Food Allergy and Food Intolerance

Food Allergy and Food Intolerance in Dogs

Allergies aren't fun for anyone, but especially not for your dog who can't tell you what's making him so sick. If your dog vomits frequently, has diarrhea, irritated skin, a poor coat condition or hair loss, then he may have a food allergy.

It may take months or years before your dog develops an allergic response to a particular food. However, once he's allergic, he will almost always have a negative reaction to that food.

Allergic reactions are most commonly associated with protein sources - usually the meat in your dog's food. If your dog has an allergic reaction to a certain meat, you may want to try a food with a new protein source - new to your dog, that is - such as egg, duck, salmon, lamb, venison or whitefish.

If none of this helps, your dog may be allergic to all of these proteins and will need a food with specially broken-down proteins. Visiting your veterinarian will help make sure you and your dog are on the right track.

For an accurate diagnosis and treatment options, always consult your veterinarian.