| Just as humans allergies can show up as a sneeze or | | | | he's never eaten before. But simply changing to a |
| rash, your dog's allergies can manifest as itchiness -- | | | | new brand of dog food might not be enough to |
| or even ear infections. In fact, if your dog's allergic to | | | | eliminate his food allergies, since many brands contain |
| his food, it can cause him to scratch himself | | | | similar ingredients. Instead, study the existing |
| constantly, even with no obvious parasite problem. | | | | ingredients your dog is eating to determine which |
| Dog allergies rarely get solved with medicine, so the | | | | types of protein source he hasn't been exposed to. |
| best we can do for our four-footed friends is focus | | | | Then, hunt for a dog food that doesn't contain any |
| on prevention. Providing the right type of food is | | | | of the ingredients you saw listed. For example, there |
| essential to stopping your dog's scratching habit. | | | | are many brands of dog food that contains unusual |
| Many people like to share their food with their dogs | | | | protein sources such as rabbit or venison -- great for |
| or let them help "clean up" the kitchen after a meal. | | | | testing allergic reactions to other, more common |
| Little do they know, their dogs just may not be able | | | | proteins. |
| to take the tasty food we love so much, and some | | | | Perhaps the best way for you to get control of |
| breeds (like the greyhound) are extremely sensitive. | | | | dog's allergies is to whip up your own dog food. That |
| Even common foods like cheese, beef sausage and | | | | way, you'll know exactly what he's getting and what |
| tuna may cause allergic reactions in some dogs. So it's | | | | he isn't -- something that's extremely hard to tell |
| best to let dogs enjoy dog food and not human | | | | from reading the back of a dog food bag. Making |
| food, even though they clearly adore and want what | | | | your own food is especially helpful in elimination diets. |
| we're eating! | | | | To start, combine a portion of rice with baby food |
| Narrowing Down the Problem | | | | and lamb -- so long as your dog isn't already eating |
| To determine the exact ingredients your dog is | | | | lamb and possibly displaying a reaction to it. |
| allergic to, try an elimination diet. Although powerful, it | | | | Dog food allergies are a special condition that can be |
| also requires patience. In fact, the elimination diet can | | | | frustrating and take patience to solve. Since allergic |
| call for eliminating specific food for up to 12 weeks | | | | reactions don't disappear overnight, you'll need lots of |
| before you'll notice the effects. And if you still | | | | time and thoughtfulness to help your dog overcome |
| haven't found the right (and wrong) ingredients, you'll | | | | this problem -- but his goofy smile and those |
| have to repeat the process all over again. | | | | scratch-free days ahead will probably make it all |
| So is there an alternative to the lengthy elimination | | | | worth it. |
| diet? Yes -- give your dog a brand or type of food | | | | |