More on food allergies and food intolerance in dogs

Continuing this week’s theme of allergies in dogs, let me refer you to a great article by PetEducation.com, hosted by Drs Foster & Smith. Skin problems in dogs are caused by food allergies only about 10% of the time.  (The rest of the time, it’s something in their environment, like dust mites or another allergen).  But look at what they say about the “tip offs” that it most likely IS a food allergy.

• Ear problems, especially yeast infections
• Skin problems in a very young dog
• Skin problems that occur year round or begin in winter
• Skin problems that don’t respond to antihistamines or steroids

Read on:

The symptoms of food allergies are similar to those of most allergies seen in dogs and cats. The primary symptom is itchy skin. Symptoms may also include chronic or recurrent ear infections, hair loss, excessive scratching, hot spots, and skin infections that respond to antibiotics but reoccur after antibiotics are discontinued. There is evidence that dogs with food allergies may sometimes have an increased incidence of bowel movements. One study showed that non-allergic dogs have around 1.5 bowel movements per day where some dogs with food allergies may have 3 or more per day.

It is difficult to distinguish an animal suffering from food allergies from an animal suffering from atopy or other allergies based on physical signs. However, there are a few signs that always make me suspect food allergies. One of these, is a dog with recurrent ear problems, particularly yeast infections. Another, is a very young dog with moderate or severe skin problems. A third tip off, is if a dog suffers from allergies year-round or if the symptoms begin in the winter. And the final clue, is a dog that has very itchy skin but does not respond to antihistamines or steroid treatment.

You MUST check with a vet to rule out all kinds of other potential problems.  But if it looks like a food allergy, they have a standard approach.  You change the pet’s food per the vet’s recommendation and don’t give them anything else, no table scraps, no treats, nothing!  You can usually tell right away that it was a food allergy by the way the dog’s skin and overall health respond to the new food.

I would just add that if you steer away from the less expensive commercial foods and head towards the ultra premium foods, the slightly increased cost of the food can offset the veterinary expenses incurred when you run into a problem like a food allergy, such as we’ve been discussing here. 

Teresa Holladay
The Holistic Pet Food Blog
http://IsYourPetFoodSafe.com