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Could it be a true allergy? Or just a sensitivity?
Jean Hofve, DVM
April 24, 2014
animalwellnessmagazine.com
Common symptoms of food sensitivity are vomiting, diarrhea, and itchy skin or rash-type eruptions. However, a reaction to food doesn’t necessarily indicate an allergy. Many dogs have a food sensitivity or intolerance, but relatively few are truly allergic. Here’s the difference:
Beef
• Dairy
• Wheat
• Corn
• Soy
• Eggs
In addition to meat protein sources, corn, wheat and soy also contain protein. Currently, 70% of corn and 93% of soy grown in the U.S. is genetically modified. While the ultimate and cumulative effects of GM foods are still unknown, protein alteration is, by definition, a given.
Many poor quality dog foods contain high protein grain extracts, such as wheat gluten, which are used to create shapes (such as “slices” or “chunks”). Cheap dry foods commonly include corn gluten meal, which, at 60% protein, is used as a substitute for expensive animal protein.
Could it be a true allergy? Or just a sensitivity?
Does your dog have a food sensitivity?
ByJean Hofve, DVM
April 24, 2014
Does your dog have a food sensitivity? | Animal Wellness Magazine
A food sensitivity can manifest in several ways but the solution is simple – a better quality diet.
animalwellnessmagazine.com
A food sensitivity can manifest in several ways but the solution is simple – a better quality diet.
Does your dog have a “sensitive” stomach? Does she react badly to certain foods? Is she itchy year round? Do you think she might have a food sensitivity or allergy? Given the hundreds of different ingredients used in poor quality commercial pet foods, it’s no surprise that some of them are not well received by the animals eating them!Common symptoms of food sensitivity are vomiting, diarrhea, and itchy skin or rash-type eruptions. However, a reaction to food doesn’t necessarily indicate an allergy. Many dogs have a food sensitivity or intolerance, but relatively few are truly allergic. Here’s the difference:
Food allergies
A food allergy may cause either gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting and/or diarrhea) or skin symptoms (itchiness, rash, hot spots). A food allergy is an immune reaction to a particular protein. Experts believe that between 10% and 30% of food reactions are allergic in nature. True food allergies tend to develop over long periods (months to years) in response to foods or treats the dog eats frequently or chronically. Food allergies are uncommon in dogs under one year of age. Common proteins, and therefore common allergens, include the following:Beef
• Dairy
• Wheat
• Corn
• Soy
• Eggs
In addition to meat protein sources, corn, wheat and soy also contain protein. Currently, 70% of corn and 93% of soy grown in the U.S. is genetically modified. While the ultimate and cumulative effects of GM foods are still unknown, protein alteration is, by definition, a given.
Many poor quality dog foods contain high protein grain extracts, such as wheat gluten, which are used to create shapes (such as “slices” or “chunks”). Cheap dry foods commonly include corn gluten meal, which, at 60% protein, is used as a substitute for expensive animal protein.
