There are over 75 million domesticated dogs in the United States. The American people absolutely love to spend time with their best friends, and our pets are quite often considered part of the family.
Did you know that pets are also sometimes prone to food allergies just like people are? You might have heard about this before but have not been sure of what the signs were of a dog with food allergies.
If you’re concerned that your dog has allergies, then keep reading this article to learn about the symptoms and how to help.
1. Ear Infections
It’s perfectly normal for a dog to have the occasional ear infection, but anything more than two or three infections a year could be a sign that you’ve got a dog with allergies.
Be on the lookout for smelly ears with a kind of yeasty-brown build-up in them. Your dog is likely to scratch at the infected ear a lot. Frequent cleaning of the ear won’t prevent reinfection.
If you think your dog food is causing the issue, then you should try switching to specialist food for a dog with allergies.
2. Brown or Red Nail Beds
One day you may notice that your dog’s nail beds are bloody brown or red in color. This is a telltale sign of an inflammatory immune response linked to a food allergy. For reference, your dog’s nail beds should be white in color with a pink quick. You should also keep an eye out for if your dog is itching or licking their nail beds more often than usual.
You can give your dog some supplements to improve their general health and help with any food allergies. Shop here for some today.
3. Bronze Colored Lips
This symptom is most noticeable in dogs that have white coats. If you notice that their feet, lips, or skin are pink and inflamed, then it’s likely to be a sign of yeast colonization brought on by a food allergy.
You should try to make your dog more comfortable by wiping the affected area with a 50/50 mix of water and organic apple cider vinegar. This will help to reduce swelling.
As with all food allergies, you should consider switching to dog food for allergies.
4. Itchy Skin and Red Belly
Noticing that your dog has itchy skin, a red belly, and a dull coat all at once is a pretty common sign of allergies in dogs. Check the skin underneath the hair on your dog to see if it looks pink, red, or inflamed.
This might not always be caused by a food allergy. Reactions to shampoos and products used on your dog’s fur may also be the cause of this, so make sure to rule that out first.
5. Watering Eyes
Think of a person you know with allergies, you’ll notice that they will often get really watery eyes when they’re having a reaction. It’s the same for dogs.
If your dog is scratching its eyes often and they seem to be watery all the time, then consider a change of diet for them.
You Can Always Help a Dog With Food Allergies
It can be scary to think that you’re looking after a dog with food allergies. But it’s important to know that it’s fairly common and there are always things you can do to help your companion. Make sure to schedule a visit with the vet so you can talk through your next steps when it comes to changing your dog’s diet.
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