Food Allergy in Dogs: Identifying Symptoms and Treating Them
An allergy causes the immune system to overreact when it comes into contact with a harmless substance. Before an allergy is triggered, repeated contact with the corresponding allergen is required.
Allergies are widespread in dogs. It is estimated that about 20% of dogs suffer from allergies.
The two most common forms of allergy that occur in dogs are flea allergy and atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis, also known as atopy, is caused by pollen and house dust mites.
Diagnosis of allergies
Allergies can be diagnosed using special tests. The veterinarian will perform either a blood test or an intradermal test.
The intradermal test involves injecting the allergen directly under the skin and observing the reaction to it. Allergy tests are not 100% accurate though.
Food allergies are a problem
In addition to the two types mentioned, allergies are often triggered by food.
Symptoms of a feed allergy
Feed allergies are usually noticeable on the dog's skin. There they manifest themselves in particular in the form of itching and rashes.
It is not uncommon for dogs to lose hair and get open spots by licking and scratching the affected areas. If these remain untreated, they can be infected and inflamed with bacteria.
Apart from skin irritation, the allergy can also cause inflammation of the ears or paws. It can also cause problems with the gastrointestinal tract. This then manifests itself in the form of diarrhoea, for example.
These are the most common triggers
Feed allergies can be caused by different ingredients of dog food.
Above all, however, it is proteins that lead to allergies. The more often the dog consumes a certain protein, the more likely it is that an allergic reaction will occur at some point.
The following protein sources are considered to be particularly risky:
- Dairy products
- Wheat
- Beef
However, other protein sources, such as chicken, can also lead to a food allergy in your dog.
In addition to proteins, certain additives and vegetable oils are risk factors that can promote the development of a feed allergy.
A change of food is unavoidable
Do not under any circumstances take a food allergy with your dog lightly. Even if the diagnosis is difficult, a change of food is unavoidable for the health of your pelt-nose.
Because it is important to avoid food with allergenic ingredients. For this purpose, you can carry out an exclusion diet.
With its help, the allergen in the feed can be identified and can thus be avoided in the future.
By the way, a change from one conventional feed to another only rarely brings the desired success. Instead, it is better to go straight to a hypoallergenic food.
Our feeding recommendation
In case of a food allergy, we recommend you try our dog food with insect protein.
Since insect protein has not been used as a protein source so far, it has practically no allergy potential. Accordingly, your dog will tolerate it very well.
Furthermore, the food does not contain any cereals. This is because, in addition to animal proteins, it is mainly wheat that is responsible for allergies and intolerances. By doing without it, a further potential trigger of allergies can be excluded.
A good choice not only for allergy sufferers
By the way, we have not only chosen insect protein because of its low allergy potential. This unusual protein source has even more to offer.
It has a complex amino acid structure, which means that the proteins it contains can be used by dogs particularly well. This ensures that your pelt-nose is well supplied even without the use of conventional meat.
Whether as dry food or wet food. With our cereal-free dog food with insect protein you make a good choice not only for dogs suffering from a food allergy.
Food and care for dogs with food allergies
If you want to get your nutrition-sensitive dog's allergy symptoms such as watery eyes and inflamed ears permanently under control, the right care and the support of the kidneys are crucial in addition to changing the food.
With our special Bellfor saver sets for allergic dogs with watery eyes and allergic dogs with ear problems you can do this particularly reliably.
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