For some people, dog allergies mean their own runny, stuffy noses: for others, it means their pet’s runny, stuffy nose!
All jokes aside, allergies seem to be a fact of life for many companion animals. (While both birds and mammals seem to acquire allergies, it’s unclear whether all species can.)
Allergies for dogs can be confusing. First of all, just as in humans, allergies in dogs develop over time. So, even though your dog has always eaten Purina Dog Chow does not mean that his kibbles are not the source of a new food reaction.
Keep in mind that an allergy requires exposure to develop. Research shows that food allergies in dogs are usually related to beef, dairy, chicken, wheat, eggs, corn, soy, yeast, preservatives and colorings. This means that a lot of the most frequent ingredients in both dry and wet dog food are potential allergens.
When a dog develops an allergy, the symptoms will differ from your allergic reaction. You can see such things as excessive itching, licking or scratching; rashes; red, scaly skin patches; excessive rubbing or pawing at the face and ears; frequent head shaking; stomach and digestive issues; breathing problems; chronic ear infection; eye irritation, infection or inflammation; excessive bowel movements; or even aggression and hyperactiveness.
However, don’t assume it’s not a food allergy just because your dog is scratching at the ears. Allergic symptoms are related to where the mast cells are in the animal’s body. In dogs, there are many more mast cells in the skin than anywhere else. As a result, many of the symptoms have to do with the skin, whether on the face, body or ears.
A veterinarian can test a pet for food allergies. When food is suspected, a 12 week food trial is a low cost way to identify and isolate allergens. This will mean that the dog will be put on a diet that consists of proteins and carbohydrates that the animal has never consumed. If symptoms improve, the original diet will be re-introduced. If symptoms recur, then the diet may be permanently changed – or other testing may be done.
If you find yourself having to change your pet’s diet, it can be a hassle to find food items that are free of suspected problem ingredients. A new product recently released to the market is a duck liver dog treat by Waggin’ Tails Cookies. This is a product that will allow you to give your dog a treat, while still following a restrictive diet.
