Did you know that your dog can experience allergies just as you might? This can include sensitivities to what they eat. Today, our Toledo vets talk about the signs of food allergies in dogs and what the best types of dog foods may be.
Can dogs have allergies to dog food?
Did you know that your dog can be allergic to dog food? While uncommon, some dogs can experience food allergies or sensitivity to an ingredient in their usual food, it's important to know what the most common symptoms of food allergies are, and what to do if your dog is diagnosed with a food allergy.
Signs of Food Allergies in Dogs
These allergies are able to appear at any point in a dog's life but are most commonly noted before the dog's first birthday.
Some of the typical signs of food allergies in dogs include:
- Red, irritated skin
- Itching
- Gassiness
- Rashes on the ears and feet
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
Underlying Causes Behind Dog Food Allergies
Problems from animal or plant-based ingredients in a dog's diet are most often to blame for dog allergies. Typically, corn, dairy, beef and wheat are the most problematic foods for dogs. While it may seem counterintuitive, it can take a fairly long time for symptoms of food allergies to appear. It's not unusual for a dog to exhibit allergy symptoms after eating food they've been dining on for many months.
How are food allergies in dogs diagnosed?
The only real way to diagnose food allergies in dogs is through an elimination diet.
If your vet conducts a physical exam and suspects that your dog is suffering from a food allergy, a specially formulated hypoallergenic dog food will be prescribed for your pet. For a minimum of 8-10 weeks, you will only feed your dog the prescribed food in order to gauge whether the change in diet helps to alleviate your dog's symptoms.
It is essential that only the hypoallergenic food is given to your dog while they are on the elimination diet. (Unfortunately, that means no sneaking in the odd treat). This special 10-week diet will allow your dog's body to adjust to the food and give your vet the opportunity to assess your dog's overall health.
If your dog's symptoms clear up while on the elimination diet, your vet may request that you return to feeding your dog their original diet. If original symptoms return then your vet can be confident that your dog has a food allergy.
What are the best dog foods for dogs with allergies?
Your vet will be able to come up with a plan for meeting the nutritional needs of your dog if they have food allergies. There are a variety of foods and options available for dogs with allergies such as:
Prescription Diets
If your dog's food allergy symptoms are severe, your vet may recommend that you feed your dog a prescription dog food. While this option can be pricey, novel protein and hydrolyzed diets available by prescription are typically superior to those that can be purchased over the counter.
Dogs Food Without Grains
If your pet has a sensitivity to corn, wheat and other grains, a grain-free dog food may be ideal. These foods have the added benefit of also being gluten-free.
Limited Ingredient Dog Foods
Limited ingredient dog foods address the presence of allergens by including just one protein source, (such as beef, lamb or chicken), often combined with just a single carbohydrate source. When shopping for limited-ingredient dog foods it's important to check for a seal of approval from the Association of American Feed Control (AAFCO), as well as a "complete and balanced" claim from the manufacturer.
Novel Ingredient Dog Food
Novel ingredient dog foods replace traditional dog food proteins such as beef and chicken with more unusual proteins such as salmon, duck, or venison. Many novel ingredient dog foods also use unusual carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes to help balance out the diet.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.