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.
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.
