Itching, licking, and scratching are considered normal behaviours in dogs. However, if you notice excessive itching and scratching or digestive discomfort without any apparent reasons, food allergy could be the hidden culprit. Food allergies can be a perplexing challenge as they affect the health, behaviour, and overall well-being of our canine companions.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take a closer look at food allergies in dogs. We’ll explore the fundamentals, common symptoms, diagnosis, and steps you can take to manage them effectively. By understanding the root causes and learning the right approach, you can ensure your pup leads a happy, itch-free, and energetic life.
Let’s start with the fundamentals!
What is Food Allergies in Dogs?
Food allergy in dogs is essentially an immune response to specific ingredients in their diet, usually a protein or complex carbohydrate. When a dog with food allergies is exposed to a certain food they’re allergic to, the immune system sees it as a foreign substance and attacks it. Now, this attack can cause a reaction that reflects in skin or gastrointestinal issues.
Food allergies can develop at any stage, but they often emerge after prolonged exposure to a particular food or ingredient. However, identifying the underlying cause of food allergies can be challenging, as they are unique to specific pets and can occur due to several food items.
Here are some common food allergies in dogs:
- Eggs
- Wheat
- Chicken
- Beef
- Dairy
- Soy
How Do I Know if My Dog Has a Food Allergy?
In this segment, we’ll discuss the common dog food allergy symptoms to help you identify food allergies in dogs.
Skin issues: Itching, skin/ear infections, hot spots, hair loss, and redness.
Gastrointestinal issues: vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive gas, and appetite loss.
Other issues: Weight loss, hives, and facial swelling.
If you notice some or all of these symptoms, consult with your vet and book an appointment at earliest.
How to Handle Food Allergies in Dogs?
Ideally, you can’t cure food allergies or intolerances, but they can be managed. Therefore, the main goal is to identify the harmful ingredients and avoid them. The treatment can be separated into two stages: diagnosis and management.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis starts with a physical examination and enquiry about the medical history to narrow down the allergens. In this, the symptoms, lifestyle, onset of the allergies, and diet history of the pet are studied. However, the most practical and practiced method by professionals is an elimination diet.
This involves feeding the dog a novel protein and carbohydrate source or a hydrolysed protein diet for 8-12 weeks. The special diet is formulated by eliminating the ingredients in the dog’s previous diet to determine if the symptoms are reduced. Then, the dog is gradually introduced to the previous diet with individual food items to identify the specific allergen.
Management
Once the allergens are identified, the vet will recommend dietary changes to manage the allergies. They will also suggest treatments to manage the symptoms or secondary infections, such as bacterial and yeast infections.
For long-term management, you can provide home-cooked meals with the guidance of your vet or get diet-specific food suitable for your dog. You can also introduce natural foods and supplements to support their diet after consulting with your vet.
Parting Words
Well, this brings us to the end of our comprehensive guide on food allergies in dogs. Identifying food allergies can be challenging, but with the right knowledge and professional support, managing them becomes much easier. With patience and care, you can help your furry friend live a comfortable, allergy-free life.
