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How do I know if my dog has a food allergy?

An allergy is a condition of sensitivity or abnormal reaction to a substance(s) which is perceived by the body as foreign.

Some signs of allergies in dogs may present as inflamed/itchy skin and/or chronic diarrhea and vomiting.  Common causes of allergies in dogs are flea allergy dermatitis, year-round inhalant allergies, food allergies and seasonal reactions to pollen, mold spores or dust mites.

Diagnosing food allergies can be challenging because the symptoms may resemble other allergies or medical conditions.  Your vet may want to run tests to rule out other causes of these symptoms.  If food allergies are still suspected, a food elimination diet may be recommended to try and pinpoint the food(s) that are causing your dogs symptoms.  It is more common for dogs to develop an allergy to a food they have eaten for months or years than to have an immediate allergic reaction to a new food.

With chronic diarrhea being one of the most common reasons for vet visits and the incidence of gastrointestinal disturbances, such as inflammatory bowel disease, in dogs on the rise, more vets are recognizing that food allergies may be a primary cause.

Common food allergens are meat proteins and dairy but various grains, eggs, dairy, fish, nuts, food additives and artificial preservatives may also be the culprits.

Although we have eliminated these ingredients from our treats, every dog is unique and we believe that no one food is necessarily allergy-free for every dog.  We recommend you speak with your vet regarding your dog’s specific food allergies or sensitivities, and, if unknown, discuss a food elimination diet or other testing your vet may deem necessary.

Why Gluten Free?

There are various reasons people feed their dogs a gluten-free diet.  For people who are severely gluten intolerant, simply handling gluten-laden foods or products can send then to the hospital.  In fact, for some, simply inhaling the dust from gluten containing kibble can send their systems into a tailspin so if you are keeping to a strict gluten-free (GF) but still experiencing symptoms, please check your pet's foods!  You may need to keep their pets gluten-free for your own well being.

That said, gluten is an ingredient that many dogs do not tolerate well.  Gluten is naturally found in the grains, wheat, rye and barley.  Grains are not a part of a dog's natural diet and gluten in particular may be an irritant to your dog's digestive tract, cause gastritis, diarrhea, itching, licking of the paws, and obsessive scratching which can lead to open sores and infection.

Gluten is usually used in baked good - including many dog treats - as it helps bind the dough and keep baked goods together.

In addition to the naturally occuring gluten in wheat, rye and barley, many other ingredients are processed on the same equipment as gluten laden ingredients and can become cross contaminated, so it's important to be vigilant and read labels carefully, and ask questions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CANINE ALLERGIES:

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/70400.htm

http://maxshouse.com/database_monographs/adverse_reactions_to_food.htm

RESEARCH ON COCONUT OIL:

Purina Research on Medium Chain Triglycerides

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