Food Related Dog Allergies

Just like their masters, dogs can suffer with seasonal or other types of allergies. These dog allergies will have just as powerful an impact on your pets happiness and well being as human allergies may have on yours. In previous articles I've discuss various types of dog allergies. Today we will being talking about how animals, like humans, may have allergies to certain types of foods.

Food related dog allergies make up about ten percent of all dog allergies that may effect your pet. This is much less common then flea related dog allergies but can be much more sever and detrimental to your dog's health. Although there is very little information as to why dog allergies occur, we do know that it is due to an antibody reaction that occurs in your pet's intestinal tract. This allergic reaction can lead to stomach irritation, rash and other more serious side effects.

Food allergies effect all breeds and sexes of dogs. These dog allergies will manifest between the ages of five and twelve months. Although dog allergies cause by foods will usually become evident at an earlier age there have been cases of food allergies in older dogs that have had no previous history of the problem.

There is a difference between food allergies and an intolerance to certain foods. If your pet suffers from dog allergies related to certain foods, they will show different signs than if their just did not agree with them. Certain foods may be harder for your pet to digest, this may cause vomiting, diarrhea or upset stomach. This is not to be confused with dog allergies cause by food. Food allergies will appear in the form of a skin irritation or rash.

There are certain ingredients that are used to make dog food which may be responsible for your animals dog allergies. Products like soy, dairy products, chicken, lamb, eggs, fish, corn, wheat, and beef may all be used to make your dog's food and one or more may be responsible for their dog allergies. Every dog is different, while one may be allergic to the beef used in a certain dog food, another may be allergic to the soy.

Some signs of food related dog allergies are skin irritation around the eyes, ears, mouth, stomach and anus. Another symptom that may be a sign of dog allergies is that pets effected by food related dog allergies may have more frequent bowel moments then dogs that aren't. The average dog has a little more than one bowel movement per day. If your pet has three or more it may be a sign of a food related dog allergy.

The symptoms associated with food related dog allergies may be a sign of something more serious. The only way to determine the true cause of your dog's health issues is by bringing them to a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis.

If your pet is diagnosed with dog allergies that are related to the food that they eat by a professional, the best way to eliminate the allergy is by trying new pet foods until you find one that suits your pet. Your veterinarian may be able to suggest a pet food that is right for your dog.

For more information on dog allergies, like Atopy, Bacterial Allergies or Contact Allergies, you should read About Dog Allergies.