| Many people all over the world have pets, especially | | | | Scratching at the area around the ears will also be |
| in America. It is part of the American dream to have | | | | more common if your dog has a ear infection. Other |
| a dog in the family. Most people love their dogs just | | | | common symptoms of dog food allergy include hair |
| as members of the family. Perhaps even a best | | | | loss and hot spots. |
| friend. Unfortunately our furry little friends can have | | | | Diagnosing if your dog has a allergy to its food may |
| many different healthy problems. Among the most | | | | even be difficult for your vet to do. Your veterinarian |
| common is a dog food allergy. Dog food allergies can | | | | can perform many different expensive tests to see |
| have many different symptoms. These symptoms | | | | exactly what your dog is allergic to, or they may let |
| often are very similar to other allergies and even | | | | you try some things on your own. The reason a dog |
| other health problems all together. It is very | | | | food allergy is so hard to diagnose is because the |
| important to understand the cause of your dog's | | | | symptoms of an allergic reaction to dog food are so |
| problems in order to treat the problem | | | | similar to inhalant allergies(allergies caused by inhaling a |
| Some dogs can develop a food allergy easier than | | | | certain allergen). It can be further complicated |
| others. Some dogs just have a genetic predisposition | | | | because dogs can suffer from many different |
| to developing a food allergy. Most people also often | | | | allergies at the same time. If you have eliminated all |
| believe that it is the more random food you give | | | | other possible causes for your dogs symptoms then |
| your dog that trigger the allergies...such as the | | | | you can begin experimenting with different dog |
| leftovers from the previous night. I'm sure we are all | | | | foods. |
| guilty of that =). However it is usually the dry, or | | | | Even preventing a allergy like this is difficult. It is |
| otherwise, dog food that you give your dog | | | | impossible to know exactly which ingredients in dog |
| everyday that is likely causing the allergy. It may | | | | food your dog might show an allergy to. Beef, |
| even make the allergy worse if the dog has been | | | | chicken, fish, eggs, and dairy products are the usual |
| eating the food daily for long periods of time. | | | | cause of allergies. These ingredients are used in many |
| Many people always ask, how can I recognize if my | | | | different kinds of dog food so you will need to select |
| dog has a food allergy and not another kind of | | | | a hypoallergenic dog food. |
| allergy? Skin irritation is almost always the major | | | | Treating dog food allergies is about eliminating all of |
| symptom of a allergy to dog food. The skin irritation | | | | the kinds of food you know your dog has eaten |
| will cause your dog to do many things. Likely it will lick | | | | previously. For twelve weeks you need to replace |
| and scratch at various areas on the body. The area | | | | your dogs current diet with a brand of dog food that |
| around the upper leg, around the ears, legs, stomach, | | | | is hypoallergenic, high in carbohydrates and high in |
| and the area around the base of the tail are where | | | | protein. This new kind of food should ideally be a |
| the irritation will be at its worst. A allergy to pollen or | | | | type that you have never given your dog before. |
| dust may also cause an allergy like this, but unlike a | | | | You can consider food that is based on rabbit, duck, |
| food allergy it will be seasonal. A dog's seasonal | | | | salmon, or any other food your dog hasn't previously |
| allergy will also likely not be as severe. Its a safe bet | | | | eaten. Once the symptoms subside you can begin |
| that if your dog shows symptoms like this year | | | | adding back in other kinds of food. If the symptoms |
| round it is probably a allergy to dog food. | | | | come back you will immediately know which food |
| Another, perhaps more uncommon, symptom of a | | | | caused it and you can now avoid that brand or main |
| dog food allergy is frequent ear infections. If your | | | | ingredient completely. |
| dog has an ear infection it will shake its head | | | | Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian, or pet medical |
| frequently and his or her ears will be dirty. Most | | | | professional of any kind, before making any serious |
| people also report that their pet has a vinegar like | | | | decisions about your pet's health you should consult a |
| smell always coming out of their pet's ears. | | | | veterinarian. |