What are the Common Signs of Food Allergies in Dogs?
Symptoms of food allergies in dogs vary, but the most common complaint is non-seasonal itching that may involve the whole body or be focused on the ears and feet. Chronic or recurrent ear and skin infections are also typical. Some dogs may even develop vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive gassiness. Symptoms often begin when dogs are young (before one year of age), but may develop at any time.
Dietary Guidelines for Dogs with Food Allergies
Once you pinpoint the foods that cause your dog’s food allergies, youll need to avoid those trigger ingredients.
Theyre not only going to be in dog food recipes either. Look for these foods in your dog’s treats and medications, as well as anything else he ingests.
For example, some toothpaste made for dogs has chicken as an ingredient, and if your dog is allergic to chicken, this can cause an allergic reaction.
If your dog shows some symptoms of food allergies after you have eliminated the trigger food, that means that it might have another allergy.
Its not unusual for dogs to develop a new food-related allergy. Therefore, you might have to do the elimination diet again if thats the case and figure out what the new allergen is.
Pick commercial pet foods that are easy on your dogs stomach, and if you choose to cook for the dog (sometimes an easier approach), then make all meals easily digestible for the dog.
Its recommended to cook starchy vegetables and healthy wholesome grains alongside novel proteins that you are sure your dog isnt sensitive to.
To make your dog’s digestion process easier, feed him more often in smaller meals.
Dog Food for Dogs with Food Allergies
According to Dr. Anne, the most common dog allergies are to beef, dairy products, and wheat, and less common allergens include chicken, eggs, and soy. If your dog is experiencing any of these allergies, we have a food for dogs with allergies that can help!
While a wheat allergy in dogs is common, the light at the end of the tunnel here is that not a single one of our Earthborn Holistic recipes contains any corn, wheat, or soy. Instead, our whole grain recipes contain easily-digestible ancient grains like oatmeal, barley, chia, and buckwheat (which, contrary to its confusing name, is a seed and not actually a wheat at all!).
Gluten allergies are often closely associated with wheat allergies because gluten is found in wheat, and we have plenty of gluten-free dog food options as well. Even though our recipes don’t contain wheat, grains like barley and rye also contain gluten so keeping an eye out for those ingredients when searching for a gluten-free food is the way to go. Luckily, all of our grain-free recipes are also gluten-free, so it’s easy to find a gluten-free dog food for dogs with food allergies to grains.
For a dog allergic to chicken, switching up the main protein is often all it takes to provide some relief. Our chicken-free dog food recipes like Venture Smoked Wild Boar & Butternut Squash are also limited-ingredient, making them great options for dogs who need a little extra help keeping their stomachs happy. Another protein option is turkey. If your dog is needing to lose a few pounds while also balancing allergies, our Weight Control recipe is made with turkey, a great protein for dogs with allergies to chicken. Our UNREFINED recipes are a great grain-inclusive option that doesn’t include chicken in any of the formulas. With fresh salmon, lamb, turkey, and rabbit to choose from, these recipes are also chicken-free and can double as a tasty dinner for your dog allergic to chicken as well!
Alternatively, fish-based dog food for allergies is also a popular option as it isn’t a common protein allergy and is great for dogs who have sensitive skin or stomachs as well.
For a puppy or dog allergic to eggs, our Venture recipes are a great grain-free option that doesn’t include eggs in any of the formulas. With unique proteins like rabbit, lamb, duck, and boar to choose from, these limited-ingredient recipes can satisfy a range of allergies.
While your dog may have allergies, food allergens may not be the culprit. Just like humans, dogs can develop allergies to things in the environment as well. These allergies usually come about in the form of dry, itchy, or sensitive skin and aren’t fun to deal with. However, food for dog skin allergies can help relieve some of these symptoms.
If your pup is dealing with skin sensitivities, some of the best dog food for dry, itchy skin often contains fish as the main protein. Fish contains omega fatty acids that work to help maintain healthy skin and coat and is a great option when it comes to dog food for dogs with skin allergies. Often, a dog food with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and a fish protein like Ocean Fusion will help clear up a lot of skin issues. Ocean Fusion is made with Pacific Whiting meal and is a tasty whole grain formula for adult pups.
If you have a puppy dealing with skin issues, our UNREFINED Smoked Salmon recipe is our best salmon-based dog food and another ancient grains formula with fresh salmon protein. If you’re looking for a grain-free option for your puppy with allergies, our Coastal Catch and Venture Rabbit Meal & Pumpkin recipes are both diets formulated for all life stages and with balanced omegas to keep your puppy’s coat healthy.
For a little extra boost of omegas, our EarthBites Skin and Coat treats also contain a balanced ratio of omegas from tasty whitefish meal protein. These soft treats provide a tasty reward for your pup along with a bit of added support for your dog’s skin. Pair them with a dog food for dogs with skin allergies listed above and you’ll hopefully see significant improvements.
What is the Best Food to Feed My Dog With Allergies [3 BEST Diets]
Food allergies in dogs are uncommon but when they do occur the symptoms can be unpleasant for both you and your dog. Today, our Memphis vets share the best foods to serve your dog, if they are diagnosed with food allergies.
If you believe that your dog is suffering from food allergies, or a sensitivity to an ingredient in their usual food its important to find out what the troublesome ingredient is in order to remove it from their diet, but still maintain optimum nutrition. Here at Memphis Veterinary Specialists our dermatology services include testing for and treating allergies in dogs.