Food allergies are common among dogs who are fed the same diet for many years.
Food allergies in dogs result from an immune-system overreaction to a usually inoffensive protein or grain source, according to the Modern Dog Magazine website. A long-term diet of specific meats, grains and starches can cause allergic symptoms in dogs. Ten percent of all allergy cases in dogs relate to food. Diagnosing and treating food allergies in your dog takes time and patience.
Allergens in Dog Food
Beef, wheat, fish and dairy products such as eggs are the cause of 80 percent of food allergies in dogs. Other common dog-food allergens include chicken, pork, corn, soy products, yeast and lamb. Dogs are often allergic to more than one food. Allergies to dog food happen over time, after a dog has eaten the same diet for at least two years. The longer a dog is on a specific diet, the likelier he is to develop an allergy to his food. Some breeds are predisposed to allergies in food. According to WebMd, boxers, spaniels, German shepherds, retrievers , dachshunds, collies, Dalmatians and several types of terriers are all prone to food allergies.
Symptoms
Food allergies cause dry, itchy skin and excessive scratching or licking, as well as bald patches and poor coat quality. Skin irritation around the face, ears, forelegs and armpits develops first, and is present in 80 percent of food-allergy cases. Dogs with food allergies also develop hot spots, or itchy sores. Diarrhea and vomiting may occur. In more than 60 percent of cases, dogs will have itchy paws, and may chew at their feet for relief. Symptoms can materialize within an hour of eating an allergen.
Diagnosing and Treating Allergies
Several common diseases cause symptoms similar to food allergies, reports the Feed My Dog website. See your dog's vet to rule out scabies, ringworm, mange, bacterial infections and flea infestations. Allergies to other environmental triggers, including grass, pollen and ragweed, can all be culprits as well. Once your vet confirms that your dog has food allergies, you can begin testing with an elimination diet to determine your dog's food triggers. If his reaction to food is severe, a two-week course of corticosteroids can alleviate symptoms while the elimination diet begins to work.
Changing the Diet
An elimination diet will pinpoint the allergen causing your dog's symptoms. Stop feeding your dog his traditional diet and put him on a new protein and grain or starch combination. Proteins least likely to cause allergies include duck, venison, kangaroo and rabbit. Less allergenic grains and starches include oatmeal, rice, modified soy and sweet potato. These formulations are available in commercial foods sold through pet-supplies retailers. Feed your dog the new diet for 12 weeks, keeping him away from all other dog foods, snacks, rawhide chews and flavored medications. If your dog shows no symptoms after three months, separately add back his former protein source, and then the grain source, to see which one caused his symptoms. Permanently banish the trigger from your dog's diet. Allergy-prone dogs could develop new allergies if you don't rotate their food. Find three foods that your dog tolerates well, and switch them out every few months to prevent future allergies.
Allergy-free Brands
It's tempting to make home-cooked meals for your dog using fresh meat, grains and produce. But commercially made pet foods contain nutrient balances that are difficult to replicate in homemade versions. Pet-supplies retailers in your neighborhood and on the Internet carry numerous hypoallergenic dog diets, which are made with smaller protein molecules that cause fewer reactions. Brands that offer hypoallergenic kibble include Royal Canin, Purina, Canidae, Eagle Pack and Solid Gold.
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