Dealing with a Dog Food Allergy?

Just as humans allergies can show up as a sneeze or rash, your dog's allergies can manifest as itchiness -- or even ear infections. In fact, if your dog's allergic to his food, it can cause him to scratch himself constantly, even with no obvious parasite problem.

Dog allergies rarely get solved with medicine, so the best we can do for our four-footed friends is focus on prevention. Providing the right type of food is essential to stopping your dog's scratching habit.

Many people like to share their food with their dogs or let them help "clean up" the kitchen after a meal. Little do they know, their dogs just may not be able to take the tasty food we love so much, and some breeds (like the greyhound) are extremely sensitive. Even common foods like cheese, beef sausage and tuna may cause allergic reactions in some dogs. So it's best to let dogs enjoy dog food and not human food, even though they clearly adore and want what we're eating!

Narrowing Down the Problem

To determine the exact ingredients your dog is allergic to, try an elimination diet. Although powerful, it also requires patience. In fact, the elimination diet can call for eliminating specific food for up to 12 weeks before you'll notice the effects. And if you still haven't found the right (and wrong) ingredients, you'll have to repeat the process all over again.

So is there an alternative to the lengthy elimination diet? Yes -- give your dog a brand or type of food he's never eaten before. But simply changing to a new brand of dog food might not be enough to eliminate his food allergies, since many brands contain similar ingredients. Instead, study the existing ingredients your dog is eating to determine which types of protein source he hasn't been exposed to. Then, hunt for a dog food that doesn't contain any of the ingredients you saw listed. For example, there are many brands of dog food that contains unusual protein sources such as rabbit or venison -- great for testing allergic reactions to other, more common proteins.

Perhaps the best way for you to get control of dog's allergies is to whip up your own dog food. That way, you'll know exactly what he's getting and what he isn't -- something that's extremely hard to tell from reading the back of a dog food bag. Making your own food is especially helpful in elimination diets. To start, combine a portion of rice with baby food and lamb -- so long as your dog isn't already eating lamb and possibly displaying a reaction to it.

Dog food allergies are a special condition that can be frustrating and take patience to solve. Since allergic reactions don't disappear overnight, you'll need lots of time and thoughtfulness to help your dog overcome this problem -- but his goofy smile and those scratch-free days ahead will probably make it all worth it.

Blake Kritzberg is proprietor of Cures For Bad Breath. Stop by http://www.curesforbadbreath.com to learn more about bad breath cures and home remedies for halitosis. Article Source:http://www.healthguidence.org

Dog Allergies

This article seeks to give you a solid knowledge base regarding the subject matter at hand, no matter what your previous experience on the topic.

Have you ever wondered what right is up with Dog Allergies? This informative bang can give you an insight into everything you've ever hunted to know about Dog Allergies.

If you find manually bemworn by what you've read to this argument, don't despair. Everything should be gemstone earn by the time you surface.

Dogs are like humans in that they also undergo from allergies. The most mutual symptom of dog allergies is burning, but the respiratory area may also be precious, which could pilot to coughing, sneezing, and/or puffed. There are also gear where the eyes and the nose are precious by dog allergies, developing a discharge, or the digestive logic becomes awkward, causing nausea or diarrhea.

Before we go an further, lets take a moment to review what we have learned so far about this amazing subject.

In the United States, approximately 20% of dogs undergo some font of upshot, plus atopic dermatitis, mite upshot, food upshot, inhalant upshot, commerce upshot, or bacterial upshot. These dog allergies clash in their symptoms and dealing worn. Below are mission discussions of each of these dog allergies.

Atopic Dermatitis

One of the many dog allergies is known as canine atopic dermatitis. The state is caworn by the dogs immune logic hypersensitivity to mutual substances in the environment, like dust mites or molds.

Atopic dermatitis generally occurs during the first two living of a dogs life. One of the actual first cipher of this font of dog allergies is undue grooming, with hammering or chewing of the paws, abdomen, and final quarters. You can also prove the next areas for cipher:

Ears to see if they are spotted and hot to the affect

Armpits, between the toes of the paws, and groin

spit to see if theres mark

Abdomen to see if it changes tint from a rosy to irate red or black mottling (unceasing gear only)

louse aversion

Out of all dog allergies, mite upshot dermatitis is the most mutual. The upshot is actually caworn, not by the mite itself, but by their dribble, which causes the allergic upshot. Symptoms may be bargain through true mite curb treatment, but you should be sensible that the mite preparations worn are not wounding to the dog.

Inhalant aversion

Dogs, like humans, may also be allergic to pollens (ranking, lawn, and prepare), dust mites, molds, and chemicals. Inhalant dog allergies are typically caworn by any or all of these environmental factors.

unsullied bred or mutts can acquire inhalant allergies, but there are certain breeds that are especially susceptible to retort:

Terriers (especially the West upland pasty terrier, Skye terrier, Scottish terrier, and Boston terrier)

yellow retrievers

Poodles

Dalmatians

German shepherds

Chinese shar-peis

Shih tzus

Ihasa apsos

Pugs

Irish setters

small schnauzers

This font of dog allergies exhibit symptoms like scratching, derisive, chewing at the feet and faithful hammering.

Food aversion

Dogs can become allergic to food theyve been intake for living. Thats why many people overlook the possibility of a food upshot. distinct other mutual dog allergies, food upshot only accounts for 10 percent of upshot evils in dogs. The foods that dogs regularly cannot tolerate contain:

Soy harvest

Wheat

Corn

Beef

Pork

Chicken

Milk

Whey

Eggs

Fish

substance preservatives

Artificial sugars

There are numerous other dog allergies, of course, that its virtually impossible to name all of them. For more information on the symptoms and what you can do to help your dog, commerce your resident veterinarian for some counsel.

