Puppy food has been one of the most common causes of allergies in dogs and puppies. Most dog-owners have difficulty dissecting whether or not the symptoms presented are due to a food allergy or other allergic conditions, because it’s almost the same. Remember though, the onset of a food allergy may be acute or develop gradually over a period of days, weeks, months or even years. Therefore, it is possible for your puppy to be allergic to the food that you are presently giving him, but he hasn’t developed any symptoms yet. Sometimes, it requires continuous exposure to the allergens before an allergic reaction will develop. Studies show that almost 70% of food allergies are caused by feeding the puppy the same puppy food for more than two years.
The most essential thing for any responsible owner of a canine is to know exactly how a food allergy looks when it presents itself in your pouch.
* Development of Skin Problems The very first sign of a allergy is when you see your dog excessively scratch or lick himself. This means that his skin is itchy. You may also see him rub his face on the floor, carpets, and other inanimate objects just to relieve his discomfort. Excessive scratching, and even biting, can lead to skin being even more irritated (red patches, scaly skin). Your puppy may even suffer from hair loss.
* One more sign is trouble digesting food. Frequent flatulence, abnormally runny excrement, and vomiting are common symptoms that often accompany a food allergy.
* Impaired breathing is one more symptom. The allergy can cause your pouch to wheeze, cough, and sneeze, much the same as any other allergy can.
Here are some tips on how you can avoid these allergies:
* Elimination Diet – This simply means that you need to stop giving him all the food that your puppy is on now. The idea is to gradually introduce the old ingredients from his previous diet gradually or one ingredient at a time. This will allow you to know when you dog is having an allergic reaction, and narrow down which ingredient is the cause. This way, you will know the specific food item/ingredient that needs to be eliminated. Do this program for 12 weeks, under the supervision of a qualified veterinarian.
* You can also begin using specially formulated hypo-allergenic puppy food. These formulas incorporate more healthy, natural ingredients like vegetables, duck, lamb, potatoes, and rice.
* Your pup can be desensitized. To desensitize (or hypo-sensitize) your pup simply means that your veterinarian administers a routine regimen of small-scale injections to built up a tolerance to certain allergens. Antibodies are then created to fight off reactions that allergies can otherwise cause.
* You can give him medications. Also like people, your pouch can take antihistamines to alleviate allergy symptoms. For the right drugs to use and proper dosage, check with your vet first.
* Skin testing/Blood Testing This procedure is done by vet dermatologists. The procedures are highly accurate and can help you determine the type of puppy food that your canine must avoid.
If you’ve just picked up your family’s new furry addition and want to find out the right way to care for your puppy, then check out Puppy Pet Supplies for helpful tips and advice on puppy training, and so much more! Plus, discover the four essential puppy supplies you need to have for your puppy’s arrival!
