Believe it or not, a leading cause of your pup’s allergic reactions is very likely the puppy food he is eating. It can be tricky to tell the difference from one allergy to the next, so people who own a pouch may not know a food allergy when they see it. Food allergies can present themselves at any stage, however, meaning your dog could actually not show any symptoms for a long time (even years), or the may happen within just a few short days. Basically, your pup could be eating a food he is actually allergic to, he’s just not showing any reactions yet. Symptoms of allergies can take time to present themselves, because sometimes allergens need to build up first. Statistics state nearly 70 percent of all food allergies are the result of giving your young dog the same puppy food for over two years.

As a responsible dog-owner, the first things that you should know are the symptoms manifested by your dog when he has food allergies.

* First, you’ll see skin conditions. Overly hard and frequent licking and scratching are dead giveaways. Obviously, your pup’s skin itches way more than it should. He may even grate his head, back, butt, or other parts of his body on the carpet, floors, walls, or furniture to try and end his itching pain. Digging and chewing on his skin repeatedly can result in further irritation, swelling, flakiness, and even bleeding. He could even begin losing hair.

* Digestive Problems If your puppy has a food allergy, expect to see him vomit, excessively pass gas, and have loose bowel movements.

* Breathing problems is another. Your pup may have trouble breathing (a common allergic reaction). He may begin to sneeze, cough, or wheeze more often.

Now, we’ll look at some things you can do to treat, and even prevent, such reactions.

* Elimination Diet – This simply means that you need to stop giving him all the food that your puppy is on now. The idea is to gradually introduce the old ingredients from his previous diet gradually or one ingredient at a time. This will allow you to know when you dog is having an allergic reaction, and narrow down which ingredient is the cause. This way, you will know the specific food item/ingredient that needs to be eliminated. Do this program for 12 weeks, under the supervision of a qualified veterinarian.

* You can also feed your young canine a hypo-allergenic puppy food with more pure and healthy ingredients like vegetables, potatoes, rice, duck, and lamb.

* Build up an immunity. Just like in humans, there are injections that can be given to dogs, too, that will introduce small doses of allergens over a period of time. These allergens actually boost your dog’s antibodies, thereby building up his tolerance to allergies.

* You can give him medications. Also like people, your pouch can take antihistamines to alleviate allergy symptoms. For the right drugs to use and proper dosage, check with your vet first.

* Skin testing/Blood Testing This procedure is done by vet dermatologists. The procedures are highly accurate and can help you determine the type of puppy food that your canine must avoid.

If you’ve just picked up your family’s new furry addition and want to find out the right way to care for your puppy, then check out Puppy Pet Supplies for helpful tips and advice on puppy training, and so much more! Plus, discover how to potty train your puppy effectively and quickly!

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