Food sensitivities or allergies commonly develop in dogs due to a variety of reasons. With food allergies, your pet’s immune system perceives normal substances in their meals as a threat. Usually proteins in food (i.e., milk, soy, egg, etc.) trigger a food allergy, but complex carbohydrates can also be the culprit. Once your dog’s body begins to release antibodies in response to the irritating substance, you might begin to notice these food allergy symptoms in dogs that alert you to a possible problem with their diet:
1. Watch for hot spots
Hot spots are a type of dermatitis that may present as bright red, raw spots on your pet’s skin. Although they can have different causes, they usually occur from self-trauma. Allergies cause your dog’s skin to get itchy, which can then lead to a negative pattern of licking and biting. These raw spots can easily get infected, but they usually clear up quickly once you address the source of your pet’s discomfort and apply topical treatments.
2. Check for hives and rashes
A thick or fluffy coat will often hide this tell-tale sign of a food allergy. However, you might be able to feel bumps on your pet’s skin as you brush or pet their fur. You can also see redness on your pet’s skin by checking in areas where their fur is thinner. Excessive scratching is another sign that your dog might have a rash.
3. Be alert for hair loss From biting or licking
Once a food allergy leads to major skin irritations, your dog might be trying to do everything they can to find relief. Your dog’s constant biting and licking at their skin can also cause them to lose large portions of their hair. Although most dogs shed, you’ll want to be concerned if you notice clear parts of their coat where the hair is much thinner than the surrounding areas.
4. Explore the reason for appetite changes
Most dogs come happily running to their food bowl during meal times. If your dog seems to no longer care to eat their food, then there might be more going on than just them disliking the flavor. Dogs instinctively know when food makes them sick, and your pet might be avoiding troublesome food. Or, they could also have an upset stomach that causes them to lose their appetite completely.
5. Identify the cause of weight changes
A dog that doesn’t want to eat won’t be capable of maintaining their weight. Even older dogs can develop food allergies. These dogs may already struggle with maintaining their weight, and not getting enough food could cause them to become unhealthily thin. Puppies with food allergies may also have stunted growth and stop meeting the markers for healthy development for their breed.
6. Address a stomach upset
Dogs have several ways that they may show you that their stomach hurts. Whining or pawing at their stomach are two ways to show that a food isn’t settling well. Some dogs with more severe food allergies may also vomit or experience diarrhea after they eat. If your dog frequently has these symptoms, then finding out if they have a food allergy can help you start planning a diet that provides them with relief.
Veterinarians can perform allergy tests on dogs, and it is also common to place pets with suspected allergies on special diets. Switching to hypoallergenic dog food can help your pet get the nourishment they need while also helping to prevent their body from forming additional immune responses to new allergens over time.
