by Jessica Steele

Created on: August 06, 2009   Last Updated: August 08, 2009

Dog allergies are much more common than you may think. If you suspect your dog has food allergies, you should, of course, consult your veterinarian. There are some simple ways to identify possible allergies. Dogs will usually be quite itchy...you may think they have fleas. They also may vomit or regurgitate their food or have loose to very loose stools. Ear infections seem to present frequently in dogs with allergies, but this may be more common in a hayfever type allergy. There are many allergens your dog may be sensitive to aside from food.

To rule out other allergies, you can try playing with the food a little. If you see an improvement with a change of diet, it is probably food allergies. Dogs do best with a strict diet. Two feedings a day of a modest serving is plenty. To get an idea how much food your dog is actually getting, put a serving in a bowl of water and let it sit for an hour or two. You will probably choose to reduce the amount of food after this experiment.

When you change your dog's diet, you will want to do so slowly,by weaning them a little at a time. and remember that the first couple of days your dog may still be prone to loose stools. Dogs tend to be allergic to Chicken and Wheat, primarily. Often times, you can fix a food allergy by eliminating these products. Read the ingredients and switch to a brand that is lamb and rice based. Sometimes the chicken and rice works, depending on what your dog is allergic to, but your best bet is lamb and rice. Your dog may not have allergies at all and just needs to be on a sensitive stomach diet. Your vet may recommend you give your pet something like Benadryl or some other antihistamine to ease discomfort and prevent scratching, as this can lead to open wounds which may become infected. You should not administer any medication without the advice of a veterinarian, as some medicine can be very harmful or fatal to your pet, and you need to take weight, age, and other factors into consideration before deciding on dosage instructions.

The bottom line is that your dog's food allergies may be very simple to accommodate, with a diet change or antihistamine, or they may be quite difficult to manage, depending on the extent of the allergy. Consult a professional, as they will have the best advice on how to properly manage your pet's condition.

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