If you’re the fortunate parent of a furry friend, you’ve probably noticed that your canine companion doesn’t differentiate when it concerns food. Dogs will happily eat anything, whether a filet mignon on a golden dish or a clump of wildflowers on the roadside. However, eating various food items like cooked bones, chocolate, or garlic can prove toxic for them!
Providing nutritional food to your pet should be your top priority to avoid frequent vet visits. Various foods like dairy, soy, wheat gluten, grains, etc., can cause allergic reactions in dogs. The solution is simple! To avoid any unfortunate circumstance, you can choose grain free dog food to provide your four-legged friend healthy meals. Additionally, Bivvy’s affordable pet health insurance can help you cover some of the medical expenses in case your furry friend becomes ill and needs emergency care or hospitalization.
However, it would be best if you first determined whether or not your dog is allergic to grains. If you suspect your dog is suffering from a grain allergy, here are five symptoms to check for.
1) Itchy and Irritated Skin
A grain allergy manifests itself as discomfort on the skin’s surface in several dogs, producing itching and flaking. If your dog is itching, especially around its paws or face, you may have to seek the finest grain free dog food to alleviate the health issues.
2) Digestive Problems
Dogs, like humans, digest vegetables and meat much more effectively than grains. However, suppose your furry friend is allergic to grains and isn’t fed the ideal grain free dog food. In that case, you may start noticing additional digestive problems such as vomiting, diarrhoea, or recurring bowel movements.
3) Recurrent Ear Infections
In dogs with grain intolerance, recurrent ear infections are a typical complaint. If your dog paws or scratches at his ears frequently, it could indicate an allergy.
4) Troubled Anal Glands
Although it’s natural for a dog to occasionally try to ease the area of their anal glands, if you find your dog doing that regularly, it could indicate that an allergy has harmed their anal glands. This is a severe problem that can result in damaged glands, so if you notice this, take your dog to the clinic immediately.
5) Behavioural Variations
When it concerns a dog’s behaviour, using your gut is one of the most excellent methods to recognise an allergy. They are notorious for disguising their pain, so paying attention to their behaviour for itching, restlessness, or lethargy might help you spot a problem before it manifests itself into a health concern.
How are Grain Allergies in Dogs Identified?
Contrary to popular myths, grain intolerances in dogs are not always easy to detect. It’s not as though there is a quick test that can inform you what your canine is allergic to or even if they have allergies. To determine whether grain allergies trigger your dog’s skin or ear problems, you must start from the outset with the assistance of your veterinarian.
Your vet will examine your pet and gather a complete medical history. If there is no other apparent cause for the complaints, your vet may think that grain allergies cause your dog’s irritable skin or ear problems.
They will propose a switch to grain free dog food if a diagnosis of grain allergies is possible.
Parting Note
Dogs, like human beings, have distinct bodies. It’s easy to blame scratching or licking on an external component that triggers skin allergies, but dog food is one source of allergic responses in dogs that parents typically ignore.
Canines, like human beings, can develop dietary allergies and sensitivities. Grain intolerances in dogs can be extremely dangerous, causing digestive issues such as vomiting, diarrhoea, skin problems, and behavioural concerns.
Now that you know the most prevalent causes of grain allergies in dogs, you’ll be better positioned to address the issue and help your pet live a happy, healthy life.