The primary symptom of dog food allergies is itching that is not associated with fleas or other insects. In addition to itching and scratching (which is often of the ears), you may notice the  following symptoms in your dog (this list is non exhaustive): excessive licking and chewing of feet, hot spots,  frequent ear infections and in some cases loose stools.

The common culprits in dog food allergies: Frequently dog food allergies are caused by three main sources: corn, wheat and soy. Thankfully, these foods are not required by dogs and they can and should be feed a diet exclusive of these ingredients. Corn appears to be the biggest irritating of the three, and unfortunately is a frequent filler in  many low grade dog foods, often appearing at or near the top of the list of ingredients. If you’re seeking a quality dog food brand, feel free to check out our dog food ratings page for some suggestions. As well, if you are considering the move to raw feeding we have listed some of the triumphs and pit falls of a raw diet for dogs.

While corn, wheat and soy are the most common dog food allergies, in some cases a dog may even be allergic to a specific kind of meat, such as chicken or beef. While it’s important to note that meat should be the main ingredient in any dog’s diet, you may need to swap out one type of meat entirely if their are allergies present. When switching dog food brands it’s important to make the switch slowly, which is done by mixing in the new food with the previously used brand. This is done in order to minimize upset to the dog’s stomach, as a switch which is done cold turkey result in loose stools and potentially even diarrhea or vomit ting could occur.