Dog food allergies question.?

You'll have to find a food with very few ingredients: one protein source and one carbohydrate source. Both ingredients must be something that he's never eaten before. Dogs (and humans) only develop allergic response to something the second time they've had contact with it.

There are several veterinary diets available from Royal Canin, Iams and Hill's. Some of the formulas are duck/potato, rabbit/potato, and kangaroo/oat.

You can also try Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance:

http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dogformulas/aller...

They have venison/sweet potato, duck/sw tater, fish/sw tater, and a true lamb/rice. Remember, if he's ever eaten fish or lamb (or any of the other meats) in treats, dry food or canned food, those foods won't work as a true diet trial.

There are other commercial foods but again, be sure to read the label! Only one protein and one carb source and usually canola oil plus vitamins/minerals. Anything else won't give you accurate results.

The key to the food: you must stick with that food for 10 to 12 weeks, and feed nothing else. No treats, no rawhide, no chews, no flavored Nylabones, no people food or table scraps, and no flavored medications (like chewable Heartgard, you'll have to switch to unflavored or Revolution).

If you see improvement, you know he has a food allergy.

Now what? Well, you can stick with that food for his lifetime (food allergies never go away). Or, you can challenge the diet to find out what he's allergic to.

You'll get some answers suggesting grain-free diets, or avoid by-products. That may help, but only coincidentally. The top 5 allergens for dogs are beef, chicken, corn, wheat, and soy. But--dairy, egg, fish, and other proteins can be the problem as well. Avoiding by-products or grains won't help if the diet is chicken-based and he happens to be allergic to chicken.

The way to challenge the diet: introduce one new ingredient every 2 weeks (continue to feed the special food for his main diet). For example, start with cooked chicken. Give him a few bites every day for that 2 weeks. If no change is noted, that ingredient is OK for him to eat. If he gets itchy, stop feeding that ingredient until he is normal again. Make a note of that and be sure to avoid that ingredient for the rest of his life. Now try the next ingredient, for example corn. Continue down your list. Most dogs react to 2 or 3 things.

Once you've figured out his problems, you know to avoid those ingredients. You must read ingredient labels of foods both dry and canned; treats, chews, and medications.

Best wishes to you and your itchy pup!

If it only happens after you feed him, then it could be a dog allergy. If he itches himself all the time then maybe you need to use frontline on him to help prevent the fleas and ticks. I use Beneful for my jack russell terrier. It is hard food, but has moist chunks. I find it having the most nutrients and vitamins for a dog. If it gets worse, then maybe take him to a vet and see if their is anything else. Try to notice if there are any new plants or flowers around because I know dogs are allergic to certain plants and flowers.

Also keep him away from onions, tomato sauce and chocolate, it's really bad for them. I hope he does well!

Usually dog allergies come from grains so maybe try a grain free dog food.

My french bulldog gets itchy from corn products so now I feed him "Taste of the Wild" dog food.

nicely, is he allergic to grains? if so, flow grain loose: Innova EVO, wellbeing center, Blue desert, Nature's sort instinct, Orijen, Fromm Surf & Turf, Now! and acquired Gold Barking on the Moon. i've got additionally heard stable issues approximately organic stability's Duck and Potato formulation or Natura's California organic meals regimen for dogs with allergic reactions.