Dogs may develop allergy to dog food. The food allergy must be differentiated from food intolerance. Food allergies cause different symptoms in dogs. Food intolerance will be indicated by temporary vomiting and diarrhea, while allergies will cause hair loss, dermatitis and skin itchiness. Food allergies may occur typically after the age of 2.
Symptoms of Food Allergies
Before getting a low allergy dog food, it is important to identify the food allergies and find the exact ingredients that cause the allergies.
The symptoms of allergies include hair loss, itchy skin, excessive scratching, licking and biting or skin, dermatitis, chronic yeast infections or hot spots.
The food allergy symptoms will be present year round, as they are caused by an ingredient the dog eats on a daily basis.
Food Allergens
Identifying the food allergens is important in determining the type of low allergy dog food required.
Common food allergens include beef, corn, wheat, soy, dairies, eggs, chicken or other preservatives and additives.
Food Testing
The only way to detect the culprit food that causes allergies is to feed your dog a special diet and by eliminating one suspected allergy at a time.
For example, the dog should consume a diet containing 1 part protein and 4 parts carbs for 3 months. The protein may be chicken and the carbs may be rice or potatoes.
The dog is not allowed to eat any other types of foods during the trial periods. If the dog continues to develop an allergic reaction, this means that he is allergic to one of the 2 ingredients in his diet.
Once the allergen is detected, the dog should receive low allergy dog food.
Low Allergy Dog Food
The low allergy dog food may be of different types, depending on what the dog is allergic to.
These hypoallergenic foods contain two food sources the dog tolerates. A few common ingredients present in hypoallergenic foods include turkey, salmon, millet, venison, lamb, rice or sweet potatoes. Some of these low allergy foods contain raw meats, as some dogs may be allergic to cocked meat.
In time, when the dog has gotten used to the hypoallergenic diet, you may gradually introduce an additional ingredient, to see if the dog is allergic to it. Several ingredients may be added, one at a time, so that the dog has a balanced diet. As you add new ingredients to your dog’s diet, the vet may recommend a different type of low allergy food that contains all the ingredients your dog can eat. Meanwhile, the vet may recommend mineral and vitamins or other dietary supplements to ensure that the dog has all the nutrients he requires.
There are low allergy dog foods available in pet stores; make sure that these foods don’t contain artificial colorings or artificial flavors, which may often cause allergies.
Alternatively, the food can be prepared at home with quality, fresh ingredients. Talk to your vet to recommend you 2 ingredients and get the supplements your dog needs. Some vets recommend organic ingredients only.