How to tell if your dog is allergic to his food?
Gladyce Schulist
2025-07-31 11:28:10
Count answers
: 12
In the dog, the signs of a food allergy are usually itchy skin, paws, or ears or digestive disturbances such as vomiting or diarrhea. Other more subtle changes can also occur, including hyperactivity, weight loss, lack of energy, and even aggression. The most common food allergens in dogs are proteins, especially those from dairy, beef, chicken, chicken eggs, soy, or wheat gluten. Each time a pet eats food containing these substances, the antibodies react with the antigens, and symptoms occur. Virtually any food ingredient can produce an allergy, however. Proteins are the most common culprits but other substances and additives can also be responsible. The best and most accurate method of diagnosing a food allergy is to feed a hypoallergenic diet for 8 to 12 weeks as a food trial, called an elimination trial. To be a true elimination trial, this special diet must not contain any ingredients that your dog has eaten in the past. If your dog's allergy symptoms resolve while on the food trial, the next step is to perform a food challenge by re-introducing your dog's old food. If your dog's symptoms resolve with the food trial and return within one week of a food challenge, your dog has been definitively diagnosed with a food allergy.