Allergies in dogs are common and can manifest in a variety of ways. Food allergies are a specific category where dogs are hypersensitive to certain protein sources in their diet.
Finding out what your pet is allergic to can be a difficult search. There are several symptoms that can indicate an allergic reaction. These can range from skin problems such as excessive scratching, licking of paws, red skin with possible rashes or hot spots, dull coat and excessive hair loss to digestive symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and smelly farts.
To determine if your dog has a food allergy, we often recommend switching to a hypoallergenic diet. These foods contain ingredients that are completely new and unfamiliar to your dog. These can be unique protein sources, which are known to rarely cause allergic reactions, or hydrolyzed protein sources. Hydrolyzed protein sources are proteins that have been chopped up so small that an allergic reaction is not possible.
It is important to follow this diet for at least 6-8 weeks, as an allergy can remain in your pet's system for up to 6 weeks. It is also wise to avoid other treats during this testing period, as these can also cause itching, making it more difficult to determine where the symptoms are coming from.