Common Pet Food Allergies

Pet food allergies can be one of the most frustrating things to have to deal with as an owner. Your pet obviously has to continue to eat food in order to survive, but the food that he eats can also cause him a wide variety of mild to severe allergic reactions. It can be very difficult to determine exactly which element of the food is responsible for the reaction; a number of elimination diets that reduce or eliminate the presence of certain ingredients in his food will help you to determine exactly what is causing the allergic reaction.

Common Dog Allergies

Dogs are oftentimes allergic to beef. This makes for a very difficult time finding a good food option for your pet, as most wholesome and balanced diets contain a mixture of beef, lamb, pork and other meats. If your pet does have a beef allergy, however, in the last few years there have been a large number of new alternative types of food that feature different meats and reduced beef content so that you can help to control your dog's allergy.

Dairy products are also a problem for many dogs. Because these are not common ingredients in the average dog's diet in the wild, you should be aware that many dogs experience allergic reactions to these products. While yogurt and cheese can be helpful in addressing certain gastric and intestinal problems in dogs, it's crucial that you keep in mind that these are not common diets for most dogs.

There are many other potential causes of allergic reactions in dog foods. Some of these include the following:

  • Chicken
  • Soy products
  • Fish
  • Preservatives and chemical coloring agents

Common Cat Allergies

Cat foods are notorious for having chemical coloring agents that result in allergic reactions from the cats themselves. Be sure to select a good quality food that doesn't have any artificial preservatives or coloring dyes.

Corn and airy products are not a part of most cats' diets when they are in the wild. Cats have developed to eat meat exclusively; this is the reason why a "vegetarian cat" will not be healthy at all.  If the amount of corn and dairy filler in your pet's diet is too high, it may cause a number of different adverse reactions in your pet. Be sure that you give your cat a high protein, high meat diet.

Many cats are also allergic to egg or egg whites. These are often included in cat food as a way of getting a higher protein content. However, it's a good idea for you to avoid foods that contain these ingredients, particularly if your pet is allergic.

In order to figure out which allergen is causing your pet's reaction, you'll need to work with your vet to try out a few different specialty diets. These will help to isolate certain ingredients in your pet's system and to give you a sense of what is causing his reaction. This process can take a long time and it requires your dedication.

 

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