How to Deal With Food Allergy in a Dog

Ten percent of all allergens in dogs are from foods. Intolerances are different from food allergies, causing vomiting and diarrhea rather than the skin itching, rashes and ear problems caused by the offending food or foods. No breed, sex or age is immune to this issue. Puppies as young as 5 months and dogs as old as 12 months may develop food allergies, although most dogs develop this condition between the ages of 2 and 6 years. Fortunately, the 12-week elimination diet works to bring the symptoms of ear problems, skin rashes and itching under control

Things You'll Need

  • Venison and potato dog food or rabbit and rice dog food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Eliminate all foods and treats from your dog's diet that are not what your vet recommends. Two types of elimination diets used are venison and potato and rabbit and rice. Both come in wet and dry form with no additives or fillers so your dog will only be fed the correct protein and starch. Treats are available in both venison and rabbit so that you can give those to your dogs. Don't give them any other treats.

    • 2

      Watch for the symptoms to subside and keep your pet away from garbage and foods not on his diet. During the 12-week diet period, most dogs will improve, but any slip in diet can set you back to square one. If your dog gets a piece of beef watch him for increased itching and check his ears for inflammation. If this happens, begin the 12-week countdown again to get the allergens out of his system. Some dogs will be symptom-free in eight weeks and other may take 10 to 12 weeks.

    • 3
      Only food allergies continue year round.

      Add a new protein from your dog's previous menu after the 12-week period. For instance, add a little chicken to the venison and potato. If after two weeks the dog begins to itch, then chicken is an offending protein and you can eliminate it from her diet. Continue to add foods to the diet in this manner, one at a time, or stick with the elimination diet, depending on your veterinarian's recommendation.