Food allergies are not exclusive to humans, but they can be difficult to diagnose in pets, especially when dog food allergies appear to manifest quickly. The biggest problem of course, is the pet's inability to communicate the symptoms effectively, and they are many times confused with other ailments.
Some symptoms of dog food allergies are: excessive scratching, hair loss, skin infections, as well as ear infections. Many times antibiotics are used for skin infections and they will clear up briefly, only to return again when the antibiotics are completed. An animal with itchy skin that doesn't seem to improve with the use of antihistamines or steroids, might possibly be suffering from a dog food allergy.
An animal that has itchy skin that does not seem to be improving with the use of antihistamines or steroids, may be suffering form dog food allergies.
There is also a difference between dog food allergies and food intolerance. An intolerance to particular foods may be the cause of diarrhea or frequent bowel movements and vomiting. Fortunately, if the animal is suffering from the food allergy or food intolerance, once the proper diagnosis is made, they can both be treated.
When pet food companies began marketing lamb and rice formulas many dog food allergies seemed to go away.
Many veterinarians agree that it is not due to something special in the lamb and rice that reduce the dog food allergies; rather it is the fact that the dog's diet was changed and the animal has not developed an intolerance to the new food.
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 containing protein and carbohydrate should be the only diet for the pet for about 12 weeks to determine which ingredients in their old food was causing the allergic reaction.
The food must be completely different from the previous food and cannot be supplemented by treats or other types of food for the test to be effective. Once it has been determined the pet is not having an adverse reaction to the new diet, various foods may then be added to help develop a more diverse diet. Any addition must also go through the same test procedures and if any reaction, the new addition will be eliminated. A healthier dog means a healthier friend for life!
Some symptoms of dog food allergies are: excessive scratching, hair loss, skin infections, as well as ear infections. Many times antibiotics are used for skin infections and they will clear up briefly, only to return again when the antibiotics are completed. An animal with itchy skin that doesn't seem to improve with the use of antihistamines or steroids, might possibly be suffering from a dog food allergy.
An animal that has itchy skin that does not seem to be improving with the use of antihistamines or steroids, may be suffering form dog food allergies.
There is also a difference between dog food allergies and food intolerance. An intolerance to particular foods may be the cause of diarrhea or frequent bowel movements and vomiting. Fortunately, if the animal is suffering from the food allergy or food intolerance, once the proper diagnosis is made, they can both be treated.
When pet food companies began marketing lamb and rice formulas many dog food allergies seemed to go away.
Many veterinarians agree that it is not due to something special in the lamb and rice that reduce the dog food allergies; rather it is the fact that the dog's diet was changed and the animal has not developed an intolerance to the new food.
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 containing protein and carbohydrate should be the only diet for the pet for about 12 weeks to determine which ingredients in their old food was causing the allergic reaction.
The food must be completely different from the previous food and cannot be supplemented by treats or other types of food for the test to be effective. Once it has been determined the pet is not having an adverse reaction to the new diet, various foods may then be added to help develop a more diverse diet. Any addition must also go through the same test procedures and if any reaction, the new addition will be eliminated. A healthier dog means a healthier friend for life!
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