Dog Food Allergy Treatment
Dog food allergy treatment boils down to one underlying principle: identify foods your dog is allergic to and avoid feeding him those. “That’s why the elimination diet and trial period is so essential,” says Shmalberg, “as it’s the only way to identify which foods, and food proteins, a dog can tolerate and which he can’t.” Now, if it’s a food intolerance rather than an allergy , a food trial is still helpful, but a simple change of diet can be just as effective. “A diet with a different composition from the one currently being fed is often enough to improve symptoms,” Shmalberg explains.
Unless formulated well, with the advice of a board certified or residency-trained veterinary nutritionist, many homemade diets are deficient in certain critical nutrients.
Aside from that, there are a few other tactics that come up in dealing with food allergies and intolerances. Here’s a brief overview, plus considerations, pros, and cons for each.
Antihistamines and Other Medications
Homemade Dog Food Diets
Vegan Dog Food Diets
Beef Allergies In Dogs
Beef is a common protein source in dog food, so its not surprising that beef allergies are one of the most common food allergies in dogs. Beef allergy in dogs can manifest in a variety of ways, including those listed above. Other common symptoms of beef allergies in dogs include excessive licking or chewing, hair loss, hot spots, and ear infections
If you suspect your dog may be allergic to beef, the best thing you can do is talk to your veterinarian. They will likely recommend a food trial as the first step in diagnosing a food allergy. This involves switching your dog to a limited ingredient diet that does not contain any beef for at least 8-12 weeks. If the symptoms go away during this time, beef is likely the culprit.
But is ground beef good for dogs? And can dogs eat raw beef? If you feed your dog a homemade or raw diet, you may be wondering if you can still include beef in their meals. As long as your dog has not been diagnosed with a beef allergy, theres no reason why they cant eat raw beef or ground beef as part of their diet.
However, if your dog does have a beef allergy, its important to avoid all products that contain beef including raw and ground beef to prevent a reaction.
Food Allergies In Dogs: Vet’s Guide To Symptoms And Treatment
Food allergies in dogs can cause constant itching heres what to do about it
If your dog has been an itchy mess during all seasons of the year, it is possible that a food allergy is to blame. Skin problems are one of the most common reasons why dogs are brought to the veterinary clinic every year and many pet owners are all too familiar with their dogs constant licking and scratching.
Although food allergies are much less common in dogs than pet food ads would have you believe, they are still a significant cause for concern. Its worth considering the best dog food for allergies if your vet has diagnosed your pet with the condition.
Food allergies can leave your dogs skin itchy, red, irritated, and uncomfortable, and can also lead to digestive problems such as diarrhea, flatulence, and weight loss. If you suspect that food allergies may be affecting your pup, read on to learn more about this important canine condition and what you can do to help your dog.
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Antihistamines And Other Treatments
Your vet may prescribe Benadryl for the itching. Topical anti-itch shampoos and ointments can help as well just make sure they are approved by your vet. Your vet may prescribe an antibiotic or antifungal treatment like cephalexin or ketoconazole. These are often helpful in the short run but may not be very effective long term. Anti-inflammatory medications like steroids are not helpful when it comes to canine food allergy symptoms.
If your dog is experiencing severe vomiting, diarrhea or other clinical symptoms, he or she may require hospitalization for intravenous fluid administration, antibiotics and supportive care. In most cases, your dog will not need hospitalization.
Common Food Allergies In Dogs
Many pet owners worry about their dogs diet. It is more than just providing daily sustenance pet owners want to ensure their dogs have the best possible food at all stages of life, from puppies to seniors. Unlike people, dogs cannot communicate their feelings or discomfort and it can be challenging to know when your dog is being fussy and when it actually cannot eat something.
Food allergies are common in dogs and some foods are more likely to provoke an allergic reaction. Explore below how allergies work in dogs and what you can do to ensure your dog gets the right food for every meal.
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Iv How Can You Feed A Dog With Food Allergies
Once youve managed to find the culprit for the food allergy, you should go to great lengths to keep that ingredient away from your dog.
You could consider a prescription food. Speak with your vet about this.
Another option is to make some homemade dog food, but this may not give your dog the right balance of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
Hypoallergenic foods are worth exploring. These harness hydrolyzed proteins. In plain English, the protein content of the food is broken down into tiny molecules to minimize the chance of an allergic reaction.
Arguably the best option, though, is to use a limited ingredient dog food.
OK, to round out today, weve assembled a list of some of the most frequently asked questions about dog allergies so you have everything you need in one place.
Food Allergies In Dogs
If you believe that your dog is suffering from food allergies, or a sensitivity to an ingredient in their usual food it’s important to find out what the problematic ingredient is in order to remove it from their diet, but still maintain optimum nutrition.
