Dealing with a Dog Food Allergy?

Just as humans allergies can show up as a sneeze or rash, your dog's allergies can manifest as itchiness -- or even ear infections. In fact, if your dog's allergic to his food, it can cause him to scratch himself constantly, even with no obvious parasite problem.

Dog allergies rarely get solved with medicine, so the best we can do for our four-footed friends is focus on prevention. Providing the right type of food is essential to stopping your dog's scratching habit.

Many people like to share their food with their dogs or let them help "clean up" the kitchen after a meal. Little do they know, their dogs just may not be able to take the tasty food we love so much, and some breeds (like the greyhound) are extremely sensitive. Even common foods like cheese, beef sausage and tuna may cause allergic reactions in some dogs. So it's best to let dogs enjoy dog food and not human food, even though they clearly adore and want what we're eating!

Narrowing Down the Problem

To determine the exact ingredients your dog is allergic to, try an elimination diet. Although powerful, it also requires patience. In fact, the elimination diet can call for eliminating specific food for up to 12 weeks before you'll notice the effects. And if you still haven't found the right (and wrong) ingredients, you'll have to repeat the process all over again.

So is there an alternative to the lengthy elimination diet? Yes -- give your dog a brand or type of food he's never eaten before. But simply changing to a new brand of dog food might not be enough to eliminate his food allergies, since many brands contain similar ingredients. Instead, study the existing ingredients your dog is eating to determine which types of protein source he hasn't been exposed to. Then, hunt for a dog food that doesn't contain any of the ingredients you saw listed. For example, there are many brands of dog food that contains unusual protein sources such as rabbit or venison -- great for testing allergic reactions to other, more common proteins.

Perhaps the best way for you to get control of dog's allergies is to whip up your own dog food. That way, you'll know exactly what he's getting and what he isn't -- something that's extremely hard to tell from reading the back of a dog food bag. Making your own food is especially helpful in elimination diets. To start, combine a portion of rice with baby food and lamb -- so long as your dog isn't already eating lamb and possibly displaying a reaction to it.

Dog food allergies are a special condition that can be frustrating and take patience to solve. Since allergic reactions don't disappear overnight, you'll need lots of time and thoughtfulness to help your dog overcome this problem -- but his goofy smile and those scratch-free days ahead will probably make it all worth it.

About the Author

Blake Kritzberg is proprietor of Poodle-oo: Fashion for Toy Dogs. Stop by for toy dog couture and home decor, free dog postcards and the Toy Dog Blog.

http://www.poodle-oo.com/

---

Tips for Finding the Perfect Family Dog

If your kids have been begging you to get a... Read More

Clipper Experiments: A Tail in Two Parts

Poor Dog. Subjected to my most ambitious experiments, she still... Read More

Stop! Dont Give Your Cat That Chocolate!

"Where's the harm? My cat seems to enjoy chocolate and... Read More

Dogs Are Mans Best Friend

Dogs are believed to be descendants of wild wolves. They... Read More

Is Your House Killing Your Dog?

You love your dog. You would do anything for your... Read More

5 Tips For Choosing the Best Vet For Your Dog

Find a vet, if possible, who specializes in small animals... Read More

Saving Ginger From Being Put To Sleep ? Part 1

A family, including three dogs and a cat live happily... Read More

Dog Doors: Giving Your Pet Freedom to Come and Go as They Please Helps Solve Behavior Problems

Dog DoorsWhen we think of dog doors, we think of... Read More

How to Build a Dog House for Your Puppy

So you'd like to know how to build a dog... Read More

Telepathic Communication With Animals

Animal Communication, or telepathy with animals, is as common an... Read More

Pet Owners Are The Majority Population In The U.S.

According to recent statistics, an astounding 65% of all U.S.... Read More

The Secret That Keeps Horses Trainable!

As you likely know already, horses have at least 10... Read More

Horse Care & Training Tips

Do you own a horse? If so, then you have... Read More

Pet Peeve: Dogs Doing Business Where Not Wanted

We've recently moved into a new apartment complex that really... Read More

Dog Worms -- Dont Let Them Get Started

There may be no warning before dog worms strike.It was... Read More

Electric Dog Fences: Keep You Pet in the Yard and Out of Places You Dont Want Them to Be

Electric Dog FencesIs an electric dog fence something for you?... Read More

Dog Behavior Training: Methods of Working with a Shy Dog

Shy dogs are more common than most people think, but... Read More

Aquarium Supplies Part 2 -- My First Experience With Goldfish

If you are seriously considering keeping fish as pets or... Read More

Two Tails Are Better Than One

Training one dog can be hard enough, but two, now... Read More

4 Ways In Which You Can Show Your Dog How Much You Love Him

Do you have at least one framed photo of your... Read More

10 Reasons Why Your Cat Loves You

There are plenty of reasons why your cat loves you.... Read More

Dog Behavior Problems: Help! My Dog is a Nuisance When he Misbehaves!

How many times have I hear fellow dog owners say,... Read More

The Neurotic Dogs

When pondering whether my neurosis is learned or genetic, I... Read More

How To Prevent Your Horse Going Lame From The Most Common Cause Of Lameness

There are lots of ways a horse can go lame.... Read More

Adopt A Pet

In order to add love and affection to their lives,... Read More

Scottish Terrier Dogs - Important Facts

Scottish Terriers are short-legged dogs, at a height of ten... Read More

A Dog Name is Something To Be Chosen Carefully

How important is a dog name? Well let's think about... Read More

Which Breed Is Right For You?

Why does one breed appeal to a person over another?... Read More

The Need for Pet First Aid Kits

Even if you have the perfect first aid kit for... Read More

Your Dogs Health; Why Dog Breath is No Laughing Matter

Your dogs health is important to you. You show her... Read More

Understanding Your Pets Chewing Issues

If you are beginning to feel like an endangered species... Read More

Veterinarians Set Record Straight

Most pet owners have become very educated about their pet... Read More

Here?s a Way To Make Your Dog Love Its Dog Crate!

A dog crate is a necessity for your dog, through... Read More