Oat Allergies for Dogs

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.

  1. Oats for Dogs

    • 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

    • 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

    • 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

    • 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

    • 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.