Dog Food for Allergies

by Ruth Amick

Overview

You can relieve food allergy discomfort in your dog by feeding her a specialized diet that is free of the specific foods causing her sensitivity. Testing by your veterinarian can determine the food source responsible for the allergic reaction.
Common Offending Foods

Ingredients commonly found in commercial dog foods are often those that cause allergies, such as beef, corn, wheat and soy. Some dogs can be sensitive to eggs, dairy, chicken, lamb or fish.

Signs Of Food Allergies

The dog may suffer from itchy skin, hot spots and hair loss or perhaps even reoccurring skin and ear infections.
Diagnosis

After the veterinarian has determined that the dog does not have any other condition that may cause symptoms similar to food allergies, he will then conduct a food trial, which involves feeding only specific proteins and carbohydrates.
Special Diets Off The Shelf

Eliminating the guilty food is the only permanent solution. The veterinarian may suggest a specific homemade diet, or he may recommend a formula sold at pet shops like Eukanuba, Canidae, Wellness or Innova, which are made for dogs with food sensitivities.
Prescription Foods

Hill's Prescription d/d Diet comes in several formulas like duck, lamb, potato and venison, and potato and salmon. Iams, Waltham, Purina and IVD also have prescription diets for dogs with food allergies.
No Junk

Keeping the food-allergic dog away from things he may pick up outside like trash, bones and food that has been thrown out is most important. Never feed table scraps to a dog with a food allergy.

Overview