Sarcoptic mange is the biggest threat to companion dogs. These parasites are transferred easily between dogs and can cause localized or generalized infections. Localized infections result when the mites proliferate in a small area on your dog’s skin and cause itching and isolated bald patches. Secondary infections that develop on your dog’s damaged skin may lead to odor, intense itching, and other problems. Generalized infections are most common in dogs with an endocrine disorder, compromised immune system, or other health conditions, but they can affect healthy dogs of all ages.

Recognizing Mange in Dogs:

Early recognition and prompt treatment are important to prevent potentially serious secondary infections from developing. Unfortunately, the symptoms of mange vary depending on many factors, including the type of mite present, the severity of the infection, the individual dog, and the presence of other health conditions. Most cases of mites cause local or generalized hair loss, bald spots, sores, and scabbing.

When secondary infections occur, symptoms such as itching, odor, and discharge may develop. Some dogs may scratch frantically, leading to restlessness, bleeding, and open sores. Symptoms are often most severe on the face, ears, and legs, although some cases involve the entire head and body.

Treating Mange and Mites:

Once your veterinarian examines your dog and confirms the presence of mange mites, he or she will prescribe one or more medications to kill the offending mites and to treat any existing secondary infections. Depending on the breed of your dog and the type of mange present, medication may be administered orally, topically, or via shampoo, dip, or injection. Medications are also available to soothe the inflammation and itching associated with mange infections.

It is essential to isolate dogs with sarcoptic mange from other pets and humans to prevent transmitting the infection to others. It may take a month or longer before you observe an improvement in symptoms, and your dog may require long-term treatment to keep the mites under control. Medication is discontinued only after your dog’s skin scrapings are negative for at least one month.

Replace your dog’s bedding and collar, and treat all other animals your dog is exposed to regularly to prevent reinfection. Additionally, speak with your veterinarian about a recheck schedule to scrape for mites periodically in the future. Regular veterinary care guarantees any problems are diagnosed and treated early to prevent complications and ensures your dog’s continued health and happiness.

Duration

Has the diarrhea just started or has it been going on for a while?  If your dog has had diarrhea for two or more days, particularly if you have tried some home remedies and they have not worked, it is time to make an appointment with your veterinarian.  On the other hand, if your dog has only had diarrhea for a day or so, there is still a good chance that his condition will improve with home treatment.

Severity

How bad is the diarrhea?  How does your dog seem to feel otherwise?  A dog that has only had a couple of instances of diarrhea and is still active, happy and interested in food and water is not in immediate danger.  However, if you are seeing profuse, frequent, watery diarrhea; if it contains significant amounts of blood; or if it is accompanied by vomiting, lethargy, depression, and abdominal pain, call your veterinarian immediately.

 Age

Is your dog a puppy?  Very young dogs can become dehydrated and hypoglycemic very quickly if they are not eating and drinking well or if they are suffering from diarrhea and vomiting.  Always err on the side of caution with puppies and get them to the veterinarian sooner rather than later.

Overall Health

Is your dog otherwise healthy or does he have health problems that might make his condition a bit more precarious?  If you are concerned that your dog may not be able to handle the stress of even a short bout of diarrhea, seeking rapid treatment is probably in his best interest.

Treatment Recommendations

Otherwise healthy, adult dogs that have had mild to moderate diarrhea for less than 48 hours are ideal candidates for symptomatic treatment.  Here are a few recommendations as to what you can try at home before calling your veterinarian.

• Feed your dog a bland diet like boiled white meat chicken (no bones or skin) and white rice for a day or two.  If the diarrhea resolves, gradually reintroduce your dog’s regular food.
• Administer an anti-diarrhea pet medication containing kaolin and pectin to absorb excess fluid within the intestinal tract and reduce intestinal movement.
• Administer a probiotic supplement for dogs like Endurosyn to help normalize the bacterial populations in his intestinal tract.

If your dog fails to improve in 24 to 48 hours or gets worse at any time, you will need to make an appointment with a veterinarian so a proper diagnosis can be made and appropriate treatment can be administered.

