Important Things To Know About Dog Food Allergies

For a dog with food allergies, the otherwise
simple act of eating his dinner can prove to be
one that leaves him in misery from intestinal
upset, itchiness, or even pain. Dog food
allergies are a lot more common than dog owners
might believe them to be. No one is quite sure
what has caused the recent spike in dog food
allergy diagnosis; it could be that it is a
result of inbreeding, several environmental
factors, or even simply because we are more
aware of the signs of food allergies and know
what to look for.

While it is true that dogs of all breed types
and all ages can develop an allergy to one or
more types of food, there are a few dog breeds
that seem to be more prone to developing a true
allergy to the food that they eat. Retrievers
like Golden and Labradors, along with Spaniels
and Bulldogs have been seen to be more likely to
display the symptoms of an allergy. Allergic
reactions to an ingredient will generally be
seen to develop by the time that the dog reaches
3 years of age.

By understanding the types of food allergies
that your dog could be susceptible to
developing, you will be in a better position to
modify his diet and to protect the health of
your beloved four-legged family member.

Common Allergens For Dogs

Dog food allergies can be as a result of just
about any ingredient that your dog has developed
an allergy to; however, there are a few types of
foods that your dog could be more prone to
developing an allergic reaction to.

1. Wheat

2. Corn

3. Soy

4. Dairy

5. Eggs

6. Beef

7. Chicken

8. Lamb

Wheat and corn are two of the primary
ingredients in many of the commercially
available dog foods on the market today. They
certainly do have their own health benefits, but
they are also usually the primary suspect when a
dog starts to develop the signs and symptoms of
an allergy.

Allergic Reactions In Dogs

When it comes to determining what dog food
allergies you may be facing with your pup, it is
important that you understand the vital
difference between a true allergy and
intolerance. A true allergy will manifest
symptoms that relate to an increase in
itchiness, face rubbing, the development of hot
spots, and even behavioral changes. Intolerance,
on the other hand, might be exclusively related
to gastrointestinal upsets. A combination of the
two might be seen in a dog that has developed
severe allergies, however.

The symptoms most often seen related to dog food
allergies include the following:

1. Increased head shaking; damage to the ears of
dogs with floppy ears may also be seen. Bleeding,
swelling, and even some hearing loss could occur
without effective treatment.

2. Hair loss that may be isolated to a few
spots, sores might be located on the bare
patches as your dog chews at those sites.

3. Itchy feet that your dog constantly licks or
chews to the point of causing sores.

4. Face rubbing on anything that can provide him
with a bit of relief.Itchy anal glands that cause
your dog to constantly try to drag his rear end
across your carpets are a common sign of dog
food allergies.

Determining what ingredients your dog may be
reaction to is the first step in finding a
permanent solution for him. A complete
elimination diet that offers him nothing but
prescription dog food that is allergen free is
often the first course of treatment recommended
by veterinarians. Narrowing down the cause of
dog food allergies in your dog is going to help
you on the path towards a much happier, content,
and healthier dog.

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MyHypoallergenicDogFood.com provides information
and advice for choosing the right brand of
hypoallergenic dog food for dog food allergies:
http://myhypoallergenicdogfood.com/

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