Edited by Tammy, Roxyt21, J̷̀K̀̀͟͝L̷̨͢͏1̶̛̀͞2̡̢3̡͏̸͘͢4҉̶̷, Maluniu and 1 other
Pets can be allergic to a large number of environmental and food substances. If you suspect your dog has a food allergy, follow the steps below to determine whether the food or another allergen is causing the problem.
Method 1 of 3: Examine the Ingredients in Your Dog’s Food
Dogs can develop food allergies at any point in life. If you have recently switched your dog’s food or if your dog reacts as if he’s ill or in great discomfort after every meal, consider food as a possible allergen.
1Read the ingredient list. Certain dyes, fillers, and processed meats, grains, and proteins can cause allergies in dogs just as in humans. Taking note of the ingredients will allow you to perform an elimination diet if necessary.Ad
2Consider buying organic dog food or food without fillers. Sometimes switching back to the former dog food or to a brand that uses purer ingredients may reduce allergy symptoms.
- If the food with fewer artificial ingredients resolves the symptoms, your dog most likely had an allergy to one of the additives in the other food.
3Consider a temporary switch to whole food. Sometimes symptoms similar to an allergic reaction can be resolved with only a temporary switch to a basic diet of rice cooked with chicken or beef broth.
- A bland diet will allow the dog’s digestive system to regularize (unless one of these ingredients causes the allergy in your dog, in which case you will know very quickly which food causes the symptoms).
4Ensure your dog is not eating other items. Dogs may have symptoms that resemble allergic reactions after eating non-food items, such as cardboard, grass, garbage, dog feces, dead animals, and other items found outside or in the home.
- Watch your dog carefully for a few days to make sure he or she is not consuming such items, and consider deterrence training if you catch him or her sneaking trash or eating other non-food products.
Method 2 of 3: Check Your Dog for Common Food Allergy Symptoms
Sometimes food allergy symptoms are difficult to distinguish from other symptoms of illness for dogs. If your dog gets sick immediately after eating with some of the symptoms below, he or she may have a food allergy.
1Check for skin reactions. Rashes, hives, and itchy, dry skin may indicate a food allergy, particularly if your dog is bothered by the symptom.
2Evaluate respiratory symptoms. If your dog wheezes, sneezes repeatedly, or has difficulty breathing after eating, a food allergy may be the cause.
3Check the tongue for swelling. A swollen tongue indicates a dangerous reaction to something the dog has eaten and should be addressed by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
4Track vomiting and diarrhea. If your dog frequently vomits after eating or has consistent diarrhea, he or she may be allergic to something in the provided diet or non-food products being eaten when unsupervised.
Method 3 of 3: Have Your Dog Examined by a Veterinarian
Special diets, medications, and tests are required to determine whether your dog has a true food allergy. In some cases, the trigger may be an environmental allergen, a new cleaning product, or another household item that your veterinarian may be able to help you identify.
1Ask for advice on an elimination diet. Some veterinarians may be able to coach you through a temporary home-cooked food elimination diet for your dog.
2Ask about a hydrolyzed protein diet. Specialized allergies such as this must be fed for about three months with no other foods, such as treats or table scraps, allowed at any time.
- Once symptoms resolve, you will gradually introduce individual foods until the allergen is identified. This type of diet will enable you to identify whether the allergy is truly caused by food.
3Consider blood or skin tests. Certain tests may identify specific food allergens with little difficulty, while others may only give information about foods to which your dog does not have an allergy.Ad
- Even if you have not changed your dog’s food, it is possible that the manufacturer has recalled certain batches of pet food due to contamination with bacteria, dust mites, or other potential allergens. Check the FDA’s Animal and Veterinary pet food recall link to find out if your pet’s food has been recalled.
- Before making drastic changes to your dog’s diet, consider revoking additions such as biscuits, treats, table scraps, and any spray deterrents applied to nails, fur, or household items to prevent licking or chewing.
- Do not attempt to feed your dog a home-cooked meal on a permanent basis without instruction from a veterinarian. Dogs need a different nutritional balance from humans to be healthy, and without formal instruction few people are able to provide an adequate diet.
Categories: Feeding Dogs
Recent edits by: Maluniu, J̷̀K̀̀͟͝L̷̨͢͏1̶̛̀͞2̡̢3̡͏̸͘͢4҉̶̷, Roxyt21
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