Dogs can also be allergic to different kinds of food. If you have a dog, here are three things you should know when it comes to pets and food allergies.

Symptoms of Dog Food Allergies

While symptoms may vary, depending on the kind of dog and the type of food Fido is allergic to, some of the more common symptoms include the following:

  • Skin rash
  • Biting their paw
  • Obsessive licking
  • Hives

Some dogs will also experience nausea and vomiting. It's important to note that food allergies are different than food intolerance. When a dog does not tolerate eating certain foods, it means their digestive symptoms can't properly digest certain ingredients. Food intolerance usually results with a dog experiencing digestive distress such as bloating, gas, or diarrhea. A food allergy on the other hand, occurs when a dog's immune system thinks a particular ingredient is harmful and their body creates antibodies to fight off that ingredient.

Most Common Triggers

When it comes to pet allergies, anything your canine friend is allergic to will trigger an allergic reaction. These are some of the most common culprits:

  • Beef
  • Chicken
  • Dairy
  • Wheat
  • Eggs
  • Soy
  • Fish
  • Rabbit

When it comes to food allergies, dogs are usually allergic to more than one ingredient or type of food. As with humans who suffer with allergies, dogs can get food allergies at any age. Even if a dog has been eating the same food for years, they could suddenly become allergic to it.

If you are hoping to find a way to figure out which types of ingredients or foods your dog is allergic to, you may need to try an elimination diet. The best way to do this is to have your dog stop eating their usual food and replace it with something Fido has never eaten before. As you reintroduce foods your dog used to eat, and you notice a reaction to a particular ingredient, it could signify an allergy. A food allergy test called NutriScan might also be an option.

Preventing Food Allergies

If you have a puppy and are hoping to prevent it from developing food allergies, there may not be much you can do. You should, however, try to ensure your puppy has optimum gut health. You can do this by ensuring your puppy eats a variety of foods as they grow. Some veterinarians also recommend giving probiotics to maintain good digestive health.

For more information, talk to a professional like http://www.oakbrookallergists.com.

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