What are the symptoms of a dog food allergy?

How do you spot if your dog suffers from an allergy? Does your dog constantly scratch at his face? Does he have a skin infection that is itchy and flaky? Does he have several bowel movements in day? If so, your dog may be suffering from a dog food allergy. This can affect dogs in several different ways from itchy skin infections to digestion issues. Either way it can be controlled.

What are the symptoms? Common symptoms your dog can experience include: itchy skin, hair loss, excessive scratching, ear infections, and hot spots. These symptoms are common in many other dog allergies besides a dog food. Therefore, it is crucial that you make sure that your dog has a food related illness as opposed to something else that has similar symptoms.

What other conditions cause these symptoms? Your dog could be experiencing a reaction to a flea bite, mange, intestinal parasites, yeast and bacterial infections can cause similar symptoms. Therefore, it is imperative that you make an appointment with your veterinarian to find the root of your dog’s symptoms. If your veterinarian suspects dog food is the problem then they will conduct a food trial. The food trial consists of controlling exactly what your dog eats. Your dog will need to consume a prescription dog food that will test to see if he is suffering from a dog food allergy. A typical dog food trial normally lasts three months. If your dog’s skin and other symptoms clear up then a removal of the old dog food is necessary.

It is useful to note that a dog food allergy can occur at any age. Your young puppy can show immediate signs of a problem. Or your senior dog may suddenly develop an adverse reaction to the dog food they have eaten for years. This can pop up at anytime. Both male and female dogs are susceptible.

Identifying the source of the problem is best handled by a veterinarian. A veterinarian can properly diagnose the cause of your dog’s problem and arm you with the appropriate tools to help alleviate the symptoms.

Also read our article about Allergy Pets