Dog Food Allergy Treatment
Food allergies are the third-most common allergy found in dogs behind flea and environmental allergies and account for about 10 percent of allergies affecting dogs, according to peteducation.com. However, it is difficult to distinguish food allergies from other types of allergies because the symptoms are so similar. In addition, dogs may be allergic to food and fleas or environmental pollens, making diagnosis even more complicated.
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Symptoms
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The most noticeable symptom of food allergies, as with all allergies, is excessive scratching, especially around the face, feet, ears and anus. Dogs with food allergies may also have recurring ear infections, hair loss, hot spots and skin infections, which are often caused by a lower immune system and bacteria entering the skin through excessive itching. The biggest clue that the symptoms may be caused by food allergies rather than environmental is that food allergies will cause symptoms year-round, whereas environmental allergies are usually seasonal.
Prevention
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Many dogs develop food allergies because they have been fed the same food their whole lives. This can be prevented by rotating the protein sources you feed your dog on a regular basis instead of feeding, for example, chicken all the time. Remember when switching food to do so gradually, mixing with the old food for a couple of weeks. Feeding high-quality food without corn, wheat, meat byproducts and preservatives can also reduce food allergies, since many dogs are allergic to these things, which aren't healthy for them in the first place.
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Diagnosis
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Diagnosis often involves testing for other types as allergies as well. Once those have been eliminated or treated, a food trial is necessary to determine food allergies. This requires placing your dog on a novel protein and vegetable source it has never eaten before, such as rabbit or venison and potato. Your dog will stay on this diet for about 12 weeks, during which it can't have treats or human food, before additional ingredients are gradually added back in to determine to which ingredients your dog is allergic. Blood tests aren't effective in determining food allergies.
Treatment
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In the short-term, treatment often involves steroids or antihistamines to reduce itching and eliminate secondary infections, such as ear or skin infections. Dogs are often given the same medications humans are to reduce allergy symptoms, such as Benadryl or Prednisone. However, consult your veterinarian for dosage before sharing your allergy medication with your dog. Long-term treament of food allergies often involves simply removing the offending allergens from your dog's diet.
Diet Change
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The food elimination test will usually dictate what your dog can be fed long-term to prevent allergies. For example, if after the 12 weeks, your dog showed symptoms when chicken was added but not beef, it will be able to eat beef but not chicken. Some dogs can return to a commercial kibble diet, eating only those foods it is allowed to eat. However, some dogs are allergic to ingredients that are in all kibble, not just protein, dairy or vegetable sources. Those dogs may have to be fed a home-cooked diet that contains only those ingredients the dog can eat.
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References
- Photo Credit dog chewing icicle image by Paul Retherford from Fotolia.com
