Food Allergies in Dogs

Our Canine Friends May Develop Sensitivities, Allergic Reactions Too

Apr 26, 2008

Dogs can develop allergies to common pet food ingredients like rice, soy, chicken, chemicals resulting in itching, poor skin and coat, hot spots

Dogs don't usually suffer from environmental allergies like mold or pollen, but when it comes to food sensitivities, a dog is just as likely to develop an allergy as is a human.

Allergy Symptoms in Dogs

Your dog can't necessarily let you know if he or she is uncomfortable, so we may never know whether dogs experience reactions like stomach aches or headaches – typical allergic reactions in human beings.

The warning signs of food allergies in pets are subtle, but are usually obvious to a concerned pet owner:

Chemicals in Dog Food

One of the major causes of canine allergies are the dozens of chemical ingredients that get mixed in with even the "premium" and "special formula" dog foods. These include additives that act as preservatives, flavor enhancers, vitamin supplements, and texture stabilizers – ingredients that ensure that a bag of kibble that has been sitting on a shelf for three years will have the same texture and contents as a bag straight from the factory. Almost any chemical additives can increase or cause food allergies.

The dried, desiccated nature of most kibbles doesn't help allergies, either: very dry foods are much harder for the digestive system to break down, and the processing of dry kibbles removes most of the nutritional value of these foods, leaving them the doggy equivalent of jerky and corn chips.

Common Canine Food Allergies

Almost any ingredient that is fed consistently can become an allergy. Some of the most common food allergies seen in dogs are:

This list, of course, omits foods (like raisins, chocolate, and avocado) that are known toxins to dogs.

Cleansing and Natural Dog Food

Toxins stored in the body are a major source of allergy symptoms, so one of the most basic approaches to relieving allergy symptoms (in dogs or humans) is to do a cleanse.

Putting your dog on an all-natural, unprocessed food such as the raw food diet or preservative-free, home-cooked dog food may help with cleansing and relieve allergy symptoms. It also makes the nutritional content of food more available, with less toxic by-products.

Avoid Allergies By Rotating Your Dog's Diet

Unlike humans, most dogs have a sensitive digestive system that doesn't respond well to sudden changes in their food. A typical rotation diet – where different foods are eaten daily to avoid creating an allergy or sensitivity – isn't possible for most pets.

Nevertheless, eating the same foods every day for years on end is just as harmful for a dog as it would be for a human. It's important to consider switching up your dog's food every few months or at least every year to prevent an allergy from developing.

Every Dog is Different

Although there are some similarities in dog allergies, the bottom line seems to be that each dog is an individual. For one dog, switching food every six months or so can prevent allergies; another dog may require cleansing, a mineral supplement, or digestive enzymes to really have the best health.

If your dog seems to be experiencing an allergic reaction, a holistic vet, or a holistic practitioner willing to work with pets, may be able to help you figure out which foods are contributing to the problem and find a solution.

The copyright of the article Food Allergies in Dogs in Natural Medicine is owned by Victoria Anisman-Reiner. Permission to republish Food Allergies in Dogs in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.