The basic answer is that your dog’s nose will be wet or dry at different times, depending on when you touch it, what he’s been doing, the environment around him, and so on. It’s hard to get a standard reading on a dog’s nose. Your dog may lick his nose to moisten it. He will probably get it wet when he takes a drink. All of these things can affect whether it’s wet or dry.

However, your dog’s nose is an extremity, so it’s likely to be cooler than some other parts of his body most of the time.

There are exceptions, of course. If your dog’s nose is hot for several days in a row it’s likely to be a sign of illness. Likewise, if your dog’s nose is dry and chapped, it’s usually a sign of sickness. Your dog may be running a temperature. You should take him to your veterinarian for a check-up.

You can tell other things by the condition of your dog’s nose. Many dogs lose the black pigment in their nose during winter months because they spend less time in the sun. This is called “winter nose.” It’s nothing to be concerned about. Your dog’s black pigment will return when he starts spending more time outdoors in the sunlight.

Other dogs can be allergic to plastic food bowls — their noses come in close contact with the plastic when they eat. This can make them lose the black pigment in their noses, too. If this is the case you can overcome this allergy by feeding your dog from a stainless steel pan or from a ceramic dish.

If your dog has an actual runny nose or nasal discharge then you should take it seriously. Dogs don’t get colds but they do get respiratory infections. Take your dog to the vet for a diagnosis. Your vet can prescribe the proper medication for your dog.

Your dog probably doesn’t like to have a very cold nose any more than you do. That’s why dogs seem prone to poking their cold noses into your warm spots when you least expect it. And, if your dog’s nose is wet, you can almost count on your dog rubbing his nose on you, usually when you’re wearing some nice clothes.

Your healthy dog will probably have a cold, moist nose most of the time but when he doesn’t, you should not be alarmed unless his nose is hot and dry for an extended period of time. Watch for other signs of illness such as lethargy, coughing and nasal discharge. Take your dog to the vet if you suspect your dog may be sick.

Some dogs can be allergic to mosquitoes. However, it’s not always easy to know if this is what your dog is allergic to or not.

Mosquito bites on a dog generally look like lots of other insect bites. They may appear as a tiny bump. The bite may or may not get any larger. It may linger for a day or for several days.

However, if your dog is allergic to mosquito bites you can expect your dog to itch, to scratch at the bite, and even to bite at the spot, perhaps until it bleeds. The bites will usually look like lumps or welts if there is an allergic reaction.

To make a definite diagnosis of a mosquito allergy you need to take your dog to a veterinarian. There are several ways your vet can test to find out if your dog has an actual allergy. The most definitive way is by doing a blood test and sending it to a lab where they can match your dog’s blood to find out what he’s allergic to. This will give you a precise answer so you’ll know if your dog is really allergic to mosquitoes.

If you live in an area where mosquitoes are prevalent you will probably want to take some precautions for your dog. Advantix is available by prescription from your veterinarian. It’s a once-a-month topical to prevent fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. You can also use a flea spray that prevents mosquitoes along with the Advantix.

If your dog is having an allergic reaction to mosquito bites you will probably want to call your veterinarian, especially if this is the first time this has occurred. Your vet will probably advise you to give your dog an allergy medicine such as Benadryl but you will need to talk to your vet to find out the proper dosage for your dog’s weight and age.

If your dog has recurring reactions to mosquito bites your vet may recommend giving your dog a prescription allergy medication on a regular basis.

In addition to the agony of the allergic reaction, mosquito bites are dangerous to your dog because they can carry heartworm disease. It’s very important that you keep your dog protected against heartworm if you live in an area where you encounter mosquitoes. Heartworm disease is now found in all parts of the United States. It can be deadly if left untreated.

Fortunately, most dogs are not allergic to mosquitoes and do not have a strong reaction to an occasional mosquito bite. If your dog does get a mosquito bite you probably won’t even know it. Keep your dog up-to-date on his heartworm medication and you shouldn’t have any problems from mosquitoes.

