Lately, you’ve noticed that your dog is constantly itchy and shaking its head in an alarming fashion. In addition, you have observed your four-legged friend suffering from one or more of the following symptoms: chronic gas, chronic diarrhea, ear inflammation, gastrointestinal issues and a very itch rear end.
Take your dog to the veterinarian. Your veterinarian will conduct a thorough muzzle-to-tail check-up, to rule out any maladies that may be causing the symptoms. If no diseases are found, your veterinarian might suggest your pooch is suffering from a food allergy.
What types of food can cause an allergic reaction in my dog? The foods commonly associated with allergens are beef, chicken, fish, lamb, pork, rabbit, dairy, egg, soy, and wheat. That’s right. These are the foods you would typically feed your pooch.
How can I determine which foods are causing my dog’s allergies? Basically, the best way to determine if your dog is allergic to certain foods is through the process of elimination. The first step is to remove everything your dog normally eats. Then you need to feed it food that it has never had before. You may want to feed it exotic foods such as deer, elk or even alligator. If after a couple of weeks your dog’s allergies improve, you will need to reintroduce the food it was previously eating. If the allergies return, then you will know which food is causing the allergy. Keep in mind your dog might be allergic to more than one type of food.
Is there anything I can give my puppy to prevent food allergies? At this point, no wonder drug has been developed to prevent food allergies in dogs. Although it has been observed that giving a puppy probiotics has helped optimize a dog’s gastrointestinal health, plus feeding it a diet with lots of variety has reduced its chances of developing food allergies.
Most probiotics for dogs do not require a prescription and can be easily purchased online. Some of the more common ones are: Vetri-Science Mega Probiotic , Synacore Digestive Support for Dogs , and Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets FortiFlora Dog Supplement.
During the elimination phase you may want to feed your dog:
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Canine Formula w/Roasted Bison and Venison – is a premium grain-free dog food made with quality ingredients such as: roasted bison and venison, which provides highly digestible energy for your active dog. It also includes all natural fruits and vegetables such as: sweet potatoes, peas, blueberries, raspberries, and tomatoes for antioxidant support.
Hill’s Prescription Diet z/d Canine Skin/Food Sensitivities (formerly ULTRA Allergen-Free) is a complete and balanced dog food that provides all the nutrition dogs need. This formula is composed of highly digestible proteins that minimize the chances of allergic reactions to food.
Taste of the Wild Wetlands Canine Formula w/Roasted Fowl is a premium grain-free dog food with tasty quality protein (roasted fowl), plus sweet potatoes and peas which provide highly digestible energy for your active dog. It is supplemented with healthy vegetables and fruits to deliver essential antioxidant support.
Purina Veterinary Diets HA HypoAllergenic brand Canine Formula provides complete and balanced nutrition for the growth of puppies and maintenance of the adult dog.
To sum it up, dogs with food allergies is very common. Symptoms include constant itching, head shaking, chronic gas, chronic diarrhea, ear inflammation, gastrointestinal issues and an itchy rear end. If your dog exhibits one or more of these symptoms take it to a veterinarian for a complete check-up to rule out any diseases. The best diagnoses for allergies in dogs is to eliminate everything your dog normally eats. For a period of time, feed it foods that are not part of its diet. You might want to try feeding it deer, bison, elk or bison. After a period of time, determined by your veterinarian, reintroduce its old food. If the allergic reaction reappears, then you will be able to determine which foods are causing your dog’s allergy. Giving your dog probiotics as a puppy will help promote its gastrointestinal health.
What types of food do you feed a dog with allergies?
Share them with us in the comments section.
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