Allergies, You, and Your Dog: It’s Probably the Food
Coal and Holly: Kirstin's dogs
Dogs have allergies just like people have allergies. Scratching, dry skin, ear infections, skin irritations, sneezing, hormonal imbalances, thyroid complications, gas, vomiting, and diarrhea are all symptoms that may indicate that the food you’re eating or the diet you are giving your pet are wrong. And, most (or nearly all) of the symptoms can be dramatically reduced or eliminated by removing common allergy causing foods.
Four of the top food allergens for people and dogs are… dairy, corn, wheat, and soy.
Many people don’t realize they or their pets have a food related allergy because the reaction or symptoms aren’t instantaneous. Experts have found that it can take 12 – 16 weeks after elimination from the diet to impact symptoms caused by a food allergy or intolerance. Therefore, you often won’t see instant results by removing the food from the diet for only a few days. It could take months to see complete results for you or your dog.
The best way to know how each particular food item impacts you or your dog is to remove them completely, then after several months, add them back into your diet. Keep a detailed food diary noting any changes you see after you have eliminated them and what items are impacted when (or if) you add them back in.
Personally, I have found a great impact in my own personal health after eliminating dairy and wheat products from my diet. I also found that even a minor amount of dairy causes my mixed breed dog, Coal major stomach distress. And when he’s distressed, I am distressed!
Also, even if your vet has recommended a particular food for your dog, be sure to read the label and make an informed decision about what you are feeding your pet. If the first ingredient isn’t a major protein source, you’re already in trouble. Dog food littered with fillers such as corn, cornmeal, wheat, preservatives, artificial flavoring, or coloring are simply not good for your pet. And, if they are in your food, that’s not good, either.
Take control of your life, your health, and the health of your pets. They’ll love you for it.
Celebrate Nourish Exec Chef Dan Santos as the Featured Chef in Southern Wine & Spirits Magazine for August!