Many longtime dog owners swear by putting a little apple cider vinegar in their dog’s drinking water, adding some garlic to food to prevent fleas, or using pumpkin for worming. These and other old-time remedies have been around a long time and are a natural way to treat your dog for many common complaints.

Popular — and time-tested — natural dog remedies.

Natural Flea Remedies

Add a little garlic (powder form is fine) or brewer’s yeast to your dog’s food each day. These additives act as a flea repellant since it’s believed that fleas don’t like the taste of your dog’s blood, or his odor, once he’s taking these preventives.

You can also make your own herbal flea powder by mixing together eucalyptus, rosemary, fennel, rue, wormwood and yellow dock. Mix thoroughly and massage into your dog’s coat all the way down to the skin.

For your home, sprinkle borax (sold as 20 Mule Team Borax wash detergent) into your carpet and vacuum up a few hours later. You can also buy diatomaceous earth from your gardening center and sprinkle it in your yard to kill fleas.

Nematodes are another solution to flea problems.

Natural Dog Worming Remedies

Pumpkin seeds have been used to worm dogs though most people still rely on their vets or over-the-counter wormers.

Pumpkin seeds are not recommended as a treatment for heartworms. However, pumpkin pulp is very valuable for digestive issues. Whether your dog has diarrhea or is constipated, a little pumpkin can regulate the digestive tract in many cases. It gets things moving or slows things down but pumpkin seems to do the trick. Be sure to feed plain pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling. Your dog doesn’t need the spices in the pie filling.

Anemia Remedy

For anemia, feed your dog foods that are high in vitamin B and iron. A serving of liver once a day will help.

Natural Arthritis Remedies For Dogs

For arthritic dogs losing weight will take some of the weight off and reduce pain. Help your dog continue to get regular exercise. A soft place to sleep is recommended. Applying heat also h elps.

Some dogs benefit from glucosamine and chondroitin supplements.

Dog Bad Breath Remedy

If your dog has bad breath check his teeth. Bad breath is often a sign that your dog has plaque or a rotten tooth. Your dog may need a tooth pulled or his teeth cleaned. Cut down on or stop feeding canned food since it can worsen teeth problems.

Brush your dog’s teeth regularly.

Carsickness Remedies

For carsickness dogs respond well to ginger cookies, just as children do. Ginger, honey and the flower essence Rescue Remedy are all helpful for this problem.

Remedy For Hotspots

For hotspots, shave the hair around the hotspot. Wash the area with Listerine antiseptic mouthwash. Apply Gold Bond medicated powder.

Use a mix of baking soda and water to make a paste and apply to insect bites.

If your dog has itchy skin from allergies, soak them in a bath of colloidal oatmeal.

Natural Skunk Remedy

If your dog is sprayed by a skunk, don’t despair. Shampoo him with a mixture of one quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 Tablespoon Dawn dish detergent. Repeat as necessary. This WILL get the stink out.

These are just a few proven natural dog remedies. There are many others. If you talk to experienced dog people they will likely be happy to share others with you. You probably won’t need to use all of these remedies but it’s good to have this kind of advice when you need it.

Remember that you should always seek out your veterinarian whenever you have any questions about your dog’s care or if your dog has a serious health problem.

An excellent book on the topic is the Veterinarians Guide to Natural Remedies for Dogs.

To be honest with you, I haven’t tried them on Misha, but I thought I would share them with you anyway.

Recipes for Dog Flea Allergy

Here are a couple options if you’re interested in making your own natural flea repellant. This would be especially useful If your dog has an allergy to flea bites or other insect bites,

Homemade flea powder

Use dried herbs for this recipe.

• 1 cup Wormwood
• 1 cup Fennel
• 1 cup Peppermint
• 1 cup Rosemary
• 1 cup Rue

Mix all the ingredient together in a large bowl and grind. Make sure the mixture is ground into a fine powder, just as you would find in a commercial flea powder.

Sprinkle or shake the powder all over your dog as best as you can. One method that works really well is to buy a salt or pepper shaker, or a shaker that’s designed for powdered sugar.

