Does Your Pet Have a Food Allergy?

Our pets are an important part of our daily lives. We feed them, exercise them, love them and generally try to care for them as best we can. We hate to see them uncomfortable or unhappy, but sometimes it can be hard to know how to help them. If you suspect your pet is suffering from allergies, you may be confused about what is causing it and the changes you can make to make them more comfortable or even eliminate the issue.

Does your pet itch and scratch, have hot spots, lick his or hers paws constantly, have hair loss or a foul smell to their skin and coat? Your pet could be suffering from food allergies. Many owners are unaware that food allergies are common in domestic animals such as cats and dogs and can manifest in many different symptoms. While regular veterinary care is very necessary for our animal friends, some owners prefer to try to eliminate the allergy symptoms themselves if possible before going the veterinary route.

There are two very important aspects to first look at when trying to determine what is causing the reaction—protein and grains. Many allergies are to the protein source of the food, so the first thing you should do is change the protein source completely. If what they are eating now is chicken-based, switch to any other protein and be sure to check the ingredient list to make sure it does not contain chicken meal or any chicken by products. It can take a month to see results once they are no longer eating the protein they are allergic to, so have patience and be sure that any extras or treats they are eating do not contain the protein either. Many owners find it helpful to change to a single protein source food as well, that way if you see a reaction you're not left guessing what protein caused it.

Grains are another common allergen for pets and are an ingredient they do not require. You can choose to eliminate grains from your pet's diet right away or later on if you don't see results from the protein switch. Keep in mind, most grain free foods are a bit pricier than foods that are grain inclusive, but they can make the world of difference. Grain free foods are relatively easy to find these days with even some grocery stores carrying them, but the place where you will find the best quality pet foods are pet specialty stores. Almost every grain free food will advertise on the bag that it is grain free, so check the packaging carefully.

The next step many people may choose to go for their itchy furry friends is to feed them a Limited Ingredient Diet, commonly referred to as LID. LID diets often will contain many less ingredients than your standard pet foods, which can be helpful for pets who are sensitive or allergic to many foods. These diets can be especially helpful if your pet has any sort of reaction to certain vegetables because most of the vitamin and mineral content comes from synthetic sources as opposed to natural.

Supplements can be another helpful tool in keeping pets comfortable and happy. Some choose to feed their pets fish oil supplements with their meals, whether in liquid or capsule form. Coconut oil is another one pets tend to love the taste of, and is very helpful with their skin and coat. Coconut oil and fish oil both have anti-inflammatory properties as well, so they can be helpful with joint pain and skin irritation. Probiotics are also a fantastic supplement to a pet's diet, they aid in a healthy gut biome, aid in digestion and help to maintain overall health. There are a wide array of products on the market specifically made for pets, which you can find at most pet specialty stores. If you are planning on buying a human supplement for your pet, please do all the necessary research to ensure there are no ingredients that are not safe for pets.

If these methods do not work, it's a good idea to take your pet to the vet for allergy and thyroid testing. Thyroid or other health problems can sometimes cause symptoms similar to allergies. I hope this article provided you with some methods to help your furry friends.