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Summary Of The Difference Between Food Allergies And Environmental Allergies In Dogs
Food and environmental allergies can wreak havoc on your dogs skin and overall happiness. While symptoms of both often overlap, there is a big difference between food and environmental allergies for dogs, so its important to speak to your veterinarian for advice. Theyll be able to help you decide whether its best to try an elimination diet or to conduct testing for environmental allergies. It can take time to figure out what is triggering your dogs allergies, and how best to treat them: what works for one dog may not work for another, so patience is key. But by being a knowledgeable advocate for your dog and with a lot of help from your vet you can figure out how to prevent your pups allergies from being a pain in the paw.
What Most Commonly Causes Food Allergies In Dogs
Dogs, just like humans, can sometimes be genetically predisposed to picking up allergies. Environmental factors can also impact allergies. Research in this area is robust and ongoing, specifically into the immune system during the first few weeks of life. If young dogs are treated with a course of antibiotics, this can trigger changes to the canine gut environment. This is the largest of the immune organs in your dogs body.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Food Allergies
Roughly 7.6 percent of dogs have some sort of food allergy, so all dog owners should monitor their dogs for physical symptoms that could be connected to a food allergy. These symptoms include:
- Pigmented, scaly, oily or leathery skin
- Itching, particularly itchy paws
- Red eyes or eye discharge
Many mass-produced dog foods contain some, if not all, of these ingredients. All dog owners must know what their pup is eating to better understand their allergies and preferences. Organic dog food from manufacturers like Open Farm is a better option for dogs with food allergies. Open Farm pet foods are made with whole, human-grade ingredients with no filler, so owners know exactly what their dog is eating every meal.
I What Is A Canine Food Allergy
A food allergy in dogs occurs in the same way as food allergies in humans. Many people have allergies to nuts, for instances. Some are allergic to fruits like strawberries.
Food allergy is among the top five hypersensitivities known to impact dogs adversely.
If your dog develops an allergy, his immune system will overreact by producing antibodies to substances that are normally well-tolerated. When its a food triggering the allergic reaction, Rovers immune system produces antibodies against some part of that food, typically either a form of protein or complex carbohydrate.
In order for a full-blown allergy to develop, your dogs immune system needs to start producing antibodies. This means that most food allergies develop after sustained exposure to a single type of food, or food exclusively from a single brand.
Now, a food allergy is not the same as a food intolerance. If your dog has a food intolerance, he might find problems digesting some ingredients dairy, for example where with a food allergy, an immune response is triggered by the food.
Essentially, your dogs immune system makes a mistake. It identifies a component of the food usually protein or carbs as harmful rather than beneficial. Resultantly, your furballs system starts kicking out defensive antibodies to fight back against this ingredient based on this flawed response.
If your dog has developed a legitimate food allergy, look out for any of the following common markers:
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Allergies Vs Toxicity In Dogs
So, what is the difference between an allergy and toxicity?
Toxic foods, such as chocolate or avocado, will cause an adverse reaction in all dogs because they contain toxins that our dogs cant process. On the other hand, food allergies are usually developed over time and are only present in some dogs, such as an allergy to beef or eggs. Most dogs can eat beef or eggs with no side effects. However, a dog with an allergy to one of these ingredients may experience negative side effects that can mimic the symptoms of a dog who ate something toxic.
Signs Your Dog Is Having An Allergic Reaction To Food
Diagnosis of food allergies in dogs begins first with recognizing symptoms. Since some symptoms may signify other health issues or conditions, besides allergies, its important to closely monitor the extent and severity. As always, owners should plan to visit a veterinarian or specialist if symptoms persist.
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Contact Allergies In Dogscontact Allergies Can Cause Dog Skin Problems
Contact allergies in dogs are treated by removing the allergen, and in extreme cases with antihistamines or steroids to treat the symptoms. It can sometimes be challenging to identify the allergen, especially if your dog develops an allergy to a product that you have been using for some time.
Try keeping a record of every substance that you are putting on your dog, and cross-referencing when the allergic reaction occurs. This can help you to identify the allergen and then remove it.
Hereditary Predisposition To Dog Food Allergies
Allergies in dogs are a genetic problem, amongst others. Meaning your dog could come from a line of dogs that have allergies. The area you got him from, and the breeder could also have an impact. According to WebMD, some breeds are more prone to allergies like retrievers, German shepherds, Dachshunds and cocker spaniels.
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Allergy Medicine For Dogs
Other allergy medications for dogs include Chlortrimeton and Atarax , both of which are antihistamines.
