Food allergy is most, if not every dog owners’ dilemma. Excessive itching and scratching are big problems your pet is exposed to due to food-related allergies. Imagine your precious Dalmatian pup, crying and whining due to an unbearable itch he is suffering, thanks to the squid calamari you have fed him this morning.
But as much as it is a very common problem among pet owners, still it is very difficult to trace what causes food allergies. It may be because of insufficient Omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids in your dog’s diet. Absence or lack of this helpful nutrient can result in the drying of your pet’s skin and coat. Some dog’s food allergy is caused by the protein present in their food. Exposure to heat can also worsen the allergic condition. The additives that you have added in your pet’s food to make it tasty may also be one of the causes behind the itching and the scratching. Food allergies are manifested by excessive and compulsive foot licking, or chewing and biting other parts of the body.
To resolve this problem, a number of veterinarians and pet nutritionists recommended substituting a protein source that is not normally included in your dog’s diet. If your dog is allergic to chicken, you can try lamb as an alternate protein source. Lamb and fish are known to be “non-allergic” protein source so it is safe for you to introduce this to your dog’s diet. Food mixing is also one way of controlling your dog’s diet. Beginning with foods that contain proper nutrients and vitamins especially formulated for dogs, you can then experiment by introducing your own protein source. Over the next few days, carefully observe how your dog reacts to his new diet.
On the other hand, if your dog’s food allergy is not because of the protein intake, then maybe he is allergic to grains. You can try introducing a grain-free diet that includes certain proteins.
When you decide to switch your dog’s food, do not switch drastically. Switching should be done gradually over 5 to 6 days. Beginning with a 4 to 1 ration, old to new food; 3 to 2 on day 2 and so on until day 5. On the sixth day, you’ve already completed the switching. Stick to your newly introduced food for not less than a week before introducing another one. Do not forget to take down notes on your dog’s reaction every time you have switched to a new food.
You might as well know that your dog’s food allergy cannot be treated overnight. You have to keep repeating and experimenting with your dog food mixes and alternates to provide a better and allergy-free diet to your pet. Once you have succeeded in completing this cycle, you can almost certainly guarantee yourself of having an itch-free pet dog.
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