Food allergy...how do I know? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

lizziepooh_1 · 01-15-2008, 10:48 AM

I think Tia might be slightly allergic to her food. She often scratches at the side of her face with her front paws, and scratches near the base of her head with her back feet.

It's winter, so I don't think she has fleas/ticks. We visit the groomer once every 2 months, and I bathe her between visits.

She is currently eating Canidae (the regular formula....green bag). I'm wondering if scratching is a sign of a food allergy, and if I should switch to Canidae's other formula (which is for dogs with allergies), or to another brand completely.

paulapoo · 01-15-2008, 10:56 AM

It's so hard to know. Otis gets itchy a lot too. Maybe there is a blood test your vet could do to narrow it down. Good Luck!

Ellie May · 01-15-2008, 11:44 AM

It wouldn't hurt to change and see if you are right. Just make sure to leave your dog on the new food for atleast 60 days (time for old food to get out of system) to see if she is allergic to the old.

lopresm · 01-15-2008, 12:10 PM

I have heard that scratching may be indeed be an allergic reaction to the preservatives in the dog food.

Check out your feed labels and also check with the vet. My daughter's cat used to scratch her head until it bled. Now with holistic food and the chicken, meat, etc., that she cooks, the cat is no longer scratching.

Pam205 · 01-15-2008, 02:44 PM

I was glad to see that other people are sharing the same concerns that I have. My little 1yr old Zoe seems to be chewing on her feet alot with scratching behind her head as well. I briefly discussed it with my vet and he said that I would have to take her off all treats and other food stuffs and give her only her dog food to see if it was allergy or not. I've tried her on other foods but that was mainly because I didn't think she was eating enough of her dry Royal Canin. I do notice though that bathing in between groomings and not putting her sweaters on all the time helps to some extent with the itching. I'm really at a loss though and my vet wasn't much help.

pee-nut · 01-15-2008, 03:09 PM

I just got back from taking pee-nut to the vet as he was scratching his ears out of control ...she plucked some of the hair out of his ears, his ears were clean and she said it might be allergies and to give him a half of a childs benedryl. He doesn't lick his paws or scratch anywhere else which I would think if it was allergies he would scratch other parts other than the ears.

Ellie May · 01-15-2008, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pam205

I was glad to see that other people are sharing the same concerns that I have. My little 1yr old Zoe seems to be chewing on her feet alot with scratching behind her head as well. I briefly discussed it with my vet and he said that I would have to take her off all treats and other food stuffs and give her only her dog food to see if it was allergy or not. I've tried her on other foods but that was mainly because I didn't think she was eating enough of her dry Royal Canin. I do notice though that bathing in between groomings and not putting her sweaters on all the time helps to some extent with the itching. I'm really at a loss though and my vet wasn't much help.

This is a very common problem with Royal Canin and Yorkies. It happened to Ellie also. I would get Zoe off this food and switch to one without corn for atleast 60 days to see if that is the problem. Your vet should offer and anti-inflammatory shot in the interim that might help her body get over the reaction. You could also try a food without chicken if you think that is what is causing it.

Ellie May · 01-15-2008, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pee-nut

I just got back from taking pee-nut to the vet as he was scratching his ears out of control ...she plucked some of the hair out of his ears, his ears were clean and she said it might be allergies and to give him a half of a childs benedryl. He doesn't lick his paws or scratch anywhere else which I would think if it was allergies he would scratch other parts other than the ears.

Ellie scratches her ears, jaws and bites her paws when she has an allergy flair-up. Your vet could give your dog a medicine called Synotic for his ears. It is a topical anti-inflammatory that really helps relieve that itching. Maybe change foods also? Benadryl didn't work for Ellie...

01-15-2008, 10:48 AM	#1
lizziepooh_1 YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ottawa Posts: 361	Food allergy...how do I know? I think Tia might be slightly allergic to her food. She often scratches at the side of her face with her front paws, and scratches near the base of her head with her back feet. It's winter, so I don't think she has fleas/ticks. We visit the groomer once every 2 months, and I bathe her between visits. She is currently eating Canidae (the regular formula....green bag). I'm wondering if scratching is a sign of a food allergy, and if I should switch to Canidae's other formula (which is for dogs with allergies), or to another brand completely. __________________ Hope in a jar: Where there is hope there can be faith; where there is faith miracles can occur. Liz and Tia

01-15-2008, 10:56 AM	#2
paulapoo Blessed by Otis & Ollie Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Plainfield, Indiana Posts: 2,803	It's so hard to know. Otis gets itchy a lot too. Maybe there is a blood test your vet could do to narrow it down. Good Luck! __________________ ~Paula~ proud mommy of ~Otis (yorkie) & Oliver (shih-poo)

01-15-2008, 11:44 AM	#3
Ellie May YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 5,878	It wouldn't hurt to change and see if you are right. Just make sure to leave your dog on the new food for atleast 60 days (time for old food to get out of system) to see if she is allergic to the old. __________________ Crystal and Ellie May

01-15-2008, 02:44 PM	#5
Pam205 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 1	Food allergies? I was glad to see that other people are sharing the same concerns that I have. My little 1yr old Zoe seems to be chewing on her feet alot with scratching behind her head as well. I briefly discussed it with my vet and he said that I would have to take her off all treats and other food stuffs and give her only her dog food to see if it was allergy or not. I've tried her on other foods but that was mainly because I didn't think she was eating enough of her dry Royal Canin. I do notice though that bathing in between groomings and not putting her sweaters on all the time helps to some extent with the itching. I'm really at a loss though and my vet wasn't much help.

01-15-2008, 12:10 PM	#4
lopresm YT Addict Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 328	I have heard that scratching may be indeed be an allergic reaction to the preservatives in the dog food. Check out your feed labels and also check with the vet. My daughter's cat used to scratch her head until it bled. Now with holistic food and the chicken, meat, etc., that she cooks, the cat is no longer scratching.

01-15-2008, 03:09 PM	#6
pee-nut Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: new york Posts: 33	I just got back from taking pee-nut to the vet as he was scratching his ears out of control ...she plucked some of the hair out of his ears, his ears were clean and she said it might be allergies and to give him a half of a childs benedryl. He doesn't lick his paws or scratch anywhere else which I would think if it was allergies he would scratch other parts other than the ears.