5 Signs Your Dog Has Food Allergies

Food allergies are a common concern among dog parents. Having a dog with allergy issues can be especially frustrating for you – and your dog.

Food allergies in dogs are commonly characterized as:

• Itchy skin
• Recurring ear infections
• Non-stop scratching at ears, paws, face and back (this can be quite annoying)

Food Allergies in Dogs

Allergies are an immune system response to a trigger. And no matter what you seem to do to treat the symptoms, if your dog continues to be exposed to the allergen, the problems and discomfort will continue.

Actual food allergies are not very common in dogs. About 10 percent of all allergy cases in dogs are due to a food allergy. Dogs also can suffer from food intolerance, which is not the same as a food allergy.

5 Signs Your Dog Has Food Allergies

Common signs your dog has a food allergy include:

1. Chronic ear inflammation
2. Gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting, diarrhea or chronic gas
3. Hair loss
4. Hot spots (lesions on the skin that are hot, moist and inflamed from the dog’s repeated licking, chewing and scratching. They generally occur on the head, hips or chest area and become very painful to the touch.)
5. Skin infections

Common Canine Food Allergens

The most common allergens in dog food include:

• Beef
• Dairy
• Chicken
• Lamb
• Fish
• Chicken eggs
• Corn
• Wheat

What To Do If You Suspect Your Dog Is Suffering From Food Allergies

First and foremost, make an appointment to take your dog to your veterinarian if you suspect your dog has a food allergy. Food allergies symptoms can mimic other diseases, so it’s vitally important that you have your dog checked out by a professional.

Treatment of food allergies in dogs may include medication, topical creams, dietary changes or a combination of any of these three remedies.

In rare cases, a life-threatening allergic reaction may occur and your dog may not be able to breathe. If this happens, call an emergency animal hospital right away.

Long-Term Effects of Dog Food Allergies

If a food allergy goes untreated in dogs, serious health issues may develop, including:

• Secondary skin infections
• Development of more allergies
• Worsened symptoms
• Behavioral changes
• Poor quality of life.

While dogs don’t usually die from food allergies, they can affect your dog’s quality of life. Constant itching can be pretty hard on a dog, so when a dog is suffering from a food allergy, you may see a change in the dog’s behavior.

Dog Food Allergy Testing

First of all, your veterinarian will want to determine if your dog is allergic to an environmental factor (like dust, pollen, mold or fleas) or food. If your vet suspects an environmental trigger, a blood test or intradermal allergy test (under the skin) will be recommended.

If your dog has any of the following factors, he or she is likely to have a food allergy.

• Symptoms occur when your dog is young (puppies under one year don’t experience environmental allergies)
• Symptoms don’t appear to be tied to a season change or due to travel
• Reaction doesn’t respond to steroids
• Your dog has both skin and gastrointestinal symptoms

Dog Food Elimination Diet

The most reliable way to determine if your dog is allergic to a food item is to conduct an elimination diet. During an elimination diet, feed your dog a new protein and new carbohydrate for 8 weeks. This means the foods have to be something your dog has never eaten before, such as venison and potato, rabbit and pea, fish and potato. Another option is alligator and coconut.

During the 8 weeks of the elimination diet, you cannot give your dog any other foods. No table scraps, no treats, no supplements of any kind. Once you’ve completed the 8 week elimination diet, you will reintroduce the foods your dog was eating before. If your dog has a reaction or breakout, it’s a pretty good indication your dog was allergic to that food.

Diagnosing Food Intolerance in Dogs

Symptoms of dog food intolerance may mimic food allergies. Common symptoms include:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Flatulence/abdominal gas
• Weight loss
• Poor weight gain
• Abdominal pain and discomfort
• Itching/scratching excessively
• Poor body condition

Causes of Food Intolerance in Dogs

Most cases of food sensitivities in dogs come on quickly. Common triggers are:

• Food additives
• Coloring
• Spices
• Food additives

Food Intolerance Treatment

If you suspect your dog is sensitive to a food (which is far more likely than a food allergy) a food elimination diet can be helpful. However, a simple change of diet can be just as effective. A diet that is different than the current diet can often be enough to improve your dog’s symptoms.

Antihistamines and Other Treatments

Your vet may prescribe Benadryl (an antihistamine) for the itching. Topical anti-itch shampoos and ointments can help as well – just make sure they are approved by your vet. Your vet may prescribe an antibiotic or antifungal treatment like cephalexin or ketoconazole. These are often helpful in the short run but may not be very effective long term. Anti-inflammatory medications like steroids are not helpful when it comes to canine food allergy symptoms.

If your dog is experiencing severe vomiting, diarrhea or other clinical symptoms, he or she may require hospitalization for intravenous fluid administration, antibiotics and supportive care. In most cases, your dog will not need hospitalization.

Homemade Diets

Some dog owners are tempted to feed their dog a homemade diet as a remedy for a food allergy. This makes sense, because they can control exactly what they are feeding their dog. The downside is that, unless the diet is supervised by a veterinary nutritionist, most homemade diets are deficient in certain critical ingredients and can cause harm to your dog over time. For this reason, it is best if you seek the advice of your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist or find a high-quality food that is made with fewer ingredients.

Best Dog Food for Allergies

The bottom line is there isn’t a single “best dog food” for a dog with allergies. It comes down to what is best for the individual dog. Look for dog food made with quality ingredients and regulated for purity. Companies that make dog food listed as “hypoallergenic” or “limited ingredient” should be following best practices but be aware there is minimal oversight of pet food manufacturing. Read more here…

If your primary veterinarian is unable to help you resolve your dog’s allergic symptoms, you may be referred to a veterinary dermatologist. Finding the right answer for your dog might not happen quickly or easily, but it is worth the effort to have a happier, more comfortable dog.

Does your dog have a food allergy or intolerance? How have you dealt with your dog’s condition?