4 Ways to Tell If Your Dog Has Food Allergies
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It’s essential that dog owners recognize that their furry friends can experience allergies in the same way that they do. Many dogs may experience allergy symptoms that are uncomfortable and can affect their quality of life. If you suspect that your dog may be suffering from allergies, the first thing you should do is consult with your vet.
Finding the root cause of your dog’s allergies may take some time. Allergic reactions may be very mild at first and go undetected for many months or weeks. Allergies can stem from foods, environmental irritants, or natural sources like plants or chemicals.
If your dog is a picky eater, or they seem to show allergy symptoms after eating, you may want to switch them to dog food for allergies. Let’s take a closer look at some common dog allergies, their causes, and ways to help your dog feel better.
Ear Infections
If your dog is experiencing 3 or more ear infections per year, it may be due to underlying allergies. While there are other common causes of ear infections in dogs including swimmer’s ear and mites, allergies can also be the cause. If your dog has an ear infection you will notice a stinky yeasty smell with brownish discharge or buildup. Frequent head shaking and scratching may also be a sign of an infection.
To help ease these symptoms, you can combine a solution of 50/50 water and apple cider vinegar and wipe it gently on the inside of your dog’s ears. If this technique doesn’t give them some relief, you may need to try an elimination diet to help you target the food that may be triggering the allergy.
Red Nail Beds
This symptom of allergies is easiest to identify in dogs that have white nails. You may notice that the beds of your dog’s nails are reddish-brown or look like they are inflamed. The nails may be sensitive or itchy causing your dog to chew or lick them.
It’s important to first rule out a foot injury before you seek other treatment for this type of allergy symptom. If there is no visible injury, you will need to keep the paws and in between the toes clean and dry and start an elimination diet.
Bronzing Of The Lips
If your dog has a lighter color coat, this allergy symptom will be easier to spot. If you notice that your dog has pinkish or reddish coloring around their lips, this could be a sign of an allergic reaction. This could indicate a yeast-based infection or a food allergy.
Along with starting an elimination diet, you wipe the area with a 50/50 water and apple cider vinegar solution. You may also want to try adding a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to your dog’s regular meal to help reduce the acidity in the food.
Itchy Skin
The most common and easy-to-spot symptom of allergies in your dog is itchy, irritated skin. If your dog is constantly scratching to the point of making its skin bleed or turn red, you will need to investigate the reason behind this behavior. If your dog is free of fleas and ticks, you are probably looking at an allergic reaction.
Try switching to a gentler pet shampoo, or one that contains soothing oatmeal to help relieve the itchiness of your dog’s skin. You may also want to try an elimination diet if you are concerned about food-related allergies.
We all want to give our dog’s the very best quality of life. If you suspect that your dog is suffering from allergies, check for these signs and talk to your vet about proper treatments.
