| Food allergies are the third most common type of | | | | difficult to diagnose. Because many owners feed their |
| allergy manifest in dogs. Unfortunately, food allergies in | | | | dogs dry or canned dog food with many different |
| dogs are not breed-specific, and thus there are no | | | | ingredients, often the best way to reliably test for food |
| "safe breeds." They can develop anywhere between | | | | allergies is to put the dog on a strict diet of a new |
| 5 months to 12 years of age, though most often they | | | | source of protein and a new source of carbohydrates |
| appear between the ages of 2 and 6. An important | | | | for 12 weeks., such as venison and rice, for example. |
| thing to understand about a potential food allergy is | | | | Assuming the dog's symptoms clear up, the original |
| that it develops over time, and a dog can slowly | | | | food or ingredients can be introduced one at a time to |
| develop an allergic reaction to a food it has safely | | | | the dog's diet to see if the symptoms return. If an |
| eaten for months or years beforehand. | | | | offending ingredient is identified, treatment is rather |
| It is also important to understand the difference | | | | straightforward: simply refrain from feeding it to the |
| between allergies and intolerances. A food intolerance, | | | | pup. It's important to afterwards check the ingredients |
| for example, might result in diarrhea or vomiting in a | | | | of any store-bought dog food, since many contain a |
| dog, much the same way a human might react poorly | | | | wide variety of ingredients. Many veterinarians will be |
| to spicy or foreign foods. An allergy may not result in | | | | able to recommend a special food, and some will sell |
| overt symptoms such as these, but might be more | | | | owners the food directly, though be aware that the |
| subtle such as itchy or sensitive skin. Other common | | | | specially prepared foods are typically more expensive |
| symptoms include hot spots, excessive scratching, hair | | | | than common store-bought dog foods. |
| loss, and ear sensitivity/infections. Year-round | | | | For particularly sensitive allergies, or for allergies for |
| symptoms are a good tip-off, because seasonal | | | | common ingredients, home-cooked food is always an |
| allergies will naturally only appear at certain times. Also, | | | | option. Remember to always consult your vet before |
| a number of studies have shown that an increase in a | | | | putting your pet on a new diet, as the meals need to |
| dog's bowel movements to three times a day or more | | | | be properly balanced so that your pet gets healthy |
| could be an indicator of a food allergy, as a healthy | | | | amounts of the nutrients he or she needs. However, |
| dog should typically only move its bowels about 1.5 | | | | preparing the dog's meals yourself could alleviate the |
| times a day. Blood tests can also be performed by a | | | | cost of custom diets. |
| vet to help identify potential allergies, though there are | | | | Although diagnosis can be a long and arduous process, |
| some that doubt the validity of the results. | | | | the result is a happier and healthier pet, and a |
| Allergic reactions to food are unfortunately often | | | | worry-free owner. |