As loving dog owners, we will do almost anything for our precious pups. Dogs with food allergies need special attention and care. Dogs with food allergies can suffer discomfort and pain, making it necessary to treat this condition at the earliest. In this article, we look at the different ways of treating food allergies in dogs. You can try these methods out on your own or do it with the help of your vet.
1. Eliminate the cause
The best way of treating dogs with food allergies is by eliminating the cause of the allergy. An elimination diet can be tried, where you eliminate different foods suspected to be the cause of allergy one by one. It is a painstaking way of identifying the cause of allergies but is also the best one. You can take the help of a vet for this. Once you identify what food is causing the allergy, the solution is to eliminate the cause. You can remove this food from your dog’s diet, and this should solve the problem.
2. Medication
They can be prescribed to treat symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting. Itching is treated through steroid creams. Any medication that is prescribed must be by a qualified veterinarian. If you find that your dog is suffering from an allergy, you must take it to a vet, who will conduct a complete physical examination to understand the signs of allergy. In some cases, skin tests may be conducted to find out exactly what is causing the skin problem. A complete diagnosis can help the vet in deciding which medicine to prescribe. In case you observe a severe allergic reaction like continuous vomiting and diarrhea, or breathing problems, then you must immediately rush your pet to a vet hospital to provide emergency treatment.
3. Hypoallergenic diet
One of the common treatments for food allergies in dogs is to try a hypoallergenic diet for your dog. A hypoallergenic diet consists of those foods that will not cause any allergic reaction. It is not easy to create a hypoallergenic diet as there is no common dietary regime that can be used for all dogs. While one dog might be hypersensitive towards certain foods, for others it may be safe. The best diet for a dog depends entirely on the individual symptoms of the dog. Duck meat can be tried as the source of protein as this is safe hypoallergenic food. This diet usually avoids foods like soy, corn, and wheat. However, brown rice can be included in the diet.
4. Supplements
Along with the food in your dog’s diet, supplements can be prescribed. These supplements will provide your dog with nutrients that help to improve the immune system. A strong immune system can naturally fight the symptoms of allergies. Omega-3 is good for your dog and can be given as a supplement. Probiotics may be included in the diet to help your dog to digest food easily to avoid having an upset stomach. Lysine, milk thistle, multivitamins, glucosamine, digestive enzymes, and fish oil are some of the common supplements prescribed for dogs.
The treatment for dogs with food allergies explained in this article can be helpful in reducing symptoms. A hypoallergenic diet as described in this article can help avoid the occurrence of allergies in your pet.
