Dog Food Allergies- How To Recognize And Prevent It?
Dogs are the most adorable, lovable, yet one of the most sensitive animals. Just like humans, dogs are also prone to certain diseases that are similar to us. One of them includes being highly allergic to particular materials. However, food allergy is one of the most typical allergies found in humans and animals like dogs. Even though having food allergies is a widespread phenomenon, it has no permanent cure or medications that will promise long-term relief to you or your dog; the only and the most effective way to avoid it.
But how would one know what their dogs are allergic to?
Well, this question is pretty tricky. There is an absolute answer as to what provokes allergies and what one can do to prevent it.
However, if we talk about the broad spectrum of allergies, so far, a few pieces of research and observance does give us a clue about what causes allergies in dogs. According to various dog owners and researchers working on dogs, everyone has agreed on a few common allergens. In this article, you will find a detailed guide about dog allergens, their symptoms, and what you can do to treat or prevent them.
Common Food Allergies In Dogs
The list of food allergies provided here is not particular to any dog or breed. Every dog is different and has high chances of becoming allergic to an entirely new product that no one may have ever heard of. Nevertheless, you should know the common triggers. Allergies are so confusing and dreadful that even the most trivial help can facilitate you in many ways. If a dog is allergic to one food, chances are, it must be allergic to several foods simultaneously. Here are some foods that you should be wary of.
Beef
Beef has a high amount of proteins, and proteins are known to be a common food allergen. Even though several dogs find it tasty and worth devouring, other dogs, such as those who are sensitive, can’t take it because of the nasty symptoms it provokes. It can give certain health conditions that might not sound fatal but are sure to make a dog miserably sick.
Chicken
If you want the best dog food for goldendoodles, then you need to be extra cautious when feeding chicken to your pup. First, because it is a common allergen. Second, some troubles are associated with chicken that you can easily avoid. Problems like whether or not you can feed raw chicken to your pet as salmonella infection are problems. Furthermore, your canine companion should eat the bony chickens. Smaller breeds are more prone to choking on chicken bones. But that is another point. If your dog is allergic to chicken, you should not give them one, period.
Dairy Products
If you should dread giving a dog any food, it should be dairy products. Dogs cannot digest dairy products. There is a whole list of problems that evokes in a dog who is allergic to dairy. It is often known as lactose intolerant. Dairy products are primarily based on lactose as it is one of the essential molecules that make dairy products. When a dog is lactose intolerant, it does not have the enzyme it takes to digest lactose. As a result, a chain of allergic symptoms is produced, and a dog becomes severely sick. These symptoms are exacerbated by cow’s or goat’s milk as it contains higher amounts of lactose than canine milk that the dog initially feeds on.
How Do Allergies Present?
No blood test can determine whether dogs have an allergic reaction or not. As mentioned above, nothing proves that a dog is suffering from a heightened immune response. In this situation, only a handful of well-known allergic symptoms can hint us towards an immune reaction. There are an array of symptoms that present in a dog who is sensitive and allergic. These symptoms include:
- Teary eyes
- Excessive itching
- Loose stools
- Sneezing
- Red patches on the skin called hives
- Breathing problems
- Inflammation
- Itchy ears
- Gnawing and writhing in discomfort
- Swollen face, tongue, lips, or eyelids
- Chronic ear infections
- Licking paws
These are still a handful of symptoms that are found in an allergic dog.
What Can You Do About The Symptoms?
The main thing about allergies is that you can’t do much apart from the fact that only temporary relief can give some comfort to your dog. You can only support your dog and relieve their symptoms once they have an allergic reaction because there is no going back unless the allergen is removed. If you think your dog is also sensitive and can be allergic, you should seek guidance from a vet. They can provide your details along with the anti-allergic medications.
These medications help alleviate the symptoms till they are entirely gone. However, in cases of severe reactions, where things are more powerful and can be fatal, you need to rush your poor guy to the hospital immediately. The most common cause is that a dog ceases to breathe and would be found gasping for air. This is a fatal condition and requires immediate medical intervention.
Some Preventive Measures For Your Dog
You will find every article and every vet saying the same thing because there is no other way out. To prevent an allergic reaction, you need to avoid the insult from getting into the body of your sensitive dog. Keep your dog away from common allergens and modify your canine’s diet after detailed consultation with a vet.
You might find it extremely difficult to start with and may have hundreds of questions running in your head as only limited options are left outside allergic foods. However, with time, you will get used to it.
How To Choose The Best Dog Food To Prevent Allergy Symptoms?
For those with allergies or other food sensitivities, carefully reading the ingredient list is a good idea. Ingredients are usually listed in order of weight. If the top 5 ingredients after water are things like chicken meal, beef meal, vegetable mix, then it’s likely that these foods would be suitable for someone allergic to beef or soy.
If a dog has a sensitive stomach or skin allergy, doing your own research concerning specific brands may be necessary. But as long as the ingredients have been verified as being gluten-free (or containing no pork products), corn-free (or containing no soy products), and dairy-free (or containing no wheat products), it should be safe for most dogs.
Last Thoughts
A few dog breeds are more sensitive than others. But there is no way we can label any dog sensitive just because their breed is sensitive. Why do you get yourself a dog? Make sure you are cautious and recognize allergens before things go wrong. We hope this blog post has been informational and helpful in your efforts to keep your pup healthy. Did you like anything we shared? What kind of topics would you prefer for future blogs? Let us know below!
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