Is your pet dog unable to breathe, experiencing swelling or hives, and maybe even itching their shiny coat? If so, there’s a possibility that your furry friend has an allergic reaction. The question that begs an answer is “what caused it?.” It could be pretty much anything, but studies show that around ten percent of all allergic reactions are food-induced, so it is necessary for you to be able to distinguish the symptoms and triggers of food allergies in dogs.

What are the symptoms of food allergies in dogs?

Food allergies in dogs can be easily confused with food sensitivities or intolerance, and this common mistake is not only made by pet parents but even by experienced vets at times. Why? It’s because both manifest similar symptoms. So how do we differentiate an allergy from a sensitivity?

For starters, an allergy is a rapid and often severe immunological reaction to the food consumed. The most severe symptom is when a dog goes into anaphylactic shock, which causes their airways to close and makes it difficult for them to breathe, leading to suffocation. This symptom can be life-threatening and needs immediate veterinary care.

Lesser life-threatening allergic symptoms are seen in the form of dermatological effects. Your dog may develop hives, facial swelling, and even itchiness, and an allergic reaction can also lead to gastrointestinal effects like chronic vomiting and diarrhea. You may even notice them licking their paws or rear end.

What are the most common triggers of food allergies in dogs?

Allergies are usually genetic, but they can also be triggered by environmental and other factors like breed, age, and a sudden change in diet. Now that we know the symptoms of food allergies in dogs, let’s look at the common triggers.

When it comes to diet and food allergies, some foods are known troublemakers and should be completely avoided for dogs, including beef, eggs, lamb, soy, pork, fish, dairy products, and foods with gluten. Also, most dogs tend to be allergic to more than one food, so how do you weed out the bad guys?

How do you treat food allergies in dogs?

In case of severe allergic reactions, your pet needs immediate medical attention. Get in touch with your vet, or you can call poison control if your vet is unavailable.

You can treat mild symptoms in dogs at home, but it’s best to stop feeding them anything that could potentially be or contain an allergen. To know what’s triggering an allergic reaction, maintain a diary of all the foods that your pet is consuming and then start eliminating certain items from their diet over a period. While doing this, keep track of the symptoms to check whether they subside. And once you know which food is triggering the symptoms of an allergy, you can eliminate it from your dog’s diet.