Food Allergies in Pets – Symptoms, Triggers, and Diet

Food Allergies in Pets – Symptoms, Triggers, and Diet

The symptoms and triggers for food allergies in pets explained in this article would help you identify foods that cause an allergy. It is not always easy to identify trigger factors. In such a case, dietary changes and implementing a hypoallergenic diet can help in treating food allergies

Food Allergy Triggers
The symptoms and triggers for food allergies in pets are specific to your pet. Food that triggers an allergic reaction in one pet may not cause any problems in others. There are various triggers for food allergies. These include:

Protein is a major culprit and protein sources available in beef, seafood, and dairy products can affect cats. Dogs face problems due to protein in chicken, beef, eggs, and milk products. Soy can also be a trigger that can cause an allergic attack in dogs. It has been found that even lamb can cause allergy in some dogs.

Food Allergy Symptoms
The symptoms of food allergy in pets include

  • Itchy skin that can become worse due to scratching.
  • Itchy paws that may start to bleed when the dog scratches it against other objects.
  • Itching can happen in the bowel region.
  • Skin infections that are caused by scratching.
  • Rashes on the skin that can be painful.
  • Sometimes hives may develop due to the allergy, this can cause bumps.
  • Change in skin texture making skin appear leathery.
  • Swelling may develop on the pet’s face and can be seen on the mouth and ear flaps.
  • Red eyes and discharge from the eyes.
  • Loss of hair.
  • Infection in the ear that may include discharge.
  • Secondary infections that develop in the eyes or ears. This can be a bacterial infection or even a yeast infection.
  • Pigmentation can develop on the skin
  • An upset stomach as a result of the allergy that can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Flatulence is also a symptom.

The Best Diet
A diet can be helpful as it ensures the right mix of different foods for your pet. The diet can be made in consultation with your vet. The diet needs to contain those foods that do not cause an allergy. One way of finding this out is to identify those foods that cause an allergy in your pet.

If your pet is allergic to meat and milk products, you may have no option than to give them a vegan diet that has the right mix of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats are given.

A diet using home-cooked food that avoids preservatives, artificial colors, and other such commercial ingredients can be helpful.

A hypoallergenic diet is one that has foods with ingredients that are safe to consume and do not cause side effects. These foods may be available as commercial products that can be purchased over the counter.

The article on the symptoms and triggers for food allergies in pets explained the use of a diet to treat food allergies. A hypoallergenic diet is one way of ensuring your pet eats food that does not cause allergies.

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