Veteriner in Charlottesville reveals common food allergens for dogs and their symptoms
Food allergies are one of the most common allergies that dogs suffer from. Some breeds of dogs such as Boxer, Springer Spaniel, Dalmatian, German Shepherd, Miniature Schnauzer, Retriever Cocker Spaniel, Coolie, and Lhasa Apso have a higher susceptibility to food allergies. A food allergy is caused when the dog’s immune system overreacts to a perfectly healthy substance and produces antibodies against it.
Usually, dogs’ immune system usually reacts to complex carbohydrates or proteins and produces antibodies against them. If your dog is allergic to certain foods, it can affect its health and quality of life. Therefore, being a dog owner it is important to learn about the potential food allergens and their common symptoms.
Signs & Symptoms of Food Allergies in Dogs
Food allergies and sensitivities often dont appear until the dog reaches their first birthday, although they can develop in dogs of any age.
If your dog is displaying any of the following symptoms they may be suffering from a food allergy and should be examined by your vet to determine the root cause of the symptom:
Preservative – Free:
Making sure your dog’s food and treats are preservative-free not only prevents skin diseases caused by food allergens but it also minimizes the risk of chronic and sometimes lethal infections and diseases.
Preservatives are most commonly found in commercial pet foods that are processed at high temperatures. Even if their main ingredients are natural, when they go through the processing, all the natural nutrients are basically sucked away. So, as the last step, the companies go back in and add flavors to give it back the taste and “nutrients” of the ingredients. But what actually happens is when these additives interact with the molecular compounds of the natural, now altered ingredients, they become toxic and harm your pup when they consume them.