Dog Food Allergy Symptoms

Food allergies are one of the common medical conditions in humans. The same applies to dogs too. Studies show that around 10% of dog allergies are caused by food. So, it is better for dog owners to gain some knowledge about dog food allergy symptoms that is different from that of food intolerances. In case of food intolerance the body fails to digest or process some food and this results in symptoms like, vomiting or diarrhea. These symptoms caused by food intolerances are not like typical allergic responses, but some dogs may exhibit allergic symptoms from food intolerances too. Such dogs have skin problems, hair loss, etc. But, dog food allergy symptoms can be far more disturbing and uncomfortable and difficult to diagnose. This article will provide you with some of the common dog food allergy symptoms.

Dog Food Allergy

You may not be able to pinpoint the cause for the symptoms exhibited by your dog, due to food allergy. While there is a wide range of dog allergy symptoms that may sometimes vary from one dog to another and as per the food type, some symptoms are found to be common for a number of dog illnesses. So, diagnosis of dog food allergy symptoms can be difficult, as you have to rule out the possibility of several other dog health problems, before zeroing in on food allergy symptoms. Once you come to the conclusion that the symptoms are caused by food allergy, you have to find out the particular food ingredient that is causing the symptoms.

It has been observed that allergic reactions are commonly found to be caused by those foods that are being consumed by the dog for at least two years or more. However, allergic reactions may also develop soon after ingesting a newly introduced food, but in most cases, these symptoms are caused by those foods that have been well tolerated by the dog previously. Now, let us take a look at the common dog food allergy symptoms.

Symptoms of Dog Food Allergy

As mentioned above, dog food allergy symptoms are numerous and may vary from one dog to another. However, there are some symptoms that are commonly found in case of food allergies in dogs. The following is a list of such symptoms that include skin reactions, gastrointestinal problems and even behavioral changes.

• Excessive scratching of the skin
• Chewing of feet, legs, paws and tail due to itching
• Rashes, hives and hot spots on the skin
• Recurrent infection of the skin and ears
• Dry and flaky skin, along with hair loss and sores
• Constant head shaking and rubbing of face
• Severe, frequent and persistent vomiting and diarrhea
• Sneezing, wheezing, coughing, seizures and asthmatic symptoms
• Behavioral changes like, hyperactivity or aggression
• Eye irritation with swelling and eye discharge

These were the dog food allergy symptoms. There are certain foods that are commonly found to cause allergies in dogs. These include wheat, corn, meat products (chicken, beef, pork, lamb, etc.), yeast, eggs, dairy products, whey, etc. Most people mistake dog food allergy symptoms for dog skin problems, caused by mange or fleas. Once the possibilities of other health problems like mange are ruled out and presence of dog food allergy is diagnosed, the dog may be given medications like antihistamines, that may sometimes fail to resolve the condition. The best way out is to find out that particular food that causes dog food allergies and exclude it totally from your pet's diet.