Give your dog a good coating of the powder and then massage it into the dog’s fur with your hands.

It is best to do this outside since your dog will probably give a good shake when you are through and powder will go flying everywhere .

Pennyroyal flea powder

• 2 tbsp ground Rosemary
• 2 tbsp ground Wormwood
• 4 tbsp powdered Pennyroyal
• 2 tsp cayenne pepper

Mix ingredients together.

Dust this all over your dog and massage the powder into your dog’s fur with your hands. You can use gloves for the job, or make sure to carefully and thoroughly wash your hands after you do this.

Don’t touch your face, or especially your eyes, after using this powder. Be sure to wash your hands as quickly as you can. Remember, the powder contains cayenne pepper. You don’t want to be washing this out of your eyes.

Natural flea wash

• 1 cup fresh or dried rosemary
• 4 cups water

Boil the water.

Add the rosemary to the boiled water. Cover the pot and steep it until it is cool, or at least for an hour. Strain out the rosemary.

Give your dog a bath. If you used shampoo, be sure to rinse it all out.

Pour the rosemary wash all over your dog and allow your dog to air dry. Don’t rinse it out or dry your dog in a way that would remove any of the wash from your dog’s fur. You want it to dry on your dog.

Hot spots

If your dog’s allergies are causing her to scratch and chew at certain areas creating hot spots, you might want a remedy to reduce the itching and discomfort.

Here are some homemade remedies to keep your dog’s skin cool and comfortable.

Thyme Oil

Mix equal amounts of thyme oil and olive oil.

Using a cotton ball, apply the oil all over your dog’s hot spots. Using this will not only make the dog’s skin feel better, but will help to prevent future infections.

You can keep the oil mixture up to a month in the refrigerator.

Dog skin tonic

• 4 tbsp Cod-liver oil
• 2 tbsp Garlic powder
• 2 cups vinegar
• 4 tbsp Bone-meal powder
• 5 tbsp Desiccated liver powder

Mix all the ingredients together.

Add 3 tablespoons of the mixture to your dog’s food daily.

This helps to promote new hair growth and will keep your dog’s skin healthy and without irritation.

Store in the refrigerator or it will go rancid.

So there you have it, a few homemade dog allergy recipes for you to try.

If you have any recipes of your own that you have tried in the past, please fell free to share with us in the comments below. I would love to add your recipe to this page.

Dogs and Allergies is a series of articles discussing the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of various types of dog allergies. Move on the next article, Best Allergy Formula Dog Food, or go back to the previous article, Prevent Dog Allergies.

Best,

Omar Reyes

For additional home remedies to treat dog allergies and other conditions, check out Rover’s Recipes. They have even more helpful recipes for natural dog shampoos and soaps and other helpful ideas. Get your copy at http://dogcarejourney.com/rovers-recipes.

As humans we do what we can to avoid allergies because they can make us so uncomfortable and miserable. If we suffer from seasonal allergies, we keep up with our allergy shots during allergy season, or we stock up on antihistamines and other allergy medications. If we know that coming in contact with certain things can cause a skin irritation, we avoid those items vigilantly. And if we know that eating something will cause an allergic reaction you can bet we won’t be eating that type of food.

We have that luxury, the ability to proactively avoid situations that will cause us suffering and discomfort. However, our dogs are totally dependent on us to look out for their best interest, and to protect them from things that could bring them discomfort and suffering. Dog allergies are no different.

If your pet develops any type of dog allergies, it is very unlikely that it is an isolated incident and it will just go away on its own. In fact, once your dog develops allergies, chances are she will have them for the rest of her life. Remember, allergies cannot be cured, but must be actively managed. So you have to find what works and stick with those treatment methods for the long-term. Even better would be to learn what affects your dog and avoid those items and situations upfront to reduce the chances of any allergic reactions occurring.

