Facts That You Need to Know About Food Allergies in Dogs
Have you noticed that your dog scratches itself excessively? Maybe your dog has a skin allergy. As a fur parent, you have to be wary. Their itching and licking may seem normal, but it may be a sign of an allergic reaction. One culprit that may cause your dog allergy is food.
Just like us, they also suffer from food allergies and food intolerances. So, you have to educate yourself about this topic as food allergies in dogs can be very serious and can cause digestive problems, skin issues, and behavioral problems.
To learn more about food allergies in dogs, check out the facts that you need to know so that you can take care of your fur baby proactively:
What Is the Difference Between Food Allergy and Food Intolerance in Dogs?
The signs or symptoms of food allergy and food intolerance in dogs can look pretty similar. However, you need to know that these two are different. While both fall under the Cutaneous Adverse Food Reaction (CAFR) category in dogs, the effects are very different.
Food allergy in dogs triggers an adverse immune response. It makes your dog’s body release histamines or compounds, making them itch or causing them many other allergic signs.
On the other hand, food intolerance doesn’t involve an immune response. Food intolerance is when your dog cannot properly digest an ingredient in its food. For example, if your dog is lactose intolerant, then your dog’s body cannot process lactose in milk products well. As a result, it will experience gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea.
Don’t confuse yourself with the two, and make sure to watch out for the symptoms so that your dog can have the proper treatment and you can take preventive measures.
What Are the Most Common Dog Food Allergens?
A food protein often triggers an adverse immune response in dogs. That said, foods with protein are the ones that can trigger allergies in your dogs. Any food with protein in it may not be safe for your dog, so you have to be careful. As a guide, here are the top dog food allergens that BMC Veterinary Research has recorded:
- Beef
- Dairy Products
- Chicken
- Wheat
- Soy
- Lamb
- Corn
- Egg
- Pork
- Fish
- Rice
What Are Other Things You Should Know About Food Allergies in Dogs?
We understand how much you care for your dog, so we know how important it is to be aware of the small details that can prevent them from developing allergies. To help you with that, here are other essential things you need to know that can be helpful:
- If your dog has already developed one allergy, there may be more, so be careful with the food that you’re giving them.
- Starches are safer for your dogs because they are pretty low in or free of protein.
- If you feed your dog with fats, make sure those are pure fats because they shouldn’t trigger a response.
- Gelatin can trigger allergies in some dogs.
- Peanut allergies are rare in dogs.
- Food labels don’t always tell what ingredients are present, so you also need to be careful.
Conclusion
We know that seeing your furry friend sick is the last thing you would want to happen. Now that you know more about food allergies in dogs, you can now prevent this from happening. As a fur parent, you’re the only one who can help them, so it’s good that you’re educating yourself with such matters because that can significantly help your dog be healthy and happy.
If you need any supplies for your dogs, get them at Earthwise Pet Marysville. We are a pet store in Marysville, Washington selling natural pet foods, raw foods, treats, toys, litter, leashes, collars, and more. Browse our shop and place your order with us today!