Food for Dogs with Food Allergies
It's really too bad that dogs can't talk. If they could speak with their owners, diagnosing and treating food allergies would be a much simpler task. If your dog is chewing on its limbs, scratching or having ear or intestinal troubles, it may be time to embark on an elimination diet to confirm the offending substance. Speaking with a veterinarian and/or veterinary nutritionist can be helpful throughout the process.
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Facts
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Twenty percent of dogs are affected by food allergies, which typically manifest as itchy skin, in addition to asthma-like symptoms, behavioral changes, diarrhea, seizures, sneezing and vomiting. If it is determined that your dog has to undergo an elimination diet, it is important to exclude every other food, including table scraps, manufactured treats and flavored toys.
Good Foods
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Since your dog could be allergic to any particular food, it is dangerous to label any particular dog food or product "good." It is most important, once your dog has been diagnosed and put on a diet, to rigorously maintain it by purchasing food and snacks that you are certain conform to it. Some recommended commercial brands include Nature's Variety, Raw Instinct and Dr. Billinghurst. Many of these can be found at natural food stores, including Whole Foods Market. Biscuits by Lambchop offers highly regarded treats. Making your dog's food is the most reliable way to ensure against allergen contamination, but it is comforting to know that reliable commercial offerings exist.
Common Allergens
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It is unfortunate that the most common allergens are frequently found in commercial dog foods. Studies have shown that beef, dairy products, chicken, lamb, fish, chicken eggs, corn, wheat and soy are common allergens.
Diets
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Elimination diets help an owner isolate potential allergens by only feeding proteins and carbohydrates the dog has never eaten before; Prescription diets are can be expensive foods sold by veterinarians; commercial dog foods are available for affected dogs; home-cooked diets offer owners an unparalleled degree of control over ingredients but can take a considerable amount of time to research and prepare; and finally, raw diets present an opportunity for dogs who have eaten many different types of protein. Raw diets should be thoroughly researched and it is advisable to consult with a veterinary nutritionist.
Considerations
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Another important issue when considering allergies is their visible similarity to food intolerances. The former is an immune system response that causes antibodies to attack the food while the latter is a digestive response that is the result of a food irritating the digestive track. Unfortunately, many of the symptoms---nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea---are similar between the two afflictions. Rashes and skin irritation are symptoms particular to a food allergy while excessive gassiness and irritability/nervousness are more often associated with intolerance.
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