Of course, it's impossible to put everything about Dog Allergies into just one piece. But you can't deny that you've just added to your understanding about Dog Allergies, and that's time well useless.

As they say, knowledge equals power, so continue to read information on this topic until you feel you are adequately educated on the subject.

By Devid Inthee
Source: http://www.ArticleOnRamp.com

Top 10 Dog Breeds for People with Dog Allergies

For some people, allergens present in dog saliva and skin cells (dander) can cause allergies. While there is no totally non-allergenic dog, the good news is that some breeds do seem to cause fewer allergies. Typically, it's because these breeds don't shed as much fur, or they have a coat that requires frequent bathing. Smaller dogs also produce less saliva than bigger dogs.

These 10 breeds seem to cause the fewest allergies.
1) Poodle and Poodle Hybrids
Poodles come in various sizes, colors and coat lengths. Recent cross-breeding with other breeds, such as cocker spaniels and Labrador retrievers, has been popular. Generally speaking, poodles shed less hair and dander, and therefore cause fewer allergy symptoms.
2) Schnauzer
Schnauzers come in three sizes: Miniature, standard and giant. All types are good choices for people with dog allergies.
3) Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog is a close relative of the poodle.
4) Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
All varieties of the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier appear to be good choices for people who suffer from dog allergies. The various varieties include Traditional Irish, Heavy Irish, English, and American types.
5) Maltese
The Maltese belongs to the toy-size class of dogs, and it does not shed. It has been suggested that the fact that these dogs are frequently bathed/groomed helps to reduce their ability to cause allergies.
6) Lhasa Apso
Lhasa Apsos are another small breed of dog that does not shed its coat. The fact that these small dogs are frequently bathed may be one reason why people with dog allergies have few symptoms with owning this breed.
7) Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers, or Yorkies, as they are frequently called, is another toy-sized breed of dog. Their reputation as a hypoallergenic breed may be in part due to their small size.
8) Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are yet another small breed of dog that likely owe their hypoallergenic nature to their small size and need for frequent bathing and grooming by their owners. They also don't shed much.
9) Irish Water Spaniel
Irish Water Spaniels somewhat resemble the appearance of a poodle, with similar hypo-allergenic coats.
10) Kerry Blue Terrier
Kerry Blue Terriers are another breed recommended by the American Kennel Club as a good choice for people with dog allergies.

by Daniel More, MD,

Allergies to Dogs

What is Dog Allergy Caused By?
The major dog allergen, called Can f 1, is primarily found in dog saliva. Unlike cat allergen, which is found in the dander from sebaceous glands in the skin, the skin of dogs does not appear to be a major source of Can f 1. Dog albumin, a protein found in the blood, is also an important allergen, and may cross-react with albumin from other mammals, including cats.


How Common is Dog Allergy?
Allergy to dogs is relatively common, as dog allergen can be found in public places, including daycare facilities. However, cat allergy is far more common, which may be related to the higher potency of cat dander as an allergen, as well as the fact that cats are not generally bathed at the same frequency as dogs. Regular bathing of pets, particularly dogs, would be expected to reduce much of the allergens released from the animal.

Are Dogs Really Man’s Best Friend?
Recent studies show that dog ownership can protect against the development of allergies in young children.

This is due to endotoxin, a protein released from dogs (and other animals, particularly farm animals) that stimulates the immune system away from allergies. Infants living in homes with indoor dogs are far less likely to wheeze compared to infants living in homes without dogs.

However, it is important to note that endotoxin may also worsen allergies and asthma if present in the home after a person living in the home has already developed allergies or asthma.

How Can Symptoms be Controlled for Dog Owners with Dog Allergy?
For people with dog allergy, avoidance of dogs is the mainstay of therapy. Allergy medications are likely to help control symptoms, but in many instances symptoms may persist if the person owns one or more indoor dogs. Allergy shots may also be a good treatment option for people who are allergic to their pet dogs.

Dog owners may not want to part with their pets, despite the symptoms they endure. Short of getting rid of the dog, here are some ways to decrease dog allergen exposure for dog owners:

* Ensure the dog is neutered
* Bathing the dog at least once or twice a week
* Wiping the dog with a wet cloth or hand towel daily
* Remove the dog from the bedroom, close the bedroom door and air vents to the bedroom
* Keep the dog outside or in the garage, or in a part of the home with an uncarpeted floor
* Vacuum frequently with a HEPA-equipped vacuum cleaner
* Purchase a HEPA room air cleaner for use in the bedroom and/or other parts of the home (it is best to keep the HEPA filter off of the floor so as to not stir up more dust)
* Follow house dust mite avoidance precautions
* If the above measures do not help to reduce allergic symptoms, getting rid of the pet dogs may be needed, particularly for people with uncontrolled asthma.
* Dog allergen may persist for months to years in the home even after the dog is gone – therefore it is important to clean thoroughly
o steam clean all carpets and upholstered furniture
o launder or dry clean all bedding and curtains
o vacuum all hard floors
o wipe down all hard surfaces and furniture
o replace any air conditioner and heater vent filters


Do Some Breeds of Dogs Cause Less Allergies Than Other Breeds?
Possibly. It appears that some people can be allergic to certain breeds of dogs and not to other breeds. While there is no such thing as a non-allergenic dog, some breeds can cause less allergies than other breeds. Here is a list of low-allergen dog breeds that may be better tolerated by people with dog allergy.

by Daniel More, MD