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Dog Allergies – Know the Symptoms and What You Can Do About Them
Did you know that dogs, like people, can suffer from food allergies? Believe it or not, a dog can develop an allergy to his food – even one he’s been eating for years. Food allergies in dogs aren’t very common. Only about 10% of dog allergies can be attributed to food. However, if you suspect your pet may be suffering from a dog food allergy, you need to be able to identify the typical symptoms associated with dog allergies and know which ingredients are known to trigger an allergic reaction.
As in humans, an allergy attack is the immune system’s response to a foreign item that it believes is toxic. Essentially, the body is attempting to rid itself of the perceived “threat”. Allergy symptoms in dogs are very much like the symptoms people suffer. They can range from itchy skin to asthma like symptoms. Your dog may display any or all of these symptoms. The most common of these are:
- Itchy skin which results in excessive licking or scratching
- Difficult or labored breathing
- Diarrhea
- Ear infections
- Hot spots or rashes
If your dog is chronically experiencing any of these problems, it could very well be a dog food allergy. You’ll want to begin paying close attention to the food you’re giving him and start reading package labels to help narrow down what may be causing the problem.
There are a few ingredients that are known to trigger allergies in dogs. The most common are:
- Corn
- Wheat
- Dairy
- Color Additives
- Preservatives
It can be difficult to pinpoint exactly which food ingredient is causing your dog to suffer. You’ll probably need to do some experimenting with different foods in order to eliminate possible allergens.
Many cheaper brands of dog food use grains as a filler ingredient. Unfortunately, there are some dogs that are allergic to the grain found in their food. Sometimes switching to a higher quality dog food that is free of grain fillers will help to resolve the problem.
You’ll want to look for food that has real meat and vegetables, and also try to avoid foods that have artificial additives such as coloring or preservatives.
If giving your dog a better quality food doesn’t relieve the symptoms, a raw food diet may be considered. A raw dog food diet is exactly what it sounds like – raw meat (chicken, beef, lamb, etc.) as well as fresh vegetables such as carrots, broccoli and yams.
The best thing you can do if you’re dealing with a dog food allergy is to seek out the help and advice of your veterinarian. He or she will be able to work with you in identifying the troublesome food ingredient and devise a diet for your dog that provides his nutritional needs while avoiding the discomfort that dog allergies caus