We inherited this obsession with ingredients from veterinary dermatologists and internists while formulating our novel protein line (used to diagnose and manage adverse food reactions). Pets with these dermatologic and gastrointestinal conditions require pure, digestible ingredients. As importantly, we also understand the significance of having a reliable supply of our novel protein diets to avoid any unnecessary diet transition in patients who are doing well. Each of our long-standing suppliers and manufacturing partners shares our obsession and is equally committed to making sure pets have the food they need. They have helped us establish secure and longterm ingredient supply plans to maintain plentiful inventory, meaning that these sensitive pets will continue to receive an uninterrupted supply of their prescribed product. Additionally, our partners have helped us raise industry standards for quality and safety. Our suppliers proudly follow ethical gold standards, such as the Five Freedoms, and our strict quality control processes begin before the raw ingredients enter the manufacturing facilities and continue throughout production.   Why do we use Natural, Less Processed Ingredients? The specific use of fresh, whole food ingredients is vital for two reasons. First, dogs and cats have certain nutrients they need daily to promote their health and improve their longevity. When the nutrients in a diet are provided individually through supplements and additives, the pet misses out...