Your Pet May Be Suffering From Dog Food Allergies

Food allergies are not exclusive to humans, but they can certainly be difficult to diagnose in pets, especially when dog food allergies appear to manifest so quickly.  The biggest problem of course, is the pet’s inability to communicate to his master the symptoms effectively, and they are so many times confused with other conditions.

Symptoms of dog food allergies may include the following:  excessive scratching, hair loss, skin infections, as well as ear infections.  Many times the antibiotics give for skin infections will clear up briefly, and they reappear when the antibiotics are completed.  An animal with itchy skin that doesn’t seem to improve with using antihistamines or steroids, may be suffering from dog food allergies.

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.

Since most dog food is made from beef, chicken, wheat, eggs, soy and dairy products, it should be no surprise that most allergies to dog food are caused by one of these ingredients.

When pet food companies began producing lamb and rice formulas, many dog food allergies seemed to disappear.  Most veterinarians agree that it is not because of something special in the formula that reduced the dog food allergies, but merely, that the dog’s diet had not been one the dog had developed intolerance for.

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 source containing protein and carbohydrate should be the only diet of the pet and given at least around 12 weeks to determine which ingredient is the allergen in the old pet food.

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.