Everyone knows that peanuts can cause allergies. It is aired in almost every movie, wherein a character goes into anaphylactic shock, and the EpiPen is stuck into their arm. Since there are no movies for dog allergies, here is a guide to understanding common triggers of food allergies in dogs.

Let us first make a distinction between allergies and intolerance. Allergies involve the immune system and present symptoms like skin inflammation, ear infection, itching, and incessant biting. Intolerance, on the other hand, is purely a digestive issue. Vomiting and diarrhea are its main symptoms. The same foods can cause allergies or intolerance in different dogs, and preventive measures depend on the correct diagnosis of the problem. Listed below are common triggers of food allergies in dogs:

1. Meat
Allergies can take place due to a lot of reasons. A common reason is overexposure to the same kinds of foods. Most commercial dog foods use meat (beef or chicken) as the primary protein source. Proteins are common causes of allergies, and an increased intake proportionately heightens the chances of a flare-up. Once veterinarians and researchers noticed this trend, they introduced lamb meat into the commercial food mix for dogs. And, over the years, this has led to an increase in allergies to lamb meat as well. The best way to prevent this is by rotating meats over a week. If your dog seems to have already developed the allergy, then consider switching to alternate protein sources like venison or fish.

2. Eggs
Egg allergies usually mean an exaggerated immune response to specific proteins present in the egg yolk. Egg allergies are quite common in dogs, along with other food allergies. While not all dogs develop this allergy, you should pay attention to your dog’s reaction to a small quantity of egg and then decide if it should be a part of its diet.

3. Vegetables
The most common allergen among vegetables is potatoes. Like chicken, beef, lamb, and other major protein sources, most pet food brands use potatoes to get carbohydrates onto your canine’s plate. In most cases, symptoms include itchy skin, indigestion, and ear infections; and in extreme cases, even anaphylactic shocks may occur. It is essential to pay attention to your dog’s response to different foods. The easy remedy is to look for foods that use sweet potatoes instead of regular ones.

4. Wheat, corn, and soy
While meat allergies are more prevalent, grain allergies are not uncommon in dogs. Commercial food manufacturers choose wheat, corn, and soy as carbohydrate and protein sources because of their easy availability and affordability. These grains can cause dogs, especially older ones, to react to them adversely. Soy is one of the worst culprits among the three, as it can also result in other health issues. Thyroid problems, liver disease, growth, and reproductive problems are all linked to soy consumption in dogs. However, rectifying this is simple, as many “grain-free” dog foods are available in the market.