subject: Food Allergies In Dogs And How to Understand Them [print this page] Food Allergies In Dogs And How to Understand Them
Just like people, dogs too can have various food allergies. It isn't easy to know what your dog is reacting to because he may have picked up something from rolling in grass or being around other dogs. However, if you notice characteristics such as stomach itching, chronic ear infections as well as chewing on one of his legs, this can indicate an allergic issue.
First you want to determine if there may be any environmental issues you may have not noticed. Are there fleas or other insects around? Was your dog recently outdoors and came back with a problem? Try to see if there is any environmental situation you may not have noted before.
When you start looking at the question of foods, see if your dog scratches himself close to eating something. Because so many prepared foods have various fillers as well as preservatives and dyes, it can be one of these that create the problems. Your dog may have issues with either his stomach or skin or possibly both.
Rule out also any skin problem that may be caused by fungus. Some dogs also may have scabies or mange. People look for fleas but there are other reasons for skin disorders in dogs.
Just like people, some dogs can't tolerate corn, wheat or certain grains. This can be tricky to determine. Some dogs cannot digest fat properly. Finally, there are certain foods that should never be given to dogs such as chocolate. If your dog has low energy or is listless, he needs to be seen by a vet in order to rule out a tumor or something much more serious.
