| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | your vet’s recommendations. The special diet |
| Does your dog suffer from skin problems and/or | | | | must be followed consistently, no other foods allowed |
| scratch constantly? Does he have hot spots or | | | | including treats or rawhides. Continue with the diet until |
| recurring skin infections? He may suffer from dog | | | | you see marked improvement in your dog’s |
| food allergies. Food allergies can appear in dogs any | | | | symptoms. Then go back to his regular diet. If |
| time in their lifespan, from puppyhood to senior. There | | | | symptoms return, then you know your dog is allergic to |
| are certain food ingredients that tend to be | | | | one or more ingredients in his regular food. |
| problematic. Among them are dairy products, chicken | | | | Food Allergy Treatment |
| and chicken eggs, soy, corn, wheat, and even beef. | | | | Once you have confirmed your dog has a food |
| Conduct a Food Trial | | | | allergy, you will need to continue with the special diet. If |
| To diagnose your dog’s potential food allergies | | | | you are not sure which ingredient of the old food is |
| you can conduct a food trial, which means feeding | | | | causing the allergy, you could try a home made diet |
| your dog a unique diet for up to 3 months. You will | | | | and add back in one of the potential allergens, such as |
| need to feed your dog new foods it has never eaten | | | | soy. Until you narrow down the exact foods your dog |
| before, such as venison and oats. Lamb and rice diets | | | | is a allergic to. Then you can either keep your dog on |
| used to be prescribed for dogs with potential allergies, | | | | the special diet or try a commercial dog food that |
| but they are no longer considered unique foods. Many | | | | does not contain the problem ingredients. |
| commercial lamb and rice dog foods also contain soy, | | | | Because symptoms can be similar with airborne |
| eggs and other allergens. | | | | allergies such as dust and mold as well as flea-bite |
| Special foods are available through your vet or you | | | | allergies, it is important to test and eliminate them as |
| can make your dog’s special diet at home using | | | | suspects first. |