Dog Food Allergies
- what you need to know

Today, allergies in dogs are becoming more common - and dog food allergies are responsible for about 10% of all dog allergy problems.

Allergic reactions and symptoms can appear immediately after Fido has eaten the offending food, or food allergies in dogs 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!". 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.

An allergic reaction to a food does not occur with the first exposure, it requires a second or subsequent exposures before an allergy will surface.

Dog food allergy symptoms

• Skin Problems
  Itchy, irritated skin is a very common sign of allergies in dogs. A dog with itchy skin will scratch excessively, lick himself (a lot!) and even bite at himself - especially his legs and feet. Other signs of itchiness are rubbing his face with his paws or on the carpet or other objects, hair loss and/or patches of red, scaly skin.


• Stomach/Digestive Problems
  Another sign of dog food allergies can be vomiting and/or diarrhea. Very frequent (more than 2 per day) bowel movements, even if not diarrhea, can also be a sign of a food allergy. So can excessive flatulence!


• Breathing Problems
  Symptoms familiar to human allergy sufferers, such as wheezing, coughing and sneezing, can also be signs of canine food allergies in your pup.

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 -

• The symptoms are chronic and present all year round and are not influenced by seasonal changes


• Your veterinarian has treated your pup with antihistamines and/or steroid medications and it hasn't really helped


• Your pup is still young and has chronic skin problems and/or ear problems

Some of the ingredients in dog food that are most likely to trigger an allergic reaction include -

• Beef
• Dairy Products
• Chicken
• Wheat
• Yeast
• Eggs
• Corn
• Soy
• Pork
• Preservatives

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 allergies

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 and more exotic or unusual ingredients as these are less likely to cause problems. 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!

Which dog's are most susceptible to dog food allergies?

In other words, some dog breeds are just more likely to be 'allergic' than others. Some of the breeds in this category are -

• Terrier breeds
• Bulldog breeds
• Labrador Retriever & Golden Retriever
• Cocker Spaniel
• Boxer
• Schauzer
• Irish Setter
• Dalmation

Allergy Dog Food

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.

Organix Puppy Formula 6 lbs.

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!

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.

For puppies or dogs with wheat intolerance/allergies, try Just Wheat Free Dog Treats Specially Selected Dog Treats without Wheat, Corn or Soy."

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