Food allergies in dogs, which must be distinguished from food intolerances, are disorders you may experience with some frequency. In this Animal Expert article, we will talk about the key points to recognize a food allergy in dogs. In addition, we’ll explain which treatment is best suited to solve them or, at least, to control them. If you think your dog has an allergy, you should consult your veterinarian to prevent the condition from getting worse.
Although it may initially seem that the symptoms of food allergy in dogs are mainly digestive, the truth is that the most characteristic sign is itching and therefore scratching to relieve it. Food allergy can occur in dogs of all ages and, without the seasonal pattern that occurs in allergies triggered, for example, pollen.
- Foods most related to allergic reactions are meat.
- Milk.
- Eggs.
- Fish.
- Cereals and soy.
- Allergy is a hypersensitivity reaction to a substance.
- In this case a protein.
- Which at first should not be dangerous for the body.
- If the immune system considers them dangerous.
- An allergy occurs.
- The dog must be exposed to the allergen one or more times for the reaction to begin.
- Therefore.
- It is more common in dogs that have followed the same food for a while.
How does food allergy manifest in dogs? As we have already said, allergic food dermatitis in dogs will be the main symptom. This disorder causes severe redness and itching. You may also notice small red bumps and itchy sores. It is quite normal for this skin disorder to affect the lower body and ears, causing allergic ear infections to food in dogs. The hind legs and legs are also often affected.
Finally, allergic diarrhea in dogs is rare. Rapid digestive transit may occur, but in case of food intolerances. Therefore, if you suspect that your dog has an allergic disorder, it is important that the veterinarian confirms this diagnosis, because, in addition to the allergy being confused with intolerance, dermatological disorders may also be due to other types of allergies. dogs or diseases.
As we have just seen, intolerance and allergy in dogs are two completely different pathologies and therefore develop different symptoms. Thus, a dieting intolerant dog will present diarrhea and/or vomiting, accompanied by abdominal pain. A dog allergic to food, on the other hand, will have the symptoms of dermatitis mentioned above. It is clear that in both cases, the dog will not be allergic or intolerant to all diets, but to one or more of its components.
To confirm a diagnosis of food allergy in dogs, the veterinarian will use a hypoallergenic diet test. It consists of offering the animal what is called a disposal regimen, that is, with foods that it has never eaten before, and other foods are disposed of. Various rations or wet foods prepared with few ingredients can be found for sale for less common consumption. In their composition they do not contain preservatives or artificial aromas. There are also products formulated with hydrolyzed proteins. This means that proteins break down into smaller fragments, to which the body does not react. This way, the allergy is not triggered. If the dog’s symptoms improve with this change in food, the diagnosis of food allergy is confirmed.
Of course, it is also possible to achieve this elimination regimen with natural foods. This makes it even easier to find foods that trigger the allergic reaction in dogs. Of course, we recommend that you create this diet under the direction of a veterinarian. Finally, the veterinarian may also order a skin allergy test for major food allergens.
The first thing to clarify is that food allergy cannot be cured, but if you prevent the dog from consuming the food to which it is allergic, it will lead to a normal life. This way, if you want to know how to end allergies in dogs, you already have your answer. Therefore, the treatment consists of figuring out which food the dog has an allergic reaction to. To do this, it is essential to draw up a detailed list of all the foods that the dog has consumed throughout its life, since the goal is to propose a completely new menu.
The new selected diet should be proposed for approximately 8 to 10 weeks. If you notice an improvement, and always according to the vet’s instructions, you can add the foods one by one, to find out what triggered the reaction. It is possible to identify it because, when the food is added again, the dog will show the symptoms again. If a plan works, it will be maintained indefinitely.
Therefore, do not expect an allergy medication in dogs, as the treatment is based exclusively on dietary interventions. On the other hand, it is possible to prescribe medicines if itching causes serious dermatological injuries. The goal, in this case, is to control itching, reduce inflammation or treat injuries, if any. In the next section, we’ll talk about antihistamines.
Allergic reactions are caused by the release of histamine. To treat them, you can use antihistamines, prescribed in case of itching or dermatitis, in this case caused by your dog’s food allergy.
On the market there are several types of antihistamines for dogs, which can be administered and acted in different ways in the body. It is up to the veterinarian to choose the best case and determine the dose. Under no circumstances should you treat your dog with medicines for human use. Antihistamines are only used for symptoms. Corticosteroids may also be used, but again, only a specialist can recommend their use.
In food allergies, it is possible to resort to home remedies, because you can prepare a diet, using fresh foods chosen and controlled by yourself and without any additives, this is a great option for these animals. Of course, for the menu to be balanced it is essential that it is thought with the help of a veterinarian with good knowledge in nutrition, because otherwise, the allergy could be solved but cause nutritional deficiencies. As we have already said, it should be composed of ingredients that the dog has never consumed or that you have tried that do not cause any allergic reaction.
To learn how to start a homemade dog diet, don’t miss our barF dog food article. This type of food usually works very well for food allergies in dogs, so it is an excellent home remedy option to treat this type of allergy in dogs.
If for some reason the dog does not follow a homemade diet, we have already commented that there is a wide variety of food allergies on the market in dogs, as well as other more natural foods, products to treat such problems. In general, these products are made with foods that produce a lower percentage of allergy in dogs, discovered through studies. In addition, they generally do not include artificial colors or flavors. Therefore, we recommend that you always look for rations or foods as natural as possible, based on natural ingredients suitable for human consumption.
Discover natural dog food options in our video on Animal Expert’s YouTube channel:
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any type of condition or discomfort.
If you would like to read articles similar to Food Allergy in Dogs: Symptoms and Treatment, we recommend that you visit our Other Health Problems section.