Managing your dog’s allergy symptoms as they occur will work to relieve those symptoms, but your dog will still have to suffer through the itching, scratching, and biting while waiting for the treatment to take effect. However, by taking precautionary measures you may be able to prevent dog allergies from occurring in the first place. A change in her environment, or switching food in her diet may help to eliminate the problem that may cause an allergic reaction to develop.

Similarly, if you know your dog is vulnerable to frequent skin irritations like dry, itchy skin then you may want to use a medicated shampoo or some sort of topical cream that will reduce the chances of your dog developing those irritations. Taking an active approach like that will also reduce the effects on the skin should some type of allergy occur.

In my opinion, taking the steps necessary to prevent dog allergies is the responsible thing to do, and is definitely better than trying to treat the symptoms as they occur. Remember that allergies in dogs are a long-term problem that requires a long-term solution.

What Not To Do To Prevent Dog Allergies

While it is important to actively try to avoid situations that can cause allergies in your dogs, we can sometimes go a bit too far and make matters worse. There are some things you might be tempted to do as soon as you believe your dog has allergies. However, you might actually be aggravating the situation and making it more difficult for your dog to live with her allergies.

Frequent Baths

Giving your dog a bath too often can cause additional skin problems. Try to keep baths to once a month if possible. Use cool water instead of warm water. Cool water is more soothing to your dog.

Constant Shampooing

Constant shampooing can dry out your dog’s skin. Many people believe that frequent baths with oatmeal shampoos and other types of bath treatments can help to soothe their dogs allergies, but doing so too often can actually dry out the skin, which can only make things worse.

Avoiding Treatment

Do not leave any suspected dog allergies untreated. It is unfair to your dog, and untreated allergies can lead to serious health problems later on.

So, do what you can to prevent dog allergies, and take steps to relieve any symptoms and discomforts your dog may have if she does develop any type of dog allergies.

Dogs and Allergies is a series of articles discussing the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of various types of dog allergies. Move on to the next article, Dog Allergy Recipes, or go back to the previous article, Remedies For Dog Allergies.

Best,

Omar Reyes

If you have been enjoying this series on dog allergies, consider our free Dog Care Handbook. It contains 52 practical dog care tips. Just enter your name and email in the form below for instant access.

If you decide to take your dog to the vet, they should be able to diagnose your dog’s allergies effectively and will work with you to determine the best course for treating and relieving the symptoms of dog allergies. Your dog may be prescribed medication, and you should follow your veterinarian’s instructions for proper use.

However, there are many other remedies for dog allergies that can help your dog, especially if their symptoms are milder. You will be treating your dog in a more natural way, not to mention the cost savings since those vet bills can add up pretty quickly.

Remedies For Dog Allergies

Here are a variety of natural and common household remedies to help relieve the symptoms of common dog allergies.

Common Sense Remedies

This will work best for dogs with milder allergic reactions. For example, changing your dog’s diet may be a quick solution to a food allergy in dogs. Removing an item from your dog’s environment may relieve a skin allergy. The important thing with common sense remedies is that it is really dependent on how much effort you are willing to put into trying different ideas until you find something that works.

Topical Oils

Oils can used to relieve some of the symptoms of dog skin allergies, like itching and scratching. They are usually in the form of a shampoo or cream. However, they tend to offer only short-term relief, so frequent applications are usually needed to fight the symptoms over the long-term.

One formula that might work to relieve dry, irritated skin is to use 1 part neem oil and 1 part grape seed oil. Mix them together and massage the mixture into your dog’s skin.

Elizabethan Collars

These are those funny, cone shaped collars that are used around a dog’s head. They are great for preventing your dog from biting and chewing itchy areas. Most dogs hate them at first, but they usually come around after a while.

These collars are great for seasonal dog allergies, when scratching and biting can aggravate existing problems. Elizabethan collars are relatively inexpensive and can be reused whenever your dog is suffering from seasonal allergies, or is scratching too much as a result of a skin irritation.

Old Socks and T-Shirts

Like Elizabethan collars, using these items are meant to restrict your dog’s scratching and biting. They can be very effective and are usually less distracting to your dog. However, they have one major disadvantage.

