Food allergies may not be common in dogs, but when they do occur symptoms can be stressful for owners and their four-legged friends. Today, our veterinarians share the best foods to help alleviate your dog's food allergy symptoms.
Food Allergies in Dogs
Where should you start if you think your dog may be suffering from food allergies or sensitivity to an ingredient in their usual food? It's important to note the most common symptoms of food allergies and what to do if your dog is diagnosed with a food allergy.
Signs & Symptoms of Food Allergies in Dogs
While food allergies in dogs often start to appear around a pup's first birthday, sensitivities or allergies can develop at any age.
Here are some common signs and symptoms of food allergies you may notice in your dog:
- Rashes on the ears and feet
- Gassiness
- Red, irritated skin
- Itching
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
Common Causes of Food Allergies in Dogs
The most common cause of dog food allergies are proteins from plant-based or animal ingredients in their diet. The most problematic foods for dogs are typically, corn, wheat, dairy and beef. While it may seem counterintuitive, it can take a fairly long time for symptoms of food allergies to appear. It's not unusual for a dog to be allergic to a food that they've been eating for many months.
Diagnosing Your Dog's Food Allergies
The only real way to diagnose food allergies in dogs is through an elimination diet.
If your vet suspects that your dog is suffering from a food allergy, a specially formulated hypoallergenic dog food will be prescribed for your pet. For a minimum of 8-10 weeks, you will only feed your dog the prescribed food in order to gauge whether the change in diet helps to alleviate your dog's symptoms.
It is essential that only hypoallergenic food is given to your dog while they are on the elimination diet. (Unfortunately, that means no sneaking in the odd treat). This special 10-week diet will allow your dog's body to adjust to the food and give your vet the opportunity to assess your dog's overall health.
If your dog's symptoms clear up while on the elimination diet, your vet may request that you return to feeding your dog their original diet. If original symptoms return, your vet can be confident that your dog has a food allergy.
Best Foods for Dogs with Allergies
Following the diagnosis, your vet will work with you to determine the best diet for your dog. A number of food options are available to help alleviate your dog's allergy symptoms.
Prescription Dog Food
If your dog's food allergy symptoms are severe, your vet may recommend that you feed your dog prescription dog food. While this option can be pricey, novel protein and hydrolyzed diets available by prescription only are typically superior to those that can be purchased over the counter.
Grain-Free Dog Food
If your pet has a sensitivity to corn, wheat and other grains, grain-free dog food may be ideal. These foods have the added benefit of also being gluten-free.
Limited Ingredient Dog Foods
Limited ingredient dog foods address the presence of allergens by including just one protein source, (such as beef, lamb or chicken), often combined with just a single carbohydrate source. When shopping for limited ingredient dog foods it's important to check for a seal of approval from the Association of American Feed Control (AAFCO), as well as a "complete and balanced" claim from the manufacturer.
Novel Ingredient Dog Food
Novel ingredient dog foods replace traditional dog food proteins such as beef and chicken with more unusual proteins such as salmon, duck, or venison. Many novel ingredient dog foods also use unusual carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes to help balance out the diet.