Another popular way to treat dog allergies is to give supplements of EPA , which is an Omega-3 Fatty Acid and can work in synergy with an antihistamine to reduce allergic reaction symptoms in dogs.
Atopica for dogs is definitely well worth asking your vet about!
It takes on the most chronic of allergies!
Can Skin Allergies In Dogs Be Prevented
Unfortunately, because allergies are caused by genetic and environmental factors, they cannot be prevented. We can only manage allergies as they occur. We can prevent flare-ups of allergies by avoiding the offending allergens, such as by feeding a prescription diet to prevent food allergy flare-ups or minimizing dust in the home to reduce environmental allergies.
And although allergies cannot be truly prevented, we do know that there is a genetic component to the development of allergies. This means it is best to avoid breeding dogs with allergies to avoid passing on this condition to the next generation of puppies.
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Is It Likely That My Dog Will Develop Other Food Allergies
Dogs that have developed an allergy to a particular food may develop other food-related allergies in the future. In addition, many dogs with food allergies have other allergies, such as atopy or a flea allergy. If you think your pet may have a food allergy, you should discuss this with your veterinarian, who can help your pet resume a healthier, more comfortable life.
Signs Your Dog Has Food Allergies
Having a dog with allergy issues can be incredibly frustrating for you and your dog. Signs of food allergies in dogs include:
- Recurring ear infections
- And non-stop scratching at his ears, paws, face, and back that drive you crazy
Your vet may have prescribed a seasonal dose of Benadryl or Claritin, but the itching persists. Maybe feed more Omegas to moisturize his skin. You wait it out. Nothing helps, and you are at your wits end seasonal allergies really shouldnt last this long, should they?
Not only are allergies frustrating, but if you are exposing your dog to unaddressed allergens, just treating the symptoms might not be enough.
Allergies are immune system responses where your dogs body goes a little haywire in response to a trigger. And no matter what you do to treat them, if youre exposing your dog to allergens, the problems and discomfort continue.
Below are some common but little-known signs that your dog may be suffering from food allergies.
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A Complete Guide To Dog Allergies: Causes Treatments And More
Dog allergieslike allergies in humans and other animalsoccur when the immune system overreacts to a perceived threat from an outside source. Although increasingly common, it can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Read on to learn more about the causes, symptoms, and management of allergies in dogs.
What Are Allergies In Dogs
Dogslike all other animalshave a complex immune system to keep their bodies healthy, balanced and free of disease. However, when this immune system goes wrong, an allergic reaction can occur.
Viruses or allergen particles can enter the body through various pathways. This can include through inhalation, consumption, through the skin, or via mucous areas such as the eyes or nose.
In response, the body produces white blood cells and antibodies to eliminate the pathogens.
However, this reaction can sometimes get out of control when the body encounters particles that arent actually harmful. Particles such as pollen, dust, or certain foods can trigger an allergic reaction of the immune system and are known as allergens or antigens.
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Dog Food For Food Allergies
If your dog has been diagnosed with a food allergy or food intolerance, you may be wondering what the best type of food is to feed them. The good news is that there are a variety of dog food options available that can help your pup manage their allergies. And with a little trial and error, you should be able to find one that works for your pup.
One type of food to consider is limited ingredient dog food like our Venture recipes. These foods contain fewer ingredients than traditional dog food, making them easier to digest and less likely to trigger an allergic reaction.
Another excellent option is wet dog food for sensitive stomachs, like Lilys Gourmet Buffet in Sauce. The lip-licking savory lamb, limited ingredient wet grain-free dog food is specially formulated for dogs with sensitivities to certain proteins or carbohydrates.
This type of food is easy for your dogs body to break down and can be a good option for pups with digestive issues. Since skin problems are also common in dogs with allergies, it can be beneficial to feed sensitive skin and stomach dog food like Coastal Catch.
Lastly, if your dog has a severe allergy, you may need to consult with a veterinary nutritionist to create a custom diet plan. In general, the best type of food for a dog with allergies is one that is limited in ingredients and easy to digest.
Bronzing Around The Lips
This is most noticeable, again, in breeds with white coats. You will notice their lips, feet, or skin are pink and inflamed. This can indicate a yeast colonization, often triggered by an allergy.
What It Looks Like: Lips, jowls, and toes may be red, pink, and inflamed. Dog will itch often.
What It Means: Yeast-based infection or food allergy.
But First! Rule Out Yeast infection or sunburn
Try This
- Wipe the area with a 50/50 mix of purified water and organic apple cider vinegar.
- You can also add apple cider vinegar to your dogs water or food to reduce acidity and discourage yeast.
- Avoid many veterinary-grade solutions such as benzoyl peroxide-based products, which can dry out the skin, increasing irritation.
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