Food allergies are not exclusive to humans, but they can certainly be difficult to diagnose in pets, especially when dog food allergies appear to manifest so quickly. The biggest problem of course, is the pet’s inability to communicate to his master the symptoms effectively, and they are so many times confused with other conditions.
Symptoms of dog food allergies include excessive scratching, hair loss, skin infections, as well as ear infections. Oftentimes, antibiotics used for skin infections will clear them up briefly, but then they will reoccur when the antibiotics are completed.
An animal that has itchy skin that does not seem to be improving with the use of antihistamines or steroids, may be suffering form dog food allergies.
Since most dog food is made from beef, chicken, wheat, eggs, soy and dairy products, it should be no surprise that most allergies to dog food are caused by one of these ingredients.
When pet food companies began marketing lamb and rice formulas many dog food allergies seemed to go away.
Many veterinarians agree that it is not because of something special in the lamb and rice formulas that reduced the incidence of dog food allergies, but rather that the dog’s diet was changed and the animal had not developed intolerance to the new food.
Dietary Change To Test For Food Allergies
Once other causes are ruled out, such as flea bites, intestinal parasites, yeast or bacterial infections, a dietary change may be needed to reduce the symptoms of dog food allergies.
A new food source containing protein and carbohydrate should be the only diet of the pet and given at least around 12 weeks to determine which ingredient is the allergen in the old pet food.
The food source must be completely different than the previous one given. No treats or other food should be given. Once this has been determined, the pet is not having an adverse reaction to the new food; other foods can then be added. If however, symptoms to occur, that food would then also be eliminated.