Dog food allergy can be difficult to spot because of how your dog can seem to be just reacting to the environment or other external factors. But for your dog’s well-being and health, it’s important to figure out their dog food allergy problems and address them immediately.
Here is what you need to know about dog food allergy, its symptoms, and what to do if you think your beloved dog is suffering from it.
Dog Food Allergies
An allergy is an immune system response to a certain trigger. In this case, certain proteins in food trigger an allergic reaction. This causes the body to release histamines or compounds that lead to itching and other symptoms.
This is very different from food intolerance. This happens when their digestive systems are unable to process specific kinds of food, resulting in gastrointestinal problems. One example of this is lactose intolerance.
Common Dog Food Allergy Symptoms
Itchy Skin
This is one of the most common symptoms of allergies in pets. Also known as allergic dermatitis, it can get very itchy at any part of your dog’s body. If not given any relief, it can lead to hair loss in the affected areas.
Red or Brown Nail Beds
If you have a dog breed with white nails, this is going to be easy to spot. This symptom makes your dog’s nail bed red or brown, a sign of an inflammatory immune response. This kind of response isn’t exclusive to allergic reactions but can be a symptom of other issues. It’s better to rule out other possibilities like paw injuries or thyroid issues.
Ear Infections
A persistent ear infection, one that requires treatment 2 to 3 times per year, is an obvious sign of food allergy. While it can also be a symptom of yeast infection or mites, the persistent nature of the infection points to food allergy.
The infection manifests itself through brown or black build-up inside the ear that has a stinky smell. You may also notice your dog shaking its head or scratching its ears too often because of it.
Stomach or Digestive Issues
Another common symptom is gastrointestinal issues like vomiting, diarrhea, or chronic gas. This is easy to spot but can be caused by other issues like a bacterial or viral infection. Make sure to rule them out first and don’t immediately conclude that it’s an allergic reaction.
Swollen Face
Watch out for an inflamed face, lips, eyelids, or ear flaps. This is a serious symptom and you need to visit your vet immediately, regardless if it’s caused by a food allergy or not.
Watery Eyes
People experience watery eyes when they get allergies, the same can happen to dogs. Look out for eye scratching that happens too often, a liquid discharge, or tear stains. These can also indicate environmental allergies aside from dog food allergies.
Effects of Dog Food Allergy
Even though most dog food allergies aren’t life-threatening, your dog can develop serious health issues if it’s left untreated which can affect their quality of life. These health issues include:
- Secondary skin infections
- New allergy development
- Worsened symptoms
- Behavioral changes like restlessness, withdrawal or uninterested in playtime, refusal to eat
Common Food Allergens
Of course, it would be easier to know what kinds of food are the common causes of allergies. Based on research, here are the most common dog food allergens:
- Beef
- Dairy Products
- Chicken
- Wheat
- Soy
- Lamb
- Corn
- Egg
- Pork
- Fish
- Rice
What To Do For Dog Food Allergy
The first and the most important thing to do when you think your dog is allergic to food is to visit your vet to confirm your suspicion. Allergy symptoms are similar to other health problems or diseases, so it’s critical to rule out those possibilities.
Treating allergies is done through medication, topical creams, and a change in diet. Avoiding allergens is the most effective way to prevent any allergic reaction. Your vet can assist you to find out which foods to eliminate from their diet.
Changing their diet can mean switching dog food brands or going for a raw food diet. However, going raw doesn’t guarantee that dog food allergy won’t occur. When changing dog food or their diet altogether, it’s best to work with your vet to find the best option for your dog.