Food Allergies and Dogs

Adam’s new Siberian husky puppy had trouble keeping her food down, and when she finally did keep it down, she then had diarrhea.

Food allergies or intolerance to particular elements in dog foods, is the third most common cause of allergies for dogs. Food allergies affect all breeds, both genders, and can even suddenly show up years into a dog’s life.


Signs of Food Allergy or Intolerance

Adam’s husky more likely had food intolerance rather than a food allergy. Food allergies usually show signs of itching skin problems. They might be chronic skin infections that recur after antibiotic treatment. The allergic condition is usually year-round and doesn’t respond to antihistamines. Conversely, food intolerance is often seen with vomiting or diarrhea.

Typically, the most common causes of food allergy or intolerance are the most common ingredients in dog foods—beef, dairy, soy, corn, and wheat, among others.

Treatment for Food Allergy

Your veterinarian will rule out other causes of the skin problems (in the case of food allergies), such as parasites or fleas. Once other potential causes are ruled out, one can look at your dog’s diet. If you suspect food allergies, keep a list of what your dog eats, bring the can or dried food bag to your veterinarian for his or her review, and don’t feed him any table food.

Your veterinarian may recommend a special dog food formula made for dogs with food allergies or to help rule out the offending food. Most of those allergy-specific formulas include protein sources from lamb, rabbit, venison or duck.  Sometimes a homemade diet is recommended, starting with basic protein sources and then gradually adding other sources until food allergy signs are seen again. This elimination diet approach helps you determine what food is causing your dog’s allergy so you can avoid feeding it to him. It also allows you to see what foods don’t cause allergies so you can ensure his diet is still broad enough so he may get all the nutrients he needs.

Some homeopathic veterinarians feel that dogs can react to the additives and preservatives in commercial dog foods. If this is the case for your dog, you might try feeding a more natural brand of dog food that doesn’t contain preservatives, fillers or color additives.

Once you determine the cause of your pet’s food allergy or intolerance, you must ensure that he never eats it again. Much like a child with a peanut allergy, your dog’s food allergy isn’t going to go away. Your diligence in keeping his diet free of the offending allergen will keep him healthy and comfortable.