You may think that dogs only have certain foods they can’t eat that cause pet toxicity, like chocolate, but our furry friends can also have allergies and sensitivities to certain foods. Allergies are reactions of the body to foreign substances, and this can also include food at times. Several types of allergies can affect dogs, and food allergies are among the common ones, including gluten sensitivities and soy allergies. Read on to know about some common signs your dog is allergic to their food:
- Chronic ear infections
Recurrent ear infections must be checked immediately as they could be a sign of a food allergy in dogs. Your dog’s ear may have black or brown spots, and a foul smell may accompany these signs if there is an infection. Your dog may also persistently be shaking its head and trying to scratch its ear due to irritation. Even if you clean its ears frequently, the recurrence of infections may be a sign that your pooch is allergic to a particular food it is consuming. You can use an elimination test to determine which food is triggering the allergic reaction and avoid feeding it to your pet. - Red or brown nail beds
If you’ve noticed that the base of your dog’s nails is red or brown in color, it’s a sign your dog is allergic to their food. A food allergy is an inflammatory response of the immune system to an otherwise harmful substance. Due to an allergic reaction, your dog’s nails may become sensitive, and your pet may become obsessed with picking at them or licking them. You can observe this more easily among dogs with a light shade of fur and skin.
The advisable way to deal with allergies is to figure out which food is causing them and avoid feeding them to your dog. - Bronzing around the lips
This sign is accompanied by a pinkish color of your dog’s toes and jowls, and it can indicate the colonization of yeast, which is most often triggered by an allergy. It is an inflammatory response that causes your dog to itch their body, and this sign is more noticeable if your dog has a light complexion. Wipe the area with a mix of purified water and apple cider vinegar in equal parts. Avoid products with too many chemicals, as they can aggravate skin irritation. - Itchy and red underbelly
Swollen, dry, and pink skin underneath the fur is among the common signs indicating that your dog is allergic to their food. Giving your dog a bath with medicinal shampoos and conditioners will not work if a food allergy is the cause of these skin issues. Also, your dog may persistently scratch its body, and you may also observe a lot of hair fall in the affected patches. You can use aloe vera gel to soothe itchiness and avoid the food that triggers an allergic reaction. You can also make a solution with baking soda and water to relieve the symptoms. Additionally, if your dog isn’t allergic to grains, you can make an oatmeal solution to soothe the itchiness and sensitivity.
