Dog Food Allergies......... what you need to knowCanine allergies are becoming increasingly common - and dog food allergies are responsible for about 10% of all dog allergy problems these days. 
Canine allergy symptoms can be quite varied, and it's often difficult to tell whether the symptoms are a result of food allergies or a reaction to other environmental triggers. The fact that dog food allergies often result in symptoms which seem unrelated to digestive issues adds to the confusion. Allergic reactions and symptoms can appear immediately after Fido has eaten the offending food, or they can develop slowly over a period of days, weeks or even months.
Sometimes dog owners rule out the possibility of canine food allergies in their furchild because "they've been eating XXXXX brand of dog food their whole lives!". But an allergic reaction to a food does not occur with the first exposure, it requires a second or subsequent exposure before symptoms of an allergy will show up. Quite often a dog will become allergic to a familiar food, in fact up to 70% of food allergies, in dogs occur after the dog has been eating the same food for more than 2 years.
Symptoms of Canine Food AllergiesAn allergic reaction to dog food causes skin allergies. Dogs may show a a variety of symptoms, including but not limited to -
There are also other symptoms of allergies such as excessive head-shaking, chronic ear problems, irritated eyes with swelling/discharge and even behavior problems (often unusual hyper-activity or aggression). It can be difficult to figure out whether Fido is allergic to environmental triggers such as fleas, mites, internal parasites, grass/pollen/weeds etc. or whether his symptoms are caused by dog food allergies. Some pointers that can help you distinguish between the two are -
Some of the ingredients in dog food that are most likely to trigger an allergic reaction include -
These ingredients most often used in human food are also known to cause food allergies in dogs - Fermented cheese, beef sausage, canned tuna, egg whites and even tomatoes. Another good reason not to feed your pup scraps from the table!
The treatment of dog allergiesIf your puppy is suffering from allergy symptoms, then a visit to your veterinarian is definitely in order. Fido may be one of the many dogs that are allergic to the saliva of fleas, or he may have mites or internal parasites that his body is reacting to.Your veterinarian is the best person to diagnose the problem. If little Fido is reacting to an environmental trigger, medications can be prescribed and there are plenty of soothing baths, ointments and creams that can help him feel more comfortable. Antibiotics can be used to treat any infections that have resulted. Only Natural Pet Aller-Free 7 Herbal Formula However, if your veterinarian thinks your pooch is suffering from dog food allergies he may recommend that you put him on an elimination diet. This basically means you completely eliminate the diet your pup is on now and replace it with a new diet consisting of protein and carbohydrate ingredients that he's not encountered before. You'll then slowly re-introduce the 'old' ingredients, one-by-one, until the allergy symptoms reappear - that way you know what caused the dog food allergies. Your pup needs to be on this elimination diet for about 12 weeks and it's important you only follow this route under the supervision of a veterinarian - to ensure Fido's health and welfare. Once you've isolated the ingredients that are causing your dog's allergy symptoms, it's fairly simple to make sure Fido doesn't eat anything containing those particular things. There are several natural dog foods commercial dog foods that contain natural, holistic and hypo-allergenic ingredients that you can use. Look for those with ingredients such as lamb and rice, duck and potato, even venison, buffalo, ostrich, quail and so on. More exotic or unusual ingredients such as these are less likely to cause problems as your pup or dog hasn't been exposed to them previously. It's important not to jump from one dog food to another while you're trying out an elimination diet. You must give the food you choose enough time to show results. Trying one food after another is likely to cause MORE problems as the chances of another allergic reaction are higher at this time and you'll possibly be 'sensitizing' your dog to new ingredients. If an elimination diet isn't successful in eliminating your dog food allergy problem, talk to your vet before trying a second food choice. Alternatively, you can make your own - homemade dog food this makes it very easy to know EXACTLY what your pup is eating. It's not as hard as you may think and can be very rewarding, just be sure that you only use ingredients that are safe for Fido to eat! Dogs who are suffering from GI problems due to allergic reactions or sensitivities to food ingredients, can really benefit from Only Natural Pet GI Support Only Natural Pet Probiotic Blend Its' gentle formula helps restore the balance of microbes in your pets' intestines. and provides a supply of "friendly" bacteria helps prevent over-reactive, inflammatory responses that can cause diarrhea and other GI problems.
Which dog's are most susceptible to dog food allergies?Although any dog can develop dog food allergies at any time, there are some breeds that have a genetic/breed specific pre-disposition to allergies in general.In other words, some dog breeds are just more likely to be 'allergic' than others. Some of the breeds in this category are -
Canine Food Allergies? Try these...If your puppy or dog suffers from dog food allergies and sensitivities, you may want to try an allergy dog food. They're made with the best ingredients and there's several different variations to suit different needs.Try an allergy dog food from this list and see how much it improves your dogs allergy symptoms. Honest Kitchen Embark 4 lb. Bucket The Honest Kitchen's Embark is a grain-free and low carb premium recipe for all life stages. Uses 100% human grade ingredients. A gourmet puppy and dog food, made with limited carbohydrates and high protein. Great food for puppies and more active dogs. Ideal if your puppy has problems tolerating grains.
This scientifically designed puppy food provides your puppy with balanced and optimal nutrition. Made with organic chicken, brown rice, & flax. Gives your puppy a great start. Natural Balance Fish Sweet Potato Dry Dog 15 lb. Bag Combines fresh salmon and fresh sweet potatoes, protein and carbohydrates not commonly found in dog foods, with natural ingredients. Specifically designed for dogs with food allergies, helps rebuild the dog's immune system. Wellness Simple Venison Dry Dog Food 10.5 lbs. A natural solution for dogs with allergies and food sensitivities. These formulas leave out common ingredients that cause reactions. Each formula to 1 Meat Protein plus 1 Carbohydrate and 3 other essential ingredients. All ingredients are suprior quality. Especially suitable for dogs/breeds that suffer from skin/coat problems, hot spots, ear/eye problems and stomach problems. If your dog has meat allergies try... Wellness Fish & Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food 15 lb. Bag Great for dogs with meat allergies or skin and coat issues, this natural food is made with ocean whitefish. Contains only easily digestible ingredients to help dogs with skin and coat problems related to food intolerances and allergies. A rich source of Omega-3 & 6 fatty acids to nourish the skin.
Try These Natural Dog Treats Too!For puppies and dogs with dog food allergies, treats can sometime be a problem. But not these ones!They're all available from Only Natural Pet Store, Natural Balance Allergy Formula Treats are a proven formula for dogs with allergies. Ideal for puppies that are sensitive to commonly used proteins, carbohydrates and food additives. Available in regular, and small sizes. Solid Gold Tiny Tots are delicious, natural, bite-sized treats, made from lamb and brown rice. Solid Gold specializes in the development of "non-allergenic" products. These are great for dogs who have food allergies/sensitivities. Wellness 'Just For Puppy' Treats contain only healthy ingredients, to help your puppy grow up healthy and strong. No artificial ingredients to upset delicate tummies. We've designed our FREE monthly e-zine 'Puppy Pawprints' especially for you! It's packed with exclusive and original articles, information, tips and whole lot more. Don't miss out on this valuable FREE resource. Sign up today. 10 Best Dog Food Choices
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