Does your pup have allergies? Help ease their itch with these tasty treats that they’ll love.
According to Webster’s dictionary, hypoallergenic means “having little likelihood of causing an allergic response.” Allergies are very common in dogs — with environmental and food allergies being some of the most common — which is what led to the creation of hypoallergenic dog foods.
Food allergies occur when your pet’s immune system mistakes an ingredient as a foreign body rather than food and causes an immune response. The majority of dog food allergies are related to the protein source such as chicken, beef, dairy, and egg. But that doesn’t mean your pup can’t develop an allergy to other proteins like duck or venison — these proteins just aren’t as widely used.
Unfortunately, no diet or treat is completely “hypoallergenic”. The closest you can get is to give your pup a hydrolyzed diet that can be purchased through your veterinarian. Treats that are advertised as hypoallergenic generally use less common proteins like we mentioned above, but dogs could still be allergic to these.
It may take months or years before your dog develops an allergy to a particular food or ingredient. However, once they’re allergic, they’ll almost always have a negative reaction to it. Allergic reactions are most commonly associated with protein sources in their diet, but there can be other reasons for a dog who develops allergies.
Dogs that have developed an allergy to one particular food are more likely to develop other food-related allergies later on. In addition, many dogs with food allergies have other allergies, such as seasonal allergies (from weeds, mold, pollen, etc.) or flea allergies.
In general, however, the following symptoms could be a sign of an allergic reaction.
👉 IMPORTANT: Some symptoms of food allergies/intolerance are similar to those of other serious conditions, so consult your veterinarian if you notice any of these signs.
If you aren’t sure what your dog’s allergies are stemming from, you might try out some treats made for sensitive dogs. When deciding on the best option for your pup, there are a few key things to look for:
Companies like Purina Pro Plan, Science Diet/Hills, and Royal Canin ensure that there is no cross-contamination between foods and treats.
Dr. Erica Irish, DVM
No, it’s not. Peanut butter is highly common for allergies, in both pets and people. This can lead to excessive scratching, itching, redness, allergic reactions, ear infections, or hot spots — all from giving them a small amount of peanut butter. This creamy human treat can also contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
Less common protein sources such as lamb, venison, rabbit, and fish are often the least likely to cause allergic reactions, which is why they’re commonly found in hypoallergenic and low-allergen diets.
Dogs that are allergic to certain ingredients do need special foods. Hypoallergenic foods are those that are made from ingredients that reduce the likelihood of an allergic reaction.
Itching, much live hives in people, is a common allergic reaction for dogs. Pets will scratch around their ears, their sides and arm pits, and alleviate backside itching by scooting on the floor. They may also lick their paws more when experiencing an allergic reaction.
