| It is estimated that about ten percent of all allergies | | | | ingredients in dog foods and they are the most |
| seen in dogs and cats are caused by food. After flea | | | | common offenders for allergies. Many pet foods for |
| bite allergies, food allergies are the third most | | | | years have had ingredients of chicken, beef, wheat |
| common cause. People seem to think that by | | | | and corn. It was because of these allergies that |
| introducing a lamb and rice diet, they are preventing | | | | several companies decided to produce a lamb and |
| or treating a dog food allergy. Nothing could be | | | | rice diet. |
| farther from the truth. | | | | This diet of lamb and rice was nothing to be |
| Food allergies can affect animals of both genders | | | | perceived as special apart from the two ingredients |
| male and female, whether they have been neutered | | | | had never normally been present in pet foods. It is |
| or spayed or are intact makes no difference. There is | | | | possible because the animals had never eaten rice |
| no specific age for an allergy to appear. They can | | | | and lamb before that it is not sure if they are allergic |
| show as early as five months and as late as twelve | | | | to this combination of food. If lamb and rice are to |
| years of age. Generally, the vast majority of these | | | | be the main ingredients in pet food, it may become |
| symptoms occur between two and six years of age. | | | | apparent that the combination of these two will be |
| There is a difference between food intolerance and | | | | responsible for food allergy. There are many other |
| food allergy. The latter is a true allergy with | | | | ingredients other than lamb and rice; this alone may |
| symptoms of skin problems and constant itching both | | | | be hard to detect if this is the cause of food allergy. |
| associated with canine and feline allergies. The | | | | It can sometimes be hard to detect if your dog has |
| symptoms for food allergy is different and this can | | | | a dog food allergy as symptoms can be similar to |
| result in the animal vomiting or having diarrhea. This, | | | | most other allergies seen in dogs. The most common |
| to the owner, may not appear to be a typical allergic | | | | sign is itchy skin; this may include recurring ear |
| reaction. Choosing a diet for your pet that is free | | | | infections, excessive scratching, hair loss, hot spots |
| from offending agents can eliminate both food | | | | and skin infections. These can be treated using |
| intolerance and food allergy. | | | | antibiotics but can often reoccur after the treatment |
| Through various studies, it has been acknowledged | | | | has finished. Dogs with food allergies sometimes have |
| that some ingredients are more likely to cause a dog | | | | increased bowel movements, studies have showed a |
| food allergy than others. The most common | | | | non-allergic dog has 1.5 bowel movement a day as |
| offenders for dogs are dairy products, beef, wheat, | | | | opposed to a dog with food allergy possibly going |
| eggs, chicken, soy and corn. These are the common | | | | three or more times a day. |