Is Your Puppy Allergic To His Puppy Food?
14 Jun 2010
Did you know that your young pup could actually be allergic to her puppy food? Since the symptoms are very similar (and we are not trained vets), many dog owners have a hard time distinguishing the difference between an allergic reaction to food, vs. one from some other source. Keep in mind that a food allergy can present itself over a long-term time frame, like months or years, or last a short while, for a few days. And they can occur at ANY age, so it is certainly not unheard of for your pup to develop allergies to the same puppy food he’s been eating for months or years. Unfortunately, the downfall of consuming the same chow can sometimes create allergens to built in you dog’s system prior to ever seeing any symptoms. Research has proven that if your young pup eats the same puppy food for over two years, and develops a reaction, there’s a 70 percent chance it came from her food!
As a responsible dog-owner, the first things that you should know are the symptoms manifested by your dog when he has food allergies.
* Development of Skin Problems The very first sign of a allergy is when you see your dog excessively scratch or lick himself. This means that his skin is itchy. You may also see him rub his face on the floor, carpets, and other inanimate objects just to relieve his discomfort. Excessive scratching, and even biting, can lead to skin being even more irritated (red patches, scaly skin). Your puppy may even suffer from hair loss.
* One more sign is trouble digesting food. Frequent flatulence, abnormally runny excrement, and vomiting are common symptoms that often accompany a food allergy.
* Breathing problems is another. Your pup may have trouble breathing (a common allergic reaction). He may begin to sneeze, cough, or wheeze more often.
Now, let’s explore some things you can do to help prevent / treat these reactions.
* Elimination Diet – This simply means that you need to stop giving him all the food that your puppy is on now. The idea is to gradually introduce the old ingredients from his previous diet gradually or one ingredient at a time. This will allow you to know when you dog is having an allergic reaction, and narrow down which ingredient is the cause. This way, you will know the specific food item/ingredient that needs to be eliminated. Do this program for 12 weeks, under the supervision of a qualified veterinarian.
* Introduce puppy food with hypo-allergenic ingredients such as the following: lamb, rice, duck, potato, vegetables – natural whole foods.
* Hyposensitization/Desensitization Desensitization is a process that helps your dog develop resistance against common food allergens by injecting him with a minute quantity of allergen at a regular basis. Through which, he will develop antibodies that will combat allergic reactions.
* Antihistamine These are medications that are used to treat allergies, both in animals and humans. Ask your doctor for help regarding the proper use of antihistamines on your dogs.
* Blood and skin testing is also available. Veterinarians specializing in animal dermatology can perform these tests. Research shows a very high rate of accuracy with these tests in pinpointing specific allergies, thereby eliminating any doubt as to which puppy food ingredients to remove from your pup’s diet.
If you’ve just picked up your family’s new furry addition and want to find out the right way to care for your puppy, then check out Puppy Pet Supplies for helpful tips and advice on puppy training, and so much more! Plus, discover how to potty train your puppy effectively and quickly!









