Awhile back, I spoke to my young vet(she's 25). She had been doing a lot of studying on dogs and allergies. She told me most of the dogs that had allergies were not allergic to the corn in the foods. Well, My yorkie(6) is licking her paws constantly. She's been on every kind of food out there(except for cheap foods). Right now, all 6 of my dogs are on TOTW. Well, This morning I've been doing research online, and have found the same thing on a lot of different sites on food allergies. This really surprised me, as I was lead to believe, most of the time it was the "corn".
FOOD ALLERGIES
Another possible irritant, may be found within the food you are feeding your dog. If your dog is allergic to food, it is usually just to one of the ingredients in his or her
[COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]diet[/COLOR][/COLOR]. Some of the most common culprits include beef, chicken, pork, milk, eggs, whey, fish, corn, soy, wheat preservatives, and even lamb. Even if your pet has been on the same food all of his life, do not rule out a food allergy because one can develop at any time and over time (and most develop from foods that have already been eaten for a long time).
The best way to filter out a food allergy or to discover the food allergen is to stop feeding your dog his or her regular meal and to begin using a homemade diet which includes only protein and starch. Mixing some rabbit or venison with rice or potatoes is one example. Many veterinarian offices also offer prepackaged hypo-allergenic diets for their clients. During this testing phase, the dog should be restricted from all other forms of treats, biscuits, chewable toys and table scraps for at least six to eight weeks. If the skin allergy seems to cease or symptoms improve, begin by slowly adding in additional ingredients (such as chicken, lamb, beef, etc.), but only one per week. This should allow enough time for the allergy to reappear if the irritant is re-introduced, and also allow you to decipher what it is. It is important to consult your veterinarian before beginning such a diet modification with your pet.
Treating your pet for an allergy may be as easy as changing his or her diet, or as difficult as needing chronic
[COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]medication[/COLOR][/COLOR] and constant veterinary re-examinations. Sometimes simple cortisone creams or
[COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]antihistamines[/COLOR][/COLOR] may help the skin, but they fail to treat the underlying allergen. In some cases, however, this is the only possible means of help, as irritants such as dust or pollens cannot always be completely eliminated.
Here are some tips for at home when you are living with a dog with allergies:
- try giving your pup an oatmeal bath 3-4 times a week (some pet stores may even carry oatmeal formulated shampoo)
- allow your dog to sit in a bath filled with Epsom salts
- after discussing this with your vet, try using essential fatty acids, namely
[COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]omega-3[/COLOR][/COLOR] and omega-6. They have natural anti-inflammatory agents and can be purchased at most pet stores or veterinarians
- try using an air de-humidifier and place activated charcoal around house plants to decrease molds
- use air conditioners rather than open windows
- dust and vacuum often
- treat your pet for fleas, regardless of whether or not you see them - use a hypoallergenic dog food or create a homemade diet for your pet - becareful what you are washing your dog's bedding in