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submitted: Aug 22nd 2008 | by: DorothyMedlum | Total views: 1 | Word Count: 358 | |

Food allergies are not only for humans. They can be found in your pets and are difficult to diagnose because dog food allergies can appear so rapidly. The greatest problem, of course, is the pet can't let you know what his symptoms are and these are oftentimes confused with other problems.

Symptoms of dog food allergies may include the following: excessive scratching, hair loss, skin infections, as well as ear infections. Many times the antibiotics give for skin infections will clear up briefly, and they reappear when the antibiotics are completed. An animal with itchy skin that doesn't seem to improve with using antihistamines or steroids, may be suffering from dog food allergies.

An animal that has itchy skin that does not seem to be improving with the use of antihistamines or steroids, may be suffering form dog food allergies.

Since most dog food is made from beef, chicken, wheat, eggs, soy and dairy products, it should be no surprise that most allergies to dog food are caused by one of these ingredients.

When pet food companies began producing lamb and rice formulas, many dog food allergies seemed to disappear.

Many veterinarians agree that it is not due to something special in the lamb and rice that reduce the dog food allergies; rather it is the fact that the dog's diet was changed and the animal has not developed an intolerance to the new food.

Dietary Change to Test for Food Allergies

Once other causes are ruled out, such as flea bites, intestinal parasites, yeast or bacterial infections, a dietary change may be needed to reduce the symptoms of dog food allergies.

A new food containing protein and carbohydrate should be the only diet for the pet for about 12 weeks to determine which ingredients in their old food was causing the allergic reaction.

The food source must be completely different than the previous one given. No treats or other food should be given. Once this has been determined, the pet is not having an adverse reaction to the new food; other foods can then be added. If however, symptoms to occur, that food would then also be eliminated.

About the Author

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