Dog Food Allergy

Humans are not the ones affected by food allergy.  Even our dogs can experience food allergies too.  Dogs can be allergic to different substances and food allergy is just one of them.  According to experts, food allergy is the third most common allergic disorder in dogs.  Thus, being aware of dog food allergy is very important for every dog owner.

Just like in humans, food allergies can bring about extreme physical reactions that can put your dog’s life in danger.  When a dog eats a certain food, his immune system overreacts and considers the substance in the food as harmful to the body.  To fight these substances, the dog’s system begins to produce “histamines” that will fight the substance.  As a result, these histamines and other chemicals cause allergic symptoms that are also similar to people.

The symptoms of food allergy in dogs include itchiness, weakness, and vomiting.  If your dog refuses to eat, you would need to observe him closer as he could already be experiencing an allergic reaction.  Remember your dog will not be able to tell you if he’s not feeling well.  It is up to you to observe this from his actions.  Keep a close watch on your dog especially after feeding him his food.  This way, you can take immediate action in case your dog experiences an allergic reaction.

If you have a pet, choosing dog foods in the market should be done carefully.  Some brands of dog foods may be using ingredients that can cause allergic reactions in your dog.  In most cases, dogs can show an allergic reaction to chicken, beef, eggs, wheat and dairy products.  These are often the ingredients used in dog foods in the market.  If your dog has an allergy, buying preprocessed dog foods is not recommended.  Instead, you need to find dog foods that are hypoallergenic and are especially made for dogs with allergic disorders.

How can you be sure if your dog has a dog food allergy?  If you see signs of allergic reactions in your dog, the best thing to do would be to take him to a veterinary.  The vet will conduct some allergy tests in your dog to know what specific substance triggers his allergies.  This is important in order to find out which specific food should be avoided.  Your vet will also know what kind diet should be given to your dog to strengthen his immune system.