Dog Food Allergies Symptoms and Causes

Dog food allergies symptoms - food allergies record for about 10% of all cases of allergies in dogs. This is the third most common cause of allergy after a tick bite and allergens that enter through the respiratory (inhalant allergies).

It is not yet fully understood how dogs can be sensitive to a food substance, and how the antibody response that occurs in the intestinal tract of dogs who have food allergies. However, symptoms, how to diagnose and how to handle food allergies in dogs is unknown.

Food allergies can affect dogs and cats. Unlike inhalant allergies, it looks no relationship between certain races with the risk of food allergies. Food allergies can occur in males and females, in animals that have been castrated or not. Symptoms can appear from the age of five months to 12 years, although the majority of cases seen in animals aged between 2-6 years.

All you need to know is different from food allergy intolerance. Food allergy showed typical symptoms, like itching and other skin problems associated with allergies in dogs and cats. Meanwhile, food intolerance can cause diarrhea or vomiting, but did not produce typical allergy symptoms. Symptoms of food intolerance in animals are more similar to the symptoms of people suffering from diarrhea or stomach disease from eating spicy foods. The good news, either allergy or food intolerance can be overcome with a diet free of substances trigger a reaction.

Then, substances which foods can cause allergies in animals? Basically, there are a lot of food substances that can cause allergic reactions in animals. However, according to some studies, some of the more common food substances that cause allergic reactions in dogs are beef, dairy products, chicken, lamb, fish, chicken eggs, corn, wheat, and soybeans.

Perhaps you realize that, some food ingredients on top of the food ingredients are often used as dog food. Correlation is not a coincidence. In addition to the fact that some sources of protein is a substance that triggers a reaction more than others, but basically, most of the protein sources contain similar substances, and onset of reaction is caused more by the amount of exposure.

The next question is how to recognize the dog allergies symptoms? Symptom of food allergy is basically similar to other allergic symptoms in dogs and cats. The main symptom is the onset of itching of the skin, especially around the face, feet, ears, armpits and the area around the anus. Other symptoms are chronic or recurrent ear infections, hair loss, excessive scratching habits and skin infections can be cured with antibiotics, but will reappear after they discontinued use of antibiotics.

There is also evidence that dogs with food allergies have increased bowel movements. One study showed that dogs with normal (not having an allergic reaction) defecate approximately 1-2 times per day, while some dogs with food allergies can urinate as much as three times or more per day.

It is rather difficult to distinguish between animals that experienced an allergic reaction to food by animals that experience allergic reactions if inhaled based solely on physical signs alone. However, there are some typical signs that increase the suspicion of food allergy. One is a dog with recurrent ear problems, especially fungal infections. Another factor is a younger dog with moderate or severe skin problems. Note also, whether the dog had an allergic reaction symptom throughout the year or only appear at the beginning of winter only. Final clue is dogs that have very itchy skin, but did not respond to steroid treatment.

So this is all about dog food allergies symptoms, you may also read about dog food allergies treatment.