Allergy - How to Cure Dog Food Allergies

If your dog has symptoms that are abnormal for a healthy dog, one of the most common causes may be dog food allergies. Allergies in dogs are often associated with the following symptoms ? Hair loss ? Dry skin ? Loss of appetite ? Itchy skin ? Inflammations of the ear ? Hot spots that are persistent ? Chewing on paws, legs or other parts of the dogs body ? Lack luster, dull coat ? Upset tummy and or diarrhea ? Itchy Anus ? Rubbing Face There are in fact many different kinds of allergies such as those caused by fleas, bacteria, inhalant and contact allergies. But the most common allergy is a dog food allergy and that is the one that we'll discuss here. Dog food allergies are indicative of a problem in the adequacy of the nutrients in your dog food. There may be a lack of essential fatty acids and a sensitivity to the dog food that you are feeding. Your dog may be allergic to a variety of different foods, and perhaps more than one dog food. Some common food culprits for dog food allergies are ? Corn ? Pork ? Preservatives and Additives ? Beef ? Chicken ? Dairy ? Eggs ? Wheat and Grains ? Fish ? Whey ? Oats ? Soy ? And even Lamb ! If your dog shows any of the symptoms above and her food includes any of the possible suspect ingredients listed, you may want to consider a home made natural diet, eliminating the potential allergen. You must remove the potential source of the dog food allergy for up to 30 days in order to see any possible improvement. You will be certain that no hidden ingredients masked as something else are present that may be causing a dog food allergy One of the best resources for a natural homemade diet can be found at http://www.dogs-4life.com/raw-vs-kibble.html If you opt for a commercial dog food make sure that you understand and read carefully the ingredient list on the label Just because a dog food says that it is hypo allergenic does not mean that it is. There are very few regulations as to what can be printed on a dog food label. Don't trust dog food company propaganda. Read the ingredient list carefully. For more information on this go to: http://www.dogs-4life.com/dog-food-labeling-better-than-human-food,-industry-claims.html Finally, while a dog food allergy may be the most likely culprit in your dog's symptoms, there could be more serious underlying problems. You should always consult with your veterinarian who can help you with a proper diagnosis and with a selection of a diet that is most appropriate for your dog. Don't just guess when your dog's health is at stake. My small 8 year old dog had skin allergies, suddenly became ill and no vet could isolate the cause. She died after enduring 2 weeks of pain and misery on Mother's Day morning. Don't let anything happen to your best friend. Find out what is in the dog food you use at http://www.dogs-4life.com/dog-food-that-kills.html Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M._Bruno Allergy - Facing the Facts Of Gluten Allergy Food allergy remains one of the most persistent forms of allergic reaction. No one knows why people have certain allergic responses to different types of food. But it is a fact that once a person is exposed to the food allergen, the symptoms will surely follow. Gluten allergy is a food allergy that makes the sufferer sensitive to gluten. Coeliac disease is a health condition in the small intestine. What happens to a person with gluten allergy is once the allergen comes in contact with the small intestine, it causes the immune system to attack the lining of the bowel. This attack on the small intestine's lining of the gluten allergy sufferer weakens the stomach and can cause serious health problems in the future. The delicate lining is responsible for the absorption of nutrients and vitamins in our body. Once it is weakened, we lose our capacity to effectively turn food into energy, Gluten allergy starts at a young age, right after the weaning period and the mother is feeding the baby with cereals. There are no specific reasons why a person develops the gluten allergy but when it happens, the only thing the gluten allergy sufferer can do is avoid gluten at all cost. Symptoms of Gluten Allergy Gluten is usually found in wheat products. Breads, pasta and other baked goods can be considered dangerous to a person with gluten allergy. Biscuits, pastries, breakfast cereals and instant soups and sauces also have gluten. The symptoms of a gluten allergy differ from children and adults. Children with gluten allergy may suffer from slow physical growth, weight loss, with poor appetite. Gluten allergic symptoms also include vomiting and diarrhea. Because the small intestine's lining is damaged, the vitamins and minerals do not go to the body. The kids end up looking thin, pale and have no energy at all. In adults, gluten allergy symptoms are similar, with loss of weight, diarrhea or constipation complicating the disease. Aside from this, adults often complain about depression, extreme fatigue, lethargy, bone pain and ulcers in the sufferer's mouth. Treatment Treatment for gluten allergies begins like all other food allergy, avoiding contact with the allergen. There are certain food substitutes for gluten allergy sufferers like using sunflower oil instead of the usual cooking oil and drinking wines instead of beer. There are medications available to these sufferers. But unlike other food allergies that show external symptoms like rashes, gluten allergy destroys from the inside, making diagnosis and detection hard. Oral medication can help ease the pain from the small intestine and vitamin supplements must also be taken along with it. Gluten allergy prevention Gluten allergy sufferers are asked to be vigilant in monitoring their diet. Reading the labels for anything with wheat is a good start. Self-discipline is the key to beating gluten allergy. The food selection for coeliac disease sufferers is still varied like fruits, salads and vegetables, rice, corn, nuts, meat and chicken eggs and dairy products, fish and seafood. What could be the worst-case scenario for gluten allergy sufferers? If left untreated, coeliac disease can result in anemia, bone disease and some form of cancer. The best advise is to steer clear of gluten-laden foods. The more the person does not intake gluten, the better their chances of not having a serious health problem in the future. 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