Puppy food has been one of the most common causes of allergies in dogs and puppies. Most dog-owners have difficulty dissecting whether or not the symptoms presented are due to a food allergy or other allergic conditions, because it’s almost the same. Remember though, the onset of a food allergy may be acute or develop gradually over a period of days, weeks, months or even years. Therefore, it is possible for your puppy to be allergic to the food that you are presently giving him, but he hasn’t developed any symptoms yet. Sometimes, it requires continuous exposure to the allergens before an allergic reaction will develop. Studies show that almost 70% of food allergies are caused by feeding the puppy the same puppy food for more than two years.
As a responsible dog-owner, the first things that you should know are the symptoms manifested by your dog when he has food allergies.
* Development of Skin Problems
The very first sign of a allergy is when you see your dog excessively scratch or lick himself. This means that his skin is itchy. You may also see him rub his face on the floor, carpets, and other inanimate objects just to relieve his discomfort. Excessive scratching, and even biting, can lead to skin being even more irritated (red patches, scaly skin). Your puppy may even suffer from hair loss.
* Another sign is issue with digestion.
When a food allergy presents itself in your young pup, you can count on increased flatulence, loose bowel movements, and even vomiting.
* Breathing problems is another.
Your pup may have trouble breathing (a common allergic reaction). He may begin to sneeze, cough, or wheeze more often.
Here are some tips on how you can avoid these allergies:
* Elimination Diet - This simply means that you need to stop giving him all the food that your puppy is on now. The idea is to gradually introduce the old ingredients from his previous diet gradually or one ingredient at a time. This will allow you to know when you dog is having an allergic reaction, and narrow down which ingredient is the cause. This way, you will know the specific food item/ingredient that needs to be eliminated. Do this program for 12 weeks, under the supervision of a qualified veterinarian.
* You can also begin using specially formulated hypo-allergenic puppy food. These formulas incorporate more healthy, natural ingredients like vegetables, duck, lamb, potatoes, and rice.
* Build up an immunity.
Just like in humans, there are injections that can be given to dogs, too, that will introduce small doses of allergens over a period of time. These allergens actually boost your dog’s antibodies, thereby building up his tolerance to allergies.
* You can use antihistamines.
Same as for us, these drugs can be used to alleviate allergies in your pouch, too. Your vet will know which ones to use, and the proper doses to give.
* Blood and skin testing are also possibilities.
Veterinarians with dermatological expertise perform these. The results from these tests are very reliable, and will show you exactly which puppy food ingredients need to be eliminated from your dog’s diet.
If you’ve just picked up your family’s new furry addition and want to find out the right way to care for your puppy, then check out Puppy Pet Supplies for helpful tips and advice on puppy training, and so much more! Plus, discover the four essential puppy supplies you need to have for your puppy’s arrival!