Archive for April, 2010

Dog Food and Allergies

Dude | April 1st, 2010

Allergens in Dog Food

Most healthy dogs do just fine on any of the better brands of dog food. There are some ingredients that are used in some dog foods that dogs can be allergic to, so therefore they should be avoided with your pet.

3 Most Common Allergens in Dog Foods:

  • Corn – is usually fine for most dogs, especially if it has been cooked before processing, and is used in whole-grain form. Some dogs can be allergic to corn though, especially when corn gluten is used. I personally avoid foods with any glutens as an ingredient.
  • Wheat – is not used too much any more in the better dog foods, but it is a source of allergens for some dogs.
  • Soy – again, you don’t see this much in the better brands of dog food… for a reason.

If you are feeding your dog food that was bought from a grocery store, and your dog is not reacting well to that food, check the ingredient panel of the food to check for these ingredients. Also be aware that these allergens may be used in different forms such as cracked, bran, or gluten.

How to Tell if Your Dog is Having Food Allergies

  • Most dogs will lick their paws when they are having an allergic reaction to their food. Dogs can lick their paws for other reasons, but a change to a more natural food wouldn’t hurt anything.
  • Runny stools and excessive volume of stool can also indicate an allergy problem with the food.
  • You may also notice that your dog doesn’t want to eat. Dogs realize that some foods do not react well in their bodies, so they will be reluctant to eat it.
    • Related articles by Zemanta
    Dog Food and Allergies
    Tags: , , ,
    6 Comments »