Is your dog itching a lot and shaking his head constantly? Consulted your veterinary doctor, did they tell you it's a dog food allergy? What does that mean? We'll answer it for you:
Symptoms of Dog Food Allergy:
- Chronic Ear Inflammation
- Gastrointestinal Problems
- Chronic Diarrhea to Chronic Gas
- Licking their feet, or an itchy rear end
- If your dog vomits frequently, has diarrhea, irritated skin, a poor coat condition or hair loss, then he may have a food allergy.
What caused food allergy in my dog?
When triggered, it's a genetic problem caused by exposure to anything your pet is allergic to. The most common allergens seen in pets are beef, dairy, wheat, egg, chicken, lamb, soy, pork, rabbit, and fish. Most of the dogs are generally allergic to more than one substance.
Young animals treated with antibiotics could potentially be predisposed to problems later in life because antibiotics change the environment inside the gut. This is the largest immune organ in the body that can be a predisposing cause, but then the trigger would be being exposed to the allergen.
Retrievers, German Shepherds, Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniels are the most commonly affected dog breeds.
How to prevent food allergy in my dog?
Provide a diet that has some variety in it. This helps in giving them a natural rotation which helps maintain the gut health.
For young puppies and kittens, the use of antibiotics is a big concern. It messes up their gut balance and makes them more likely to become allergic over time. Hence, avoid antibiotics and use probiotics up to six months to one year of age. Don't forget to give them a diet that’s fairly high in variety.