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!
