It’s been four weeks since Clifford started his hydrolyzed protein diet, so I wanted to share an update on how things are going.
As a reminder, we began an 8-week food trial after allergy testing to determine whether his persistent paw licking and skin irritation might be related to food sensitivities.
What Clifford Is Eating
Clifford is currently eating:
- Royal Canin Ultamino (twice daily)
- Hill’s Prescription Diet Hypoallergenic Treats
The version of the kibble we purchased has larger pieces than the “small bites” he’s had in the past, so I’ve been adding a little warm water to soften it. That has worked well, and he eats it happily.
I’ve since learned that a small-bite version is available, so if we continue with this diet long term, we’ll likely switch to that for easier chewing.
The good news?
Clifford genuinely loves the food. Mealtime enthusiasm has not been a problem. 😊
Every dog responds differently to therapeutic diets, and hydrolyzed food is often very effective for many dogs. We’re simply working to determine what works best for Clifford and will continue partnering closely with our veterinarian throughout this process.
Paw Licking Update
At the four-week mark, I haven’t seen significant improvement in his paw licking.
That was one of the primary reasons for beginning this trial, so naturally I was hoping to see clearer progress by now.
That said, we are only halfway through the recommended 8-week trial. I want to be fair to the process and complete it properly unless our vet recommends otherwise.
Skin Changes I’ve Noticed
One thing I’ve been paying close attention to is his skin.
When Clifford was previously on a raw diet, I noticed:
- His skin tone lightened from a darker, almost black appearance to more of a soft white/pink
- His skin looked and felt healthier
- Some of the thinning hair began growing back
Recently, I’ve started noticing that his skin appears to be getting darker again.
I can’t say definitively that this is related to the food — and I absolutely plan to discuss this with our vet — but visually, it feels like a shift backward.
As his mom, that’s hard not to notice.
What Happens Next
The original recommendation was an 8-week hydrolyzed diet trial.
I’ll be sharing this update with our veterinarian to determine whether:
- We should complete the full 8 weeks
- Or consider transitioning back to his previous raw diet sooner
We want to approach this thoughtfully and responsibly. Food trials only work when they’re done correctly, but I also don’t want to ignore changes that concern me.
About Hydrolyzed Diet Trials
Most veterinarians recommend 6–8 weeks before evaluating whether a hydrolyzed diet is effective, since it can take time for inflammation to decrease and symptoms to stabilize.
If You’re Navigating Dog Allergies…
If you’ve gone through a hydrolyzed diet trial with your dog, I’d love to hear:
- How long did it take before you saw improvement?
- Did you notice any skin pigmentation changes?
- Did you ultimately stay on prescription food or pivot to something else?
Clifford is otherwise happy, energetic, and his sweet little self. We’re just trying to solve the mystery of those paws. 🐾
I’ll continue documenting each phase here in the Journal.
— Lynn