Dog Food for Allergies

Our pets are more than possessions. They are our friends, companions, and, yes, at times our therapists. We adopt them as our newborns, raise them as toddlers, scold them as our own mischievous kids, and patiently address and correct their behavioral issues, such housebreaking and chewing.

When they become ill, most of us will give whatever we can and even what we can't to make them better. I have three dogs - an English Bulldog, named Coco, a French Bulldog, named Zoey, and a Silky Terrier, by the name of Charlie. The three are as different by their appearance as by their temperament. However, if one of them becomes ill, I will do whatever I can to alleviate their discomfort. For example, when Coco was neutered I was given the choice of a scalpel versus a laser. The laser was more expensive, but much easier on my little girl. I would do the same things for my pets, as I would do for any other family member.

Some problems that our pets are afflicted with are beyond our control. Others can be controlled and even eliminated. I am talking about allergies. Symptoms of allergies in dogs include skin problems, scratching, vomiting and diarrhea, itchy and runny eyes, itchy ears and ear infections, licking and chewing swollen paws, itchy back or base of tail (most commonly flea allergy), sneezing, and snoring caused by an inflamed throat.

Skin Allergies

Your dog's skin is the largest organ of her body. It protects the dog from the weather infections and parasites. It regulates the dog's body temperature and prevents dehydration. There are several skin allergies. They are as follows:

Fleas and Insects. This allergy is most prevalent in the spring and summer months when mosquito and flea eggs hatch. When the dog is bitten and the insect saliva is injected underneath the skin, the dog's skin becomes itchy and uncomfortable. The symptoms manifest themselves with itching, biting, and scratching. The danger of leaving this condition untreated is that the dog can do serious and permanent damage to her skin and fur through violent and uncontrolled itching and biting.

Seasonal Allergies. Season allergy is the most common of all canine allergies. This type of allergy is both genetic and environmental. Initially, the dog has genetic predisposition towards this allergy. However, this allergy develops after prolonged exposure to certain environmental factors. The symptoms are also characterized by itching and scratching. It becomes somewhat difficult to differentiate flea and insects from seasonal allergies.

Other skin allergies can be caused by natural causes, such as tree pollen, or by chemical toxins, such as cigarette smoke, perfumes, shampoos, or cleaning products. They can also be caused by spores, dust, feathers, and dander. Dog food for allergies can ameliorate the above symptoms.

Food Allergies

These allergies account for only 10-15% of all dog allergies. But they are more common than any other allergies with the exception of fleas and insects and seasonal allergies. Food allergies can be caused by the composition of the dog food, including beef, chicken, pork, corn, wheat and soy.

Dogs can suffer food allergies starting in early puppyhood and up until very old age. Generally these allergies develop in adolescence, specifically when the dog is between 2 and 5 years of age. Dogs are generally allergic to protein in foods. The two main allergens are beef and dairy.

Since most pet food proteins are similar, there is no conclusive proof that any commercial dog food, for example lamb and rice, is any less or more likely to trigger an allergic reaction.

The symptoms of a canine food allergy include itchy skin, recurrent ear infections, hot spots, skin problems, excessive scratching and hair loss. In addition, dogs with dog food allergies are more likely to have more irregular bowel movements.

There are several cures for dog food allergies. However, your choice of dog food for is the most relevant and direct of those cures. By purchasing natural, hypoallergenic dog food, as listed on this website, you are insuring the prevention and eventual cure of your dog's food allergies.

Greg Prosmushklin is a freelance writer, a practicing trial lawyer, a sometimes author, and an owner of a veterinary practice. His website http://www.edogfoodforallergies.com is devoted to various allergies suffered by dogs, and the effects that dog food has on those allergies