Food Allergies in Dogs: An Increasing Threat

It seems that not only human allergies are increasing for the past 30 years; even dog allergies are.
In the total population of allergic dogs in the US, about 10% of these have dog food allergies. This follows the first two most common cause of allergy in dogs: Flea bite and atopy. Atopy is an allergic reaction characterized by an ill reaction towards a substance found in the environment.


Actually, it would take a long time before an allergic reaction to a particular dog food manifests in your pet. He would have eaten it before without any effects at all! The reason for your doggy’s allergic reaction is his immune system over reacting to an offending substance in his food. Although a specific protein is identified to be the root cause of food allergy, other ingredients in his dog food may also be categorized as the culprits. Pet owners should not identify food allergies to that of food intolerance, such as lactose intolerance. Every dog has a possibility of developing an allergy in his lifetime, but this is more common in younger animals. Allergies may also depend on the breed of the dog. Symptoms to food allergy may vary from dog to dog. Here are the main indications that your dog has food allergy:

• too much scratching;
• licking;
• vomiting; and
• diarrhea

Pet owners often assume that scratching and licking is just a part of the dog learning new things. This is not always the case, however, as this are the signs that something is bothering your pooch. If his actions are bothering you, don’t lash it all out on him because it’s not really his fault that he is sick.

What To Do If Your Dog is Allergic

It can be very depressing to see your dog feel depressed about his allergy symptoms. The more your dog ages, the more these symptoms will manifest and worsen. There is no need to wait if this is the case. However, desensitizing is not always reliable in food-induced allergies. The only way for pet owners to alleviate their pooch’s pain is to identify what ingredient he is allergic to.
If you suspect that your dog definitely has allergies, it is better to visit the veterinarian immediately so your pet could be subjected to tests and observation. There are several dog allergy tests that he may have to take; this will confirm or reject the roots of allergy. Identifying the kinds of allergy will eventually help you in choosing appropriate dog food for your dog and learn more about elimination diet.

The elimination diet process can be a difficult task for the owner, so the help of the vet should be sought here. You can always keep your dog on a hypoallergenic food diet while keeping in mind that it should be well-balanced. The need to switch dog food for several times may arise; pet owners should keep in mind that their pet’s health is what’s at stake. You should always consider that your dog might not only be allergic to his food but also to several environmental allergens. Always refer to the list of symptoms above to be sure if your pooch is already having an allergy when testing a particular dog food.

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