Allergic reactions to food take into account about 10 % of all of the allergies observed in dogs. Food allergies also generally take into account 20 % of what causes irritation and itching in dogs. Precisely how a dog becomes sensitive to a particular agent within the food, which produces a complex antibody response within the dog’s digestive tract, is not so well understood. Despite our lack of knowledge of how these allergic reactions to food affect our dogs, we do, however, understand a lot of things: things like the signs and symptoms, how we can identify food allergies, as well as how we can treat them. Food allergies can affect all dogs both male and female, and may appear as soon as twenty weeks or as late as when they are 12 years old. But many cases occur once the dog is between 2 and 6 years old.
The signs and symptoms of allergic reactions to food act the same as in most allergies observed in dogs. The main symptom is scratching the skin that mostly affects the face area, paws, ears, forelegs, underarms, and also the area surrounding the anus. Signs and symptoms may also include ear infections that are chronic or reoccurring, hot spots and thinning hair, and skin reactions that diminish once anti-biotics are prescribed, but that reoccur after anti-biotics are stopped. Dogs with food allergic reactions sometimes come with an elevated incidence of bowel movements throughout the day.
To be able to identify food hypersensitivity correctly, dog owners put their dog on a food trial. A food trial means feeding your dog a meal source the animal hasn’t eaten before – composed of protein and carbohydrates – for not less than 12 weeks. Rabbit or venison are great options of protein since they’re rarely utilized in the manufacturer’s pet food. You should use potatoes for the carb. The brand new meal source will be the only ingredients the dog consumes for the full 12 weeks. What this means is no goodies, flavored medicines, rawhide chews, or pig’s ears. Only the special water and food. Plus, your dog shouldn’t be permitted to roam as he could get access to food or garbage outdoors. When the dog shows a substantial reduction or elimination of the signs and symptoms following the twelve weeks, then your animal is allowed to once again eat his original food. In cases where the signs and symptoms come back after returning to the original diet, the detecting of a food allergy is confirmed.
Feeding dogs a home-prepared meal is a terrific way to avoid feeding your pet meals they’re allergic to. You are able to periodically offer your pet new food elements in order to determine the precise ingredients which are leading to the food allergy. While on the special diet, if the dog’s signs and symptoms have gone away, you’ll be able to include a meat they’ve previously eaten– like beef or chicken — for 2 weeks. When the dog shows no signs and symptoms, you’ll be able to add a different component. As soon as the dog starts to exhibit signs and symptoms again, you’ll be able to determine the latest component and assume it was one of the things your dog was allergic to. Home-made diets are an easy way to make sure the proper elements are utilized, and balanced with the proper amount of minerals and vitamins.
