Does your dog suffer from skin or digestive problems?
 
Very often, dry skin, and itching can be the result of allergies to certain food groups. Just like humans, dogs can show adverse reactions, for example to gluten or dairy products or even mammalian meats such as beef and lamb. Allergies can also be caused by everyday things like pollen, insects, mould or carpet fibres. Many people are also concerned that herbicide and pesticide residues that find their way into the food chain can trigger adverse reactions. Most allergies tend to occur between two and six years of age for dogs, although they can start at any age, and the symptoms may be low stamina, hyperactivity, hair loss and skin itching. Intolerance to certain foods are not strictly allergies, but can also produce unpleasant symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea. If the allergy is caused by a dietary problem, you may find  Organic or Chicken & Rice diets will provide a diet free of many of the ingredients that cause reactions.
 
What are allergies?
Allergies are hypersensitivity reactions by the body to foreign substances or organisms. Anything that provokes an allergic reaction is called an allergen. Just as allergies are on the increase in humans, the same is true of pets. Dogs can be allergic to many things - pollen, mould, insects, carpet fibres and certain food ingredients. Contributing factors are believed to be increasing pollution and the amount of herbicides, pesticides etc that are finding their way into the food chain.
 
Allergies can be generally classified into two types. A classical allergy is defined by an allergic reaction, usually within 30 minutes. With a delayed allergy, symptoms may not be evident for several hours to days.
 
How your dog can be affected.
The symptoms may be low stamina or energy levels or hyperactivity, digestion problems including vomiting and diarrhoea. Often there are skin problems such as inflammation, hair loss and itching. There is no strong evidence to suggest that certain breeds are more susceptible than others. Food allergies affect both males and females, neutered and non-neutered animals equally. Symptoms can occur as early as five months and as late as 12 years of age, though the vast majority of cases occur between two and six years.
 
What to do if you think your dog has an allergy
  The majority of allergic reactions can be treated and your vet can give you the best advice on treatment. Obviously, it is best to avoid the allergen in the first place, if it is known. Possible remedies may include topical shampoos, rinses or anti-itch ointments - many of which will contain hydrocortisone.
 
Fatty acids are often effective and work by reducing the amount and effects of histamine that is released in response to allergies.
 
Biotin is one of the B group vitamins and can be helpful for dogs suffering from dry skin, seborrhea and dry itchy skin. Fatty acids and biotin may be used in conjunction with anti-histamines to alleviate the symptoms.
 
If none of the above are effective and avoidance of the allergen is impossible, immunotherapy (or hyposensitisation) may be the answer. Testing takes place and a series of injections is given to de-sensitise the dog to the allergens. As a last resort, steroid therapy may be prescribed by the vet.
 
Food ingredients that can cause allergies
A distinction needs to be drawn between food allergies and food intolerance. The results may be the same, but in general, allergies tend to cause itching and skin problems while intolerance tends to cause diarrhoea and/or vomiting.
 
David Southey, a nutrition expert at Goldenacres - a leading pet food manufacturer explains, "The main culprit in food for causing allergies is protein. Mammalian meat meal, principally beef and lamb, is a common offender, as is wheat gluten, but dairy products, chicken, eggs, corn and soy can all trigger allergic reactions. Many customers and nutritionists believe that the presence of artificial colourings, flavourings and preservatives, as well as the residue of pesticides and herbicides, can cause problems. As a result, there has been a large growth in the popularity of organic dog food. Many pet owners also argue that their dogs find organic food more palatable. Organic pet food also tends to contain a higher level of vitamins, because the soils they are grown in are richer in nutrients."
 
What to feed your dog
Some people prefer to feed their dogs nothing but natural food, which represents a diet they might eat in the wild, including raw meat, bones and offal supplemented by fruit and vegetables. The reality for most owners, with busy lives, is that the convenience of a pre-prepared dog food is the only option - and there has never been a greater choice of foods available.
 
The three main categories of dog food are moist, semi-moist or dry. Each has their own advantages but it is fair to say that semi-moist and dry varieties are increasing in popularity because it is less messy, more convenient, has less odour and is less expensive. It also tends to exercise the mouth more and reduce the build-up of tartar. However, if a dog has certain medical conditions such as kidney disease or bladder infection, a moist food may be more beneficial. In such cases it is best to seek the advice of a vet.
 
Foods will also be distinguished by other factors such as the age of the dog - puppy, adult and senior or by the size of the dog. Each will have been specially prepared to contain the correct type and quantity of ingredients and nutrients. The prevalence of balanced meals means that poorly balanced nutrition and the associated problems is becoming a thing of the past.
 
At the end of the day, it may be your dog that has the final say - particularly if it is a fussy eater. Many owners will supplement their dog's diet by snacks, treats and left-overs. There are however certain foods that a dog should never eat; they include caffeine drinks, chocolate, onion and garlic, fat trimmings, alcohol, mouldy food and chicken or fish bones.