Dog Hair Loss - Canine Hair Loss

Human sufferers of food allergies are not ignorant to the considerable damage that this condition inflicts. In dogs, however, food allergies can be difficult to imagine and hard to diagnose. One sign of food allergy in dogs is that of hair loss. Food allergies in dogs are responsible for about one tenth of all dog allergies. This can result in constant scratching and lead to infections.

Food allergies are different to food intolerance. That is, allergies cause itching and skin problems, whilst intolerance refers to the dog’s inability to handle certain food types and the body expels it.

Dog Allergies and Hair Loss: Culprit Foods; the Elimination Test; and Identifiers

In the case of food allergies in dogs, it essentially comes down to removing foods and working out the offender. Beef, chicken and dairy are often amongst the top foods that produce allergy in dogs. Wheat, corn and soy are also responsible for food allergies that lead to hair loss in dogs. Prior to conducting such tests, it is necessary to work out if the hair loss and other symptoms are actually a result of food allergies or not.

There are a myriad of conditions that exist that have similar symptoms to that of the food allergy in a dog and aren’t easily identified (such as parasites and inherited conditions). Some indications that your dog may be suffering a food allergy include:

Persistent problems with the dog’s ears.
Puppies that have well developed skin problems.
Experiencing allergies non-stop throughout the year.
Relentless scratching.

A suggested technique of sourcing the food that is causing food allergy and hair loss in your dog is that of using homemade diets. This is because store bought foods contain hidden constituents and specific preservatives and chemicals. If, as the pet owner, you are lucky enough to notice immediate results, then the culprit is an ingredient in the store food and you have already solved the problem.

It is often recommended that the elimination test to ascertain food allergies in dogs involve one part protein, two parts carbohydrate and the rest water. You can start with this recipe and work your way through the various proteins. The biggest issue with conducting this elimination technique at home is preventing the dog from acquiring food from other sources.

It is also recommended that after you believe you have sourced the cause of the allergy, give your dog its original food and note deterioration. This is necessary as it may not have been the culprit food and relief could have just been coincidence. Food allergies in dogs can be confused for other conditions that show the same symptoms, such as itching and hair loss. They can also be difficult to pinpoint via the elimination technique. This, however, is exactly what the pet owner must do.

The good news is that finding the food source that causes allergies is doable, and remedying the itching and hair loss in your dog is achievable. It just requires patience. Doesn’t your dog deserve that?

Dog Hair Loss - Canine Hair Loss - Dog Skin Problems