It is important that new pet owners should be informed about potential food sensitivities in pets. Pet Food allergies affect both males and females intact animals equally. They can show up as early as five months and as late as 12 years of age, though the vast majority of cases occur between 2 and 6 years. Many animals with food allergies also have concurrent inhalant or contact allergies. Here is some general information about pet food allergies that may help you to be better informed about this condition.
Symptoms of Pet food Allergies
The symptoms of Pet food allergies are:
The primary is itchy skin affecting primarily the face, feet, ears, forelegs, armpits and the area around the anus.
Other symptoms may also include:
- Chronic or recurrent ear infections
- Hair loss
- Excessive scratching
- Hot spots
- Skin infection
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Treatments:
To get rid of pet food allergies 1st of all contact your veterinarian. The only way to truly diagnose a food allergy is to perform a food trial with your pet. Then do diagnoses tests, blood tests are not recommended for food allergies. When the causes are identified, the things should be avoided which cause the pet food allergies. As a note of caution, some pets may develop new food allergies in 1 to 3 years, so if a flare-up of itchiness occurs, a new food trial may be warranted. If you were feeding a home-cooked diet during the food trial and wish to continue, make sure you work with your veterinarian and a nutritionist to balance it specifically for your pets needs. Otherwise, work with your veterinarian to select a natural diet that will work best for your pet to avoid pet food allergies.
Elimination diets:
By eliminating these diets you will eliminate pet food allergies.
- Flavored medications (including heartworm preventives) or supplements
- Rawhides
- Pigs Ears
- Cow hooves
Some Home Tips:
- Keep your pet neat and clean.
- Treat dry flaky skin by feeding oil. A simple way to treat dry skin and dandruff is to add complete oil to your pet’s diet. Corn, safflower, peanut and sunflower are examples of oils that contain all the essential fatty acids.
- Sulphur may be helpful with any skin rash, particularly when remedies fail.
- To avoid pet food allergy Throw out your plastic food and water bowls. Plastic tends to develop tiny cracks that can harbor bacteria.