Dogs who really want to scratch will find a way to get rid of the socks or t-shirts. Some dogs will chew the socks right off their feet and then scratch or bite through or under the t-shirt. You know your dog better than anyone, so decide if a pair of socks or a t-shirt would be better than a collar for your dog.

Diet Supplements

Many dog owners add a few things to their dog’s diet to help with her allergies, especially fish oil. Fish oils are believed to soften and moisturize the skin which relieves itching, scratching, and biting. Some dog owners like to give their dogs cod live oil tablets or capsules. Some dogs will chew it up, like a wonderful treat. Others may be more resistant, so you can simply break the capsule open, or crush the tablet, and add it to her food.

Another popular supplement is Biotin. This is a vitamin B supplement that can be added to your dog’s food. It is believed to soothe and heal dry, itchy, and broken skin.

Dog Allergy Medication

Antihistamines

Antihistamines are inexpensive and usually available over-the-counter. Check with your vet for proper dosage for your dog. Unfortunately, many experts estimate that using antihistamines are only effective in about 15 – 30% of dogs suffering from seasonal allergies. So it might not be the most effective method of treating your dog’s allergies.

When they work, they can be good at treating itching, hot spots, inflammation, and eye infections. So it might be worth a try. You can pick up a  bottle at: http://dogcarejourney.com/cb-allergy-tablets.

Steroids

Steroids can be extremely effective in dealing with more several allergic reactions. They can also help in relieving symptoms of dog allergies such as itching and inflammation. However, they have been known to have side effects such as dehydration, diarrhea, and weight loss. So just be aware of the potential side effects. Talk to your vet about any concerns you may have. You will have to visit them for a prescription for steroids anyway.

In the end, it is up to you to decide which one of these remedies for dog allergies you want to try.

Dogs and Allergies is a series of articles discussing the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of various types of dog allergies. Move on the the next article, Prevent Dog Allergies, or go back to the previous article, How to Diagnose a Food Allergy in Dogs.

Best,

Omar Reyes

For additional home remedies to treat dog allergies and other conditions, check out Rover’s Recipes. They have helpful recipes for natural dog shampoos and soaps and other helpful ideas. Get your copy at http://dogcarejourney.com/rovers-recipes.

You can look for certain clues to indicate a possible food allergy. For example, if your dog has been troubled by recurring ear infections, that may be one sign that she could be allergic to something that she is eating. If your dog is relatively young and suffers from moderate to severe skin problems, that could be another clue. And finally, if your dog is suffering from allergies but it is not allergy season, then it could be a sign of food allergies. However, there are more certain steps you can take to diagnose a food allergy.

Diagnosing Food Allergy in Dogs

The diagnosis for a food allergy in dogs is very straightforward, but it is very important that you identify all other potential problems, and treat those first before trying to diagnose food allergies. Once that is done, it is time to move on to testing.

The best way to determine the source of a food allergy is to follow an elimination diet or a food trial. This particular test requires you to eliminate all foods that your dog is currently eating for at least twelve weeks, long enough for the symptoms to go away, and then reintroducing her original food to see if the reaction develops again.

Once you remove the original diet, you would feed your dog a diet containing proteins and carbohydrates from a source she has never had before. For example, you could give her food containing ingredients like duck, rabbit, venison, or potato. These are usually not found in your typical commercial pet food. For your convenience, there are a number of such commercial dog foods available from manufacturers such as Innova dog food. There are also other allergy formula dog food that you can try.

Homemade diets are often used in the food trial since you have greater control over the ingredients used.

No matter which diet you choose to follow for the trial, the important thing to remember is that it must be the only thing your dog eats for the entire twelve weeks. This means no…

• treats
• animal parts (rawhide, pig ears, cow hooves)
• vitamins and supplements
• flavored medications (no heartworm preventatives either)
• toothpaste
• flavored chew toys

Nothing but the chosen diet and water!

Where possible, try to keep the dog confined in an area where you can make sure that she does not accidentally eat something from the garbage or from somewhere else.

