Generally, dogs love to eat everything, but many foods are harmful to them. Even though a dog is healthy, he can develop the symptoms of an allergy. For example, dogs are not able to digest chocolates properly. So if given regularly, a dog can show severe symptoms of indigestion, weight gain, vomiting, and can fall sick. Before giving any food items to your pet, refer to a doctor for proper guidance.

1. Foods that might trigger allergies in dogs
There are a handful of foods that may trigger allergic reactions in dogs such as dairy products, chocolates, wheat, soy protein, eggs, fish, corn, etc. Generally, dogs aren’t able to digest these types of food nutrients. As a result, their immune system fights these substances and thereby develops different symptoms of allergies. Thus, your favorite food can be a risk for dogs with food allergies.

2. Symptoms of food allergies in dogs
Dogs with food allergies have varied symptoms depending on the variety and amount of the consumed food. However, dogs can have both food allergies as well as food intolerances. This means that when a dog is intolerant to a food type; his gastrointestinal system will be disturbed rather than developing allergic symptoms. Hence, one should be very cautious in distinguishing allergic responses from the intolerant reactions of the body.

The following symptoms are some of the common signs of allergic reactions in dogs:

• Swelling of the face, including ears, lips, and earflaps
• Itchiness all over the body
• Hives
• Inflammation of the skin
• Skin turning red
• Chronic diarrhea and increased frequency of vomiting
• Itching in the ears and repeated sneezing
• Prolonged infections in the ears
• Itchy and runny eyes
• Constant licking and rubbing of the face
• Chronically sore feet
• Poor growth
• Bald patches all over the body
• Occasional biting of the paws
• Rashes

These symptoms can also be the signs of any other pathogenic condition in dogs. So, it is always advisable to immediately contact the vet if these symptoms persist for a long time.

3. Remedies for dogs with food allergies
One can always take precautions to avoid food triggers that can cause allergic reactions in dogs. If the dog is showing symptoms of allergies towards a particular food, then it is better to change the diet for a short period. If that helps the dog to heal, then one must proceed with that diet type. But if the symptoms persist for an extended period of time, then consult your vet immediately. The doctor should be able to design a food chart according to the dog’s needs. This would ensure better health for your dog. One can also get prescribed medicines for dogs with food allergies.