Dog Food Allergies
The first step in treating your dog for dog food allergies is to determine what ingredient(s) he or she is allergic to. This can be difficult but it’s not impossible.
First, read the ingredient label on the bag and make a list of the protein(s) sources and the grains. A lot of dogs are developing wheat or corn allergies but they can also be allergic to chicken, beef or any other protein.
Second, go to a quality pet food source or go online and get a food that has none of the same ingredients. If you’re used to buying your pet his food at the supermarket, you may be a little overwhelmed at all the higher quality brands available. But that’s ok, there will be a food available without the corn, wheat, and other ingredients your dog may be used to eating.
You don’t need to get a giant bag. Try it in smaller bags to see if it helps your dog stop the itching and scratching first. Get a 2-3 week supply. You should start to see a difference in this amount of time if your dog is suffering from a dog food allergy.
After 2 weeks, if you see an improvement, you can introduce the other ingredients back into his diet one at a time (through different brands of food) if you want. If frequent food changes upset your pet’s tummy, you may end up spreading this “testing” out over months. Keep a log so you’ll remember what you’ve fed him and what, if any, reactions were.
You can also add a spoonful of yogurt to his food to help keep the “good” bacteria active and settle his tummy.
Feed your dog omega 3 fatty acids to help end itchy, scratchy skin. You can give fish oil pills, a special dog supplement or add olive oil and ground flaxseeds to your pet’s dinner. These fatty acids have natural anti-inflammatory properties which can help with allergies, boost your pet’s immune system and heal raw, irritated skin.
You can also relieve itchy skin with oatmeal baths and oatmeal shampoo. If you dog has a lot of “hot spots” you can help with a paste of oatmeal and water. Mix up a paste and apply it to the infected areas for several minutes, then, rinse clean with clean water.
Treating dog food allergies is a 2 step process. First, you have to get to the source of the allergy and eliminate it. Then you have treat the symptoms so your dog is feels better and stops chewing on himself creating red, raw areas.
If you try a complete diet change and you still don’t have a healthy seeming dog, then your dog could be allergic to something else entirely. Dogs can have seasonal allergies just like humans! They can also be allergic to fabrics or flea saliva.
