Does your dog sit and scratch all day long? Is his fur falling out or does he have bald spots, red scaly patches or a just plain unhealthy appearance? Have you scoured your pet for signs of fleas, ticks or anything to explain his constant itching? If your pet suffers from irritated, itchy skin and rashes he may have allergies. What you may not know is that he could be allergic to the very food that you feed him!

Allergies to dog food are extremely common. In fact, food allergy is one of the top reasons why dogs have chronic, itchy rashes. In addition, pets can experience trouble breathing, sneezing and itchy eyes, all from their food! Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of a pet allergy to food. There are many different ingredients and additives in commercial pet foods. Interestingly, some of these foods are very common allergy triggers.

Common foods that cause allergies in dogs include: chicken, beef, corn, eggs and wheat. These are often the first few ingredients in most commercial dog foods. If you read on you may find that the food also contains artificial flavors, dyes and other additives that your dog doesn't need.

For pets with food allergies, a hypoallergenic dog food that lacks common allergens is typically a good solution. Many dogs do very well with a simple lamb and rice formula. For other dogs, they may require something different. There are many different quality pet foods that are made with alternative proteins, such as fish, lamb or duck. These foods also contain potato or rice as a carbohydrate source. These products provide a balanced diet by adding vitamins and minerals with natural vegetable and fruit sources instead of manufactured additives.

Finding a food that lacks common allergens is an important way to identify and treat food allergies. Once your pet has had the offending agent removed from his diet he will begin to feel better and look healthier. It is important to stick to this diet and to avoid giving your pet treats that may contain allergy producing products.

The best course of action for a pet with signs of an allergy is to consult your dog's veterinarian. This ensures that you are not treating your pet for the wrong condition. The good news is that there is a huge variety of products that offer hypoallergenic foods for dogs. Having a dog with allergies is now more affordable than ever before.

You can view our full range of Dog Food Recipe and Dog Nutrition eBooks here ...