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What's In The Bag? Could Be A Recipe For Pet Food Allergies |
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Written by Rebecca Foxton
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Thursday, 15 May 2008 |
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Dogs can have similar problems as humans have, with allergies to some types of food. It's possible that it could be an intolerance to specific ingredients such as wheat or corn, or a general complaint which is provoked my many types of food, such as colitis.
by RebeccaFoxton
Dogs can have similar problems as humans have, with allergies to some types of food. It's possible that it could be an intolerance to specific ingredients such as wheat or corn, or a general complaint which is provoked my many types of food, such as colitis.
Some symptoms of dog food allergies include: Vomiting bile or blood, bad appetite, diarrhea and blood in the stool, itching, dry coat and skin, chronic ear infections, loss of fur, lots of scratching, hot spots and skin infections, increased bowel movements and anything else out of the ordinary.
Should you suspect that your dog is allergic to a certain food, you need to do some testing to make sure that it is indeed food which is causing the problem, as other medical complaints can also cause similar symptoms, like parasites, skin infections or any other.
It might be necessary to use a home made dog food, so you can control the ingredients, and the balance of proteins and carbohydrates.
Making the issue more complex, there are many additives in dog food, and it may be one of these additives which is causing the allergy, rather than a certain kind of meat or grain.
Dairy products, wheat, chicken, chicken eggs, soy, corn, and beef are the common culprits found in a dog's diet that cause allergies. "But aren't these the most common ingredients in dog food?", you might ask.
Correct, and there is a correlation here. Just as many humans are lactose intolerant, over-exposure to these foodstuffs may be what has caused the problem.
Rice and lamb are common among many of the new recipes which have been formulated to be non-traditional dog feeds; hence dogs do not build up intolerance during this period.
These may not actually be the solution to treating an intolerance though, as many of these brands contain soy, egg etc., so check the ingredients.
As more and more dogs are diagnosed with allergic reactions, many pet foods are marketed as hypoallergenic. Keep in mind that like any other thing, some dog food recipes may work well for you dog, and others may not be right for him at all. Take these only as guidelines.
However, consider that many healthy dog foods may still cause allergies in your dog if they contain that specific ingredient he is allergic to, and even human grade dog food might still be causing your dog stomach problems, so be prepared to compare dog food brands until you find the one that works.
Just as in humans, an intolerance to wheat or dairy contained in dog foods, natural and high quality though they may be, will still cause the end result. Canine skin allergies are another sign that your dog may have an allergy.
About the Author:
About the author: Rebecca Foxton wants to help you bring your pet better health with Fortiflora. Check out her nutrition tips for pet owners, and read her dog food articles on Dog Buffs. |
