If your dog is always scratching, it might be food allergies!
Surprising it maybe but the number of dogs developing food allergies is steadily on the rise. While the exact reason behind this remains to be ascertained, we do know that it is most likely contingent on the ingredients in modern dog foods.
If you haven’t dealt with dog food allergies, hopefully you won’t have to. It can be quite a pain.
As an example, a six-month old black Lab named Bobby which belongs to my neighbor could not refrain from scratching.
Bobby’s owners took him to the vet to be evaluated and treated for his itching. They didn’t know anything about food allergies. In fact, they thought that maybe Bobby had a skin disorder that was causing his itching. What they learned was a big surprise.
The vet told them that Bobby had dog food allergies. That’s right, at the young age of six months! They were also told that Labs are right among the breeds that are susceptible to dog food allergies.
The vet explained further that certain dogs are at a higher risk of acquiring food allergies. The breeds most vulnerable include: * Labrador Retrievers * Collies * Lhasa Apsos * Miniature Schnauzers * German Shepherds * Shar Pei * Springer Spaniels and Cocker Spaniels * Dalmatians * Dachshunds * Soft-Coated Wheaton Terriers * West-Highland White Terriers * Boxers
I know, you are probably thinking that that is quite a long list of dog breeds. The surprises do not stop there as 30% of allergic dogs are allergic to food. When dogs get dog food allergy they itch, scratch, lick and bite their skin.
Any very itchy dog has at least a 5% chance of having a dog food allergy. If your dog is constantly itching, biting and scratching, be aware that he or she may be suffering from dog food allergies. First get your dog evaluated and treated for the other common causes of itching, but if the itching persists, dog food allergy must be considered.
If you want to know how Bobby is doing, I am happy to let you know that he’s doing fairly well and is now on a strict hypoallergenic dog food diet with no people food allowed!
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