Treating Food Allergies in Dogs
Treating a food allergy is all about diagnosing it, since food allergies are not easy to detect. The clinical signs are similar to other types of allergies, and it takes weeks to identify the allergen in your dog’s diet. Your vet has to confirm if the symptoms indicate a food allergy from dietary history and also has to rule out food intolerance. If an allergy is suspected, you have to work with the vet to identify the allergy-causing food and it takes a lot of patience and time. Watching out for signs of allergy If you think your dog has eaten something other than the normal diet and is showing signs of stomach upset, try feeding a low-protein diet like boiled rice or potato till the symptoms subside. If the diarrhea is severe, consult your vet. Do not try over-the-counter medications to stop diarrhea without consulting the vet. Following an elimination trial If your dog has been following the usual diet and is still showing symptoms of an allergy, it could be the immune response. Your vet will go through the food patterns and history of your dog and suggest an elimination trial. It is the most accurate method to isolate the allergen.