Dogs can have allergies to various things, just as humans do. However, food allergies are the most common type of allergy in dogs, with chicken being one of the main culprits. It can be challenging to determine whether or not your dog has food allergies, but there are several ways to tell. Just keep in mind that the symptoms of food allergies vary depending on what your dog is allergic to and each individual dog. Still, they usually include some combination of skin problems or bowel movement problems. This article will look at all the different ways you can tell if your dog has food allergies to help you get a better understanding.
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Hot Spots
Hot spots are an allergic reaction consisting of red, swollen, hot skin. If your dog has food allergies, the most common places for these sores to appear are on their abdomen or back leg. Hot spots usually occur in dogs allergic to beef or soy, but they can also develop after eating anything high in fat like pork or lamb. If your dog’s skin is sensitive because their food allergies caused them to develop hot spots on their abdomen and legs, it’s a good idea to reduce their dietary fat intake to see if that helps. If you notice an inflamed area on your dog’s skin that looks similar to a rash but doesn’t go away after one week, it might be time to visit the vet.
Ear Infections
Another common symptom of food allergies is ear infections. If you notice your dog shaking their head a lot or scratching at their ears, this might indicate that they have an infection. Allergens in food cause excess mucous production and thickening in the inner ear. Ear infections from food allergies usually develop in breeds with floppy ears like cocker spaniels or poodles because these dogs tend to have excess skin in their ear canals which trap moisture and stimulate yeast growth.
Vomiting
If your dog is vomiting, it’s important to note that this could be from food allergies or something else. However, if you notice that your dog vomits several times in the same day and they are not sick when you wake up the following day, food allergies might be at play. Another indicator of food allergies causing vomiting is if your dog’s vomit contains undigested food. For example, suppose you feed your dog the same meal they’ve eaten several times before, and they throw it up hours later. In that case, this might indicate that they have developed an allergy, and their system can no longer fully absorb the ingredients in their food.
Hives Or Scabs
A variety of things can cause hives and scabs. However, if your dog is scratching their skin excessively or you see red bumps that look like hives or lesions on your dog’s skin, this could mean they have an allergic reaction to their food. Keep in mind these symptoms might mean something else entirely. Still, if you have other signs that indicate your dog is reacting to their food, like vomiting or diarrhea, and there’s a history of them eating common foods that cause allergies, it might be time to take them to the vet.
Loose Stool
If your dog’s stool is loose and contains undigested food, this could indicate that your dog’s food contains ingredients their system doesn’t recognize. Loose stool can also cause foul gas, which suggests that what they’re eating isn’t properly digesting in their body, just like it does in humans. Dogs who eat kibble or dry food are more likely to experience this problem than dogs who eat wet canned foods because these dry foods are more likely to include more ingredients that dogs’ digestive systems can’t process.
Hair Loss
If your dog is suddenly losing hair, this could indicate that they are reacting to something in their food even if they don’t have any other symptoms. The most likely cause of hair loss in dogs is food allergies, which could also be triggered by stress or environmental factors. If your dog’s skin is often itchy, extremely moody or aggressive, or losing more than just a little hair on their back haunches and tail, you should check them for food allergies. You can help this by feeding them a homemade diet or making sure all the ingredients in their food are “people grade.”
Foot Infections
Foot infection is another common and often overlooked symptom in dogs due to food allergies. Food allergies can trigger foot infections or chronic paw licking, so it’s important to keep an eye on your dog, especially if they show other symptoms or you start feeding them something new. If your dog isn’t moving correctly, seems to be in pain when they are walking, or you see redness on their paws or toes, it’s time to get them checked out.
Swollen Face And Neck
If your dog’s face and neck appear swollen, it could indicate food allergies. While kibble and canned foods can cause this symptom, it’s more commonly seen in dogs who eat raw diets. If your dog suddenly develops swollen facial features and seems lethargic, this might be a sign of an allergic reaction. This symptom will typically present itself within a few hours after eating something they are allergic to. However, this should be seen as a severe allergic reaction and a sign that you need to urgently take them to the vet since it can be life-threatening.
Conclusion
Food allergies are one of the most common and easily treatable causes for various symptoms in dogs. If you feel like your dog might be having an allergic reaction to their food, it’s important to take them to the vet as soon as possible. Although there is no way to get rid of an allergy in your dog, your vet will be able to identify what they are allergic to and give you suggestions on different foods and ways to avoid them having these reactions. Just be sure to provide your vet a list of everything your dog has eaten, so it’s easier for them to know where to start!
