It is important to distinguish between food allergies and food intolerance. Food allergies occur when your furry canine friend reacts to certain substances in the food it’s eating. Food intolerance on the other hand occurs when the poor pooch is unable to properly digest food.
Common Allergens In Dog Food
Before we discuss common signs of allergic food reactions in dogs, let’s, first of all, give you a list of allergens commonly found in dog food. Typically, foods rich in protein pose the highest risk of allergies. We are talking about things like beef, pork chicken, lamb, eggs, or fish.
Some dogs are also very sensitive to dairy products while others may experience allergic reactions from whole grains like wheat and soy. Nonetheless, allergic reactions vary significantly from dog to dog. The most important thing is to keep track of what your pooch is eating and determine which foods, if any, cause the allergies.
Signs Of Food Allergy In Dogs
Several signs of food allergy in canines will manifest themselves in the short term. First, your pooch will experience itching due to skin irritation or inflammation. Paw biting and obsessive licking are also very common. You may also want to inspect your pooch’s ears for chronic inflammation.
Skin Infections
Skin infections are often caused by untreated skin allergies. However, infections can also be caused by bacteria. Common signs of skin infections include:
- Patchy fur loss
- Skin peeling and crusting
- Moisture on the skin
- Inflammation and increased skin redness
- Excessive discomfort and pain
- Appearance of lesions, filled with pus, in several parts of the pooch’s skin