| Dog food allergies are more common than most | | | | allergies are when the symptoms are present all year |
| people realize, and true allergies (as opposed to | | | | round (not just seasonally), antihistamine treatment |
| sensitivities/intolerances) generally produce skin | | | | doesn't seem to help and if your dog is still young |
| irritations and problems rather than digestive upsets. | | | | and has recurrent, chronic ear or skin problems. |
| Symptoms of food allergies in dogs can appear within | | | | A dog can react badly to almost any ingredient, but |
| a short time of eating a particular food, or take | | | | the ones that tend to cause the most food allergies |
| weeks, months or even years to develop. Contrary | | | | in dogs include - |
| to popular belief, most dog food allergies occur as a | | | | - Beef |
| reaction to a familiar food that your pooch has been | | | | - Dairy Products |
| eating quite happily for years, rather than to a new | | | | - Chicken |
| food that you've just introduced him to. In fact | | | | - Wheat |
| around 70% of dog food allergies are caused by a | | | | - Yeast |
| food that's been well tolerated for more than two | | | | - Preservatives and colorings |
| years. | | | | This is not a comprehensive list though, and foods |
| An allergic reaction to a food almost never happens | | | | that tend to cause problems in humans also tend to |
| on first exposure, but on second or subsequent ones. | | | | cause allergy symptoms in dogs. Things such as egg |
| Symptoms of dog food allergies | | | | whites, tomatoes, fermented cheese and so on |
| Food allergies in dogs produce a range of symptoms, | | | | should be avoided! |
| the majority of the time they involve skin irritations | | | | For a definitive diagnosis, take your dog to the |
| of some kind, including - | | | | veterinarian who can do blood tests and other |
| - Excessive itching, licking or scratching - particularly | | | | procedures to identify his individual 'triggers'. If a dog |
| at the feet, legs, tummy or tail areaHot spots | | | | food allergy is suspected, an ELIMINATION DIET is |
| - Rashes | | | | recommended. This involves eliminating any food |
| - Red, scaly patches | | | | ingredient your dog has eaten, and replacing his food |
| - Rubbing or pawing at the face or ears | | | | with an entirely new diet. Then reintroducing |
| - Frequent shaking of the head | | | | ingredients one at a time to look for reactions. |
| Canine food allergies can cause other symptoms, | | | | Natural dog foods and those specifically designed for |
| unassociated with skin irritation. These may include - | | | | dogs with sensitivities and allergies are the best bet |
| - Stomach or digestive problems | | | | for dogs with these kinds of problems. It's important |
| - Breathing difficulties (similar to allergies/asthma in | | | | to realize that you need to wait at least a month, |
| humans) | | | | probably more, before you can accurately determine |
| - Chronic ear infections | | | | whether or not a food is suitable. It takes that long |
| - Eye irritation, inflammation or infections | | | | for any remaining allergens from previous foods to |
| - Behavior problems such as aggression or | | | | leave your dogs system. |
| hyper-activity | | | | Breeds more likely to suffer from allergies |
| Recognizing allergy triggers | | | | Any dog can suffer from canine allergies, of any |
| It's not always easy to tell what is causing your dog's | | | | type. But some breeds just seem to be genetically |
| allergy symptoms. It could be fleas, seasonal things | | | | pre-disposed to being 'allergic', especially to food |
| such as pollen, weeds, dust etc., or even contact | | | | ingredients. |
| allergies. A few clues that point towards dog food | | | | |