Does your dog suffer from a food related allergy? Many pet owners spend years trying to cure seemingly unrelated symptoms in their dogs that are actually caused by food related allergens.
Common food allergy symptoms include:
- Persistent Itchy Skin (usually in the same spot)
- Itchy Paws
- Rashes & Hot Spots (skin infections caused by scratching)
- Red Eyes & Eye discharge
- Frequent vomiting & diarrhoea
- Hair loss
If your dog suffers from any of the above or any other persistent symptoms, then perhaps it might be worthwhile to investigate potential food allergens that they may be allergic to.
The best way to investigate is via an elimination diet, which is taking out the potential allergen ingredient completely out of their daily diet to see if the symptoms disappear.
Single ingredient treats (like what we have at Ferguson's) are very useful in elimination diets as you know exactly what is in these treats and don't have to decipher confusing ingredient lists.
Below is a list of 7 most common ingredients that dogs are prone to be allergic to.
1. Beef
Since beef is a common protein used in dog foods, this increases the likelihood of dogs developing an allergy to beef. To prevent this, try rotating proteins to ensure your dog is not being feed the same protein every time.
2. Dairy
Note that a dairy allergy is different to a lactose intolerance. Dairy allergies tend to lead to skin issues whereas lactose intolerance always manifests as a digestive problem (ie. gas, diarrhoea, vomiting)
3. Wheat
Wheat is a grain so if you suspect your dog is allergic to wheat, this is where you should opt for grain-free foods.
4. Eggs
Eggs are another common potential allergens for dogs, though the upside is that eggs are not difficult to avoid as it is rarely present in dog foods.
5. Chicken
Lately I've noticed that more and more dogs are becoming allergic to chicken. This might be a little hard to eliminate from their diets as pet food companies love to add chicken meal/mince (as it usually is the most economical) to all of their Roo, Lamb or Venison based foods.
6. Lamb
Lamb is another potential allergen that will usually creep into dog foods marketed as kangaroo/venison or beef.
7. Soy
Some studies have shown that soy can cause various health issues in dogs beyond an allergic reaction. Soy is quite prevalent in dog foods due to their high protein content so if you suspect a soy allergy, best to check your kibble ingredients and eliminate accordingly.
The best proteins that dogs are less likely to be allergic to? Kangaroo, Venison and Seafood are great protein alternatives if your dogs are allergic to more common protein sources (beef/chicken/lamb)
Hope this article helps you on your way to investigating your dog's allergies! If in any doubt please consult your vet or pet nutritionist for more guidance on resolving your dog's allergies.