Dog Food Allergy Symptoms

The typical dog food allergy symptoms are very similar to skin allergy symptoms. This makes diagnosis more difficult, but nothing to do about it.

Nevertheless, I often start to question the owners about itching as this is in common in skin allergy, but can also caused from sarcoptic mange, fleas and other small creatures living in the skin or hairs.

Lets see on some of the main symptoms:

• Itching
• Skin Infections
• Ear infections
• Vomiting snd Diarrhoea

Itching

Your dog will often bite or lick the paws. Paws might become read and inflamed. He can rub its head and ears and his anal area can also be very itching. The Itching in this type of allergy is often severe and all year around.

Skin infections

Again, other diseases apart from dog food allergy can make skin inflamed.

Nevertheless, of all food allergy symptoms, I find recurring infections common. It's often on the belly, paws or ears that becomes red and inflamed.

The infection will make the itching even worse.

During the summertime they can easily turn into hot spots. Big oozing inflamed areas that is very very painful

Ear Infections

Otitis (ear infection) is a very common problem in general. Therefore, not very high ranking in specificity in the dog food allergy symptoms complex.

Very often I see ear problems in itching dogs. But if I see a dog with inflamed ears, just to find the ear canal deep in the ear normal, I really become suspicious on some kind of allergy.

Ear Infection

Vomiting and Diarrhoea

Now - sorry to say, that's better.

Itching dog and problems with digestion. Yes, very likely an allergy problem.

But among all the dogs having food allergy symptoms, bowl problem only account for 10 percent. Be aware though that maybe food allergy causes only causes stomach noises or excessive wind.

Diagnosis

Itching in the dog - as you see that's the primary symptom.

In order to get an idea if the itching belongs to normal skin or dog food allergy symptoms I sometimes use of corticosteroids.

A very small amount cortisone and for a very short period so no danger what so ever in this way.

But a small amount can give some idea whether it is the food or skin causing symptoms.

I am not telling you how to make the distinction... as this is not your job.

Ask your veterinarian about this.

Elimination diets is the only way to make the diagnosis. In my practice many owners use hydrolyzed dried diets - probably because it is very convenient.

Blood tests for food allergy, not really something I use. I prefer elimination diets instead.