| Is your dog itchy and scratchy? It could be fleas or | | | | about one quarter of dogs with adverse reactions to |
| seasonal allergies, but did you know that your dog's | | | | their diet will only have problems with their ears. |
| itchy skin could be due to food allergies? Dog food | | | | Every level of the gastrointestinal tract can be |
| allergy is the third most common hypersensitivity skin | | | | damaged by diet-related allergies. Gastrointestinal |
| disease after flea allergies and seasonal allergies. You | | | | signs of food allergies include vomiting, diarrhoea, |
| may not realise that your dog has a dog food allergy | | | | abdominal pain and increased bowel movements. |
| because adverse food reactions often mimic other | | | | Any of these signs in your dog could suggest a food |
| itchy skin diseases. | | | | allergy. This is especially true if you have a young |
| Adverse reactions to food in dogs can be split into | | | | dog. One third of all of these allergies occur in dogs |
| two main categories: food allergy and food | | | | under 1 year of age. Dogs less than 6 months of age |
| intolerance. Food allergy is an immune-based reaction | | | | with itchy skin problems are very likely related to |
| to food, and can occur after prolonged exposure to | | | | their diet. |
| one brand, form or type of food. Food intolerance is | | | | If your dog has any of these signs, the first thing to |
| not immune-based, and can occur after a single | | | | do is to visit your veterinarian to get a check over. |
| exposure. | | | | Your dog may have a flea problem or non-food |
| Regardless of the actual type of adverse food | | | | related allergic skin disease. If you have ruled out |
| reaction, the signs that you will see are generally the | | | | other causes of these signs with your vet, then it is |
| same. Dogs with food allergies often have | | | | time to start a dietary elimination trial. This is where |
| non-seasonal itchiness, sometimes accompanied by | | | | you feed a special food as the only food source to |
| gastrointestinal problems. This itchiness can vary in | | | | your dog for at least 6 weeks. |
| severity from the occasional scratch to a maddening | | | | The best kind of food to feed in an elimination trial is |
| itch that leads to self trauma and infection. | | | | a hypoallergenic diet. These are specially designed to |
| The areas that are most commonly affected by dog | | | | prevent your dog's immune system from recognising |
| food allergy are the feet, face, armpits, perineal | | | | and attacking the proteins in the food. |
| region, inside the thighs, rump and ears. Interestingly, | | | | |