When you have established that the cause of your dog's discomfort is a food allergy, it is important to intervene quickly and effectively. Follow the steps below to learn how to treat your dog's food allergies.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Take the dog to the vet
If you suspect that the dog has a food allergy, it is of fundamental importance to obtain the opinion of an expert who visits it before trying a cure. In some cases, the dog's symptoms could be induced by other diseases or sensitivities, which should be treated accordingly. Other times, you will need a prescription for medication or a checkup from a veterinarian.
Step 1. Have the dog examined for any canine atopic dermatitis or flea allergy dermatitis
Both of these diseases, which often cause swelling, skin irritation and itching in dogs, are much more common than a food allergy.
Step 2. Ask if you need a prescription
In some cases, a medical prescription may be required to treat any skin or ear infections that may have developed because the dog has scratched. If the veterinarian suspects a food allergy, he may prescribe a temporary therapeutic diet to see if the symptoms disappear.
Method 2 of 3: Have your dog follow a hypoallergenic diet
If your dog has been diagnosed with a food allergy or if you want to try to treat the symptoms of a food allergy on your own, you can have the dog follow a hypoallergenic diet. Some brands of dog food on the market now offer the hypoallergenic version of their typical kibble with denatured proteins.
Step 1. Follow the instructions for therapeutic feeding
If your vet has prescribed a specific hypoallergenic diet, it is vital that you follow it very carefully. Don't give your dog treats or food scraps, and make sure your friends or kids don't too.
Most hypoallergenic diets must be the dog's only food source for a period of at least 10 weeks. This allows the symptoms to disappear and your body to purify itself
Step 2. Create a homemade hypoallergenic diet
If you can't afford the hypoallergenic diet prescribed by your vet, you can create your own at home for temporary use. At each meal, combine a starch with a protein to make sure your dog is getting enough calories and fat.
- Try chicken and rice, salmon and rice or duck and potatoes. Do not alternate with proteins or grains and follow the diet for 10 weeks.
- If the symptoms persist after 10 weeks, switch to a different source of protein and cereals to be sure not to feed the trigger of the allergy with the hypoallergenic diet.
- Do not add sauces, treats, broth or flavorings to the dog's diet during the period of the hypoallergenic diet prepared at home.
Step 3. Try a hypoallergenic dog food from a commercial brand
Some commercial dog food brands currently offer versions of their usual products containing little or no artificial ingredients, no added dyes and animal sources with altered proteins.
Method 3 of 3: Gradually Reintroduce New Foods
After your dog's symptoms disappear, you can start introducing one common food per week. If the symptoms recur, you will have identified the triggering cause to be eliminated in that specific food. To determine if your dog may have additional food allergies, keep trying other foods or ingredients common in dog food.
Step 1. Start introducing common protein sources
After your dog's symptoms disappear on the hypoallergenic diet, introduce a protein source such as chicken, beef, eggs or fish. Feed the dog every day with the hypoallergenic diet combined with the new protein source without adding other foods.
Step 2. Discard a food if symptoms recur
If you are carefully monitoring your dog's diet and the symptoms recur after introducing a new protein source, eliminate the new protein source and let the symptoms disappear again.
Even if you have identified the cause of the allergy, it is advisable to continue to gradually reintroduce other food sources in order to establish the presence of any other causes of allergy
Step 3. Check the symptoms and change the diet permanently
Once you have identified the cause of your dog's allergy and worked out a definitive diet with the veterinarian, continue to monitor the dog's skin and the symptoms of itching.
