Dog Food Allergies Are Never Fun!

Food allergies are not only for humans. They can be found in your pets and are difficult to diagnose because dog food allergies can appear so rapidly. The greatest problem, of course, is the pet can't let you know what his symptoms are and these are oftentimes confused with other problems.

Some symptoms of dog food allergies are: excessive scratching, hair loss, skin infections, as well as ear infections. Many times antibiotics are used for skin infections and they will clear up briefly, only to return again when the antibiotics are completed. An animal with itchy skin that doesn't seem to improve with the use of antihistamines or steroids, might possibly be suffering from a dog food allergy.

There is also a difference between the dog food allergies and food intolerance. Intolerance to certain foods may cause symptoms such as diarrhea or frequent bowel movements and vomiting. Fortunately, whether the animal is suffering form food allergy or food intolerance once the proper diagnosis has been made, they both are treatable.

Beef, chicken, wheat, eggs, soy, and dairy products are what most dog food is made from. So therefore, it should not come as a surprise that most dog food allergies are going to be to one of the major ingredients found in the food.

Most dog food is made from beef, chicken, wheat, eggs, soy and dairy products. It should not be a surprise that most dog food allergies are caused by one of these ingredients. When pet companies began producing lamb and rice formulas, many dog food allergies seemed to disappear.

Many veterinarians agree that it is not due to something special in the lamb and rice that reduce the dog food allergies; rather it is the fact that the dog's diet was changed and the animal has not developed an intolerance to the new food.

Dietary Change To Test For Food Allergies

Once other causes have been ruled out, like flea bite allergies, intestinal parasites, yeast or bacterial infections, a dietary change may be needed to reduce the symptoms of dog food allergies.

A new food containing protein and carbohydrate should be the only diet for the pet for about 12 weeks to determine which ingredients in their old food was causing the allergic reaction.

The food source must be completely different than the previous one given. No treats or other food should be given. Once this has been determined, the pet is not having an adverse reaction to the new food; other foods can then be added. If however, symptoms to occur, that food would then also be eliminated.