Pets & Food Allergies

Finding alternatives for dogs with digestive issues

By Beverly Buechse, Staff Writer

Many dogs have food allergies, including itching and stomach sensitivity. There are various options to help a dog in that situation.

It is not as easy as randomly picking a bag of hypoallergenic dog food. Often, taking the dog to its regular veterinarian for allergy testing to pinpoint its triggers can narrow down food options. 

“Dogs can develop these allergies at any age, but not to worry! There are plenty of safe options for dogs with food allergies,” said Amanda Alvarez, a veterinarian technician. “We can provide allergy testing and a nutrition plan to keep them on track.”

When dogs eat foods they are allergic to, their immune system responds with symptoms of itchy skin, sneezing and an uneasy stomach. Before taking them to their veterinarian, it is vital to consider other reasons why a dog could be experiencing these symptoms. 

“It is important to rule [out] any other factors that can make a dog experience any of these symptoms,” said Alvarez. “It is common to mistaken other allergens outside of food for allergies to what they eat.”

Dogs’ most common food allergies are beef, dairy, wheat, corn, egg, chicken, lamb, soy, pork, rabbit and fish. If any of your dog’s food consists of these, it could be the source of the problem. A skin or blood allergy test should be able to determine this.

“One thing to keep in mind are food allergies, and intolerances stem from a dog’s genetics and can be passed down from their parents,” said Alvarez. “Dogs with food allergies are not able to digest certain proteins.”

It is essential to be able to identify a dog’s symptoms of food allergies and to pinpoint the problem quickly. Veterinarians can provide blood or skin allergy tests. A large selection of hypoallergenic food options can help make a dog happy and healthy.

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