How Can You Tell If Your Dog Has Food Allergies?

[rimashi]

We thought that our three APBTs had food allergies because they weren't able to get use to their food. They had soft stool the whole time they were eating it and their stool was almost slimy looking (sorry, I know that's gross). We didn't suddenly change their food or anything like that, we don't give them people food, though they do get some plain yogurt with all of the active cultures in it every now and then, nothing had changed, but they just weren't getting any better. They were eating and drinking like normal and they were throwing up or acting sick, they just had soft stool all of the time. So, we decided to switch them to a food that is good for dogs with food allergies. We switched them from Natural Balance Ultra Premium dry dog food to Natural Balance Duck and Potato dry formula. So, we switched them over slowly and got them eating the new food. They did seem to be making an improvement, but when we went to go get more food they were out of the Duck and Potato, so we got the Ultra Premium. They had some Duck and Potato left still so we were able to mix that with the other so they didn't get sick. Anyway, we are about to switch them back to the Duck and Potato so that they can have some time to really get use to it and see if that helps. But before we switched their food again, I wanted to see if it sounds like they do have food allergies or not. So, how can you tell if a dog has food allergies? Is this something I would have to talk to the vet about or are there ways I can tell and just put them on a food that's for dogs with food allergies? Also, if they do have food allergies, will there still be some foods that they can't eat, even if it is a food that's good for food allergies? Like Natural Balance has the Duck and Potato that's good for food allergies and they also have Sweet Potato and Fish that's good for food allergies. Would it be possible that one would work better for them than the other if they do have food allergies?

 

[VickiandKev]

Sorry to hear your dogs have had poorly tummies - and glad they're a bit better now.

It doesn't sound like food allergy to me, it being very odd that all three of your dogs reacted to the food in the same way. How old are your dogs? Young dogs can experience sensitivity to all sorts of things that a more mature stomach wouldn't be affected by.

Have they had any reaction to the original food now it's mixed with the duck and potato?
If not, it may be that you purchased food that was perhaps spoiled - it may have been stored inadequately by the food retailer, or may have been contaminated at the point of production.

I tend to find that all of my dogs (under 1 year) will react badly to an adult or 'junior' food, so all will stay on the slightly easier to digest puppy food for the foreseeable future. I will keep them on puppy food until they are all 18 months old, and then switch to Junior for 6-12 months and then adult food after that.

 

[nessar]

I agree with the person above, if it was an alergy its unlikely it would effect them all. I used to have a dog with a sensitive stomach like that and had to feed her on chicken and rice and wean her onto dog food slowly.

Also I've found that all my dogs can have a reaction to some foods - none of mine have been able to stomach Pedigree Chum as its too rich. You could have a look at the ingreedients?

 

[Shelby]

The most common food allergy for dogs is beef and wheat. I don't believe those foods have that but double check. Also, some signs of food allergies are ear problems (ie:digging, scratching, head shaking, smell, constant yeast infections in the ears); dry, flaky, skin; extreme itching; nibbling on feet, tail, flanks; etc. Most of the same symptoms people get with allergies actually.

Have you had your dogs checked for worms and parasites? These are easily transferred between dogs if they all potty in the same place. Diarrhea/soft stool is a common sympton of parasites.

 

[Night61]

our dog has a allergy to certain kinds of plastics so she cannot have a normal Frisbee. we found out because she started to loose hair around her mouth and eyes where she had contact with it.

 

[Floyds mum]

My dog has always had very loose stools and the vet said it could be an allergy but if all 3 are suffering Id ask the vets for their opinion but it wouldnt hurt to try changing their food, it could be something that APBT's could have problems with, abit like most greyhounds suffer from sensitive stomachs Hope it gets sorted out

 

[Shelby]

Any word on this?