Is your pet pooch scratching and itching itself? Does it have a poor coat quality and does it suffer from frequent ear infections? What you’re feeding your beloved dog could be adding to its distress if you don’t know what he or she is allergic to. Today, food allergies are a rising common concern among dog owners, with more and more dogs seeming to suffer from them.

You must have tried special shampoos, altered grooming routine and also tried medications; but your dog has not stopped itching, scratching or biting fur. But have you considered working on your pet’s diet? Similar to humans, dogs too have food allergies. Dogs can experience severe itching, irritation, swollen face, among others due to food allergies.

Pets are sensitive to different allergies. Two types of allergies are common in pets – environment allergy and food allergy. Food allergies in pets are least common but it prevails in almost 10% of US households. The reasons for the allergies include- low immunity, bowel syndrome, genetic issues, allergen contents, among others.

Dogs and cats can be easily allergic to a range of foods that go undiscovered until they show the symptoms. Sometimes, the causative agent for such allergies remain undetected and thereby the owner has to put the fur-babies on food allergy tests so that they are able to avoid such foods in the long run.

When it comes to dog food, one size does not fit all as different canine breeds have varying needs. Also, due to growing concerns about the use of synthetic and artificial food additives in commercially available pet food, more people are switching to organic and all-natural variants among the hundreds of options available.

Aspects to consider while selecting the best dog food Before grabbing any bag of kibble that you came across online, it’s important that understand your pet’s food requirements. Your dog’s health and development are directly proportional to the quality of nutrients in the food they intake. Dry or wet? High-fiber or protein-rich?