If your dog seems to be suffering from an ear or skin infection, itching around the belly or face, or chewing his limbs, he may have food allergies. Many dog owners are surprised to learn that dogs can have food allergies, in much the same way as humans do.
Many store bought brands of dog food are full of fillers, colorings and proteins and it is these that are responsible for many dog allergies. Your dog’s skin and GI tract are the areas that are most commonly affected by a food allergy, whether caused by store bought dog food or something else.
As a dog owner, you should also be on the lookout for unusual behavior which can also be a sure sign that your dog has a food allergy. One example of this is scratching after eating, although if your dog has a fungal infection or other condition, he can also scratch himself.
As a general rule, try to avoid giving your dog a lot of store bought dog food that contains a lot of food coloring. One of the easiest ways of verifying what exactly is in the food you are feeding your dog is to read the ingredients on the label. It is common for dogs to have a wheat or corn allergy, although there can be a significant difference in the level of reaction.
The high amount of fat and preservatives that many dog foods contain can also lead to food allergies, and if your dog is more restless or hyper, the cause may be a food allergy. Your vet is a good source of information on food allergies and what you should and shouldn’t be feeding your dog, although reading the labels on dog food is a great place to make a start on being more aware.
A problem with your dog’s digestive system or various other issues often present the same symptoms as a food allergy, making it a challenge to accurately diagnose an allergy. Closely watching how your dog behaves before he eats, as well as during and after eating can often give you a clue as to whether it is the dog food that is causing any symptoms.