More often than not, food sensitivities of dogs are manifested by skin disorders such as rashes or hives. If left untreated, this may worsen and would be very, very uncomfortable for your canine pet.
Food sensitivity vs food allergy
We have to determine first the cause of your dog’s skin allergies. Is your canine friend food sensitive or food allergic? According to Fetch by WebMD, “[Food allergy] triggers an immediate immune system response. Food sensitivity doesn’t. Your dog may have food sensitivity if he’s having a gradual reaction to an ingredient in his food.” One way of determining if your dog is food sensitive is by giving him a limited ingredient diet.
Common symptoms
Usually, your pet will have digestive upsets like diarrhea or skin irritation which is characterized by itching. Skin lesions may appear on your dog’s face, feet, and ears. Watch out for these symptoms as they mimic other allergies like flea allergy dermatitis and atopy. If your dog has recurring external ear infections, he should be evaluated by a veterinarian for food sensitivities or allergies.
Aside from the ones mentioned above, here are some of the other symptoms:
- Hair loss/bald patches
- Flaky/scaly skin
- Red, inflamed skin
- Lumps and bumps under the skin
- Dull-looking coat
When to see a vet
Of course, as a pet parent, you’d get worried at any sign of the symptoms mentioned above. Especially if your pet dog is regularly protected from fleas and does not usually get affected by seasonal allergies. To put your mind at ease, bring your dog to the vet. Your vet is your best bet in helping you identify your dog’s skin condition and what’s causing it.
But if no other cause can be determined by your vet, chances are your dog is stressed. Dogs that are bored, frustrated, or anxious will try to ease these feelings by repeatedly licking and chewing on affected areas. This can lead to some of the symptoms mentioned above, like red, inflamed skin or bald patches (particularly in the genital or tail area). Secondary bacterial infections may arise because of this so your dog might just need additional treatment.
Food sensitivities
We’ve mentioned time and again that many food sensitivities are your dog’s gradual reaction to the following ingredients: beef, chicken, eggs, corn, wheat, soy, or milk. It is therefore in their best interest that they are fed with hypoallergenic, pet food. It is also recommended that they are given pet food that contains novel proteins like venison, kangaroo, and brushtail.
Please check our Nutrition Advisor on our homepage to see what pet food is suitable for your food-sensitive dog. Do not forget to consult your veterinarian if the condition of your canine friend gets worse or does not improve.
Addiction Foods has gone further to promote pet health by producing and distributing pet food for cats and dogs under strict safety measures. Your favorite pet food brands will still be available at your local store. Stay safe and shop responsibly. Avail of contactless online delivery with our online retail partners in New Zealand, Singapore, or the USA.
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram for more pet health and nutrition updates.
For further reading:
1. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-allergies-symptoms-treatment/
2. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/types-of-allergic-reactions-in-dogs/
3. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/allergy-general-in-dogs
4. https://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/food-allergies-dogs/15131
5. https://www.caninejournal.com/dog-skin-problems/
