Help, it itches! Does my dog have a food allergy? Veterinarian Klaus Fischl explains!

Are you wondering if your dog might have a food allergy? The symptoms can be manifold and can often be traced back to a feed intolerance. This is based on a congenital or developed disorder of the immune system directed against certain food components, especially certain proteins and carbohydrates. Among the most common symptoms are:

The most common symptoms of food intolerance in dogs include:

• Itching all over the dog’s body
• Frequent scratching and/or licking of certain parts of the dog’s body.
• Swelling and reddening
• Hair loss in certain areas or on the entire body of the dog
• Skin inflammation, which can occur in certain regions such as the paws, armpits or head, or can spread over the entire skin of the dog
• Ear infection (chronic inflammation of the dog’s ear canal)
• Gastrointestinal problems in dogs such as diarrhoea and vomiting
• “Hot spots” – hot, red and oozing skin inflammations in dogs
• Changes in the dog’s nature and behaviour, e.g.: Aggressiveness, fearfulness, nervousness and apathy.

Untreated food intolerance in dogs can have serious consequences as it hinders the absorption of vital nutrients and can weaken the dog’s immune system.

If you notice one or more of these symptoms in your dog, I strongly recommend consulting a trusted veterinarian. With a comprehensive clinical examination, including blood tests, allergy tests and exclusion diagnostics, the veterinarian can accurately identify the problem and initiate appropriate treatment.

For many dogs with food intolerances, entoVITAL’s hypoallergenic food has proven to be an effective solution to manage the symptoms.

Yours, Mag.med.vet. Klaus Fischl