Dog Food Allergies

Dog food allergies aren't always easy to pick up on. Allergies cause the immune system to over react to a usually harmless substance.

The main symptons include skin irritations, respiratory problems, persistant ear infections and problems with digestion such as vomiting or diarrhea. Dog food allergies can also lead to hyperactivity and mood changes in the general behaviour of your dog.

Many of these dog allergies arise from the amount of prepared food that we feed our pets. Colorings, proteins, dairy products, soy, and different kinds of fillers, such as corn or wheat, can all cause your dog to have an allergic reaction. Always read the labels on commercially prepared food to discover just what sort of things your dog is eating.

You'll be amazed at some of the rubbish that's included in some of these meals. Many people presume dogs will eat virtually anything, but this is far from the truth and if you want a healthy well behaved dog it's essential that he gets a well balanced diet along with plenty of excercise and a good grooming routine.

If you suspect that your dog has a food allergy, trial and error in trying different food sources may be your best way of finding just what is causing the problem. Different breeds of dog can react particularly badly to some dog food additives, so a visit to the vet would be a good idea at this stage to rule out any other underlying problems and to ask for a recommended diet for your breed of dog.

Dog food allergies can be overcome by changing a dog's diet, but it should be done gradually if possible. Sudden changes in introducing different foods can cause more problems with the dog's digestive system and you will have no idea whether you are making the situation better or worse.