Dog Food Allergies & Coughing

Coughing, sneezing and itching are all symptoms of an allergy.

Food allergies can cause coughing in dogs, much like they cause coughing in humans. While coughing is not the main symptom of food allergies in a dog, it can signal a possible allergy when coupled with other symptoms.

Symptoms

The main symptom of food allergies in a dog is an itchy skin rash. Other symptoms include coughing, sneezing, trouble breathing, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea and discharge from the dog's nose and eyes.

Genetics

Certain breeds of dog are more prone to developing food allergies than others. Terriers, golden retrievers, poodles, schnauzers and Dalmatians are more susceptible to all kinds of allergies.

Causes

Food allergies in dogs develop over time due to sensitivity to a certain product. Fish, chicken, beef, corn and eggs are all ingredients commonly known to cause allergies in dogs.

Treatment

The best way to treat a dog food allergy is to eliminate the food causing the allergy from the dog's diet. Changing to a natural or holistic food helps in some cases, as these foods generally have more healthy ingredients and a lower number of fillers.

Control

Once you have got your dog's food allergies under control, the coughing should naturally subside. If the dog continues to cough, a vet can prescribe an antihistamine, or antibiotic if there's an infection, to clear up the cough and any other allergy symptoms.

References

• The Dog Bowl: Dogs with Food Allergies
• Go Pets America: Skin Disorders