Symptoms, Solutions, and Triggers for Food Allergies in Dogs
The most common problems arising in dogs with food allergies are due to specific proteins in the food which the dog’s body is reacting to. This intolerance of some foods has an immediate effect, leading to adverse signs. Food reactions can make the pet uncomfortable, and your pet will show both internal and external signs at the same time. Food allergy is described as an immunologic reaction to food.
To find out the nature of the dog’s food allergy, the owner needs to make a note of the food that had caused it in order to find out the exact symptoms. Allergy due to food intolerance does not affect the immune system, but it occurs as soon as the food is consumed by the dog. It is better to consult a veterinarian for the best guidance as and when you find any allergic symptoms in your dog.
1. Symptoms of food allergy and food intolerance
Dogs with food allergies do not experience only one trait from a single food’s consumption. You need to diagnose the reason for sudden food allergies correctly. The food’s substances may accumulate inside, thus severe symptoms may show up after months of the dog enjoying and relishing the same food. The various signs and symptoms of dogs with food allergies are listed below.
- Redness and patches on the skin
- Constant skin itching
- Biting, licking, and chewing on paws
- Frequent skin infections
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Severe hair loss
- Dry and itchy skin, feet, and hands
- Ear infections
2. Solutions for food allergies
Since dogs with food allergies have an infection that spreads throughout their body, their owners need to treat it immediately after knowing the root cause of the allergy. Follow the below steps to see positive results in the pet soon.
- Firstly, visit the veterinarian to understand the real cause of the dog’s allergy.
- Start with steroid treatment and antihistamines to make the dog recover before the situation gets worse. This treatment may bring temporary improvements. It may only last for a few days until the same symptoms reappear.
- You can try the trial and error method to know the food allergies and food intolerances in your pets. It can be highly effective when you altogether remove potentially dangerous items from your pet’s diet and introduce newly recommended foods slowly to see whether your pet’s condition improves.
3. Common triggers of food allergies in pets
Dogs with food allergies suffer due to certain specific protein-rich food items that the body cannot take, and start showing internal and external symptoms at a certain point in time. Foods that could act as potential triggers for allergies in dogs are listed below:
- Eggs
- Corn
- Chicken
- Beef
- Wheat
- Soy products
- Dairy products
The introduction of readymade pet food available in local markets could relieve your pet from food allergies. These foods mainly contain those ingredients and food properties that are not similar to the foods that are safe for them. The components in these pet foods are rice, potato, duck or lamb, which help dogs boost their health and increase energy levels, thus improving their health quickly.