From Christmas all through to the New Year, there will be plenty of merry-making with family and friends. As the pet parent, you have to be vigilant about what your dog eats to prevent him from contracting dog food allergies symptoms. Spoiling our pets is in our DNA. We do not mind sharing that roast turkey leg or a slice of ham dipped in savory gravy.
Our pups don’t mind it either. They will happily sit by our side, at the dinner table, gobbling up every morsel we hand feed them.
And therein lies the problem. While a lot of good food will be shared through the festivities, not everything on the menu is healthy for your dog.
Dogs too suffer food allergies like humans. Dog food allergy symptoms mainly affect the dog’s skin, coat, and, to some extent, digestive system.
Humans Foods That Are Allergic to Dogs
Food allergies are different in every dog. But there are those human foods that commonly trigger canine allergies. Common ones include;
- Wheat
- Corn
- Beef
- Chicken
Commercial pet food can trigger dog food allergy symptoms too. It could be that new brand of kibble you got on a holiday discount that could be causing all the problems.
Food allergies in dogs are usually caused by a foreign protein. This protein is usually in a new diet the dog is introduced to. It is also possible for a dog to develop allergies to the same food they have been eating.
How Do You Know Your Dog Has Food Allergy Symptoms?
Source: chewy.com
Food allergies usually show up in the skin. Symptoms to watch out for include;
- A lick of the paws
- A recurring ear infection
- Skin inflammation (red and irritated)
- An itchy rash on the dog’s hindquarters
- Rubbing the face
- Hair loss
- Swelling
- Runny eyes
- Sneezing
In some dogs, food allergies will cause gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. This is not to be confused as the dog has a bug.
Which Dogs Are Likely to Suffer Dog Food Allergy Symptoms?
Any dog can suffer food allergies at a given point in its life. But there are those dogs more likely to get food allergies than others. They include;
- Cocker spaniel
- Boxer
- Dalmatian
- Springer spaniel
- Shar Pei
- Collie
- Dachshund
- Wheaten Terrier (Soft-coated)
- West Highland White Terrier
- Miniature Schnauzer
How Can You Take Care of Dog Food Allergies Without Breaking the Bank?
Source: kakaocdn.net
Dog food allergy symptoms can be hard to differentiate from other allergies. Generally, allergies in dogs are either caused by food or external factors like pollen. Atopic dermatitis, an allergic reaction to inhaled allergens, is commonly confused with dog food allergies.
To know if your dog has food allergies, we have to eliminate other allergens as probable causes. For instance, atomic dermatitis can be seasonal when trees are pollinating. Dogs can suffer the same allergy from dust mites, fleas, mold, dust, or ingredients in cleaning products.
Dog food allergies will only show up when your dog eats certain food. This means the first place to start is by eliminating the ingredients in your dog’s diet.
For a raw diet, target the proteins in your dog’s meal. Substitute chicken with beef or cod with salmon. Watch how your dog responds to the diet change. When your dog’s condition improves after eliminating a certain protein, you have found the allergen.
A bland diet of boiled proteins or carbohydrates will be necessary. This gives the dog’s body time to flush out the allergen.
For commercial kibble, find out which ingredients in the product could be causing dog food allergy symptoms. If it is a new brand of kibble you bought, discontinue it and go back to the original brand you fed him before.
Avoid hand-feeding your dog this festive season. While there will be all kinds of proteins on the dinner table, maintain your dog’s original diet.
Establish a strict feeding schedule for your dog. Feed the dog early in case you will be hosting guests a lot. Discourage the kids, especially kids, from feeding the dog morsels while at the dinner table.
Homemade doggy treats are a healthy way to keep your dog full before the next meal. Toss the dog a treat to keep him busy as you entertain your guests at the dinner table.
Also Read: 9 Best Dog Dental Chews for Your Dogs: A Complete Guide!
You Can Reduce Dog Allergies with Bullyade
Source: hillspet.co.in
A natural way to reduce dog food allergy symptoms is by bumping up the dog’s immune system. It is a cheaper option compared to spending on visits to the vet.
A healthy diet and plenty of exercises may not cure an allergy but it reduces its recurring symptoms. Furthermore, your dog is able to handle dog food allergy symptoms better when he is eating and exercising right.
If your dog has recurring allergies even after improving his diet, try introducing pet supplements in his dog food.
Recurring allergies could be a sign he is not getting enough nutrients in the food he is eating. And if his diet is lacking, one of the things that take a hit is his immune system.
Bullyade dog supplement for food allergy symptoms has all the nutrients your dog needs. It has vitamins like vitamin A, B, C, D, K, which all combine to boost your dog’s immune system.
Also, Bullyade multivitamin supplements have minerals like zinc, potassium, and manganese which improves your dog’s physiology. It is also a canine version of Gatorade that replenishes electrolytes your dog loses to diarrhea and vomiting.
Wrapping Up
If your dog has food allergies, you can schedule the first visit to the vet to identify the allergen. Alternatively, you can identify the allergen at home through a food elimination process. A bland diet will nourish your dog while helping his body flush out the toxins.
We recommend Bullyade for fortifying your dog’s immune system. Bullyade has enough vitamins and minerals to boost his immunity’s fight against recurring allergies.