Food allergy causes the immune system to identify a type of food as a harmful substance and starts fighting it. Both genetic and environmental factors can cause an allergy, and several common food choices for dogs can trigger allergies. As a pet owner, you should know the most common foods that cause allergies in dogs to safeguard your pooch:
- Dairy: Dogs are not designed to enjoy dairy products like humans. While many dogs are lactose intolerant, other dogs may develop an allergic reaction to lactose, which is present in all dairy products. While intolerance to lactose causes issues like bloating, gas, and diarrhea, if your dog is allergic to lactose, it can develop symptoms like skin rashes, constant itching of the body, and itchy paws. You should look out for these symptoms in your dog after you feed them dairy products and eliminate them from your pet’s diet if they cause an allergic reaction.
- Beef: One of the most common foods that cause allergies in dogs is beef. Scientifically, it is said that feeding your dog the same type of meat every day can increase the chances of them developing an allergic reaction or intolerance toward that meat. You can avoid this by rotating the meat choices regularly. For instance, you can give them beef one day, lamb the next, and eggs the third day. Keep doing this to prevent allergic reactions from settling in.
- Eggs: Many dogs are allergic to eggs, especially the yolk. The signs of an egg allergy in dogs are hives, continuous sneezing, chronic ear infections, and obsessive licking. Talk to your vet if you suspect an egg allergy and avoid feeding it to your dog in the future.
- Soy: Another one on the list of the most common foods that cause allergies in dogs is soy. Many dogs have shown negative responses to a soy-based meal, and the symptoms could be severe, including thyroid and liver damage. Unless absolutely needed, it is safer to keep soy away from your canine friend. If you plan on feeding them soy, you should talk to your vet in advance.
- Grains: Some dogs may not fare well when they are fed grains, especially wheat, as it is considered a common allergen. Frequent digestive issues, frequent ear infections, and skin irritation are some of the symptoms of grain allergies that you should look out for in your pet. However, when compared to meat, grains are not the most common foods that cause allergies in dogs. The percentage of dogs allergic to meat is much higher than those allergic to grains.
When choosing meals for your pooch, make a note of these common foods that cause allergies in dogs. Also, do not hesitate to take your dog to the vet if they show abnormal physical signs after a meal.