Urgh. Food allergies. Us hoo-mans have them, doggies have them too. Unless you’re buying 100% natural and organic, commercially available dog food often contains heaps of mysterious chemicals, preservations, and fillers that might trigger an allergic reaction.
Dogs consume a wide range of processed dietary proteins, flavorings, and colorings, which are then processed within their bodies.
Proteins can be combined or altered to become entities that the immune system recognizes as foreign invaders to be fought. The ensuing inflammation may affect the GI tract or other organ systems, but in dogs, the skin is most commonly affected.
To begin, it's critical to understand the distinction between food intolerance and a real food allergy in dogs. Food intolerance occurs when a dog has trouble digesting a certain substance, such as dairy, whereas a food allergy results in an immunological reaction.
Symptoms of food allergies in dogs
An allergy is a "true immunological response to a dietary component." Typical food allergy symptoms include:
Itchy
Sneezing
Itchy paws
Patches of missing skin from excessive scratching
Rashes
Skin that is discolored, scaly or greasy
Skin with a leathery texture
Discharge from the eyes
Eyes that are red
Diarrhea and vomiting
Hair thinning
Infections of the ear
Common causes of food allergy in dogs
1. Dairy
Lactose intolerance can result in digestive issues in certain dogs, characterized by flatulence, diarrhea, or vomiting. What's complicated is that a real dairy allergy can also cause the same symptoms, making it difficult to determine whether a canine is suffering from intolerance or an allergy.
One significant distinction: a dairy allergy can cause skin itching or other symptoms, but lactose intolerance is always connected to digestion.
2. Chicken
The same rules as for beef and lamb apply here! Just because it's plain ol’ chicken doesn't rule out the possibility that your dog is allergic to it.
3. Eggs
Your dog's immune system reacts abnormally to the proteins in the egg yolk, causing an egg allergy. Thankfully, avoiding eggs is extremely simple. Just read food labels thoroughly.
4. Wheat
There are numerous myths about carbohydrate-containing diets for dogs, particularly grains. Meat allergies are far more common in dogs than grain allergies, for example. Wheat, on the other hand, might cause allergic reactions in some dogs. Regarding grains, consult your veterinarian or a pet nutritionist, as each animal should be treated as an individual.
5. Lamb
Because many commercial dog diets are produced with chicken or beef, lamb was thought to be an acceptable alternative for dogs that had allergies to "normal" food.
It is, nevertheless, a possible cause of allergies. If your dog is allergic to lamb and rice, venison and sweet potato are good alternatives.
6. Soy
Eating soy has been linked to a variety of health problems, including reproductive and growth disorders, thyroid disease, and liver disease.
7. Beef
Although beef is one of the most common ingredients in commercial dog food, it is also a leading cause of food allergies.
The good news is that this is an easy fix! Simply switch out the protein source to another one like chicken or fish and see if the symptoms ease up. Lamb and rice and chicken and potatoes are also common combinations for commercial kibble.
How to feed a dog with food allergies
Once you've identified the foods that are causing your dog's problems, the next step is to eliminate them from his diet as much as possible.
You can attempt a limited ingredient diet, buy prescription food from your veterinarian, or prepare your food from scratch.
To make up for any nutrients that might be lacking, you might want to add a natural supplement like spirulina to ensure your dog gets a complete, well-balanced diet.
Diagnosis and treatment for food allergy
Food sensitivities in dogs can produce a number of symptoms, including gastrointestinal issues like vomiting and diarrhea, as well as dermatological issues like itching, poor skin and coat, and recurrent ear and foot infections.
In response to an allergy, your dog can develop hives or face puffiness. Swelling of the face, neck, lips, eyelids, or earflaps may appear alarming, but it is seldom deadly and can be treated with an antihistamine by your veterinarian.
If your canine has an extreme response, your best game-plan is to get him to a crisis veterinary medical clinic as fast as could be expected.
Conclusion
Allergic reactions in dogs can range from mild discomfort to downright dangerous. When in doubt, always consult with your veterinary professional!
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