After the twelve weeks have passed, your dog’s symptoms should have disappeared, or at least significantly reduced. Now it is time to put her back on the original diet. It may seem a bit unreasonable to deliberately trigger the reactions that made your dog so uncomfortable, but remember, you are trying to determine the source of her allergies so that you can avoid them in the future.

If the symptoms return once she begins her original diet then that is a pretty good sign of a food allergy in dogs.

If there were no changes in her symptoms while she was on her new diet during the food trial, but you still firmly believe that she has a food allergy, then you need to start a new food trial with a different food source. So if you went with rabbit in the first trial, you would try duck this time.

Treating Food Allergy in Dogs

The food trial helped you to determine what ingredients caused an allergic reaction in your dog. But it also served to identify what type of food you can feed your dog to avoid allergies caused by her diet. Once you have determined what your dog can safely eat, stick to that diet until you notice any adverse effects.

Dogs and Allergies is a series of articles discussing the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of various types of dog allergies. Move on to the next article, Remedies for Dog Allergies, or go back to the previous article, Symptoms of Common Dog Food Allergies.

Best,

Omar Reyes

Remember, you can either buy a commercial dog food like Innova, or you can make your own food at home using recipes like those from Rover’s Recipes.

This type of allergy does not discriminate among dogs. They affect both male and female, puppies and seniors, neutered and intact. Food allergies can appear in puppies as young as five months, and in seniors as old as twelve years. Typically, the allergy develops sometime between two and six years. In general, pets who suffer from this allergy also suffer from inhalant allergies, like dust and mold, and from seasonal allergies.

Some allergic reactions related to your dog’s diet are so mild that you may never know your dog has common dog food allergies. Other dogs may suffer from chronic symptoms.

It is not quite understood why some dogs have a sensitivity to certain types of food while others don’t. What is known are some of the triggers of these allergies, the symptoms, how to diagnose it, and what to do about it.

Dog Food Allergies vs Dog Food Intolerance

There is a difference between having an intolerance to certain types of food and having a dog food allergy.

In food intolerance, it is not the food item itself that triggers an allergic reaction. Instead, the body simply cannot process or tolerate that particular food. If your pet has a food intolerance, they will often show signs associated with problems from eating certain foods. For example, they may have diarrhea, or vomiting after eating that particular food item. However, that does not mean that they have a food allergy.

If your pet has a food allergy, she may also have diarrhea and vomiting, but she will usually have some of the other common symptoms of dog allergies such as itching, scratching, and biting.

Causes of Common Dog Food Allergies

Dogs are generally allergic to the proteins present in pet food. The most common triggers are:

• chicken eggs
• chicken
• beef
• wheat
• soy
• corn
• dairy products

Of these, beef and dairy products are the most likely to cause an allergic reaction in your dog.

Unfortunately, most commercial dog foods are made with one or more of these ingredients. This is important because the most common ingredients in pet food are the same ones that are the most common sources of allergies. To avoid this, you may want to try an allergy formula dog food.

Symptoms of Common Dog Food Allergies

The symptoms of food allergies are similar to those that occur in other types of allergies. You will likely notice a variety of signs that can include:

• itchy skin
• excessive scratching
• licking
• hot spots
• anal itching
• face rubbing
• head shaking
• recurring skin infections
• recurring ear infections (especially yeast infections)
• hair loss

You may also notice a combination of any of these other signs:

• diarrhea
• vomiting
• flatulence (passing gas)
• sneezing
• wheezing
• seizures (in severe cases)

Sidenote: Some veterinarians believe that dogs with food allergies may have more daily bowel movements than pets without food allergies. There seems to be some evidence that dogs with food allergies may have three or more daily bowel movements while dogs with no food allergies potty an average of 1.5 times for the day. This is inconclusive however.

Dogs and Allergies is a series of articles discussing the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of various types of dog allergies. Move on to the next article, How to Diagnose a Food Allergy in Dogs, or go back to the previous article, Seasonal Dog Allergies.

Best,

Omar Reyes

For even more information about dog food check out the book: Dog Food Dangers.