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Dog Food Allergies

Just like us humans, dogs too have food allergies. That's why as a pet owner, it's important to find out if your dog is allergic and then what types of foods are safe and healthy for him.

Dog allergies are very similar to human's - with similar symptoms and causes.

There are generally fine types of dog allergies:

• Food allergy
• Bacteria allergy
• Flea allergy
• Contact allergy
• Skin allergy

Here are some helpful tips about food allergies for your pet...

Dog Food Allergies Causes and Signs

The most common symptom of food allergies is scratching, due to skin irritation. Dog foods contain a host of ingredients which can cause an allergic reaction to your dog.

Some of these ingredients are:

Meats: Beef, Chicken, Pork, Lamb, Fish, Eggs
Diary products (Milk)
Grains (Wheat, Whey) Corn

Most dog owners often scold their dog for scratching too much. Any obsessive behavior your dog demonstrates, such as constant scratching, chewing, licking, requires immediate attention.

Never assume that this is just a new habit your dog picked up. Dog allergies can make your dog very uncomfortable.

Aside from scratching, some of the other symptoms dogs can experience are:

• sneezing
• coughing
• eye and nose discharge
• Itching around the anus
• hair loss
• loss of appetite
• pawing at their ears or head shaking
• vomiting
• breathing problems

Food allergies affect both males and females and neutered and intact animals equally.

They can show up as early as five months and as late as 12 years of age, though the vast majority of cases occur between 2 and 6 years. Many animals with food allergies also have concurrent inhalant or contact allergies.

Some Solution Ideas...

Some common types of pet food that causes allergies are wheat, corn and soy. Also different proteins also create their share of problems in certain dogs.

Even some dogs have been reported to be allergic to chicket and regular red meat. So every dog is different.

Here's a helpful technique to try to see what goes about your own dog if you guess he might be allergic to food...

If he keeps itching and scratching a lot, the problem may not be because of the food allergy but simply because lack of Omega 3,6 in your dog's diet. This can make their skin dry.

Winter indoor heating may also be exacerbating the condition.

Excessive and compulsive foot licking, or chewing and biting other parts of the body, are generally a sign that allergies are to blame.

Dog Food Allergy or Intolerance?

There is a distinction that needs to be made between food allergies and food intolerances.

Food allergies are true allergies and show the characteristic symptoms of itching and skin problems associated with canine and feline allergies.

Food intolerances can result in diarrhea or vomiting and do not create a typical allergic response. Food intolerances in pets would be similar to people that get diarrhea or an upset stomach from eating spicy or fried foods.

Fortunately, both food intolerances and allergies can be eliminated with a diet free from offending agents.

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