Food Allergies in Dogs page 2 of 2
< Back
Is that constant itching coming from the
dog food?
MetPet.com Staff Writer
The Exclusion or Elimination Diet for Dogs
Common sources of food allergies in dogs are wheat, corn and soy which
are common 'fillers' in dog food. They are often found as the first
ingredient in dog foods. Other food allergies can stem from common meats
such as pork, chicken, beef, fish and even eggs. Preservatives, used
extensively in processed foods could be the culprit. Allergies may
flare up after years of eating the same foods which can be confusing to
owners since nothing has changed in the dog's diet.
Although there are skin reaction tests in humans, these are uncommon for
dogs and not always readily available. If your dog has no other
discernable cause for his skin and coat problems, you can try the exclusion
diet. An exclusion diet, while time consuming, is an interesting
project for the whole family.
1. First, find and eliminate all sources of food for your dog. This
includes dog food, treats, rawhide chews, dental chews, cat food, human
food, vitamin supplements and anything he could pick up outside including
road debris, cat droppings, etc.
2. Second, find a novel source for protein and for carbohydrates.
This is something that your dog has not eaten before.
Novel proteins could include:
Venison, duck, lamb, pork, catfish, kangaroo, ostrich, emu, buffalo,
whitefish, trout, rabbit, cottage cheese, etc.
Novel carbohydrates could include:
Potatoes, yams, white rice, brown rice, oats, millet, barley, carrots, peas,
pinto beans, etc.
You can usually find a dog food at your veterinarian's or specialty pet
store just for this purpose. Select one and feed it exclusively.
Otherwise, select a novel protein and a novel carbohydrate and provide home
cooked meals for your dog. Whatever you choose, remember to stick with
one diet instead of varying it during the test.
Exclusions diets are bland, boring and do not provide the normal wide
variety of nutrients that your dog needs so it is only used for a limited
time. Although you could start seeing an immediate improvement, it
could take anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks for the symptoms to go away
completely once your dog is on the proper exclusion diet.
If your dog shows significant improvement, you can begin introducing back
food items one at a time. If the symptoms recur then you know what your
dog is allergic to. Give each food item a couple of days to a week to
see if your dog develops a reaction.
Once you have found the culprit, you can avoid it in the future and be on
the look out for new food allergies should they develop. As with all
new therapies, please consult your veterinarian before you begin.
< Back
Page 1 |
2
Related Information:
Oatmeal for Dogs
Round sweet fruit for your dogs
The vegetarian
dog
Wheat & Garlic Dog Biscuits
|
