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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. 

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Related Information:
Oatmeal for Dogs
Round sweet fruit for your dogs
The vegetarian dog
Wheat & Garlic Dog Biscuits

 
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