Oats are not part of a dog's natural diet, but most dogs do not have allergies to them. However, those dogs that do have allergies to oats show this condition in sometimes unexpected manners.
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Oats for Dogs
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Oats did not become part of dogs' diets until people started feeding them to the dogs. Oats are a grain and dogs are not designed to eat grains. Dogs have teeth and digestive tracts tailored to handing meat products.
Oat Allergies
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Dogs occasionally have allergies to different foods. Oats tend to be high on the list of allergens to dogs because they are not a part of a dog's natural diet. Oats are found in most dog foods, though, and can be very difficult to avoid.
Oat Allergy Symptoms
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Dogs often express their allergies through their skin. A dog with an oat allergy will often have very dry and itchy skin. If a dog is seen excessively chewing on the paws or digging at the skin, it may have an oat allergy.
Oat Allergy Diagnosis
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A veterinarian can do an allergy panel to determine if oats are what is causing a dog's allergy problem. A veterinarian should be consulted before switching a dog's food or starting a new food regimen.
Correcting a Problem
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While there is no cure to an allergy problem, avoiding the allergen can help the dog regain a better quality of life. A detox system may also be implemented to remove any possible oat contaminants.
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